An investigation has been opened into whether a Republican member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) received improper enticements to resign and incapacitate the agency, according to Democrats on the House Education and the Workforce Committee.
?We understand that the [NLRB] Inspector General has opened his own investigation into these matters, apparently based on information he has received, and we will await the results of that investigation,? Aaron Albright, a spokesperson for the Democrats on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, told POLITICO in a statement.
Continue ReadingRep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the ranking member on the committee, had previously suggested Brian Hayes, the only Republican member currently serving on the NLRB, may have received ?private requests? to resign in order to incapacitate the board and prevent it from passing new labor regulations, potentially favorable to unions and Democrats.
?I am concerned that any decision to resign prematurely will be the result of objectionable motives or improper influence,? wrote Miller in a statement two weeks ago.
The Inspector General?s office would not confirm or deny whether an investigation is ongoing due to privacy concerns but said it is aware of the allegations.
?Dave Berry, Inspector General of the National Labor Relations Board, confirmed that his office is aware of allegations concerning possible enticements offered to Board Member Brian Hayes to resign his position. The allegations that were raised would naturally concern an Inspector General at any agency. However, the NLRB?s Inspector General does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation,? NLRB spokesperson Nancy Cleeland told POLITICO.
Hayes is one of three members of the NLRB, and the only Republican. Since the NLRB requires three members to function, his resignation would have stalled new regulations which Republicans have opposed.
Last Wednesday, Hayes announced at an NLRB meeting that he would not quit. ?It is not my nature to be obstructionist,? he said. ?I believe resignation would cause the very same harm and collateral damage to the reputation of this agency.?
The Obama administration has been having problems confirming new members to the NLRB board, an agency which Republicans currently view with suspicion.
One of the two Democratic members of the NLRB, Craig Becker, had his Senate confirmation shot down in early 2010, forcing the Obama administration to recess-appoint him in March 2010.
However, Becker?s appointment will expire when the Senate adjourns for recess near the end of this year, denying the NLRB the minimum three members required for quorum.
As such, there is pressure on the NLRB to move forward with a contentious new labor rule that Republicans and business groups allege would restrict the ability of employers to bring concerns about union elections to the agency. Democrats argue that the rule will eliminate unnecessary delays between when employees file for a vote on whether to start a union and the day those votes are cast.
Last Wednesday?s meeting led to a 2-1 vote, split on party lines, that moved the rule forward to be drafted into final language.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.