CWA Leads Successful Push for Recess Appointments to NLRB

CWA played a big role in the Obama administration's recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board. As the congressional recess began on March 27, President Obama appointed Mark Pearce and Craig Becker to seats on the five-member board.

CWA activists contacted members of Congress and pressed them to sign a letter to the President urging him to make the recess appointments. In the end, 141 members of Congress signed onto the "Dear Colleague" letter circulated by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) and a separate letter from the Pennsylvania congressional delegation that urged President Obama to act on the stalled nominations.

Senate Republicans used holds and filibusters to block the confirmations and most recently launched a filibuster to block a final Senate vote on Becker's nomination.

CWA President Larry Cohen commended President Obama for naming Becker and Pearce to the Board. "These appointments are critical for workers to get justice in the workplace," he said.

"For far too long, the five-member NLRB has consisted of only two members. This has resulted in a growing caseload of contentious issues left unresolved. Thousands of American workers who seek resolution of their disputes have been put on hold," members of Congress told the President.

Despite criticism, recess appointments have become a common way for presidents to seat nominees in the absence of Senate action, with former President George W. Bush making 171 such appointments, and President Bill Clinton making 139.