Facts over Fear: It’s time for Democrats to prioritize labor and working people

Before the election, there were signs that Democrats were losing union support.

While Trump did win the presidential election on Nov. 5 with less than 50 percent of the popular vote (another rumor we can put to rest) he did not win union voters overall. And, according to Steve Rosenthal, who has worked as an electoral strategist in the labor movement for more than four decades, the political tide could turn again as soon as 2026.

Rosenthal believes the labor movement needs to start preparing now for the anti-worker changes that may come from a second Trump administration — and also for the next election.

How important is the labor movement to the Democratic Party if they want to win? I believe it is everything. The fact that paid leave, for instance, was enshrined in many red states’ constitutions during the election in November, is a major indication that working people’s policies are the way forward.  

In fact, right here in Pennsylvania, Congressman Chris Deluzio was reelected in November, outpacing Vice President Harris in the Beaver and Allegheny County sections of his district. He told the Capital Star, “I’ve always said that you don’t win in western Pennsylvania without union workers backing you.” 

Standing up for workers and standing with workers is a winning strategy and one that the DC Democrats should start employing as they lick their wounds and come to terms with the fact that working class policies like paid leave for all, universal healthcare, a real living wage, affordable housing and affordable childcare are issues that cross party lines and motivate voters to support those candidates that support them in return.

And that, my friends, is a fact.