Status of suspended Ford worker changes
UAW member clashed with President Trump, made global headlines
The work status of the factory worker suspended from his job by Ford Motor Co. after shouting “pedophile protector” at President Trump has changed, sources close to the situation told Shifting Gears on Monday.
Thomas “TJ” Sabula, a member of the United Auto Workers, was suspended with pay following an incident during a tour at the River Rouge Complex in Dearborn on Tuesday, Jan. 13 that made international news. It triggered an immediate response from Trump — captured on video and acknowledged as authentic by the White House — that included giving the employee the middle finger.
Ford CEO Jim Farley and executive chair Bill Ford were accompanying the president during his visit to the plant that builds Ford F-150 pickup trucks. Neither the UAW nor Ford Motor Co. have discussed the situation during the past two weeks.
On Monday, sources confirmed with Shifting Gears that Sabula is no longer suspended.
He remains a member of UAW Local 600 in Dearborn and employed by Ford.
It is not clear whether Sabula is planning to return to his job at the factory or take personal time off. Shifting Gears left messages for Sabula seeking comment.
A Ford spokesman said the company does not comment on personnel matters.
Laura Dickerson, UAW vice president and director of the Ford Department, told Shifting Gears on Monday that the union continues to stand by Sabula, making sure that all of his negotiated benefits and rights under the contract are represented. She declined to comment further on the matter at this time.
Personal leave is an option for Sabula since it’s included in the UAW-Ford collective bargaining agreement, multiple sources noted.
$800K cash infusion from supporters
After news of the suspension broke, supporters of Sabula set up GoFundMe campaigns that labeled the factory worker a “patriot.” Money poured in.
Before the end of Jan. 14, free speech advocates and Trump critics had donated more than $800,000 to Sabula — a husband and father of two children — and he paused the campaign while asking people to redirect their dollars to other causes.
Technically, the worker has been on paid leave while the company reviewed the facts of the high-profile controversy and company policy. A secondary concern involved drama related to the employee’s return to a politically diverse work environment, sources close to the situation told Shifting Gears. A significant number of UAW members supported Trump on Election Day.
More:
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Thanks, Phoebe. This is the right ending for this story.
My favorite company initially suspended the well spoken worker so the pedophile rapist racist would go away. He did, and Mr Hockey champ reinstated the worker. Exactly what I thought would happen.
Another reason FORD is my favorite auto family. Thanks for the timely update.
Gregg