Labour dispute: SpaceX sues to stop U.S. hearing

SpaceX has filed a motion to stop a U.S. National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) hearing over complaints by workers who say they were fired for criticizing chief executive Elon Musk.

SpaceX contended that the regulatory board’s structure is unconstitutional, asserting that the hearing process infringes upon the company’s right to a jury trial, as outlined in the complaint filed in a federal court in Texas.

The filing did not contest the claim that the ex-employees central to the case were terminated because they had requested their co-workers sign a letter expressing criticism of Elon Musk’s behaviour on social media.

The open letter demanded that SpaceX take certain actions addressing perceived shortcomings and linked to a survey, the filing contended.

According to the complaint, a small group of SpaceX employees used the company’s internal communication platform to send the open letter to thousands of colleagues in June 2022.

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In the letter, SpaceX employees called on leadership at the company to address what Musk considered disparaging and inappropriate comments on what was then Twitter, since renamed X, according to US media.

Employees who were subsequently fired complained to the NLRB, accusing SpaceX of violating labour law.

Eight complaints deemed to have merit were consolidated by the NLRB this week. An administrative hearing is set for March 5.

SpaceX formally petitioned a federal court in Texas, seeking an injunction to halt the ongoing hearing and concurrently requesting a declaration affirming that the structure of the National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) violates constitutional principles.