Frustrated blue-collar union bosses rip socialist politicians, warn of labor exodus from Dem party

Two leaders of a prominent New York City union slammed the Democratic Party and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) for being out of touch with blue-collar members of the working class — the very people they ran their campaigns on supporting.

"I think they're communists, and I don't think they have the benefit of the working class — the real working class, the taxpayers' — support," Robert "Bobby" Bartels, Jr., the business manager of Steamfitters Local 638 in New York City, told Fox News Digital.

The union, which has existed for 150 years and has mostly supported Democrat candidates in the past, represents blue-collar steamfitters, pipefitters, HVAC technicians, welders and industrial and mechanical service technicians. It previously broke ranks with Democrats and endorsed President Donald Trump in 2024.

Robert "Bobby" Bartels speaks during the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 15, 2024. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP)

Bartels ripped the far-left DSA candidates who won primary elections in New York last week against incumbent and establishment Democrats.

Winners include Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York's 13th Congressional District and Claire Valdez in New York's 7th Congressional District. Both are members of the Democratic Socialists of America and have radical views that were highlighted by rivals during the campaign.

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"They do have the people's support that want everything for free and want everything handed to them without working for it, and I think the Democratic Party is going way far to the left," Bartels acknowledged. "And as a matter of fact, the more building trades people you speak to, the more they're going away from the Democratic Party."

Bartels described Democrats in power as "narcissists," and expressed frustration that when progressive policies fail, the party doubles down and goes further to the left instead of correcting course. Specifically, he addressed concerns of open border policies that he says drives down wages for union members.

Plumbers attach metal pipes to a cooling-heating system at the new Fraunhofer Building Technology Showcase under construction in the Innovation District of Boston, Mass., on Oct. 2, 2012. (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)

"That we don't like," said Bartels. "You know why? Because they're bringing the illegal immigrants in here to steal the Americans' jobs and lower the rates."

"They're working to tear down the people that are working and building everything."

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He said it offends him when leftists like Avila Chevalier say they support the working class and they don't feel represented by such politicians.

"Because I'm the working class, and they're not here to support me," explained Bartels. "They want to support the people who want to take from the working class."

Brian Kearney is the president of Steamfitters Local 638.

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He says much of the DSA's work isn't aligned with labor, particularly people in the building trades.

Michael Paz uses a torch to cut a pipe while continuing his pipefitter education at the Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Pipefitting Education Center in Opa Locka, Fla., on Jan. 5, 2012. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

"I mean, we traditionally have been working class labor Democrats," said Kearney.

"I think that DSA is going to have to try to find inroads through the labor movement in New York City because the labor movement in New York City — and I don't want to speak for everybody, but you know, personally — it feels like we align on things when we can, but a lot more of their policy has gone towards progressive politics that could end up getting in the way sometimes."

He said Mayor Zohran Mamdani has tackled his own progressive pet projects since taking office, but still hasn't shown the building union that he will support them, as promised. Thursday night, the New York City Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) voted in favor of one of Mamdani's core promises — freezing rent.

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"He's mentioned union labor, union labor, union labor quite a few times throughout his campaign," said Kearney. "Affordable housing was a big political issue in New York City. He said it was going to be built, and it was going to be built by union labor, but nothing's been done yet, you know what I mean?

"He's taken care of a lot of I think the agenda that he campaigned on that pertains to like more of the socialist policies, the super socialist stuff... but, he's mentioned building with union labor, and I'd like to see him fulfill that promise and utilize union labor throughout the city."

Mamdani, Valdez and Avila Chevalier did not return Fox News Digital's requests for comment.