On Labor Day, bilingual billboards were erected in high-traffic areas in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These billboards, in English and Spanish, labeled former President Donald Trump as an “anti-unionist.”
The Democratic National Committee, in a news release shared exclusively with NBC News, credited unions for the progress made in fair wages, worker protections, and healthcare.
Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former union member, were commended in the release for their unwavering support for the hardworking individuals who form the backbone of our nation. It was emphasized that they truly understand the vital role that workers play in driving the country forward and have consistently stood up for their interests.
According to DNC spokesperson Maddy Mundy, Trump was criticized for his actions as a “union buster” who attempted to deny pay to union workers. She further claimed that during his presidency, Trump undermined unions in order to benefit wealthy executives who supported his campaign financially.
Mundy stated that Trump is simply a union scab.
As the race between Harris and Trump tightens, both parties are focusing on battleground states. In line with this, billboards with the message “anti-sindicalista” (anti-unionist) in bold letters have been erected. Polls indicate the significance of this development.
In a historic move, President Joe Biden of the United States made a groundbreaking decision to support organized labor during his tenure. In 2023, he became the first president to visit a picket line of striking autoworkers. These workers were demanding higher wages and protesting against the rising cost of living. This gesture demonstrated the administration’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the working class and supporting their rights.
Biden secured the votes of labor households in 2020, surpassing Trump by a significant 16-point margin. It is worth noting that Harris has garnered support from influential labor unions such as the AFL-CIO.
However, Trump has also gained the support of a significant number of the country’s 14 million union members. These individuals argue that his pro-corporate stance helps bolster the economy and ultimately leads to wage improvements.
According to recent data, Latino workers in the United States have a union membership rate of 9%, slightly lower than the rates for white workers (9.8%) and Black workers (11.8%).
