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Tesla Faces Labor Board Complaint Alleging Interference With Unionization (arstechnica.com)

According to Ars Technica, a federal labor board on Thursday "filed a complaint against Tesla, alleging that the electric vehicle company had discouraged workers from distributing pro-union information, stopped them from talking about employee safety to the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, and in one case, prevented an employee from taking a picture of the Confidentiality Agreement they had to sign." From the report: The Oakland, California-based regional office of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) consolidated the complaints of three former Tesla employees, Michael Sanchez, Jonathan Galescu, and Richard Ortiz, as well as complaints made by UAW. The complaint alleges that on numerous occasions between February 2017 and May 2017, security guards and human resources agents working on behalf of Tesla told employees that they had to leave the Fremont, California, factory premises because they were distributing pro-union leaflets. In addition, one employee says that over the course of two meetings, a Human Resources Business Partner and an Environmental Health Safety and Sustainability Specialist "interrogated the employee about the employee's Union and/or protected, concerted activities," as well as the pro-union activities of other employees. In March, the complaint claims, a supervisor told his employees during a pre-shift meeting that they could not distribute any stickers or pamphlets that hadn't been approved by Tesla first, or they would be fired. In another incident, a Human Resources Business Partner allegedly "attempted to prohibit an employee from discussing safety concerns with other employees and/or with the Union."

3 of 147 comments (clear)

  1. Re: Unions are bad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    I've worked at union and non union auto manufacturers, including with Tesla, and unionizing is the worst option for both employer and employees. When you lose any motivation to work hard, the incentive to not be a lazy piece of shit disappears too.

  2. Unions are a mixed bag by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 1, Informative

    A long time ago, I worked in a retail store. WE had some version of the AFL-CIO representing usin our $2.15/hour jobs. I would see the union manager come around in his $1000 suits (a lot at the time). He didn't actually seem to be doing good for the employees, but it looked like he sure was doing good for himself.

    It didn't take long before I was required to join. I called up my boss and refused to join the union. He made me the department maanger instead.

    I can't say I ever missed having that union.

  3. Re:Elon Musk is a hypocrite by Igmuth · · Score: 2, Informative

    I think your math is off a bit. Even with 0% investment, $900,000/240 months = 3750/month. With 5% returns it's closer to $2250/month. That's still implies an income well above average, but not quite as bad as you list.