Teamsters President Sean O’Brien was left out in the cold by the Democratic National Convention after his historic address at the Republican National Convention, sparking controversy within the labor union community.
O’Brien, who had requested to speak at both the RNC and DNC, only received a reply from the Republican Party, leaving the Teamsters feeling snubbed by the Democrats. Despite historically endorsing Democratic candidates, the Teamsters have remained neutral in this election cycle.
During his speech at the RNC, O’Brien emphasized the importance of reaching across the aisle and highlighted the Republican Party’s strong relationships with organized labor in the past. However, his speech did not include an endorsement for former President Donald Trump, causing backlash from some liberal union members and Democrats.
The decision to exclude O’Brien from the DNC comes as a handful of other union leaders are set to speak, with United Automobile Workers President Shawn Fain being the only union chief to address the audience in a solo speech.
As the DNC kicked off in Chicago, protesters gathered outside the convention center to demand an end to U.S. funding for Israel and advocate for various social justice causes.
The Harris campaign and DNC leaders did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reported snub of O’Brien. Despite the controversy, retirees of the union were invited to the DNC, and Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to hold a roundtable with the union ahead of Election Day.
The exclusion of O’Brien from the DNC highlights the divisions within the labor union community and the challenges facing the Democratic Party as they navigate the 2024 election cycle.
