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Why TCGplayer and eBay Faced a Boycott After the Syracuse Center Closure

TCGplayer workers’ union called for a boycott after the 2025 Syracuse center closure. Here’s the company’s rationale, the reported settlement and the limits of the NLRB record.
From TheFinanceBase Team3 min to read
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TCGplayer workers’ union called for a boycott after the company announced on May 22, 2025, that it would close its Syracuse, New York, Authentication Center. The union alleged the closure was intended to evade bargaining obligations; TCGplayer and eBay described the move as a consolidation of operations in Kentucky. Workers later ratified a closing agreement that the union said improved their severance and benefits. The public National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) docket shows the charge was withdrawn and the case closed—not that the board ruled on whether the allegations were true.

What happened at TCGplayer’s Syracuse center?

TCGplayer announced plans on May 22, 2025, to close its Syracuse Authentication Center, a facility involved in authenticating trading cards. The Communications Workers of America (CWA), which represents workers through TCGunion-CWA Local 1123, said hundreds of union jobs were affected. Spectrum News 1 reported 220 planned layoffs shortly after the announcement; that figure describes the expected impact, not a confirmed count of completed separations. CWA’s announcement and Spectrum News 1’s report document the announcement and the reported impact.

The facility is generally identified in the sources as an Authentication Center. Calling it a “grading center” can blur the distinction between authentication and card grading, so the official facility name is more precise.

Why did the union call for a boycott?

CWA filed an unfair labor practice charge and alleged the closure was an attempt to avoid bargaining obligations. That was the union’s allegation, not a legal finding. The union called for a boycott after the closure announcement and later said pressure from the campaign contributed to the terms it negotiated.

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TCGplayer’s stated rationale was to consolidate operations at an eBay logistics center in Louisville, Kentucky. In a June 27, 2025 seller update, the company said it was focused on supporting affected Syracuse employees and minimizing disruption to sellers as operations ramped up in Louisville. An eBay spokesperson told Spectrum News 1: “We are constantly evaluating our authentication capabilities and logistics footprint to ensure we are offering best-in-class service to our customers.” These are the company’s explanations, not independent findings about the operational or financial effects of the move. TCGplayer’s seller update and Spectrum News 1’s report provide the company’s statements.

The available sources do not quantify participation in the boycott or establish a measurable effect on sales. The union’s account credits boycott pressure in bargaining, but that does not establish a specific commercial impact.

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What did workers win in the closing agreement?

On June 9, 2025, TCGunion-CWA Local 1123 said members had unanimously ratified a closing agreement after intensive bargaining. The union reported that the package included:

  • 20 weeks of severance, with an additional $2.50 per hour above current wages for bargaining-unit members;
  • six months of company-paid COBRA coverage;
  • seven months of continued mental-health benefits; and
  • a $1,250 ratification bonus.

These terms are reported by the union, not independently itemized in the NLRB docket. The union said the agreement followed “sustained pressure from your boycott”; CWA’s June 12 follow-up also reported unanimous ratification. Read the June 9 union statement and June 12 ratification follow-up.

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What does the NLRB docket establish?

The NLRB’s public docket for case 03-CA-366163 records a charge filed on May 22, 2025, allegations including refusal to bargain, discharge and retaliation, a June 13 letter approving a withdrawal request, and a closed case status. It does not record a decision on the merits. The docket therefore supports saying that CWA alleged unlawful conduct and that the case closed following an approved withdrawal; it does not support saying the NLRB found eBay or TCGplayer guilty, or that it cleared the company after deciding the merits. The NLRB case docket is the primary record.

Is the boycott still active?

The cited statements document the boycott call and the union’s later account of the settlement. They do not establish whether a formal boycott directive remains active as of October 8, 2026. The historical campaign should not be treated as a current call to action without a newer confirmation from the union.

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What should card buyers consider?

This labor dispute does not by itself compare marketplaces or establish which one offers better prices, shipping or buyer protections. If you are deciding where to purchase cards, compare the specific listing and seller as well as:

  • card selection and condition descriptions;
  • seller location and shipping cost and delivery time;
  • the platform’s current buyer-protection terms; and
  • whether buying locally supports a game store you want to sustain.

A CWA-hosted seller letter from January 2024 named CardTrader as a possible alternative marketplace. That letter represents a seller position, not an independent marketplace comparison or an endorsement. Read the letter before treating it as evidence of the union’s position; check current platform terms directly before making a purchase.

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