Obama appoints new members to labor-management council

By Ariel Levin-Waldman
Special to Federal News Radio

Four new members joined the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations this week.

President Barack Obama nominated the following members Tuesday:

• J. David Cox, president of the American Federation of Government Employees
• Michael B. Filler, director of public services at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
• H.T. Nguyen, executive director and general counsel of the Federal Education Association
• David J. Holway, president of the National Association of Government Employees

Obama created the National Council through an executive order in 2009. It was created to improve relations between labor unions and federal managers. Set to terminate two years later, the council was extended by executive order in 2011.

Unions say the agency offers an opportunity for workers to be heard and best practices put forward, but the council has drawn fire from former George W. Bush appointee George Nesterczuk, who said letting unions influence policy presents a conflict of interest.

Former President Bush discontinued a similar initiative that was started under former President Bill Clinton.

Ariel Levin-Waldman is an intern with Federal News Radio

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