Trump and Kamala: The Teamsters' Non-Endorsement and Organizing Strategy

What most people know about the Teamsters union is the Hollywood version of former President Jimmy Hoffa. They watch the Irishman and Hoffa then think they understand what it means to be in a union. The reality is that Jimmy Hoffa understood better than any labor leader in our nation’s history that the power and longevity of the labor movement hinges on its ability to organize new members.

The reality is that only approximately 11.2% of U.S. workers are represented by a union down from 35% in 1954. We are in desperate need of legislation such as the PRO Act in order to make it easier for workers to organize unions. That’s where we should be focusing our attention but America loves a good election drama.

The recent decision by the National Teamsters not to endorse a presidential candidate for 2024 Presidential Election has revealed a nuanced political landscape within the union that the public is usually not aware of. This non-endorsement did not surprise me and reflects the diverse views of its 1.3 million-strong membership rather than indecision.

Consider the contrasting endorsements within the union: while national leadership withheld support, Teamsters Local 856 in Northern California and Nevada, along with the Teamsters National Black Caucus, have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. This divergence demonstrates the Teamster's democratic structure, where local unions have autonomy in representing their members' interests.

Critics might view this internal diversity as a weakness, but it's a strength. The Teamsters' ability to encompass a wide range of political views while maintaining focus on workers' rights and organizing is a testament to the union's resilience and relevance that has allowed them to last over 100 years.

As we approach the 2024 election, the National Teamsters' non-endorsement serves as a reminder that labor unions are more than just political machines. They are democratic institutions reflecting diverse member views. The union's decision not to endorse at the national level, while allowing local unions to make their own choices, was disliked by some Teamsters staff and members but demonstrates the real time realities of internal democracy.

As a former staff member at the Teamster’s Capitol Hill office, I've witnessed firsthand the intricate workings of one of America's most influential unions. My time at the Teamsters uncovered forgotten historical moments and inspired the creation of UnionBase. Those decade long experiences in the Organizing and Education departments shaped my understanding of the Teamsters' multifaceted nature – a complexity often overlooked in media portrayals.

The current political landscape within the Teamsters mirrors broader trends in American society. Recent internal polling showed a significant portion of members favoring former President Trump, while others strongly support Vice President Harris. This split underscores the challenge union leadership faces in representing such a diverse membership.

As a former collector of Teamster History within the union, I became uniquely aware that the Teamsters' political history further illustrates this complexity. For example, in 1972, the union endorsed Richard Nixon – a decision tied to former Teamster President Jimmy Hoffa; a story for another day.

According to Politico, Sean O’Brien, the current president of the Teamsters, explained that the union chose not to endorse a presidential candidate for 2024 because neither Donald Trump nor Kamala Harris made adequate commitments to support key union interests. The union specifically sought assurances about non-interference in union activities and the right to strike, but neither candidate fulfilled those expectations. As a result, the union decided against endorsing either candidate​.

Neither the Democrats or Republicans have delivered a comprehensive update to labor law since the passage of The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935 is also known as the Wagner Act. Can either party actually deliver badly needed legislation to protect workers’ rights and support unionized employers?

Vice President Kamala Harris is a strong supporter of the PRO Act, which aims to expand labor protections and make it easier for workers to unionize. She has advocated for the passage of the bill as part of her broader pro-worker agenda, reflecting her commitment to strengthening unions and workers' rights.

Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, opposes the PRO Act. He views it as harmful to businesses and believes it would negatively impact job creation and economic growth. During his presidency, Trump positioned himself against policies that increase regulations on businesses, favoring a more employer-friendly approach to labor laws.

Regardless of who wins this election, in an era of increasing economic pressure on workers, the Teamsters offer a model of how large, diverse organizations can navigate complex political waters while continuing to grow and serve their members' interests. If history continues its pattern, by embracing their internal differences and focusing on organizing new members, the union will maintain its strength and relevance.

Teamsters Local 856, which endorsed Vice President Harris, has been particularly active and bold in their organizing drives. Amidst the current political complexity, the they have become the largest Teamster local in California by organizing new members. In less than three years, the union has contributed to over 50,000 new members the union has organized across various industries. This growth demonstrates the local union's continued relevance and appeal to workers seeking better representation and working conditions. This success at the local level, coupled with their independent political stance, exemplifies the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the Teamsters organization.

The Teamsters, with their complex history and growing membership, remind us that the voice of labor in America is not a single, uniform chorus, but a diverse symphony of voices, each contributing to the ongoing struggle for workers' rights and economic power.

Updates:

1) An earlier version of this article stated that Teamsters 856 organized 50,000 new members. That number is the total number of new workers organized by the Teamsters to which Teamster Local 856 has contributed.

2) On April 14, 2024 Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that Brown’s Butch Lewis Act saved the pensions of nearly 530 members of the Teamsters Local 73 Pension Plan. Their pension plan will receive $7.5 million in pension restoration funding from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), allowing the plan to pay out the full benefits retirees earned to these Ohioans’ pensions. This restoration is a direct result of the passage of the Butch Lewis Act, which passed into law as a part of the American Rescue Plan.