President Biden has positioned himself as the most pro-union president in history, and this sentiment was echoed at the North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) conference, where attendees booed at the sight of former President Donald Trump and chanted “lock him up!” before Biden’s speech. The contrast between Trump and Biden was highlighted, with Biden criticizing Trump for preferring non-union workers in his real estate projects and appointing “union busters” to the National Labor Relations Board. The majority of major labor unions have endorsed Biden, including the AFL-CIO, LiUNA, and the United Auto Workers, with high voter support from union households nationwide.
Labor unions are mobilizing to support the Democratic ticket, with investments in the hundreds of millions for voter mobilization programs. Organizations like the Culinary Union Local 226 in Nevada and the NABTU are launching grassroots efforts to support Biden in battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The SEIU has announced a $200 million effort to target working-class voters in battleground states through various means. Labor members have praised Biden for his legislative efforts, such as pension reforms and infrastructure projects that have created union jobs, and view him as a true ally in the White House.
Despite widespread union support for Biden, there is still anticipation that a significant portion of organized labor could support Trump. Some labor members express concerns about issues like inflation and the rising cost of living, which may impact support for Biden. However, labor leaders emphasize the importance of unions in mobilizing voters for the upcoming election, citing Biden’s repeated overtures to organized labor throughout his campaign. They believe that union support will be essential for defeating Trump in the fall.
The Trump campaign argues that frustration with the economy may prevent union endorsements from translating into unified support for Biden. Some union members have vocalized support for Trump, particularly in areas where there are economic concerns. Additionally, some unions are pressuring the White House over issues such as Israeli strikes on Gaza, calling for immediate cease-fires and the end of U.S. military aid to Israel until humanitarian aid restrictions are lifted. Despite these challenges, unions remain committed to supporting the most labor-friendly candidate in the election, which is currently seen as Biden.
The level of engagement among labor members in the fall election remains uncertain, with many still not fully engaged in the political process. As the election approaches, Democrats will need to address economic issues and challenges posed by big corporations and price gouging. While Biden has received support from numerous labor unions, the battle for union support in the upcoming election will be critical and may determine the outcome. Labor unions will play a key role in mobilizing voters and shaping the narrative leading up to the election, with financial investments and grassroots efforts planned to support the Democratic ticket.
