Even though Sean O’Brien, head of the Teamsters, has praised Joe Biden as “definitely the most pro-labor president we’ve ever had and we’ve ever seen,” he is still hesitant to recommend him.
On Monday night, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters—representing more than 1.3 million members—became the first leader of the Teamsters to address a Republican National Convention. Although the organization has always supported Democratic politicians, O’Brien hinted that things could change this year.
At the conclusion of the day, it makes little difference to the Teamsters whether your name is followed by a D, R, or an I,” O’Brien stated during his RNC speech. “Please tell us what you are doing to assist American workers. We only want to know one thing.”
Until after the conventions of both major parties have ended, the union has traditionally waited to endorse a president. O’Brien confirmed to HEADLINESFOREVER that he has been invited to deliver a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. O’Brien, however, said that “crickets” was the reaction thus far.
When it comes to politics, last night was illustrative. At a café table at the Pfister Hotel in Downtown Milwaukee, he spoke to HEADLINESFOREVER about the Teamsters’ importance to America and the American worker. He was making his morning media rounds.
According to O’Brien, who spoke with CNN’s Dana Bash on Tuesday, Trump “has made some decisions that are not favorable with labor, not favorable with me.” He did, however, note that the union has “historically given money to Democratic candidates, whether it’s Senate or Congress, [who] promised hopes and dreams and never delivered on them.”
“At this moment, I don’t believe we’re thinking about endorsing anybody,” he continued.