Hospitality Workers Back Harris, Scoff at Trump's Tax-Free Tips Promise
In a political move that demonstrates the deepening battle lines for the 2024 Presidential election, the hospitality workers’ union UNITE HERE has thrown its considerable weight behind Vice President Kamala Harris. This endorsement is a direct counter to Republican Donald Trump’s appeal to restaurant and hotel workers by proposing a tax-free status for their tips. Gwen Mills, the union’s president, dismissed Trump’s proposal as a mere ploy for votes, emphasizing that Harris has a credible history of supporting unions.
UNITE HERE’s endorsement is not just lip service; it comes with a robust commitment. The union has pledged that its members will knock on more than 3.3 million doors in crucial swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, and North Carolina to rally support for Harris. These efforts underscore the high stakes of the upcoming election and highlight the union’s belief in Harris’s potential to advance workers’ rights.
On the other side of the aisle, Trump’s proposal to exclude tips from federal income taxes was unveiled during a rally in Nevada. He promised that tipped workers would benefit significantly under his administration by not having their hard-earned tips taxed. While this proposal might sound attractive to workers looking to keep more of their earnings, the Biden administration has countered that a higher minimum wage would be a more effective way to improve the financial well-being of tipped workers.
President Joe Biden has recently stepped aside, clearing the way for Harris to take up the mantle. Her portfolio as vice president has included a strong focus on organized labor, and she has shown a commitment to backing existing economic proposals aimed at improving workers’ lives. Harris has made it clear in her speeches that she advocates for rules making it easier for workers to unionize, a stance that further consolidates her support among labor unions.
What is striking is how swiftly Harris has managed to pull together what is often a fractious Democratic coalition. Major labor organizations like the AFL-CIO, which includes UNITE HERE, have endorsed her, signaling a united front. Additionally, the United Auto Workers have formally backed her, adding another layer of support from influential labor groups. The Harris campaign and its allies are banking on high voter turnout to secure victory, a factor where UNITE HERE believes it can make a significant impact.
The endorsement and the subsequent campaign efforts by UNITE HERE emphasize the critical role that organized labor will play in the upcoming election. The focus will be on mobilizing the base and ensuring that workers’ voices are heard, especially in pivotal swing states. As the election draws nearer, the battle for the hearts and votes of American workers is set to intensify, with Harris and Trump offering starkly different visions for the future of labor in America.
