Worldwide Brotherhood of Teamsters President Sean O’Brien delivered a brash and fiery speech on the primary night time of the Republican Nationwide Conference (RNC) that was presupposed to spell out a political realignment that will remodel the Republican Get together right into a union for America’s working class. political occasion.
This is perhaps a sensible media technique for O’Brien and his new mates within the Republican Get together. However a better take a look at O’Brien’s biggest accomplishment as Teamsters president could lead some to marvel if there’s a lot substance behind the union boss’ obvious aptitude for the digicam.
What catapulted O’Brien to nationwide political prominence was Teamsters’ current battle with UPS, which employs 350,000 truckers to drive vans. In a deal reached final June, the Teamsters union bought UPS to comply with equip its fleet with air conditioners, warmth shields and followers — what gave the impression to be sensible and essential enhancements to union members’ working circumstances. in a statement On the time, O’Brien promised that “UPS might be air-conditioned,” calling the concession “an vital step towards a brand new, stronger actuality for a lot of employees and their households.”
O’Brien on Monday night time endorsed the win as proof of the union’s power. “ups No provide These nice wage and Profit from his kindness,” He stated. “ups Can as a result of this thisAmstel battle for it.“
Nevertheless, actuality appears to be like a bit totally different. Truck driver’s contract with UPS only need to Air-con for vans and vans bought in 2024 and past. June, CNN report UPS has not bought any new vans with air con.
Due to this fact, members of the Teamsters who work for UPS It’s still sweltering at work this summer— and their boss turned a victory lap into an excellent speech to the Republican Nationwide Committee.
O’Brien’s supporters may argue that labor-hour progress is at all times incremental, and that merely having air con in a newly bought truck is best than having no air con in any respect. honest sufficient.
But when unions are essential to getting these concessions from their employers, why are Amazon’s non-union supply drivers Fully air-conditioned truck?
This is not actually a debate concerning the validity of the Teamsters as a union – even when it is value mentioning that some members of the union have is called O’Brien’s much-hyped cope with UPS was “a weak deal” that left part-time drivers behind for one more media-friendly win: half-truths The common annual revenue for a full-time driver might be over $170,000. Others (together with the union vice-president) are very unhappy How O’Brien snuggled up with Trump and different Republicans.
Certainly, this could increase questions union effectiveness, interval. This could give Republicans pause Flirting with the truck driver and different union figures similar to Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., whom O’Brien singled out for reward Monday. Republicans used to know there was a distinction between being pro-worker and pro-union. The previous means supporting insurance policies that encourage financial development and labor mobility, the latter means permitting bosses like O’Brien to be applauded with out enhancing precise working circumstances. That is comprehensible purpose Most non-union American workers are not interested in joining a union At this time, states with decrease union charges have a purpose more successful attracting companies and employees in recent times.
“What we’re saying right here is we do not owe a favor to anybody or any occasion,” O’Brien stated. explain he stated Monday night time in a speech to the Republican Nationwide Committee. Good for him. Extra People needs to be much less blindly partisan—and that is all effectively and good so long as political realignment breaks the maintain that Democratic politicians have over union employee voters.
However one may additionally ask whether or not O’Brien feels indebted to the union members he leads, or whether or not he places political spectacle forward of precise work.
