The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a complaint against SpaceX, alleging the company violated labor laws by paying security guards with DOGE awards—described as company scrip or cryptocurrency—for reporting safety concerns or workplace issues. The complaint, issued on April 9, 2025, claims SpaceX’s actions suppressed workers’ rights to address workplace conditions collectively.
Filed by the NLRB’s Los Angeles regional office, the complaint targets SpaceX’s practice at its Hawthorne, California facility, where guards were reportedly offered DOGE awards to bypass unionizing efforts or avoid reporting issues to federal agencies. The NLRB argues this violates the National Labor Relations Act, which protects workers’ rights to organize and address grievances without employer interference.
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has not publicly responded to the allegations. The case is set for a hearing in Los Angeles in August 2025 unless a settlement is reached. This complaint adds to SpaceX’s ongoing labor disputes, including a 2024 NLRB case accusing the company of illegally firing engineers for criticizing Musk’s management.
The use of DOGE awards, linked to Musk’s interest in cryptocurrency, raises questions about their legality as compensation and their impact on workplace rights. The NLRB seeks to halt the practice and ensure SpaceX complies with federal labor laws.
