Teamsters President Sean O’Brien has revealed that Sen. Bernie Sanders has ceased communication with him following O’Brien’s appearance at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Speaking with The Free Press’ Bari Weiss, O’Brien stated that Sanders’ attitude and access have significantly shifted, noting that the senator no longer engages with him. The Teamsters Union, which did not endorse either Trump or Harris in the 2024 election, reported no response from the Democratic National Committee after requesting to speak at the convention.
O’Brien recounted how he used to collaborate with Sanders on rallies but now believes the senator views their relationship as a betrayal due to the union’s non-endorsement of the Democratic Party. He further explained that Sanders’ team was uncooperative when the Teamsters approached him regarding the Faster Labor Standards Contract Act, a watered-down version of the PRO Act. O’Brien expressed disappointment with the lack of support and the personalization of political differences, emphasizing that the union prioritizes its members’ interests over political favors.
Additionally, O’Brien criticized former Vice President Kamala Harris for allegedly pressuring the Teamsters to endorse her. He recounted an incident where Harris allegedly dismissed union leader Joan Corey in a public setting, which O’Brien found unacceptable. O’Brien also noted that during a meeting with the union’s executive board, Harris only answered four out of 16 prepared questions, leading to frustration over the lack of substantive dialogue. These incidents underscore growing tensions between the Teamsters Union and key Democratic figures, highlighting the complexities of political alliances and the impact of non-endorsements on personal and institutional relationships.