Democrats have raised concerns about potential cuts to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) by the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge), warning that such actions could severely impact workers’ rights. Representatives have written to NLRB officials expressing worries that reducing the agency’s workforce and closing regional offices would hinder its ability to enforce labor laws effectively, ultimately discouraging workers from engaging in union activities. The NLRB has already faced challenges due to understaffing and budget constraints, with a significant increase in caseloads over the past decade. The potential harm to workers’ rights from workforce reductions or office closures is described as “catastrophic” in the letter sent to NLRB leadership.

Doge, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has been involved in challenging the NLRB’s constitutionality, with reports of accessing sensitive agency data and allegedly attempting to conceal their actions. Recent cancellations of NLRB regional office leases by Doge in various states, including Wisconsin, Tennessee, New York, Puerto Rico, California, Kansas, and Alabama, have further fueled concerns about the agency’s operational stability. The NLRB Union has emphasized the detrimental impact of prolonged funding cuts and staffing reductions on the agency’s ability to carry out its mission effectively. Despite these developments, the NLRB has refrained from providing comments on the situation. The ongoing debate surrounding the NLRB’s funding, staffing, and operational challenges underscores the critical role the agency plays in safeguarding workers’ rights and enforcing labor laws in the United States.