President Joe Biden made a significant move to court the support of the influential International Brotherhood of Teamsters, highlighting his record on unions as he faces potential challenges from likely Republican challenger Donald Trump in appealing to blue-collar workers who played a crucial role in Trump’s 2016 victory.
Biden’s meeting with the Teamsters at their headquarters focused on his administration’s support for unions and his longstanding backing of the labor movement. Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien praised Biden as “great” for workers but emphasized that more work is needed to strengthen unions.
Key topics discussed included the Butch Lewis Act, which Biden signed into law to bolster pensions for many workers, as well as Social Security and Medicare.
Biden also pledged to “hold corporations accountable,” emphasizing the need for fairness in taxation between executives and workers.
This meeting came nearly six weeks after Trump met with the Teamsters in his own bid for their support. Trump has been seeking to appeal to union workers who traditionally support Democrats, aiming to capitalize on divisions between union leaders who endorse Democratic candidates and rank-and-file members who may lean Republican.
While union members have historically favored Democrats, Trump managed to attract some blue-collar voters in his 2016 victory. Biden, however, has garnered endorsements from major labor groups, including the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers, and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.
The battle for union support is not limited to the Teamsters. Biden and Trump have also vied for backing from the United Auto Workers (UAW), with Biden receiving the UAW’s formal endorsement after joining striking autoworkers in Michigan, a state critical for both campaigns.
The Teamsters, representing 1.3 million workers, endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Biden in 2020. However, O’Brien emphasized that the union is keeping an open mind on endorsements this election cycle and will likely make a formal decision after polling its members and consulting with its leadership team.
Biden’s efforts to court union support reflect his commitment to workers’ rights and his recognition of the importance of organized labor in American society.
