Feb 27 (Reuters) - The leader of one of the largest U.S.

labor unions on Thursday called on top asset managers to review

Tesla's valuation as the electric carmaker's shares have slumped

30% so far this year.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of

Teachers, wrote to top fund firms with Tesla shares including

BlackRock ( BLK ), Vanguard and T. Rowe Price ( TROW ), saying

she was concerned about the potential impact on members' pension

portfolios.

On Tuesday, Tesla's market capitalization slid

below $1 trillion for the first time since November after data

showed sales fell in Europe in January.

In an interview, Weingarten said the union was not looking

for the funds to sell the stock but was concerned asset managers

may be overlooking Tesla's problems because of the influential

role Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken as a top adviser to U.S.

President Donald Trump.

"Our concern is that because of the politics, and the

proximity Mr. Musk has to Mr. Trump, they are standing down on

this rather than doing their jobs," said Weingarten. She has

criticized various Trump actions like his goal of closing the

Department of Education.

Vanguard and T. Rowe Price ( TROW ) representatives declined to

comment. BlackRock ( BLK ) and Tesla did not immediately respond to

requests for comment.

Weingarten's letter on Tesla cited issues including its

fourth quarter profit decrease and competition for EV chargers.