The National Labor Relations Board recently filed a complaint against Tesla Motors saying it found evidence to support employees’ claims that the automaker participates in unfair labor practices.
Tesla “violated the Act by implementing and maintaining, and repeatedly requiring compliance with, a company confidentiality agreement that coerces and intimidates employees from freely exercising their rights to engage in concerted and union activity,” the complaint said.
Three Tesla employees and the United Auto Workers filed a complaint with the board, alleging Tesla would not allow workers to unionize.
Employees also claimed they were forced to sign an agreement prohibiting them from speaking about safety and work conditions and that Tesla coerced and intimidated them to stop attempts to unionize.
Tesla contends United Auto Workers is using “every tool in its playbook” to wage a publicity campaign against the company including false communications, a campaign it has engaged in for the past seven years. The allegations are without merit, Tesla said, and were filed by the union organizers who have been speaking to the media.
Tesla has until Sept. 14 to respond to the board’s complaint. The board has scheduled a hearing for Nov. 14.
Tesla also has been accused of overworking employees.