Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz spoke to union firefighters and emergency medical personnel in Boston on Wednesday. He assured them that Vice President Kamala Harris, not former President Donald Trump, would fight for their rights, protect their pensions, and maintain funding for federal firefighting resources.
The event was held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), which represents about 350,000 firefighters and emergency medical workers.
Walz began his speech by saying, “When Vice President Harris and I win this election, we’ll have your back just like you’ve had ours.” He described the current Harris-Biden administration as “the most pro-labor administration in history.”
Walz promised that a future President Harris would support unions by signing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act into law. This act would make it easier for workers to collectively bargain and protect pension plans. Walz criticized Trump for his “right to work” stance, which he said makes it harder for workers to collectively bargain and reduces their benefits.
Walz also accused Trump of blocking overtime benefits, opposing efforts to raise the minimum wage, and cutting funding for federal fire service programs. He linked Trump to a plan called Project 2025, which he claimed would hurt the middle class.
Walz ended his speech by urging everyone to watch the upcoming debate between Harris and Trump on September 10. He acknowledged that some people might prefer watching “Monday Night Football” but insisted that the debate would impact important issues like retirement, education, and infrastructure.
Walz’s visit to the IAFF’s 57th annual convention was his second trip to Boston in two weeks.