September 18, 2024 • 41 mins
America’s largest union, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, have decided not to endorse a presidential candidate after internal polling shows a majority of its members support former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris. This is the first time since 1996 the Teamsters have chosen not to endorse a presidential candidate. What does this decision reveal?
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's eyes Dan Untell you Mazy Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
All right, interesting story today if you are a political junkie,
and a lot of us are political junkies who listened
to Nightside. The General Executive Board of the International Brotherhood
of Teamsters decided not to endorse any candidate for president
(00:28):
of the United States. Now, the Teamster represents about one
point three million members. That's a lot of members. You
might remember that Sean O'Brien, who's the president of the Teamsters,
spoke before the Republican Convention in July. He said, today, unfortunately,
(00:55):
not the major candidate was able to make serious commitments
to our union to ensure the interest of working people
are always put before big business, said President Sean O'Brien.
He added that the union quote sought commitments from both
Trump and the Harris to both Trump and Harris not
to interfere in critical union campaigns or court Teamster industries,
(01:17):
and to honor a member's right to strike, but they
were unable to secure those pledges unquote. Now, as I mentioned,
O'Brien was a speaker. He was invited to speak at
the Republican National Convention, and he did. I guess he
didn't get a similar invitation from the Democrats a couple
(01:43):
of weeks ago, and faced the nation, he talked about
that this is cut number twenty nine, rob on our cutsheet,
Cut twenty nine.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
I'm gonna say this, whatever the critics out there, and
they are very few in the leadership, whenever I get
an opportunity to highlight the American worker, especially the teams
to worker, I'm going to take any and all venue.
We asked both conventions respectively at the same time, and
the Republican National Convention immediately responded to us, didn't try
and edit edding of our messages, and I was hopeful
(02:15):
that the Democrats would do the same, but they didn't.
I'm not upset about it, but I can tell you this,
my rank and file members, who have been lifelong Democrats
are not happy about it.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
So in the run up to this decision, the Teamsters
have run some polls of their members, and maybe it
would be surprising for you to find out that the
Teamsters released the results of an electronic poll of Teamster's
(02:47):
members which show showed fifty nine point six percent let's
round it to sixty percent supporting a Trump endorsement. Compared
to thirty four percent supporting a Harris endorsement. This is interesting.
This is interesting. The Teamsters have endorsed every Democratic candidate
(03:10):
presidential candidate of this century, starting with Al Gore in
two thousand, John Kerry in twenty twenty four, President Obama
in two thousand and eight and in twenty and twelve,
Hillary Clinton in twenty sixteen, Joe Biden in twenty and twenty.
So that's when you think about it. If you list
(03:33):
go to the list, it's Gore, Kerry twice for President Obama,
Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden. So you have to go back
to nineteen ninety six when the Teamsters union did not
endorse the Democrat and they chose not to endorse Bill
Clinton in nineteen ninety six because he had just signed
(03:54):
the NAFTA deal, which was a sellout of a union
of unions by a Democratic resident ironically, so this is
a big step. They didn't endorse Donald Trump. But in
my opinion, and it's only my opinion, this is a
moment in the campaign that could be a game changer.
(04:16):
Now I know that there's still a little less than
seven weeks, seven weeks. I think it's forty eight days,
not that I'm counting, and Donald Trump could say something
crazy tomorrow. He says something's crazy so far. But I
think this is a game changer, big time game changer.
(04:36):
So I want to know what you think this could hurt.
Kamala Harris in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania. Those are areas with
a lot of Teamster's Union members and their families, and
you know that Teamster families will vote as one. I
(05:01):
think that's pretty apparent. Okay, that is the history of
the union. So I have one more SoundBite here from
two weeks ago on Face the Nation, and this is
cut number thirty. Rob If you play this one O'Brien
explaining why he spoke at the Iron c Why wouldn't
(05:21):
he speak at the.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Iron c oh I spoke there because it was the
ability to highlight how important we are. It was the
ability to call out the people, the corporate elitist who
forget who built this country, the American workers. You know,
people like to you know, have their own opinions on
why we were there, But I was there to talk
about the American workers.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
It wasn't an endorsement for any and all Republicans. It
was strictly a message about how important and how valuable
we are and to let the people know that fight
us every day.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
That went out going away. So that's his explanation clearly.
I think Vice President Harris Kamala Harris was with the
executive board of the Teamsters. I believe it was Monday,
you know, and I'm sure she was pleading with them
(06:10):
to do what they have done in the past, and
that is support Democrats. Now, there were at different times
in the past. I think that Richard Nixon might have
gotten an endorsement in one of his elections. I think
President Reagan might have gotten an endorsement. George Bush forty
one may have gotten an endorsement. But since two thousand
it's been Democrat, Democrat, Democrat, Democrat, Democrat, Democrat, no endorsement.
(06:37):
That's a generation of teams to members who it was
going to be interesting. I think this is a game changer.
It's something that the Democrats, I think are going to
have to work on and I'd love to know what
you think. We'll take a quick break. It is eleven
fourteen here on night Side. My name is Stan Ray.
(06:58):
As I said, tomorrow night, we'll be talking with Larry
and Scott Rubinstein about your car, your next car, how
to get rid of your current car, what to do
about your current car, and how to get ready for
fall and winter driving. All those questions answered tomorrow night,
from tent until midnight. My name is Dan Ray. Let's
keep rolling here all the way to midnight. This is important.
(07:22):
Let's let's feel free. The only lines are open right
now are six one seven, so don't waste your time,
six one thirty. Therefore, we'll be back on Nightside.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Now, back to Dan Ray live from the Window World
Nightside Studios on WBZ News Radio.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
We are in the WBC Nightside studios, and let's get
to the phone callers who are not but that's okay.
Let's let's get to them right now. We'll see what
people have to say here on Nightside. Let me pull
it up. Let's go right to let me live. I've
missed up here a little bit. Rob. Let me get
rid of a couple of these. Here we go, going
(08:02):
to go to John and Newton. First. John, you are
next up, first up this hour and Nightside. Your thought
about the teamster's decision not to endorse John?
Speaker 5 (08:12):
Yeah? Any damn yeah, my thought about the teamster's not
to endorse. Well, you know, I think that the teams
have sometimes shocked us with these you know, new endorsements
that they don't stand behind, and you know, it's just
it's kind of a shame. Really is a shame that
they're not pulling this out for this guy.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
So so who did who did? Did you expect them
to endorse Harris or Trump?
Speaker 5 (08:36):
Well, a lot of people like Trump. You know, I
really can't tell you. It doesn't shock me that they hunt,
you know, standing by the Democratic Party.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Really. I mean, for the last six presidential elections, going
all the way back to two thousand, they've endorsed a Democrat,
including twice they endorsed Democrat against Donald Trump. He will
be Clinton in twenty sixteen and Joe Biden in twenty twenty.
Speaker 5 (09:05):
Well, sometimes I think Trump isn't even really there. He's
he's like a character, you know, he's at least on
my side of everything, you know.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Okay, So let me try to figure out where you are.
Are you a Trump supporter or a Harris supporter?
Speaker 5 (09:23):
I'm I'm whoever's going to send me to space supporter,
But you know, I do like I do like Trump
and I actually I do like Carris as well, and
I tell everybody, hey, I think Joe Biden is the
best president right now.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
He is. I will, I will agree Biden president right now.
He's the only president right now ahead.
Speaker 5 (09:46):
He's he's the real president. He's actually the real president.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Okay, so let me ask you this. Are you undecided
between Trump and Harris? Truly undecided?
Speaker 5 (10:00):
Am I undecided? I don't. I don't really know. I
just whatever, I don't know. I have. I have a
few connections to President Trump, so I know, you know,
I know that I know some people to know him,
and uh so I like to make that person happy.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
But well, in the voting both you could vote for
whomever you want. No one's going to know who you
vote for. So let me ask you. Did you vote
for Joe Biden in twenty twenty No.
Speaker 5 (10:28):
No, I didn't. I missed voting. I just I got
too busy.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Okay, that can happen even with the mail in ballots
and early voting. Did you vote for Trump in twenty
sixteen against Hillary Clinton?
Speaker 5 (10:39):
I got too busy.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
So you haven't voted? When was the last presidential election
you took? It? Took the time to voted.
Speaker 5 (10:47):
I think it was. I can't really twenty twenty sixteen,
twenty twelve, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Well, in twenty twelve it was Mitt Romney and President.
