Teamsters President Sean O’Brien is reportedly facing an internal rift after the national union voted to remain neutral in the 2024 presidential election, marking a break from its tradition of endorsing the Democratic candidate since 1996.

Local Teamsters chapters have begun to revolt by endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris on their own, despite the union's national neutrality, highlighting a growing divide within the ranks, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The decision to stay neutral was made by the Teamsters executive board on Wednesday, with O’Brien justifying the move by stating that neither major candidate—Harris nor former President Donald Trump -- had made significant commitments to support the union.

He explained that both candidates fell short of addressing issues important to the union’s base, which is made up of truckers and warehouse workers.

Local Chapters Defy National Neutrality Stance

However, the national union’s neutrality did not prevent local Teamsters chapters from taking matters into their own hands. Around two dozen local councils, stretching from Wisconsin to Nevada, have independently endorsed Harris. This defiance illustrates a widening rift between the national leadership and its local branches.

One prominent example of this came on Thursday when Kevin Moore, the president of the Michigan Teamsters, personally greeted Harris in Detroit and endorsed her publicly.

“In Michigan, we understand this is a blue-wall state,” Moore said, signaling his opposition to Trump and his support for Harris. Just a day later, the Harris campaign celebrated another endorsement from the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters.

Survey Reveals Split Among Members

The growing divide within the union has been underscored by a recent member survey released by O’Brien. According to the survey, 58% of the Teamsters membership expressed support for Trump, while only 31% backed Harris. O’Brien cited these figures as one of the primary reasons for the union’s decision to refrain from making an endorsement.

O’Brien’s stance has been firm: the neutrality, he believes, sends a clear message to both parties. “No endorsement, I think, sends a message to both parties that, if they truly want to support working people, they have to reevaluate it and understand that nothing is given. It is earned,” O’Brien said, signaling that the union’s support should not be taken for granted.

Hoffa Criticizes O’Brien’s Leadership

O’Brien’s decision has not only sparked backlash from local chapters but also from former Teamsters leadership. On Thursday, James Hoffa, the former president of the Teamsters, criticized O’Brien’s non-endorsement, calling it a “failure of leadership.”

Hoffa, who had led the union for over two decades before O’Brien took over in 2022, saw the move as a significant departure from the union’s long-standing tradition of political engagement.

In response, Teamster spokeswoman Kara Deniz defended O’Brien’s leadership and decision-making, dismissing Hoffa’s criticism. “We will not focus on the shortcomings or short-sighted opinions of one weak predecessor. We will make this union stronger and more influential by putting our members first,” Deniz said.

O’Brien’s Outreach to Republicans

Since becoming president, O’Brien has made efforts to increase member input and reach out to Republican leaders. His attempts to appeal to both sides of the political spectrum included a visit to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in January and a speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Despite these efforts, Trump did not secure the Teamsters’ endorsement. A major sticking point was Trump’s refusal to oppose “right to work” laws, which are seen as anti-labor by the union. O’Brien also pointed to Trump’s comments in August during a conversation with Elon Musk as problematic for winning the union’s support. Trump’s remarks were seen as anti-labor and played a role in the union’s decision not to endorse him.

Harris’ Campaign Faces Obstacles with Teamsters

On the other side, Harris did not do enough to win the full backing of the national union either. O’Brien cited the lack of assurances from Harris that she would refrain from intervening in labor strikes. This hesitation on Harris’ part factored into the union’s ultimate decision to remain neutral.

The division within the Teamsters stands in stark contrast to the unity seen during the 2020 election. Back then, the union was less divided, with 44% of its members supporting Joe Biden and 36% backing Trump.

National Black Caucus Endorses Harris

Further illustrating the internal divide within the Teamsters, the National Black Caucus of the Teamsters endorsed Harris in August. This endorsement came despite O’Brien’s push for neutrality and highlighted the varying opinions within different factions of the union.

As the 2024 election approaches, the split within the Teamsters remains a significant development. The internal turmoil points to a broader challenge facing labor unions as they navigate shifting political landscapes and changing member priorities. For O’Brien, maintaining cohesion within one of the nation’s largest unions while balancing competing political interests may prove to be one of the greatest tests of his leadership.