Bandcamp United, a union founded to represent employees of the digital record store, has filed an unfair labor practice claim against Songtradr and Epic Games, claiming that both companies violated the 1935 National Relations Act (NLRA) through unfair labor practices. The NLRA safeguards the essential right of workers in private-sector industries to seek better working conditions and representation without fear of retaliation. Bandcamp United has highlighted how the layoffs disproportionately impacted Bandcamp’s black employees, as the company’s graphic below depicts.
In September, Songtradr completed the acquisition of Bandcamp from the previous owners of Epic Games, which triggered layoffs comprising around 50% of the total employees, including 40 of the 67 members of the collective bargaining unit. According to Lindsay Nahmiache, a representative of Songtradr, the layoffs were conducted following a comprehensive evaluation of roles for pre-existing functions at Songtradr. Bandcamp United, on the other hand, claims that the layoffs were based on discriminatory measures against workers who had joined the union.
Weeks before the layoff, Bandcamp United had made several demands to Songtradr, calling for equitable and voluntary severance packages for all employees and the recognition of the union with a swift continuation of bargaining. However, immediately following Songtradr’s acquisition of Bandcamp, the dismissals were announced.
Bandcamp United has filed a complaint with the National Relations Board (NLRB) for the discriminatory layoffs and replacing the entire bargaining committee. The union believes that there is a need to safeguard the interests of workers in private-sector companies to ensure they are not subjected to discriminatory measures in conducting their labor activities.
In conclusion, the unfair labor practices alleged by the union serve as a critical reminder of the responsibility of companies to ensure that they respect the rights of their workers and do not subject them to discriminatory measures. As more workers continue to join unions in the private sector, companies must be proactive to give them the support and protection they need
Read the full article from Mixmag here: Read More