Iowa worker rights advocates, progressive orgs excited for Kamala Harris

Iowa worker rights advocates and other progressive organizations were mostly hopeful, if not outright excited, about the prospect of Vice President Kamala Harris as the 2024 Democratic nominee for president.

Unless you were falling out of a coconut tree since Sunday, you already heard the news that President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, instead. (Democrats will officially decide the party’s nominee at their national convention in mid-August.)

So we wondered: How do Iowa’s worker advocates and other organizations that champion progressive causes feel about Harris potentially being the Democratic nominee?

‘Pro-worker champion’

Labor leaders started to weigh in nationally just after Biden’s announcement, and some Iowa unions simply pointed to their organization’s statement. But others gave their own comments to Starting Line.

The AFL-CIO, which represents 12.5 million workers across 60 unions nationally, endorsed Harris on Monday.

Charlie Wishman, who heads up the state AFL-CIO, said “the difference for workers” between Harris and former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, was “plenty clear.”

“But in addition, the surge in energy I’ve seen in the past 48 hours is something that I haven’t seen in my life,” Wishman added. “It’s pretty remarkable.”

Rick Moyle with the Hawkeye Area Labor Council in Cedar Rapids noted Biden’s stance on worker rights was a major factor in his endorsement of Harris.

“From day one, Vice President Kamala Harris has been a key partner in leading the most pro-labor administration in our lifetimes,” Moyle said, adding the council “recognizes this and supports her in her run for President.”

Christopher Martin with United Faculty in Cedar Falls said his union doesn’t endorse specific candidates, but broadly supports those who support worker rights, including passing the PRO Act, getting rid of right-to-work laws, and reinstating Iowa’s Chapter 20 for public employees.

“When you look at candidates’ records, it’s very clear who is truly on the side of workers,” Martin said.

Joe Henry, with the League of United Latin American Citizens and Forward Latino, said he figured Harris would continue the pro-worker policies of the president.

“The Biden administration worked diligently on strengthening the National Labor Relations Board and strike activity,” Henry said. “We can safely assume she will continue on with the type of support workers need.”

“I think it’s the right decision,” agreed Rosa Wilson with the Communication Workers of America in Dubuque.

Todd Copley with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 61 called Harris “seasoned, tough, and tenacious” and a “pro-worker champion” in his endorsement.

“She understands that unions and the working class are the engines of our economy,” Copley said.

Jamie Gulley, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa, said Harris had “a proven track record of standing up to corporations on behalf of workers,” as well as “defending Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act,” which Gulley called the “three core pillars of our country’s health care system.”

Gulley said Harris “stood with our members to announce new minimum staffing standards in nursing homes,” a particular point of pride for the health care workers SEIU Healthcare represents.

“Our union is all-in to elect Kamala Harris,” Gulley said.

‘Everyone is fired up’

Vikki Brown, chair of the Black Hawk County Democrats, is one of the delegates who will be attending the Democratic National Convention in August. Those delegates threw their support behind Harris on Monday, and Brown said the county party did as well.

“We are excited about her candidacy and the progress she represents for our nation,” Brown said. “Everyone is fired up, and that’s a good thing!”

Pam Mackey Taylor, the director of the Iowa chapter of the Sierra Club, which champions environmental causes, shared the Club’s national statement on Harris, signed by three other environmental groups.

“Vice President Harris is a courageous advocate for the people and the planet,” wrote National Political Director Sarah Burton. “She prosecuted polluters as California’s attorney general. She advocated for climate action while in the Senate. And, working with President Biden, they passed the largest investment in clean energy and environmental justice in American history.

“This is also a pivotal movement to galvanize the environmental movement to defeat Donald Trump, the worst president in history for our clean air and water, public lands, and climate action,” Burton continued, noting the Club was “in an all-out sprint” until Nov. 5. “For our collective future, we cannot squander this opportunity.”