Teamsters union President Sean O’Brien lashed out at big corporates, called former President Donald Trump a “tough SOB” and said his worker’s group is not beholden to any party in an unprecedented speech on Monday night, as he became the first-ever Teamsters leader to address the Republican National Convention.
General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Sean O'Brien speaks during the first ... [+]
In his speech, O’Brien praised Trump for having “the backbone to open the doors to this Republican convention” and claimed the invitation triggered backlash from people on both the left and the right.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has not yet endorsed a candidate, and despite the group’s support for Democratic candidates in recent years, O’Brien said: “We are not beholden to anyone or any party.”
Despite praising certain Republican leaders like Sen. Josh Hawley and Trump’s running mate Sen. J.D. Vance, O’Brien also called out the GOP’s “active opposition” to labor unions and said, “this too must change.”
O’Brien’s speech was initially met with enthusiastic cheers as he talked about the criticism he’ll face from the left for addressing the RNC, but cheers and applause eventually slowed when he spoke of workers being fired for trying to join unions and “economic terrorism” by big corporates.
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After endorsing President Joe Biden in 2020, the Teamsters union may decide against endorsing any candidate for November’s race, Reuters reported Monday, citing two unnamed sources. This would be a major blow for the Biden campaign, as the union has supported Democratic candidates—like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton—in recent presidential elections.
The union leader said he has also requested a chance to speak at the Democratic National Convention, but reports say he has not received a response from the Democrats yet. Breaking with convention, the Teamsters’ political arm donated $45,000 to the Republican National Committee earlier this year—matching a similar donation made to the Democratic Party in December.
1.3 million. That is the size of the Teamster union’s membership, according to the group’s website, making them one of the largest labor unions in the country. Roughly a third of Teamster members are UPS workers.
In his speech, O’Brien said: “Labor law must be reformed. Americans vote for a union, but can never get a union contract. Companies fire workers who try to join unions and hide behind toothless laws that are meant to protect working people but are manipulated to benefit corporations. This is economic terrorism at its best, an individual cannot withstand such an assault.”
In an op-ed written last week, John Palmer, the Teamsters' vice president at large demanded that O’Brien should not participate in the Republican Convention and wrote “It is unconscionable for any Labor leader to lend an air of legitimacy to a candidate and a political party, neither of which can be said to have done, or can be expected to do, anything to improve the lives of the workers we are pledged to represent.”
Republican National Convention: Trump Makes Appearance Days After Assassination Attempt (Forbes)
Trump—With Bandaged Ear And Misty Eyes—Appears At Republican Convention (Photos) (Forbes)