Published
Tue, Apr 11, 2023, 08:00
- The music company has been accused of intentionally hiring a law firm known for union busting.
Members of the newly launched Bandcamp United union have accused the company's leadership of undermining their attempts to unionise.
In an Instagram post published last week, Bandcamp United expressed concerns that Bandcamp was attempting to delay the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) hearing required to legitimise the union, and urged its supporters to email leadership demanding they cease union busting.
"We encourage you to keep it positive and remind [Bandcamp CEO] Ethan [Diamond] that our union will be good for Bandcamp," the post read.
Further reservations centred around Bandcamp's decision to hire Foley & Lardner, a law firm synonymous with union busting. According to the firm's website, if a company is "targeted by unions," Foley & Lardner will leverage its "experience in all aspects of the organisational campaign and NLRB election law to litigate appropriate election issues."
Speaking to Resident Advisor, the Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) said it stands in solidarity with the workers organising as Bandcamp United.
"We believe that all workers in the music industry share a common struggle," UMAW said. "We were shocked to learn that Bandcamp's management has hired a union-busting law firm, and we call on the company's CEO Ethan Diamond to cease all union busting and immediately recognise the union."
Diamond has since addressed Bandcamp United's allegations, insisting that Bandcamp is "following the NLRB's process and timeline." He told RA that Bandcamp will "respect the election outcome" and "negotiate in good faith" if a union forms.
Diamond also defended the hiring of Foley & Lardner. "It's common for companies to employ law firms to represent them in NLRB proceedings," he said. "Both Bandcamp and the union have employed outside counsel."
Bandcamp United began the process of unionisation last month. The organisation pledged to give its members a voice in their working conditions and "the power to hold Bandcamp accountable to the independent artists and labels who use it."
We'll report more on this story as it unfolds.