Unpacking the Controversy: What It Truly Means to Be a ‘Scab’

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain delivered a scathing critique of former President Donald Trump during the first day of the Democratic National Convention, labeling him a “scab.” This term refers specifically to workers who cross picket lines in defiance of union actions.

The Democratic National Convention kicked off with impassioned speeches from prominent Democrats and union leaders. Fain praised Vice President Kamala Harris as a steadfast advocate for the working class, eliciting chants of “Trump’s a scab” from the energized crowd.

In a theatrical moment, Fain referenced Nelly’s hit song, stating, “It’s getting hot in here, folks,” before revealing a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase, “Trump is a scab. Vote Harris.” He contrasted Trump’s inaction with Harris’s past support for autoworkers, recalling Biden’s visit to a UAW picket line last year and Harris’s own solidarity during the 2019 strike.

Fain emphasized the significance of the UAW’s support for Democrats, especially in targeting Trump’s stronghold among blue-collar white voters. Earlier in the evening, SEIU President April Verrett voiced a unified stance, stating, “We are all in for Kamala Harris because Kamala Harris has always been all in for us.” This camaraderie highlighted the intent to counter Trump’s appeal among the working class.

While several union leaders took the stage, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien was notably absent from the event, despite Trump having courted blue-collar support by inviting him to speak at the Republican National Convention.

Supporters waved “UNION YES!” signs throughout the venue, reflecting a long-standing alliance between union households and the Democratic Party. This coalition has been instrumental in the party’s success in pivotal states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin in the past election cycle.