The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), a large transportation union in the United States, announced on the 18th (local time) that they will not endorse a specific candidate in the November presidential election. The union, which has about 1.3 million members, has decided not to endorse any candidate for the first time in about 30 years. The decision is expected to particularly impact Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who is in need of support from unions in the Rust Belt states.
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien stated in a statement released on the 18th that neither of the major candidates had made a serious commitment to prioritizing the interests of workers over large corporations as the union has always advocated for. This decision comes just two days after Harris met with the Teamsters executive board privately.
The move by the Teamsters to withhold endorsement from both Democratic and Republican candidates could potentially benefit former President Donald Trump, whom the union leader O’Brien has shown a favorable stance towards. O’Brien’s alignment with Trump has caused internal conflicts within the union, with some in the labor movement expressing shock over the union leader’s pro-Republican position.
While Harris has secured the support of several unions, including the United Auto Workers (UAW), the lack of endorsement from the influential Teamsters could pose a significant challenge for her campaign. Founded in 1903, the Teamsters represent truck drivers, bus drivers, airline pilots, and other workers, with 1.3 million members. A significant portion of their members come from the Rust Belt region, particularly in Pennsylvania. A recent electronic poll conducted among Teamster members showed strong support for Trump (59.6%), while support for Harris stood at 34%.
Despite the national decision to not endorse a candidate, some regional branches of the Teamsters, like the ones in Nevada, have expressed support for Harris. The Nevada branch, with 300,000 members, has announced their backing for the Democratic candidate. Harris’ camp downplayed the significance of the national union’s decision, stating that most Teamsters branches across the country have already endorsed Harris along with other major labor organizations.