Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are actively engaging with voters in the Midwest this week, focusing on garnering support from key union leaders and advocating for pro-labor policies that aim to benefit the middle class.
The Democratic ticket, led by Harris and Walz, has received strong backing from influential union leaders. Shawn Fain, the president of the United Auto Workers, recently endorsed Harris and praised the duo as a 'Democratic dynamic duo' during a joint appearance on Tuesday.
Following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race last month, efforts have been made to maintain the support of unions that had previously endorsed him. Harris has been working diligently to demonstrate her commitment to continuing Biden's pro-union agenda. She has been engaging with union leaders, participating in early campaign events with organizations like the American Federation of Teachers and the UAW, and securing endorsements from major unions, including a hospitality union.
Despite former President Donald Trump's proposal to increase service workers' wages, Harris has remained steadfast in her support for labor rights and fair wages.
However, there is still work to be done at the grassroots level to solidify support among the millions of union members in the manufacturing-heavy Midwest. While union leadership may endorse a particular candidate, the political preferences of individual union members do not always align with those of their leaders.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a union representing 1.3 million members, is currently surveying its rank-and-file members to gauge their opinions. The union is expected to make a decision on endorsing a presidential candidate after its convention.
