NLRB v. FES

**NLRB v. FES: Court Rules Against Union-Based Hiring Discrimination** This case involved nine job applicants who were denied employment at FES (A Division of Thermo Power) because of their union membership. The company refused to hire these qualified workers simply because they belonged to a union, which violated federal labor law. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) investigated and found that FES illegally discriminated against these applicants based on their union affiliation. When FES challenged this finding in court, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the NLRB. The court rejected the company's appeal and enforced the Board's order requiring FES to hire the nine workers and pay them back wages for the time they were wrongfully denied employment. **Why This Matters for Workers:** This ruling reinforces that employers cannot refuse to hire someone simply because they are union members. Federal law protects workers' rights to join unions without facing job discrimination. If you believe an employer rejected your application because of your union activities or membership, you can file a complaint with the NLRB. This case shows that workers have legal recourse when employers illegally discriminate based on union status, and courts will enforce remedies including job placement and lost wages.