SpaceX Faces Accusations of Unlawfully Firing Employees
In a recent development, rocket and satellite manufacturer SpaceX is under scrutiny for allegedly unlawfully firing eight employees who criticised CEO Elon Musk in a letter.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a complaint accusing SpaceX of violating federal labour laws by dismissing workers for advocating better working conditions. The letter, sent in June 2022, labelled Musk as a "distraction and embarrassment" due to sexually suggestive tweets that allegedly contradicted the company's diversity and misconduct policies.
The NLRB complaint also accuses SpaceX of interrogating and disparaging employees involved in the letter, and threatening similar consequences for others engaging in such activities. Deborah Lawrence, one of the terminated employees, described SpaceX's culture as "toxic," particularly towards women. Lawrence emphasised that the aim of the letter was to address concerns about the mission and the well-being of colleagues, rather than being critical of Musk.
This accusation is not the first time Musk's companies have faced labour-related controversies. X was accused of illegal firing over tweets challenging the return-to-office policy. Additionally, Tesla, where Musk serves as CEO, has encountered NLRB complaints and lawsuits alleging race discrimination.
SpaceX's hearing on the alleged firings is scheduled for March 5, with potential repercussions for the company's labour practices and workplace environment. The NLRB could order reinstatement and back pay if it finds labour law violations, potentially leading to steeper penalties for SpaceX in future cases before the board.
