UAW Sues Trump, Musk Over Alleged Worker Intimidation

The United Auto Workers Union (UAW) has lodged accusations with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk for purportedly threatening and intimidating workers.

This move follows a two-hour online conversation on the social media platform X between Musk and Trump. During the discussion, Trump praised Musk's cost-cutting measures while implying intolerance for strikes.

"You're the greatest cutter," Trump said. "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 name the company - but they strike. And you say: 'That's okay, you're all gone.'" Musk chuckled but did not directly respond, complicating potential NLRB action, noted Wilma Liebman, former NLRB chair under Barack Obama.

The UAW clarified that under federal law, firing workers for striking or threatening to do so is illegal. Whether the NLRB will act against Trump’s comments remains uncertain, but the UAW highlighted his remarks as it supports Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, urging its 400,000 members to back her, particularly in critical states like Michigan, where the UAW is headquartered.

The UAW endorsed Harris in late July, and she recently met with union officials and workers near Detroit. UAW President Shawn Fain and Trump have a history of contentious exchanges.

"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," Fain said in a statement.

Campaigns for both Harris and Trump, as well as Musk, have not yet commented on the issue. Trump accused Fain of weakening U.S. auto manufacturing and called for his dismissal.

Despite Michigan UAW members generally supporting Democrats, pro-Trump factions have organized rallies recently to support the former president.

The NLRB's capability to penalize illegal labor practices is limited. For illegal threats, the board can order employers to stop such actions and post workers' rights notices. Unions can use favorable NLRB rulings to boost organizing efforts.

"It's about exposing Trump's and Musk's stances on workers," said former NLRB head Liebman, referencing the UAW’s recent charges. "NLRB remedies are often toothless, but this action sends a political and organizing message."

Fain’s complaints against Musk and Trump claim their statements indicated they "would fire employees engaged in protected concerted activity, including striking.” However, the complaints lacked detailed specifics.

Last autumn, the UAW led a six-week nationwide strike against Detroit’s Big Three automakers—Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis—securing record contracts with a 25% wage increase over the agreement’s duration.

Musk, who supports Trump, has had multiple disputes with the NLRB. SpaceX, his rocket company, is contesting the NLRB’s structure in ongoing lawsuits related to firings and severance agreements.

In March, a U.S. appeals court upheld an NLRB decision that Musk’s 2018 tweet threatening Tesla employees was illegal. Tesla also faces allegations of discouraging unionizing at its Buffalo, New York, plant and barring workers from wearing UAW T-shirts.

NLRB lawyers will investigate the union's claims and decide whether to file formal complaints against Tesla and the Trump campaign. Administrative judges will hear these cases, and their decisions may be reviewed by the five-member labor board and federal appeals courts, a process that often spans years.

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