Big Labor Applauds Griffin’s NLRB Confirmation

It’s no wonder Big Labor is rejoicing at Richard Griffin’s confirmation as the National Labor Relations Board general counsel. Sean Higgins has the story in the Washington Examiner.

The Senate voted 62-37 to end a filibuster against Griffin’s nomination and 55-44 to confirm him. The NLRB oversees labor-management conflicts in the private sector.

“With today’s confirmation of Richard Griffin to serve as General Counsel, the NLRB is now running on all cylinders to meet its duty to fairly and impartially oversee the workplace rights of millions of Americans,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said.

“Richard Griffin is superbly qualified for this important post. He has deep knowledge of labor law and decades of practical experience. He will serve the NLRB with distinction,” Trumka said.

Griffin, a former top lawyer with the International Union of Operating Engineers, was a controversial pick. Just last week, a complaint by IUOE members alleging corruption by the union’s leaders claimed Griffin gave knowingly false testimony in court.

President Obama installed him as a NLRB board member in January 2012 by recess appointment that federal courts later determined was unconstitutional since the Senate was not officially in recess at the time. The case is set to go before the Supreme Court later this year.