National Labor Relations Board:
Role, Policy and Political Influence
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was established in 1935 by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). (Carrell & Heavrin, 2013, p. 31). According to Carrell and Heavrin (2013), the NLRA also known as the Wagner Act states that employees have the right to self-organize; to form, join, or assist labor organizations; to bargain collectively through representation of their own choosing; to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining; and to refrain from any or all of the other rights. (p. 360) The National Labor Relations Act was born to protect employees from employers and to establish a balance of bargaining power between the two. Carrell …show more content…
As noted by Harrison (2011) this board interprets the NLRA, adjudicates disputes between employers and employees, and regulates and runs union-representation elections. (p. 2274) The NLRB is made up of five members whom serve a five-year terms. (Carrell & Heavrin 2013, p. 32) As noted by Carrell & Heavrin (2013), these members are appointed by the President of the United States of America under the advisement and with the consent of the United States Senate. (p. 32) There is much controversy surrounding the National Labor Relations Board regarding how it effects United States policy and the level of political influence that exists within it. These issues have been present from the conception of the NLRB and are still debated today. This paper will discuss the controversies surrounding the National Labor Relations Board member’s appointment, by the United States President and Senate, and whether the United States policy is effected due to the political interests and affiliations of the appointed board …show more content…
(Carrell & Heavrin, 2013, p. 68) This voluntary recognition of a union by the employers does not require the action of the NLRB, states Harris. (2011. p. 2274) Furthermore, the political party bias the hangs over the National Labor Relations Board caused it to run with only two members between 2008 and 2010 when Presidents Bush and Obama were not able to get their nominees approved by congress. (Carrell & Heavrin, 2013, p. 32) The NLRB continued to rule with only two members however in 2010 the Supreme Court decided the board could not make any decisions without at least three members thus 600 rulings made by the two member NLRB were invalidated. This caused Obama to appoint new board members during a congressional recess without Senate approval ending the deadlock, however this too was questioned. (Carrell & Heavrin, 2013, p. 32) Later, these appointments were deemed unconstitutional and all National Labor Relation Board decisions made since January, 2012 were overturned in 2014.
Role, Policy and Political Influence
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was established in 1935 by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). (Carrell & Heavrin, 2013, p. 31). According to Carrell and Heavrin (2013), the NLRA also known as the Wagner Act states that employees have the right to self-organize; to form, join, or assist labor organizations; to bargain collectively through representation of their own choosing; to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining; and to refrain from any or all of the other rights. (p. 360) The National Labor Relations Act was born to protect employees from employers and to establish a balance of bargaining power between the two. Carrell …show more content…
As noted by Harrison (2011) this board interprets the NLRA, adjudicates disputes between employers and employees, and regulates and runs union-representation elections. (p. 2274) The NLRB is made up of five members whom serve a five-year terms. (Carrell & Heavrin 2013, p. 32) As noted by Carrell & Heavrin (2013), these members are appointed by the President of the United States of America under the advisement and with the consent of the United States Senate. (p. 32) There is much controversy surrounding the National Labor Relations Board regarding how it effects United States policy and the level of political influence that exists within it. These issues have been present from the conception of the NLRB and are still debated today. This paper will discuss the controversies surrounding the National Labor Relations Board member’s appointment, by the United States President and Senate, and whether the United States policy is effected due to the political interests and affiliations of the appointed board …show more content…
(Carrell & Heavrin, 2013, p. 68) This voluntary recognition of a union by the employers does not require the action of the NLRB, states Harris. (2011. p. 2274) Furthermore, the political party bias the hangs over the National Labor Relations Board caused it to run with only two members between 2008 and 2010 when Presidents Bush and Obama were not able to get their nominees approved by congress. (Carrell & Heavrin, 2013, p. 32) The NLRB continued to rule with only two members however in 2010 the Supreme Court decided the board could not make any decisions without at least three members thus 600 rulings made by the two member NLRB were invalidated. This caused Obama to appoint new board members during a congressional recess without Senate approval ending the deadlock, however this too was questioned. (Carrell & Heavrin, 2013, p. 32) Later, these appointments were deemed unconstitutional and all National Labor Relation Board decisions made since January, 2012 were overturned in 2014.