The U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has unexpectedly paused two legal cases against Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) shortly after President Donald Trump nominated Crystal Carey—a lawyer previously representing Apple—as the agency’s general counsel, according to the Financial Times.
The NLRB had filed complaints last year accusing Apple of unlawfully interfering with employee unionization efforts. The cases involved former employees Janneke Parrish and Cher Scarlett, central figures in the 2021 #AppleToo movement, which highlighted workplace issues such as wage inequality and harassment.
Despite prior rulings favoring the former employees, the NLRB withdrew from the cases just days after Trump’s nomination of Carey. As a partner at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, Carey has been documented as representing Apple in these disputes, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
Hearings initially scheduled for April and June have now been indefinitely delayed pending further legal review. The abrupt move has sparked criticism from labor advocates who argue that nominating a corporate lawyer with direct ties to ongoing cases undermines the NLRB’s independence and workers’ rights.
Trump’s nomination of Carey is viewed as part of a broader strategy to reshape federal agencies, including those meant to protect labor rights. Critics warn that such appointments may compromise the impartiality of legal processes involving major corporations like Apple.
The pause in legal proceedings comes at a crucial time for labor activism within the tech industry, where organizing efforts have gained momentum. The outcome of these cases may set a precedent for how similar claims are handled in the future, especially amid ongoing scrutiny of Big Tech labor practices.
This development continues to draw attention as labor groups and tech employees watch closely for potential shifts in the agency’s direction.