Image credits - The New York Times
Advertisement
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, addressed union firefighters and emergency medical personnel at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on Wednesday, emphasizing his and Vice President Kamala Harris’s commitment to labor rights and firefighters’ benefits. The event was hosted by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), a major labor union representing about 350,000 members.
Walz assured attendees, “When Vice President Harris and I win this election, we’ll have your back just like you’ve had ours this entire time.” He characterized the current Harris-Biden administration as “the most pro-labor administration in history” and pledged support for the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. This proposed legislation aims to facilitate collective bargaining, uphold funding for fire service programs, and protect pension plans.
In his speech, Walz sharply criticized former President Donald Trump’s stance on labor issues. He accused Trump of undermining workers’ rights through his support for “right to work” policies, which Walz argued lead to lower wages and reduced job safety. “The only thing [Trump and Vance] know about working people is how to take advantage of them,” Walz said.
He also condemned Trump for opposing overtime benefits, minimum wage increases, and federal fire service funding. Walz linked Trump to the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, alleging it aims to harm the middle class. He urged attendees to pay close attention to the upcoming debate between Harris and Trump, framing it as crucial to issues impacting workers’ futures and public infrastructure.
Walz’s visit to the IAFF’s 57th annual convention was his second in recent weeks, reflecting his ongoing engagement with labor groups.