Labor News & Commentary July 24, 2024 Teamsters and UAW withhold endorsements of Kamala Harris & more

[Omaha Steve]

https://onlabor.org/july-24-2024/

By Everest Fang

Everest Fang is a student at Harvard Law School.

In today’s news and commentary: major unions demand an end to military aid for Israel, Teamsters and UAW withhold endorsements of Kamala Harris, and Pennsylvania judge declines to block FTC non-compete ban.

Yesterday, a group of major labor unions sent a letter to the White House demanding that the United States stop sending military aid to Israel. The letter asserts that “immediately cutting US military aid to the Israeli government is necessary to bring about a peaceful resolution” to the conflict. The letter’s signatories include the American Postal Workers Union, Association of Flight Attendants, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, the National Education Association, Service Employees International Union, United Auto Workers and United Electrical Workers. In a press release, Mark Dimondstein, president of the postal workers’ union, said that the “unions are hearing the cries of humanity as this vicious war continues.” He continued: “Working people and our unions are horrified that our tax dollars are financing this ongoing tragedy. We need a cease-fire now, and the best way to secure that is to shut off U.S. military aid to Israel.” The letter comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu begins his visit to Washington this week.

As Otto wrote on Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris has received endorsements from many of the nation’s largest labor unions since she announced her candidacy for president. A few powerful unions, however, have so far withheld their endorsements. Notably, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and United Auto Workers (UAW) – two unions with big presences in swing states – have yet to back Harris. Last week, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien broke from tradition to speak at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. As John wrote, some are speculating that the Teamsters may not endorse any candidate. Meanwhile, Shawn Fain, president of UAW, has sent mixed signals since Biden withdrew from the race. On Monday, Fain said that his union was going to take its time before formally endorsing another candidate. In an interview on MSNBC, Fain mentioned that the union was looking at Harris’s potential vice presidential candidates, among other considerations.

FULL story at link.

[Fiendish Thingy]

1. UAW is likely waiting on VP pick

Kelly is the least labor-friendly among the VP finalists, despite his shift in recent days.