Amazon challenges NLRB structure in federal lawsuit over union election

Amazon has filed a federal lawsuit in San Antonio, challenging the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) structure. The lawsuit claims that the NLRB improperly influenced a union election at a warehouse in Staten Island, New York, over two years ago. Amazon argues that the agency's actions, including a lawsuit filed just before the election, violated its due process rights and the right to a jury trial. The company contends that the NLRB board members, who authorized an injunction against it, later reviewed objections related to the election, creating a conflict of interest. The NLRB had previously accused Amazon of maintaining anti-union policies and retaliating against workers attempting to organize. In response to Amazon's objections regarding the election results, the NLRB denied the company's appeal, leaving Amazon with no recourse within the agency. This legal action reflects a broader trend, as other companies like SpaceX and Trader Joe's have also challenged the NLRB's structure in various legal contexts. NLRB General Counsel Kayla Blado emphasized that while these challenges require the agency to allocate resources for defense, historical precedents show that such challenges often result in delays rather than changes in the law. She noted that the Supreme Court upheld the NLRB's constitutionality in 1937, suggesting that the agency's legal standing remains robust despite corporate challenges. Amazon is seeking a court order to halt what it describes as unconstitutional administrative proceedings while the case is ongoing, indicating the company's determination to contest the NLRB's authority and actions in labor relations.