In an op-ed in the Wauwatusa Patch (9/18), US Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) wrote, “In April, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a complaint against Boeing, when it chose to create new jobs in South Carolina rather than at a unionized facility in Washington. Although no jobs were lost from the Washington plant, the NLRB has brought a case against Boeing for deciding to build a new facility, creating 1,000 new jobs in the right-to-work state of South Carolina.” Rep. Sensenbrenner wrote, “This decision is an alarming departure from the core principles of US economic growth – that private companies are free to move capital and business operations – and it is having a chilling effect on hiring from employers around the nation.” Sensenbrenner wrote, “As reported earlier by the Wall Street Journal, the National Association of Manufacturers asked its members last month how the NRLB decision against affects their decision-making and 49 percent responded that capital expenditure plans ‘have been or may be impacted by the NLRB’s complaint.’”
It’s Time to Remove Barriers to Job Creation
Bill passed by House would rein in the National Labor Relations Board.
President Obama has encouraged Congress to move forward on legislation to help put Americans back to work. However, he is blind to the fact that some of the very real impediments to creating jobs are coming directly from his own administration.
This fall, House Republicans are committed to finding and repealing some of the most harmful regulations and administrative decrees, which pose barriers to growth and perpetuate an economic environment of uncertainty.
In April, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a complaint against Boeing, when it chose to create new jobs in South Carolina rather than at a unionized facility in Washington. Although no jobs were lost from the Washington plant, the NLRB has brought a case against Boeing for deciding to build a new facility, creating 1,000 new jobs in the right-to-work state of South Carolina.
The NLRB is an agency of the United States government, with appointees by the president, and it is responsible for investigating and remedying unfair labor practices.
This decision is an alarming departure from the core principles of U.S. economic growth — that private companies are free to move capital and business operations — and it is having a chilling effect on hiring from employers around the nation.
In his recent joint address to Congress, the President declared: “I want to see more products sold around the world stamped with three proud words: ‘Made in America.’”
I agree we need to make America more competitive on the global stage, capitalizing on our areas of advantage and encouraging companies to create good-paying jobs here, in the United States.
But decisions like this one from NLRB are having the opposite effect. As reported earlier by the Wall Street Journal, the National Association of Manufacturers asked its members last month how the NRLB decision against affects their decision-making and 49 percent responded that capital expenditure plans “have been or may be impacted by the NLRB’s complaint.”
When 14 million Americans are still out work, Congress must balance the need to protect workers with the urgency to enact policies that will encourage job growth. Employers are deliberately choosing to sit on their capital, rather than invest and hire new employers, for fear of the impact of government regulations.
The House last week passed the Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act, which amends the National Labor Relations Act, to prevent the government agency from mandating where a company can do business within the United States. The NLRB will still have multiple tools available to continue doing its important work of protecting American workers and holding employers accountable for unfair labor practices.
This bill is one example of how Congress can help remove barriers to growth and provide employers the certainty they need to plan for the future, invest capital, and expand. House Republicans will continue to pass legislation in the coming months aimed at providing employers with the opportunity to create jobs.
