Republican Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) addressed the Teamsters national convention in Las Vegas on June 17, sharply criticizing AI companies and Amazon while endorsing the union's key policy agenda. The remarks were revealed in an exclusive report by Axios (Axios ).
June 17 · Teamsters National Convention, Las Vegas
Hawley Takes the Union Stage Against "AI Cheerleaders"
A Republican senator warns the Teamsters that "mega corporations" have lost their "moral compass" — vowing to protect workers from being replaced "with an algorithm." A cross-party realignment over labor and AI is underway.
4+ yrs
Amazon contract talks stalled at multiple sites after unionization
2028
Election where unions are positioning AI as a major issue
Bipartisan
Faster Labor Contracts Act, co-sponsored with Sen. Booker
Where Hawley Stands — Four Fronts
AI-promoting firms
Criticized as "AI cheerleaders"
Amazon
Called the "biggest monopolist in the country"
Self-driving trucks
Backs regulation to protect commercial drivers
Labor contracts
Promotes the Faster Labor Contracts Act
Labor supporters
Welcomed Hawley as an "ally." The speech drew "rousing applause" — a warning against job displacement by Amazon and AI.
Tech & industry groups
Argue autonomous driving brings "safety improvement and economic boost," and oppose new restrictions on self-driving trucks.
The realignment
A traditionally Democrat-aligned union is now hearing from both sides on AI and jobs.
Sen. Hawley (R)
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Teamsters
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Sen. Booker (D)
Rep. Khanna (D)
Teamsters President Sean O'Brien also spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention — labor and AI are scrambling the old party lines.
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