Senator Hatch (R-UT) Requests Information Regarding NLRB Member Craig Becker's Relationship to Union Campaign Manual
Earlier this year, food service and logistics giant Sodexo USA filed a civil lawsuit against the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) alleging Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act violations in connection with the union's corporate campaign against the company. In the course of that litigation, copies of the SEIU's "Contract Campaign Manual" recently became "officially" available to the general public.
Monday, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), sent a letter to current National Labor Relations Board Member Craig Becker about his role in developing the tactics set forth in the Manual, while Becker served as Associate General Counsel to the union.
Specifically, Sen. Hatch asked Member Becker:
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What role, if any, did you play in the drafting or approval of the manual?
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Have you ever advised any client to engage in the questionable tactics outlined in the manual, including tactics specifically designed to personally embarrass or intimidate employers or managers, jeopardize employer relationships with customers and vendors, and purposefully disrupt production in the workplace?
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Have you ever advised any client that it is permissible to break the law in the course of an organizing or contract campaign?
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In your view, are the campaign tactics detailed in the SEIU manual appropriate actions for union members to take in the midst of organizing campaigns or contract negotiations?
Member Becker's nomination was the subject of much controversy and he was not confirmed by the Senate. President Obama subsequently recess appointed him to his post in March 2010, and he will serve until the end of this year. At a time when there has been no shortage to begin with, this development certainly exposes the Board to even more political pressure.
