The Teamsters, some of the influential unions in america, are on the verge of deciding who they may help within the 2024 presidential election. The choice of the union, which has 1.3 million members, might come as early as Wednesday, when its govt board will meet to debate its selection.
This comes after union representatives met with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris on Monday, having beforehand met Republican candidate Donald Trump In January, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien stated the union’s govt board would take into account a number of elements, together with an inside survey, earlier than making a closing resolution.
“We can’t put this matter on maintain,” O’Brien stated after an hour-long dialogue with Harris, Reuters reported.
O’Brien acknowledged the problem of balancing the union’s various membership, which incorporates Democrats, Republicans and independents. “We have now to take that into consideration.”
The Teamsters, often known as the Worldwide Brotherhood of Teamsters, is without doubt one of the largest unions in america and Canada, and performs a vital function in battleground states similar to Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania, which might affect the result of The elections of November fifth.
Whereas opinion ballot outcomes shall be vital, O’Brien pressured that they don’t seem to be the one figuring out think about union help.
“We’ll take a look at each choice… We have now to ensure we make the precise resolution,” O’Brien stated, Reuters reported.
Harris has garnered vital help from main unions, together with the United Auto Staff and the AFL-CIO, which represents 12.5 million staff.
On the Teamsters-Harris assembly, Harris expressed her dedication to supporting union staff.
“She is dedicated to persevering with to struggle for union staff like hers on daily basis,” her marketing campaign stated in an announcement.
Harris additionally pledged to work with Congress to cross pro-worker laws, with the objective of “ending union busting as soon as and for all.”
The dialog with the Teamsters additionally touched on subjects similar to Amazon’s labor practices. O’Brien stated, “We mentioned Amazon” and the challenges round organizing its staff.
Regardless of beforehand backing Democratic candidates similar to Joe Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016, the union has sometimes supported Republicans in previous elections.
O’Brien’s speech on the Republican Nationwide Conference in July highlighted the union’s openness to various candidates, although he criticized Trump for his stance on placing staff.