News Release
« BackBig Labor Nomination Defeated
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
On February 9, President Obama’s nominee to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) failed to secure the 60 votes needed to guarantee his confirmation to the post. The White House nominated Craig Becker, the Associate General Counsel to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the AFL-CIO, to fill one of three vacancies on the NLRB. The NLRB is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1935 to administer the National Labor Relations Act, the primary law governing relations between unions and employers in the private sector. It is the body responsible for fair and equitable treatment of workers and employers during labor disputes and determines whether certain employees actually desire representation by labor organizations. While the other two nominees received bipartisan support, Mr. Becker’s views on labor expansion through the agency process are especially troubling.
Big Labor spent more than $400 million during the past three years to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (card check) and elect its supporters to Congress. Many believe unions will push through their agenda such as the card check bill, Paycheck Fairness Act and expansion of the Family Medical Leave Act through the NLRB since they no longer have enough support on Capitol Hill. Due to strong opposition from business groups, especially manufacturers, Becker’s nomination stalled.
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