Teamsters union decides not to endorse a presidential candidate for 2024
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The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has made a historic decision not to endorse a presidential candidate for the 2024 election, a first since 1996. The union's General Executive Board indicated that extensive polling of its 1. 3 million members showed no clear majority favoring either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump. While initial straw polls between April and July indicated support for Biden before he exited the race, subsequent polling from July to September revealed a shift, with many members favoring Trump for a possible endorsement. Teamsters General President Sean M.
O’Brien highlighted the union's disappointment over the lack of serious commitments from both candidates to address the needs of working people and protect union interests. O’Brien called for pledges to avoid interference in union activities and to respect the right to strike, which the union was unable to secure. The decision underscores significant political divides within the union and reflects broader concerns about the candidates' priorities. As the Teamsters represent a substantial workforce in the transportation industry, their choice not to endorse may influence the dynamics of the upcoming election. This pivotal moment illustrates the challenges labor unions face in navigating the current political landscape.