U.S. labor board dismisses more worker and union charges since 2025

Dismissals of unfair labor practice charges filed by labor unions at the National Labor Relations Board rose to 34.7 percent from January 2025 through 29 April 2026. That figure marked a 14.2 percentage-point increase from the prior year. The same period showed a 67.4 percent dismissal rate for charges filed by individual workers, up 10.7 points from 2024.

The analysis examined more than 40,000 cases and identified several operational factors. The board operated without a quorum for 345 days after one member was removed. Regional offices reported a 23 percent staffing shortfall, and the agency recorded a net loss of more than 10 percent of its workforce in 2025.

Procedural and staffing changes New intake rules introduced in December 2025 require charging parties to submit supporting documents within two weeks. Labor lawyers have cited technical glitches in the docketing system as another reason cases were dismissed.

The agency’s general counsel issued guidance in February 2026 directing staff to prioritize settlements over litigation. Union election filings declined 30 percent in 2025. The administration has moved to cancel collective bargaining agreements covering more than one million federal workers.

Congress has continued to reduce the board’s budget.

“Workers who are trying to organize unions already really face an uphill battle because employers, they really get away with a slap on the wrist, even when they do break the law." — Aurelia Glass, policy analyst at the Center for American Progress The National Labor Relations Board declined to comment on the analysis.”