WASHINGTON. D.C. – The Inspector General for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) agreed to a request from House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) to initiate “an inquiry into Member Craig Becker’s participation in the case between the Service Employees Union and St. Barnabas Hospital.”

On June 15th, Issa wrote to Inspector General David Berry, “After his nomination to the NLRB was rejected by the Senate, President Obama, on March 27, 2010 appointed Craig Becker, former Assistant General Counsel for SEIU, to the NLRB pursuant to a controversial recess appointment.  Upon accepting the appointment, like all appointees, Member Becker signed the ethics pledge (Executive Order No. 13490) which states:

I will not for a period of 2 years from the date of my appointment participate in any matter involving specific parties that is directly and substantially related to my former employer or former clients, including regulations and contracts.

Despite his ethic pledge and previous employment with SEIU, on June 2, 3010, Member Becker joined with the other members of the NLRB in a case involving SEIU Local 1957 and denied St. Barnabas Hospital’s request for a review of the Regional Director’s Decision and Direction of Election.  This appears to be a case where Member Becker should have recused himself.”

IG Berry has informed Rep. Issa that he hopes to have his inquiry completed by July 31, 2010.

CLICK HERE to read Ranking Member Issa's letter to IG Berry.

CLICK HERE to read IG Berry's response to Ranking Member Issa.

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