An independent NLRB? Not really

Writing again for the Washington Examiner, Fred Wszolek of the Workforce Fairness Institute knocks down the myth of the "independent" NLRB.

When the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was in the news concerning the complaint filed by its Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon against the Boeing Company, the White House was queried about the matter and stated they would not opine as the agency was supposedly "independent." This excuse has allowed President Obama to claim a degree of separation and distance himself from the job-killing decisions and rulings issued by the board.

But is it a fair or accurate defense? When determining the response to that question, it requires a walk back through recent history. President Obama has recess-appointed nominees to the NLRB who could never garner sufficient support during the Congressional confirmation process. One example, Craig Becker, was opposed by Republicans and Democrats alike. The president nonetheless recess-appointed Becker, former counsel to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and he went on to author of the Specialty Healthcare or "micro-union" decision.

Yet another example is Richard Griffin. The White House nominated Griffin, as well as two additional nominees in December 2011, yet recess appointed them on January 4, 2012. Why? Because Griffin was tainted and could never survive any serious examination by the U.S. Senate. While Griffin was general counsel of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), the union’s locals were being overtaken by mobsters and criminals.

Do these sound like the kind of individuals who should be serving as judges in labor disputes between business owners and organized labor in the private sector? Of course not. They are not unbiased, they are clearly conflicted and prejudiced. Barack Obama can't do any better than Craig Becker and Richard Griffin?

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