Speaker 5 (10:56):
Obama Nam President Obama.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Yeah, those are the choices. Did you vote for either
one of them?
Speaker 5 (11:06):
I voted. I definitely voted for President Obama.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Okay, all right, So are you a Democrat more than
a Republican? Don't? I guess I don't. I'm not trying
to put you on the spot. I just it sounds
to me like you're actually voter.
Speaker 5 (11:24):
That I used to know was with President Bush. You know, Okay,
the new the new, the new Republican Party is and
I don't know, I really like President Bush. I liked
President Bush. And I really really got to like Rumsfeld
and Shay and those people.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
I like that.
Speaker 5 (11:40):
I like them a lot.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Well, you were a Republican and you and you have
they have fallen out of You're not a fan of Trump.
I get it. I get it. Keep me posted as
to who you're going to vote for it because I think.
Speaker 5 (11:52):
You truly I like you know, I like them all.
They're all good. They're all good people.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
They're all good people. Okay, Well, yeah, make sure you vote. Well, yes, sir, okay,
thanks Johns, a great night. Good night. Let me go
to Bill. Bill. I don't think you're undecided.
Speaker 6 (12:11):
No, No, that was a little confused.
Speaker 7 (12:13):
And I mean, yeah, you know, logically, even if you
take a step back and you just look at call
them A and call them B and don't look at personalities,
don't look at whatever, just look at basic results, it's
pretty clear if you're going to hire somebody, you know,
who would you hire A or B? And uh, I
think I go back to A because you know, things
(12:35):
were a little lighter, you had a little more exit
in your pocket. And uh, in the world Trump guy.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
So realizing you're a Trump guy, which is fine, what
sort of an impact do you think this non endorsement
by the Teamsters and again putting in his context.
Speaker 5 (12:51):
Well.
Speaker 7 (12:53):
Yeah, yeah, I mean they are big, be honest with you.
I didn't think they were going to do with anybody anyhow.
I read the story. I actually just got back a
few I was out in Michigan for a few days
and ironically, and I was reading catching up while I
was on the plane, and I think the team says
it just kind of going, uh, you know, they're basically
doing all the Union people I've met all the years,
(13:16):
like the UAW. Right, yeah, they endorsed the Democrat, but
that's the leadership. I came back from Michigan. My buddy
lives up in Grand rapt In fact, Vance was there
the day before, up by Spada, which where he lives.
He had they had a rally up there and a
lot of Trump signs. And if you talk to most
of the ICE on the Sunday afternoon from the UAW
(13:37):
they're all voting for Trump. So the fact that the
Union sixty percent of them are voting for Trump, and
I know some of the guys in UPS, it doesn't
surprise me the teams because you know UPS drivers that
I talked to the majority of them over the years.
I've talked to very few guys they say. He used
to laugh about it. We'd have coffee and see my union.
I get a list of who to support. They're all Democrats.
(13:58):
By I go in to booth, I vote Republican. They
always told me, yes, well.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
But remember this look. And in twenty twenty President Trump
lost Michigan, lost Wisconsin, and lost Pennsylvania. So you know,
after four years, yeah, well those are critical vote.
Speaker 7 (14:21):
Yeah, but I mean I could go down the list.
There was a lot of stuff, but I'm happy to
see they put some of the stuff back. They have
the rarefied signature is now in Pennsylvania that came back.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
So I don't want to go back and retigate twenty.
I don't want to say this. All I'm just saying
is that this is a close race in my opinion,
and this might be a day that we're going to
look back and say the fact that one that a
union representing one point three million members and their families
which mail multiplies that political impact by three or four
(14:51):
because you're talking about parents and siblings and spouses and
maybe even kids. So you're talking about a lot of
people here. And the Teamsters, which generally endorsed as a Democrat,
didn't endorse Donald Trump, but chose not to endorse Vice
President Harris.
Speaker 7 (15:08):
That's I'm also surprised that they didn't let O'Brien speak
at the convention figuring what the Republicans did, and they
gave him a good amount of time because I watched
that speech and I was actually kind of impressed. I
thought he got.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
A great amount of time and he was given a
five time slot. He didn't. It was like he spoke
at two in the afternoon when the hall was you know,
one third of the delegates were there and everybody else
was still waking up from the night before. So we'll see.
And I think it's a big deal. But I'm trying
to figure out, do you think today was a big
deal or no?
Speaker 7 (15:45):
Yeah, I would say one to ten. It was maybe
maybe a seven. I wouldn't say it a ten, and
we rigged the scale, but I'd say it was a
seven because they went against the grain. That alone, it
is a big deal.
Speaker 5 (15:57):
Got it all.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
Right with you? Did you call as always? Let's see
who else. I think it's a bigger deal than a seven,
But maybe I'm overstating it. Let me go to Matt Brighton. Matt,
you're next ten nights.
Speaker 5 (16:10):
I go ahead, Hey, you know, and then.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
Great, Matt, your thought on what the teamsays did not
do today, Well, the leadership of the teams just did
not do right.
Speaker 8 (16:23):
So I'm looking at, you know, the data, and you know,
I like to go by facts, and I see the
last time that they gave any real Republican support was
around Reagan and Bush Senior since then. They in nineteen
ninety six they did not back anybody, yep, but they
(16:44):
you know, they backed Obama.
Speaker 9 (16:46):
They donated you.
Speaker 8 (16:48):
Know, haff A Junior and then the current. But Bryant
what's his last name, O'Brien the current.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Okay, he's a boss, the guy by the way from Charleston.
Speaker 8 (17:00):
Yeah, yeah, from Medford or something.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Yeah maybe well might maybe live there now, but he
grew up I think at Jostown. I hope to have
him on the show. I've got to reaching out to
him actually to be.
Speaker 8 (17:12):
Mean, yeah, and that would be great, you know, Okay,
to hear I think I think the ultimate thing is
I think today was important. I don't know how many
of the voters across America are going to hear and
notice this for those who are not part of unions
that in effects. Someone like myself is not affected directly
(17:36):
by this, but I think it speaks to because they also,
you know, have leadership in Canada. I'm not leadership, but
they also you know, represent unions in Canada, and I
think them basically saying being mute on the subject, you know,
is a mistake. Fifty eight percent wanted Trump, very low
(18:00):
percentage compared to that wanted, Harris, And when you're in
a union or when you're in a large group of people,
all I could say is a majority rule like that
should have some power and decision and not listening to
or for lack of a better term, respecting that on
some level.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
And you're telling me you're you're a little disappointed that
they didn't endorse Trump.
Speaker 8 (18:26):
If if Yeah, well I get yes for the people
by the percentage who said of the majority of the
one point three million said we want Trump. Majority rules
in many situations in life, and I think that that's
what should it happen.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
All right, fair enough, Matt, appreciate your call. Thank you,
Thank you so much, as always, have a great one.
Speaker 9 (18:49):
No problem, all right here, Uh, let me.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Go to Frank in Montreal. Frank, welcome to night Side.
How are you tonight?
Speaker 6 (19:01):
Good Dan, Thanks a lot for taking my call. I've
called once before and it was just interesting to hear
your last caller reference Canada and the unions a very
strong unions are actually almost too strong in Canada. But
my take on the unions, and some people may be
(19:23):
a guest at this statement, but they are basically corporate
terrorists and you know, you have people who if you
think about unions, originally, of course you needed them. People's
rights were there were not a lot of job options.
(19:44):
People were almost forced to work in certain conditions, and.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Everyone would agree with that. Why do you call them
corporate terrorists? Though? I mean, do you well you think that?
Let me ask us, do you think people have a
right to join unions?
Speaker 5 (19:59):
I hope of course you have the right.
Speaker 6 (20:02):
There are many options and job opportunities out there. If
you don't like the conditions, if you don't like the job,
get another job. No one's forcing you to work there.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
So if if, if you're if you're admitting that unions
have a right, you know, to to exist and to
and people have workers have a right to organize. There
comes a time when the group says, hey, we have
a we need to strike because they're not offering enough money,
or there's some problem with working conditions or whatever. They
(20:40):
have that right to do that. I don't think you
can say to let's say, you know, five thousand people
at a manufacturing plant, go find another job. I mean,
I think there should be a balance. Don't you that
that that that the unions, Yeah, they can strike, but
at the same time. As they strike and they hurt
the company, they're also kind of hurting themselves, and hopefully
(21:02):
at the end everybody comes to a deal where probably
no one is totally happy, but everybody gets a little
bit of what they want and the company continues to
produce widgets and make money for the shareholders as well
as the employees. Isn't that ideally what was supposed to
have happen?
