NYT letter to the editor from NLRB member Wilma Liebman

[Earth Bound Misfit]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/05/opinion/l05labor.html?_r=2

To the Editor:

Labor policy is indeed a long-neglected arena, ripe for the intervention of President-elect Barack Obama. What the editorial doesn’t mention is the opportunity to revitalize the National Labor Relations Board, which administers the main federal labor law.

During the Bush administration, nearly every policy choice made by a sharply divided board impeded collective bargaining, created obstacles to union representation or favored employer interests. Not surprisingly, the board has lost legitimacy.

There has been a steep decline in the number of cases brought to the agency. And for more than a year, the board itself has been in limbo, with three of its five seats vacant, as controversial decisions translated into Senate gridlock on nominations.

President-elect Obama will have the chance to make new appointments to the board. With them comes the chance to start moving labor law in a better direction.

Wilma B. Liebman
Washington, Dec. 29, 2008

The writer is one of two remaining members of the National Labor Relations Board.

Has anyone seen anything relating to possible NLRB appointees?