'Are You A 'Bootlicker?' Viral Video Lists The Signs Of A Corporate Bootlicker, And People Are Calling Out Their Coworkers

A TikTok video by Proud Union Guy is getting a lot of attention for calling out “bootlickers”—those who defend corporate profits over fair wages and labor rights. The video has sparked intense discussions and over a thousand comments on Reddit and TikTok from people venting their grievances and experiences.

What's A Bootlicker?

According to Proud Union Guy, a “bootlicker” is someone who sides with corporations at the expense of workers. For example, he says that if you think record corporate profits are fine but get upset when workers demand higher wages, you might be a bootlicker. If you believe staying late without pay proves dedication instead of being exploited, same deal.

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Other signs include blaming high prices on worker pay instead of greedy companies, thinking unions have too much power while ignoring how big businesses control everything, or getting mad at workers on strike instead of the companies paying them unfairly.

Workers Are Weighing In

The video quickly took off, with many viewers agreeing and sharing stories of coworkers who fit the description. One Reddit user commented, “I bet we all know a guy or two working after hours doing paperwork or taking phone calls.” Another pointed out, “My foreman at my last job told my partner and I that we should be grateful to have a job. Kind of funny since the only reason he was a foreman was through nepotism.”

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One worker said, “Way too many trumpy guys in the unions voting for our own downfall because they've been poisoned by social media propaganda,” expressing their annoyance at coworkers who vote against their own interests. One user even “outed” their son as a bootlicker saying, “My dumbass kid is one of them. Funny thing is, I’m non-union ([International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers] is weak af where I live) but he’s [United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada]. He drank the Kool aid and voted against his own self interests, despite me trying to talk him out of it. Now he’s all pissed because he feels lied to. I tried to tell ya kiddo.”

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Not Everyone Agrees

While the video got a lot of support, not everyone was on board. Some critics mocked the TikToker's delivery, pointing out his sunglasses, clean gear, and toothpick as signs of trying too hard. Others argued that unions sometimes protect underperforming workers, sharing their own negative experiences. A few even questioned the term “bootlicker,” noting that billionaires don't wear boots, so maybe “Italian shoe licker” would be more accurate.

Whether you agree with Proud Union Guy or not, the debate over labor rights and fair pay isn't going away. With corporations raking in record profits while many workers struggle, conversations about who benefits from the system—and who defends it—are bound to continue.

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