Labor Board Drops UAW Complaint Against GOP Presidential Candidate Over ‘You Strike, You’re Fired’ Remarks

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, Nev., on Oct. 28, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

The national labor board has dismissed charges against Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) brought by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union for remarks he made suggesting striking autoworkers should be fired.

The National Labor Relations Board  (NLRB) announced in a letter filed on Nov. 3 that its case against Mr. Scott—which alleged that he made “coercive statements” against UAW members in violation of the National Labor Relations Act—has been dismissed.

Lisa Henderson, NLRB regional director, wrote in the dismissal letter that the charges were dropped because an attorney representing the UAW failed to cooperate with the investigation.

“We have carefully considered your charge that Tim Scott For America has violated the National Labor Relations Act,” reads the letter, which was obtained by several media outlets. “I am dismissing your charge due to your lack of cooperation in investigating this case. As a result, further proceedings are not warranted at this time.”

Ms. Henderson gave the UAW until Nov. 17 to appeal.

A UAW spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

‘You Strike, You’re Fired’

Mr. Scott was caught in the crosshairs of the NLRB investigation when UAW President Shawn Fain filed a complaint against him in September, accusing the Republican lawmaker of “engaging in unfair labor practices.”

The complaint focused on remarks that Mr. Scott made in context of the UAW strike against Detroit’s Three automakers (which has since ended), in which he hinted that striking workers should be fired.

“I think Ronald Reagan gave us a great example when federal employees decided they were going to strike. He said, you strike, you’re fired. Simple concept to me. To the extent that we can use that once again, absolutely,” Mr. Scott said at a campaign event in Fort Dodge, Iowa, when asked about striking UAW workers.

Following Mr. Scott’s remarks, the UAW chief issued a critical statement, calling the Republican senator’s words “just another example of how the employer class abuses the working class in America.”

Mr. Fain then filed his complaint, alleging that Mr. Scott “threatened employees with adverse consequences if they engage in a protected, concerted activity by publicly responding to a question about striking workers as follows: ‘You strike, you’re fired.”

The UAW chief’s complaint cited violations of section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act, which makes it illegal for employers to “interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees” if they engage in, for example, “protected, concerted activity,” which includes strikes.

Oddly, the complaint indicated that the “employer” who allegedly was violating the protected rights of employees was the “Tim Scott for America” 2024 presidential campaign, while the substance of the complaint suggested that Mr. Scott’s remark about firing striking workers was directed toward his own campaign’s employees.

‘They Don’t Scare Me’

Mr. Scott, who has made various remarks critical of union activity, responded to the complaint by accusing the UAW of trying to silence him.

“The UAW is one of the most corrupt and scandal-plagued unions in America,” Mr. Scott said in a statement. “They are showing their true colors once again and autoworkers and taxpayers will be left holding the bag. 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 Republican senator has been critical of President Joe Biden, who has backed the UAW’s strikes against autoworkers.

Mr. Scott’s campaign called the complaint “nothing more than a political stunt.”

“They were playing politics instead of representing their members’ interests,” Mr. Scott’s campaign manager Jennifer DeCasper told media outlets in a statement.

Earlier this week, the UAW ended its strikes against Detroit’s major automakers after reaching a deal that includes a roughly 25 percent pay hike.