Rocket and satellite maker SpaceX has been accused by a U.S. labor agency of unlawfully terminating eight employees who circulated a letter criticizing CEO Elon Musk. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a complaint stating that SpaceX violated the workers’ rights under federal labor law. According to the complaint, the employees were exercising their rights to advocate for better working conditions when they called Musk a distraction and embarrassment. The letter, sent to SpaceX executives in June 2022, focused on Musk’s sexually suggestive tweets. The NLRB’s general counsel will bring the case before the five-member board, and if SpaceX is found guilty, it may face penalties and the workers could be reinstated with back pay.
In addition to this case, SpaceX’s parent company, Tesla Inc, has also faced allegations of labor law violations. Tesla has been hit with multiple NLRB complaints and lawsuits alleging racial discrimination. In October, the NLRB accused X, the social media service owned by Musk, of illegally firing an employee over tweets questioning the company’s return-to-office policy. These cases raise concerns about the treatment of workers in companies run by Musk.
The NLRB aims to protect employees’ rights to discuss working conditions and advocate for change. If it finds that SpaceX violated labor law, the NLRB can order the company to reinstate the workers and provide them with back pay. SpaceX has yet to respond to the allegations.
This latest controversy comes on the heels of a Reuters report in November that revealed hundreds of previously unreported workplace injuries at SpaceX facilities, including serious incidents resulting in crushed limbs, electrocution, and even death. The report sheds light on safety concerns within the company and raises questions about its overall work environment.
The case against SpaceX will proceed to a hearing scheduled for March 5. The outcome of this case will have implications for the rights of workers to freely express their opinions and collectively demand better working conditions. As SpaceX faces these allegations, the focus will now be on whether the company violated labor laws and the steps taken by the NLRB to ensure worker protection.
SpaceX and the affected workers’ lawyers have not yet made any public statements about the allegations. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the company will respond and the potential consequences it may face if found guilty. In the future, these incidents may lead to increased oversight and scrutiny of Musk’s companies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment.
