AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka writes at HuffPo:
The NLRB's job is to protect workers' rights -- but for more than two years it has been functioning with only two members instead of the five it should have. Working people need an NLRB that can enforce the National Labor Relations Act -- not one hobbled by vacancies.
President Obama's nominees -- Craig Becker and Mark Pearce -- are highly qualified, well-respected labor lawyers who were nominated seven months ago, in July.
But Senate Republicans have ignored the working people they represent and blocked the appointments.
Yesterday, in a deal with the Republican minority, the Senate confirmed 27 non-controversial Obama appointees. The White House apparently has agreed not to make Presidents Day recess appointments -- a process that allows the president to temporarily appoint his own nominee while Congress is out of session. That means NLRB nominees -- and working people -- are out in the cold.
A big win for the Republicans. A big win for corporations that want to file down the teeth of the NLRB. A big loss for working people.
We're used to the Republicans playing the role of Lucy and yanking the football away each time Charlie Brown tries to kick it. We've seen it on health care, jobs legislation, you name it.
President Obama has to end this farce....
Give recess appointments to Craig Becker and Mark Pearce during the Presidents Day recess so the NLRB can do its job.
Via Aravosis, the organization is backing up that call to action from Trumka with a real call to action, mobilizing their activist network.
Enough is enough. Call the White House switchboard today and demand that President Obama fight Republican obstructionism and use his executive power to appoint Craig Becker and Mark Pearce to the NLRB during the Presidents Day recess.
Call the White House Switchboard NOW: 202-456-1111 OR 202-456-1414.
This would be a win-win for Obama. He could energize the base and show Republicans that the White House is serious about breaking through their obstruction with action. As a bonus, he could also finally have his administration fully staffed.