Just because there's a justification doesn't make it an excuse to participate in anticompetitive behavior. The NLRB getting involved seems like a bigger risk than the letter of recommendation.
Lol ok. You realize I can say the exact same thing to you...
You've offered no facts to support what little you've said. You "suspect" some things and have been told some other things by your manager. I too have been told things by managers and suspect things myself. But I guess because it's your opinion, everyone else's opinion must be wrong.