Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, made his first solo campaign stop in California, focusing on his pro-union stance and highlighting the working-class credentials of the Harris-Walz ticket. This visit, aimed at solidifying support among the powerful AFSCME union, comes as the Democrats face challenges in maintaining traditional union support amidst attempts by Republicans to woo blue-collar workers.
Despite declining union membership in the US, support for unions among Americans reached a decades-high in 2022. However, establishing new unions faces significant hurdles, exemplified by the United Auto Workers’ decade-long struggle to unionize the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
This episode explores the challenges unions face in setting up, using the Chattanooga plant as a case study. It highlights lessons that other unions can learn from the UAW’s unsuccessful efforts.
President Biden has secured the endorsement of the North America’s Building Trades Unions, adding to his growing list of union support. The endorsement came during an event where Biden and union leaders criticized former President Trump’s business record and fitness for office. Biden accused Trump of being incapable of running anything, citing his inability to pass infrastructure legislation and his callous treatment of workers. The endorsement adds to Biden’s efforts to win over blue-collar voters, a demographic that has traditionally supported Republicans.
