West Coast Teamsters diverge from national group, endorse Harris
The announcement followed shortly after the national Teamsters opted not to endorse a presidential candidate.
TroibNews 
On Wednesday, regional factions of the Teamsters union on the West Coast endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris right after the national leadership of the Teamsters declined to back any presidential candidate.
This endorsement marks a significant division among union members in traditionally liberal areas such as California, where former President Donald Trump is particularly disliked. Earlier on the same day, the national Teamsters organization had revealed findings from an internal poll indicating that nearly 60 percent of its members supported Trump.
The Teamsters Joint Councils 7 and 42, which consist of 39 local unions totaling 300,000 members across California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Guam, expressed their support for Harris and her vice presidential running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. They highlighted the candidates' support for important labor initiatives including the proposed Protect the Right to Organize Act and a recent Minnesota law aimed at preventing employers from mandating attendance at anti-labor meetings.
“Teamster members work and live in cities as well as in rural communities, come from diverse backgrounds, and have different views, but Joint Council 7 and 42 Teamsters refuse to be divided by extremist political forces or greedy corporations that want to see us fail,” stated Peter Finn, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7. “As Teamsters we will stand together to have a strong voice on the job, provide for our families, and serve the communities where we work.”
Sean O’Brien, General President of the Teamsters, explained the national union's decision to abstain from endorsing any candidate due to lack of firm commitments to the union on key issues that affect critical industries where Teamsters are a significant force.
Neither candidate “was able to make serious commitments to our union to ensure the interests of working people are always put before Big Business,” he articulated in his statement.
The Teamsters, a union with historical importance in sectors like automotive and warehouse industries, play a critical role in swing states in the Midwest. Harris had recently engaged with the Teamsters to consolidate support within this traditionally Democratic-leaning group, advocating for union-endorsed policies such as the reform of federal labor law, changes to bankruptcy regulations, and adjustments to antitrust laws.
Opposition from the union has also arisen against certain California policies related to autonomous vehicles fearing potential job losses. Finn notably critiqued Governor Gavin Newsom’s approach to the industry.
“The reality is now Newsom is turning into Trump,” Finn remarked. “He’s acting like a dictator that bullies and disrespects the legislature, and he’s consistently siding with his rich friends and big tech instead of looking out for who he was elected to look out for.”
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
This endorsement marks a significant division among union members in traditionally liberal areas such as California, where former President Donald Trump is particularly disliked. Earlier on the same day, the national Teamsters organization had revealed findings from an internal poll indicating that nearly 60 percent of its members supported Trump.
The Teamsters Joint Councils 7 and 42, which consist of 39 local unions totaling 300,000 members across California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Guam, expressed their support for Harris and her vice presidential running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. They highlighted the candidates' support for important labor initiatives including the proposed Protect the Right to Organize Act and a recent Minnesota law aimed at preventing employers from mandating attendance at anti-labor meetings.
“Teamster members work and live in cities as well as in rural communities, come from diverse backgrounds, and have different views, but Joint Council 7 and 42 Teamsters refuse to be divided by extremist political forces or greedy corporations that want to see us fail,” stated Peter Finn, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7. “As Teamsters we will stand together to have a strong voice on the job, provide for our families, and serve the communities where we work.”
Sean O’Brien, General President of the Teamsters, explained the national union's decision to abstain from endorsing any candidate due to lack of firm commitments to the union on key issues that affect critical industries where Teamsters are a significant force.
Neither candidate “was able to make serious commitments to our union to ensure the interests of working people are always put before Big Business,” he articulated in his statement.
The Teamsters, a union with historical importance in sectors like automotive and warehouse industries, play a critical role in swing states in the Midwest. Harris had recently engaged with the Teamsters to consolidate support within this traditionally Democratic-leaning group, advocating for union-endorsed policies such as the reform of federal labor law, changes to bankruptcy regulations, and adjustments to antitrust laws.
Opposition from the union has also arisen against certain California policies related to autonomous vehicles fearing potential job losses. Finn notably critiqued Governor Gavin Newsom’s approach to the industry.
“The reality is now Newsom is turning into Trump,” Finn remarked. “He’s acting like a dictator that bullies and disrespects the legislature, and he’s consistently siding with his rich friends and big tech instead of looking out for who he was elected to look out for.”
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
