A New Board and Why It Matters

For the first time since August 2000, the NLRB has its full five member complement. And for the first time ever, they were nominated and approved as a package deal. The members and their terms of service are as follows:



Robert J. Battista, designated chairman. December 2007, fomer management labor lawyer with considerable experience in NLRA.



Peter C. Schaumber, August 2005, labor arbitrator, active in Presidential campaign for Bush, not a tremendous amount of NLRA work experience.



R. Alex Acosta, August 2003, young lawyer currently at DOJ, member of the Federalist Society.



Wilma R. Liebman, August 2006, the only current Board member before the approval of the package.



Dennis P. Walsh, December 2004, returning to the Board. Formerly served a one year term as a recess appointment of Clinton until December, 2001.



The first three are Republicans, the second two Democrats. The Detroit Free Press, the hometown paper for the new Chairman, has a story about him in their on-line publication.



Although unclear whether it is a trend, union issues may be more of a factor in these tough economic times. On December 6th the NLRB will hold an election for the 70 banquet workers at the Westin La Cantera according to a story in the San Antonio Express News. If it is successful it will be the first unionized hotel in San Antonio.