Biden, Trump Fight for Union Endorsements Ahead of 2024 Rematch

As former President Donald Trump gears up for a potential rematch with President Joe Biden, he is focusing on labor unions to try and sway votes away from the incumbent. Some experts believe this tactic could be effective for Trump.

The presumed Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential race is aiming to gain more support from blue-collar workers, a key demographic that helped him secure victory in 2016. His campaign is honing in on the divide between union leaders, who traditionally support Democratic candidates, and the rank-and-file union members who may be open to voting for Trump.

“My guess is that around 60% of Teamsters members lean Democratic, while 40% lean Republican,” said Prof. Lee Adler, a labor law professor at Cornell University. “However, in the 2016 election, Trump may have been able to increase his share of the union vote by a few percentage points.”

Adler notes that union members do not necessarily have to align with the leadership’s candidate choice for the union to officially endorse that candidate. Endorsements can carry significant weight, as they can lead to financial support and campaigning efforts from the union’s political action committees.

Battle for Teamsters’s Endorsement

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has become a focal point for Trump’s campaign strategy.

The Teamsters, a powerful 1.3 million-member labor union, have met with both Biden and Trump as they carefully consider who to endorse for the presidency. The recent donation of $45,000 from the Teamsters’ political action committee to the Republican National Committee marks a departure from their usual support for Democrats.

“We want to ensure that every candidate, not just President Biden, understands the importance of our issues,” said Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien. The union backed Clinton in 2016 and Biden in 2020, but O’Brien emphasized that they are open to considering all candidates this time around.

The union typically waits until after the summer conventions to make an endorsement, allowing time to poll members and gather input from the rank-and-file.

The Teamsters represent a diverse group of workers, including UPS drivers, film and TV workers, freight operators, law enforcement, and government employees.

Labor Union Leaderships Back Biden

President Biden has secured endorsements from over two dozen national unions, including the AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Teachers. However, he is facing resistance from some rank-and-file members in key swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin.

In Wisconsin, union and low-wage immigrant workers are campaigning against Biden over his stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict, revealing a division between union leaders and members that could benefit Republicans.

A poll in Wisconsin showed strong support for a ceasefire in Gaza among Democratic voters, indicating dissatisfaction with Biden’s handling of the conflict.

Law Enforcement Unions Back Trump

While Biden has garnered support from various labor unions, Trump has emerged as a favorite among law enforcement unions. The Police Officers Association of Michigan recently endorsed Trump, citing his unwavering support for law enforcement.

Trump has also received endorsements from other law enforcement unions, positioning him as a strong contender for their support in the upcoming election.

Overall, the battle for union support is crucial in the upcoming election, with both candidates vying for the backing of key labor groups.

Public safety and crime in our streets are consistently one of the most important issues for U.S. voters. Candidates from all parts of the political spectrum recognize this, and actively seek our endorsement,” William J. Johnson, Esq., the executive director of the NAPO, told The Epoch Times.

“Under our organization’s bylaws, we will consider an endorsement for the president and vice president of the United States at our annual convention in July.”

And while the former president hopes to receive endorsements beyond law enforcement unions, union educator and activist Judy Ancel believes it’s a longshot, despite the fact the Teamsters have made one donation to the RNC.

“When Trump was in office, he was terrible to unions. The people he appointed to the national labor relations board were anti-union and anti-worker,” Ms. Ancel told The Epoch Times. “They violated the intent of the act and made it harder for workers to exercise their rights under the law. While running for office, Trump promised to stop plant closings and save jobs. He did nothing of the sort when he went into office.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.