
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.
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October 8
In today’s news and commentary, the Trump administration threatens no back pay for furloughed federal workers; the Second Circuit denies a request from the NFL for an en banc review in the Brian Flores case; and Governor Gavin Newsom signs an agreement to create a pathway for unionization for Uber and Lyft drivers.
October 7
The Supreme Court kicks off its latest term, granting and declining certiorari in several labor-related cases.
October 6
EEOC regains quorum; Second Circuit issues opinion on DEI causing hostile work environment.
October 5
In today’s news and commentary, HELP committee schedules a vote on Trump’s NLRB nominees, the 5th Circuit rejects Amazon’s request for en banc review, and TV production workers win their first union contract. After a nomination hearing on Wednesday, the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee scheduled a committee vote on President Trump’s NLRB nominees […]
October 3
California legislation empowers state labor board; ChatGPT used in hostile workplace case; more lawsuits challenge ICE arrests
October 2
AFGE and AFSCME sue in response to the threat of mass firings; another preliminary injunction preventing Trump from stripping some federal workers of collective bargaining rights; and challenges to state laws banning captive audience meetings.