Washington — President Biden often calls himself the most "pro-union president in history," and the ballroom packed with labor members Wednesday needed no more convincing.
The crowd at the North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) conference booed at the sight of former President Donald Trump during a video before Mr. Biden's speech, with some chanting "lock him up!" before the president took the stage.
"Donald Trump is incapable of running anything," said NABTU president Sean McGarvey in the video, where the union announced its endorsement of Mr. Biden.
Seeking to contrast himself with Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Mr. Biden said "Trump preferred non-union workers in his real estate projects," and added his predecessor put "union busters" on the National Labor Relations Board.
Nearly all the major labor unions have endorsed Mr. Biden. The board of the AFL-CIO, which represents 60 unions and has over 12 million members, was one of the first to endorse him in June last year, 17 months before the general election.
Recent reports indicate that more than 30 national labor organizations have thrown their support behind Mr. Biden's presidential campaign. Among these endorsements are prominent groups like LiUNA, a construction union representing a diverse membership including Latino and Black workers, as well as the United Auto Workers (UAW). Exit polling from the 2020 election revealed that Mr. Biden secured 56% of the vote from union households across the country, a significant increase compared to the 40% support received by Trump and nearly double the backing Hillary Clinton received in 2016.
The backing for organized labor in America is currently experiencing a resurgence, with public support reaching levels not seen in decades. Several of these labor groups have already announced plans for voter mobilization initiatives aimed at bolstering the Democratic ticket, with investments totaling in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
In key battleground states like Nevada, grassroots efforts led by organizations such as the Culinary Union Local 226 played a pivotal role in securing Mr. Biden's narrow victory in the previous election. Members of the union are gearing up to canvass neighborhoods starting in August and September, just ahead of the upcoming election.
The NABTU, representing over 3 million members, is set to launch a voter mobilization campaign worth eight figures, targeting more than 250,000 members in closely contested states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Additionally, the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters, with a membership exceeding 375,000, has initiated an ad campaign among its members to endorse Mr. Biden's policy agenda.
Back in March, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), representing over 2 million workers, unveiled a $200 million campaign aimed at engaging more than 6 million working-class voters in battleground states through various strategies such as roundtable discussions, digital and postal advertisements, as well as door-to-door canvassing efforts.
SEIU's secretary-treasurer, April Verrett, described the initiative as an initial investment in the future of working people and mentioned that the union has already made contact with over 1 million voters as part of the program.
Labor Members Discuss Support for Biden and Concerns About Trump
Labor members interviewed by CBS News at the NABTU conference praised laws Mr. Biden has signed, including the pension reforms in the 2021 American Rescue Plan and union jobs created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. They call Mr. Biden "one of us" and say they feel they have a true ally in the White House.
Despite the president's many union endorsements, labor leaders still anticipate a significant portion of organized labor could support Trump.
Labor members on Wednesday said they think the rematch between Mr. Biden and Trump will be "extremely" close, and that they've heard fellow union members in their communities express irritation about lingering inflation and the rising cost of living.
James Rapp, a member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Association in central Pennsylvania, says there's "doom and gloom" in his community about the economy and inflation. He estimated that in his union, support is about 60% for Mr. Biden and 40% for Trump.
Denver sheet metal worker Jon Alvino, who praised the infrastructure bill for bringing new construction projects to his area, said he is "worried, to an extent," about Mr. Biden's reelection chances because of Trump's deep support with his base.
"He's a cultish figure. And I feel like some building trades members and union members are putting issues such as evangelical issues, gun issues, and other things they feel personal about, ahead of their paycheck," said Alvino, who said the growth in federally funded projects is "balancing out" some economic frustrations.
Throughout his campaign, Mr. Biden has consistently reached out to organized labor. Recently, he addressed the United Steelworkers at their headquarters in Pittsburgh and attended two labor union conferences in Washington, D.C.
During his visit to Pittsburgh, he expressed his gratitude to the steelworkers, stating, "There's an expression that comes to mind: 'You go home with them that brung you to the dance.' And you brought me to the dance."
Earlier this year in February, he campaigned alongside UAW President Shawn Fain in Detroit. In a historic move, in September 2023, he joined UAW members on a picket line, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so.
"Unions and their renowned organizing power will play a crucial role in mobilizing voters this November," stated Biden campaign spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg, emphasizing the importance of their support in defeating Trump in the upcoming election.
However, the Trump campaign argues that voters' economic frustrations will prevent Mr. Biden's labor union endorsements from translating into unified support for him.
In response to inquiries, the campaign shared two videos of union members expressing their support for Trump after his visit to a construction site in New York City, ahead of his ongoing hush money trial. One worker even went as far as saying he would tell Mr. Biden "f**k you."
"In contrast to Joe Biden's endorsements from union bosses, President Trump proudly stands with the hardworking laborers who form the backbone of these unions," stated Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
Some unions and their local chapters are exerting pressure on the White House regarding Israeli strikes on Gaza.
SEIU President Mary Kay Henry called for an immediate cease-fire in January. Additionally, the SEIU joined in signing an April letter to the White House urging the cessation of U.S. military aid to Israel until humanitarian aid restrictions are lifted, as reported by The New York Times.
UFCW 3000, the largest union in Washington state, supported encouraging voters to select "uncommitted" over Mr. Biden in the Democratic primary as a protest vote back in February. However, a union representative clarified on Thursday that they are still "committed to supporting the most labor-friendly candidate in this election," Mr. Biden.
Furthermore, various local union chapters and student labor union groups recently signed a letter this month showing solidarity with student workers participating in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.
While Mr. Biden has advocated for a cease-fire in Gaza, he signed a bill on Wednesday to provide additional aid to Israel.
Despite these developments, many believe that labor members are not yet deeply involved in the upcoming election, with Culinary Union Local 226 secretary-treasurer Ted Pappageorge noting that seven months is a significant amount of time before the election.
Political Leader Calls Out Big Corporations for Price Gouging
During a recent press conference, a prominent political leader criticized big corporations for their role in the current economic challenges. He emphasized the need for Democrats to address the issue of rising prices and the impact it has on the economy.
"They're just not tuned in," he said. "Democrats are going to have to tackle this issue of the economy and prices. The real battle now is going after who we are dealing with here: these big corporations and price gouging. I think you're going to hear that."
