Local 15, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Afl-Cio v. National Labor Relations Board, and Midwest Generation, Eme, Llc, Intervenor

**What Happened** Electrical workers at Midwest Generation went on strike. During the labor dispute, the company created what's called a "partial lockout" - they prevented striking workers from returning to their jobs while allowing employees who had crossed the picket line to keep working. The union filed a complaint, arguing this was unfair labor practice and retaliation against workers who exercised their right to strike. **What the Court Decided** The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the union and overturned a previous decision by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The court ruled that Midwest Generation violated federal labor law by discriminating between striking workers and those who crossed the picket line. The company couldn't selectively lock out only the workers who remained on strike while rewarding those who abandoned the strike. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling reinforces workers' right to strike without facing punishment. Employers can't create two-tier systems that penalize employees for participating in legitimate strike activities while rewarding those who don't. The decision helps protect the fundamental right to engage in collective action and ensures that companies can't undermine strikes by treating participants differently than non-participants.