UAW files complaint against Tim Scott over threats to fire workers if they strike

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is in the crosshairs of the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike after he suggested that striking workers should be fired.

UAW President Shawn Fain filed a complaint against the presidential candidate with the National Labor Relations Board on Thursday, alleging that Scott violated the rights of his campaign staff by threatening their federally-protected right to strike.

The complaint, first reported by The Intercept, came after Scott came out against UAW’s strikes against the “Big Three” automakers at an Iowa rally on Monday by invoking President Ronald Reagan’s response to federal air traffic controller strikes, saying “You strike, you’re fired.” 

“I think Ronald Reagan gave us a great example when federal employees decided they were going to strike,” Scott said in Iowa. “He said, ‘You strike, you’re fired.’ Simple concept to me, to the extent that we can use that once again.”

The complaint alleges that his statement violates federal labor law in Scott’s capacity as an employer for his campaign, not as a sitting Senator.

Fain denounced Scott’s statements on Thursday.

“Just another example of how the employer class abuses the working class in America, employers willfully violate labor law with little to no repercussions,” he said. “Time for more stringent laws to protect workers rights!!”

Scott denounced the allegation, going after the UAW directly and saying the union’s strike is “playing politics with people’s lives.”

“The UAW is one of the most corrupt and scandal-plagued unions in America,” Scott said in a statement to The Hill. “They are showing their true colors once again and autoworkers and taxpayers will be left holding the bag together. They want to threaten me and shut me up.”

“They don’t scare me. I will truly fight for American workers and jobs, promote the dignity of work, and end the Biden retreat from the values that make our nation exceptional,” he added.

The historic UAW strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis is focused on demands for higher wages, shorter work weeks, union representation for battery plant workers and better retirement benefits — including restored pensions for new hires.

Strikes are expected to expand on Friday after Fain threatened more workers will join picket lines if negotiation progress isn’t made.

“Our members have been clear about their demands, and we know the companies can afford to make things right. Record profits mean record contracts,” Fain said Tuesday. “We’ve been available 24/7 to bargain a deal that recognizes our members’ sacrifices and contributions to these record profits.”

The union strike strategy has called on only a few local facilities to strike at a time, with little to no notice. The strategy reserves strike funds and, as Fain said, is intended to “keep the companies guessing.”

The strikes are backed by the Biden administration, though controversy has erupted over whether President Biden — who branded himself as pro-union during his campaign — should show up and speak with striking workers. He made statements in support of the strikes last week.

“I believe they should go further. … Record corporate profits, which they have, should be shared by record contracts for the UAW,” Biden said.