http://66.225.205.104/JR20110617a.mp3
A Congressional hearing in Charleston today was an opportunity for Republicans to attack the NLRB's complaint against Boeing for opening a new factory in North Charleston. The National Labor Relations Board contends that Boeing decided to open a new plane manufacturing plant in Charleston as retaliation against workers in Washington state for past strikes. South Carolina laws prohibit workers from being compelled to join unions. The case is now before a judge. A field hearing held in Charleston by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government was titled "Unionization through Regulation: The NLRB's Holding Pattern on Free Enterprise." Needless to say, the NLRB's acting General Counsel - Lafe Solomon - faced pointed questions from Republicans on the committee, including South Carolina Congressman Trey Gowdy. "Mr. Solomon can you name me a single solitary worker in Washington state who's lost their job as a result of Beoing's decision to build a separate distinct line of work on Charleston?" asked Gowdy. "Not at this time," replied Solomon. "Can you name me a single solitary employee in Washington State who's lost a benefit as a result of Boeing's decision to build a separate distinct line of work in Charleston?" continued Gowdy. "No," says Solomon. "Then where's the retaliation, Mr. Solomon?" demanded Gowdy. Solomon was reluctant to answer questions because he is currently arguing the NLRB's case against Boeing. South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley later testified and was mostly praised by Republicans on the committee for effort to defend Boeing and the 1,000 jobs the company is bringing to Charleston. Haley and 15 other Republican Governors have asked the NLRB to drop its complaint against Boeing. "If you tell a great American company like Boeing they can't create jobs in South Carolina, all you're saying is 'Go overseas,'" said Haley at the hearing. "I'm saying we can't have that." During the hearing, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson accused the NLRB's prosecutor of misconduct. Washington DC Democrat Shirley Norton exploded at that, demanding to know exactly what the misconduct was. "Have you not been here for the last 20-30 minutes?" retorted Wilson. "Have you not been here for the last 4 hours?," said Norton, and began to yell "Name the misconduct!" as the committee chairman - Republican Darrell Issa - banged the gavel to signal Norton's time for questions had expired. Issa struggled at times to maintain control of the hearing - which was bitterly partisan at points. The Boeing case has become a political rallying point for Republicans to accuse the Obama Administration of being against growth and job creation. Democrats applaud the NLRB's diligence in enforcing labor laws.