Big Labor Joe Manchin Dances to Forced-Unionism's Tune

Sen. Joe Manchin is often seen as one of the more conservative Democrats in the Senate but when it comes to the rights of workers, Manchin still dances to the tune of the union bosses.  The Huntington News in West Virginia takes him to task for his ongoing relationship:

Sad news [last] week for Big Labor and its D.C. allies like President Obama and U.S. Senator Joe Manchin. When no one is looking, Senator Manchin reverts to form and backs the President and his NLRB in a transparent Big Labor power grab.

Monday, Federal Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia struck down a new rule “passed” by two members of the National Labor Relations Board. Interestingly, Judge Boasberg is an Obama appointee.

Ironically, this rule designed to circumvent proper procedure was cancelled because the court found that the NLRB itself did not use proper procedure in promulgating the new rule. Simply put, the court found that no quorum was present as those backing the new regulation tried to ram through their favor for Big Labor.

What is striking about this case is that Senator Manchin had been trying so hard to convince West Virginia voters that he was both pro-small business and increasingly independent of the Obama Administration.

Let’s face it:  Senator Manchin is scrambling for re-election support anywhere he can this year. His voting for this deeply-flawed Big Labor regulation proves it as nothing else can.

This new regulation would have penalized small businesses across West Virginia by not giving them the fair shot they’ve always had at giving their workers their side before a union vote.  These small businesses would have paid a steep price just so that Senator Manchin could appease his Big Labor pals.

Through this controversial vote, Senator Manchin has signaled that he represents Big Labor’s latest whims more than basic fairness for small business across West Virginia, even during an economic downturn when jobs are scarce.  That’s chilling.

Maybe Senator Manchin is angling for an appointment to the next NLRB in the event that he loses this November.