UAW says both EFCA labor law, NLRB important

DETROIT (Reuters) - Obama administration appointments to a key labor board are important to labor's agenda, but they do not diminish pending legislation that would make it easier for unions to organize, the president of the United Auto Workers said on Tuesday.

"I'm glad to have a president (Barack Obama) in there that is making some appointments that make sense," Gettelfinger told the Reuters Auto Summit about two Democratic nominees to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Labor's primary agenda centers on a bill that would make it easier for unions to become established. But with action on the Employee Free Choice Act or "card check" looking less likely this year, there is closer interest in the NLRB appointments.

Democrats, considered friendly to labor, would hold a one-seat majority on the five-member panel if the administration's three appointees are confirmed by the Senate. One Democrat and one Republican are already seated.

A Republican procedural maneuver has blocked a vote on the matter for the moment. The three nominations moved out of committee to the full Senate on October 21.

The NLRB oversees union elections and settles organizing disputes. Unions believe the advantages of a Democratic majority could be magnified if the broader legislative proposal to change labor law stalls.

"There's no question the board appointments are very important," said Gettelfinger, who quickly added that the labor bill was the overriding priority for U.S. unions.

"What goes on every day, the things that occur during an organizing drive should not be allowed to occur. Then, you may get your case to the board, but why should you have to go through that?" he said.

Union officials contend that, in certain cases, federal law and regulatory policy favor companies that oppose unions.

They have complained for years of company intimidation of labor organizers and sympathizers, while companies say that EFCA would be undemocratic by allowing unions to be recognized by employees simply checking a card rather than through an official ballot.

The NLRB matter took on added importance after the National Mediation Board, which oversees labor disputes and elections in the rail and airline industries, on Monday proposed changes in established law that could make it easier for unions to organize in those industries.

That step occurred after the Obama administration seated its appointments on the three-member board, giving Democrats a majority.

(Reporting by John Crawley; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)