What to Expect in 2021?
What Impact will President Biden's Administration Have?
President Biden has long been allied with the labor movement, and during his tenure as vice president, the administration pursued policies favorable to organized labor. The same is fully expected following his January 2021 inauguration.
Within hours of taking the oath of office, President Biden terminated the sitting General Counsel of the NLRB with 10 months remaining in his term. Labor unions and advocates celebrated the unprecedented move, as well as the termination a day later of the top deputy. While he will have an immediate opportunity to fill one current NLRB vacancy, the Board will maintain a Republican majority at least until August of 2021, when Member Emanuel's term will expire.
President Biden has also named Boston Mayor Marty Walsh—a former union member and prominent former labor leader—to serve as Secretary of Labor. Various issues in the Senate—composition, the fate of the filibuster, etc.—may complicate making predictions about legislative business.
