The Teamsters union, a prominent labor organization representing 1.6 million workers and retirees, has made the decision not to endorse a candidate for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. This marks the first time in nearly three decades that the union has opted to remain neutral in a presidential race.
Earlier, the union conducted polling among its members, revealing that former President Donald Trump holds a significant level of support within the union's ranks.
In a statement, Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien expressed gratitude to all candidates who engaged in face-to-face discussions with union members. However, neither major candidate was able to provide sufficient commitments to prioritize the interests of working people over those of Big Business. The union had sought assurances from both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris regarding non-interference in crucial union campaigns, protection of core Teamsters industries, and respect for members' right to strike, but these pledges were not secured.
Vice President Harris met with Teamsters leaders recently, while O’Brien notably had a speaking role at the Republican National Convention but did not appear at the subsequent Democratic National Convention.
The Teamsters, which represents a diverse range of workers including truck drivers and freight employees, is the final major labor union to announce its stance on the presidential race. Other significant labor organizations in the country have thrown their support behind Vice President Harris.
It is noteworthy that the Teamsters' last endorsement of a Republican presidential candidate was in 1988, when they backed George H.W. Bush. The union refrained from endorsing a candidate in 1996, marking the most recent instance of their neutrality in a presidential election.
