President Uses Constitutional Powers to Restore Labor Board; Advance Consumer Protection

Contacts: Wayne Ranick (412) 562-2444, wranick@usw.org
               Gary Hubbard (202) 256-8125, ghubbard@usw.org

The United Steelworkers (USW) commends President Barack Obama for using his Constitutional power to override obstructionist Republicans and appoint four officials to key positions within the administration to protect consumers against financial fraud and to protect workers against illegal corporate practices. 

“Republicans left the President with no choice but to recess appoint these four people, three to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and one to direct the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. “President Obama showed today that he will use every means at his disposal to circumvent Republican opposition to safeguarding workers and consumers.”
 
The president appointed two Democrats, Sharon Block and Richard Griffin, and a Republican, Terence F. Flynn, to serve on the NLRB. Resignations from the board and refusal of Republicans in the Senate to approve nominees would have rendered the NLRB inoperable.  The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it must have a quorum – three members – to render legal decisions ... more