The UAW is speaking up and throwing its support behind a member, a Ford Motor Co. employee, whom the automaker suspended after an exchange with President Donald Trump inside a Dearborn factory.

The employee, who has been identified as T.J. Sabula, heckled the president on Jan. 13 during a tour and the president responded by mouthing the words, “F-- you” and giving the middle finger, according to video of the incident.

After initially declining to comment beyond confirming that Sabula had been suspended, the UAW issued a statement Jan. 14 from Laura Dickerson, UAW Ford Department director, “The UAW will ensure that our member receives the full protection of all negotiated contract language safeguarding his job and his rights as a union member. Workers should never be subjected to vulgar language or behavior by anyone— including the President of the United States.”