Labor & Employment Law

5-Member NLRB after Senate confirmations

The Senate today confirmed the nominations of Republican Brian Hayes and Democrat Mark Pearce as Members of the NLRB.

This brings the Board to full 5-Member strength for the first time since December 2007.

Member Craig Becker, serving a recess appointment, was not confirmed.

Here's the lineup, with parties and terms in parentheses:

Chairman Wilma B. Liebman (Democrat, August 2011)
Member Peter C. Schaumber (Republican, August 2010)
Member Craig Becker (Democrat, Recess appointment expires at the end of 2011)
Member Mark Gaston Pearce (Democrat, December 2013)
Member Brian Hayes (Republican, December 2012)

Mr. Pearce was a founding partner of the Buffalo, New York law firm of Creighton, Pearce, Johnsen & Giroux, where he practiced union side labor and employment law before state and federal courts and agencies. From 1979 to 1994, he was an attorney and District Trial Specialist for the NLRB in Buffalo, NY. Pearce received his law degree from State University of New York, and his undergraduate degree from Cornell University.

Mr. Hayes currently serves as the Republican Labor Policy Director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Previously Mr. Hayes was in private practice for 25 years representing management clients in labor and employment law. He began his legal career as a clerk for the NLRB?s Chief Administrative Law Judge, and later served as counsel to the Board Chairman. He is a member of the Massachusetts and District of Columbia bars, and the American Bar Association and its Labor and Employment Law Section. Mr. Hayes earned his undergraduate degree from Boston College and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Member Craig Becker's appointment has drawn intense criticism from Republicans in the Senate, and I do not expect he will ever be confirmed.

Full post as published by Ross' Employment Law Blog on June 22, 2010 (boomark / email).