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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Politics Republicans Threaten to Defund National Labor Relations Board Over Boeing Ruling

Posted by Goldy on Thu, May 5, 2011 at 2:40 PM

That Boeing's decision to move the second 787 assembly line to South Carolina was at least in part a retaliation against the Machinist union for past strikes, and threat to move more jobs should the union strike again, is not at issue. Various Boeing officials have repeatedly made public comments to this effect. The question before the National Labor Relations Board was whether this retaliation was illegal, and the answer was and emphatic "Yes."

So now Republicans, always eager to coddle corporations and fuck over workers, are threatening to retaliate against the NLRB, by defunding the board's ability to move forward with the complaint.

This week Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) actually put forward legislation to defund the complaint filed against Boeing. How exactly Congress could defund one complaint of the National Labor Relations Board is unclear. But it is clear that the NLRB has always been a fully independent quasi-judicial body; threatening to defund the NLRB over holding a hearing on one case is like Republicans in Congress threatening to defund one Supreme Court hearing. It is a threat meant to intimidate the NLRB, whose budget has been under attack in the past...

Understand: Republicans are threatening to defund the NLRB in retaliation for its efforts to enforce the law. Apparently, there is no limit to what Republicans will do on behalf of their corporate masters.

Comments (8) RSS

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I don't see how it "hurts the workers" to force them to live in an overpriced heckhole like Seattle at workman's wages when they can buy beautiful 4 bedroom homes in temperate sunny weather at rock bottom prices in South Carolina.

This ruling has nothing to do with Labor and everything to do with trying to jack up flagging prices for PNW real estate.

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on May 5, 2011 at 3:00 PM

Trolling aside, isn't this sort of legislation rather illegal? I admit I don't know much about what is legal and illegal for congress to do (not exactly a lawyer), but then again, neither do they.

Posted by Judas on May 5, 2011 at 3:05 PM

Still pulling shit out of your ass I see @1. At this rate your colon must be as clean as a chlorine storage tank.

A somewhat better comparison would be the fact that, while the GOP is falling all over themselves to suck up to one of their corporate masters, Boeing (as noted by Davvid Schmader just just this morning is under investigation for bilking the tax payers to the tune of some $6.5 mm in overcharges for parts sold to the U.S. Army.

Because, you know, the two: price gouging the government and retaliating against union workers; is just indicative of the fact that Boeing, like most major corporations, will do ANYTHING to "maximize shareholder value", even if it's patently illegal.

Posted by COMTE

on May 5, 2011 at 3:13 PM

@2:

Well, it's pointless political posturing if nothing else, since the legislation (hopefully) won't get through the Senate.

Posted by COMTE

on May 5, 2011 at 3:14 PM

Good lord, the more pertinent fact is that it's Lindsey Graham, no? You know, the senator from the state that got ruled against? He's just making a gesture for his constituents. He's gesturing broadly, sure, but we all do that now and then. HuffPo took note of the stink he's making over a local earmark, too. This is about him placating constituents - nothing will come of it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/14…

Posted by gloomy gus on May 5, 2011 at 3:18 PM

I think Graham did it as payback for SLOG outing him.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on May 5, 2011 at 3:51 PM

I would fucking LOVE to see something like that go through. My God, they'd be hanging Republicans from light poles.

Posted by Judah

on May 5, 2011 at 8:51 PM

Hey man, what ever it takes to push pro-labor and union republicans back into the warm embrace of the slightly left of center. The republicans are going to be hoist with their own petard come 2012.

Posted by Rotten666 on May 6, 2011 at 11:15 AM