Teamsters President Sean M. O’Brien made history on Monday by becoming the first leader of his union to address the Republican National Convention (RNC). Invited by former President Donald Trump, O’Brien’s speech marked a significant moment in the 121-year history of the Teamsters Union.
“It’s an honor to be the first Teamster in our 121-year history to address the Republican National Convention,” O’Brien told the audience, which included Trump, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), and Tucker Carlson.
O’Brien expressed gratitude to Trump for the invitation, acknowledging the mixed reactions from both political sides. “Heads exploded on the Right and Left when I was invited to speak,” he noted. “Anti-union groups demanded the President rescind his invitation. The Left called me a traitor. This is precisely why it is so important for me to be here today.”
He praised Trump’s strength, especially following the recent attempt on his life at a rally in Pennsylvania. “I think we all can agree, whether people like him or they don’t, in light of what happened to him on Saturday, he has proven to be one tough S.O.B.,” O’Brien remarked.
O’Brien also criticized the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, accusing it of undermining American workers. “We need to call the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtables what they are: They are unions for big business,” he declared. “Against these gigantic multinational corporations, an individual has zero power. It is only when Americans band together in democratic unions that we win real improvements on wages, benefits, and working conditions.”
Using United Parcel Service (UPS) as an example, O’Brien highlighted the advantages of union representation. “More than 350,000 Teamsters make it run. We work for good middle-class wages, quality health care, and secure pensions. UPS is the most efficient package delivery company in the world,” he said.
He called on Republicans to support a range of economic reforms, including bankruptcy and labor law changes. “Today, corporate vultures buy up companies like Yellow Freight with the intent of driving them into bankruptcy and feasting on their remains. The courts leave workers begging for crumbs as third-tier creditors,” he explained. “Labor law must be reformed. Americans vote for a union but can never get a union contract. Companies fire workers who try to join unions and hide behind toothless laws that are meant to protect working people but are manipulated to benefit corporations. This is economic terrorism. An individual cannot withstand the assault … there are no consequences for the company, only the worker.”
O’Brien’s speech underscored a significant shift, highlighting Trump’s willingness to embrace union voices and the importance of protecting American workers from corporate exploitation.
