Union Lawyer To Take Over At NLRB

Recently President Clinton nominated Leonard R. Page to serve as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). This news has stunned many in the Labor Relations business as a major change in precedence for governance of the NLRB.

Mr. Page is currently Associate General Counsel of the United Auto Workers, and has served with the Legal Department of UAW since 1970. It is believed by some observers that Clinton will make a recess appointment and have Page in the job without a Senate confirmation.

This sets the stage for the next four years of labor relations, and could prove problematic for employers - if Page lives up to his billing.

Traditionally the NLRB is set up to be a non-partisan, neutral ground for disputes between labor and employers - to provide a fair hearing of differing points of view. It seems improbable that a person who has been an attorney and active advocate for the UAW for 18 years is the most unbiased and qualified person for the job.

Perhaps President Clinton is demonstrating renewed vigor in his "work of the American people" by positioning such a pro-labor nominee to dictate the direction of the NLRB for the next four years.

Here is what the NLRB says about the position of General Counsel:

"The General Counsel, appointed by the President to a 4-year term with Senate consent, is independent from the Board and is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of unfair labor practice cases and for the general supervision of the NLRB field offices in the processing of cases. The current General Counsel is Fred Feinstein (Acting). Each Regional Office is headed by a Regional Director who is responsible for making the initial determination in cases arising within the geographical area served by the region."

Official Press Release- from the White House

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