When Ronald Meisburg, General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), came to Indianapolis to speak to members of the Indiana State Bar Association on September 17, 2008, members of the National Labor Relations Board Union (NLRBU) Local 25 picketed to protest the NLRB's refusal to recognize and bargain with the NLRBU in a single bargaining unit. This message is to explain in more detail why they were picketing and what you can do to support them.

The NLRBU represents employees of the NLRB in over 50 offices nationwide. On December 19, 2005, the NLRBU petitioned the Federal Labor Relations Authority to consolidate its multiple bargaining units throughout the NLRB. Subsequently, an overwhelming majority of professional employees voted in favor of consolidating the bargaining units into one. However, since June 8, 2007, the General Counsel has refused to recognize the NLRBU's vote of solidarity by refusing to bargain with the NLRBU.

General Counsel Meisburg, the chief enforcer of the National Labor Relations Act, has told all NLRB employees that he will not obey the nation's labor laws. He stated that he will deliberately refuse to bargain with the NLRBU in the bargaining unit certified by the Federal Labor Relations Authority. He also said that he will continue to violate the law until he is forced by a court to obey. It is clear that he intends to use litigation to drag out his obligation to obey the law for years.

The NLRBU, which represents most NLRB employees, is demanding that Meisburg resign. Instead of leading by example in following this nation's labor laws, the NLRB under Meisburg is demonstrating its contempt for the employee rights it is charged to protect. If Meisburg will not obey the law, he should resign.

You can support the NLRB employees and their union by sending an email to General Counsel Meisburg today. Urge him to obey the law or resign.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I was disturbed to learn that you are deliberately refusing to bargain with the National Labor Relations Board Union in the bargaining unit certified by the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and that you have indicated that you will continue to violate the law until you are forced by a court to obey.

The NLRB should lead by example in following this nation's labor laws. It appears, however, that you and the NLRB are demonstrating contempt for the employee rights you are charged to protect.

I strongly urge to obey the law and bargain with the National Labor Relations Board Union in the bargaining unit certified by the Federal Labor Relations Authority. If you choose not to obey the law, I believe that you should resign.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
September 17, 2008