New York solar firm accused of union busting after furloughing staff

EmPower Solar suspended 40% of its workforce but says action is unrelated to recent successful election of workers to join UAW

A New York-based solar panel business has been accused of being a poster child" of union busting after furloughing 40% of its workforce for more than a year, days after a victorious union election.

Installers and technicians at EmPower Solar, in Bethpage - concerned about poor working conditions and issues they faced on the job - reached out to the United Auto Workers after the gains it won during the stand up" strikes at the big three automakers.