US labour board files complaint against Tesla for unfair labour practises and violation of workers' rights

Representational image. Reuters.[/caption]According to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) complaint, Tesla violated workers’ rights by requiring them to sign a confidentiality agreement that could bar them from talking about their working conditions and safety issues at the company’s facility in Fremont, California.

The agency also investigated charges by the workers that Tesla intimidated and harassed them and violated workers’ rights under federal labour law.

Tesla has denied the allegations.

The company must respond to the charges by 14 September. The NLRB has scheduled a hearing for 14 November before an administrative law judge in Oakland, California.

“These allegations, which have been filed by the same contingent of union organizers who have been so outspoken with media, are entirely without merit,” Tesla said in a statement.

Complaints were filed by three employees and the United Auto Workers union, which has encouraged Tesla employees to unionize.

The workers said Tesla made them sign a document that they may face termination or criminal prosecution for speaking publicly, or to the media, about anything they observed at work or their working conditions, NLRB said.

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(With inputs from Reuters)