When factory worker TJ Sabula called President Trump a “paedophile protector,” during a visit to a Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan, last month, Ford suspended him. At the time, however, it was unclear whether Sabula’s suspension would ultimately lead to Ford firing him. He had the support of the United Auto Workers Union, but even if he wasn’t fired, would he even want to come back? That remains to be seen, but according to industry reporter Phoebe Wall Howard, the sources she spoke to say Sabula’s suspension has been lifted.
In a recent post on Substack, Howard reports her sources say that, not only is Sabula no longer suspended, but he is also still “a member of UAW Local 600 in Dearborn and employed by Ford.” Whether he is already back at work or just taking some time off is unclear, however, and Sabula could not be reached to discuss his plans. Personally, I choose to believe he didn’t return her call because he’s on a beach somewhere, drinking cold, fruity drinks and not answering his phone, but that’s more headcanon than evidence-backed fact.
When Howard contacted Ford for a statement, the representative declined, saying “the company does not comment on personnel matters.” Meanwhile, Laura Dickerson, a UAW vice president who oversees the union’s Ford division, said the UAW still supports Sabula and has done its best to ensure he is treated fairly under the terms of the contract, but also said she could not comment further. That said, multiple unnamed sources reportedly told Howard that the contract Ford signed with the UAW allowed Sabula to take personal leave if he wanted
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But what about the hurt feelings of other workers?
Donald Trump with his best friend, convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein – Davidoff Studios Photography/Getty Images
As Howard points out, technically, Sabula was already on paid leave during his suspension while Ford tried to figure out what to do with him. Apparently, multiple sources “… close to the situation” told her that “[a] a secondary concern involved drama related to the employee’s return to a politically diverse work environment,” because “[a] a significant number of UAW members supported Trump on Election Day.”
Whether or not Sabula chooses to return to his job, the good news is that he won’t have to worry about money for a while. In response to Sabula showing more courage than the supposed leaders of the Democratic Party, supporters started two separate GoFundMe campaigns to help Sabula get out financially. Those GoFundMes ended up being so successful that, not only did they raise nearly $800,000, he also stopped the campaigns and asked fans to donate to other good causes.
Even if Sabula doesn’t plan to retire early in a foreign country with a low cost of living, after taxes, it’s still a nice chunk of change that should give him plenty of options, including the ability to get more deeply involved in organizing or political advocacy. Personally, I’d probably take a nice, long vacation, buy a new Corvette, and then go back to work, just to embarrass anyone who supports the man who was best friends with Epstein, but I’m also young and that might not be his style. But wherever Sabula goes, I hope he never pays for a single drink again.
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