![](https://onlabor.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Fry-small-headshot-scaled.jpg)
John Fry is a student at Harvard Law School.
The Fifth Circuit handed SpaceX a setback on Tuesday, allowing the company’s lawsuit against the National Labor Relations Board to be transferred from the Southern District of Texas to the Central District of California. SpaceX filed the lawsuit—which challenges the constitutionality of the NLRB on several grounds—in response to Unfair Labor Practice charges that the NLRB filed against it in California. The company contends that venue is proper in Texas because its alleged conduct affected employees located there, and because any order by the NLRB will regulate the company’s conduct there. However, the NLRB argues that all substantial events related to the case occurred in California, with only incidental effects reaching Texas. Where the case ends up could be crucial, as the Fifth Circuit (covering Texas) has issued a slew of recent opinions curtailing the power of federal agencies.
In February, a district court judge in Texas sided with the NLRB, granting the agency’s motion to transfer the suit to California. SpaceX promptly appealed to the Fifth Circuit, which paused the transfer temporarily. On Tuesday, a panel of three Fifth Circuit judges rejected SpaceX’s petition per curiam, giving no explanation for the decision. However, one judge did write a lengthy dissent, and the company has hinted that it may ask the entire Fifth Circuit to hear the venue dispute en banc.
As Gil reported, Starbucks is the latest major employer to raise constitutional arguments against the NLRB as a defense against ULP charges. In a brief submitted to the agency, the company rehashes other employers’ theories that the NLRB’s members and judges are impermissibly shielded from removal by the President. Like Amazon and Trader Joe’s, Starbucks has merely noted its objections during administrative proceedings, and has not filed a lawsuit in federal court to challenge the agency.
It is not yet clear whether Starbucks’ recent truce with Starbucks Workers United will alter the company’s attitude towards the NLRB. There have been other signs of de-escalation since the deal was announced: as Everest wrote, the Strategic Organizing Center (affiliated with SWU) has ended its proxy fight over the composition of Starbucks’ board of directors. Starbucks and other employers may also be treating the SpaceX lawsuit as a bellwether, waiting for a ruling on that case’s merits before deciding whether to file suits of their own.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
June 28
Gig driver classification deal reached in Massachusetts; Amazon drivers in Illinois strike over ULP; CEO pay accelerates.
June 27
The economy and immigration expected to play a central role in the upcoming presidential debate and Washington gets involved in AI regulation of the entertainment industry.
June 26
California judge fines companies for child labor violations; IATSE reaches tentative deal with studios; Texas judge likely to block Biden Administration's overtime rule
June 25
Supreme Court grants petition to hear a case on the scope of ADA standing; Texas federal district court blocks DOL rule expanding wage requirements for construction contractors, and South Korean Hyundai workers authorize strike.
June 24
Workers across the country face extreme heat exposure with minimal government protections; Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2 reaches a tentative agreement with Con Edison narrowly avoiding a strike; the Tenth Circuit grants a continuation of a freeze on a wage increase for some federal contractors
June 23
Teamsters president will speak at RNC; Supreme Court weighs in on overtime exemptions; Honda faces ULP allegations.