The following statement is from Bernie Lunzer, president of The Newspaper Guild-CWA regarding Friday's federal Appeals Court decision striking down President Barack Obama's recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board.
The D.C. Circuit's outrageous and suspiciously timed decision is a devastating blow to America's workers, who effectively have no recourse now against law-breaking employers. Too many years ago, America was proud of its workers and the industries, infrastructure and services they built and provided. Today, America's workers are more productive than ever, and less valued. Employers treat labor laws as mere suggestions, and lawmakers and courts let them get away with it. They don't give a damn about the "labor" side of labor laws.
If we sound fed up, we are. And not only with Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had the rare opportunity this week to push through reform of the filibuster, to prevent the stalling and game-playing that are eroding our democracy by allowing legislation and nominations to die without senators ever taking a vote. It is highly suspect that the DC Circuit released this decision the day after Reid announced that there would be no real change. Would his decision have been different if he'd known first that the DC Circuit's ruling would leave the National Labor Relations Board without a quorum? Because of Reid's inaction, the board likely won't hear cases until and unless there are fundamental changes in the makeup of Congress in the 2014 midterm elections. Until then, there will be no justice for illegally fired workers and no consequences for their scofflaw employers.
While we hold out hope that the Supreme Court will do the right thing and overturn the Appeals Court ruling, that is also a long and uphill battle. America's workers deserve far better.