Speaker 6 (21:19):
Well, but what can you not think that if, for example,
if there was no union, and there are many companies
where there are no unions, correct, and people are maybe
not necessarily happy with conditions. But if people start to
leave and say well, I'm going to go elsewhere, maybe
to the competition, for example, eventually that employer is going
(21:41):
to say, well, I'm better to either raise my wages
or my working conditions or improve conditions, and you let
a free economy sort of take over, and this way
it's more equitable that way.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
Well, sounds to be like you don't think unions are
really a part of a free economy, and that they
tilt the power structure away from the companies.
Speaker 6 (22:10):
They do, and in fact, many people you know you're
paying union dues, and how many people are actually I
guess you're benefiting from maybe higher wages. But then you know,
if you think about the teachers' union, which is very strong,
I think probably in almost every state, it's certainly in Canada,
it's very strong, and you think of these teachers who
(22:35):
you know, young graduates who and by the way, for
the record, I think teachers are so underpaid or not
appreciated for what they do. But nonetheless it's sort of
established or understood that they're overworked and underpaid. So you
(22:58):
have students in new new graduates that become teachers and
then shortly thereafter their striking, and I'm thinking you knew
the deal going into it, so you know, again, if
you don't have enough teacher as well, eventually do you say, well, hell,
we better start paying these people what they deserve for
(23:19):
giving me.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
I get that, I get that, But sometimes you have
what one of my law school professors used to call
an irreconcilable conflict, that you've reached a point where both
sides just fundamentally disagree and the only way, the only
thing the union can do if the union believes they're underpaid,
(23:41):
you could say to the teachers, oh yeah, go find
a better job somewhere else. But as individuals trying to
go find a better job, they may have a difficult
time doing that. And they're in the union because they
they believe that in unity, their strength and all of that.
I I I think that, Yeah, I think that the
(24:04):
balance between businesses and corporations are good for both in
my opinion. That's all. I'm a union member. I do
not want to see any of my money used for
political purposes. I want to see my money used to
improve the working conditions, the relationships, you know, with the
financial relationships. But I think you've opened up a big
(24:26):
can of worms there that takes me a little bit
away from my topic.
Speaker 6 (24:31):
I did, Sorry about that, but no problem, no problem, Okay,
thanks for taking the call in the program.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
Frankly, what do you do up in What do you
do up in Montreal?
Speaker 6 (24:39):
If I could ask, I own a company, okay, but
we're too small to have you know, I'm self employed.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
But you know, how many do you have employees?
Speaker 6 (24:54):
Yes? A handful, yeah, a handful.
Speaker 2 (24:59):
Okay. So you're you're providing, you're providing work, and you're
you're providing uh, job opportunities for people to feed their families.
Which is wonderful and I wish you every success in
the world. Do you want to tell me, do you
want to give you a company a plug? Maybe we
have some other listeners in Montreal that that will like to,
(25:19):
you know, purchase your products or do you do you
want to keep it on the d.
Speaker 6 (25:22):
Lough No, it's it's actually we're in semiconductors and we are. Yeah,
so we're we're the semiconductory manufacturer and we are. I
shouldn't they manufacturer? We wrap them so we're a middle
guy and uh, you know what we it's all about relationships.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
It's all about you've picked the great You've picked a
great business there, okay, and you're going to be very it.
Speaker 6 (25:49):
Has been well, it's been. It's been. It's been a
good run, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
The only problem is that you get you get nailed
with tax is not only revenue Canada, but revenue Quebec.
And it's it's a very expensive government that you support
up there.
Speaker 6 (26:04):
Both extremely extremely We.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Could talk about that. I know, I know quite a
bit about the tax rates in Quebec and uh and revenue.
Speaker 6 (26:15):
Yeah, every dollar over seventy k you're paying fifty two
you're you're giving more to the government than you're taking home.
Speaker 2 (26:21):
Yeah, there was a point. There's a point where you're
paying you keep one the revenue Canada gets one and
revenue Quebec gets one.
Speaker 6 (26:29):
Yeah, and you have in this province have to file
two income tax returns and uh, we're paying over six
dollars at US gallon fifteen consumption tax. So you buy
a car fifteen points from there. So this is where I'm.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
Gonna I'm gonna let you run because if not lose
my audience. There.
Speaker 5 (26:50):
Thank a lot.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Thanks Frank, keep calling the show. It's always great to shings.
Things as bad as they are in the US, economically,
they could be worse. We could be socialist country like Tudeau.
Speaker 6 (27:02):
Well that's that's sort of what I sort of argue against.
But I'd hate to see you guys go that way.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
So I hear you know, as would I. Thanks Freg,
talk to you soon. We got a couple of lines
six one seven thirty, six one seven, nine ten thirty.
The question back on the table is your reaction to
the decision of the Teamsters Union, a very powerful union,
perhaps the biggest union in America. The Teamster's Union decision
(27:32):
not to endorse a presidential candidate. I think it's quite significant.
Maybe you agree, maybe you disagree. That's what that's what
we're doing here tonight or nights. Come on right back.
Speaker 3 (27:46):
It's Night Side with Dan Ray on.
Speaker 5 (27:49):
Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
Let me go to Marie in Boston. Marie, welcome back.
We're talking about the Teamsters decision today, the leadership of
the Teamsters to endorse in the presidential election. Are you surprised. Oh,
Let's put Marie on hold and we'll get back there
in a second. Let me go to Jim. Jim. You
(28:12):
were next on Nightsicker right ahead.
Speaker 4 (28:15):
Ben, Yes, sir, Jim, welcome, Hey, thank you. Okay. Well,
I'm a due paid member and I donated the O'Brien's campaign.
I voted for O'Brien, and the things that I think
I want to say, okay, is that I was dismayed
(28:37):
when Biden ordered the operating train engineers back to work
with very little compensation whatsoever. And I heard an interview
with the president of their union and someone called in
and said they didn't think that was going to hurt him,
And she said, we'll see whether or not it had
hurt him when it comes time for him to get
re elected. And then the other thing is I was,
(28:59):
I was also dismade when Troudeau ordered the operating engineers
back to work, and I was. I didn't think about
it at the time, but I heard O'Brien say at
the at the Republican Convention, we don't take sides. In essence,
that's what he said, But it didn't really. It didn't
occur to me at the time that by saying we
(29:20):
don't take sides, he wouldn't be able to endorse either candidate.
But that kind of turns out the way that it is.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
Well, it wasn't just O'Brien, You're you're a team ster, I.
Speaker 4 (29:29):
Guess right, Yeah, I said, I'm a duce paid member.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
No, that's what I'm saying. I just want to make
I want to make sure that you could have been
a duce paying member of my union, which is after
But no, so you're a team star.
Speaker 4 (29:41):
I don't And I pledge and I said, you know.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
This better than me. Okay, so I'm asking you a question.
You're going to help me out here. My understanding was
it was the it wasn't O'Brien's decision. Although he might
be influential, you have like an executive counsel. I have
no idea, dear, how many members voted, but apparently there
was a vote of what they call the executive council,
(30:08):
and it was it was those individuals who made the decision. Uh,
not necessarily Sean O'Brien. O'Brien might have been influential, but
my understanding is that it was a board, an executive council.
Speaker 4 (30:25):
Is that okay, Well that see is very complicated and
I don't know that part of it. But if you
say so that you know, I'll go. I don't know
that part of it.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
I don't think. What all I was trying to say
is I don't think it was a standalone decision by
Sean O'Brien the president. That there was more input from
more people. That's all I'm trying to say.
Speaker 4 (30:51):
I mean, he did say at that Republican convention, in essence,
we were not I don't we're affiliated. We're not we
don't take In essence, what he said was we don't
take sides.
Speaker 2 (31:11):
He was saying that whichever party. Uh. And we played
a little bit of his sound earlier. He basically said Unfortunately,
neither major candidate, meaning Trump or Harris, was able to
make serious commitments to our union to endorse the interest
of working people are always put before big business. He
(31:33):
said he saw commitments from both Trump and Harris not
to interfere in critical union campaigns or court teamster's industries,
and to honor our members right to strike, but were
unable to secure those pledges.
Speaker 4 (31:46):
Okay, well, I don't know what. I didn't hear that
at the convention. I heard at the convention in essence,
we don't we're not taking side. So at the time
it didn't occur to me. I was surprised, because they do.
