Kamala Harris to Meet with Teamsters Leaders, Including Sean O’Brien

Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, is set to meet with Teamsters president Sean O’Brien and the union’s leadership on September 16, according to an announcement from the Teamsters. This meeting follows O’Brien’s statement on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” that he was delaying an endorsement until he had the opportunity to meet with Harris directly.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is recognized as one of the largest unions in the United States. Notably, it is the only one among the ten largest unions yet to endorse Harris. O’Brien’s engagement at the Republican National Convention in July marked a historic moment for the union, as it was the first time in its 121-year history that its leader addressed the RNC.

During the upcoming meeting, Harris will engage with O’Brien, Teamsters members, the general executive board, and the union’s general secretary-treasurer, Fred Zuckerman. O’Brien emphasized during his CBS appearance that their union typically brings candidates to discuss their platforms with both rank-and-file members and the executive board. He expressed anticipation of Harris committing to such a meeting.

“Our union is quite distinct from many others,” O’Brien explained. “We represent 1.3 million members, split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. Thus, we must cater to our entire membership fairly. Leadership styles may differ among candidates, but we want the chance to engage in dialogue with Vice President Harris.”

In his remarks, O’Brien mentioned that he had sought to speak at both the Democratic and Republican conventions, but only the Republicans granted him the opportunity. While he did not endorse former President Trump, he referred to him as a “tough SOB.” This characterization came following an assassination attempt on Trump’s life shortly before the convention, and O’Brien described him as a “candidate who isn’t afraid to listen to new, loud, and often critical voices.”

O’Brien’s speech also contained criticism directed at large corporations, arguing that “working people have no chance of winning this fight.” At the time of his address, President Biden was the leading Democratic nominee. His speech was perceived as a challenge to Biden’s standing with union members. In an unprecedented moment, President Biden later became the first sitting president to join a picket line when auto workers from the three major companies went on strike last year. United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain also made headlines at the DNC wearing a tee-shirt that stated, “Trump is a scab.”

Labor unions received significant attention at the Democratic National Convention, further illustrating the importance of union support for political candidates. As the Teamsters and other unions weigh their endorsements ahead of the elections, the dynamics between candidates and the labor movement remain critical to watch.

O’Brien’s cautious approach reflects a calculated strategy in navigating the complex political landscape, especially given the diverse political affiliations within the Teamsters’ membership. The results of Harris’s meeting with O’Brien and the Teamsters leadership could have notable ramifications for her campaign, as an endorsement from such a significant union can provide crucial support from working-class voters.

As the political climate continues to evolve, both candidates and unions are under pressure to address the concerns of their constituents. The outcomes of these meetings will ultimately shape not only the election prospects for Harris but also the future relationship between the Democratic Party and labor unions.

With the Teamsters holding off on an endorsement until after their scheduled meeting, the stakes are high. This engagement may set the stage for future dialogues between Harris and the labor community, influencing voter sentiment as the election approaches.

Source: CBS News