Company Claims NLRB is Unconstitutional
In a bold legal move, Amazon has filed a document contending that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is unconstitutional. This stance aligns with similar arguments made by SpaceX and Trader Joe’s in recent disputes over workers’ rights and organizing efforts.
Dispute Over Alleged Retaliation
The Amazon filing, submitted on Thursday, is a response to a case involving allegations of the company unlawfully retaliating against workers at a New York City warehouse who voted to unionize nearly two years ago. Amazon denies many of the charges and is seeking the dismissal of the complaint.
Constitutional Concerns
Amazon’s legal team argues that the structure of the NLRB infringes on executive powers outlined in the Constitution. They claim that the agency’s proceedings deny the company a trial by jury and violate its due-process rights under the Fifth Amendment.
Legal Community Reacts
Seth Goldstein, representing the Amazon Labor Union and Trader Joe’s United, expressed concern over the trend, labeling it as “very frightening.” He suggested that the motive behind these challenges is to dismantle the union organizing process altogether.
Similar Claims by SpaceX and Trader Joe’s
Amazon’s legal maneuver follows similar actions taken by SpaceX and Trader Joe’s in separate lawsuits against the NLRB. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, filed a lawsuit in January, asserting that the agency’s structure is unconstitutional. This move came after the company was accused of retaliatory actions against employees critical of Musk.
At a recent NLRB hearing involving Trader Joe’s, the grocery chain’s attorney also raised objections to the agency’s constitutionality. The ongoing legal battles signify a growing tension between corporations and labor rights advocates.