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Jimmy Williams
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the nation’s largest labor unions, announced Wednesday that it would not endorse either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump for president in the 2024 election. The decision reflects a deep divide within the union over which candidate best serves its members’ interests.
“Unfortunately, neither major candidate was able to make serious commitments to our union to ensure the interests of working people are always put before Big Business,” said Teamsters President Sean M. O’Brien in a statement. “We sought commitments from both Trump and Harris not to interfere in critical union campaigns or core Teamsters industries — and to honor our members’ right to strike — but were unable to secure those pledges.”
The Teamsters, which represent 1.3 million workers, have long been a significant force in U.S. elections. By withholding its endorsement, the union sends a message to both campaigns that it expects stronger commitments to labor issues.
Harris vs. Trump on Labor
Vice President Kamala Harris has consistently supported organized labor throughout her political career. Harris campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt emphasized her history of standing with unions: “While Donald Trump says striking workers should be fired, Vice President Harris has literally walked the picket line and stood strong with organized labor for her entire career.”
Harris has also benefited from the support of local Teamsters chapters and other unions like the AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers, and the United Auto Workers.
On the other hand, Trump, despite his occasional anti-union rhetoric, has gained favor among some blue-collar workers. His campaign quickly capitalized on internal Teamsters polling showing that he has an edge over Harris among rank-and-file members. “It’s a great honor,” Trump said in response to the union’s decision not to endorse Harris.
A Union Divided
The split within the Teamsters highlights broader tensions among labor groups. Many members are torn between Trump’s appeal on issues like border security and gun control and Harris’s strong record on union support. Marick Masters, an expert on labor issues, noted, “For many workers, issues such as gun control, abortion, and border security override Trump’s expressions of hostility to unions.”
The lack of an endorsement from such a powerful union is a signal that both candidates need to work harder to earn labor support, especially with Election Day rapidly approaching.
