Steelworkers' Union Rift Exposed as Members Rally in Support of Trump
ICARO Media Group
**Union Debate Intensifies as Steelworkers Show Trump Support in Pittsburgh**
PITTSBURGH - The ongoing divide within union support has surfaced prominently in this election season. Recently, the United Steelworkers union endorsed Kamala Harris for president. However, some union members have chosen to support former President Donald Trump, attending his evening rally in Pittsburgh to express their allegiance.
Steelworker Ron Anderson explained his stance, stating, "He saved us once with tariffs. He's gonna save us again." This sentiment underscores the growing split, which has become a defining characteristic of the current campaign. Historically, unions have been a cornerstone of the Democratic coalition, but Harris's failure to secure endorsements from three significant unions that supported President Joe Biden in 2020, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, highlights shifting dynamics. Notably, the Teamsters withheld their endorsement partly based on polling that indicated higher support for Trump among their members.
Despite both Trump and Harris opposing the sale of U.S. Steel to the Japanese firm Nippon, steelworkers like Anderson and others at the rally believe Trump is the stronger candidate to protect their interests. The rally at PPG Paints Arena was a sea of bright-red MAGA baseball caps, interspersed with the white and orange hard hats of union members.
"Democrats haven't done anything for us in 40 years," Anderson remarked, expressing a sentiment of disillusionment with the Democratic Party. "They ain't gonna do anything for us now." This divide among union members signals a significant shift in traditional political alliances, as workers seek candidates who they believe will directly address their needs and concerns.