NLRB Inspector General clears Becker

Responding to a request from Congressman Darrell Issa (R. CA), David Berry, the Inspector General for the NLRB has determined Craig Becker's decision not to recuse himself in St. Barnabas Hospital was in compliance with various ethical guidelines.

Senate confirms two NLRB nominees

The Senate confirmed the nominations of Brian Hayes, a Republican and Mark Pearce, a Democrat for full terms as NLRB members. No action was taken on controversial nominee Craig Becker.

Becker gets recess appointment

President Obama will use recess appointments to by-pass Senate confirmation for 15 high level appointments including Craig Becker's appointment to the NLRB, as well as that of another Democrat, Mark Gaston Pearce.  The NLRB's press release is here. Interesting move in not appointing anyone to the 5th seat on the Board. As it stands now, Democrats are guaranteed to be the majority of every three member panel of the NLRB.

Recess for Becker?

John Judis in this piece in The New Republic makes the case for President Obama to "put [Craig] Becker on the NLRB via recess appointment."

Becker appointment to NLRB

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis suggests action on the Becker NLRB appointment will please labor. Recess appointment? Not sure, but solis told labor leaders they would be "very pleased."

Hmmm?

Law Professor says Democrats have nothing to lose from recess appointment of Craig Becker.

Cloture vote on Becker today

A cloture vote on the nomination of SEIU attorney Craig Becker is set for today. Congressional Quarterly has details. Weather may delay vote.

EFCA by appointment

The nomination of SEIU attorney Craig Becker was voted out of the Senate HELP Committee on a 13-10 straight party line vote.  In October, before the McCain hold on the nomination, two Republicans voted for Becker. Some echo chamber writers, displaying a limited understanding of NLRB workings, rail against Becker and claim his appointment will result in implementation of card check recognition and mandatory arbitration of labor agreements. There are many valid reasons to oppose Becker if you are adverse to the labor position. There is little doubt seating Becker and President Obama's other two nominees would tilt the Board away from its Bush Board pro-management leanings. However, elimination of secret ballot elections and imposition of mandatory arbitration would require an amendment of the Act.

Two member NLRB case set for oral argument

The Supreme Court set oral argument in New Process Steel for March 23. The case involves the validity of 2 member decisions by the NLRB. If as reported by the New York Times, President Obama intends to renominate Craig Becker to the NLRB, ensuring further delay in filling the 3 Board vacancies, the case before SCOTUS may affect an increasing number of decisions that will be decided by a two member NLRB.

Becker NLRB nomination rejected

The Democratic controlled Senate has rejected the nomination to the NLRB of controversial SEIU attorney Craig Becker. The procedural move means the President must resubmit his nomination before the Senate will consider it in a subsequent session.

WFI on EFCA

Glenn Spencer, the E.D. of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Workforce Freedom Initiative has penned an EFCA update. He does a nice job of summarizing the last year's efforts and the likely future, and uncertain, legislative path labor law reform may take. He aslo notes Labor's "Plan "B" is to look to the NLRB, including nominee Craig Becker, to initiate union friendly procedural changes to the process of selecting union representation.

NRTWLDF aids workers

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation has provided free legal assistance to 3 Michigan Teamsters in their attempt to opt out of paying full union dues. This is a problem we do not see in states with Right to Work laws, because union membership cannot be a requirement for employment. In non-Right to Work states an employer and a union can agree that employees must be union members. In that situation, employees who do not want to be full union members, must become financial core members and pay a portion of the unions dues attributable to the cost of representation. The Supreme Court in Communication Workers v. Beck, "guarantees the right of workers to opt-out of forced dues intended for purposes other than workplace bargaining, including lobbying, political activism, and members-only activities." It also requires unions to provide an independent assessment of how dues money is being spent.

NLRB nominees clear committee

NLRB press release confirms President Obama's three nominees were approved by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Union attorney, Mark G.  Pearce, and Republican committee staffer Brian E. Hayes, were approved in a unanimous voice vote. Controversial SEIU attorney Craig Becker was approved 15-8. The AP reports Senator John McCain has vowed to put a hold on Becker out of concern he might try to "make the labor laws more friendly without congressional approval." Yesterday, a multi-industry letter opposing Becker's nomination was sent to HELP Committee Chairman Harkin, and Ranking Republican Member Mike Enzi.

Senate HELP committee to vote on NLRB nominees

Update: The Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal blogs the Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions will vote on President Obama's nominees for the 3 vacant positions on the NLRB. The Committee rejected a request to hold hearings on one of the nominees, Craig Becker, who serves as Associate General Counsel to both the Service Employees International Union and the AFL-CIO. Now if there wasn't enough reason to dislike Mr. Becker, this Princeton class of '72 graduate has trouble with the fact Mr. Becker is a Yaley.