Game Changer? New NLRB General Counsel Confirmed By Senate

The National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) makeover continues. On Nov. 8, Peter Robb became the board’s new general counsel when he was confirmed by the Senate. Robb’s addition to the NLRB is potentially great news for employers, as he likely brings a more business-friendly approach than his predecessor Richard Griffin. With Griffin at the helm, the NLRB significantly departed from long-established precedent favoring employers, such as its test for finding “joint employment.” The general counsel position has broad authority to issue unfair labor practice charges and bring cases before the NLRB. With this control, Robb will be able to select appropriate “test cases” for the newly formed GOP-majority board, which could reverse some or all of the Obama-era decisions that business owners say tilt too favorably toward the union agenda. Lots of change abound at the NLRB. Here’s hoping that change translates into a friendlier labor climate for employers.

• RELATED TOPICS
• General Counsel
• joint employment