Obama's Renegade NLRB Is Disrupting the Recovery

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Let me clarify the issue, the biggest problem for President Obama to overcome is that the fact that he can’t determine what the economy will look like probably is what will cause us or him the most uncertainty. Specifically I note the price of gasoline could affect the outcome. At the end of the day if someone is driving to polls to vote and has to stop and get gas first, I’m concerned about what they decide.

Minorkle of RI 4:18PM May 01, 2012

@ TOS. First, I was responding to Roff's piece which doesn't even mention Boeing, so your one-worder is not on the point of his article.

But even the Boeing situation did not render the NLRB "renegade," nor did it affect the economic recovery. The NLRB's General Counsel (chief prosecutor) authorized a complaint against Boeing. I would say that complaint was based on standard grounds; others disagree. Either way, it made no difference. The complaint resulted in a settlement between Boeing and the IAM. Plus, the five member NLRB itself, never even saw the matter. So how could it have been renegade?

And the effect of the Boeing complaint and subsequent settlement on the economy? No one has ever shown any that I know about. If you are aware of any such study, you should point to it.

So your one-word answer of "Boeing" does not support Roff. Of course, Roff doesn't contend that it did.

Jim Kennedy of CA 3:18PM April 21, 2012

While i strongly support worker's right to organize,it should be done done by secret ballot.

As for Mr. Roff's claim about"disrupting the recovery" questionable at best.

As for the republicans and unions, cann;t remember the republican party ever being big supporters of wanting to improve wages,and working conditions for the average worker.

If anything the republicans have worked in nefarious ways to suppress workers from getting a fair shake.

bruce b of NV 12:16PM April 21, 2012

@ JimKennedy Spot on, Rolf makes no direct correlation between the recovery faltering and the NLRB's actions. I believe that if we read between the lines, essentially what is holding up the economy is that companies who could face newly unionized employees are refusing to expand and or hire. Just as the Affordable Care Act is being used as an excuse in the same way. Money that would be and could be spent in expansion and hiring is being invested. They still realize profits from it, at the expense of the workers. They simply shift their capital into investments in which labor is weak. When will we ever realize that labor is the equal of capital?

SteveMc of MA 10:54AM April 21, 2012

@JimKennedy

Boeing

tos of VA 10:29AM April 21, 2012

Disrupting the economy? What a laugh! Mr. Roff, there is no evidence in your piece to support your opinion. The election rule, such as it is, isn't even in place--so there is no objective evidence it has had any effect on the economy. Once it is in place, how can the election process, by itself, have any effect on the economy?

All that might happen, assuming some unions win these representation elections, is that the affected employers would have to bargain collectively with their employees' union. The outcome of those negotiations is first, speculative at best. But second, if the employees improve their wages through the bargaining process, it does not follow that the economy is negatively affected. Moreover, the NLRB does not tell anyone what sort of provisions should be in a CBA--that's up to the parties themselves. So how can the NLRB be disrupting the economy or be regard fairly as "renegade?"

You're aiming your gun in the wrong direction.

I'd suggest you go back and wait for facts before you try to foist this nonsense off on people who know how to think critically.

Jim Kennedy of CA 3:56AM April 21, 2012

Glad you mentioned. Liberals unlikely to flock to write. Will fly SOUTH most likely ON THIS ARTICLE...

Bill Hedges of MO 5:10PM April 20, 2012

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Peter Roff

Peter Roff

Peter Roff is a contributing editor at U.S. News & World Report. Formerly a senior political writer for United Press International, he’s now affiliated with several public policy organizations including Let Freedom Ring, and Frontiers of Freedom. His writing has appeared in National Review, Fox News’ opinion section, The Daily Caller, Politico and elsewhere. Follow him on Twitter @PeterRoff.

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