Staff Reports
The Teamsters union, one of the largest labor organizations in the United States, appears ready to stir the political pot in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. This major twist comes thanks to Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, who has announced that the union may soon make its endorsement known, which is particularly eyebrow-raising given the Democratic Party’s usual hold on unions.
O’Brien recently took his musings to CBS News’ “Face The Nation,” where he lamented that he still hasn’t had the chance to chat with Vice President Kamala Harris about crucial union matters. This lack of dialogue is intriguing, especially considering President Biden’s unconventional move to suspend his re-election campaign while primary ballots are still being counted. The Teamsters boss seems to be making it clear that sitting down with the Vice President is at the top of his agenda.
One of the largest unions in the nation is being snubbed by the Dems while he spoke at the GOP Convention and he was allowed to say whatever he wanted. They were mad at him for (gasp) daring to speak at the Republican Convention.
Think about that.
Turns out that snub, plus the… pic.twitter.com/jsj2P5W3vs
— AwakenedOutlaw⚒️ (@AwakenedOutlaw) September 2, 2024
Despite the unions’ strong Democratic foundation, O’Brien hasn’t ruled out supporting candidates outside of the usual fare. In fact, he’s hinted at the existence of a significant contingent of Republican members within the Teamsters who hold vehement views on social issues like gun rights. Under O’Brien’s watch, it seems that the days of unions giving blind support to Democrats may be numbered. He’s certainly not looking to offer a free pass; the era of “free rides” is over, which is an inviting notion for those tired of old guard politics.
Interestingly, O’Brien made history earlier this year by becoming the first Teamsters president to speak at the Republican National Convention. His appearance was noted for its warm reception, where he praised GOP figures such as Senator Josh Hawley and vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance. This wasn’t just a cameo either; O’Brien was thanking former President Trump for including organized labor in the conference, something that hasn’t exactly warmed the hearts of Democratic pundits. Perhaps they were hoping for an endorsement while overlooking that O’Brien’s loyalty could sway.
The flavor of this endorsement dance reeks of political calculation. While coordination efforts between Harris’s campaign and the Teamsters are on the table, it seems O’Brien is in no rush to hand over his union’s support without some serious discussion on labor issues that matter. Insulted by what he views as a denial from the Democrats to even let him speak at their convention, O’Brien has made it known that the Teamsters won’t be handing out favors. Both parties, it seems, are courting the union, but only one side is taking the romantic route.
In a world where the working class has increasingly felt overlooked, O’Brien’s shift hints at a larger trend within labor politics. With Republican members flexing their muscles and demanding attention, the Teamsters might be polishing their power to negotiate rather than rolling over for the blue team. As this saga unravels, it remains to be seen if the Democrats can win back the loyalty of a union that’s starting to reconsider the political banners under which it marches.
