SpaceX is under scrutiny for allegedly unlawfully dismissing eight employees who openly criticized the company’s CEO, Elon Musk.
The accusation comes from a complaint filed by a US labor agency, claiming that the workers, who raised workplace concerns in a 2022 open letter, were let go in violation of federal labor law.
According to Reuters, the open letter labeled Elon Musk a “distraction and embarrassment.”
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regional official responsible for the complaint contends that SpaceX violated the employees’ rights to jointly advocate for improved working conditions.
The complaint further alleges that those involved in drafting the open letter were subjected to interrogation before facing termination.
Lawyers representing one of the former employees, Deborah Lawrence, have accused SpaceX of fostering a “toxic culture” that tolerates harassment.
Lawrence emphasized that the letter was penned not out of malice but out of concern for the company’s mission and its people.
In response to the allegations, SpaceX has not yet provided a comment, as reported by the BBC.
If the case is not settled, a hearing is scheduled for March 5, where an administrative judge will hear the arguments.
The judge’s decision can be appealed to the NLRB board and, subsequently, to a federal appeals court.
Should the NLRB find SpaceX guilty of violating labor laws, it has the authority to order the reinstatement of the terminated workers and demand back pay.
This isn’t the first time Elon Musk’s companies have faced accusations of employee rights violations.
In the past, Tesla, Musk’s electric car company, has also encountered NLRB complaints, including allegations of race discrimination, which Tesla has vehemently denied.
SpaceX’s legal troubles join a growing list of controversies involving Musk’s enterprises.
In a separate case in August, the US Department of Justice sued SpaceX, claiming discriminatory hiring practices against refugees and asylum seekers.
Elon Musk responded on Twitter, stating that US law mandates a green card for employment at SpaceX due to the advanced weapons technology involved in rocket production.
