On Thursday, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) announced it will not endorse any candidate in the upcoming presidential election, marking a shift from its strong support for Joe Biden in 2020. Union President Edward Kelly explained that after unprecedented steps to gather members’ views, the decision was made to prioritize unity within the union, which he believes will allow them to better advocate for firefighters and their families.
This announcement follows a similar move by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which also chose not to endorse a candidate, despite strong internal support for Donald Trump. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien explained that neither major candidate had made sufficient commitments to support union interests, especially regarding the right to strike. Both unions are focusing on advocating for workers’ rights without aligning themselves with either major party candidate.