A Quick Question on The NLRB
Thursday, February 11th, 2010 by AdminWho, outside of labor lawyers and policy wonks, can remember the last time Americans knew the name of a nominee to the National Labor Relations Board, usually an obscure body?
Now we get “Unions Push White House to Appoint Becker” as a headline in the Wall Street Journal.
The proximate issue — the nomination of an individual whose writings have shown contempt for employers to a seat in which we expect impartiality between unions and employers — is of course very critical. The functioning of the Board, as well as its integrity, are on the line.
But more than that, it speaks volumes that the president has nominated someone so far outside the mainstream that it has raised sufficient furor to raise the Board’s profile in the public mind. That doesn’t speak well of … well, many things.
It also suggests the Board’s rulings, should Mr. Becker be appointed, will be scrutinized more than ever and have doubt immediately cast about their fairness. It also suggests that future nominees will have doubt cast about their qualifications to govern effectively and fairly.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Jason says:Question: Who, outside of labor lawyers and policy wonks, can remember the last time Americans knew the name of a nominee to the National Labor Relations Board, usually an obscure body?
Answer: Peter Kirsanow, a George W. Bush appointee.