The National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a petition with the courts for Lucid Motors to bring back two former employees who were fired for allegedly attempting to start a union at the automaker’s factory in Casa Grande, Arizona.
The original complaint, filed earlier this year by the NLRB’s Phoenix regional director, accuses Lucid of launching a comprehensive campaign to suppress unionizing activities in early 2023. Specifically, the NLRB claims that Lucid monitored and subsequently fired two key leaders of the union drive, Amie Hansen and Chad Brewer, at its Casa Grande plant.
These actions, according to the NLRB, were direct violations of the National Labour Relations Act (NLRA), which protects employees’ rights to organize and bargain collectively.
The NLRB’s petition seeks an immediate court order mandating the reinstatement of Hansen and Brewer and barring Lucid from continuing any unfair labour practices. Tucker Bingham, an attorney for the NLRB, emphasized the urgency of the situation in a June 6 filing, stating, “The reality is that enforcement of a final National Labor Relations Board Order is years away, and by that time the employees’ campaign will be beyond revival. Therefore, to prevent irreparable harm to employees’ rights and the Board’s remedial powers, Petitioner respectfully asks that this Court issue a preliminary injunction to … require Respondent to offer interim reinstatement.” (via Detroit News)
Lucid has previously denied the allegations, emphasizing its commitment to respecting employees’ rights under the NLRA.
The case against Lucid is part of a broader effort by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to organize workers across various non-union automakers, including brands like Toyota, Honda, and Volkswagen, as well as other EV manufacturers such as Tesla and Rivian.
