The Justice Department, Department of Labor (DOL), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) have signed an interagency memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance communication and coordination between the agencies. This initiative aims to protect American workers and promote fair competition in labor markets.
Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, FTC Chair Lina Khan, and NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo signed the MOU as part of a coordinated effort to ensure that mergers between employers do not harm competition for workers.
“Workers are the backbone of our economy, and it’s critical that the impact on workers and the labor market are given due consideration when analyzing mergers and acquisitions,” said Acting Secretary Su. “The Department of Labor is committed to providing information and data to strengthen the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission’s understanding of labor markets, and we look forward to deepening our work to protect workers by promoting fair competition in the labor markets.”
“Competition in labor markets means higher wages, better working conditions, and more opportunities for workers and their families,” said Assistant Attorney General Kanter. “Our partnership with the FTC, NLRB, and DOL will help us identify and take action against mergers that threaten to harm competition for workers. The Antitrust Division did just that when we successfully challenged a merger between book publishers that would have decreased compensation for authors. Promoting workers’ right to earn a fair wage is central to the mission of each of our agencies, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration together.”
“Congress passed the antitrust laws to ensure that all Americans benefit from free and fair competition. When businesses vigorously compete for workers, workers enjoy better wages and working conditions as well as greater opportunity and freedom,” said FTC Chair Khan. “By deepening partnerships with the National Labor Relations Board, Department of Labor, and Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, the FTC will keep building on our whole-of-government efforts to ensure that all Americans can get a fair shot in our economy, free from unlawful coercion.”
“Taking a whole-of-government approach to enforcing workers’ rights is critically important, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with the antitrust agencies to enhance their ability to obtain important information on the potential effects of mergers on workers,” said NLRB General Counsel Abruzzo.
This MOU supplements existing bilateral agreements between the Antitrust Division and DOL as well as between the Antitrust Division and NLRB. Key provisions support both Antitrust Agencies' work in reviewing mergers that may threaten competition by utilizing resources from both Labor Agencies including organizational contacts, experts' data on labor markets, jobs information, and enforcement data.
