President Obama will use recess appointments to by-pass Senate confirmation for 15 high level appointments including Craig Becker's appointment to the NLRB, as well as that of another Democrat, Mark Gaston Pearce.  The NLRB's press release is here. 

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis suggests action on the Becker NLRB appointment will please labor. Recess appointment? Not sure, but solis told labor leaders they would be "very pleased."

WaPo columnist Harold Meyerson penned a pessimistic piece postulating potential passage of labor reform has for the forth time been doomed by dallying Democrats. I think he's right. EFCA is certainly dead. Whether reform occurs by legislation or NLRB action remains a long shot. Hand-wringing about recess appointment of Craig Becker draws ire and comparison to Bush appointments.