Labor leaders at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago made it clear that they are throwing their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid to keep former President Donald Trump out of the White House. United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain displayed his support for Harris by revealing a T-shirt during his speech that read, “Trump is a scab. Vote Harris.” Fain highlighted the stark differences between Trump’s attitude towards workers and Harris’ support for workers, receiving chants of “Trump’s a scab!” from delegates in response. The close ties between the Democratic Party and organized labor were on full display, with several union leaders endorsing Harris and emphasizing her support for union workers.
The AFL-CIO labor federation, comprised of 60 unions, unanimously endorsed Harris after President Joe Biden left the race. This move showcases unions’ strong backing of Harris and the Democratic Party’s historical reliance on organized labor support. Union leaders such as Kenneth Cooper of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers praised Harris for her vote to pass a pension rescue for union workers and retirees, urging union members to support her campaign. Organized labor is expected to play a key role in driving voter turnout for Harris and other Democrats in battleground states like Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.
One notable absence from the DNC’s speaker lineup was Sean M. O’Brien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. O’Brien had received backlash for speaking at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee at Trump’s invitation, despite the former president’s anti-union stance. O’Brien used his RNC appearance to appeal to Republican support for unions, including praising Trump. However, this move may have cost him a speaking slot at the DNC, as a Teamsters spokesperson revealed that there was no response to O’Brien’s request to speak at the Democratic convention in Chicago.
The vocal support for Harris from labor leaders signals a united front against Trump and a strong commitment to ensuring Democratic victory in the upcoming election. The Democratic Party’s reliance on organized labor for support was evident in the speeches and endorsements from union leaders at the convention. While O’Brien’s absence highlighted the divisions within the labor movement over political alliances, the overwhelming support for Harris from other union leaders bodes well for her campaign and Democratic chances in key battleground states.
Overall, the message from labor leaders at the DNC was clear: unions stand firmly behind Vice President Kamala Harris and are determined to prevent a return of Donald Trump to the White House. The unity and support demonstrated by organized labor are crucial in mobilizing voters and driving turnout for Democratic candidates in the upcoming election. With close ties between the Democratic Party and unions, Harris can count on strong backing from the labor movement in key states where their support can make a significant impact.
