Democrats assail National Labor Relations Board

Democrats criticized the Republican-led National Labor Relations Board at a Senate hearing on Thursday.

Democrats on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee said the board made 61 decisions in September that weakened employee rights. They said the decisions favored business and overturned decades of precedent.

In May 2005, the board overturned 30 years of precedent and opened tribal governments to federal labor law. The 3-1 decision was approved by board chairman Robert J. Battista, a Republican, and two Democrats. Another Republican member dissented.

Republicans in the House have tried to overturn the ruling or put it on hold. But Democrats objected to the efforts.

Get the Story:
Labor Board Under Attack (The Washington Post 12/14)
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Critics Say Labor Board Favors Business (The New York Times 12/14)
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Senate Hearing:
The National Labor Relations Board: Recent Decisions and Their Impact on Workers’ Rights (December 13, 2007)

D.C. Circuit Decision:
San Manuel Band v. National Labor Relations Board (February 9, 2007)

San Manuel Band v NLRB:
Briefs, Decisions and Documents (Native American Rights Fund)

National Labor Relations Board Decisions:
San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino | Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation

Relevant Links:
National Labor Relations Board - http://www.nlrb.gov

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