Tesla is at the center of yet another controversy following the firing of multiple workers at its California-based factories. The recent layoffs come on the heels of a union push amongst Tesla employees, who were seeking better working conditions, fairer wages, and more autonomy.
In response to the workers’ efforts to organize, Tesla abruptly terminated the employment of approximately 400 employees at their Fremont and Lathrop factories. Tesla claims these dismissals were “performance-related,” and that only sixty people were let go due to unsatisfactory work performance.
However, union leaders and workers allege the company retaliated against its employees for their advocacy efforts. Workers cite the company’s short-notice dismissals, as well as its quick rejection of their union-related complaints, as evidence of foul play. On top of that, some workers report that supervisors reprimanded them for their union-related conversations in the workplace.
Tesla has long been vocal in its opposition of unionization, even going as far as to warn employees in a blog post that their “standard of living and job security” would suffer if they unionize. With its recent actions, Tesla seems to be trying to prove this warning right.
The National Labor Relations Board is currently investigating the case. If Tesla is found guilty of retaliating against its employees, it could face serious consequences. The company could be forced to rehire the terminated workers and provide them with back pay, as well as additional compensation for their wrongfully terminated employment.
The investigation into Tesla’s recent firings is ongoing, but one thing is clear — the unionization effort at the company’s factories continues to gain strong support from workers. If Tesla does not reverse course immediately, further legal action and employee protest could be on the way.
