You might be surprised to hear that a big union like the Teamsters didn't pick a side in the last election. They didn't back a Democratic or Republican candidate, which is pretty unusual. Instead, they asked both parties if they could speak at their events. Only the Republicans said yes. Once Trump was elected, the Teamsters started pushing for a particular person, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, to head the Department of Labor. Guess what? It worked! They got what they wanted because they didn't tie themselves to just one party. Other unions, though, stuck with one side and missed out on this chance.
Unions are supposed to focus on things like wages, working conditions, and pensions. But some unions spend a lot of time backing causes that have nothing to do with these issues. This can make it hard for them to work with lawmakers from the other party. The Teamsters showed that staying neutral can be a smart move. It lets them work with anyone who's willing.
