NLRB says Walmart's response to work stoppage was illegal

The National Labor Relations Board has urged a federal appeals court to uphold the agency's decision that said Wal-Mart Stores Inc unlawfully threatened and disciplined workers who participated in a brief work stoppage at a California store.

The board in a brief filed on Thursday asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reject Walmart's claims that the 90-minute stoppage was a form of union solicitation, which is typically not permitted during working hours, because it was organized by a union-backed group. The company is represented by Steptoe & Johnson.