Congress Must Clarify Labor Protections Following

NLRB “ Kentucky River ” Decision, Says DeLauro

WASHINGTON , D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today issued the following statement after the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) released its decision on the dispute at Oakwood Healthcare, Inc., Golden Crest Healthcare Center , and Croft Metals Inc., also known as the “Kentucky River Cases.”  Last month, DeLauro delivered the keynote address at a forum hosted by the Center for American Progress on the cases. 

“At a time when we are asking fundamental questions about the character of our economy – how wages can remain stagnant for five years while health care premiums have jumped 87% in the past six years – the definition of what constitutes a supervisor should be clear so that workers have a right to union protection.   Particularly for our nation’s nurses, who are the backbone of our health care system.  No one works harder, no one is more dedicated, and we should support them. 

“Given the high stakes in this case, the NLRB should have been as thorough as possible.  The board should have heard from workers, yet the NLRB has not held oral arguments in a single case since 2001. 

“Today’s decision follows the inconclusive ruling of the Supreme Court and leaves many workers vulnerable to being classified a supervisor and losing their union protection.  Congress must step in and clarify this issue once and for all.”

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www.house.gov/delauro