Kamala Harris calls herself and unions 'underdog' at PA rally with Joe Biden (original) (raw)

Kamala Harris declares herself and unions 'underdog' in vow to fight for 'worker rights to organize'

At a joint labor day rally featuring Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, unions and labor rights were at the center of the conversation with Harris vowing to 'fight for workers' rights to organize freely' as she named herself, and unions, as 'the underdog'

Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at IBEW Local Union #5 on September 02, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Vice President Kamala Harris called herself, and unions, an 'underdog' as she vowed to fight for union power at a Labor Day campaign appearance with President Joe Biden in Pittsburgh on Monday.

In their first joint address since President Joe BIden left the race, Harris told workers and union leaders at the IBEW Local Union #5, "Let's not pay too much attention to those polls because as unions and labor knows best - we know what it's like to be the underdog, and we are the underdog in this race - and we have some hard work done ahead of us."

She added, "But here's the beauty of us in this room. We like our work, good work, this joyful work," to cheers. She also vowed to continue to "fight for a future where every worker has the freedom to organize," naming Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) as a crucial part of that fight.

President Joe Biden embraces Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (

Image:

Getty Images)

The goal of the rally, held with Biden, where she spoke for a total of 16 minutes, was to reiterate the Biden White House's previous policy that U.S. Steel should remain domestically owned and operated. "I couldn’t agree more with President Biden: U.S. Steel should remain American-owned and American-operated," Harris said at the rally.

Their message aligns with the White House's previous opposition to the company's proposed sale to Japan's Nippon Steel, showing Harris' allegiance to Joe Biden's previous labor laws policies. Biden touts himself as "the most pro-union president in US history."

Despite his age of 81 and a long political career closely allied with labor, President Biden chose to introduce Harris at this event, a reversal from the norm, signaling his desire to showcase her contributions to union workers at one of the nation's grandest Labor Day events and passing the proverbial torch.

It still marks a significant policy stance for the vice president, who has presented relatively few since Biden withdrew his reelection bid and endorsed Harris in July.

Kamala arriving in Pittsburgh ahead of today's rally with Joe Biden (

Image:

AFP via Getty Images)

“Folks, we’ve made a lot of progress, and she’s going to build on it,” Biden said in his introduction. He vowed to help Harris get elected. "I’ll be on the sidelines, but I’ll do everything I can to help," promised Biden.

Harris has been cautious about striking a balance between presenting herself as "a new way forward" while remaining fiercely loyal to Biden and his policy agenda. Her approach differs significantly—and in some cases, she's advocated for quicker action than Biden's administration—but the overarching objective of expanding government programs to support the middle class remains consistent.

Joe Biden arrives to Pittsburgh for his first joint rally with Vice President Harris since dropping out of the race (

Image:

AFP via Getty Images)

Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off Labor Day celebrations with a spirited rally in a Detroit high school gym, surrounded by hundreds donning vibrant yellow union shirts and waving "Union strong" signs. She reminded the crowd of Detroit's pivotal role in labor history, hosting one of the first Labor Day parades about 140 years ago, and emphasized how unions have been a boon for every American.

"Everywhere I go, I tell people, 'Look, you may not be a union member, but you'd better thank a union member,'" Harris proclaimed, acknowledging the significant achievements of collective bargaining, such as the five-day work week, sick pay, and improved workplace safety.

"When unions are strong, America is strong," she declared. Harris was also slated to join Pittsburgh's Labor Day parade, marking a notable joint campaign appearance with President Joe Biden, injecting renewed vigor into the Democratic campaign for the 2024 election.