Typical teamsters are very on the Democratic side. But I'd
spent years and years since I've heard any Democrat say
(32:07):
anything that was favorable to, in my opinion, significantly favorable
to labor unions. I mean, the people who do the
work in this country are severely under compensated. They were
just falling down on ourselves because we don't have enough
money to pay our bills, and there's no reason for it.
I mean, there's this guy, this guy up in the
Buffalo yesterday get three hundred and sixty million dollars away
(32:29):
to nonprofits. I said to myself, why don't you give
that money to people who helped who worked for you
and helped you earn the money. Give it back to
the people who de who worked for a living. Why
are you giving it away to nonprofits?
Speaker 2 (32:42):
Good question, good question. We'll see if people respond to it. Jim,
thank you very much. I did not realize that you
were a teamster. And by the way, the majority of
the teamsters there was a poll and the majority wanted
to support Donald Trump by almost sixty percent.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
So my uncle tired from it up in Illinois. Here
it was Martino distributing for years and years. Yeah, I'm
in it.
Speaker 2 (33:08):
Thanks you. I appreciate your call. Interesting quick, let me
let me go, let me get Marie back here. I
guess Marie was there when you picked up, right Rob. Okay, Marie,
we missed you before. Go right ahead.
Speaker 10 (33:21):
Yes, TI, thank you for taking my call. It was
my point is I am not surprised at all. I'm
actually surprised that he didn't endorse Trump, even though he
said that he was not taking side. Now he's been speaking,
he's been speaking from both sides of his mouth. Because
(33:41):
I was very surprised that he went to the Republican
convention because Republican surrogains union. If it wasn't for Democrats,
that wouldn't be any union, and and and and and
a Republicans not not not well, Republicans will stand take
it in like like President Bidenville or did or come
(34:05):
Famala Harris. So to me, the this this seems their union.
They've ripen from the benefits that the Democrats are fighting
for them and then they voting for for for Trump.
What has Trump done for unions? They against union?
Speaker 2 (34:22):
Well, the only thing, the only thing that I would say,
and again I'm not trying to take sides here, but
the Republicans invited O'Brien to address their convention, and O'Brien
took the opportunity on behalf of teams just to speak
to the Republicans the Democrats. He requested an invitation to
(34:43):
speak to the Democrats, and the Democrats refused to allow
him to speak. Didn't give them an invitation to speak.
Speaker 10 (34:50):
I understand that, but because probably because Democrats were so
they were hurts that he went in spoke, you know,
to lever talk. Look at when Republicans are against unions,
it's sort of like senior citizens votings for Republicans when
they trying to take their solid security. So there are
a lot of people that work well.
Speaker 2 (35:11):
We're always like, oh the Marie who is trying to
take that? That's just not true. There's no Republican that
I know of who wants to take social security away
from people who have SOBI security. The Republicans are saying,
I will grant you this, that maybe the retirement age
(35:33):
should be increased from sixty five to sixty six or
sixty seven because people are living longer, But that's very
different from saying we're going to take back SOI security
benefits that people have earned. Don't mistake that. Don't mistate that.
Speaker 10 (35:51):
Well, it's not mistaken because if they have their chances
as they speak and say that those are entitlement, they
didn't want people to get some security.
Speaker 2 (36:02):
An entitlements, right, those are entitlements. They the wealthy.
Speaker 10 (36:11):
Insurance.
Speaker 2 (36:12):
I pay for it, Yes you did, and I did
as well. And I wouldn't vote for anybody who's gonna
take my so security away. And and there's no Republican
that I know of. Maybe there's a couple of Google birds,
but no one is going to run for public office
and say, oh yeah, when I get elected, I'm gonna
take people so security away. That's crazy. Hey, Mary, I
gotta I hate to do this. Yeah, I took you
(36:33):
back here, but I'm running out of time. I got
a commercial break and I got to get to a
couple of other callers. Thanks for calling, Please continue to
call my program. I enjoyed our conversation.
Speaker 9 (36:43):
All right, bye bye bye.
Speaker 2 (36:45):
Coming back on Nightside right after this break.
Speaker 3 (36:49):
Now back to Dan Ray live from the Window World
night Side Studios.
Speaker 5 (36:53):
I'm DOMBS News Radio.
Speaker 2 (36:56):
All right, let's keep rolling. You're gonna go to Anthony
in Midford. Did the un next a Nightsider? Right ahead?
Speaker 9 (37:02):
Are you doing, Dan, I'm doing great.
Speaker 2 (37:04):
You're surprised by the decision of the team's just not
to endorse a presidential candidate.
Speaker 9 (37:09):
I'm not surprised. She's gonna tell you why everybody should
have a union to back them in a work industry,
and like, look at charn O'Brien. You know the teams
he's did with the ups the workers are getting abused.
But going back, I think out loud. I mean, I
grew up as a Democrat, and uh now I'm just
still independent because the money that's costing gas, the fuels
(37:36):
and the groceries. Tamala Harrison is a're gonna fix it,
and you know, when I get she's doing there for
three and a half years, I'm pro unions.
Speaker 2 (37:44):
She said she's gonna stop price gauging. I think she
mat part price gouging.
Speaker 9 (37:49):
Even I'm not a union member, but everybody should have
a union. There's some companies out there that pay better
than unions. Fix it one set happening of the of
the other. But I think it's just, you know, I'm
glad they did that because you know, the Democrats think
it get you know, why would you going to want
to be a union guy making great money and spend
half your pay on double the groceries, double the gas.
(38:12):
It's just, you know, I think everybody should look at
the look around and say, Okay, when Trump was in office,
everything was down. There's no laws. They weren't shipping money
to Ukraine. It's just they're taking the union guy's taxes
and shipped to Ukraine. You know, Trump kept it here.
I don't know one Republican. I have a lot of
Republican friends that own big companies. The union they love it, buddy,
(38:35):
might have all.
Speaker 2 (38:36):
Right, I got you in. I got you in there
Anthony's strong point of view. Let's see, I got one
more caller. I got to get the Terry.
Speaker 9 (38:43):
Down in the case and have a great night. You
have a great shape, great show, buddy.
Speaker 2 (38:47):
Thank you, Anthony, appreciate your call.
Speaker 9 (38:49):
Terry.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
I'll bet you're going to come at me with a
different point of view. I know you're pretty well, Terry.
You go right ahead, Jan How are you Dan?
Speaker 11 (38:58):
I am a very proud union nurse. I am under
the umbrella of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, and I love
what they do. However, I don't always agree with who
they endorse all the time. And it is okay that
the team stirs have made an error in judgment. It
(39:20):
is okay they're human. But I'll tell you truthfully, I'll
go with the tailor swift effect. Massive amounts of votal
registration's happened within twenty four hours after her announcement. That
(39:40):
speaks volumes to me.
Speaker 2 (39:43):
All Right, well I don't We'll see how you're not
worried about.
Speaker 6 (39:50):
Now.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
You're convinced that is going to prevail after all?
Speaker 11 (39:53):
Yeah, I do, but i'd like to say one quick
thing about.
Speaker 2 (39:59):
Quick they only get to many seconds left, Terry go
ahead and get seconds.
Speaker 11 (40:02):
So story, and my heart goes out to his family.
But I call on Governor Sary to use her executive
powers to call for the immediate suspension. But whoever that
person was in the ring, whoever made the assignments.
Speaker 2 (40:18):
All right, okay, Terry, flat flat out of time, Terry,
they're gonna fire me if I don't end the program.
You have a great night. You n bye bye. I'm
sorry Rob what you say in my ear? Okay, uh, Terry,
I we got to wrap the program, so I apologize,
thank you very much. Okay, we are done for the night.
(40:39):
I will thank Rob, I will thank Marita, I will
thank all the calls, including my friend Terry from down
on the Cape. We had a good show tonight. I
think I'll be on Facebook in about two minutes. Just
go to Night's Side with Dan Ray on Facebook. I'd
love to say hello to you on Facebook. We love
to chat after the show. I won't be there. I
(41:00):
promise you you'll be able to go to bed quickly, because
I want to go to bed quickly too. I will
end as always, all dogs, all cats, All pets go
to heaven. That's where my friend Charlie Rays, who passed
fourteen years ago in February. That's where all your pets
are who have passed. They loved you, you and you
love them, and I do believe you're going to see
them again. I happen to believe that what would heaven
(41:22):
be without them? Huh, We'll see tomorrow night the Bubby
Busy Car guys from ten to midnight tomorrow night. Larry
and Scott coming back tomorrow night. Have a great Thursday, everyone,
It's eyes Dan Untell you Mazy Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
All right, interesting story today if you are a political junkie,
and a lot of us are political junkies who listened
to Nightside. The General Executive Board of the International Brotherhood
of Teamsters decided not to endorse any candidate for president
(00:28):
of the United States. Now, the Teamster represents about one
point three million members. That's a lot of members. You
might remember that Sean O'Brien, who's the president of the Teamsters,
spoke before the Republican Convention in July. He said, today, unfortunately,
(00:55):
not the major candidate was able to make serious commitments
to our union to ensure the interest of working people
are always put before big business, said President Sean O'Brien.
