The Honorable Hilda L. Solis Secretary of Labor U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20210 Dear Secretary Solis: On January 26, 2011, the Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing entitled “State of the American Workforce,” during which several witnesses testified that federal regulations make businesses in the United States less competitive, stifling ... Read more »
On December 22, 2010, you, along with Members Becker and Pearce, and Hayes dissenting, published a notice and invitation to file briefs on Specialty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center of Mobile and United Steelworkers, District 9, Case 15-RC-8773. In Specialty, the United Steelworkers petitioned for an election of certified nursing assistants (CNA) at a nursing home, the employer objected arguin... Read more »
Dear Assistant Secretary Main: Thank you for your recent testimony before the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. Our members recognize the importance of improving mine safety; accordingly, we made this topic the focus of one of the earliest oversight hearings undertaken by the Committee on Education and the Workforce in the 112th Congress. As this Congress proceeds, I look forward to continuin... Read more »
Dear Chairman Liebman: The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects employees’ “right[s] to self-organize, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection” and “right[s] to refrain from any or all of such act... Read more »
The American people expect every area of the federal government to be focused on removing barriers to job creation, helping expand opportunities to America’s workers. So many may be wondering why President Obama renominated Craig Becker to serve on the National Labor Relations Board. Readers of Secret Ballot Watch are well aware of Becker. Becker, a former labor lawyer, was first nominated to serv... Read more »
Dear Secretary Duncan: Congress passed the Data Quality Act to ensure the federal government utilizes reliable and accurate data as it develops guidelines and regulations. Under the Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requires federal agencies to publish guidelines for the purpose of “ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information (including sta... Read more »
Dear Mr. Dodaro: We respectfully request a review of the scope and efficacy of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs. Many experts agree that STEM programs, when properly focused, can help ensure a competitive workforce in the future. While it is critical for the United States to have an internationally competitive workforce, it is equally important to ensure... Read more »
As the clock winds down on the House Democratic Majority, workers may be feeling a sense of relief that the assault on the secret ballot is finally ending. But they shouldn't get too comfortable yet – not if unelected bureaucrats in the Obama administration have anything to say about it. A recent ruling by the Obama National Labor Relations Board suggests the threat to the secret ballot will survi... Read more »
On April 5, 2010, an underground explosion at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, West Virginia tragically took the lives of 29 miners. As Congress awaits the results of state and federal inquiries into this tragedy, it is vital to legislate responsibly, taking the time to identify the most effective changes to protect underground coal miners. Republicans are committed to toughening... Read more »
Dear Colleague: Today the House will consider under suspension of the rules H.R. 6495, the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2010. Mine safety is an important and complex issue that has historically been addressed on a bipartisan basis. Unfortunately, H.R. 6495 is a flawed bill that is being rushed through an equally flawed legislative process; it does not reflect the kind of enhanced p... Read more »
