Attorney General Kwame Raoul of Illinois, alongside Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, is spearheading a coalition of 23 attorneys general opposing the dismissal of Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The coalition has submitted an amicus brief urging the court to support a previous ruling by a federal district judge, which deemed President Donald Trump's attempt to remove Wilcox unlawful. Wilcox is contesting Trump's actions in the case, Wilcox v. Trump, after Trump's efforts to dismiss her from the NLRB mid-term, allegedly without cause as mandated by federal statutes.
"The National Labor Relations Board helps to ensure that workers in Illinois and across the country are afforded the rights they are entitled to under federal law," Raoul stated. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the NLRB's functionality to uphold workers' rights and ensure stable labor relations.
The NLRB, tasked with enforcing the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), plays a vital role in supporting the rights of American workers to unionize and negotiate for better conditions. The recent brief highlights how labor unions improve worker benefits and can even enhance wages for non-union workers. The coalition argues that Trump's attempt to remove Wilcox threatens the NLRB's ability to function effectively, which could undermine protections for all workers and employers alike.
In their filing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the coalition contends that allowing the president to dismiss NLRB members at will could compromise the agency's stability and nonpartisan nature. "Removing the board’s ability to function creates a regulatory vacuum that would undermine workers’ rights and prevent the NLRB from ensuring stable labor relations," Raoul said.
The coalition's brief is part of broader efforts by Raoul to safeguard the NLRB's independence. In March, he led additional filings opposing challenges to the NLRB's structure and the legitimacy of the district court's decision, reinforcing Wilcox's challenge against Trump's dismissal attempt.
Joining Raoul and Ellison are attorneys general from several states and districts, including Arizona, California, and New York, among others.