Sen. Tim Scott was accused by the striking United Auto Workers union of violating the National Labor Relations Act on Thursday, the same day he raised $1 million for his 2024 presidential campaign.
The formal complaint against the South Carolina Republican was made by UAW President Shawn Fain, filings with the National Labor Relations Board show.
The complaint stems from comments the White House hopeful made during an Iowa rally on Monday, where Scott, 58, invoked former President Ronald Reagan’s famous response to a 1981 federal air traffic controller strike.
“I think Ronald Reagan gave us a great example when federal workers decided they were going to strike,” Scott said.
“He said, ‘You strike, you’re fired.’ The concept is simple to me, so we can use it again.”
A complaint has been filed against Senator Tim Scott by the UAW for violating the National Labor Relations Act. AP
Reagan followed through on his threat, firing more than 11,000 striking air traffic controllers and preventing them from ever working for the federal government again.
Fain argued that Scott’s citation of Reagan, in his capacity as the employer of his campaign staff, “interferes with, impedes, or coerces workers in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7 [National Labor Relations Act]” by threatening them “with dire consequences if they engage in protected concerted activity.”
“Just another example of how the employer class abuses the working class in America, employers willfully violate labor laws with little or no repercussions,” Fain tweeted, referring to Scott’s comments.
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain is responsible for the official complaint against the South Carolina Republican. AP
“Time for stricter laws to protect workers’ rights!!”
Fain’s complaint comes as thousands of UAW workers continue to strike, refusing to work for General Motors, Ford and Stellantis unless given a 40% pay raise, shorter workweek and increased benefits.
It’s not all bad for Scott.
Senator Tim Scott cited Ronald Reagan’s response to a federal air traffic controller strike in 1981, saying how the former president set “a good example of when federal workers decide they’re going to strike.” CJ GUNTHER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
He raised $1 million in 24 hours, after hosting events in New York City and Charleston, a campaign official confirmed to The Post.
The windfall came less than a week before the second GOP primary debate in Simi Valley, California, which coincidentally was held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
Scott is currently tied for sixth in the GOP primary race, with an average support of 2.2%, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.
However, the lawmaker is doing better in polls in key early nomination states.
Scott is polling at 6% in New Hampshire, according to a CNN/University of New Hampshire poll released Wednesday.
And in Iowa, he has 7% support, according to a Fox Business poll released Wednesday.
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain argued that Tim Scott’s passage of Reagan “interferes with, impedes, or coerces workers in exercising guaranteed rights” from the National Labor Relations Act. Reuters
“Tim hopes to return to the debate stage to draw out serious policy differences between the candidates,” campaign spokesman Matt Gorman told the Hill Thursday.
“Whether it’s the economy, parental rights, or his vision for the country, Tim is ready to have a conversation with voters, be the adult in the room, and show why he is the strongest candidate to defeat Joe Biden,” he added.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
