Teamsters International President Sean O’Brien is under fire from senior union members for his planned appearance at next week’s Republican National Convention (RNC). The decision has been labeled “unconscionable” by John Palmer, the Teamsters’ Vice President at Large, who accused O’Brien of aligning with the “most anti-union party and president” in recent history.

Palmer’s Strong Opposition

In a letter, Palmer urged union members to demand O’Brien cancel his appearance. He argued that O’Brien’s presence would lend support to a party that has historically opposed union efforts. The Teamsters, one of the largest labor unions in the U.S. with 1.3 million members, has not yet endorsed a candidate for the 2024 presidential election, unlike other major labor unions and the AFL-CIO, which have backed Joe Biden.

Criticism from Union Leaders and Anti-Union Groups

The RNC is set to begin on Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. O’Brien’s scheduled speech has sparked criticism from both union leaders and anti-union groups. The Center for Union Facts, founded by union opponent and lobbyist Rick Berman, has erected billboards in Milwaukee accusing the Teamsters of partisanship due to their political action committee (PAC) primarily supporting Democratic politicians.

Historical First for Teamsters President

O’Brien’s speech will mark the first time a Teamsters president has spoken at the RNC. In January 2024, the Teamsters PAC made significant donations to both the Democratic and Republican National Committees, breaking a longstanding trend of primarily supporting Democrats.

Internal Union Conflict

Earlier this year, James Curbeam, National Chairman of the Teamsters National Black Caucus, warned members in a letter reported by the New York Times that Donald Trump was a “scab masquerading as a pro-union advocate.” This letter was a response to O’Brien’s meeting with the former president.

As O’Brien prepares to speak in Milwaukee, Palmer has raised alarms. He believes that a speaking engagement at the RNC by a Teamster president, regardless of the message, would normalize and make palatable the “most anti-union party and president” he has seen in his lifetime.

Supreme Court and Union Opposition

Palmer highlighted the recent Supreme Court decision overturning the Chevron doctrine, which could lead to corporate challenges to worker protection rules, and cited the open opposition to union drives from Republican leaders.

Call for Action

“It is unconscionable for any labor leader to lend legitimacy to a candidate and a political party that have not, and will not, improve the lives of the workers we represent,” Palmer wrote. He emphasized that a poll conducted by the Teamsters showed the majority of members did not support Donald Trump.

Palmer urged members to demand that President O’Brien not participate in the RNC, warning that his presence could falsely imply Teamsters’ support for Trump and his policies.