Saturday, December 14, 2024
spot_img

Harris and Trump battle for labour support as dockworkers suspend strike

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

DETROIT, Oct 4: Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the union stronghold of Flint, Michigan, on Friday as she battles with Donald Trump for working-class voters who could tip the scales in this year’s election.
Her appearance in the battleground state comes the day after US dockworkers suspended their strike in hopes of reaching a new contract, sparing the country a damaging episode of labour unrest that could have rattled the economy. A tentative agreement was reached to raise salaries, although other issues still need to be resolved.
Harris issued a statement saying the development “indicates progress toward a strong contract and represents the power of collective bargaining.” She added that “dockworkers deserve a fair share for their hard work getting essential goods out to communities across America.”
Unions have long been a bedrock of support for Democrats, but Harris has failed to secure some key endorsements. The International Association of Fire Fighters announced this week that it wouldn’t back a candidate this year, following a similar announcement from the Teamsters. Both unions endorsed Joe Biden four years ago.
It’s not a total cold shoulder for Harris. Some Teamsters locals are supporting her, and she won quick endorsements from national teachers unions, the building trades, the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers after replacing Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket.
But the divide within the labor community is a reminder of shifting loyalties in American politics. Democrats have increased their support among white-collar professionals while Republicans try to make inroads among voters who didn’t attend college.
During a rally in Saginaw, Michigan on Thursday, Trump claimed that Republicans are now “the party of the American worker,” glossing over his anti-union record as president. In a reference to labour unrest at the country’s ports, he insisted that “under my leadership Americans won’t have to go on strike for a better wage or a better life.”
The former president also made a trip to Flint last month in an event billed as focusing on the auto industry, a pillar of the battleground state. The two candidates have been in the same cities — and in some cases the exact same venues — within days or weeks of each other.
Trump is heading to Georgia on Friday to appear with Gov. Brian Kemp, the latest sign that he’s patched up his rocky relationship with the top Republican in a key battleground state. Later in the day, he’s holding a campaign event in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Union voters have traditionally leaned toward Democrats, with 56% supporting Biden in 2020. But Trump has pushed hard to win over blue-collar workers traditionally represented by some of the biggest unions. He won 62% of white voters without college degrees — though only 24% of non-white voters without college degrees — in 2020.
It’s frustrating for Democrats, who point to the White House’s firm support for unions. Biden even joined a UAW picket line last year. (AP)

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

Katy Perry opens up on her Christmas tradition with fiance

Singer-songwriter Katy Perry has revealed that she likes to dress up as the Dr Seuss character and that...

SRK’s captivating voice adds power to Diljit’s latest track Don

The much-hyped track Don by Diljit Dosanjh in collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan has finally dropped and it’s...

Need to put big 1st innings score, says Gill

Brisbane, Dec 13: India batter Shubman Gill says the need to put up a big first innings total...

All We Imagine As Light nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at Critics Choice Awards

Filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light has bagged a nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film...