Cao Dewang (File Photo)

Cao Dewang, chairman of China’s largest auto glass manufacturer, broke his silence in the wake of a recent New York Times story focusing on the labor issues erupting in his American businesses.

The story, titled “Culture Clash at a Chinese-Owned Plant in Ohio,” stated that Fuyao Glass America is facing unexpected troubles, which include a union campaign led by the United Automobile Workers (UAW) and a lawsuit filed by David Burrows, an ousted vice president who alleged that he was let go in part because he is not Chinese.

In an article detailing his interview with the Global Times on June 20, Cao gave his first public response, saying that at least a third of the content is just “hearsay.” The billionaire was referring to coverage of some former employees’ concerns over workplace safety. Cao argued that the New York Times failed to confirm the authenticity of the allegations, after his public relations team asked the newspaper to double check the report’s accuracy.

The chairman also questioned the motives behind the story, which was published just a week ahead of the annual selectUSA investment summit in Washington. Was it an attempt to shame the Trump administration, some wondered. Or to warn Chinese investors of potential risks in running business in the U.S.?

As to UAW's push for unionization, Cao claimed that he doesn’t oppose unions.

“I have been investing in the U.S. for 20 years and know well how to treat [unions],” Cao said, pointing out that one of Fuyao’s plants actually joined a labor union and the company gets along fine. Union leaders are aiming to collect authorization signatures from 30 percent of over 1,500 Fuyao workers in Dayton, Ohio, after which they could ask the National Labor Relations Board to oversee a vote by Fuyao workers on whether to join UAW.

Dayton Daily News reported on April 30 that about 200 people from across Ohio and out of state attended a public rally organized by UAW in Dayton. The organizer said that 75 to 100 people who identified themselves as Fuyao employees signed meeting attendance sheets.

That figure is far from the threshold to establish a labor union, Cao said, echoing a previous response from Eric Vanetti, vice president of Fuyao Glass America. Vanetti said after the rally that most of the company's workers are happy with their employer.

Cao also pointed his finger at some Chinese media outlets, calling them “attention-grabbers” that exaggerated disputes between the company and certain employees. Fuyao’s expansion in the U.S. will benefit the overall image of Chinese investors, Cao argued, and he looks forward to serious news reports about Fuyao, rather than distortion and rumors.

“Spreading rumor and making money from [the disputes] is a despicable and miserable act,”the chairman opined.