He added that the union quote sought commitments from both
Trump and the Harris to both Trump and Harris not
to interfere in critical union campaigns or court Teamster industries,
(01:17):
and to honor a member's right to strike, but they
were unable to secure those pledges unquote. Now, as I mentioned,
O'Brien was a speaker. He was invited to speak at
the Republican National Convention, and he did. I guess he
didn't get a similar invitation from the Democrats a couple
(01:43):
of weeks ago, and faced the nation, he talked about
that this is cut number twenty nine, rob on our cutsheet,
Cut twenty nine.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
I'm gonna say this, whatever the critics out there, and
they are very few in the leadership, whenever I get
an opportunity to highlight the American worker, especially the teams
to worker, I'm going to take any and all venue.
We asked both conventions respectively at the same time, and
the Republican National Convention immediately responded to us, didn't try
and edit edding of our messages, and I was hopeful
(02:15):
that the Democrats would do the same, but they didn't.
I'm not upset about it, but I can tell you this,
my rank and file members, who have been lifelong Democrats
are not happy about it.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
So in the run up to this decision, the Teamsters
have run some polls of their members, and maybe it
would be surprising for you to find out that the
Teamsters released the results of an electronic poll of Teamster's
(02:47):
members which show showed fifty nine point six percent let's
round it to sixty percent supporting a Trump endorsement. Compared
to thirty four percent supporting a Harris endorsement. This is interesting.
This is interesting. The Teamsters have endorsed every Democratic candidate
(03:10):
presidential candidate of this century, starting with Al Gore in
two thousand, John Kerry in twenty twenty four, President Obama
in two thousand and eight and in twenty and twelve,
Hillary Clinton in twenty sixteen, Joe Biden in twenty and twenty.
So that's when you think about it. If you list
(03:33):
go to the list, it's Gore, Kerry twice for President Obama,
Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden. So you have to go back
to nineteen ninety six when the Teamsters union did not
endorse the Democrat and they chose not to endorse Bill
Clinton in nineteen ninety six because he had just signed
(03:54):
the NAFTA deal, which was a sellout of a union
of unions by a Democratic resident ironically, so this is
a big step. They didn't endorse Donald Trump. But in
my opinion, and it's only my opinion, this is a
moment in the campaign that could be a game changer.
(04:16):
Now I know that there's still a little less than
seven weeks, seven weeks. I think it's forty eight days,
not that I'm counting, and Donald Trump could say something
crazy tomorrow. He says something's crazy so far. But I
think this is a game changer, big time game changer.
(04:36):
So I want to know what you think this could hurt.
Kamala Harris in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania. Those are areas with
a lot of Teamster's Union members and their families, and
you know that Teamster families will vote as one. I
(05:01):
think that's pretty apparent. Okay, that is the history of
the union. So I have one more SoundBite here from
two weeks ago on Face the Nation, and this is
cut number thirty. Rob If you play this one O'Brien
explaining why he spoke at the Iron c Why wouldn't
(05:21):
he speak at the.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Iron c oh I spoke there because it was the
ability to highlight how important we are. It was the
ability to call out the people, the corporate elitist who
forget who built this country, the American workers. You know,
people like to you know, have their own opinions on
why we were there, But I was there to talk
about the American workers.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
It wasn't an endorsement for any and all Republicans. It
was strictly a message about how important and how valuable
we are and to let the people know that fight
us every day.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
That went out going away. So that's his explanation clearly.
I think Vice President Harris Kamala Harris was with the
executive board of the Teamsters. I believe it was Monday,
you know, and I'm sure she was pleading with them
(06:10):
to do what they have done in the past, and
that is support Democrats. Now, there were at different times
in the past. I think that Richard Nixon might have
gotten an endorsement in one of his elections. I think
President Reagan might have gotten an endorsement. George Bush forty
one may have gotten an endorsement. But since two thousand
it's been Democrat, Democrat, Democrat, Democrat, Democrat, Democrat, no endorsement.
(06:37):
That's a generation of teams to members who it was
going to be interesting. I think this is a game changer.
It's something that the Democrats, I think are going to
have to work on and I'd love to know what
you think. We'll take a quick break. It is eleven
fourteen here on night Side. My name is Stan Ray.
(06:58):
As I said, tomorrow night, we'll be talking with Larry
and Scott Rubinstein about your car, your next car, how
to get rid of your current car, what to do
about your current car, and how to get ready for
fall and winter driving. All those questions answered tomorrow night,
from tent until midnight. My name is Dan Ray. Let's
keep rolling here all the way to midnight. This is important.
(07:22):
Let's let's feel free. The only lines are open right
now are six one seven, so don't waste your time,
six one thirty. Therefore, we'll be back on Nightside.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Now, back to Dan Ray live from the Window World
Nightside Studios on WBZ News Radio.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
We are in the WBC Nightside studios, and let's get
to the phone callers who are not but that's okay.
Let's let's get to them right now. We'll see what
people have to say here on Nightside. Let me pull
it up. Let's go right to let me live. I've
missed up here a little bit. Rob. Let me get
rid of a couple of these. Here we go, going
(08:02):
to go to John and Newton. First. John, you are
next up, first up this hour and Nightside. Your thought
about the teamster's decision not to endorse John?
Speaker 5 (08:12):
Yeah? Any damn yeah, my thought about the teamster's not
to endorse. Well, you know, I think that the teams
have sometimes shocked us with these you know, new endorsements
that they don't stand behind, and you know, it's just
it's kind of a shame. Really is a shame that
they're not pulling this out for this guy.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
So so who did who did? Did you expect them
to endorse Harris or Trump?
Speaker 5 (08:36):
Well, a lot of people like Trump. You know, I
really can't tell you. It doesn't shock me that they hunt,
you know, standing by the Democratic Party.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Really. I mean, for the last six presidential elections, going
all the way back to two thousand, they've endorsed a Democrat,
including twice they endorsed Democrat against Donald Trump. He will
be Clinton in twenty sixteen and Joe Biden in twenty twenty.
Speaker 5 (09:05):
Well, sometimes I think Trump isn't even really there. He's
he's like a character, you know, he's at least on
my side of everything, you know.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Okay, So let me try to figure out where you are.
Are you a Trump supporter or a Harris supporter?
Speaker 5 (09:23):
I'm I'm whoever's going to send me to space supporter,
But you know, I do like I do like Trump
and I actually I do like Carris as well, and
I tell everybody, hey, I think Joe Biden is the
best president right now.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
He is. I will, I will agree Biden president right now.
He's the only president right now ahead.
Speaker 5 (09:46):
He's he's the real president. He's actually the real president.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Okay, so let me ask you this. Are you undecided
between Trump and Harris? Truly undecided?
Speaker 5 (10:00):
Am I undecided? I don't. I don't really know. I
just whatever, I don't know. I have. I have a
few connections to President Trump, so I know, you know,
I know that I know some people to know him,
and uh so I like to make that person happy.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
But well, in the voting both you could vote for
whomever you want. No one's going to know who you
vote for. So let me ask you. Did you vote
for Joe Biden in twenty twenty No.
Speaker 5 (10:28):
No, I didn't. I missed voting. I just I got
too busy.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Okay, that can happen even with the mail in ballots
and early voting. Did you vote for Trump in twenty
sixteen against Hillary Clinton?
Speaker 5 (10:39):
I got too busy.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
So you haven't voted? When was the last presidential election
you took? It? Took the time to voted.
Speaker 5 (10:47):
I think it was. I can't really twenty twenty sixteen,
twenty twelve, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Well, in twenty twelve it was Mitt Romney and President.
Speaker 5 (10:56):
Obama Nam President Obama.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Yeah, those are the choices. Did you vote for either
one of them?
