Obama NLRB Appointees Could Run Into Congressional Buzzsaw

Regardless of your feelings toward Washington, D.C., presidential appointments to the National Labor Relations Board are important. The NLRB enforces the country’s labor laws, which impact nonunionized and unionized workplaces alike.

Remember that a union doesn’t have to be in the picture in order for employees’ activities to be considered “concerted” and thus within the NLRB’s jurisdiction.

This weekend, President Obama announced the nominations of Sharon Block and Richard Griffin to two vacant Democratic spots on the 5-member board.

Senate Republicans have already implored the president not to make these appointments through his recess powers.

And since Congress is scheduled to go on recess soon, Obama may well do that if he believes his nominees won’t get an up-or-down confirmation vote.

So stay tuned…