Labor Day 2020: Here's Where Major Unions Stand on Trump vs. Biden Election

As Americans celebrate Labor Day, some of the largest labor unions in the United States have already made their presidential endorsements for the 2020 election.

Many of the country's biggest unions have opted to support former Vice President Joe Biden, including those representing typically "blue collar" workers that President Donald Trump has often claimed to represent.

The United Steel Workers (USW), which represents almost one million people, backed the Democrat on 26 August as part of the BlueGreen Alliance endorsement.

BlueGreen Alliance brings together labor unions and environmental groups. Their endorsement of Biden and his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, was the first in the organization's 14-year history.

"Our opponents often try to divide us, but workers and environmentalists are natural allies. We all want good jobs and healthy workplaces and communities, said USW President Tom Conway.

"We don't have to buy the false choice between good jobs and clean air and water. We must have both or we will have neither. We are proud that the BlueGreen Alliance is standing with Joe Biden, and we look forward to working with them to build a future that ensures a clean, healthy environment, and good jobs for all of our workers," he said.

Biden has also won endorsements from most of the largest labor unions in the country over the past few weeks. These endorsements include the Teamsters union, the United Auto Workers, the United Food and Commercial Workers union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, and the Service Employees International Union.

Biden is also supported by the AFL-CIO, a body representing 55 labor unions with 12.5 million members. The AFL-CIO has endorsed the Democratic candidate in every election since 1976. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka explained the endorsement on 26 May.

"We know Joe, and Joe knows us," Trumka said. "Donald Trump campaigned as a friend of workers" and won votes from people "desperate for a departure from business as usual" but after the election, Trump showed his "true colors," Trumka said.

"His response to COVID-19 has been delinquent, delayed, disorganized and deadly. That's our choice this year, between Donald Trump's pettiness and negativity and Joe Biden who is the embodiment of goodness and decency."

Trump has won the endorsement of several major police unions including the largest, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

"Public safety will undoubtedly be a main focus for voters in this year's election," FOP President Patrick Yoes said on 4 September.

"Look at what the national discourse has focused on for the last six months. President Trump has shown time after time that he supports our law enforcement officers and understands the issues our members face every day.

"The FOP is proud to endorse a candidate who calls for law and order across our nation. He has the full and enthusiastic support of the FOP," he said.