Days after the United Auto Workers was rejected by a Tennessee Volkswagen plant, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) had some harsh words for unions, calling them "distractions."

In an interview with the Greenville (S.C.) News, Haley explained that unions aren't present in South Carolina because her state doesn't need those "desperate" groups.

"They're trying to sneak in any way they can," she told the paper. "My job is to make sure I keep kicking them out."

Haley's Wednesday views were consistent with her 2012 State of the State remarks. The governor said at the time that she would "make the unions understand full well that they are not needed, not wanted and not welcome in the state of South Carolina.”

Those words sparked backlash from then-outgoing South Carolina AFL-CIO Donna Dewitt, who was seen in a video smashing a piñata showing Haley's face.



“Well I will say, she looks like a tough old girl here,” Dewitt said as she swung at the piñata, via ABC News.