The Hill News

Since 1935, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has administered the federal labor relations law protecting the rights of private sector workers to form unions. The board also promotes the interests of employers by establishing a regulatory environment that rewards cooperative behaviors in the workplace. With his recess appointments to the board, President Obama safeguarded workers and employers alike from the legal limbo that would have resulted had the board being forced to shut down.

In the New Process Steel case, the Supreme Court said that the board needs three members to make decisions, and decisions issued with only two members have no legal effect. The board formerly consisted of three members, but one of those members, Craig Becker, held a recess appointment that expired at the end of 2011. As a result, President Obama’s appointments were necessary to prevent the collapse of board processes and protect employees’ rights on the job. Employer! s should support these appointments because uncertainty and delay do not benefit anyone â€" business or workers.

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