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By Monica Sager
Live News Reporter
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Gov. Tim Walz has thrown his weight behind the International Association of Fire Fighters, praising the role of unions in healthy democracies.
But while Walz, the Democratic nominee for Vice President, was on a mission to love bomb unions at the IAFF convention in Boston Wednesday, the union is yet to reciprocate.
The IAFF endorsed Biden in 2020 but a spokesperson told Newsweek it does not have a comment at this time on whether the union will endorse a candidate this election.
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Ed Kelly, IAFF General President, told the convention: "We have to play in politics. We have to play hard, and we have to play smart. Our members that elected us deserve nothing less."
Kelly said the union has hosted town halls across the country to survey fire fighters.
"Our survey told us loud and clear the union, us, are duty bound to tell them which candidates are supporters of our issues and which candidates are not, which candidates get us, get our missions, get our priorities," Kelly said.
The Minnesota contingency of IAFF has supported Walz every time he has run for office, he added.
Walz told the crowd: "It is you that built the middle class," Walz said. "We know that when unions are strong, Americans are strong."
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Firefighters Newsweek spoke to were ambivalent on Walz.
One from New Hampshire said he felt "meh" about the appearance, and a Chicago fire fighter said he's "not a fan." Others, however, were enthusiastic.
"I'm excited for the Harris-Walz ticket," Ohio fire fighter Jerald Miluk told Newsweek. "They are pro-union. Gov. Walz is a wonderful addition...They're just pro-union, pro-worker."
Steven Stein, the president of the Columbus Fire Fighters IAFF Local 67, told Newsweek the IAFF leadership offered a talking opportunity to both parties' nominees.
Stein, from Ohio, said it is unfortunate that his Senator, Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, has not commit committed to appearing in Boston.
"I think that it's great that we have political candidates that are willing to speak with us and engage and hear about our issues," Stein said.
Charles Huddleston, from Ohio, said he was pleased to see Walz appearance, but the IAFF workers like "anyone that supports the union, regardless of political party."
Walz said that he and Vice President Kamala Harris will fight to protect the fire fighter's benefits, compensation and safe working conditions. As a governor, Walz said he bolstered resources for fire fighter training and education.
"This is going to impact you," Walz said. "These are things that matter to us. Some of you in here, I know what you're thinking. When Republicans used to talk about freedom, they meant it. Not anymore. They want government to invade every part of our life, from our union halls to schools."
Walz encouraged the union hall, which he called the purest form of democracy, to say what they want. If they don't, he said, then "one of the goals" of former President Donald Trump's Project 2025 is to "screw the middle class, making it harder for unions to bargain."
"The only thing these guys know about working people is how to take advantage of them," Walz said.
The convention started on Sunday, August 25 and runs through Thursday, August 29. Firefighters, rescue workers and emergency medical workers throughout North America attend fitness classes as well as recovery meetings and business sessions during the biennial convention.
Gov. Maura Healey spoke at the convention on Monday, calling for national unity.
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"We may feel divided as a nation, at times we may not agree on everything, but today I want to underscore the importance of fostering national unity, and the firefighter's commitment to service, community, and country is a powerful example and it's something we can all unite around," she said.
The labor union represents nearly 350,000 fire fighters, emergency medical workers and rescue workers across the United States and Canada.
Walz talked about his "dear friend," longtime St. Paul fire fighter and union leader Chris Parsons who died last year in the line of duty. Parsons had championed for fire fighter safety.
"One conversation with that guy would make your day better," Walz said. "Every hero deserves to come home after every shift."
Walz, a former teacher, used to be a union member with the National Education Association and the overarching American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). He said in Boston Wednesday that he is "very proud" to be a part of the union.
The convention marked Walz's second appearance in Boston in two weeks, following a solo tour he held that included a fundraiser in Back Bay on Aug. 14. Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff also made stops in Massachusetts recently, with Harris visiting Pittsfield after launching her own presidential campaign and Emhoff attending an event in Martha's Vineyard.
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