Possible Recess Appointment for AGC-Opposed Nominee to the National Labor Relations Board

The Senate was unable to pass the nomination of Craig Becker to become a member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in February.   However, there is a strong possibility that the president could appoint Becker to the NLRB with a recess appointment during the Senate's Easter break. In remarks to the AFL-CIO winter meeting, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis hinted that the president would take this approach.  If this occurred, Becker would serve until the end of this year.  Becker is the Associate General Counsel of the SEIU and the AFL-CIO and has been a prolific writer on the National Labor Relations Act, the law he will be responsible for interpreting and enforcing.   These writings have indicated his extreme views on labor law such as wanting to eliminate the role of employers in union elections and vastly limiting the role of employers in communicating with their employees.  In addition, he is a strong advocate of the so-called Employee Free Choice Act and is certain to push the NRLB to effect changes to employee rights like those attempting by the bill. AGC opposes the nomination of Becker to the NLRB because of his controversial positions on labor law.  AGC members can contact Congress by using the AGC Legislative Action Center.