Westbank Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has called for accountability from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over allegations of abusing its authority to influence union elections in favor of labor organizers.

“These reports and allegations of repeated impropriety within NLRB elections are deeply concerning. The NLRB is statutorily charged with enforcing the National Labor Relations Act without favor to unions, employers, or workers,” wrote Dr. Cassidy. “This Board, however, is uninterested in neutrality; instead, it has spent three years issuing decisions and conducting elections in a way that ensures big labor unions get a leg up in the process.”

Dr. Cassidy emphasized that this trend of "politicized mismanagement and lopsided enforcement" necessitates prompt attention to ensure unbiased enforcement for all parties involved—workers, unions, and employers.

In early 2023, a whistleblower provided information alleging improper coordination between NLRB regional officials in St. Louis and Starbucks Workers United (SWU) to tip union elections in SWU's favor. An investigation by the NLRB Office of Inspector General (OIG) found evidence of "gross mismanagement" by officials attempting to promote a union election victory at a Starbucks location. Similar allegations have been reported at the NLRB’s Buffalo office.

On June 6th, another OIG report highlighted significant issues with the NLRB’s mail ballot election system, including failure to ensure all employees received ballots in union elections. Specifically, 49 percent of audited elections had instances where at least one voter did not receive a ballot.

Cassidy and the OIG have repeatedly urged NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo to reform election procedures to ensure neutrality and protect workers' rights as mandated by federal law. To date, no efforts have been announced by Abruzzo regarding such reforms.

The full letter sent by Dr. Cassidy addresses Chair McFerran directly:

"Over the past three years," wrote Dr. Cassidy, "the National Labor Relations Board has shown a troubling pattern of politically-motivated decision making that not only tips the scales in favor of unions but undermines the legitimacy and fairness of its election system."

He further detailed findings from multiple reports showing inconsistent administration and political interference during elections under McFerran's tenure as Chair since 2021.

The letter concluded with specific questions directed at McFerran regarding actions taken to ensure fair administration of election processes and training provided to regional staff on voter enfranchisement protocols.

For ongoing updates from HELP Republicans:

Website: [website link]

Twitter: @GOPHELP

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