Michigan Labor & Employment Law Blog

Don't Touch My Button!

In a brand new decision by the National Labor Relations Board the Federal Government ruled that it was unlawful for AT&T to tell its union employees to stop wearing a button on their uniforms that AT&T considered profane and offensive. The buttons said "WTF AT&T." The Union argued that WTF was not profane but actually meant "where is the fairness," even though "where is the fairness" was published in the smallest possible lettering at the bottom of the button. The NLRB ruled the employees could continue to wear these buttons. 

Lesson learned: unions and employees can hide behind the First Amendment and Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act even though they agitate their employers and anger the company's customers.

Ouch! 

Categories: First Amendment, National Labor Relations Board, News & Events