Hearings to examine the nominations of Scott Mayer, of Pennsylvania, and James Murphy, of Maryland, both to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board, and Rosario Palmieri, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor.

2025-10-01

Summary

The meeting focused on the nominations of Scott Mayer, Christopher S. Murphy, and Rosario Palmieri for various roles within the Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), covering a range of critical labor-related issues and the nominees' qualifications.

Themes

Disparate Treatment of Workers

Senator Hawley questioned Scott Mayer about the significant difference in wage increases and bonuses offered to workers in Seattle compared to those in St. Louis, Missouri, highlighting a 16% lower wage increase for Missouri workers and thousands less in bonuses . Hawley underscored the perceived unfairness given the CEO's high compensation and the number of striking workers in Missouri . Mayer responded that "fairness is a matter of what the parties ultimately agree to" and that "every negotiation is different," indicating that while an agreement was reached, the workers did not ratify it [ 00:00:21-00:00:21 ] .

Independence of Regulatory Bodies and Presidential Directives

Senator Hassan pressed the nominees on whether they would prioritize the law over a presidential directive and whether courts or the President determine the law . All three nominees affirmed their commitment to always follow the law and agreed that the Supreme Court ultimately interprets it [ 00:04:42-00:04:42 ]

. Hassan also questioned the legality of President Trump's removal of NLRB board member Gwen Wilcox, citing conditions for removal under the National Labor Relations Act . Mayer and Murphy acknowledged the law but stated they had no independent opinion on the President's rationale, noting the issue is in litigation [ 00:06:19-00:06:19 ] . Senator Markey further emphasized concerns about Wilcox's "illegal" firing and its potential chilling effect on the board's independence .

Workplace Safety and Regulatory Actions

Senator Baldwin raised concerns about rising workplace violence for healthcare workers and the Department of Labor's (DOL) downgraded prevention rule . Palmieri committed to working with her office on this issue if confirmed [ 00:10:27-00:10:27 ]

. Senator Kaine highlighted the black lung epidemic and silica dust exposure in mining, referencing the MSHA's silica standard . Palmieri pledged to support the implementation of the standard if upheld by the courts [ 00:24:29-00:24:29 ] . Senator Markey directly questioned Palmieri on the President's deregulatory agenda and its potential impact on worker safety, asserting that "no number of workers is an acceptable number of deaths" [ 00:34:20-00:34:20 ] . Palmieri countered that deregulation aims for flexibility and not reduced safety [ 00:35:29-00:35:29 ] .

NLRB Funding, Staffing, and Efficiency

Senator Baldwin underscored the drastic reduction in NLRB staffing and the resulting increase in case processing times, questioning if nominees supported increased funding and staff . Both Mayer and Murphy committed to reviewing staffing levels and the budget but offered nuanced responses rather than direct commitments to requesting increased funding before being confirmed . Senator Murkowski expressed significant concern over the NLRB's substantial decision backlog, which saw a 46% increase in one year [ 00:41:04-00:41:04 ]

. Murphy attributed the backlog to a lack of quorum and an increase in unfair labor practice charges, proposing to swiftly resolve older cases . Mayer added that an environment not conducive to settlement also contributed to the backlog .

Impact of AI and Workforce Development

Senator Hickenlooper raised concerns about job displacement due to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and inquired how the Department of Labor could address reskilling workers . Mayer suggested this might not be directly within the NLRB's purview, while Murphy indicated that AI-related job losses could become a significant bargaining issue for the NLRB [ 00:17:26-00:17:26 ]

. Palmieri explained that the President's AI action plan directs the DOL to focus on training and education to prepare the workforce for the future economy [ 00:19:11-00:19:18 ] .

Youth Apprenticeships and Rural Workforce Challenges

Senator Hickenlooper discussed the success of youth apprenticeship programs and asked Palmieri how he would ensure their quality and expansion . Palmieri committed to supporting efforts to create more apprenticeships with industry-recognized credentials . Senator Murkowski highlighted Alaska's unique workforce challenges, including seasonality, tribal relations, the need for H-2B visas, and difficulties in providing apprenticeship opportunities in remote, off-road communities [ 00:46:12-00:46:38 ]

. Nominees expressed willingness to consider these state-specific issues [ 00:46:59-00:47:02 ] [ 00:49:49-00:49:49 ] .

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was largely serious and inquisitive, marked by moments of confrontation and skepticism from senators, particularly concerning worker fairness and the independence of regulatory bodies . Senators expressed strong concerns regarding worker protection and the efficiency of the NLRB. The nominees maintained a professional demeanor, offering commitments to uphold the law and review specific issues if confirmed, often providing detailed, nuanced answers rather than simple yes/no responses [ 00:12:07-00:12:07 ]