NLRB Dismisses Case Over Firing of SpaceX Employees

The National Labor Relations Board has dismissed a case accusing SpaceX of illegally firing eight employees who criticized the company’s chief executive, Elon Musk, saying the agency lacked jurisdiction and deferring to the National Mediation Board. The dispute traces to 2022, when employees circulated a letter asking SpaceX to distance itself from Mr.

Musk’s social media comments, including one in which he made light of accusations of sexual harassment directed at him. Soon after, the company fired several of the employees involved; in 2024 the N.L.R.B. issued a complaint alleging the firings were retaliatory and interfered with federally protected collective activity.

SpaceX told the labor board it should be treated as a common carrier because it allows anyone to book space travel and operates with a Federal Aviation Administration license. The National Mediation Board issued a decision in mid-January asserting jurisdiction, and the N.L.R.B.

United States

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