California Attorney General Bonta, along with attorneys general from 23 states, has filed an amicus brief in support of Gwynne Wilcox. She is appealing her dismissal from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) by former President Donald Trump. The brief is submitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, asking the court to uphold a previous summary judgment that prevented Trump's removal of Wilcox.
Previously, Attorney General Bonta, with 20 attorneys general, supported Wilcox in her case against Trump. The United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that Trump's actions were "blatantly illegal," and Wilcox was allowed to remain on the NLRB. Trump's administration appealed, requesting a stay, but the federal appeals court denied this, leaving Wilcox's position intact.
Bonta commented, "Time and again, we are seeing the President’s continuous attempt to trample on workers’ rights." He reaffirmed the group’s commitment to supporting Wilcox.
The NLRB is vital in enforcing labor laws in the United States, overseeing union elections and handling unfair labor practice complaints. NLRB members, appointed by the President with Congressional confirmation, serve staggered five-year terms and cannot be removed at the President's pleasure without cause.
The amicus brief urges the court to affirm the prior judgment, emphasizing the legality of Wilcox's removal under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The attorneys general highlight the potential negative impact on workers' rights if the NLRB’s capacity is weakened. The NLRB has reviewed thousands of unfair labor practice cases in the last ten years.
Joining Bonta are attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. A copy of the brief is available online.