UAW files complaint against Sen. Tim Scott over Reagan remark

Sen. Tim Scott was accused by the striking United Auto Workers union of violating the National Labor Relations Act Thursday, the same day that he raised $1 million for his 2024 presidential campaign. 

The formal complaint against the South Carolina Republican was made by UAW President Shawn Fain, a filing with the National Labor Relations Board shows. 

The complaint stems from comments made by the White House hopeful during an Iowa rally on Monday, in which Scott, 58, invoked former President Ronald Reagan’s famous response to a federal air traffic controller strike in 1981. 

“I think Ronald Reagan gave us a great example when federal employees decided they were going to strike,” Scott said.

“He said, ‘You strike, you’re fired.’ Simple concept to me, to the extent that we can use that once again.”

Reagan followed through on his threat, firing more than 11,000 striking air traffic controllers and barring them from ever working for the federal government again. 

Fain argues that Scott’s quoting of Reagan, in his capacity as an employer of his campaign staff, “interfered with, restrained, or coerced employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7 of the [National Labor Relations Act]” by threatening them “with adverse 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 law with little to no repercussions,” Fain tweeted, referring to Scott’s comments.

“Time for more stringent laws to protect workers rights!!”

Fain’s complaint comes as thousands of UAW workers remain on strike, refusing to work for General Motors, Ford and Stellantis unless given 40% wage bumps, shorter work weeks and increased benefits. 

Not all is bad for Scott, though.

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 comes less than a week before the second GOP primary debate in Simi Valley, Calif., which is incidentally being held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. 

Scott is currently tied for sixth place in the GOP primary race, averaging 2.2% support, according to a RealClearPolitics average of polls. 

However, the lawmaker is faring better in the polls in key early nominating states. 

Scott is polling at 6% in New Hampshire, according to a CNN/University of New Hampshire survey released Wednesday. 

And in Iowa, he has 7% support, according to a Fox Business poll released Wednesday.

“Tim looks forward to being back on the debate stage to draw the serious policy distinctions between the candidates,” campaign spokesman Matt Gorman told the Hill Thursday. 

“Whether it be the economy, parental rights, or his vision for the country, Tim is prepared to have a conversation with voters, be the adult in the room, and demonstrate why he is the strongest candidate to beat Joe Biden,” he added.