Educator, Labor Unions Supporting Harris VP Pick

This post was originally published on this site.

Tim WalzVice President Kamala Harris’s pick for running mate in the 2024 presidential election is a former social studies teacher who has, so far, received glowing remarks from educator and labor union leaders.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was named Harris’s pick to follow her as vice presidential nominee on the Democratic Party ticket ahead of its national convention in Chicago, Aug. 19-22.

The American Federation of Teachers was among the first to throw their support behind the pick.

“He shares our commitment to solving problems and forging a future in where every American can get ahead, not just get by,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten.

“Walz and Harris are about freedom — the freedom to join a union, to thrive in the economy, to make our own healthcare decisions, to be free from gun violence,” she continued. “They will stand up for the middle class against a weak, dark, dystopian alternative that wants to send us back to the past.”

Weingarten credits Walz with such policy moves as expanding collective bargaining rights, fighting wage theft, and enacting paid family and medical leave.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) International President April Verrett said that Walz has been a partner to Minnesota’s working families.

Becky Pringle“From his time in the classroom to serving in the National Guard and Congress, Gov. Walz has delivered tremendous wins for working people in Minnesota,” said Verrett. “Under his leadership, the state legislature passed the most pro-worker package of laws in decades, the Minnesota Miracle, making it easier for workers to form unions, strengthening worker protections, cracking down on union-busting practices, and creating the nation’s first nursing home workforce standards board.”

American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) President Lee Saunders described Walz as “a labor champion” with pro-worker values.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said that Walz will be a strong partner fighting to improve the lives of workers. “Gov. Walz isn’t only an ally to the labor movement, but also our union brother with a deep commitment to a pro-worker agenda,” said Shuler.

National Education Association President Becky Pringle said association members are excited by Harris’s choice in the former teacher.

“Gov. Walz is known as the ‘Education Governor’ because he has been an unwavering champion for public school students and educators, and an ally for working families and unions,” said Pringle. “As a high school teacher and NEA member,  Walz is committed to uplifting our public schools. He has a track record of getting things done to make people’s lives better.”