UAW files labour complaints against Trump and Musk

The United Auto Workers (UAW) Union has taken formal action against former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, filing complaints with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over alleged attempts to intimidate workers. The union claims that both Trump and Musk made statements suggesting they would fire employees engaged in protected concerted activities, including striking.

The controversy stems from a two-hour conversation between Trump and Musk broadcast on the social media platform X on Monday. During the exchange, Trump praised Musk's cost-cutting abilities, saying, "You're the greatest cutter. I mean, I look at what you do. You walk in, you just say: 'You want to quit?' They go on strike - I won't mention the name of the company - but they go on strike. And you say: 'That's okay, you're all gone.'" Musk chuckled but did not directly respond to Trump's comments.

UAW President Shawn Fain strongly condemned the remarks, stating, "Both Trump and Musk want working class people to sit down and shut up, and they laugh about it openly. It's disgusting, illegal, and totally predictable from these two clowns." The union emphasised that under federal law, workers cannot be fired for going on strike, and threatening to do so violates the National Labor Relations Act.

The complaints come at a politically charged time, with the UAW having recently endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming presidential election. The union is encouraging its nearly 400,000 members to support Harris over Trump, particularly in battleground states like Michigan that could prove decisive in November.

In response to the UAW's action, Musk took to social media to criticise Fain, alluding to past union presidents who were imprisoned for bribery and corruption. Meanwhile, Trump's campaign dismissed the complaint as a "frivolous lawsuit" and a "shameless political stunt," asserting that Trump's proposed policies, including a 100% tariff on Chinese imports, would strengthen the industry.

The NLRB, which has limited power to punish unlawful labour practices, could potentially order employers to cease and desist from such conduct and post notices informing workers of their rights. However, the process often takes years to resolve. Wilma Liebman, former NLRB chair under President Obama, suggested that the UAW's action serves both political and organising purposes beyond seeking specific remedies.

This is not the first time Musk has faced scrutiny from the NLRB. His companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, have been involved in multiple labour disputes. In March, a U.S. appeals court upheld an NLRB decision that Musk illegally threatened Tesla employees in a 2018 tweet regarding unionisation and stock options.

The UAW's complaints highlight ongoing tensions between labour groups and high-profile figures in business and politics. Sean O'Brien, president of the Teamsters union, characterised the notion of firing workers for organising and striking as "economic terrorism."

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the role of union support remains crucial. In the 2020 election, 62% of Michigan households with a union member voted for Joe Biden, contributing to his victory in the state. The UAW's recent actions underscore the continued importance of labour issues in shaping political allegiances and electoral outcomes.