Michelle Malkin » Radical SEIU lawyer’s NLRB nomination clears Senate committee

Radical SEIU lawyer’s NLRB nomination clears Senate committee

By Michelle Malkin • October 21, 2009 02:21 PM

President Obama has nominated the SEIU Purple Shirts’ associate general counsel, Craig Becker, to a slot on the National Labor Relations Board. Today, the Senate HELP Committee cleared him through on a 15-8 vote without a hearing. GOP Senators Mike Enzi ~~(for whom Becker served as a labor counsel)~~ [correction: the GOP NLRB nominee Brian Hayes worked for Enzi] and Lisa Murkowski voted with the Democrats. Shopfloor has more.

Becker, as the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation points out, “has radical views on the extent of union coercive power, and he comes directly out of the all-powerful Service Employees International Union (SEIU) whose bosses have been as thick as thieves with the notoriously corrupt Big Labor front group ACORN.” The WSJ called Becker “Andy Stern’s go-to guy:”

In a 1993 Minnesota Law Review article, written when he was a UCLA professor, he explained that traditional notions of democracy should not apply in union elections. He wrote that employers should be barred from attending NLRB hearings about elections, and from challenging election results even amid evidence of union misconduct. He believes elections should be removed from work sites and held on “neutral grounds,” or via mail ballots. Employers should also be barred from “placing observers at the polls to challenge ballots.”

More extraordinary, Mr. Becker advocated a new “body of campaign rules” that would severely limit the ability of employers to argue against unionization. He argued that any meeting a company holds that involves a “captive audience” ought to be grounds for overturning an election. If a company wants to distribute leaflets that oppose the union, for example, Mr. Becker said it must allow union access to its private property to do the same.

Mr. Becker isn’t clear about which of these rules can be implemented by NLRB fiat, and which would require an act of Congress, but his mindset is clear enough. He’s willing to push NLRB discretion as far as possible to tilt today’s labor rules in favor of easier unionization.

Union leaders argue that they need these rule changes because they are at a disadvantage during elections. But a new report from the Bureau of National Affairs shows unions winning 67% of private ballot representation elections conducted by the NLRB in 2008, the highest rate since BNA began analyzing data in 1984. Meanwhile, 95% of all elections are conducted within 56 days of a union petition filing, with a median of 38 days. This suggests that the real union problem is that most workers don’t want a union election in the first place. Employees are well aware of what has happened to the steel, auto and other heavily unionized industries.

Becker is also tied in to the SEIU home invasion power grab schemes that I’ve been reporting on over the last month (background here and here):

One of the many accusations leveled against former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is that he accepted money from the SEIU in return for taking actions giving collective bargaining rights to Illinois home health-care workers. While Mr. Becker denies any knowledge of, or role in, contributions to the former Governor, he does admit that he provided “advice and counsel to SEIU relating to proposed executive orders and proposed legislation giving homecare workers a right to organize and engage in collective bargaining under state law.”

Mr. Becker says he “worked with and provided advice” to SEIU Local 880 in Chicago, a beneficiary of the newly unionized health workers, and one of two SEIU locals currently in the national spotlight for its deep ties with Acorn. Mr. Becker denies working for Acorn or its affiliates, but as recently as April Acorn co-founder Wade Rathke praised Mr. Becker by name, noting “For my money, Craig’s signal contribution has been his work in crafting and executing the legal strategies and protections which have allowed the effective organization of informal workers, and by this I mean home health-care workers.”

Home health providers in Illinois beat back these schemes at the state level. Will more Republicans like Enzi and Murkowski join in siding with the Big Labor forces that are bent on using any means necessary to boost their membership rolls and keep a Democrat majority in perpetuity?

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Posted in: ACORN Watch,SEIU

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Comments

#1

On October 21st, 2009 at 2:28 pm, letget said:

One inch at a time, one inch at a time! This whole bho, team, and dc bunch are he!! bent on cratering my Republic. I fear there are not enough in dc to stop this and don’t care it seems. God, please have mercy on my country.
L
#2

On October 21st, 2009 at 2:38 pm, Regulus said:

I think that this is what the donks refer to when they say, “Elections have consequences.”

The only way to rid the government of the increasing number of increasingly brazen proto-totalitarians that Hope-a-Dope and his rubber-stamp Congress are installing is to re-introduce them to that same axiom above.
#3

On October 21st, 2009 at 2:38 pm, RedDog said:

Is there not one principled Republican who can make an impassioned speech against these euro-style socialist apparatchik appointments?

