Trump admin poaches Apple attorney for NLRB, future of labor complaints in doubt

AppleInsider

The National Labor Relations Board has indefinitely postponed two complaint cases against Apple, after the Trump administration hired an Apple lawyer away to be the lead attorney for the watchdog.

The NLRB has indefinitely postponed two cases against Apple

Previously, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found against Apple in a case about it coercively interrogating staff about their union membership. The federal agency has also accused Apple of illegally restricting workers' social media use.

It's also, though, been pursuing multiple complaints including one from Janneke Parrish, who alleges that Apple fired her for organizing the #AppleToo movement. It is her case and one brought by ex-Apple engineer Cher Scarlett, that have now been halted.

According to the Financial Times, the NLRB has told Parrish and Scarlett that its planned trials are being postponed indefinitely, pending a legal review. Reportedly, the cases will be resubmitted to the NLRB's "division of advice," which assesses cases.

The decision comes after the Trump administration appointed Apple lawyer Crystal Carey to be the NLRB's general counsel. There has been no comment from Apple, the NLRB, or the White House about the appointment or its alleged impact on the ongoing cases.

However, Parrish says that she now believes it is "extremely doubtful" that she will receive a fair hearing, given the new appointment.

"I fear for the future of workers' rights," she said, "and for the ability of any worker to get their day in court under this administration."

The NLRB's previous general counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, was fired by President Trump earlier in 2025. Following her dismissal, her temporary replacement, Acting General Counsel William Cowen, rescinded several of her previous policy decisions.

Cher Scarlett has yet to comment publicly. However, a third complainant, Ashley Gjovik, reportedly says that her case continues to be on track for a trial in August 2025.



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ssfe11

It’s nice to see these ridiculous labor lawsuits stopped. Social media use r u kidding me? “I want to be able to go on FB on company time!!” Unbelievable. And the other one organizing a movement AGAINST her employer! The one who took a chance hiring her. So pathetic and lazy and we have all seen these types of employees that’s for sure. 

foregoneconclusion

ssfe11 said:

It’s nice to see these ridiculous labor lawsuits stopped. Social media use r u kidding me? “I want to be able to go on FB on company time!!” Unbelievable. And the other one organizing a movement AGAINST her employer! The one who took a chance hiring her. So pathetic and lazy and we have all seen these types of employees that’s for sure. 

So you're a fan of corruption? Because that's what this sounds like.

macgui

Anyone but Trump sycophants and MAGA loyalists should be worried when takes over an oversight over an agency. Especially so when he takes over an oversight agency. His track record and intensions are clear and they clearly don't represent integrity and the welfare of the country. Due process under Trump is a joke. A nightmare actually, and he'll do everything he and the party of "Law and Order" can to end due process within the next the next four years.

Parrish is right. As things stand and the way they're going she won't get a fair hearing or even get a hearing at all. Trump has taken the teeth out of all the watchdogs and replaced them with inbred poodles. Except that normal poodles are smart. The people he's replacing agency heads with are not and not qualified for the positions he's putting them in.

danox

If true sickening is the word…. long-term it won’t make America great all this graft, grifting, and backhanders. Is America winning?

freeassociate2

I think the thing we all need to worry about is that to make any of this stick for long — and to not have it all completely flipped back on them and be prosecuted for it— is either that this admin never intends to leave, it’s so delusional that it doesn’t think it’ll ever have to, or it believes there won’t be repercussions.