Archive for the ‘NLRB’ Category

What’s Good for the Goose Isn’t Always Good for the Gander

Monday, February 20th, 2012

In a bizarre twist of events, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Union – yes, the agency responsible for remaining neutral in employer-union disputes is staffed by unionized employees – is accusing the Board of “declaring war on NLRB employees.”

In a flyer, the union urges NLRB Chairman Mark Pearce and Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon to “practice what they preach,” and stop trying to destroy worker’s rights.

After being appointed, Pearce publically proclaimed his plans to push for new rules that would give unions a boost in organizing members. So, what are these ‘rights’ that the NLRB is denying its union?

For one, the NLRB has decided to cut “official time” by 85 percent. “Official time” is time used to conduct union business at taxpayer expense. The NLRB also wants to have the decision to cut “incentive pay”, if managers deem necessary.

If the dispute isn’t resolved, it will most likely be taken up with the Federal Labor Relations Authority.

While Republicans and Business groups have found issue with Pearce’s obvious bias in favor of unions, it will be interesting to see if the Chair has a change of heart after his own run-in with unreasonable union demands. Don’t hold your breath.

NLRB Stops Hiding Bias

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

While the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has always maintained the façade of being neutral, the emboldened new chair has decided to let his true colors show by publicly disclosing a very pro-union agenda. Despite heavy opposition from business groups and Republicans, Mark Peirce, NLRB chairman, will push for new rules that would make it easier to organize new members.

“I knew this was going to happen,” said Rep. Trey Gowdy, (R-SC) , a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. “The NLRB has lost all pretense of objectivity in my judgment.”

In what seems like a complete invasion of privacy, Pearce wants to implement new rules requiring businesses to hand over lists of employee phone numbers and emails to union leaders prior to an election. Pierce also hopes to speed up the process for holding a vote to unionize after signatures are collected.

“If they’re going to go forward on that basis, I think that removes any pretense at all that they are not in the back pocket of the union movement,” said Randel Johnson, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vice president on labor issues.

Pearce says he wants the NLRB to become “a household word” for all workers, not just those affiliated with organized labor. If he continues down his path of hyper-partisan politics and power grabs, he might just get what he’s wishing for. However, most households probably won’t be talking about the agency in a positive light.

Urge CNN to Ask Candidates to Take a Stand on the Employee Rights Act

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

The GOP presidential primary debates have had their highs and their lows this cycle. In one of the bizarre debate moments, candidates were asked whether or not states should be allowed to ban contraceptives. This discussion went on for nearly a half an hour.

Last night, during the Fox News Presidential Primary Debate, Texas Gov. Rick Perry channeled South Carolinians anger at the Obama administration and attacked the NLRB for their assault on Boeing for daring to open a new production line in a right to work state.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney also slammed Obama for the stance he took in the NLRB’s dispute with Boeing, releasing a new round of radio ads and commercials.

Although most of the candidates on the Republican slate support right to work laws, none have come out in support of the Employee Rights Act yet. The legislation, sponsored by U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and U.S. Representative Tim Scott (R-SC), contains measures to protect employees and give them a democratic voice in unionization.

Take action! Click here and ask CNN to discuss the Employee Rights Act during Thursday night’s GOP presidential primary debate.