U.S. Senate finally confirms NLRB members

(July 31, 2013) — On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm a full package of nominations to the National Labor Relations Board. The vote happened after Republican senators agreed to end their obstruction of any nomination made by President Obama. Republicans agreed to vote on two new NLRB nominations — Nancy Schiffer and Kent Hirozawa — two lawyers with long track records of advocating for workers.

In response, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka issued the following statement:

America’s working families applaud the Senate for confirming President Obama’s outstanding and highly qualified nominees to the National Labor Relations Board. This is the first time in more than a decade that the NLRB has been fully staffed. That is good news for all workers seeking to exercise the rights they are guaranteed by law. Those essential rights include the ability to bargain together for fair wages and living standards, and a workplace safe from abuse, harassment, and intimidation.

Obstructionism by extremist Republicans delayed the confirmation of a full Board and caused unnecessary anxiety and pain for working families. It is grossly unfair that Republican intransigence prevented two superb and highly qualified NLRB members, Dick Griffin and Sharon Block, from continuing to serve the American people. However, the new NLRB members, Nancy Schiffer and Kent Hirozawa, also bring impeccable qualifications and experience to the Board.

With today’s vote, our country has qualified public servants on duty to defend America’s workers, businesses, and families. We congratulate all of the nominees and look forward to having a functioning NLRB that will fairly and impartially oversee the workplace rights of millions of Americans.

For the latest updates, follow @AFLCIO and @RichardTrumka on Twitter.