The Nationwide Labor Relations Board has determined that Tesla violated labor legal guidelines when it fired a union activist, and when CEO Elon Musk wrote on Twitter in 2018: “Nothing stopping Tesla crew at our automotive plant from voting union. May accomplish that tmrw in the event that they needed. However why pay union dues & surrender inventory choices for nothing?”
Amongst different issues, the federal company has directed Tesla to ask Musk to take away his offending tweet, and to supply a job again to the terminated worker, Richard Ortiz. Tesla should additionally compensate Ortiz for lack of earnings, advantages and opposed tax penalties that resulted from his firing.
The worker was a part of an organizing marketing campaign, “Truthful Future at Tesla.” On the time of the marketing campaign, Tesla mentioned its enterprise ought to keep union-free. However Musk’s public feedback on his Twitter account, the place he has tens of thousands and thousands of followers, have been seen as threatening. Tesla considers Elon Musk tweets to be official firm communication, as disclosed in its monetary filings.
Information of the choice was beforehand reported by Bloomberg, and confirmed by the United Auto Staff, which introduced the swimsuit. UAW mentioned it was getting ready an announcement, and Tesla was not instantly accessible to remark.
Thursday’s resolution was according to one from September 2019 by an administrative legislation decide, who had thought of the criticism earlier than. Tesla appealed that each one the way in which to the total board.
Learn the NLRB’s full decision and order here.
This story is growing — please test again for updates.
CNBC’s Michael Wayland contributed to this report.