Oregon AG Leads 20-State Push to Reverse Trump’s Labor Board Firing and Safeguard Workers’ Rights

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, in a coalition of 20 U.S. AGs, filed an amicus brief in the Columbia U.S. District Court yesterday supporting the former Chair of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in a lawsuit against President Donald Trump.

Rayfield’s amicus brief supports Gwynne Wilcox, dismissed by President Trump on 27 January while serving less than three of the five-year term of office as chair of the NLRB.

The NLRB Has Been Stripped of Power

The NLRB has effectively been stripped of power. There are now only two members left of the five-man board, and Wilcox’s dismissal has left them without clout as it requires a minimum of three members to form a quorum.

The 20 AGs argue that labor laws are enforced throughout the U.S. by the NLRB and are appealing to the court for Wilcox’s reinstatement. Rayfield says the dismissal of Wilcox is an ‘attack on workers’ rights’ that ensures fair labor practices.

The AG coalition says the Trump administration leaves workers without the right to join a union or to engage in collective bargaining.

There are 452 Outstanding Cases of Unfair Labor Practices in Oregon

The NLRB has reviewed nearly 3,000 unfair labor practice allegations and, in Oregon alone, with 452 cases waiting to be investigated in Oregon alone.

The AGs are appealing for the court to grant a motion by Wilcox for expedited summary judgment and to reinstate her as the chair of the NLRB.

Rayfield is in a coalition with the AGs of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.