
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Teamsters Union has chosen not to endorse a presidential candidate for the 2024 election, signaling frustration with both major candidates’ commitment to labor issues. This decision comes at a time when union power is rising, fueled by an increase in strikes and growing public support for organized labor across the United States.
The Teamsters, one of the country’s largest and oldest unions, played a key role in recent labor negotiations with UPS, narrowly avoiding a strike that would have disrupted the shipping industry. The union, known for its influence in Washington, D.C., has historically endorsed Democratic candidates but has backed Republicans in the past, including Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.
However, under the leadership of General President Sean O’Brien, the Teamsters have been navigating a more bipartisan path. O’Brien has forged connections with Republicans, marking the first time in the union’s 121-year history that a Teamsters president spoke at the Republican National Convention, where he praised Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).
But the International Brotherhood of Teamsters declined to endorse a presidential candidate on Wednesday after releasing internal polling that showed a majority of its members supported former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris.
The union’s decision not to endorse a candidate sparked backlash from within. Former Teamsters President Jim Hoffa criticized the move as a “critical error,” arguing that the union should support Vice President Kamala Harris, who has consistently backed working families and unions. In response, the Teamsters issued a strong statement defending O’Brien’s leadership and emphasizing their focus on building bipartisan support for labor issues.
Despite the national union’s stance, some Teamsters locals have broken ranks and endorsed Harris. The larger impact of these local endorsements remains to be seen, as endorsements from public figures and organizations often have little effect on election outcomes.
This decision comes amid a broader resurgence of union activity in the U.S., marked by high-profile strikes and growing public approval of unions. In 2023, union approval reached 70%, the highest level since the 1960s, though union membership has declined over the years.
As the 2024 election approaches, the Teamsters’ choice not to endorse may reflect a growing demand for direct action and accountability from political leaders, especially as the labor movement continues to gain momentum across the nation.
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