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Amazon alleged in a legal filing<\/a> published Friday morning that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is unconstitutional. SpaceX and Trader Joe\u2019s \u2014 companies that, like Amazon, have repeatedly<\/a>\u00a0faced<\/a>\u00a0labor<\/a> law<\/a> violations<\/a> from the federal agency \u2014 have recently made similar<\/a> attacks<\/a>\u00a0that threaten national worker protections.<\/p>\n This is just Amazon\u2019s latest attempt<\/a> to block union organizing<\/a> in its fulfillment centers. But this time, these companies aren\u2019t just limiting the rights of their own workers. If these threats against the NLRB keep moving forward, American workers could lose workplace protections that they\u2019ve had for almost a century.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a crock of s\u2013t,\u201d said Seth Goldstein, the legal counsel for Trader Joe\u2019s United and the Amazon Labor Union. \u201cI don\u2019t believe any of it, and I think it\u2019s just a cover to bust unions.\u201d<\/p>\n Amazon claims that the NLRB\u2019s structure is unconstitutional because administrative law judges are \u201cinsulated from presidential oversight,\u201d thus violating the separation of powers. The company also argues against the structure of NLRB itself, as well as its ability to fine a company for unfair labor practices after a hearing, rather than a full jury trial.<\/p>\n Amazon did not respond to request for comment.<\/p>\n \u201cJudges need protections to remain independent, just like federal judges. You can\u2019t remove federal judges,\u201d Goldstein told TechCrunch. The complaint about a lack of jury trials for companies may seem less dubious, but Goldstein still thinks it\u2019s a stretch. \u201cAt the end of the day, the courts do have jurisdiction over decisions by the board. So what are they complaining about?\u201d<\/p>\n Like other federal agencies, the NLRB is largely shaped by the current president. Under President Joe Biden, who refers to himself<\/a> as pro-worker, the NLRB has been friendly<\/a> toward workers\u2019 causes. But as the 2024 election looms, a Republican administration could significantly change that, making it more likely for corporations to be successful in attempts to strike down long-standing labor law.<\/p>\n \u201cI do believe that this is a real threat to workers, especially if Donald Trump gets elected,\u201d Goldstein said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n