Haisten Willis of the Washington Examiner ponders the significance of one major union’s recent actions.
While most unions have already endorsed President Joe Biden, one big fish in the labor movement is spreading the love around and holding out its support.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters turned heads by donating $45,000 to the Republican National Committee earlier this year, and has now made further GOP inroads by donating $5,000 to Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO).
The union, which represents 1.3 million transportation workers at UPS and other companies, donated to Hawley in his reelection campaign against Lucas Kunce, according to Axios.
Hawley himself is unusual in some respects, having joined picket lines with the Teamsters and the United Auto Workers in the St. Louis area. In 2022, he voted in favor of a measure from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to add seven paid sick days to a contract for rail workers.
The union says it’s more focused on issues than party affiliation.
“Regardless of party, the Teamsters will work with elected officials who meaningfully take action to stand up for working people,” spokeswoman Kara Deniz said, pointing to Hawley’s help with the St. Louis strike. “When you take steps to work in the best interests of working people and help us hold Corporate America accountable, the Teamsters will support you.”
She said the voices of Teamsters members will be heard at both major parties’ political conventions this summer.
“Working people face far too many challenges in this country today for labor unions not to be involved at every level,” Deniz added.
Still, for the union to donate to the GOP at all can be seen as unusual. The RNC donation was its first to the organization in 20 years.
Most of the money donated by the Teamsters and its DRIVE PAC this cycle has gone to Democrats, including Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), and California state Sen. Scott Wiener.
