Fri Sep 20 12:11:16 UTC 2024: ## Teamsters’ Controversial Non-Endorsement Sparks Internal Feud

**Former Teamsters President Jim Hoffa has slammed the union’s decision not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president, accusing current leader Sean O’Brien of a “failure of leadership” that could benefit former President Donald Trump.**

Hoffa, who led the union for 23 years, stated that the Teamsters have historically supported candidates with a pro-labor track record and that Harris’s stance on labor issues makes her the clear choice. He expressed concern that the union’s neutrality would weaken their grassroots efforts in key battleground states.

The Teamsters, under O’Brien, have maintained that internal polling showed no clear preference among members for either candidate. This stance has drawn ire from progressive members, with 11 Teamster locals and joint councils publicly endorsing Harris in the past 24 hours.

The union’s spokesperson defended O’Brien, arguing that the Teamsters’ current leadership is focused on rebuilding membership after years of decline under Hoffa’s tenure. The spokesperson claimed that the union would continue to support and respect all members, regardless of their political affiliation.

This move marks a departure from the Teamsters’ historical support for Democratic presidential candidates. The union’s neutrality could benefit Trump by limiting organized labor’s mobilization efforts for either party.

The internal feud highlights the growing divisions within the Teamsters, with some members questioning O’Brien’s leadership and accusing him of pandering to Trump. O’Brien, however, has argued that both parties have let workers down and that the union should not be beholden to either.

Read More