Hospitality workers' union publicly endorses Kamala Harris for president

Hospitality workers' union UNITE HERE has publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. The endorsement includes a commitment by the union to have its members knock on more than 3.3 million doors for Harris in swing states that include Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, and North Carolina. The union counts around 100,000 casino workers among its members.

The latest news comes after Republican Donald Trump proposed excluding tips from federal income taxes during a rally in Nevada on June 9 to win over restaurant and hotel workers. Both of Nevada's Democratic senators, Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, have supported Trump's idea, a sign of its potential popularity.

However, Trump's move to woo hospitality workers has seemingly left UNITE HERE officials cold. Gwen Mills, the union's President, said Trump was merely "making a play" for votes while Harris has credibility from having supported unions. She discussed the move with The Associated Press before the union announced an endorsement.

UNITE HERE is proud to endorse @KamalaHarris for President in 2024. She has consistently demonstrated her unwavering commitment to working people and the labor movement, and she is the leader we need in the White House. pic.twitter.com/saEqKpaGGr

— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) August 5, 2024

The Biden administration has countered Trump's proposal by suggesting that tipped workers would be better off with a higher minimum wage. President Joe Biden stepped down from the ballot roughly two weeks ago and Harris, whose portfolio as vice president includes organized labor, has embraced many of his existing economic proposals. In speeches, she also has pushed for rules to make it easier for workers to unionize.

After replacing Biden, Harris has consolidated what can be a fractious Democratic coalition, including lining up support from labor unions. The AFL-CIO, which counts UNITE HERE as a member, has endorsed Harris after having backed Biden. The United Auto Workers formally backed the vice president on Wednesday.

The Harris campaign and its allies have previously indicated that the election's outcome will hinge on which side generates superior turnout, which is where UNITE HERE believes it can help Democrats.