Protesters assembled outside Tesla’s Fremont factory on Monday, highlighting the company’s status as the only major American automaker without union representation.

Vincent Ward, a member of Local 10 Union, voiced frustration over layoffs at the factory, attributing them to the lack of union presence. “My son works here. They laid off 700 employees because there’s no union,” Ward said.

Labor unions claim that their attempts to unionize Tesla have faced significant challenges. Nassim Nouri from the Green Party of Santa Clara County argued that unions are crucial for ensuring workers receive fair benefits and protections, stating, “Workers actually create the wealth. Billionaires don’t, executives don’t, shareholders don’t.”

The Labor Day protest aimed to draw attention to the belief that union representation would provide auto workers with improved benefits and job security. Steve Zeltzer from the United Front Committee for a Labor Party emphasized the need for unions, saying, “Working people need unions for their rights on the job. These workers have the right to a job but face intimidation and harassment.”

Tesla was contacted for a response to the protest but did not provide a statement.