Vice President Kamala Harris addressed members of one of the nation’s largest labor unions in a crucial battleground state on Tuesday, emphasizing the Democratic Party’s commitment to representing the working class and contrasting it with the Republican Party’s alignment with the wealthy.
“November presents us with two choices, and we must be clear about that,” stated Ms. Harris at a convention for the Service Employees International Union in Philadelphia. “While the previous administration plunged our country into debt to benefit billionaires, we are helping families climb out of debt by ensuring that billionaires pay their fair share.”
Organized labor plays a vital role in President Biden’s re-election campaign against former President Donald J. Trump. Despite prominent union endorsements for Mr. Biden, some union members have shifted towards Mr. Trump, reflecting a broader trend of white working-class voters increasingly supporting Republicans.
A recent poll by The New York Times/Siena College/Philadelphia Inquirer discovered that across six key battleground states, 47% of union members favored Mr. Trump, while 42% supported Mr. Biden. Although other surveys show Mr. Biden leading among union households, the margin is not significant.
Ms. Harris’s speech highlighted the achievements of the Biden administration in supporting workers and aimed to solidify support within this crucial constituency. She emphasized the administration’s work to enhance healthcare access, alleviate student debt, and raise wages.
“We understand that a strong union means a strong America,” Ms. Harris affirmed to the audience of approximately 3,500 S.E.I.U. members.
However, the event also revealed divisions within the Democratic base regarding Israel’s conflict in Gaza. Throughout most of her speech, a group of around thirty-six protesters chanted “Free, free Palestine” and “Cease-fire now” at the back of the convention center.
While Biden supporters countered with chants of “Four more years,” it is noteworthy that the union’s leadership recently signed a letter to the White House urging President Biden to halt military aid to Israel until it lifts restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Ms. Harris did not directly address the protesters, and it remains unclear if she was aware of or could hear them from the stage.
The S.E.I.U. represents approximately two million healthcare, service, and government workers and is a key ally of the Biden administration. S.E.I.U. leaders have committed to spending $200 million to mobilize working-class voters for Mr. Biden and other Democrats in this election cycle. Union support is crucial for Democrats, relying on both financial support and grassroots organizing. Mr. Biden’s appeal to union workers compared to Hillary Clinton in 2016 was instrumental in securing his victory four years ago.
To counter a recent decline in union enthusiasm, the Biden campaign has taken steps to engage with the labor movement. Last year, Mr. Biden stood in solidarity with striking autoworkers in Michigan, becoming the first sitting president to join a picket line. This marked a significant embrace of organized labor by Mr. Biden, who has since garnered endorsements from influential unions such as the United Automobile Workers and the United Steelworkers.
Ms. Harris’s visit to Philadelphia underscores the city’s importance in the Democratic strategy, as it is seen as a crucial component for victory in Pennsylvania, a state critical for retaining the White House.
However, Mr. Biden faces challenges even in this Democratic stronghold. Black voters in Philadelphia, a key demographic in the Democratic base, have shown less enthusiasm for Mr. Biden’s candidacy compared to four years ago.
During her speech, Ms. Harris acknowledged April Verrett, who was recently elected as the first Black president in the history of the S.E.I.U.
Ms. Harris also criticized Mr. Trump for sharing a video on social media containing a reference to the “Reich,” a term associated with Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime in Germany.
“It is not surprising to hear this kind of rhetoric from the former president, but it is truly appalling,” stated the vice president. “This once again underscores the threat to our freedom and democracy.”
Reported by Ruth Igielnik from Washington.
