GOP airs concerns about labor policy

Republicans are concerned about the expansion of a controversial labor policy from the Obama administration.

The Department of Labor’s proposed multi-employer citation standard is raising red flags on Capitol Hill. The rule would “blur the lines of responsibility for certain workplace safety and health violations,” Republicans say.

In a letter to Labor Secretary Tom Perez, House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (Minn.) and subcommittee Chairman Tim Walberg (Mich.) suggest the rule “mirrors” the National Labor Relations Board’s joint employer ruling.

“The memorandum mirrors recent efforts by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and its general counsel to help labor unions increase their presence in the workforce by expanding joint-employer liability,” the lawmakers wrote.

Under the NLRB’s joint employer decision, companies can be held responsible for the labor violations of their business partners.

Republicans have targeted the rule on Capitol Hill.

Now, they say, the Obama administration is expanding the principles of joint employer through the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.