UAW union launches pro-Harris campaign to mobilize workers across US
By Nora Eckert
DETROIT, Aug 14 (Reuters) -The United Auto Workers is launching a U.S-wideeffort to mobilize its one million active and retired workers to vote for Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election, it said on Wednesday, offering the Democrata potential boost in critical battleground states.
UAW President Shawn Fain and his executive board endorsed Harrisat the end of July, and Fain has been vocal about his opposition to Harris' Republican rival, former presidentDonald Trump.
The UAW's influence and membership is concentrated in Michigan, where it is based, along with locations in Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania - key swing states that couldsway the outcome of the election.
In 2020, the UAW’s membership accounted for 9.2% of U.S. President Joe Biden's votes in Michigan alone, the union said in its statement. It said its strategyin this election will include engaging with members online, at work sites, and door-to-door outreach.
The UAW declined to outline how much it would spend on its election efforts, but a person familiar with the program said it planned to spend millions of dollars.
Fain lastweek met with Harris and her vice presidential candidate Tim Walz at two campaign stops around Detroit.
Michigan households with a union member have been more likely than union households nationwide to vote for a Democrat in the last three U.S. presidential elections, according to polling firm Edison Research. In Michigan, those householdslean more toward voting forDemocrats than non-union households.
On Tuesday, the UAW filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board against Trump and Tesla TSLA.O CEO Elon Musk citingattempts to threaten and intimidate workers.
During a conversation between the two men on social media platform X Monday evening, Trump complimented the CEO's ability to cut costs by saying he would not tolerate workers going on strike. Musk chuckled but did not respond to Trump's comments.
Harris' entry into the presidential race since Biden stepped aside last month has energized Democrats and she now holds a small national lead over Trump, though polls show the election remains a tight contest.
Trump, who has drawn support in previous election cycles from some working-class, white voters who would traditionally have been part of the Democrat base, has earned the backing of some UAW members who say the former president's record on trade and tax issues benefits the auto industry more than his Democratic opponent.
Some unions, such as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, have not yet endorsed a candidate. Teamsters president Sean O'Brien spoke at the Republican National Convention in July.
Reporting by Nora Eckert, editing by Deepa Babington
Related Assets
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
