Kamala Harris May Redefine the Democratic Future

Recently, when United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, he also made comments about Teamsters President Sean O’Brien’s decision to speak at the Republican National Convention. Although Fain recognized the courage of O’Brien to perform in front of traditionally not labor-loving people, he sure he would not do it. Fain made this statement during an Axios House event, where he also presented his speech after speaking at the DNC and dressed up in a “Trump is a scab” T-shirt. Fain’s response to O’Brien’s decision is an attempt to reveal the problems of the latter’s strategy, especial in the context of the recent growing influence of working-class people. O’Brien’s speech was conducted to talk about the current challenges and prove the necessity to change the current situation of big businesses against workers. However, as Fain suggested, the strategy was not effective in persuading the participants of the RNC.

Regarding Fain’s speech, first, he praised vice president kamala harris and Governor Tim Walz as people of labor working-class interests. In particular, he described Donald Trump’s “family fortune squandered by a no member of a working-class family had the chance to interact with”. O’Brien’s attempt was aimed to promote new ties and improve the situation, especially regarding the dissatisfaction of UAW members who once supported Trump. However, according to Fain, it was inappropriate since Trump is not so close to workers as it may seem. This is the second problem since it was a lie and a violation of basic principles. Another one is inappropriate because those who promoted and supported Trump, and Fain even called him a “con artist,” ignored the facts and used deceit. On a broader scale, this situation is a great opportunity to evaluate the roles of UAW and Teamsters. They are challenged, especially in the cases of the former, whose efforts are relevant concerning unionizing workers working in such reputable companies as Tesla, and the latter, which is experiencing the consequences of a controversial RNC. The effects of such contradictory actions are also an opportunity to observe the questions and strategies entertained by labor communities to defend workers’ rights. The responses depend on the theory concerned, and their potential realization can controversially influence the development of the labor movement and contribute to the failure or success of its leaders.