By Brandon VerVelde
WASHINGTON – The Asian American Hotel Owners Association applauded today the Senate’s confirmation of labor attorney Marvin Kaplan to the federal labor panel. AAHOA strongly supported Kaplan’s nomination to serve on the National Labor Relations Board, which oversees labor issues.
“Kaplan’s confirmation by the Senate to serve on the National Labor Relations Board marks a return to the balance and adherence to the law that the panel is supposed to provide employers and employees alike,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AAHOA.
The Senate confirmed Kaplan on a vote of 50-48, with all Republicans supporting his nomination and all Democrats opposing it.
“After years of playing the role of advocate, the NLRB should be restored to the role of neutral umpire,” said Sen. Lamar Alexander (R, Tenn.), who chairs the Senate labor committee that advanced Kaplan’s nomination to the full Senate. “I’m hopeful that Mr. Kaplan will help restore some balance to the labor board to ensure stable labor relations and free flow of commerce.”
In recent years, decisions made by the NLRB have been derided by small business groups, including AAHOA. The board dramatically expanded the joint employer standard, authorized the creation of so-called micro-unions and endorsed “ambush” union elections.
William Emanuel, President Donald J. Trump’s second nominee to fill the vacant slots on the NLRB, was advanced by Alexander’s committee last month but a vote has not been scheduled in the full Senate. Senators are expected to leave Washington for the August recess as soon as Friday, so the vote will not happen until September.
“We urge the Senate to take action on William Emanuel’s nomination as soon as possible,” said Rogers. “Having a full complement of board members to oversee labor issues is critical as employers and employees seek guidance and clarity after years of meddling by the board. William Emanuel could not be more qualified to serve on the NLRB.”
AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the world. The more than 16,000 AAHOA members own almost one in every two hotels in the United States. With billions of dollars in property assets and hundreds of thousands of employees, AAHOA members are core economic contributors in virtually every community in the United States. As an association, AAHOA is a proud defender of free enterprise and the foremost current-day example of realizing the American Dream.
Brandon VerVelde is director of Government Affairs Communication for AAHOA. He can be reached at [email protected].
