By Edwin S. Hopson
The National Labor Relations Board announced on May 27, 2012, that Board Member Terence F. Flynn, a Republican, had submitted his resignation the day before to President Obama and to NLRB Chairman Mark Pearce. Flynn’s resignation came after allegations surfaced that he had provided confidential information to former Board members including his former boss, Peter Schaumber who has worked on the Romney campaign.
Flynn’s resignation is effective July 24, 2012, but, according to the Board’s press release, Flynn has recused himself from all NLRB business effective immediately.
Flynn had received a recess appointment on January 4, 2012, and had been nominated many months earlier by President Obama.
Chairman Pearce, who early in the controversy over Flynn’s alleged actions publicly expressed concern, was quoted in the press release as follows: “Chairman Pearce informed NLRB employees of the resignation and, on behalf of the entire Board, thanked them for their ‘hard work and commitment to excellence through even the most difficult circumstances.’
The Flynn resignation reduces the Board to four Members—three Democrats and one Republican.