Former NLRB chairman withdraws nomination

WASHINGTON -- The former chairman of the National Labor Relations Board has asked President Bush to withdraw his nomination to the board and has joined a law firm specializing in representing management in labor disputes.

The Senate has not acted on Robert J. Battista's nomination for a new term on the NLRB since the beginning of the year. Battista was the NLRB's chairman from 2002-07.

"It's unfortunate that the country has lost another devoted public servant because the Senate failed to act on important nominations in a timely manner," said White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore.

Battista on Monday announced he had joined Littler Mendelson, which calls itself the nation's largest employment and labor law firm representing management.

"Littler has a long-standing tradition of excellence, particularly in the labor relations arena, and I look forward to working with clients in D.C. and nationally," Battista said in a release.

Democrats, workers' right groups and unions have lambasted Battista's NLRB leadership. "It's unbelievable that President Bush would renominate Mr. Battista to the Board, after he led the most anti-worker, anti-labor, anti-union board in its history," said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., in January after Battista was renominated.

The Democratic-controlled Senate has not confirmed any of Bush's new nominees to the five-member NLRB, leaving the board with only two members. The NLRB is charged with conducting elections for labor union representation and with investigating and remedying unfair labor practices.

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