The United Auto Workers union has filed unfair labor practice charges against Donald Trump and Elon Musk after the two discussed firing striking workers on social media. The NLRB will investigate the allegations, which claim interference with workers’ rights. UAW President Shawn Fain criticized Trump for being anti-labor, while a Trump campaign advisor called the charges frivolous.
The conversation between Trump and Musk, where Trump praised Musk for firing workers, raised concerns about intimidating workers who may want to join a union. This is not the first time Musk has faced labor issues, as former SpaceX workers previously sued for alleged wrongful termination. The NLRB also found Musk’s 2018 Twitter post threatening Tesla employees with stock option loss if they unionized.
Legal experts support the UAW’s charges, stating Trump and Musk’s comments could deter collective action by workers. The move by UAW aims to spotlight Trump’s stance on unions and monitor Tesla’s U.S. factories for organizing efforts. The case highlights the ongoing battle between labor rights and corporate interests in the automotive industry.