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.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
July 1
Trump nominates Keith Sonderling as Labor Secretary; OPM finalizes rule allowing suitability-based removal of federal employees for post-appointment conduct.
June 30
SCOTUS ends removal protections for agencies; staff at NYC cocktail bar vote to unionize.
June 29
In today’s News and Commentary, student-athletes file a class action suit challenging the NCAA’s new Age-Based Rule, a federal judge declines to issue a preliminary injunction against FEMA’s reduction in force but expedites proceedings, and Gavin Newsom opposes California’s proposed billionaire tax in favor of a federal approach. On Thursday, DeJuan Campbell, at basketball player […]
June 28
Philadelphia utility workers announce July 4 strike; national parks workers vote to unionize; Michigan considers “right to disconnect” bill.
June 26
Mamdani issues workplace heat protections order; Fifth Circuit denies enforcement of NLRB order against Starbucks; AFGE unlikely to secure injunction against FEMA layoffs.
June 25
NLRB orders Amazon to bargain with workers; federal judge blocks ICE agents from making arrests in courthouses.