Key Labor Nominations Proceed Without a Hearing

October 29, 2009

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
On October 21 the powerful Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee met to clear a slate of labor nominations to go to the full Senate. Earlier that week, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) sent a letter to the Committee opposing the confirmation of Craig Becker to the NLRB. The NAM’s letter, available here, clearly states the reasons for opposition: Becker, a former associate counsel for the Service Employees International Union, has expressed support for policies that would rob employers of the ability to manage their own businesses. His writings suggest a desire to misuse the NLRB’s authority to implement such fundamental policy changes as elements of the Employee Free Choice Act. The NAM also joined 22 other trade associations in the signing of a joint letter in opposition to Becker’s confirmation.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
George Washington University Professor David Michaels was to be considered at the same executive session of the HELP Committee. However, due to technical issues surrounding paperwork on his nomination, the consideration of his nomination has been postponed. The NAM strongly feels that OSHA nominees’ views should be vetted in a public confirmation hearing. In a letter to leaders of the Senate HELP Committee, the NAM voiced concerns with Dr. Michaels. The NAM is urging Senators to hold a hearing before voting on his nomination. Dr. Michaels has advocated an approach to developing workplace rules that would allow unproven and insufficient scientific evidence to be used and has criticized efforts to ensure that regulations are based on the best available science and data. Particularly since the Administration has expressed a willingness to revive the ergonomics issue, it is important to review Dr. Michaels' approach to the certainty of scientific principles used to develop regulations. Click here to view the NAM's letter.