USW Meeting Highlights Tensions Ahead of Election

By Erwin Seba and Nicole Jao

PITTSBURGH (Reuters) – At a meeting of United Steelworkers (USW) union officials this week, presidential politics were notably absent from the agenda. This marks a departure from previous election-year gatherings and highlights the division between USW members and union leadership regarding candidate support.

In July, the leadership of the USW, representing 1.2 million workers across the steel, paper, and energy sectors, endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. This endorsement followed President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race against Republican Donald Trump.

However, USW officials did not mention Harris by name during the national oil bargaining conference attended by about 300 local officials. Instead, the focus was on legislative proposals the union is advocating in Congress and with the Biden administration.

The omission amplifies existing tensions within the union ahead of the Nov. 5 election, with polls indicating the race is nearly tied. This suggests that the decision of union workers in battleground states could be pivotal. Traditionally, union workers have formed a significant segment of the Democratic base, but recent elections have seen Trump gaining traction among working-class white voters.

Many oil workers come from states like Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and California which, while important, are not expected to be decisive in the election outcome.

Other major unions, such as the United Auto Workers, have supported Harris. However, the influential Teamsters union recently abstained from endorsing either presidential candidate, marking a significant moment as they last failed to support a Democrat in 1996, during Bill Clinton’s campaign.

Survey results revealed that Teamsters favor Trump over Harris, with Trump using this data to assert an unofficial endorsement. Nonetheless, Teamsters regional councils in key states endorsed Harris.

The Harris campaign has refrained from commenting on the dynamics but has previously indicated that her administration would prioritize union workers’ rights.

This year’s oil-bargaining conference differed from past events, where pro-Trump sentiments were overt. Attendees remained largely silent on the elections unless prompted by inquiries from reporters.

A Texas union leader noted that “80% to 90% of USW oil workers will vote for Trump,” while suggesting that the USW as a whole might lean towards Harris.

The decision to sidestep election discussions aimed to prevent public disagreements within the oil bargaining group. USW President David McCall expressed a desire to keep members focused on labor issues rather than electoral politics.

McCall highlighted the importance of addressing community solidarity amidst a crucial industry labor contract, stating, “I wanted to concentrate on the oil industry itself.”

The leadership’s endorsement of Harris stemmed from her alignment with union priorities, as determined through a questionnaire sent to candidates.

Interviews at the conference indicated a significant preference for Trump among oil local officials, with sentiments that the Democratic Party has estranged these workers through policies that don’t align with their economic interests.

A Louisiana member articulated his support for Trump based on economic self-interest rather than partisan loyalty, stating, “It’s not pro-Trump. It’s in my best interest. I want to keep my money.”

The absence of political paraphernalia at the conference was intentional, reflecting a complex political reality where many attendees privately support Trump but prefer not to discuss it openly.