Union workers are a key voting group for both presidential campaigns just one week before the election.
In the battleground state of Pennsylvania, presidential nominees Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are campaigning with every resource available. A key group for each side to gain support from is union workers in the Commonwealth.
The Democratic Party has long relied on union voters for critical support. However, the dynamic is different this year ahead of a polarized political election. Harris and Walz are struggling to keep blue collar workers from drifting towards Trump according to Politico.
While most unions have endorsed Harris’ candidacy, many acknowledge that their members are divided between her and former President Trump. There is a reported emerging trend of union workers shifting towards Republican candidates.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters said that almost 60 percent of its members support Trump. The union opted not to endorse any presidential candidate this year after endorsing President Biden in 2020.
With support among union workers drifting towards Trump, the Harris campaign has been struggling to rally support among working-class male voters.
In a podcast appearance that aired on October 21st, vice presidential candidate Tim Walz was asked about union workers’ support for the former president. “The rank-and-file union members is one thing,” Walz said. “The leadership in unions, that’s more political than what I’m doing right now. They have to cover their butt on their things. And I’m as frustrated as you are on this.”
The International Association of Fire Fighters has also declined to endorse either presidential ticket for this year’s election. The union’s president was under immense pressure by various chapters, including the Philadelphia chapter, to withhold an endorsement for Harris.