FORT DODGE, Iowa — Sen. Tim Scott said during a Monday campaign event, when asked about the United Auto Workers strike, that former President Ronald Reagan “gave us a great example” when he fired striking federal workers in the 1980s.
It’s the latest of several critical comments Scott has made about the auto workers, even as other GOP presidential candidates steer clear of criticizing them amid a strike at three plants so far.
Scott’s remark came in response to a question at a meet and greet in Fort Dodge: “Would you as president … insert yourself in the labor talks?” an Iowa voter asked.
I don’t love the fact that they are on strike - in fact I find their demands to be ridiculous considering they have not provided a counter to any of the offers that got them the majority of what they asked for - but this is just dumb. And citing something Reagan did helps prove that it’s a stupid idea. They should be allowed to bargain for a fair deal. I just worry what the impact of a protracted strike will be. Everyone is talking about the gains that UPS made, but they seem to omit that the Teamsters literally just put Yellow out of business.
Take a look at the European countries and the rights workers have there while maintaining extremely high efficiency and productivity producing some of the highest quality goods and services on the planet. Rights Americans can only dream of.
It’s all derived from decades and decades of collective bargaining.