Current:Home > FinanceAuto workers union seeks NLRB investigation of Trump and Musk comments about firing striking workers -WealthSpot
Auto workers union seeks NLRB investigation of Trump and Musk comments about firing striking workers
View
Date:2025-04-22 05:42:00
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! (947)
Related
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Joe Biden Must Convince Climate Voters He’s a True Believer
- Several injured after Baltimore bus strikes 2 cars, crashes into building, police say
- As Ticks Spread, New Disease Risks Threaten People, Pets and Livestock
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Climate Change Fingerprints Were All Over Europe’s Latest Heat Wave, Study Finds
- North Dakota Supreme Court ruling keeps the state's abortion ban on hold for now
- Trump’s Fuel Efficiency Reduction Would Be Largest Anti-Climate Rollback Ever
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Vanderpump Rules' James Kennedy Addresses Near-Physical Reunion Fight With Tom Sandoval
Ranking
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Exxon Loses Appeal to Keep Auditor Records Secret in Climate Fraud Investigation
- U.S. Venture Aims to Improve Wind Energy Forecasting and Save Billions
- Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard Celebrate Her Birthday Ahead of Duggar Family Secrets Release
- Trump's 'stop
- Why Fans Think Malika Haqq Just Revealed Khloe Kardashian’s Baby Boy’s Name
- Joe Biden Must Convince Climate Voters He’s a True Believer
- This safety-net hospital doctor treats mostly uninsured and undocumented patients
Recommendation
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
The U.S. has a high rate of preterm births, and abortion bans could make that worse
Inside the Love Lives of the Fast and Furious Stars
The happiest country in the world wants to fly you in for a free masterclass
'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
Lori Vallow Case: Idaho Mom Indicted on New Murder Conspiracy Charge
Bear kills Arizona man in highly uncommon attack
The U.S. has a high rate of preterm births, and abortion bans could make that worse