Speaker 5 (11:06):
I voted. I definitely voted for President Obama.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Okay, all right, So are you a Democrat more than
a Republican? Don't? I guess I don't. I'm not trying
to put you on the spot. I just it sounds
to me like you're actually voter.
Speaker 5 (11:24):
That I used to know was with President Bush. You know, Okay,
the new the new, the new Republican Party is and
I don't know, I really like President Bush. I liked
President Bush. And I really really got to like Rumsfeld
and Shay and those people.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
I like that.
Speaker 5 (11:40):
I like them a lot.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Well, you were a Republican and you and you have
they have fallen out of You're not a fan of Trump.
I get it. I get it. Keep me posted as
to who you're going to vote for it because I think.
Speaker 5 (11:52):
You truly I like you know, I like them all.
They're all good. They're all good people.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
They're all good people. Okay, Well, yeah, make sure you vote. Well, yes, sir, okay,
thanks Johns, a great night. Good night. Let me go
to Bill. Bill. I don't think you're undecided.
Speaker 6 (12:11):
No, No, that was a little confused.
Speaker 7 (12:13):
And I mean, yeah, you know, logically, even if you
take a step back and you just look at call
them A and call them B and don't look at personalities,
don't look at whatever, just look at basic results, it's
pretty clear if you're going to hire somebody, you know,
who would you hire A or B? And uh, I
think I go back to A because you know, things
(12:35):
were a little lighter, you had a little more exit
in your pocket. And uh, in the world Trump guy.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
So realizing you're a Trump guy, which is fine, what
sort of an impact do you think this non endorsement
by the Teamsters and again putting in his context.
Speaker 5 (12:51):
Well.
Speaker 7 (12:53):
Yeah, yeah, I mean they are big, be honest with you.
I didn't think they were going to do with anybody anyhow.
I read the story. I actually just got back a
few I was out in Michigan for a few days
and ironically, and I was reading catching up while I
was on the plane, and I think the team says
it just kind of going, uh, you know, they're basically
doing all the Union people I've met all the years,
(13:16):
like the UAW. Right, yeah, they endorsed the Democrat, but
that's the leadership. I came back from Michigan. My buddy
lives up in Grand rapt In fact, Vance was there
the day before, up by Spada, which where he lives.
He had they had a rally up there and a
lot of Trump signs. And if you talk to most
of the ICE on the Sunday afternoon from the UAW
(13:37):
they're all voting for Trump. So the fact that the
Union sixty percent of them are voting for Trump, and
I know some of the guys in UPS, it doesn't
surprise me the teams because you know UPS drivers that
I talked to the majority of them over the years.
I've talked to very few guys they say. He used
to laugh about it. We'd have coffee and see my union.
I get a list of who to support. They're all Democrats.
(13:58):
By I go in to booth, I vote Republican. They
always told me, yes, well.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
But remember this look. And in twenty twenty President Trump
lost Michigan, lost Wisconsin, and lost Pennsylvania. So you know,
after four years, yeah, well those are critical vote.
Speaker 7 (14:21):
Yeah, but I mean I could go down the list.
There was a lot of stuff, but I'm happy to
see they put some of the stuff back. They have
the rarefied signature is now in Pennsylvania that came back.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
So I don't want to go back and retigate twenty.
I don't want to say this. All I'm just saying
is that this is a close race in my opinion,
and this might be a day that we're going to
look back and say the fact that one that a
union representing one point three million members and their families
which mail multiplies that political impact by three or four
(14:51):
because you're talking about parents and siblings and spouses and
maybe even kids. So you're talking about a lot of
people here. And the Teamsters, which generally endorsed as a Democrat,
didn't endorse Donald Trump, but chose not to endorse Vice
President Harris.
Speaker 7 (15:08):
That's I'm also surprised that they didn't let O'Brien speak
at the convention figuring what the Republicans did, and they
gave him a good amount of time because I watched
that speech and I was actually kind of impressed. I
thought he got.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
A great amount of time and he was given a
five time slot. He didn't. It was like he spoke
at two in the afternoon when the hall was you know,
one third of the delegates were there and everybody else
was still waking up from the night before. So we'll see.
And I think it's a big deal. But I'm trying
to figure out, do you think today was a big
deal or no?
Speaker 7 (15:45):
Yeah, I would say one to ten. It was maybe
maybe a seven. I wouldn't say it a ten, and
we rigged the scale, but I'd say it was a
seven because they went against the grain. That alone, it
is a big deal.
Speaker 5 (15:57):
Got it all.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
Right with you? Did you call as always? Let's see
who else. I think it's a bigger deal than a seven,
But maybe I'm overstating it. Let me go to Matt Brighton. Matt,
you're next ten nights.
Speaker 5 (16:10):
I go ahead, Hey, you know, and then.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
Great, Matt, your thought on what the teamsays did not
do today, Well, the leadership of the teams just did
not do right.
Speaker 8 (16:23):
So I'm looking at, you know, the data, and you know,
I like to go by facts, and I see the
last time that they gave any real Republican support was
around Reagan and Bush Senior since then. They in nineteen
ninety six they did not back anybody, yep, but they
(16:44):
you know, they backed Obama.
Speaker 9 (16:46):
They donated you.
Speaker 8 (16:48):
Know, haff A Junior and then the current. But Bryant
what's his last name, O'Brien the current.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Okay, he's a boss, the guy by the way from Charleston.
Speaker 8 (17:00):
Yeah, yeah, from Medford or something.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Yeah maybe well might maybe live there now, but he
grew up I think at Jostown. I hope to have
him on the show. I've got to reaching out to
him actually to be.
Speaker 8 (17:12):
Mean, yeah, and that would be great, you know, Okay,
to hear I think I think the ultimate thing is
I think today was important. I don't know how many
of the voters across America are going to hear and
notice this for those who are not part of unions
that in effects. Someone like myself is not affected directly
(17:36):
by this, but I think it speaks to because they also,
you know, have leadership in Canada. I'm not leadership, but
they also you know, represent unions in Canada, and I
think them basically saying being mute on the subject, you know,
is a mistake. Fifty eight percent wanted Trump, very low
(18:00):
percentage compared to that wanted, Harris, And when you're in
a union or when you're in a large group of people,
all I could say is a majority rule like that
should have some power and decision and not listening to
or for lack of a better term, respecting that on
some level.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
And you're telling me you're you're a little disappointed that
they didn't endorse Trump.
Speaker 8 (18:26):
If if Yeah, well I get yes for the people
by the percentage who said of the majority of the
one point three million said we want Trump. Majority rules
in many situations in life, and I think that that's
what should it happen.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
All right, fair enough, Matt, appreciate your call. Thank you,
Thank you so much, as always, have a great one.
Speaker 9 (18:49):
No problem, all right here, Uh, let me.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Go to Frank in Montreal. Frank, welcome to night Side.
How are you tonight?
Speaker 6 (19:01):
Good Dan, Thanks a lot for taking my call. I've
called once before and it was just interesting to hear
your last caller reference Canada and the unions a very
strong unions are actually almost too strong in Canada. But
my take on the unions, and some people may be
(19:23):
a guest at this statement, but they are basically corporate
terrorists and you know, you have people who if you
think about unions, originally, of course you needed them. People's
rights were there were not a lot of job options.
(19:44):
People were almost forced to work in certain conditions, and.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Everyone would agree with that. Why do you call them
corporate terrorists? Though? I mean, do you well you think that?
Let me ask us, do you think people have a
right to join unions?
Speaker 5 (19:59):
I hope of course you have the right.
Speaker 6 (20:02):
There are many options and job opportunities out there. If
you don't like the conditions, if you don't like the job,
get another job. No one's forcing you to work there.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
So if if, if you're if you're admitting that unions
have a right, you know, to to exist and to
and people have workers have a right to organize. There
comes a time when the group says, hey, we have
a we need to strike because they're not offering enough money,
or there's some problem with working conditions or whatever. They
(20:40):
have that right to do that. I don't think you
can say to let's say, you know, five thousand people
at a manufacturing plant, go find another job. I mean,
I think there should be a balance. Don't you that
that that that the unions, Yeah, they can strike, but
at the same time. As they strike and they hurt
the company, they're also kind of hurting themselves, and hopefully
(21:02):
at the end everybody comes to a deal where probably
no one is totally happy, but everybody gets a little
bit of what they want and the company continues to
produce widgets and make money for the shareholders as well
as the employees. Isn't that ideally what was supposed to
have happen?
