Across the country, from Wisconsin to Ohio, Republican governors are battling Big Labor. Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina, in an interview with National Review Online, says that her state is the next front. But Haley’s foes are not graybeard professors or drum-banging state workers; she is facing off against bureaucratic activists in Washington, D.C.
The National Labor Relations Board, a federal agency dominated by President Obama’s appointees, is attempting to block Boeing from building jets in Charleston, S.C. By producing planes in a nonunion plant thousands of miles from its base in Everett, Wash., the NLRB alleges that Boeing is retaliating against the strike-happy machinists in Puget Sound.
Boeing, which has poured billions into the new facility, calls the agency’s complaint “legally frivolous.” Haley, for her part, is baffled by how the feds think that they can kick around a private company, picking and choosing where it operates. “There is no case; this is ridiculous,” she says. “It is an embarrassment for the NLRB. The unions are losing and this is nothing more than a desperate attempt to see if they can make their voices relevant again.”
But it is, Haley asserts, a “national fight,” with political implications for both parties. “I am going to fight this every step of the way,” she says. “We absolutely will not accept the bullying. This is a direct assault on right-to-work states.” In the coming days, the governor will urge the president — and the Republicans hoping to beat him in 2012 — to take sides.
Haley challenges President Obama to rally behind her. “I want to ask him why he is allowing unelected bureaucrats to come in and do the unions’ dirty work on the backs of our businesses,” she says. “It’s hurting the jobs in South Carolina and every other right-to-work state. He owes us an answer.”
If the president does not back up Boeing, Haley argues that companies may decide to move their manufacturing overseas, since the president would be viewed by corporate leaders as someone who has little interest in protecting free enterprise. “He must stand up and fight for companies that want to do business in this country,” she says. “This slows down business in our country.”
Obama is not the only one catching heat from the first-term Republican. Haley notes that the NLRB brawl will be a litmus test for GOP presidential contenders. “Every presidential candidate needs to weigh in on what is happening with NLRB and Boeing,” she says. “I would expect the presidential candidates to speak up, to say that this is wrong, and also to go further than that: to say what they would do to make it right.”
It's well past time for our "Get along, go along Republican "leaders"" (our very own GAGA gang) to come down on Governor Haley's side on this one.
It's a no brainer...no need to contemplate one's navel or the implications of what it might do to one's lunch invitations.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhere are our stalwart Republican candidates when we need them to stand up againt Obama and his union-supporting hacks who dominate the NLRB?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseShe presupposes that Obama wants to keep jobs in this country. If she is waiting for Obama to side with her, I hope she isn't holding her breath.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe woman has brains and spine. Nice to see both from our political class for a change.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseObama is a puppet who's strings are being pulled to defend unions. Even though he is "President" he is just a front man. Every right to work state needs to defend this with every ounce of strength they have and let these new pups that just came into office ban together and fight. So many entrenched GOP's are worthless liars.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNikki Haley keeps her promises. Obama does not.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf we are serious about cutting the cost of government then shutting down the NLRB and a dozen other alphabet soup agencies is a good start. Not only do we save the money it cost to run these useless bureaucracies but they stop costing the country a fortune in legal and regulatory cost.
This move against Boeing is little more than a Stimulus Bill for lawyers.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse@ CJimbo..Nah she ain't waiting for Obama to back her up! She has already predicted the outcome as can all of us. Let us watch the show and see what the Repub Candidates do. Can't wait for Obama to defend his Union pals..should be great
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI voted for Nikki Haley in the Republican primary and, of course, in the general.
So far, so good.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe NLRB appears to believe that the victim in an abusive relationship has an obligation to stick around and keep being abused.
Where I come from, retaliation is hitting back and avoidance is walking away. Boeing is not my favorite company, but they are practicing avoidance. What's the retaliation, here? Has it become politically incorrect to not reward bad behavior? Are the union's collective feelings hurt by this public rejection of their behavior?
If union membership is so beneficial to workers, then where is the harm in letting non-union workers in another state have jobs? Aren't they then more likely to want those wonderful union benefits, and voluntarily organize?
Of course, if what workers actually want is jobs, with one less governmental-like organization (the union) telling them how to live, work, and spend their money, then maybe it's a problem -- for the union.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTim Carney's piece over at the Washington Examiner is spot-on: External Link
While I respect Governor Haley's attempt to fight this nonsense, her affection might be a bit misplaced. As the Tim Carney argue's, if Boeing management is going to play beggar for federal largesse, then it simply lacks standing or credibility when it argues against statist interventions into its business model. Sorry Charlie, but as the old saying goes, "if you play with matches, you're bound to get burned!".
Tim Carney's far more elegant conclusion, "Now, the jet maker might see these government goodies come at a price -- sometimes chains."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt's not just O-bummer making problems for Boeing. Even WA state who use to be good friends with Boeing is no longer.
The funny part. Boeing a a big lib run company.
Go figure.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe producers of Atlas Shrugged should send flowers to the NLRB for this move, timed to coincide so closely with the opening of the movie. Just in case anyone still thinks AS is escapist fantasy, the government comes along with a real-life Directive 10-289. You can't buy publicity like that.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow many drops of water have to hit our foreheads before we recognize the occupant of the White House for what he is?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe Boeing bosses should inform Obama and the union bosses that they build airplanes and stuff like that to fill the needs of the DOD and other government agencies!
Moreover, they should demand their freedom to manage their own businesses and to earn a profit for their company, themselves, the Stockholders and their employees in a "work free" state where unions will NEVER bankrupt them with continuous demands for whatever they can get. The company does not matter!
Boeing does NOT need permission from the unions or Obama to move to South Carolina, Alabama or any other "work free" state in the country!
IF you think I do NOT like union bosses you would be totally correct. The working stiff union members are being 'used' as 'useful idiots' and the union bosses steal their hard earned money to bribe and elect corrupt politicians for personal gain.
It's is a vicious money laundering scam that leaves the union members no better off but, you...Mr. and Ms. union members, you have always obeyed the union bosses calling for strikes at your peril!
The union bosses gain more perks of luxury, limousines, airplanes, yachts, chalets, beach condominiums, et cetara!
And you...Mr. and Ms. union members you may end up losing your family, home, vehicles and your job!
IF you are not aware of Detroitistan, once a thriving city in the Automobile business is now a rusting, crumbling ghost town where a Buick, Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler or any other type vehicle will EVER be built again!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWHY? UNION BOSSES who, use you as 'useful idiots to slowly kill industries and the 'Golden Goose'! Look it up and find the truth !
.....Haley could care less about Boeing, or its leftist crony capitalist management, she cares only about the jobs.......the socialist could not have pulled this stunt at a better time........
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe NLRB has already shown itself as viewing itself as the "national workforce regulatory agency." With this move, it becomes simply the "national union protection agency". Or worse.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHas anyone read "Atlas Shrugged"?...it's coming true right before our eyes.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhen is the last time anybody remembers the NLRB acting in some way other than as a facilitator for unions? There being two sides to any argument, one would expect some, if not half of the NLRB decisions to go against unions.
Stop laughing, I was being facetious.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis is just one more reason why we ought to repeal the National Labor Relations Act, one of the most blatantly authoritarian pieces of special interest legislation ever enacted. (Also every bit as unconstitutional as Obamacare.) Big Labor always relies on government to give it what it can't get through voluntary interactions -- with both workers and employers.
Pull this noxious weed out by the roots.
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