SpaceX, led by Tesla and Space
According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 3rd (local time), the regional office of the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) accused SpaceX of unfairly firing eight employees who criticized Musk and interrogating dozens more in 2022. filed a complaint.
The employees were fired from the company after criticizing CEO Musk’s public words and actions in a letter to SpaceX executives in June 2022.
In the letter at the time, they urged the company to intervene in the matter, saying that a series of tweets posted by Musk on social media since 2020 contained sexual innuendos and were against the company’s policy. “Musk’s behavior in public spaces frequently causes us confusion and embarrassment,” they wrote.
The Labor Relations Commission pointed out that ‘SpaceX violated workers’ right to unite and advocate for better working conditions by firing them.’ They also alleged that company management illegally monitored, interrogated, and retaliated against employees.
One of the laid-off employees said, “At SpaceX, rockets can be reused, but the people who build them are treated as expendable. “We hope that through this complaint, SpaceX and its management will be held accountable for their long history of abusing workers and suppressing discourse.” SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment on this matter.
Meanwhile, the Labor Relations Board’s legal staff acts like a prosecutor and refers cases to a committee of five members appointed by the president. If SpaceX does not agree, the case will be heard by an administrative judge, and the company can appeal to federal court if it disagrees with the judge’s decision.
The Labor Relations Commission has the authority to order the accused company to restore the situation to its original state, including reinstatement and payment of wages to fired workers, but it cannot hold individual executives responsible or claim punitive damages. The first hearing in this case is scheduled to be held on March 5.
Song Chi-hoon,
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.