Trump Fires NLRB Member, Effectively Shutting Down Labour Board

By Evans Momodu
2 minute digest
Updated 10:59 UK(GMT), 17 February, 2025


The National Labour Relations Board (NLRB), the agency responsible for enforcing labour laws and overseeing union elections, has been rendered nonfunctional after President Donald Trump fired a board member, leaving it without the quorum required to operate.

With two board seats already vacant due to expired terms, Trump’s unprecedented removal of a third member has left the five-seat panel unable to vote on cases, effectively halting its operations.

“This is great for employers — they have a nonfunctioning NLRB,” said Cathy Creighton, a former NLRB attorney and director at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labour Relations.

Founded nearly 90 years ago, the NLRB played a key role in expanding private-sector unions but has seen its influence wane due to legal and legislative constraints. Despite these challenges, it remained a thorn in the side of major corporate figures, including Trump ally Elon Musk.

Musk’s companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, have faced NLRB scrutiny for alleged unfair labour practices. Last year, SpaceX sued to challenge the agency’s constitutionality, aiming to block it from intervening in the firings of employees who had criticised Musk. Tesla has also faced NLRB complaints over anti-union tactics.

Critics argue that Musk played a role in the board’s current paralysis. “The NLRB has got to be right at the top of his list for what agency Musk wants to destroy,” said Adam Shah, director of national policy at Jobs With Justice.

With the NLRB now unable to enforce labour protections, labour advocates worry that worker rights will be further eroded under the Trump administration.
Source: CNN