UPDATE: Nov. 14, 2024: A Grindr spokesperson told HR Dive by email that the NLRB’s "allegations are meritless” and said the decision to transition to hybrid work predated the union election petition.
Dive Brief:
- Grindr LLC, a dating app for people who are LGBTQ+, allegedly implemented a return-to-office plan in retaliation for workers unionizing, according to a Nov. 1 complaint filed by the National Labor Relations Board.
- Grindr announced the RTO plan in early August 2023, shortly after workers publicly announced plans to unionize, the complaint alleged. More than 80 of Grindr’s 178 workers were terminated for not adhering to the company’s mandate to relocate to its West Hollywood, California, office or to a hub city to work in person two days per week, according to the Communications Workers of America, the union representing Grindr United-CWA.
- NLRB said Grindr has refused to recognize and bargain in good faith with the union and “has been interfering with, restraining, and coercing employees” in violation of the National Labor Relations Act, according to the complaint. Grindr could not immediately be reached for comment.
Dive Insight:
Grindr United-CWA called the NLRB complaint “another huge win” for the union in a Nov. 4 statement.
“We hope this NLRB filing sends a clear message to Grindr that, with a union, we are committed to negotiating fair working conditions in good faith. As we continue to build and expand worker power at Grindr, this win in our favor is a positive step toward ensuring that Grindr remains a safe, inclusive, and thriving place for users and workers alike,” the union said.
The union had filed an unfair labor charge with NLRB, alleging the unlawful behavior.
Union activity and unfair labor practice charges have been on the rise during the Biden administration.
NLRB said there were 3,286 union election petitions in fiscal year 2024, up 27% from the year before, and more than 21,000 unfair labor practice charge filings, an increase of 7% from last year. The agency partially attributed the greater number of cases to workers better understanding and exercising their rights.
