International Longshore & Warehouse Union v. National Labor Relations Board

**What Happened** The International Longshore & Warehouse Union was accused of using work slowdown tactics - deliberately working slower than normal to pressure their employer during a labor dispute. The National Labor Relations Board investigated and determined that the union's slowdown was illegal because it wasn't done to preserve actual jobs or work, but simply as a pressure tactic against management. **What the Court Decided** The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the National Labor Relations Board. The court upheld the Board's ruling that the union's work slowdown violated federal labor law. The court denied the union's appeal and enforced the Board's original decision against the union. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling clarifies important limits on what unions can do during labor disputes. While unions have many legal tools for workplace advocacy, organized work slowdowns are generally not permitted unless they serve a legitimate purpose like preserving jobs. Workers and unions need to understand that slowdown tactics used solely to pressure employers can be ruled illegal, potentially resulting in penalties. This affects how unions can legally respond to workplace conflicts and negotiate with employers.