Teamsters union nears decision on 2024 presidential endorsement

The Teamsters, one of the most influential labour unions in the United States, is poised to decide whom it will endorse in the 2024 presidential election. The 1.3-million strong union’s decision could come as soon as Wednesday when its executive board will meet to discuss its choice.
This comes after union representatives met with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris on Monday, having previously met Republican candidate Donald Trump in January. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien stated that the union’s executive board would consider various factors, including internal polling, before making a final decision.
“We can’t kick this can down the road,” O’Brien said after an hour-long discussion with Harris, reported Reuters.
O’Brien acknowledged the challenge of balancing the union’s diverse membership, which includes Democrats, Republicans, and independents. “We have to take that into consideration.”
The Teamsters, also known as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, is one of the largest labour unions in the United States and Canada, and plays a crucial role in battleground states like Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, which could sway the outcome of the November 5 election.
While opinion poll results will be important, O’Brien emphasised that they are not the sole determinant in the union’s endorsement.
“We are going to look at any and all options… We need to make sure we make the right decision,” O’Brien said, reported Reuters.

Harris has garnered significant support from major unions, including the United Auto Workers and the AFL-CIO, which represents 12.5 million workers.
In the Teamsters-Harris meeting, Harris expressed her commitment to supporting union workers.
“She is committed to continue fighting for union workers like theirs every day,” her campaign said in a statement.
Harris also promised to work with Congress to pass pro-labor legislation, aiming to “end union busting once and for all”.
The conversation with the Teamsters also covered issues like Amazon’s labour practices, with O’Brien noting, “We discussed Amazon” and the challenges around organising their workers.
Despite past endorsements of Democratic candidates like Joe Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016, the union has occasionally supported Republicans in earlier elections.
O’Brien’s speech at the Republican National Convention in July highlighted the union’s openness to different candidates, though he criticised Trump for his stance on striking workers.