Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has reportedly fired employees associated with a recent push to unionize its Buffalo plant in New York, as per a new report by Reuters.
A total of 30 employees are said to have been fired at the plant after the news surfaced earlier this week that they were looking to unionize. Workers also reportedly received an email containing an updated policy that prohibits workplace meetings from being recorded without all participants permission, which violates New York’s one-party consent law to record conversations.
READ: Tesla Workers in New York State Launch Unionization Campaign
Following the termination, the Workers United Upstate New York union made a filing with the US National Labour Relations Board on Wednesday accusing Tesla of terminating employees “in retaliation for union activity.”
Attempts to unionize
Bloomberg earlier this week reported that employees at the Buffalo plant that were tasked with data labeling for the firms AutoPilot tech had sent a letter to CEO Elon Musk to alert him to their attempt to unionize. The letter identified that employees were looking for increased wages, job security, and the easing of production pressures.
Among other items, the employees alleged that constant monitoring of keystrokes prevented them from even taking bathroom breaks.
“We have such a rush to get things done that I don’t know if it’s actually being well thought out. It’s just, ‘Let’s get this out as fast as we can.'” stated Al Celli, a member of the committee organizing the union, in talking to Bloomberg. The facility is said to employ approximately 800 individuals, who receive starting pay of roughly $19 an hour for analyzing AutoPilot data.
Workers United affiliate Service Employees International Union is reportedly working with the employees in connection with unionization drive. The union group has been associated with successful pushes to unionize Starbucks locations across America over the last several years.
Information for this briefing was found via Bloomberg and Twitter. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
