The U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that companies including Amazon are prohibited from compelling their workers to attend meetings on the downsides of unionization, setting a precedent that may however be reversed by the incoming U.S. president.

The New York Times says the decision, announced on November 13, is the latest in a slew of labor board rulings under the Biden administration aimed at supporting workers’ right to unionize. It stems from a complaint regarding Amazon’s conduct during an ultimately successful attempt in 2022 to unionize at a Staten Island warehouse. The company held hundreds of meetings there and at another location to discourage workers from supporting a union, a tactic that unions say stifles organization of workers. The Staten Island warehouse was the first – and so far only – U.S. Amazon location to unionize.

The NLRB’s ban on so-called captive audience meetings has set a precedent with potential impact beyond Amazon, though it could be reversed after President-elect Donald Trump takes office. 

Large employers including Starbucks, Trader Joe’s and REI have responded to increasing attempts to unionize by holding captive audience meetings in what labor regulators and unions have identified as an effort to clamp down on organizing. The companies have denied accusations of anti-union campaigns.