This seems more like an article taking issue with how O'Brien referenced something by Hawley that resonates with the GOP when calling them out for not supporting labor.

While there were some cathartic moments in O’Brien’s speech, where he lambasts Republicans for not supporting workers, it seems like a part of a larger project of his to try to create some sort of “pro-labor conservative.”

I think the first part is accurate and the only part that mattered. If there is a 'pro-labor conservative' that speech was about how it is not in the GOP right now.