President Biden, known for his strong support of labor unions, reaffirmed his commitment to the labor movement during a speech in Washington. Addressing a packed ballroom of enthusiastic labor members, Biden emphasized his dedication to being the most pro-union president in history.
The atmosphere at the North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) conference turned hostile as the crowd expressed their disapproval of former President Donald Trump. As a video featuring Trump played before President Biden’s speech, boos echoed through the venue and some attendees even started chanting “lock him up!” This tense moment set the stage for President Biden’s appearance.
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“NABTU president Sean McGarvey emphasized that Donald Trump lacks the ability to effectively manage any task. In a video, the union declared its support for Mr. Biden as they announced their endorsement.”
In an effort to distinguish himself from Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Mr. Biden highlighted that Trump favored non-union workers in his real estate projects. He further criticized his predecessor for appointing “union busters” to the National Labor Relations Board.
Major labor unions have overwhelmingly thrown their support behind Mr. Biden. In fact, one of the earliest endorsements came from the AFL-CIO board, which represents a whopping 60 unions and boasts a membership of over 12 million workers. This powerful endorsement was made in June of last year, a staggering 17 months ahead of the general election.
More than 30 national labor groups, including LiUNA, a construction workers union with a significant number of Latino and Black members, and the United Auto Workers (UAW), have officially endorsed Mr. Biden. In fact, Mr. Biden received endorsements from these groups back in 2020. According to exit polling, he managed to secure support from 56% of union households across the country, while Trump received only 40%, which is nearly double the support Clinton received in the 2016 presidential election.
American support for organized labor is currently experiencing a surge not seen in decades. In fact, several groups have already unveiled their voter mobilization initiatives aimed at bolstering the Democratic ticket. These efforts are being fueled by substantial investments in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Battleground state chapters, like Nevada’s Culinary Union Local 226, played a vital role in securing Mr. Biden’s narrow victory in 2020. This year, their members will kick off their canvassing efforts in August and September, just before the election.
The NABTU, which has a membership of over 3 million, has committed significant funds to a voter mobilization program. This program will specifically target more than 250,000 members in the crucial states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, where the competition is expected to be intense. Additionally, the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters, which boasts a membership of over 375,000, has initiated an ad campaign. This campaign aims to promote Mr. Biden’s agenda among its members, fostering a sense of support and appreciation for his policies.
In March, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) made a significant announcement. With a membership of over 2 million individuals, they unveiled their plan to launch a $200 million campaign. Their objective is to reach out to more than 6 million working-class voters in battleground states. To achieve this, they will utilize roundtables, digital and mailed advertisements, and canvassing. The SEIU is determined to make a substantial impact on the upcoming elections.
According to April Verrett, the secretary-treasurer of SEIU, the program is seen as an initial investment towards improving the future of working individuals. She further mentioned that the union has already reached out to over 1 million voters.
Labor members who were interviewed at the NABTU conference expressed their admiration for the laws signed by Mr. Biden. They specifically praised the pension reforms included in the 2021 American Rescue Plan and the creation of union jobs through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These members consider Mr. Biden to be “one of us” and believe that they have a genuine ally in the White House.
Despite receiving numerous union endorsements, labor leaders are still expecting a considerable proportion of organized labor to potentially show support for President Trump.
According to Labor members, they believe that the upcoming rematch between Mr. Biden and Trump will be incredibly tight. They have also noticed that their fellow union members in the community are expressing frustration over persistent inflation and the increasing cost of living.
James Rapp, a member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Association in central Pennsylvania, shares that there is a prevailing sense of pessimism in his community regarding the state of the economy and inflation. According to Rapp, approximately 60% of the union supports Mr. Biden, while the remaining 40% favors Trump.
Denver sheet metal worker Jon Alvino expressed his concerns about President Biden’s reelection prospects due to the strong support that former President Trump enjoys among his base. Despite his worries, Alvino commended the infrastructure bill for its positive impact on the construction projects in his area.
According to Alvino, there are some building trades members and union members who prioritize personal issues, such as evangelical and gun-related matters, over their own financial well-being. He describes this behavior as a result of the cult-like following around certain figures. However, Alvino also acknowledges that the increase in federally funded projects is helping to alleviate some of the economic frustrations experienced by these individuals.
Throughout his campaign, Mr. Biden has consistently reached out to organized labor. Just in the past week, he has addressed the United Steelworkers headquarters in Pittsburgh and attended two labor union conferences in Washington, D.C.
During his speech to steelworkers in Pittsburgh last Wednesday, he expressed his gratitude by using the expression, “You go home with them that brung you to the dance.” He acknowledged that they were the ones who supported and brought him to where he is today.
“Unions will play a crucial role in rallying voters for the upcoming November elections,” emphasized Mia Ehrenberg, spokesperson for the Biden campaign. According to her, their endorsement will provide the campaign with the necessary leverage to secure victory over Trump this fall.
“Joe Biden may have the support of union bosses who typically back Democrats in every election, but President Trump is proud to have the unwavering support of the hardworking laborers who form the foundation of these unions,” emphasized Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the Trump campaign.
Several unions and their local chapters are exerting pressure on the White House regarding the Israeli strikes on Gaza.
In January, SEIU President Mary Kay Henry issued a statement urging for an immediate halt in the conflict. The SEIU also joined other organizations in signing a letter to the White House in April, calling for the suspension of U.S. military assistance to Israel until the restrictions on humanitarian aid are lifted, as reported by The New York Times.
In February, the UFCW 3000, the largest union in the state of Washington, supported the initiative to encourage voters to select “uncommitted” instead of Mr. Biden on their Democratic primary ballot as a form of protest. However, a representative clarified on Thursday that the union still fully supports Mr. Biden as the most labor-friendly candidate in this election.
A letter expressing solidarity with student workers involved in the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University was signed by multiple local union chapters and student labor union groups this month.
President Biden, who has expressed his support for a cease-fire in Gaza, took action on Wednesday by signing a bill to provide additional aid to Israel.
However, many people do not think that labor members are fully involved in the upcoming fall election just yet. Ted Pappageorge, the secretary-treasurer of Culinary Union Local 226, emphasized that seven months is a significant amount of time, and a lot can change before the election.
“They’re simply not paying attention,” he remarked. “The Democrats will need to address the issue of the economy and rising prices. The true challenge lies in confronting the entities responsible: these large corporations engaging in price gouging. You can expect to hear more about that.”
