IUOE’s Griffin to join NLRB
Obama appoints IUOE General Counsel Richard Griffin to National Labor Relations Board
The White House has said that the General Counsel of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Richard Griffin, formerly counsel to the NLRB Board members ,is one of three new “recess appointments” to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) made by President Obama. The opposition party is protesting vehemently, claiming the Senate has not officially recessed but most members are merely away from D.C. and home for the holidays.
Joining Griffin with new appointments to the Board are Sharon Block, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs at the federal Department of Labor, and Terence F. Flynn, Chief Counsel to NLRB member Brian Hayes.
IUOE President James T. Callahan says Griffin is, 
“highly respected by lawyers on both the labor and business side of labor law,” and has substantial experience in employment law; as a former trustee of the IUOE’s central pension fund, Richard Griffin has extensive experience safeguarding the interests of employers and employees alike.
Sharon Block has served as the Senior Labor & Employment Counsel for the Senate HELP Committee.
Flynn was counsel in the labor and employment law firm Crowell & Moring.
Various Republican Senators have hamstrung the NLRB and other government agencies by refusing to act on Presidential appointees, for purely partisan, political reasons.
“His fair-minded approach to legal questions is exactly what the NLRB needs…
Richard Griffin and… Sharon Block are distinguished attorneys who will bring an even-handed approach to labor and management issues.”
President, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
President Obama explained his need to act, saying, “The American people deserve to have qualified public servants fighting for them every day – whether it is to enforce new consumer protections or uphold the rights of working Americans. We can’t wait to act to strengthen the economy and restore security for our middle class and those trying to get in it.“
“Some Republican members of the Senate have made a determined effort to cripple the NLRB and other government agencies by refusing to act…
Their position is comparable to ejecting the referee if you don’t like the score of the game. That’s just plain wrong.”
President, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
Jason George, IUOE Local 49 Legislative & Political Organizer:
“We need a return to responsible, common sense based leadership. Every politician in America says we need to improve our infrastructure…
Yet… they let extreme ideological groups influence them not to act. Both political parties are guilty, and we need to hold any and all elected officials accountable when we see this kind of inaction. Local 49 is committed to doing just that.”
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Posted on January 5, 2012, in NLRB, union and tagged Callahan, Griffin, IUOE, NLRB, Obama. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
Here at Local 49 we are delighted to see the President acting to overcome Congressional obstructionism, which has plagued countless qualified nominees who are ready, willing, and able to help lead federal government agencies to function more efficiently and effectively for the people.