Working Americans are raising the bar for 2020 candidates

As we head toward 2020, one thing is clear: Whoever is elected president will have to confront major challenges that have a significant impact on the livelihoods of millions. 

For Teamsters members and working people across America, these challenges include numerous crises that threaten the existence of our diminishing middle class. The financial security of 1.5 million retirees is at risk because hundreds of multi-employer pension plans are in danger of failing. Collective bargaining rights — the backbone of America’s middle class — are under attack. And millions upon millions of U.S. jobs are being shipped overseas because of unfair trade practices favored by big business. 

That is why the Teamsters are embarking on a 2020 presidential election endorsement process shaped by and for our 1.4 million members nationwide who represent a diverse cross-section of working Americans who vote.

In recent months, tens of thousands of Teamsters completed our 2020 survey at work sites, union meetings and online to provide us with insight into what their top election issues are. Members’ responses made it overwhelmingly clear they’re looking for a president who will focus on three core issues: protecting pensions and retirement security, expanding collective bargaining rights and pursuing fair trade agreements.

Candidates know that Teamsters vote and that our members, many of whom reside in critical early primary and swing states, will shape the outcome of the 2020 election. But our members can’t be easily won. Their voices, and the voices of all American workers, must be heard. That is why we have asked all of the candidates, Democrats and Republicans, to make several serious commitments to receive consideration. 

First, we are asking candidates to sign our pledge to support legislation that protects pensions and retirement security, strengthens the ability of workers to join a union and establishes a new trade policy that protects working people. Twelve Democratic presidential candidates have already signed.

Second, we’re asking candidates to directly explain how they will address key issues facing Teamsters and all working people. Nine Democratic presidential candidates have already completed interviews.

Third, since all workers deserve a union, we’ve asked campaigns to acknowledge a union should campaign workers seek to form one. We are pleased to see there are currently five campaigns with union workers.

Finally, because it is not enough for candidates just to say that they stand with working people, we are inviting them to join us in action fighting on the front lines. We've asked all candidates to partner with us in support of workers, either at a strike line or an organizing committee meeting. 

Not only this, we’re making sure the candidates see and hear from members themselves. In the past 99 days, Teamsters members have had more than a hundred contacts with presidential candidates in 15 states, including the early caucus and primary states and many key swing states. Most of these contacts are at small events allowing us to ask questions — nearly a hundred so far — while also promoting our issues and increasing our visibility.

One presidential candidate even commented that, "everywhere I go in Iowa, I see a Teamster!" The very next week, Teamsters in Nevada tracked down the candidate to urge a commitment on the pension issue. Wherever the candidates are, there are Teamsters members looking for leadership on these important issues. In December, we’re planning to host a presidential candidate forum in Iowa to allow our members to hear directly from the candidates and ask questions.

And we’ll do our work on the ground, too. As the election heats up, our member-to-member outreach and education efforts will expand. We will connect with members in every state through door knocking, worksite visits, phone calls, text messaging, and digital outreach to encourage them to attend candidate events, participate in activist training sessions, and vote in the election. 

Thankfully the recent upswell of worker organizing and activism is making a major impact in how candidates are approaching the race, pushing them to announce labor proposals that make ambitious strides toward helping build worker power and strengthen unions. Democratic candidates are putting forward platforms that will help tip the balance of power back toward workers.

More:Presidential hopefuls preach power of unions at Iowa labor forum

This is a direct response to the needs and demands of working Americans who have spoken up and gone on strike — from sanitation workers and fast food workers, to teachers, gig economy workers, GM workers and more. But it can’t be the end of the road, and we know from our members that candidates must say and do more.

The stakes in the 2020 election could not be higher for working people. The Teamsters are ready to make a difference in the fight and we’re challenging candidates to be bolder in their stand alongside working Americans. 

James P. Hoffa is General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.