Activity by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Department of Labor (DOL) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as several of the largest labor unions, over the past two weeks evidences the Obama Administration’s growing anxiety as the mid-term election approaches. The Administration, facing loss of the Senate and ultimate control in both houses, continues to direct its agencies to pass union-friendly regulations and to impose its interpretation of current law to favor accelerated forced unionism. The Administration and Democratic Party represent a typical symbiotic relationship where they are co-dependent upon each other for future survival. The Administration needs union contributions and union foot soldiers to have any chance of maintaining a senate majority and making gains in the house during the 2014 mid-term elections (see Union Money in Elections). Conversely, Big Labor is finally recognizing and admitting that their declining membership is a major problem and they need the Administration’s help (see AFL-CIO admits declining membership a major problem).
In order to get the ball rolling, several pro-labor steps have been taken by OSHA, the NLRB and the Department of Labor (DOL). First, OSHA has reaffirmed its position that union officials may accompany OSHA inspectors on safety inspections in non-union facilities. This issue was reported in a previous blog, OSHA Opens New Door For Big Labor, and was more recently presented by the CEO of PJS on the Greta Van Susteren Show this past week, in CEO: How union organizers are targeting my non-union company. The union involved – the SEIU – used such tactics as part of its ongoing Corporate Campaigns to force a cleaning company in Houston to sign a Neutrality Agreement and achieve forced unionization through Card Check, as described in SEIU Uses Federal Inspections to Target Houston Small Business. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the SEIU is buying votes in polls and gaining naive media attention, from media groups like the Los Angeles Times, to support its attack on fast food companies as chronicled in Beware SEIU, Especially Bearing “Polls”.
Not to be outdone, the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board is looking to limit the ability of business owners to relocate their businesses without approval of the union (see NLRB will limit ability of unionized business to relocate). This move is an obvious attempt to preserve union membership heading into the midterms while taking away the fundamental right of a free market society. On a bright note, House, Senate Leaders Introduce Legislative Response to NLRB Ambush Election Rule, which was approved by the House Education and Workforce Committee this past week
In a surprising move, the NLRB complains Walmart Black Friday protesters broke rules, went too far and must Cease and Desist! This decision was made by a local NLRB Region and is not expected to survive the pro-labor board in Washington D.C. Finally, the DOL, under the Administration’s direction, limited the reporting responsibilities of unions during the President’s first …read more