Texas Teamsters Union Backs Harris Ahead of Rally: A Win for Labor

Texas Teamsters Union Endorses Harris for Labor Support

Texas’ largest Teamsters union, Local 988, endorsed Vice President Harris before her rally in Houston on Friday. In a letter first obtained by The Hill, the union, based in Houston, revealed it surveyed over 8,000 members before making this decision. Local 988 emphasized the Biden administration's efforts in protecting union pensions and reinforced Harris's commitment to signed the PRO Act, which favors labor legislation, if she is elected.

“There’s no doubt that politics can get bitter, complicated, and confusing,” said Local 988 president Robert Mele. “But Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have a proven track record of supporting workers throughout their careers.”

Continuing, he insisted, “As organizing continues to gain momentum, the Teamsters need elected officials who will fight for us, not against us. Kamala Harris is that candidate.”

Harris's Upcoming Rally and Labor Rights Focus

Harris is scheduled to appear in Texas on Friday for a rally where she will discuss the impact of abortion bans in red states following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced in September it would not endorse any candidate in the presidential election for the first time since 1996, marking a significant shift in their traditional support for Democratic nominees. However, local Teamsters unions, particularly in battleground areas, have rallied around Harris, with over 1.5 million active and retired members endorsing her candidacy.