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Leslie Smith Files Labor Complaint Against UFC Alleging Unfair Practices

May 3, 2018 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas

Leslie Smith has filed a complaint against the UFC’s parent company alleging unfair labor practices. MMAjunkie reports that Smith filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday accusing Zuffa of cutting her as retaliation for her efforts with Project Spearhead and in order to send an anti-union message to other fighters.

The twelve-page complaint was writter by Project Spearhead’s legal consultant and alleges that Zuffa let Smith go “based on the animus it held toward her engagement in protected activity…Dare to form, join or assist a union and you too will accompany Ms. Smith not fighting in the UFC. This message contravenes the very purpose of the (National Labor Relations Act) and ZUFFA cannot be allowed to continue flouting the Act. No person or entity is above the law.”

The complaint argues that Zuffa violated Sections 8(a)(1) and 8(a)(3) of the National Labor Relations Act, which protects workers from retaliation for engaging in unionizing activities. Smith was paid her show money but released from her contract after a scheduled fight with Aspen Ladd before UFC Fight Night 129, which was cancelled after Ladd missed weight. Smith was on the last fight of her contract and had hoped to use the cancelled fight to negotiate a new deal for herself, initially aiming for $100,000 per fight and then at her previous rate with an agreement to fight Ladd. The UFC declined both offers.

UFC reps have not yet responded to requests for comment.

article topics :

Leslie Smith, UFC, Jeremy Thomas