In a surprising move, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a major labor union, announced on Wednesday that it would not be endorsing a presidential candidate for the upcoming election. This marks the first time in nearly three decades that the union has chosen not to endorse a candidate.

Teamsters President Sean O'Brien attributed the decision to the candidates' failure to make serious commitments to the union's interests and the rights of working people. According to O'Brien, the union sought assurances from both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris regarding their stance on union campaigns, core Teamsters industries, and members' right to strike. However, these pledges could not be secured.

Internal polling conducted by the Teamsters revealed that a majority of its members supported Trump over Harris. Roughly 60% of members believed the union should endorse Trump, while 34% favored Harris. A small percentage (6%) expressed support for other candidates.

The Trump campaign swiftly capitalized on the support garnered from "rank-and-file" Teamsters members following the union's announcement. They emphasized the fact that while the Executive Board did not endorse, a significant number of working men and women within the organization were in favor of Trump, citing the internal polling data.

Harris had met with Teamsters leaders earlier in the week, hoping to secure their endorsement. O'Brien, who had a prominent speaking slot at the Republican National Convention earlier this year, did not appear at the Democratic convention.

Representing truck drivers, freight workers, and other laborers, the Teamsters is the last major labor union to announce a presidential endorsement. Other prominent labor organizations, such as the American Federation of Teachers and the United Auto Workers, have offered their support to Harris.

The Teamsters last refrained from endorsing a candidate in 1996. Since then, they have endorsed Democratic nominees in the subsequent six elections, including Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. The last Republican candidate to receive their endorsement was George H.W. Bush in 1988.

It is worth noting that while major labor leaders have backed Harris, rank-and-file union membership has shown pockets of support for Trump, as previously reported by CNN.

Before Biden exited the race, there were discussions within the Teamsters about remaining politically neutral for the first time in decades. O'Brien emphasized that the union's primary concern is the support received by candidates for American workers rather than their party affiliation.

An endorsement from the Teamsters, known for its broad representation across various industries and significant presence in critical swing states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, could have been a crucial asset for either candidate.

The internal data from the Teamsters also revealed that a town hall straw poll, taken before Biden dropped out of the race, showed him with 44% of members' support, compared to Trump's 36%. The survey also included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who gained approximately 6% of members' support before suspending his campaign and endorsing Trump.

While union members have traditionally been perceived as a Democratic voting bloc, Trump has been making efforts to garner support from rank-and-file members. Biden, on the other hand, had enjoyed strong union support and often highlighted the importance of unions in building the middle class.

As the election draws nearer, the absence of the Teamsters' endorsement will undoubtedly have an impact on the candidates' strategies, particularly in courting the working-class vote.