Union takes aim at McConnell's fight against NLRB appointments in online ad campaign
- 07/03/13 04:11 PM ET
The country's largest telecommunications union is taking aim at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in a new search ad campaign launched Wednesday.
In the online ads, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) argue that McConnell's fight against President Obama's National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) appointments threatens free speech online. In particular, the CWA notes the federal agency has protected American workers' rights to communicate about their boss, salary and working conditions on Facebook and other online forums without fear of being fired or disciplined.
Senate Republicans, led by McConnell, have asked the Supreme Court to invalidate President Obama's January 2012 recess appointments — including his appointments of three people to the NLRB — as unconstitutional. GOP senators argue that Obama overstepped his authority by appointing three NLRB members while the Senate was holding pro forma sessions, which have been used to stop the president from making recess appointments.
In the online ads, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) argue that McConnell's fight against President Obama's National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) appointments threatens free speech online. In particular, the CWA notes the federal agency has protected American workers' rights to communicate about their boss, salary and working conditions on Facebook and other online forums without fear of being fired or disciplined.
Senate Republicans, led by McConnell, have asked the Supreme Court to invalidate President Obama's January 2012 recess appointments — including his appointments of three people to the NLRB — as unconstitutional. GOP senators argue that Obama overstepped his authority by appointing three NLRB members while the Senate was holding pro forma sessions, which have been used to stop the president from making recess appointments.
There are two vacancies on the five-member agency, and another member's term will expire in August.
The CWA warns that the NLRB will cease to function in late August if Senate Democrats fail to overcome "Republican obstructionism" that's aimed at preventing the confirmation of the agency's appointees. Without a fully functioning NLRB, the telecommunications union says workers will be without the "sole protector" of their rights to speak freely about their working conditions online without fearing repercussions.
The CWA warns that the NLRB will cease to function in late August if Senate Democrats fail to overcome "Republican obstructionism" that's aimed at preventing the confirmation of the agency's appointees. Without a fully functioning NLRB, the telecommunications union says workers will be without the "sole protector" of their rights to speak freely about their working conditions online without fearing repercussions.
In recent cases filed to the agency, the NLRB has said people's right to communicate about their working conditions online is protected by law.
The CWA's search ads against McConnell will run on Google's search engine. The ads will include messages such as: "Don't Be Muzzled. Mitch McConnell's silencing speech. Show him you'll fight back."
A spokesman for McConnell did not respond to a request for comment about the search ad campaign.
People who click on the anti-McConnell ads will be directed to a website where they can sign an online petition that calls on McConnell to allow a vote on the nominees.
A CWA spokesman declined to comment on how much the union is spending on the ad campaign.
A CWA spokesman declined to comment on how much the union is spending on the ad campaign.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/309219-union-takes-aim-at-mcconnells-fight-against-nlrb-appointments-in-online-ad-campaign#ixzz2YNXe6jpf
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