Catherwood LibraryILR School

Following the filing of formal unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB by Local 100 of the United Labor Unions against the Dallas Cowboys, a meeting between NFL owners and players took place regarding Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones’ incendiary claim that he would bench any player who did not stand for the pledge of allegiance as a form of social justice demonstration. Local 100, as well as many others, viewed this as a threat to NFL players’ freedom of speech and a violation of their labor rights as their manager would be taking adverse employment actions against them should they demonstrate during the national anthem. Following this meeting, Local 100 decided to drop its charges against the Cowboys, promising that should Jerry Jones act on his statement, that they would immediately refile their charges with the NLRB and pursue the Cowboys to the fullest extent possible. While the charges remain dropped for now, union representatives expressed hopefulness that their public pursuit of Jones sends a clear message to the NFL regarding the criminality of such conduct against players.