Amptech, Inc. v. National Labor Relations Board

# Amptech, Inc. v. National Labor Relations Board **What Happened** Amptech, Inc. laid off and rehired workers in ways that appeared to target employees based on their union activity. The company also retaliated against a supervisor who had cooperated with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal agency that protects worker rights. **The Court's Decision** The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the NLRB. The court upheld findings that Amptech violated federal labor law through discriminatory layoffs, unfair recall practices, and retaliation against the supervisor. Amptech's petition to overturn the NLRB's decision was denied. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling reinforces that employers cannot punish workers for union activities or supporting union investigations. It also protects supervisors who cooperate with federal labor authorities. The decision shows courts will enforce penalties against companies that use layoffs and rehiring decisions to discourage worker organizing—a significant protection for employees exercising their legal right to organize.