Teamsters union will sit out the election, sort of. Here’s why they won’t endorse anyone
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has decided not to back either former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming 2024 election. This marks only the third time in 13 elections that the union has opted not to endorse a presidential candidate.
Sean O’Brien, the Teamsters’ president, shared this news on Wednesday.
Since 1960, the union has supported a candidate in each election, except for the 1976 and 1996 elections. Historically, the Teamsters have endorsed Republican candidates five times and Democratic candidates nine times.
This year, O’Brien stated, “neither of the major candidates made substantial commitments to our union to put the needs of workers ahead of corporate interests.”
Teamsters’ Endorsements Over the Years: Who They Supported and Who They Didn’t
Established in 1903, the Teamsters union boasts 1.3 million members affiliated with 1,900 local unions across the U.S. and Canada, making it one of the most diverse unions in the country.
Since the year 2000, the Teamsters have predominantly endorsed Democratic presidential candidates. Before that, notable endorsements included Republicans Ronald Reagan in the 1980s and George H.W. Bush in 1988.
Other significant labor unions have sided with Harris, such as the United Auto Workers. Additionally, the AFL-CIO, representing 60 unions and 12.5 million members, backed her in July, according to Reuters.
A recent national electronic poll conducted by the union indicates that Teamster members prefer Trump over Harris by a margin of 59.6% to 34%.
Despite this, some local chapters of the Teamsters have expressed their support for Harris.
The Teamsters Joint Councils 7 and 42, with a total of 300,000 members in California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Guam, quickly endorsed Harris after the national announcement—or the Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43 and Teamsters Joint Council 39, representing all members in Wisconsin, followed suit, as reported by YSL News.
Contributors: Joey Garrison, YSL News
Sources: YSL News Network reporting and research; Reuters; George Washington University
