The president of the union representing Carrier workers received threatening calls after president-elect Donald Trump said he has done a "terrible job" representing workers.
In a tweet posted Wednesday night, Trump said "No wonder companies flee country!”
“Nothing that says they’re gonna kill me, but, you know, you better keep your eye on your kids,” Jones said on MSNBC about the threats. “We know what car you drive. Things along those lines.”
On Tuesday, Chuck Jones told the Washington Post that Trump “lied his a** off” on stage at Carrier in Indianapolis.
“Trump and Pence, they pulled a dog and pony show on the numbers,” Jones told the Post. “I almost threw up in my mouth.”
Chuck Jones, who is President of United Steelworkers 1999, has done a terrible job representing workers. No wonder companies flee country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2016
If United Steelworkers 1999 was any good, they would have kept those jobs in Indiana. Spend more time working-less time talking. Reduce dues
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2016
It appears Trump sent those tweets after watching Jones on CNN Wednesday night.
Pres. of United Steelworkers Union on @Carrier deal: "What nobody's mentioning is 550 people are losing their jobs" https://t.co/SxPg1jZHk9
— OutFrontCNN (@OutFrontCNN) December 8, 2016
Jones has a flip phone, and first found out about the tweets when a friend called, he told The Washington Post. When asked about Trump's tweets on CNN, Jones said, "I think it's pretty low down."
While many are coming out in support of Jones on Twitter, others clearly don't feel the same.
Death threats. Indy Union leader says people calling asking if his children are safe tonight after twitter tussle w/ @realDonaldTrump @rtv6
— Rafael Sánchez (@RafaelOnTV) December 8, 2016
Jones said he wasn't sure how some of the people found his number.
“I’ve been doing this job for 30 years, and I’ve heard everything from people who want to burn my house down or shoot me,” he said, via The Washington Post. “So I take it with a grain of salt and I don’t put a lot of faith in that, and I’m not concerned about it and I’m not getting anybody involved. I can deal with people that make stupid statements and move on.”
RELATED | #ImWithChuck trends on Twitter after Trump calls out Carrier union president
U.S. Representative Andre Carson (D-Ind.) tweeted his support for Jones.
I stand with Chuck Jones and all working families in Indianapolis.
— André Carson (@RepAndreCarson) December 8, 2016
“He needs to worry about getting his Cabinet filled,” he told The Washington Post, “and leave me the hell alone.”
Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence announced a dealwith Carrier on December 1 that would keep approximately 800 production jobs in Indianapolis instead of the company moving them to Monterrey, Mexico.
As our Call 6 Investigates team reported, another 600 Carrier jobs will still move from Indianapolis to Monterrey by the end of 2017.
The state of Indiana will give Carrier $7 million in tax incentives over the next 10 years to stay in Indianapolis, and the company has agreed to make a $16 million investment in its west side facility.
RELATED | Carrier's parent company says $16M investment after Trump deal will lead to more automated jobs | Carrier announces price increase after Trump deal
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation must still approve the deal in a vote scheduled for later this month.
Trump’s deal with Carrier will keep 730 union, production line jobs in Indianapolis as well as 70 salaried positions. Carrier workers will not have to make wage concessions, and the company will honor its previously negotiated severance package.
The company has also offered interested employees the option to be considered for relocation within the United States.
FULL CARRIER COVERAGE: DOCUMENTARY SERIES: Moving to Mexico with 1,400 of Indy's lost jobs | Jilted workers get first look at Carrier's offer | TIMELINE: Carrier to ship 1,400 jobs from Indiana to Mexico | Trump made money off of Carrier in 2015 | Carrier president: More growth expected in '16 | Ex-Carrier employee sentenced for embezzlement | Carrier pay in Mexico questioned | Carrier refutes offer of $5.85/hour for workers to stay in Indy | Coats, Donnelly have 'disappointing' meeting with Carrier execs | Sen. Donnelly: Carrier never cited federal regulations as reason for move | Union president: 'We're not going away quietly' | Carrier employees protest move at statehouse | Pence on Carrier meeting: 'I don't want to create any false hope for people' | Moving to Mexico: What you need to know about Monterrey, Mexico | Moving to Mexico: On the ground in Monterrey, Mexico, where Carrier is moving Trump weights in on Carrier relocation to Mexico | Carrier: Company did not receive $5M in federal stimulus funds | President of United Steelworkers Union: No hope of saving 1,400 jobs | Carrier employees, local businesses reel after announcement of move to Mexico | WATCH: Employees react to news that Carrier is moving from Indy to Mexico
