Vice President Kamala Harris has agreed to meet with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, as confirmed by her campaign. This development underscores the significance of labor support in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, particularly in crucial battleground states.
The Teamsters, a prominent transportation union with approximately 1.3 million members, will have a presence at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this August. This announcement follows the union's president, Sean O'Brien, breaking tradition by addressing the Republican National Convention in July, a move that sparked controversy among some Democrats.
The Teamsters, founded in 1903, have a rich history in the American labor movement. Throughout the 20th century, they played a pivotal role in advocating for workers' rights, including fair wages and improved working conditions. The union's influence peaked in the 1970s with a membership of around 2.3 million.
Lauren Hitt, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, stated that the Vice President "has received and gladly accepted an invitation" to participate in a candidate roundtable with the Teamsters. The meeting aims to discuss Harris's record of supporting Teamsters and their families, as well as her vision for the future.
The Harris-Walz campaign has been emphasizing its commitment to working people during recent appearances in contested states. In early August, Harris and Walz met with United Auto Workers members in Detroit, demonstrating their focus on labor issues.
The Teamsters have yet to endorse a candidate for the 2024 presidential election, a departure from their typical practice of supporting Democratic nominees. The union has invited all presidential candidates for interviews, with both Donald Trump and former President Biden meeting with the organization earlier this year.
"We look forward to Vice President Harris joining a roundtable of rank-and-file Teamsters to discuss the issues of importance to workers."
The union's political involvement has been notable in recent months. In January 2024, Trump and O'Brien met privately at Mar-a-Lago, a meeting that caused concern among some left-leaning union members. The Teamsters made donations to both major political parties, contributing $45,000 to the Republican National Committee convention fund and $150,000 to the Democratic National Committee.
As the 2024 election approaches, the Teamsters' potential endorsement holds significant weight. The union has faced challenges in recent years, including the impact of right-to-work laws and the need to adapt to changes in the transportation industry due to e-commerce and automation. Their efforts to organize workers in the gig economy, such as ride-share drivers, demonstrate their ongoing relevance in the evolving labor landscape.
The Harris campaign expressed eagerness to schedule the roundtable meeting with the Teamsters in the near future, recognizing the crucial role that labor support will play in the upcoming election.