Government affairs

In a letter sent to lawmakers today, nearly 400 employees of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) stated that the White House’s fiscal year (FY) 2019 budget proposal is too harsh and will hurt American workers.

The Administration’s request would reduce the NLRB’s funding by 9 percent, resulting in a stifling of the board’s ability to enforce protections for workers, unions, and businesses, according the group’s letter (one to Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) viewable here). The independent agency’s primary task involves enforcing the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and any drop in funding could be an impediment to that duty.

“The Administration’s proposed austerity measures will further reduce the NLRB’s footprint across the country, and inevitably leave the public further in the dark about their rights under federal labor law,” wrote the employees, who represent around a quarter of the agency’s nationwide workforce. “Given the rising tide of income inequality and enduring wage stagnation throughout the country, the public should be fully informed of their workplace rights, especially those enforced by this agency.”

Presidents’ budget proposals are typically viewed as dead-on-arrival in Congress, but both the House and Senate could draw from it while piecing together their respective proposals. If Congress were to enact a 9 percent cut to the NLRB, it would only come as a detriment to American workers.

NALC opposes cuts the NLRB’s budget and supports a strong, independent NLRB that continues to administer the NLRA justly and fairly.