Some local Teamsters groups announce Harris endorsements after national union declines to do so
The Teamsters Union has traditionally been a powerful force in the world of labor and politics, known for its influence and ability to mobilize members in support of candidates and causes. In the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, the Teamsters faced a challenge when the national union declined to endorse a candidate for president. Despite this decision, several local Teamsters groups took matters into their own hands and announced their endorsements of Vice President Kamala Harris.
One such group is the Teamsters Joint Council 42, which represents over 300,000 members in Southern California. In a statement released to the press, the council cited Harris’s commitment to working families and her track record of supporting labor rights as reasons for their endorsement. They also highlighted her plans to invest in infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen collective bargaining rights.
Similarly, the Teamsters Local 202 in New York threw their support behind Harris, praising her advocacy for workers’ rights and her history of standing up for marginalized communities. The union pointed to Harris’s proposed policies on raising the minimum wage, expanding access to affordable healthcare, and addressing income inequality as key factors in their decision to endorse her.
These endorsements by local Teamsters groups reveal a disconnect between the national union leadership and rank-and-file members when it comes to choosing a presidential candidate. While the national union’s decision to stay neutral may have been intended to avoid internal division, it seems to have had the opposite effect, prompting some local chapters to take matters into their own hands and publicly support their preferred candidate.
The endorsements of Vice President Harris by these local Teamsters groups could have significant implications for her campaign, as the Teamsters Union boasts a large and active membership base that can help mobilize voters and volunteers. By earning the support of these labor groups, Harris has positioned herself as a candidate who values the concerns and priorities of working-class Americans, a crucial voting bloc in key swing states.
As the 2020 election continues to heat up, the endorsements of Vice President Kamala Harris by local Teamsters groups serve as a reminder of the diversity of opinions within the labor movement and the importance of engaging with grassroots organizations to build broad support. While the national union may have chosen to remain neutral in this election, the voices of individual Teamsters are being heard loud and clear as they throw their weight behind the candidate they believe will best represent their interests and values.
