Sean O’Brien, Teamster President, is known as a fierce defender of unions, and the union’s members in particular. But his recent remarks at the GOP convention have left some pro-worker advocates confused as to where he stands in the upcoming Presidential election. Although the words he spoke were given before Biden stepped down as the Democratic presidential nominee, and the torch was handed to VP Kamala Harris, the substance of what he said would likely have remained the same. Although he blasted corporate greed and anti-union employers, among other issues, he also seemed to make praise-worthy comments about former President Donald Trump, who has been unfailing anti-union and who has appointed SCOTUS judges who share his views. Surprisingly, he said that the Teamsters “aren’t beholden to anyone or any party.” He also criticized the Biden administration for inflation, and didn’t mention a host of Trump’s key issues, such as his part in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection, and his 34 felony charge convictions.
Read the full story by Mark Gruenberg for the People’s World, published July 16, 2024, here: https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/teamster-president-obrien-gives-prime-time-speech-at-gop-convention/
