International Alliance of Theatrical & Stage Employees v. National Labor Relations Board

**Union Workers Lose Protection After Illegal Strike** This case involved a dispute between the International Alliance of Theatrical & Stage Employees union and several convention service companies, including GES and Freeman. The union had a hiring hall arrangement where it referred workers to these employers for convention setup jobs. When the union organized a strike that the court later determined was illegal, the employers refused to accept any more worker referrals from the union. The union filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), claiming the employers were retaliating against union members and engaging in unfair labor practices. The NLRB initially sided with the union, but the employers appealed to federal court. The court reversed the NLRB's decision, ruling that the employers acted legally when they refused union referrals. The court found that because the strike was illegal, workers who participated lost their protection under federal labor law. **What this means for workers:** When unions engage in strikes that violate labor law, participating workers can lose important legal protections. Employers may then legally refuse to hire those workers without it being considered retaliation. Workers should understand that not all strikes receive the same legal protection.