NLRB withdraws claims about Tim Cook’s email to employees

After four years of deliberation, the National Labor Relations Board has figured out that a company CEO not wanting employees to leak company secrets, isn’t a violation of federal labor laws.

In 2021, after an all-hands meeting where pay equity was discussed, Tim Cook’s comments were leaked to the press. Cook, understandably frustrated at the leaking of information, sent out an email warning employees. Then Cook’s email leaked, in its entirety.

The NLRB initially said that Apple’s confidentiality policies were “interfering with, restraining, and coercing employees in the exercise of their rights.”

The institution also took issue with the firing of Janneke Parrish. She alleges that Apple fired her for organizing the #AppleToo movement.

Soon after the Trump administration took power, however, the Parrish case was halted indefinitely. Now, the NLRB has abandoned its allegations against Apple.

As reported by Bloomberg, the NLRB formally withdrew its allegations that Apple broke federal labor law. On Friday, the organization sent a letter to the attorney representing Parrish.

In the letter, an NLRB regional director explained that the agency had determined the claims against Apple should be dismissed. The agency did so after it “carefully investigated and considered” the allegations that Apple violated federal labor law.

While Apple may be in the clear in the United States on this matter, other battles continue.

There are new allegations that Apple has to deal with from a Chinese labor organization. Apple is accused of allowing long hours, discrimination, and delayed pay at Foxconn’s main iPhone factory.