Cornelio v. National Labor Relations Board

# Cornelio v. National Labor Relations Board ## What Happened Workers aboard the fishing vessel S/S Ocean Phoenix attempted to stop work as a form of protest while at sea. They claimed the right to strike, but the ship's captain ordered them to continue working. The workers challenged this through the National Labor Relations Board, arguing they had whistleblower protections for refusing unsafe or unfair working conditions. ## What the Court Decided The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the employer and upheld a previous ruling that the workers could not legally refuse to work aboard ship while at sea. The court relied on traditional maritime law that establishes the captain's authority over crew members during voyages. ## Why This Matters for Workers This decision shows that workers in maritime industries—particularly those on fishing vessels—have fewer protections to stage work stoppages compared to land-based employees. Even whistleblower protections have limits at sea. Workers in this industry should understand that maritime law gives captains significant power, and striking while a vessel is operating may not be legally protected as it is in other employment settings.