Two Netflix staffers who were critical of Dave Chappelle’s latest comedy special, The Closer, have filed a labor charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging the streamer retaliated against them for protected concerted activities. (LA Times)
B. Pagels-Minor, a Black trans program manager, was fired while organizing a walkout related to Netflix’s support of The Closer, which has been widely condemned as transphobic. Terra Field, a trans software engineer, was suspended after posting a viral tweet thread about the issue. (The Verge)
According to the employees’ attorney Laurie Burgess, the NLRB will conduct an investigation into the filed labor charges. If the organization finds merit to the allegations, it will issue a complaint against Netflix. If Netflix, the NLRB and the two employees cannot reach a settlement, then the NLRB will pursue a case against Netflix. (USA Today)
In a statement, Netflix asserted that the employees faced no retaliation for criticism of Chappelle. “We recognize the hurt and pain caused to our trans colleagues over the last few weeks,” a Netflix spokesman said. “But we want to make clear that Netflix has not taken any action against employees for either speaking up or walking out.” (Variety)