Elon Musk stabbed the UAW today after a report showed a former auto workers’ union official pleaded guilty to embezzling $2.2 million from his workers.
Musk has admonished the UAW for years, but recent criticism has come from Tesla’s lack of recognition from President Joe Biden, who has given unionized companies like GM the nod of being “leaders in electrification.” Musk, who has been Tesla’s CEO since 2008, commented on the UAW’s slogan, “Fight for the right to embezzle auto workers’ money!” in a tweet. “The UAW has stolen millions from workers while Tesla has made many workers millionaires (via stock grants). Subtle but important difference,” Musk added.
The UAW has stolen millions from workers while Tesla has made many workers millionaires (via stock grants). Subtle but important difference.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 29, 2022
Musk previously criticized the UAW in May 2018. Musk said Tesla has a better record of treating employees than the UAW. “Nothing prevents the Tesla team at our car plant from voting for the union. Could do tmrw if they wanted. But why pay union dues and give up stock options for nothing? Our safety record is double what it was when the facility was UAW, and everyone is already receiving health care,” the CEO said in 2018.
Musk recently invited the UAW to vote “at will” at Tesla’s Fremont factory in Northern California. “Tesla won’t do anything to stop them,” Musk said after describing negative employment in the Bay Area, which would invite employees to work elsewhere if they weren’t well paid. “…if we don’t treat and reward our (great) people well, they have many other offers and will just leave!”
Musk’s latest criticism comes from UAW Local 412, which represents about 2,600 Stellantis employees in the Detroit area.
Timothy Edmunds, a former secretary and treasurer of UAW Local 412, pleaded guilty Friday to one count each of embezzlement of union funds and one count of money laundering. Edmunds “systematically ransacked” local bank accounts, which totaled about $2.2 million. He used the working group’s credit card for personal purchases, including cashing local checks and transferring money to personal accounts, US attorneys said.
Edmunds also bought guns, cars and gambled with the money to pay child support, according to a report by Reuters (via AutoBlog). The union determined Edmunds’ spending habits and improper spending and turned the findings over to federal authorities.
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Elon Musk calls the UAW over embezzling money from its workers
