John Fry is a student at Harvard Law School.
SpaceX has filed a second lawsuit in Texas challenging the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Board, after its first suit was transferred from Texas to California last month. The new complaint rehashes two arguments that SpaceX made in its initial suit: that the NLRB’s members and the agency’s administrative law judges are impermissibly shielded from removal by the President.
The new suit is likely a second attempt to have these constitutional claims heard in the Fifth Circuit, which is under increasing scrutiny for its zeal in curtailing federal agencies’ power. SpaceX’s first suit was transferred to California because the underlying unfair labor practice proceedings had a weak connection to the state of Texas, leading a judge in the Southern District of Texas to conclude that venue in Texas was improper. SpaceX’s new suit seeks to halt ongoing ULP proceedings in which the NLRB is challenging the company’s severance agreements and forced arbitration clauses. While these ULP charges were issued in Seattle, the challenged contractual terms apply to SpaceX employees across the country, leading the company to argue that Texas is an appropriate forum for its new suit. Labor law experts will continue to watch both SpaceX suits closely.
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April 10
Maryland passes a state ban on captive audience meetings and Elon Musk’s AI company sues to block Colorado's algorithmic bias law.
April 9
California labor backs state antitrust reform; USMCA Panel finds labor rights violations in Mexican Mine, and UPS agrees to cap driver buyout offers in settlement with Teamsters.
April 8
The Writers Guild of America reaches a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers; the EEOC recovers almost $660 million in compensation for employment discrimination in 2025; and highly-skilled foreign workers consider leaving the United States in light of changes to the H-1B visa program.
April 7
WGA reaches deal with studios; meatpacking strike brings employer back to table; union leaders take on AI.
April 6
Trump to shrink but not eliminate CFPB, 9th Circuit nixes use of issue preclusion to invalidate arbitration agreements.
April 5
Trump proposes DOL budget cuts; NLRB rules in favor of cannabis employees; Florida warehouse workers unanimously authorize strike.