Can we hire the Chinese man who faced down the tanks at Tienanmen Square?
#4

On October 21st, 2009 at 2:42 pm, beenthere said:

Will more Republicans like Enzi and Murkowski join in siding with the Big Labor forces that are bent on using any means necessary to boost their membership rolls and keep a Democrat majority in perpetuity?

We now know the answer is “Yes.” As Steyn has stated, we no longer have two parties. We have a Dem and Demmer party.
#5

On October 21st, 2009 at 2:53 pm, Dimsdale said:

Liberal socialist incrementalism has been thrown out the window!

Damn the people, full socialization ahead!

Is it 2010 yet?
#6

On October 21st, 2009 at 3:02 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

None of this stuff is going to stop until conservatives win back the Congress and then the Whitehouse.

First up on the agenda in 2010 and then 2012 will be rolling stuff back, stopping stuff, killing bills, etc.

Just know this kind of stuff like this appt are going to keep happening. You can get your shorts all knotted up each time if you want. OR we can all get busy and make the next election a clear statement of condemnation of current policies AND affirmation/confirmation of a nation that is generally conservative.
#7

On October 21st, 2009 at 3:08 pm, right_on said:

Republicans like Enzi and Murkowski

Any good they have done in the past, is overcome by the all the harm they are enabling by siding with Democrats. If their want to get along with the destroyers of freedom and independence so bad, in the name of bipartisanship, perhaps they should change parties?

Battle lines are being drawn, and we must IFF. How many times must the GOP get burned, or get the short end of the rope, before they realize the reality of partisan politics? Democrats ONLY seek compromise, and/or reach across the aisle when they need a scapegoat or fall guy. Modern Democratic Socialists cannot, and must not be trusted!

Take a stand incumbents…you are either for us, the American people who support the Constitution and liberty, or you are against us! If you are against us, and with them, then you are OUT come election day. And don’t use the tired excuse that you are standing on principle. If you believe that, then your principles truly do differ from OURS .

Preservation of American values and freedoms will ensure your preservation in elected office. Fail in the task for which you were elected, and we will be done with you, and find another who will actually put America first.
#8

On October 21st, 2009 at 3:13 pm, Hangfire said:

“I read the news today, oh boy….“
#9

On October 21st, 2009 at 3:19 pm, Hangfire said:

“Four thousand a–holes at the Capitol…..“
#10

On October 21st, 2009 at 3:24 pm, stillontheroad said:

I was able to read all of this today – this hits home:
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted — by present facts — of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can’t think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.
If the tax code is unfair, it’s because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it’s because they want it in the red.
If the Army &Marines are in IRAQ , It’s because they want them in IRAQ
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it’s because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like “the economy,” “inflation,” or “politics” that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people and they alone, are responsible.
They and they alone, have the power.
They and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.
Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
#11

On October 21st, 2009 at 3:37 pm, Southpaw said:

A little history lesson forSenators Mike Enzi and Lisa Murkowski:

In January, after significant reverses in combat, War Commissar Leon Trotsky headed the reorganization of the Red Guard into a Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army, in order to create a more professional fighting force. Political commissars were appointed to each unit of the army to maintain morale and ensure loyalty. In June 1918, when it became apparent that a revolutionary army composed solely of workers would be far too small, Trotsky instituted mandatory conscription of the rural peasantry into the Red Army.
#12

On October 21st, 2009 at 4:02 pm, zyzzyg said:

The provided link added that Sen McCain will place a hold on Becker on the floor of the Senate.

The real problem here is not holding a hearing. Well, maybe. Was the committee supplied with written information to consider before voting on the nominee? Yeah, I suppose, but I prefer some face to face questioning. Something going on the record in that nominees voice and words, would be a good thing.
#13

On October 21st, 2009 at 4:23 pm, prendad said:

Another push on the back of our Nation towards the cliff. PUSH PUSH PUSH and slowly but surely Obama and his water carriers will get America over that cliff.
#14

On October 21st, 2009 at 5:16 pm, walterc said:

Another reason for term limits. Sen Enzi started out as a conservative accountant that would work for conservative principles.

But now that he’s in his third term, he’s been infected with insidethebeltwayitis.

The entire D.C. culture breeds and develops corruption.

