Amazon And spacexTrying to give a serious blow to two of the most influential companies in the world union In usaBoth giants, property of billionaires jeff bezos And Elon MuskHave gone to court with the intention of having the judge declare it unconstitutional National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the body that oversees workers rights And for its collective organization.
This Monday, lawyers for Amazon and SpaceX appeared before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals usa To condemn that the agency, created by Congress in 1935, exercises too much power in the application of labor law and in resolving conflicts between companies EmployeeThe NLRB is a public service compared to Labor and Social Security Inspection Does in Spain.
A decision favorable to the interests of Amazon, SpaceX and the more than two dozen other companies that have filed challenges could weaken or outright paralyze this body, making it even more difficult for unions to form and their actions to improve conditions. Will be made. Salary and the conditions of their jobs Work,
misbehavior with workers
Both companies have gone to court after being accused of violating the rights of their employees. According to dozens of NLRB lawsuits, the giant e-commerce He may have used illegal tactics to prevent workers from organizing, such as issuing threats or firing union supporters. On the other hand, the aerospace company may have illegally fired employees who publicly criticized Musk.
This Monday, the three judges hearing the Amazon and SpaceX lawsuits questioned the legal tricks adopted to raise the case to the Court of Appeal, dominated by conservative magistrates. matter may reach Supreme Court In the United States it is also controlled by a majority of appointed judges. republicanThe nation’s highest judicial body has already issued rulings that limit the power of public agencies.
musk and trump
The legal battle against the unions escalates at an awkward moment. The NLRB and unions have received unprecedented support during Democratic presidential administrations. Joe BidenA position that would most likely reduce the presidency Donald TrumpNLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, a Biden appointee, warned, “There will be chaos if the agency is not allowed to do its jobs and do them right.”
After contributing nearly $200 million to Trump’s successful presidential campaign, Musk has been selected to lead a new agency (yet to be created) that aims to cut federal government spending and eliminate “the mountain of Focused on “doing”. rules Stifles that don’t serve the greater good.” With that power in his hands, the richest man on the planet can profit off his companies, which have million-dollar contracts with public administrations but are vulnerable to potential violations. It is unknown whether Musk will be able to influence the direction of the NLRB politically.
