Protect the NLRB. Trader Joe's has declared the NLRB and NLRA unconstitutional.

Do you work? Do you know someone who works?

Then you need to read this.

What’s going on?

Workers’ rights are under attack, and Trader Joe’s is leading the charge.

Trader Joe’s, along with SpaceX, Amazon, and Starbucks, has quietly launched a legal attack on workers’ rights in the U.S.

How? In separate legal filings this year, all four companies argued that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is unconstitutional.

On January 16, Trader Joe’s made this argument as a defense in an NLRB hearing where the company is accused of multiple unfair labor practices, including the unlawful termination of a union supporter.

It’s a new addition to the corporate union-busting playbook: break the law, and then attempt to dismantle the only structures that exist to hold you accountable.

What is the NLRB?

The NLRB is the federal agency dedicated to protecting workers’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

The Board safeguards workers’ rights to organize, fight for better working conditions, and choose whether or not to be represented by a union. It also holds employers and unions accountable for unfair labor practices and conducts union representation elections.

Why is Trader Joe’s legal argument important?

Should Trader Joe’s case, or a similar case, reach the Supreme Court, it could have a far-reaching and disastrous impact on American workers. The Board’s key protections and functions could come to a halt should these corporations’ arguments prevail.

Wait a sec, I thought Trader Joe’s was a super awesome company that treated its workers well?

You’re not alone! For many years, Trader Joe’s had a reputation as a great employer. However, the company has shown its true colors as we started organizing stores across the country.

Since our first union drive in 2022, Trader Joe’s has rolled out the kind of union-busting campaigns you’d expect from Amazon or SpaceX at every store that’s filed for an election. Trader Joe’s has withheld benefits from union stores, fired union supporters, spread misinformation about our union, interrogated workers, and more. TJ’s legal assault on the NLRB is a transparent attempt to avoid being held accountable for their unlawful actions.

How can I help protect worker rights—for myself, Trader Joe’s employees, and everyone else who works?

The National Labor Relations Act has been law since 1935—we can’t let Trader Joe’s roll back nearly 100 years of workers’ rights! Keep reading to take action, leaflet your local Trader Joe’s, and learn more about this issue.

Take action

  • Protect the NLRB

    Sign our petition demanding SCOTUS protect the NLRB.

    Sign the Petition

  • Customer Strike Pledge

    Pledge to stop shopping at TJ’s if we call for a boycott.

    Sign the Pledge

  • Write to TJ's CEO

    Tell Bryan Palbaum to stop attacking workers’ rights.

    Send a Letter

Leaflet Action!

We’ve made it easy for you to spread the word.

So many of you have reached out asking for literature on this topic that you can print and distribute in order to spread the word and let Trader Joe’s know how you feel about this important issue.

We’re answered your call! You can download our Protect the NLRB flyer here. It’s complete with a QR code that links directly to this Action Hub webpage.

If you do spread the word, let us know how it went! You can report back and send photos and videos for us to share on social by emailing us@traderjoesunited@gmail.com.

Learn more.

We get it. This stuff can feel complicated, which is why we’ve gathered some of our favorite explainers and news articles to help you learn more and navigate your conversations around this issue.

We’ll be updating this section regularly.