Current:Home > BackAuto workers union seeks NLRB investigation of Trump and Musk comments about firing striking workers-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Auto workers union seeks NLRB investigation of Trump and Musk comments about firing striking workers
View Date:2024-12-23 20:42:25
DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union has filed unfair labor practice charges against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk after the two discussed on social media about Musk supposedly firing striking workers.
In documents filed Tuesday with the National Labor Relations Board, the union alleges that both men interfered with workers who may want to exercise their right to join a union. The NLRB said it would look into the charges, which are a request for the agency to investigate.
UAW President Shawn Fain, whose union has endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris, said in a statement that Trump is anti-labor.
“Both Trump and Musk want working class people to sit down and shut up, and they laugh about it openly,” Fain said.
Brian Hughes, a senior advisor with the Trump campaign, called the allegations “frivolous” and a “shameless political stunt” designed to erode Trump’s strong support among American workers.
The NLRB said it would investigate the complaints, one filed against the Trump campaign and the other naming Tesla Inc., the electric vehicle, battery and solar panel manufacturer based in Austin, Texas, and led by Musk.
The charges stem from statements made by Trump Monday night during a conversation between the two men on X, the social media platform Musk now owns. The former president spent much of the discussion that lasted more than two hours focused on his recent assassination attempt, illegal immigration and plans to cut government regulations.
But during a discussion about government spending, Trump praised Musk for firing workers who went on strike. The UAW contends this could intimidate workers for the Trump campaign or at Tesla who might want to join a union.
“You’re the greatest cutter,” Trump told Musk. “I look at what you do. You walk in and say, ‘You want to quit?’ I won’t mention the name of the company but they go on strike and you say, ’That’s OK. You’re all gone.’”
Musk said, “Yeah,” and laughed while Trump was talking.
It wasn’t clear what employees Trump was referring to.
In June, eight former workers at SpaceX, Musk’s rocket company, sued the company and Musk, alleging he ordered them fired after they challenged what they called rampant sexual harassment and a hostile “Animal House”-style work environment at the company.
In addition, the NLRB determined that a 2018 Twitter post by Musk unlawfully threatened Tesla employees with the loss of stock options if they decided to be represented by a union.
Three judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld that decision, as well as a related NLRB order that Tesla rehire a fired employee, with back pay. But the full 5th Circuit later threw out that decision and voted to hear the matter again.
Sanjukta Paul, a law professor at the University of Michigan, said the UAW charges have real substance because the comments from Trump and Musk could “chill” efforts by workers to act collectively, including union organizing, or just getting together to improve working conditions.
“You’re approvingly describing, you’re wholeheartedly commending the blatant violation of our main federal labor statute,” she said. “It would constitute interference with protected rights.”
Marick Masters, a business professor emeritus at Wayne State University who follows labor issues, said the UAW’s move “puts the spotlight on Trump and attempts to put him on the defensive in terms of his attitude and demeanor toward unions.” He added that the union is watching Musk’s comments because it has targeted Tesla’s U.S. factories for organizing drives.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- John Krasinski Details Moment He Knew Wife Emily Blunt Was “the One”
- Anne Hathaway talks shocking 'Eileen' movie, prolific year: 'I had six women living in me'
- Study: Someone bet against the Israeli stock market in the days before Hamas' Oct. 7 attack
- Ex-Nashville mayor to run for GOP-held US House seat, seeking a political return years after scandal
- Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn ends retirement, plans to return to competition
- Queens man indicted on hate crime charges in attack on Jewish tourist in Times Square
- In a year of book bans, Maureen Corrigan's top 10 affirm the joy of reading widely
- Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy to undergo surgery for appendicitis. Will he coach vs. Eagles?
- Satire publication The Onion buys Alex Jones’ Infowars at auction with help from Sandy Hook families
- Red Hot Chili Peppers cancels show, not performing for 6 weeks due to band member injury
Ranking
- Mechanic dies after being 'trapped' under Amazon delivery van at Florida-based center
- A group of Norwegian unions says it will act against Tesla in solidarity with its Swedish colleagues
- A 9-year-old wanted to honor her dog that died. So she organized a pet drive for shelters.
- Pope says he’s ‘much better’ after a bout of bronchitis but still gets tired if he speaks too much
- Brands Our Editors Are Thankful For in 2024
- He changed television forever. Why we all owe thanks to the genius of Norman Lear.
- Siberian tiger attacks dog, then kills pet's owner who followed its tracks, Russian officials say
- What can we learn from the year's most popular econ terms?
Recommendation
-
2 weeks after Peanut the Squirrel's euthanasia, owner is seeking answers, justice
-
Erin Andrews Reveals What NFL WAGs Think About Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's Romance
-
Intelligence report warns of rising foreign terror threats in U.S. amid Israel-Hamas war
-
Arizona man charged over online posts that allegedly incited Australian attack in which 6 died
-
32 things we learned in NFL Week 10: Who will challenge for NFC throne?
-
Louisiana governor-elect names former gubernatorial candidate to lead state’s department of revenue
-
Panera Bread's caffeine-fueled lemonade cited in another wrongful death lawsuit
-
In a year of book bans, Maureen Corrigan's top 10 affirm the joy of reading widely