Labor Leaders Hate Trump, part 1

By Olivia Grady

Despite support of President Donald Trump by their union members, leaders of labor unions have been very vocal about their dislike of Trump since his campaign started. They have called him unstable and racist and said that he will hurt the poor. Here is a round up of some of what they have said.

Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO

On March 3, 2016, the AFL-CIO published a press release giving the speech that Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, gave to the Plasterers’ and Cement Workers union in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  

In the speech, Trumka said:

“Donald Trump is tapping into the very real and very understandable anger of working people…Listen, I know real down-home talk when I hear it, and I know a load of baloney and bluster, too, and I don’t think I have to tell you that Trump is full of baloney and bluster.

He is also a bigot.  From his anti-American proposal to ban Muslims to his horrendous comments about women and immigrants, Trump is running on hate.  It seems the only group he won’t criticize is the KKK.”

On August 8, 2016, the AFL-CIO published a statement by Trumka on Trump’s economic plans:

 “Donald Trump has spent his life getting rich by hurting working people…

Donald Trump will say he speaks for all Americans, but his all white, all male, Wall Street banker economic team proves his intentions. Trump has chosen to get his real advice from people just like him – people who have made millions off the backs of hardworking families.”

Mary Kay Henry – SEIU

On July 27, 2016, International President of the SEIU Mary Kay Henry issued a statement responding to President Trump’s comments on the minimum wage. Trump had made these comments on July 26th on “The O’Reilly Factor.”

Her statement reads:

“People are working longer and harder to make ends meet — a reality Donald Trump seems to be completely divorced from.”

James Hoffa – Teamsters

On August 26, 2016, the Teamsters published a press release announcing that they would endorse Hillary Clinton for President.

James Hoffa, the president of the Teamsters, was quoted:

“He is no friend to working Americans.”

Randi Weingarten – AFT

Blake Neff of the Daily Caller reported on May 5, 2016 that Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, had spoken negatively about President Trump during a May 4^th conference call with reporters. The call was set up by the Democratic National Committee. 

She said during the call:

“What we’ve seen with Donald Trump is that there is now a new phenomenon in schools called the ‘Trump Effect.’ It will take decades to overcome the way Donald Trump speaks and promotes violence, xenophobia and racism. This is creating bullying environments in schools across the country.”

Victor Skinner of EAG News also reported negative comments by Weingarten at a speech she made at the Democratic National Convention on July 25, 2016:

“Donald made millions while he ripped off workers and small business with his unfair business practices.”

Weingarten praised Hillary Clinton on her debate performance on September 26, 2016 in a statement released that day. She also attacked Trump:

“Donald Trump is a reality star divorced from reality.”

Lee Saunders – AFSCME

Lee Saunders was quoted in Mother Jones calling Donald Trump: “an unstable charlatan who made his fortune scamming them.”

These unions should do a better job of representing their members because their members do not feel the same way about President Trump.