Teamsters' Black Caucus Contradicts Leadership by Endorsing Harris
The vote takes place amidst the broader union's decision to withdraw its support.
TroibNews 
Vice President Kamala Harris has received the endorsement of the National Black Caucus of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a section of the larger Teamsters union which itself has yet to endorse any candidate.
The endorsement came during a unanimous vote at a Las Vegas conference on Tuesday. This move has potential to stir discontent within a union known for internal pressures against such actions.
In a release following their decision, the TNBC commended both Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for their consistent support for labor interests, highlighting their "unwavering commitment to workers and their families" and their proven track record in promoting "labor rights and supporting working-class Americans."
The broader Teamsters union remains undecided, postponing any presidential endorsement until post-convention season. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien has extended interviews to multiple presidential hopefuls, including Harris, who though nominated last month, has yet to participate.
TNBC Chair James Curbeam emphasized the importance of past actions in their decision-making, referencing former President Donald Trump's long public history.
“When people show you who they are, believe them and Trump showed us for 40 years who he really is: someone who is not for us,” Curbeam noted. “Endorsing a candidate with his history would be a betrayal of the values that we have fought to uphold.”
O'Brien has attempted to engage with Republican entities, even accepting an invitation to speak at their July convention—a decision that has not sat well with all union members.
Moreover, O'Brien openly rebuked Trump’s recent stance on worker's rights, shared in an interview where Trump suggested firing striking workers. “Firing workers for organizing, striking, and exercising their rights as Americans is economic terrorism,” O’Brien stated.
Despite this, O’Brien revealed that he had yet to be invited to the Democratic events, as he mentioned to NBC 10 Boston this Tuesday.
Earlier this year, a union straw poll indicated preference for Biden among its members, prompting a second survey currently underway through an online platform.
In another show of support for Harris, Chicago's labor scene is actively backing the Democratic nominee, with unions playing a significant part in preparing for the convention there. "We are building a convention in Chicago that will tell our story to the American people, including the stories of labor and union leaders and workers across America supporting the Harris-Walz ticket and their pro-union record and vision,” stated Matt Hill from the DNC.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
The endorsement came during a unanimous vote at a Las Vegas conference on Tuesday. This move has potential to stir discontent within a union known for internal pressures against such actions.
In a release following their decision, the TNBC commended both Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for their consistent support for labor interests, highlighting their "unwavering commitment to workers and their families" and their proven track record in promoting "labor rights and supporting working-class Americans."
The broader Teamsters union remains undecided, postponing any presidential endorsement until post-convention season. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien has extended interviews to multiple presidential hopefuls, including Harris, who though nominated last month, has yet to participate.
TNBC Chair James Curbeam emphasized the importance of past actions in their decision-making, referencing former President Donald Trump's long public history.
“When people show you who they are, believe them and Trump showed us for 40 years who he really is: someone who is not for us,” Curbeam noted. “Endorsing a candidate with his history would be a betrayal of the values that we have fought to uphold.”
O'Brien has attempted to engage with Republican entities, even accepting an invitation to speak at their July convention—a decision that has not sat well with all union members.
Moreover, O'Brien openly rebuked Trump’s recent stance on worker's rights, shared in an interview where Trump suggested firing striking workers. “Firing workers for organizing, striking, and exercising their rights as Americans is economic terrorism,” O’Brien stated.
Despite this, O’Brien revealed that he had yet to be invited to the Democratic events, as he mentioned to NBC 10 Boston this Tuesday.
Earlier this year, a union straw poll indicated preference for Biden among its members, prompting a second survey currently underway through an online platform.
In another show of support for Harris, Chicago's labor scene is actively backing the Democratic nominee, with unions playing a significant part in preparing for the convention there. "We are building a convention in Chicago that will tell our story to the American people, including the stories of labor and union leaders and workers across America supporting the Harris-Walz ticket and their pro-union record and vision,” stated Matt Hill from the DNC.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
