United Auto Workers files labor complaint against Sen. Tim Scott for saying striking workers should be fired

The United Auto Workers union has filed a labor complaint against Sen. Tim Scott for saying workers should be fired for going on strike.

The complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board on Thursday accuses the South Carolina Republican’s presidential campaign of interfering with workers’ rights to engage in union activity under federal law. The right to strike is protected under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.

“Tim Scott threatened employees with adverse consequences if they engage in protected, concerted activity by publicly responding to a question about striking workers as follows: ‘You strike, you’re fired,’” UAW President Shawn Fain said in the complaint. CNBC has not independently obtained the document, but Fain confirmed its authenticity to NBC News.

When asked Monday how he would deal with labor talks, Scott told voters at an event in Fort Dodge, Iowa, that he would emulate former President Ronald Reagan, who fired thousands of striking air traffic controllers in 1981.

“Ronald Reagan gave us a great example when federal employees decided they were going to strike,” the South Carolina senator said.

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

The senator doubled down on his attack against the UAW in a statement to CNBC on Friday. Scott said the union was trying to intimidate him.

“The UAW is one of the most corrupt and scandal-plagued unions in America,” Scott said. “They are showing their true colors once again and autoworkers and taxpayers will be left holding the bag together. They want to threaten me and shut me up.”