Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, addressed the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) convention in Boston, emphasizing the Harris-Walz ticket's commitment to labor rights and union protections.
During his speech, Walz contrasted their stance with former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, criticizing their approach to labor policies and worker protections.
According to Fox News, Walz spoke at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, addressing an audience of approximately 350,000 firefighters and emergency medical workers represented by the IAFF. The Minnesota governor used this platform to outline the Harris-Walz campaign's pro-labor agenda and to draw distinctions between their proposed policies and those of their Republican opponents.
In his address to the IAFF convention, Governor Walz made several promises regarding labor rights and union protections. He emphasized that a Harris-Walz administration would prioritize the needs of workers and their families, particularly those in the firefighting and emergency services sectors.
Walz highlighted the importance of collective bargaining rights, promising to support legislation that would make it easier for workers to unionize and negotiate fair contracts. He specifically mentioned the Protecting the Right to Organize Act as a key piece of legislation that Vice President Harris would sign into law if elected president.
The governor also addressed concerns about pension protection and funding for federal firefighting resources. He assured the audience that their administration would work to safeguard defined benefit pension plans and maintain crucial funding for programs such as the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program.
A significant portion of Walz's speech was dedicated to criticizing the labor policies associated with the Trump-Vance ticket. The governor took aim at what he described as their "right to work" stance, arguing that such policies are detrimental to workers' rights and safety.
Walz stated:
Everybody in this room knows 'right to work' means right to work for less, right to work more dangerously, right to work for no pensions. The only thing [Trump and Vance] know about working people is how to take advantage of them, how to not pay them.
He went on to accuse the former president of blocking overtime benefits, opposing minimum wage increases, and cutting funding for federal fire service programs. Walz also attempted to link Trump to the conservative nonprofit Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, which he claimed would negatively impact the middle class.
As he concluded his address, Governor Walz urged the audience to pay close attention to the upcoming vice presidential debate scheduled for September 10. He acknowledged that the debate would be competing for viewers' attention with "Monday Night Football" but stressed the importance of the issues that would be discussed.
Walz emphasized that the debate would cover topics directly impacting the lives of firefighters and their families, including retirement benefits, education, and infrastructure. He portrayed the election as a choice between two distinct visions for the country's future.
The governor contrasted what he described as the Republican vision of government intrusion into personal lives with the Harris-Walz campaign's approach to freedom and worker protection. Walz argued that their vision would better serve the interests of union members and working families across the country.
Governor Tim Walz's speech at the IAFF convention in Boston served as a platform to court the support of firefighters and emergency workers while critiquing the labor policies of the Trump-Vance ticket. He emphasized the Harris-Walz campaign's commitment to protecting collective bargaining rights, maintaining pension benefits, and supporting federal firefighting resources. Walz drew stark contrasts between their pro-labor stance and what he characterized as the anti-worker policies of their opponents.