They can’t help it. They go in as Mr Smith goes to Washingtons and come out as everyday run of the mill corruptocrats.
#15

On October 21st, 2009 at 6:06 pm, happy2behere said:

Another reason our small family business keeps the number of our employees below the unionization threshold and we employ each of our kids.
#16

On October 21st, 2009 at 6:17 pm, zorro said:

I’ve seen what big unions can do to a community. Take a drive around western PA up to eastern OH (Pittsburgh to Youngstown), you can see for yourself the economic disaster militant unions have caused.

To put it bluntly, I hate unions.
#17

On October 21st, 2009 at 6:26 pm, fred5676 said:

Even a broken clock is right twice a day:

Arizona Sen. John McCain is vowing to put a hold on the confirmation of union lawyer Craig Becker to become a member of the National Labor Relations Board.

McCain claims Becker might try to make labor laws more union friendly without congressional approval. McCain made his comments before a Senate panel voted 15-8 in favor of Becker’s nomination.

Under Senate rules, a single lawmaker can block a full vote on the Senate floor.
#18

On October 21st, 2009 at 6:46 pm, xler8bmw said:

“Have Fun Storming The Castle”
#19

On October 21st, 2009 at 9:46 pm, tiredofit08 said:

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” –
— Thomas Jefferson
#20

On October 22nd, 2009 at 10:15 am, cheapseat said:

zorro; look at our auto industry. and these uaw morons are still paying dues and still voting one party. you can lead a horse’s ass to water, but you can’t make them tapdance. the union movement grew out of the communist movement, but even though communism has proven not to work every where it has been tried, these masters of the universe are going to make the impossible possible. since our 535 smartest people on earth can’t even run cash for clunker, do you really think they can run your life? the incompetent, the lazy, and the stupid NEED handlers to run their lives.
#21

On October 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 am, lilbean said:

here in nc, there are many who are actually looking forward to the “union” infiltration. lord knows these good ole boys love union fellas.
#22

On October 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

He believes elections should be removed from work sites and held on “neutral grounds,” or via mail ballots. Employers should also be barred from “placing observers at the polls to challenge ballots.”

Becker: “Oh, and I want card check too!”
#23

On October 22nd, 2009 at 10:32 am, graysonret said:

I wonder how long it will be before the purple shirts will be marching down streets, at will and unchallenged, to intimate citizens and workers (shades of Germany)? Or, if a key democrat loses an election, it will be overturned due to “voter fraud” or “faulty machines”?
#24

On October 22nd, 2009 at 11:20 am, cpr said:

The message will be: “Do like our Great Leader! Talk much, say nothing. Break promises to friends, seek approval of people who want to kill you. Do not, under any circumstances, make a decision.”
#25

On October 22nd, 2009 at 11:27 am, RedDog said:

Getting… real… sick… of… this… crap.

“You say you want a re-vo-lu-tion? ahh ahh ahh..” John Lennon would love this crap.
#26

On October 22nd, 2009 at 11:41 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

GOP Senators Mike Enzi (for whom Becker served as a labor counsel) and Lisa Murkowski voted with the Democrats.

Every day and in every way these RINOs, Leftist and cowards remind us why we should NOT contribute to the National Committees-Republican National Committee, National Republican Senatorial Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee and such. They waste our money and waste our country for their own ends.
#27

On October 22nd, 2009 at 12:27 pm, SpeakEasy said:

jsmiddleton is right. We have from RIGHT NOW to the elections in 2010 to get the CHANGE we REALLY want. Get involved people! The movement back to TRUE AMERICAN VALUES should make the tea parties look like, well, tea parties. The more they complain, the more pressure we put on them. They have given us plenty of platforms to oppose so what are we waiting for? – I’m talking to you GOP!
#28

On October 22nd, 2009 at 12:33 pm, SpeakEasy said:

And once we are back in power, we need to make some permanent fixes:

Outlaw union tactics of interferring with businesses that are not unionized. You can stand outside and protest but you can not interfere with those getting to or leaving work. If a business OWNER chooses to ban unions, you have the right not to work there but not the right to force the OWNER to bend to your will.

Let’s start there. (I have a larger wish list….)
#29

On October 22nd, 2009 at 1:12 pm, jeanie said:

This administration has got to go and not a moment too soon. They are a disgrace to our national values.
#30

On October 22nd, 2009 at 1:40 pm, stillontheroad said:

Who is we though? Conservatives backing conservative principles? Then we need to find people, be they Demo or Repub, that hold those values and when they appear to be back sliding hold their feet to the fire. It is the only way to clean up this Cess pool of Washington.
Until we can find real conservative representatives I fear we, as a country, will continue to slide down to Banana Republic status.