Sean O’Brien is the current General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters who made history to be the first leader of the nation’s largest labor union to speak at the 2024 Republican National Convention. However, O’Brien’s appearance wasn’t to endorse the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, but an appeal for bipartisanship-a concentration on the needs of American workers.
Early life and union roots
O’Brien was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, into a strongly union-based family. His father and grandfather were all Teamsters, as their professions would suggest to any reader of the Labor Movement history. After local schooling in Boston, O’Brien attended a local college, majoring in labor relations/business administration.
Rise through the Teamsters ranks
O’Brien joined the Teamsters officially in 1991 when he became a member of Local 25 in Boston. His work ethic and leadership potential did not go unnoticed, thus paving the way for him to rise steadily through the ranks within the union. In 2006, he was elected President of Local 25 and used this as an opportunity to bring the much-needed change to improve working-class conditions among his membership. His leadership was not confined to Local 25 as he also served as an International Vice President of the Teamsters Union.
Election as General President
Sean O’Brien was elected General President of one of the largest labor unions in the United States, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, in 2021. His election opened a new frontier for the Teamsters, marked by such initiatives as full transparency and members’ active involvement with tough negotiation tactics in order to win for the members better wages and benefits.
Appearance at the Republican National Convention
Some were shocked to see O’Brien take the stage at the 2024 Republican National Convention because of a generally held perception that the GOP is far less friendly to workers’ interests than the Democratic Party. However, O’Brien emphasized the need for bipartisanship and working across party lines in response to the needs of American workers. He said the Teamsters have supported Republican presidents before, like Richard Nixon and George H.W. Bush, that the union isn’t beholden to any particular party.
Ongoing endorsement process
Despite his appearance at the Republican convention, O’Brien has not endorsed any candidate for the 2024 presidential election. The Teamsters are taking a close look at both Trump and President Joe Biden, who has been hailed by many in labor for his union-friendly policies. O’Brien has expressed frustrations with both parties. He said that Democrats too often take the teamsters’ support for granted and the GOP needs to halt its anti-union policy.
