How Trump Could Revolutionize GOP Labor Policy

President-elect Donald Trump invited the head of the Teamsters union, Sean O’Brien, to speak at the Republican National Convention in July. In his speech, O’Brien said Trump had the “backbone” to invite him, and expressed hope that, if Trump was elected, he would take the Republican Party on a more pro-labor course than it had taken in past years.

So far, Trump seems to be delivering on that promise.

Trump recently nominated Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) as secretary of labor — perhaps the strongest signal yet that Trump is aligned with the pro-labor faction of the GOP. Her nomination received significant plaudits from Sean O’Brien, calling her “a real fighter for working people.”

Chavez-DeRemer barely lost re-election this year, but she ran with big union backing. CNN even said, when discussing her selection by Trump, she was “surprisingly pro-labor.”

That’s because Chavez-DeRemer took the road less traveled on key labor issues for a Republican, most notably endorsing the PRO Act. This proposed legislation would essentially eliminate “right to work” laws, which prohibit public sector union bargaining.

Under the PRO Act, unions and employers would be allowed to negotiate "fair share agreements” that require non-union employees in unionized workplaces to contribute fees for services they may benefit from, like higher wages gained from collective bargaining.

The AFL-CIO, representing over 12.5 million workers in and outside the US, also praised Trump’s selection of Chavez-DeRemer, highlighting her PRO Act support — but warned that they would oppose any attempts to water down labor rights.

Trump’s pick highlights how different the GOP has become during his time at the head of the party. Outlets like National Review, which represents more of the old-guard GOP, lambasted the pick, saying it would “make America California again.”

Media organizations more aligned with Trump’s thinking, like American Compass’ The Commons, portrayed Trump’s selection of Chavez-DeRemer as an example of “the rise of the pro-worker Republican.”

The data bears this out: over the course of Trump’s three runs for office, the GOP has increased its support amongst union voters, who are attracted to his blue-collar message and pro-industry policies like tariffs on foreign imports.

With Chavez-DeRemer leading the nation's top labor agency, Republicans have a chance to strengthen labor protections and support unionization, positioning themselves as the pro-worker party and dealing a blow to Democrats, who have traditionally relied on union backing.