US Labor Board Dismissal Rates Increase Under Trump

A new analysis reveals a significant rise in dismissals of unfair labor practice charges by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) during the Trump administration, with staffing shortages, procedural shifts, and a lack of board quorum cited as contributing factors. Between January 2025 and April 2026, the agency dismissed 34.7% of charges filed by labor unions, marking a 14.2 percentage-point increase compared to 2024. Dismissals of charges brought directly by workers surged even more sharply, from 56.7% in 2024 to 67.4% in the same period, reflecting a broader trend of declining case resolutions.

The report highlights operational challenges, including prolonged vacancies on the NLRB’s five-member board, which require a quorum of three to adjudicate cases. Procedural adjustments, such as extended timelines for hearings and prioritization of specific cases, have further delayed processing. Labor advocates argue these developments undermine the agency’s ability to address workplace grievances effectively, while the NLRB attributes the changes to resource constraints and evolving case management strategies. The findings have reignited debates over the agency’s independence and capacity to enforce labor laws amid shifting political leadership.