Top Labor Regulator Dismisses Charges Against SpaceX

The National Labor Relations Board says it lacks jurisdiction over Elon Musk's space company.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The National Labor Relations Board has announced it is dismissing a case accusing SpaceX of illegally firing eight employees who criticized CEO Elon Musk. The labor board said it lacks jurisdiction and that the National Mediation Board is the proper authority to hear the case, adopting an argument made by SpaceX.

Why it matters

This decision highlights the complex legal landscape surrounding labor issues at high-profile tech companies like SpaceX. It raises questions about the independence and mission of federal agencies tasked with protecting workers' rights, especially in cases involving powerful billionaire executives and their close ties to the government.

The details

In 2022, a group of SpaceX employees circulated a letter asking the company to distance itself from Musk's social media comments. Soon after, SpaceX fired several of the employees involved. In 2024, the labor board issued a complaint, saying the firings were retaliatory. SpaceX argued the labor board lacked jurisdiction, and the mediation board recently affirmed that SpaceX should be regulated by the mediation board rather than the labor board.

  • In 2022, a group of SpaceX employees circulated a letter criticizing Musk's comments.
  • Soon after, SpaceX fired several employees involved in the letter.
  • In 2024, the labor board issued a complaint about the firings.
  • In mid-January 2026, the mediation board affirmed it has jurisdiction over SpaceX.
  • On February 6, 2026, the labor board announced it is dismissing the case against SpaceX.

The players

SpaceX

An American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk.

Elon Musk

The CEO of SpaceX and a prominent billionaire businessman.

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

The federal agency that enforces laws related to collective bargaining and unfair labor practices in the private sector.

National Mediation Board (NMB)

The federal agency that oversees labor-management relations in the railroad and airline industries.

Deborah Lawrence

One of the eight SpaceX employees who were fired after criticizing Musk.

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What they’re saying

“This is one of a million terrible things going on in the U.S. right now. It's an example of one of the many ways that our government is now actively hostile to its people, including when it comes to labor law.”

— Deborah Lawrence, Fired SpaceX employee

“SpaceX operates very differently than the airlines. It's a stretch to call it a 'common carrier.'”

— Matthew Bodie, Former NLRB lawyer, University of Minnesota Law School professor

“The agencies seem to have lost their independence and their mission to protect workers' rights, and are instead elevating corporate interests, including those of billionaire donors and enablers of this administration.”

— Jennifer Abruzzo, Former NLRB general counsel

What’s next

The fired SpaceX employees are still pursuing harassment and retaliation claims related to their dismissal in California courts.

The takeaway

This case highlights concerns about the independence and mission of federal labor agencies, especially when dealing with powerful tech companies and their billionaire executives who have close ties to the government. It raises questions about whether workers' rights are being prioritized over corporate interests.