Congress: stand up for the NLRB

Organized labor calls on Congress to speak out against the illegal firing of Gwynne Wilcox and the Trump administration’s attacks on the Labor Board

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 11, 2025) — Two weeks ago, the president illegally fired a member of the National Labor Relations Board, Gwynne Wilcox—the first Black woman to serve on the NLRB. Usually led by five board members, the NLRB holds union elections, investigates allegations and resolves cases of wrongdoing brought by workers, unions, or employers.

Notably, the NLRB is the sole labor law enforcement agency for millions of workers. It is the only place where most private sector workers can enforce their right to a union and their right to collectively bargain.

With Wilcox’s illegal firing, there are now only two sitting members of the board, which leaves it one member short of the minimum number needed for any decision-making. Firing Wilcox, because the president and his administration didn’t like her decisions, is a direct attack on the board’s independence. This administration is putting the NLRB on notice: rule how the president wants or be fired.

The only way to undo the damage that Trump has wrought on millions of workers’ only venue to have their organizing and bargaining rights upheld is to reinstate Wilcox immediately.

Wilcox is filing a lawsuit to challenge her firing, asking the courts to restore her to her position so she can continue to be a critical pro-worker voice on the NLRB. But until Wilcox is reinstated, when a worker is fired for trying to organize a union or an employer refuses to bargain with a union, all an employer would have to do is file an appeal to leave the worker in limbo indefinitely; with no quorum, no cases can move.

Time is of the essence when it comes to addressing unfair labor practices. A lengthy wait for reinstatement and back pay for a fired worker means a family suffers or an organizing drive is snuffed out. So while Wilcox’s lawsuit moves through the courts, organized labor is calling on all members of Congress to speak out in support of reinstating Wilcox and to use their influence to defend the NLRB, and stand with this country’s workers.

TAKE A STAND: Make a call right now to urge your senator and representatives to sign on to the AFL-CIO’s letter of support by February 12.