Speaker 6 (21:19):
Well, but what can you not think that if, for example,
if there was no union, and there are many companies
where there are no unions, correct, and people are maybe
not necessarily happy with conditions. But if people start to
leave and say well, I'm going to go elsewhere, maybe
to the competition, for example, eventually that employer is going
(21:41):
to say, well, I'm better to either raise my wages
or my working conditions or improve conditions, and you let
a free economy sort of take over, and this way
it's more equitable that way.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
Well, sounds to be like you don't think unions are
really a part of a free economy, and that they
tilt the power structure away from the companies.
Speaker 6 (22:10):
They do, and in fact, many people you know you're
paying union dues, and how many people are actually I
guess you're benefiting from maybe higher wages. But then you know,
if you think about the teachers' union, which is very strong,
I think probably in almost every state, it's certainly in Canada,
it's very strong, and you think of these teachers who
(22:35):
you know, young graduates who and by the way, for
the record, I think teachers are so underpaid or not
appreciated for what they do. But nonetheless it's sort of
established or understood that they're overworked and underpaid. So you
(22:58):
have students in new new graduates that become teachers and
then shortly thereafter their striking, and I'm thinking you knew
the deal going into it, so you know, again, if
you don't have enough teacher as well, eventually do you say, well, hell,
we better start paying these people what they deserve for
(23:19):
giving me.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
I get that, I get that, But sometimes you have
what one of my law school professors used to call
an irreconcilable conflict, that you've reached a point where both
sides just fundamentally disagree and the only way, the only
thing the union can do if the union believes they're underpaid,
(23:41):
you could say to the teachers, oh yeah, go find
a better job somewhere else. But as individuals trying to
go find a better job, they may have a difficult
time doing that. And they're in the union because they
they believe that in unity, their strength and all of that.
I I I think that, Yeah, I think that the
(24:04):
balance between businesses and corporations are good for both in
my opinion. That's all. I'm a union member. I do
not want to see any of my money used for
political purposes. I want to see my money used to
improve the working conditions, the relationships, you know, with the
financial relationships. But I think you've opened up a big
(24:26):
can of worms there that takes me a little bit
away from my topic.
Speaker 6 (24:31):
I did, Sorry about that, but no problem, no problem, Okay,
thanks for taking the call in the program.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
Frankly, what do you do up in What do you
do up in Montreal?
Speaker 6 (24:39):
If I could ask, I own a company, okay, but
we're too small to have you know, I'm self employed.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
But you know, how many do you have employees?
Speaker 6 (24:54):
Yes? A handful, yeah, a handful.
Speaker 2 (24:59):
Okay. So you're you're providing, you're providing work, and you're
you're providing uh, job opportunities for people to feed their families.
Which is wonderful and I wish you every success in
the world. Do you want to tell me, do you
want to give you a company a plug? Maybe we
have some other listeners in Montreal that that will like to,
(25:19):
you know, purchase your products or do you do you
want to keep it on the d.
Speaker 6 (25:22):
Lough No, it's it's actually we're in semiconductors and we are. Yeah,
so we're we're the semiconductory manufacturer and we are. I
shouldn't they manufacturer? We wrap them so we're a middle
guy and uh, you know what we it's all about relationships.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
It's all about you've picked the great You've picked a
great business there, okay, and you're going to be very it.
Speaker 6 (25:49):
Has been well, it's been. It's been. It's been a
good run, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
The only problem is that you get you get nailed
with tax is not only revenue Canada, but revenue Quebec.
And it's it's a very expensive government that you support
up there.
Speaker 6 (26:04):
Both extremely extremely We.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Could talk about that. I know, I know quite a
bit about the tax rates in Quebec and uh and revenue.
Speaker 6 (26:15):
Yeah, every dollar over seventy k you're paying fifty two
you're you're giving more to the government than you're taking home.
Speaker 2 (26:21):
Yeah, there was a point. There's a point where you're
paying you keep one the revenue Canada gets one and
revenue Quebec gets one.
Speaker 6 (26:29):
Yeah, and you have in this province have to file
two income tax returns and uh, we're paying over six
dollars at US gallon fifteen consumption tax. So you buy
a car fifteen points from there. So this is where I'm.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
Gonna I'm gonna let you run because if not lose
my audience. There.
Speaker 5 (26:50):
Thank a lot.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Thanks Frank, keep calling the show. It's always great to shings.
Things as bad as they are in the US, economically,
they could be worse. We could be socialist country like Tudeau.
Speaker 6 (27:02):
Well that's that's sort of what I sort of argue against.
But I'd hate to see you guys go that way.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
So I hear you know, as would I. Thanks Freg,
talk to you soon. We got a couple of lines
six one seven thirty, six one seven, nine ten thirty.
The question back on the table is your reaction to
the decision of the Teamsters Union, a very powerful union,
perhaps the biggest union in America. The Teamster's Union decision
(27:32):
not to endorse a presidential candidate. I think it's quite significant.
Maybe you agree, maybe you disagree. That's what that's what
we're doing here tonight or nights. Come on right back.
Speaker 3 (27:46):
It's Night Side with Dan Ray on.
Speaker 5 (27:49):
Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
Let me go to Marie in Boston. Marie, welcome back.
We're talking about the Teamsters decision today, the leadership of
the Teamsters to endorse in the presidential election. Are you surprised. Oh,
Let's put Marie on hold and we'll get back there
in a second. Let me go to Jim. Jim. You
(28:12):
were next on Nightsicker right ahead.
Speaker 4 (28:15):
Ben, Yes, sir, Jim, welcome, Hey, thank you. Okay. Well,
I'm a due paid member and I donated the O'Brien's campaign.
I voted for O'Brien, and the things that I think
I want to say, okay, is that I was dismayed
(28:37):
when Biden ordered the operating train engineers back to work
with very little compensation whatsoever. And I heard an interview
with the president of their union and someone called in
and said they didn't think that was going to hurt him,
And she said, we'll see whether or not it had
hurt him when it comes time for him to get
re elected. And then the other thing is I was,
(28:59):
I was also dismade when Troudeau ordered the operating engineers
back to work, and I was. I didn't think about
it at the time, but I heard O'Brien say at
the at the Republican Convention, we don't take sides. In essence,
that's what he said, But it didn't really. It didn't
occur to me at the time that by saying we
(29:20):
don't take sides, he wouldn't be able to endorse either candidate.
But that kind of turns out the way that it is.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
Well, it wasn't just O'Brien, You're you're a team ster, I.
Speaker 4 (29:29):
Guess right, Yeah, I said, I'm a duce paid member.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
No, that's what I'm saying. I just want to make
I want to make sure that you could have been
a duce paying member of my union, which is after
But no, so you're a team star.
Speaker 4 (29:41):
I don't And I pledge and I said, you know.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
This better than me. Okay, so I'm asking you a question.
You're going to help me out here. My understanding was
it was the it wasn't O'Brien's decision. Although he might
be influential, you have like an executive counsel. I have
no idea, dear, how many members voted, but apparently there
was a vote of what they call the executive council,
(30:08):
and it was it was those individuals who made the decision. Uh,
not necessarily Sean O'Brien. O'Brien might have been influential, but
my understanding is that it was a board, an executive council.
Speaker 4 (30:25):
Is that okay, Well that see is very complicated and
I don't know that part of it. But if you
say so that you know, I'll go. I don't know
that part of it.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
I don't think. What all I was trying to say
is I don't think it was a standalone decision by
Sean O'Brien the president. That there was more input from
more people. That's all I'm trying to say.
Speaker 4 (30:51):
I mean, he did say at that Republican convention, in essence,
we were not I don't we're affiliated. We're not we
don't take In essence, what he said was we don't
take sides.
Speaker 2 (31:11):
He was saying that whichever party. Uh. And we played
a little bit of his sound earlier. He basically said Unfortunately,
neither major candidate, meaning Trump or Harris, was able to
make serious commitments to our union to endorse the interest
of working people are always put before big business. He
(31:33):
said he saw commitments from both Trump and Harris not
to interfere in critical union campaigns or court teamster's industries,
and to honor our members right to strike, but were
unable to secure those pledges.
Speaker 4 (31:46):
Okay, well, I don't know what. I didn't hear that
at the convention. I heard at the convention in essence,
we don't we're not taking side. So at the time
it didn't occur to me. I was surprised, because they do.
