Saturday, February 6, 2010

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, (linked article removed) 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.