Leslie Smith case now in a ‘holding pattern’
Leslie Smith’s attorney Lucas Middlebrook reports that the NLRB investigator now says that the case must go through the NLRB’s Division of Advice in Washington, DC.
Leslie Smith’s attorney Lucas Middlebrook recently announced that a regional National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) investigator had made a determination that the fighter’s claim had merit. Smith holds that UFC fighters are employees not independent contractors and she alleges of discrimination in her firing. The NLRB was reported to be filing a complaint against the UFC, barring a settlement.
That has apparently changed. Middlebrook reports that the investigator now says that the case must go through the NLRB’s Division of Advice in Washington, DC, and a decision will be made there. The attorney described the case as being in a “holding pattern.”
It is my opinion that the UFC, unable to prevail on the merits, has now commenced the pulling of political strings to evade responsibility for violating the [National Labor Relations Act], said Middlebrook to Marc Raimondi for MMA Fighting. This only means delay, as Leslie will take all legal measures necessary to ensure Region 4’s initial determination stands.
The UFC reportedly has a different view of Smith’s release but has not issued a statement on the matter.