California Labor Federation Calls on Romney to Dismiss Advisor Over NLRB Ethical Violations
Workers to Protest Romney Fundraising Event Tonight in Redwood City
(Oakland) — As Mitt Romney heads to a high-dollar fundraiser tonight in Redwood City, one of Romney’s key advisors is in the middle of a growing controversy over unethical practices by National Labor Relations Board member Terence Flynn.
The Inspector General issued a report Friday finding that Flynn improperly leaked confidential material on board deliberations. The report details numerous instances of then-chief counsel Flynn funneling confidential information about the labor board’s activities and deliberations, including attorney-client privileged information, to two former NLRB members who have been actively engaged in a relentless campaign to undermine and discredit the NLRB through legal and rhetorical challenges to the agency’s activities. One of those former board members is Romney advisor Peter Schaumber. The report makes clear that Schaumber used the information to publicly attack the NLRB.
“This type of unethical behavior may be acceptable in the corporate culture of Bain Capital, but it certainly shouldn’t be tolerated from those involved in a campaign for our nation’s highest office,” said Art Pulaski, chief officer of the California Labor Federation. “If Gov. Romney fails to condemn the actions of Mr. Flynn and Mr. Schaumber and take the appropriate action, it’s as good as a seal of approval on the use of unethical practices to advance his campaign.”
Romney has been a vocal critic of the NLRB, even going so far as to call for the elimination of the board’s funding.
A group of workers affiliated with the San Mateo Labor Council will protest tonight’s fundraiser at the Hotel Sofitel in Redwood City, highlighting Romney’s anti-worker positions which include calling for a national “Right to Work for Less” law, repealing prevailing wage laws and backing efforts to strip workers of collective bargaining rights.
“Multi-millionaire Mitt doesn’t know the first thing about the struggles working people are facing in this economy, and it shows,” said Shelley Kessler, executive secretary-treasurer of the San Mateo Labor Council. “Workers are the backbone of this country, and they deserve a president who will look out for their interests, not the special interests of the corporate elite that are fully responsible for cratering our economy.”
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