National Teamsters Union fails to endorse a President; State Chapters endorse Kamala Harris

The Teamsters Union, formally named "The International Brotherhood of Teamsters" is a labour union founded in 1903 to realise truck drivers and workers in related industries ambitions of engaging in industrial action to rightly demand for better wages and living conditions, most notably in the United States and Canada. Ever since then, the Teamsters Union has grown is membership to 1.3 million members, the 4th largest labour union in the United States. Since the 2000 presidential election, they have endorsed Democratic Party candidates but earlier tonight, the national union declined to endorse any candidate while some state chapters have endorsed Vice President Harris. Why is this the case and can the Vice President still win in November?

Brief History

The word "teamsters" is a term used for truck drivers and a person who drives teams of draft animals like ox and horses. The American Federation of Labour in 1887 formed local trade unions of these teamsters. Just one year later, the Federation launched the national union named the Team Drivers International Union, which permitted large employers to join the union as well. However, in 1901, a group of Teamsters broke away and formed the Teamsters National Union which was employee exclusive. They were also more aggressive than the International Union in bargaining for higher wages and shorter hours. Its President at the time, Albert Young, applied to the Federation for membership after claiming 28,000 members in 47 different locations. This prompted the Federation to urge the International Union to merge with the National Union and in 1903, forming the Teamsters Union we know today.

Controversial leadership

Current leader, Sean O'Brien became the first Teamsters Union leader to speak at a Republucan National Convention, in at least a hundred years. He spoke on the 15th of July 2024 where he gave a speech encouraging delegates of the Convention to respect American labour in spite of differences in politics. One week prior to the appearance, this caused backlash within his own union. He was criticized by his own Vice President John Palmer who rightly raised concerns and dissent at his appearance at the Convention of giving his support to Donald Trump and the Republicans, who Palmer justifiably calls the "most anti-union party and president in a generation". The national chairman of the Teamsters Black caucus warned that Trump was a "scab" and he was just "masquerading as a pro-union advocate" in a letter reported by the New York Times.

Later in the campaign, when most major union organizations like the United Auto Workers (UAWs) and the United Steelworkers have endorsed the Vice President in her election, the only hold out was the Teamsters Union, who commented that they'd wait and see for what the Harris and Trump campaigns have to offer for their endorsement, and they'll make a decision from there. And yesterday, we have an answer. They'll endorse no one in an unprecedented move since the 1996 election which saw Bill Clinton re-elected for 4 more years, citing "lack of commitment" from candidates to protect workers' interests, when the Vice President supported Joe Biden when he was picketing with UAW members and has been described by many as the most pro-union President in American history. This is the same vice-president who supported the Build Back Better plan which essentially gave 1.5 Billion US Dollars to American union members. She has been part of the most pro-worker administration in modern times. Most of the National Leadership of the Teamsters Union recognize that - practically all but one. This adds to the pressure that this controversial union leader has under his belt.

State Union Chapters Endorse the Vice President

Unlike the national teamster union, some state chapters have already endorsed Kamala Harris - including the crucial swing states of Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania have all endorsed Kamala Harris, and this is crucial. As aforementioned, Teamsters is the fourth largest union in America, with a loud voice into dictating who wins the state. With Steel Workers and UAW workers already locked down, and now with local Teamster Chapters coming in, the blue wall states might just, just back the Vice President come November's Election.

Electoral Calculus

The blue collar, blue wall states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania have a rich history of manufacturing industries and when manufacturing industries come, labour unions would follow suit. In modern day terms, win the union vote by a large margin - win the state overall. Since Harris has been endorsed by virtually all labour unions across America, including the crucial chapters in the manufacturing states - she currently leads in the polling there across all three states. Should she win these three states, she effectively wins the presidency.

Although the national union did not endorse her, crucial state chapters endorsing her might just be enough to put her over the top as a solid pro-worker candidate - and that effectively means winning 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.