GCP urging its members to voice opposition against proposed NLRB rule changes

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Cleveland, Ohio—The Greater Cleveland Partnership is urging its members to write their member of Congress and our Ohio senators in stating their opposition to a proposed rule change by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that would accelerate the process of union elections.

By a 2-1 decision, the NLRB voted in late November to move forward in drafting a rule to speed up the process of union elections. In an apparent compromise, the board recommended removal of several controversial parts of the rule as previously proposed, including: providing employee email address and phone numbers, and online petition filings. However, business groups continue to argue that the direction of the new rule, which has yet to be drafted, will infringe on a business’ right to respond to a petition for a union election.

The timing of the NLRB’s action is additionally intriguing. The vote came on the same day that the Boeing Company and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers announced that an agreement was reached on a contract extension which would resolve the IAMAW’s NLRB complaint related to Boeing’s construction and operation of a non-union plant in South Carolina.

Additionally, on the clock is the recess appointment of former AFL-CIO and SEIU attorney, Craig Becker, whose term will expire once the Senate recess for the year, which would prevent the NLRB from reaching its three member quorum. The board, which should total five, currently has only three members- one Republican and two Democrats, including Becker.

Without a quorum, by law, the NLRB would not be able to take official actions. Complicating the appointment process, is the stance taking by some Senate Republicans, which confirms appointees to the board, that the board overreached in the handling of the Boeing case and its attempts to circumvent the legislative process through the rulemaking process.

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As an association of business members, the Greater Cleveland Partnership mobilizes private-sector leadership, expertise and resources to create jobs and leverage investment to improve the economic vitality of the region. http://www.gcpartnership.com

 

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