Typical teamsters are very on the Democratic side. But I'd
spent years and years since I've heard any Democrat say
(32:07):
anything that was favorable to, in my opinion, significantly favorable
to labor unions. I mean, the people who do the
work in this country are severely under compensated. They were
just falling down on ourselves because we don't have enough
money to pay our bills, and there's no reason for it.
I mean, there's this guy, this guy up in the
Buffalo yesterday get three hundred and sixty million dollars away
(32:29):
to nonprofits. I said to myself, why don't you give
that money to people who helped who worked for you
and helped you earn the money. Give it back to
the people who de who worked for a living. Why
are you giving it away to nonprofits?
Speaker 2 (32:42):
Good question, good question. We'll see if people respond to it. Jim,
thank you very much. I did not realize that you
were a teamster. And by the way, the majority of
the teamsters there was a poll and the majority wanted
to support Donald Trump by almost sixty percent.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
So my uncle tired from it up in Illinois. Here
it was Martino distributing for years and years. Yeah, I'm
in it.
Speaker 2 (33:08):
Thanks you. I appreciate your call. Interesting quick, let me
let me go, let me get Marie back here. I
guess Marie was there when you picked up, right Rob. Okay, Marie,
we missed you before. Go right ahead.
Speaker 10 (33:21):
Yes, TI, thank you for taking my call. It was
my point is I am not surprised at all. I'm
actually surprised that he didn't endorse Trump, even though he
said that he was not taking side. Now he's been speaking,
he's been speaking from both sides of his mouth. Because
(33:41):
I was very surprised that he went to the Republican
convention because Republican surrogains union. If it wasn't for Democrats,
that wouldn't be any union, and and and and and
a Republicans not not not well, Republicans will stand take
it in like like President Bidenville or did or come
(34:05):
Famala Harris. So to me, the this this seems their union.
They've ripen from the benefits that the Democrats are fighting
for them and then they voting for for for Trump.
What has Trump done for unions? They against union?
Speaker 2 (34:22):
Well, the only thing, the only thing that I would say,
and again I'm not trying to take sides here, but
the Republicans invited O'Brien to address their convention, and O'Brien
took the opportunity on behalf of teams just to speak
to the Republicans the Democrats. He requested an invitation to
(34:43):
speak to the Democrats, and the Democrats refused to allow
him to speak. Didn't give them an invitation to speak.
Speaker 10 (34:50):
I understand that, but because probably because Democrats were so
they were hurts that he went in spoke, you know,
to lever talk. Look at when Republicans are against unions,
it's sort of like senior citizens votings for Republicans when
they trying to take their solid security. So there are
a lot of people that work well.
Speaker 2 (35:11):
We're always like, oh the Marie who is trying to
take that? That's just not true. There's no Republican that
I know of who wants to take social security away
from people who have SOBI security. The Republicans are saying,
I will grant you this, that maybe the retirement age
(35:33):
should be increased from sixty five to sixty six or
sixty seven because people are living longer, But that's very
different from saying we're going to take back SOI security
benefits that people have earned. Don't mistake that. Don't mistate that.
Speaker 10 (35:51):
Well, it's not mistaken because if they have their chances
as they speak and say that those are entitlement, they
didn't want people to get some security.
Speaker 2 (36:02):
An entitlements, right, those are entitlements. They the wealthy.
Speaker 10 (36:11):
Insurance.
Speaker 2 (36:12):
I pay for it, Yes you did, and I did
as well. And I wouldn't vote for anybody who's gonna
take my so security away. And and there's no Republican
that I know of. Maybe there's a couple of Google birds,
but no one is going to run for public office
and say, oh yeah, when I get elected, I'm gonna
take people so security away. That's crazy. Hey, Mary, I
gotta I hate to do this. Yeah, I took you
(36:33):
back here, but I'm running out of time. I got
a commercial break and I got to get to a
couple of other callers. Thanks for calling, Please continue to
call my program. I enjoyed our conversation.
Speaker 9 (36:43):
All right, bye bye bye.
Speaker 2 (36:45):
Coming back on Nightside right after this break.
Speaker 3 (36:49):
Now back to Dan Ray live from the Window World
night Side Studios.
Speaker 5 (36:53):
I'm DOMBS News Radio.
Speaker 2 (36:56):
All right, let's keep rolling. You're gonna go to Anthony
in Midford. Did the un next a Nightsider? Right ahead?
Speaker 9 (37:02):
Are you doing, Dan, I'm doing great.
Speaker 2 (37:04):
You're surprised by the decision of the team's just not
to endorse a presidential candidate.
Speaker 9 (37:09):
I'm not surprised. She's gonna tell you why everybody should
have a union to back them in a work industry,
and like, look at charn O'Brien. You know the teams
he's did with the ups the workers are getting abused.
But going back, I think out loud. I mean, I
grew up as a Democrat, and uh now I'm just
still independent because the money that's costing gas, the fuels
(37:36):
and the groceries. Tamala Harrison is a're gonna fix it,
and you know, when I get she's doing there for
three and a half years, I'm pro unions.
Speaker 2 (37:44):
She said she's gonna stop price gauging. I think she
mat part price gouging.
Speaker 9 (37:49):
Even I'm not a union member, but everybody should have
a union. There's some companies out there that pay better
than unions. Fix it one set happening of the of
the other. But I think it's just, you know, I'm
glad they did that because you know, the Democrats think
it get you know, why would you going to want
to be a union guy making great money and spend
half your pay on double the groceries, double the gas.
(38:12):
It's just, you know, I think everybody should look at
the look around and say, Okay, when Trump was in office,
everything was down. There's no laws. They weren't shipping money
to Ukraine. It's just they're taking the union guy's taxes
and shipped to Ukraine. You know, Trump kept it here.
I don't know one Republican. I have a lot of
Republican friends that own big companies. The union they love it, buddy,
(38:35):
might have all.
Speaker 2 (38:36):
Right, I got you in. I got you in there
Anthony's strong point of view. Let's see, I got one
more caller. I got to get the Terry.
Speaker 9 (38:43):
Down in the case and have a great night. You
have a great shape, great show, buddy.
Speaker 2 (38:47):
Thank you, Anthony, appreciate your call.
Speaker 9 (38:49):
Terry.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
I'll bet you're going to come at me with a
different point of view. I know you're pretty well, Terry.
You go right ahead, Jan How are you Dan?
Speaker 11 (38:58):
I am a very proud union nurse. I am under
the umbrella of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, and I love
what they do. However, I don't always agree with who
they endorse all the time. And it is okay that
the team stirs have made an error in judgment. It
(39:20):
is okay they're human. But I'll tell you truthfully, I'll
go with the tailor swift effect. Massive amounts of votal
registration's happened within twenty four hours after her announcement. That
(39:40):
speaks volumes to me.
Speaker 2 (39:43):
All Right, well I don't We'll see how you're not
worried about.
Speaker 6 (39:50):
Now.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
You're convinced that is going to prevail after all?
Speaker 11 (39:53):
Yeah, I do, but i'd like to say one quick
thing about.
Speaker 2 (39:59):
Quick they only get to many seconds left, Terry go
ahead and get seconds.
Speaker 11 (40:02):
So story, and my heart goes out to his family.
But I call on Governor Sary to use her executive
powers to call for the immediate suspension. But whoever that
person was in the ring, whoever made the assignments.
Speaker 2 (40:18):
All right, okay, Terry, flat flat out of time, Terry,
they're gonna fire me if I don't end the program.
You have a great night. You n bye bye. I'm
sorry Rob what you say in my ear? Okay, uh, Terry,
I we got to wrap the program, so I apologize,
thank you very much. Okay, we are done for the night.
(40:39):
I will thank Rob, I will thank Marita, I will
thank all the calls, including my friend Terry from down
on the Cape. We had a good show tonight. I
think I'll be on Facebook in about two minutes. Just
go to Night's Side with Dan Ray on Facebook. I'd
love to say hello to you on Facebook. We love
to chat after the show. I won't be there. I
(41:00):
promise you you'll be able to go to bed quickly, because
I want to go to bed quickly too. I will
end as always, all dogs, all cats, All pets go
to heaven. That's where my friend Charlie Rays, who passed
fourteen years ago in February. That's where all your pets
are who have passed. They loved you, you and you
love them, and I do believe you're going to see
them again. I happen to believe that what would heaven
(41:22):
be without them? Huh, We'll see tomorrow night the Bubby
Busy Car guys from ten to midnight tomorrow night. Larry
and Scott coming back tomorrow night. Have a great Thursday, everyone,
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