J. Thurmond: “I rise today to oppose the nomination of Mr. William Gould to be the Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board.…”

“I rise today to oppose the nomination of Mr. William Gould to be the Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board. Based on the views expressed by Professor Gould in his writings, his testimony, and his responses to submitted questions, I cannot support his nomination to be Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board. As you know, the National Labor Relations Board is an independent agency consisting of five members who act primarily as an adjudicatory body of prevent and remedy unfair labor practices committed by employers and unions. It is also responsible for conducting secret ballot elections of employees to determine whether or not they want to be represented by a labor union. Madam President, Professor Gould has recently written a book entitled "Agenda for Reform." This ominously titled book does not merely identify, define, and discuss the issues confronting the existing relationship between employers and employees. Instead, it vividly outlines his vision for the future labor relations in America, as he would like it to be. For example, Professor Gould states in his book that the decline of unions "erodes the fabric of democratic institutions and is thus profoundly worrisome to all who value pluralism and a system of checks and balances in the workplace. * * *" We must question Professor Gould's concern with the decline of unions in this country.”