This week’s Donald Trump interview with Elon Musk on X is facing criticism from auto workers.
The United Auto Workers union filed unfair labor practice charges after the two discussed potentially firing striking workers during their conversation on Monday.
“You’re the greatest cutter, they go on strike and you say, ‘That’s OK. You’re all gone,” Trump said about Elon.
UAW filed separate charges against Trump and Musk with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that the men interfered with workers who may want to join a union. In a statement, the UAW wrote, “Under federal law, workers cannot be fired for going on strike, and threatening to do so is illegal.”
The NLRB is currently investigating the charges. The AP reported that a senior advisor from the Trump campaign called the allegations “frivolous” and a “shameless political stunt.”
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Many politicians seeking the labor vote may find themselves at odds with unions, which could harm their campaign.
“Workers are realizing the value of unions that advocate for them, which can have a positive impact on their lives,” said Hayley Brown, research associate at the Center for Economic and Policy Research.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that about 14.4 million Americans are union members, accounting for approximately 10% of the workforce.
While this rate is similar to the previous year, it has significantly decreased since 1983, when one in five workers belonged to a union.
Unions have recently gained visibility through successful strikes and negotiations.
“The victories in strikes and organizing endeavors have not only inspired, but also revealed the pent-up frustration from years of concessions during recessions and risks taken by workers during COVID. There is a significant amount of frustration, especially among young individuals who feel uncertain about their future,” said Kate Bronfenbrenner, director of Labor Education Research at Cornell’s ILR School.
Public support for unions remains high. The most recent Gallup poll shows that about 67% of respondents approve of unions, and three out of four supported the UAW in their recent negotiations, which resulted in a 33% pay raise.
Bronfenbrenner believes that strikes and labor movements are contagious.
“Workers are realizing the value of unions that advocate for them, which can have a positive impact on their lives, and having a voice in the workplace is crucial for quality of life and economic well-being,” she stated.
Recent union victories include a new contract for 28,000 flight attendants at American Airlines and a significant wage increase for California Disneyland Resort workers following a historic strike.
In Massachusetts, Uber and Lyft drivers may gain union representation if a ballot measure is approved by voters in November.
However, there have been setbacks, such as workers at two Alabama Mercedes factories rejecting unionization, despite Volkswagen workers in Tennessee successfully joining the UAW.
“This is a new experience for them,” Brown said. “We have also witnessed significant contract wins. When workers see unions achieving success, it prompts them to consider how it could benefit them in their workplaces.”
Among the wins and losses, both Republicans and Democrats recognize the political influence of unions.
For the first time, a Teamsters president, Sean O’Brien, was invited to speak at the Republican National Convention.
The AFL-CIO, representing 60 unions and 12.5 million workers, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
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