eBay-owned TCGPlayer Illegally Fired Employee for Union Activity, CWA files Unfair Labor Practice Charge

SYRACUSE, NY – The Communications Workers of America (CWA) filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against eBay-owned TCGplayer today on behalf of Iris St. Lucy, who was illegally fired for engaging in union activity. St. Lucy’s termination came on the first business day after TCGPlayer employees overwhelmingly voted for union representation with CWA. In reaction to TCGUnion-CWA’s historic election, management has escalated its anti-union war against workers with this retaliatory firing.  

“Throughout our union campaign, TCGPlayer management has waged a ruthless intimidation campaign to stop us from joining our union, including holding mandatory meetings with anti-union propaganda, and creating a culture of fear among employees," said illegally fired TCGPlayer employee Iris St. Lucy.“They want to make an example of us, but this egregious action only reveals how terrified TCGPlayer and eBay are of our collective power.” 

TCGPlayer has had a long history of union-busting, including an aggressive anti-union campaign launched in 2020 amid organizing efforts at its authentication center (AC). Three years later, AC workers ultimately triumphed and formed the first union in eBay’s 27 year history. 

In total, CWA has filed four ULP charges with the NLRB against TCGPlayer. These include interfering with, restraining and coercing employees engaging in protected and concerted union activity, interrogating workers, surveilling employees wearing insignia identifying them as supporters of TCGunion-CWA by management and CEO Chedy Hampson, as well as illegally forcing employees to attend mandatory anti-union meetings to influence their decision about whether or not to join a union. 

“Organizing on the job is a protected right. No worker should lose their job as a result of their commitment to making their workplace better by joining a union. Not only are eBay and TCGPlayer violating labor law, the company is undermining its workers’ rights to union representation, fair wages, dignity on the job and the ability to support their families. TCGPlayer needs to stop these attacks and commit to bargaining a contract in good faith,” said CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens. 

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The Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) is an initiative by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) supporting workers’ organizing efforts in the technology and game industries.