NPEU Wins at the NLRB: ACLU Illegally Fired Staff Member, Kate Oh
Washington, DC - An administrative law judge for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled that the American Civil Liberties Union illegally terminated Kate Oh, a rank-and-file worker who was punished for raising concerns about managers' mistreatment of staff and poor working conditions at the ACLU. This ruling is a significant victory for workers' rights and reinforces the importance of protecting employees who stand up for their rights in the workplace.
The NLRB judge’s ruling, issued by Administrative Law Judge Michael A. Rosas, found that the ACLU violated the National Labor Relations Act by denying Ms. Oh a transfer and subsequently discharging her in retaliation for her protected engagement in concerted activities. “The [ACLU], having discriminatorily denied Katherine Oh and discharged her, must offer her reinstatement and make her whole for any loss of earnings and other benefits,” said Judge Rosas in his decision, which was issued Wednesday afternoon.
Amy Chin-Lai, President of NPEU, stated, “We are thrilled with the NLRB’s decision, which protects the fundamental rights of workers to advocate for better working conditions and speak out without fear of retaliation. Kate Oh’s dedication to her colleagues and her resilience in the face of unlawful treatment exemplify the spirit of our union. I am proud to call her a union sister. We look forward to finishing a first contract for all of our ACLU workers who fight for civil liberties, including Kate.”
Kate Oh, reflecting on the ordeal, shared, “This decision sends a clear message: no one is above the law, including and especially powerful management officials claiming to champion civil liberties with their words while illegally doing the opposite with their actions. I am deeply grateful for my union having my back and for an NLRB that seeks to vindicate workers' rights.”
The NPEU remains committed to defending the rights of nonprofit employees and ensuring that all workers are treated with dignity and respect. This ruling is a reminder that employees should never have to choose between their jobs and their rights.
About NPEU
The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), a local of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, represents professionals employed at more than 50 nonprofit organizations. With thousands of members, NPEU gives nonprofit workers a voice to strengthen their workplaces and continue to do work that makes a difference in people’s lives.
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The full public record of this case is available on the NLRB website.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Heather Cushman
NPEU Data and Communications Organizer
hcushman@npeu.org