The Teamsters are a prominent labor union in the United States and Canada. A ‘local group’ refers to specific chapters or sectors of the union in certain areas.
In this case, some local Teamsters groups have decided to publicly endorse Kamala Harris for a political position, most likely for the U.S. Presidential or Vice Presidential election. This announcement is significant as the national body of their union has opted not to make an endorsement.
Endorsements are a common part of political campaigns where individuals, groups or organizations publicly show their support for a candidate. They can bolster a candidate’s credibility and help sway public opinion. In trade unions like the Teamsters, endorsements can also influence their members’ votes. Thus, even though the National union didn’t make an endorsement, the endorsement from local groups may still impact the voting decision of their members.