The following report was given by Cameron Harrison to the CPUSA National Committee on Saturday, November 16th.

Comrades, on the picket line the other day, a union sister told me that Michigan would not have even been close had it not been for the all-out campaign of the AFL-CIO. In fact, this election, the labor movement mobilized the largest ever get-out-the vote campaign in its history to block a MAGA victory at the polls. The AFL-CIO poured in millions of dollars in resources, and elevated rank-and-file workers to take control and knock doors, leaflet the plants, make phone calls, and petition for progressive candidates and pro-worker ballot measures all across the country. They doubled their volunteers and identified twice as many union households to reach as they did during the 2022 midterms.

In most places, the labor movement was running the ground game for this campaign. UNITE HERE knocked on millions of doors all over the country. In Philly, it was reported to us that the DNC apparatus was largely absent and the trade union movement and its allies did the hard work of deep canvassing and getting out the vote. In Detroit, the UAW, Teachers Union, Teamsters, SEIU, and AFSCME mobilized heavily — partnering with the NAACP, A. Philip Randolph Institute, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, and Black Voters Matter to achieve majority turnout amongst trade unionists here. They overwhelmingly voted against Trump.

In Wisconsin, our trade union comrades drove from all over the country, including Texas, to participate with the SEIU-driven campaign in Milwaukee and Racine to turn out working class voters in this election. Our comrades played instrumental roles, including being promoted to key leadership positions in this historic labor-led electoral campaign. The Party’s presence here was highly influential.

In Ohio, labor and its allies, including our Party, canvassed hard and persistently for pro-worker Sherrod Brown and Issue 1 — which would eliminate GOP-dominated gerrymandering in the state. We tabled with People’s World at the Ohio AFL-CIO convention, getting out the Party’s message of broad unity against the MAGA right and to oppose Project 2025. Sadly, our efforts did not lead to victory, but deep connections were established.

Our comrades played important roles in these efforts. In Maine, for example, comrades helped an IBEW candidate win and forged lasting bonds with other unions. In Minnesota, our comrades played a role in not losing the battleground to the GOP. It was the only battleground state not to flip.

In all, the union vote surpassed the 2020 numbers and a higher percentage of the trade union movement voted for Harris this time around. The grassroots, labor-led ground game is responsible for this effort. 57% percent of overall union members backed Harris over Trump. In Pennsylvania, 56% union members voted for Harris. In Michigan, the trade union vote broke 58% for Harris, and 67% in Minnesota. But it still wasn’t enough. The fact remains that millions of voters did not show up to vote in the 2024 elections, and Harris received far fewer votes than Biden did four years ago.

Jimmy Williams, president of the Painters Union said what he found on the campaign trail did not surprise him.

“Our members are concerned about inflation and how much things cost; they’re worried about making ends meet. They are no different than the rest of the voting public,” he said.

“The Democratic Party has failed to prioritize a strong, working-class message addressing issues that really matter to workers. The Democrats did not make a positive case for why workers should vote for them, only that they were not Trump.”

Comrades, the truth is, the everyday crisis of living is severely hurting working class families across the board. Monopoly rule is driving real wages down, union density is still declining, and inflation is still a key issue in workers’ minds. Without a strong, working class program that addresses the needs of our class, workers are not as enthusiastic about turning out to vote.

In cases where there were progressive and pro-worker measures on the ballot, our class did turn out — even in deep red states such as Nebraska and Missouri. Voters continued to uphold reproductive rights, union organizing rights, paid sick leave, higher minimum wage laws, and public education in high majorities.

Comrades, it is not news to us, but we must be prepared. Immigrant workers will be the first targets of the incoming Trump Administration, and they’ve repeatedly said as much. Certain unions, such as Unite HERE, UFCW, LiUNA, SEIU, and the Painters, where immigrant workers have organized and won collective bargaining rights, will be especially targeted. The labor movement’s ability to defend immigrant workers and fight back against the fascist attacks, both legal and extralegal, is of paramount importance. The AFL-CIO needs to come out strongly in support of immigrant workers.

The toxic pollutants of racism, sexism, anti-LGBTQ bigotry, and chauvinism remain critical barriers to class solidarity. They prevent the formation of broad-based unity by amplifying divisions to the benefit of the ruling class. The Trump campaign played on these prejudices and weaponized them. The struggle against these pollutants is of special importance to the labor movement. Fighting for an anti-racist, anti-sexist, and anti-homophobic class consciousness is the order of the day.

So comrades, let’s commit ourselves to building the Party, bringing the Communist plus to the labor movement, and strengthening the Resistance 2.0 movement against MAGA fascism. Let’s bring the spirit of class struggle and fight for the leadership of the working class in the upcoming battles. Forward together, not one step back!

Image: SEIU members in Philadelphia demand every worker who wants a union can join one by SEIU (Facebook)

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