Murray Statement on NLRB Case Withdrawal
December 12, 2011
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Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) approved the withdrawal of the complaint by the Machinists union against the Boeing Company.
“The settlement of this dispute is a positive step forward for working families, labor unions, and employers in Washington state and across the country. The agreement means that the Boeing Company can move forward filling their orders, and that workers can sleep at night knowing their jobs and their ability to provide for their families will be there tomorrow and for years to come.
“This settlement also shows that our system for resolving disputes between labor and management worked exactly the way it was supposed to. It’s a testament to how effective the NLRB can be in independently resolving issues, even in the face of interference. Over the past few months we have seen an uptick in politically-charged and often inaccurate rhetoric about this independent agency. And I have been very disappointed to see fellow members of Congress using this case to score political points and attempt to weaken the NLRB’s ability to do its job to protect the rights of working families. I am hopeful that the positive resolution to this case will put an end to these ill-advised and politically-motivated attempts to gut this critical independent agency and take away rights from our nation’s workers.
“Strengthening the middle class and protecting the rights of workers is the right thing to do and a good way to get our economy moving again. Our economy needs to work for everybody—business and working people alike. Protecting the rights of workers to bargain for fair wages, benefits, and equitable treatment under the law is what we all expect and deserve. This is the job of the NLRB and why I will continue to support a strong, fully funded, and independent board.
“This case has demonstrated once again that when workers and business work together, both sides win. And that an independent NLRB helped the two sides come together and resolve their differences on their own in a way that works for workers, for businesses, and for the economy.”
