❓WHAT HAPPENED: Teamsters union boss Sean O’Brien testified before Congress, discussing tariffs, trade agreements, and concerns about foreign truck drivers.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sean O’Brien and members of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday, during a Senate Commerce Subcommittee hearing on Surface Transportation.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Take a little less in your own pocket, stop giving more to Wall Street, and just reward your workers and don’t pass this cost on the consumers.” – Sean O’Brien
🎯IMPACT: O’Brien’s testimony highlighted union concerns about tariffs, trade policies, and foreign drivers, sparking debate over worker protections and corporate responsibility.
During a recent congressional hearing, International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Sean O’Brien made clear where the union stands on President Donald J. Trump‘s tariffs and trade policy. He said it was “no secret” the union supports tariffs, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to protecting American workers and revitalizing domestic industry.
O’Brien pushed back on criticisms labeling him a “self-promoting union boss.” Instead, he described as “a truck driver from a middle-class family that appreciates and embraces the preservation of the middle class.”
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) acknowledged O’Brien’s dedication to workers, saying he believes O’Brien’s advocacy for the middle class is sincere. O’Brien agreed, emphasizing his union’s efforts to secure better outcomes for American workers.
The Teamsters chief also sharply criticized the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), blaming it for the decline in U.S. manufacturing jobs. “Remember when we had plenty of industry in this country where we were producing goods and services. We were manufacturing steel. We were doing a lot of this work. And then these bad trade deals happened…” he said.
O’Brien expressed concern that corporate America would respond to new tariffs by pushing added costs onto consumers rather than reducing excessive executive compensation. “Take a little less in your own pocket, stop giving more to Wall Street, and just reward your workers and don’t pass this cost on the consumers,” he urged.
Another issue raised during the hearing was the growing use of foreign nationals in commercial driving roles, particularly individuals lacking English proficiency. “I think it’s extremely frightening, to be honest with you,” O’Brien said, referring to the safety risks posed by drivers who cannot read road signs or communicate effectively. He suggested a safer system would be for Mexican drivers to leave their trailers at the U.S. border, allowing American drivers to handle domestic transportation.
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