In a controversial move, Sean O'Brien, the president of the Teamsters International, has sparked outrage among senior members of the union by agreeing to speak at the upcoming Republican National Convention. This unprecedented decision has been branded "unconscionable" by John Palmer, the vice-president at large at the Teamsters, who accused O'Brien of supporting the "most anti-union party and president" in recent memory.

Palmer's sentiment was echoed in a letter seen by The Guardian, where he urged union members to demand the cancellation of O'Brien's planned appearance. Despite the criticism, the Teamsters has remained silent and has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.

As one of the largest labor unions in the United States with 1.3 million members, the Teamsters' endorsement holds significant weight in elections. While many other major labor unions and the AFL-CIO, the largest coalition of labor unions, have already endorsed Democratic candidate Joe Biden for the 2024 presidential election, the Teamsters have yet to announce their endorsement.

The Republican National Convention is set to kick off on Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where O'Brien's scheduled appearance has drawn backlash not only from within the union but also anti-union groups. The Center for Union Facts, an organization founded by union opponent and lobbyist Rick Berman, has even financed billboards in the Milwaukee area, accusing the Teamsters of being a partisan group due to their political action committee (PAC) primarily supporting Democratic politicians.

O'Brien's speech at the RNC will mark the first time a Teamsters president has spoken at the Republican convention. Interestingly, the Teamsters PAC made a significant contribution of $45,000 to both the Democratic and Republican national committees in January 2024, signaling a departure from their usual support for Democratic candidates.

Earlier this year, James Curbeam, the national chairman of the Teamsters National Black Caucus, expressed concerns about O'Brien's meeting with former President Donald Trump, referring to him as a "scab masquerading as a pro-union advocate," according to a letter reported by The New York Times.

In response to O'Brien's appearance at the RNC, Palmer raised alarm bells. He criticized the decision, stating, "A speaking engagement at the Republican National Convention by Teamsters President Sean O'Brien, regardless of the message, only normalizes and makes the most anti-union party and president I've seen in my lifetime seem palatable." Palmer highlighted anti-union policies promoted by Trump and the Republican party, such as the recent Supreme Court decision overturning the Chevron decision and opposition to union drives by Republican leaders.

Palmer stressed that it is "unconscionable" for any labor leader to lend legitimacy to a candidate and a political party that have not shown any commitment to improving the lives of workers. He revealed that a majority of Teamsters members polled did not support Donald Trump.

As the controversy surrounding O'Brien's participation at the Republican convention continues to escalate, members are demanding that President O'Brien refrain from participating and avoid creating the false impression that Teamsters members support Trump and his policies. The outcome of this dispute remains to be seen as O'Brien prepares to take the stage in Milwaukee.