Unions turn their backs on the Democrats and seek Trump

Democratic previously loyal workers now seek on Trump answers to old frustrations, according to The New York Times

Even before Donald Trump consolidates his victory in the November elections last with the support of a significant portion of the working class, leaders of major US unions were already beating alert within the Democratic Party: workers were dissatisfied, and the party’s historic electoral base was at risk of undoing. In the following months, these warnings have gained even more urgent contours, becoming a clear call: if the Democrats do not recover the lost ground with the workers, truckers, waiters and other unionized professionals, the way to the White House will be narrower with each electoral cycle.

The reasoning of unionists is straightforward. Despite the democrats’ campaign promises in defense of workers and the appeal that Trump was able to build with this group, the main union leaders do not see a genuine ally in the Republican. Quite the contrary: its main political law, which prioritizes tax benefits for the richest, is seen as a direct counterpoint to the interests of the working class. Still, the fact is undeniable – thousands of workers who previously voted for Democratic candidates migrated to Trump Campo, and this turn was not casual.

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The change of scenario reveals a growing trend in the last elections: Democrats have gained support in urban, rich and predominantly white areas, while Republicans gain strength in workers and among black and Hispanic voters. This reality puts decades of partisan identity, as democrats have always presented themselves as natural advocates of workers. Now they face the harsh task of regaining whoever felt forgotten.

Jimmy Williams, president of the International Union of Painters and Related Crafts, summarizes the feeling of many colleagues: “Whenever we talk about politics, the first thing that comes to mind is: ‘Democrats disappointed us.’ His 140,000 members, he says, were almost equally divided between Kamala Harris and Trump. “I asked Democratic leaders how they plan to regain our affiliates, but I didn’t hear a coherent message that would make me feel confident that they really understand the pain workers are feeling,” he criticizes.

Between party loyalty and base pressure

The situation places union leaders in a delicate position. While historically they supported Democratic candidates – including Harris, despite the skepticism of much of its members – now they need to balance this support without alienating those who opted for Trump. The dilemma is similar to what the Democratic Party itself faces: How to reconnect with voters who feel ignored?

Some unions have adopted more blunt approaches. Others choose to press internally the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to improve their communication with the working class. Two union leaders even left their positions in DNC in June this year, claiming that the institution had become excessively closed and disconnected from the reality of those who fight to pay the bills.

There are also those who argue that the party support candidates who do not come from rich families or elitized trajectories. “If the candidates are all lawyers, developers and managers, perhaps this is part of the problem,” says Ted Pappageorge, treasurer secretary of the Las Vegas cuisine Union, which brings together 60,000 members. He has repeatedly warned that if Democrats do not promote profiles closer to daily workers, the union will not hesitate to support independent, republicans or even launch their own representatives.

In practice, this is already happening. In Nevada, the union withdrew its support to more than a dozen Democratic candidates after votes considered harmful to workers, such as the end of the mandatory daily cleaning of hotel rooms – a safety measure implemented in the pandemic and revoked in 2023. In addition, it launched two members in the legislative primaries: a nurse who failed to defeat an acting democrat and a waiter who, on the contrary, won a candidate. supported by the party summit.

Strategies to reconcture: from Tiktok to the streets

To regain workers’ trust, many unions are reinventing their engagement strategies. Lee Saunders, leader of the US Federation of State, District and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), says that his entity, with 1.1 million members, has held more than 70 face -to -face and virtual assemblies in recent months. In addition, he started using podcasts, digital influencers and even Tiktok filters to bring labor policies closer to the daily life of the affiliates.

“The members are annoyed with both Republicans and Democrats, and we need to hear them,” says Saunders. “Clearly, they don’t want us to arrive by saying that all democrats are good and all republicans are bad.”

The Jimmy Williams Union, in turn, launched the campaign “Building Union Power”, which travels around the country to educate workers about the history of the labor movement and the achievements achieved through the collective organization. “Many people only receive news from the union near the election,” explains Williams. “If they had a negative experience or were ignored, let’s hear them and work to correct the situation.”

In Las Vegas, the strategy follows a more traditional but effective path: door -to -door militancy. The so -called “Reid machine”, a political operation historically linked to Senator Harry Reid, has a legion of union cooks and waiters who take to the streets to talk directly with voters. Nevertheless, wear with local democrats has grown, especially after decisions such as the revocation of daily hotel cleaning.

Trump and the illusion of approximation

Despite the distrust of union leaders, Trump was able to win part of the working class with specific proposals, such as the fiscal exemption on tips-a temporary measure already sanctioned-and the indication of popular figures with sectors such as truckers to key positions. However, for trade unionists, these measures mask a harder reality: cuts in essential social programs such as Medicaid and food aid, as well as reducing labor protections for federal employees.

“Trump kept telling workers that he cared about them. That was a fraud, but unfortunately people believed in him,” says Stuart Appelbaum, leader of the retail union, wholesale and department stores.

The White House, in turn, minimizes the impacts of these measures. Taylor Rogers, a government spokesman, argues that Trump “obtained historical results”, including wage increase, tax benefits for working families and job recovery in national industry. For trade unionists, however, this narrative does not reflect what happens on the country’s floor.

The way forward: beyond the promises

Despite temporary support for Democrats during the Biden-Harris government, union leaders recognize that the connection with the working class remains fragile. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, with 1.3 million members, points out that, although positive policies have been approved, the pro-worker message “was not heard.” “And if it is not heard,” he adds, “It’s like it doesn’t happen.”

The lesson is clear: electoral promises are not enough. It is necessary constant dialogue, presence in the workplace and candidates who reflect the reality of the workers. As Dan Osborn, former Senate candidate for Nebraska and former president of a food processing union says: “They need to go to workplaces, not just send something to the houses and wait for them to read and understand.”

For trade unionists, the moment is urgent reconnection. If democrats are unable to hear and act, the risk is that the migration of the working class to the republican field becomes irreversible-and with it the end of an era in US politics. After all, as Williams remembers, “trust is not regained with speeches. Reconquest with actions that come to those who are on the front line every day.”

With information from The New York Times*