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Union-Controlled NLRB Suddenly Pulls Google Ads on ‘How to Start a Union’

NLRB's "Fact Check" Raises More Questions Than Answers or Facts.

By: LaborUnionReport (Diary)  |  March 6th, 2011 at 09:00 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

This past Thursday, we (along with the Shopfloor blog), shed some light on a startlingly pro-union Google ad being placed by the union-controlled National Labor Relations Board that stated:

“Find Info on How to Start a Union

Get the Process & More on Our Site!“

__________

__________

A day later, on Friday, the National Labor Relations Board posted what appears to be its first-ever “Fact Check” that stated the following:

Fact Check

This feature encourages accuracy in the media by correcting common misperceptions and errors of fact when they are brought to our attention.

Google Ads
It has been reported that the NLRB spent Agency funds on Google ads. An initial review indicates that the ads were provided at no charge beginning in 2008 by Google. The Agency has decided to discontinue them.

Now that the NLRB has taken it upon itself to correct the record by stating the ads were free from Google, it would be remiss if an acknowledgement that the previous assumptions were wrong.

You see, it was just assumed that an agency of the federal government would not accept services and/or products from a company, let alone a company with a CEO with such a tight relationship with the White House. Never in a million years would it have been guessed that the NLRB was getting its ads for free from Google—those same type of ads for which the private-sector pays handsomely.

Now, without a law degree (although Holiday Inn Express is like a second home), it is unknown whether a private-sector company like Google is legally allowed to provide free ads to an agency of the federal government, or whether it is permitted for an agency of the federal government to accept free services without violating a certain law (or two).  That would be something for lawyers and, perhaps, Congressional committees to decide.

However, it would be interesting to know:

  • Who wrote the ad on “How to Start a Union”
  • What the total value of the free advertising was
  • When the NLRB began accepting free advertising from Google
  • How many other agencies are getting free advertising from Google
  • Whether Google is getting any other form of recompense or favorable treatment for its free advertising

These would be just a few of the questions that could possibly be derived now that the NLRB has issued its “fact check” divulging that its advertisements on Google were free.

As Ben Smith noted on Politico: Among the curious things about this: Google, serving as volunteer labor booster in this instance, is not exactly a union shop.

_________________

“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.” Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776

X-posted.

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COMMENTS

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  • powertothepeople

    as I have been meaning to ask you a question.

    Little off topic, but still has to do with the unions. According to HuffPo and other similar sources, polls show not only WI folk, but a majority of Americans are turning against the Repubs and their efforts to shut down the union and are not supporting the unions.

    I have a hard time buying into this and would tend to lean more towards poor polling or misleading question. Can you fill me in a bit more when you have a free moment.

    • ohiohistorian

      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/02/wisconsin-polls-union-lean_n_830454.html

      The discussion was that there was an inordinately high number of union households polled in the data of the poll (about 25% more than in the exit poll of the last election). This can influence the statistics similarly. For example, I would bet I could get up to about 70% on the poll if I got 100% union households.

      What makes me think that this poll is not right is that the AFL-CIO poll, was fairly close, where Rasmussen, published in the same week, shows a 48/38 in favor of the governor, and 46/37 disapprove of the unions. Don’t find any background statistics on the free sites, and I don’t subscribe to Rasmussen, However, a very recent Rasmussen poll says that people in WI do not favor weakening collective bargaining rights. So, I guess it is up to you to interpret.
      http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_state_surveys/wisconsin/wisconsin_poll_support_for_budget_cutting_not_for_weakening_collective_bargaining_rights

      • powertothepeople

        I was just curious as to their claims they had majority support in the country for the “poor” unions. I had already considered the source and their reliability, but was wondering as to the questions and who were doing the polls.

        Thanks again for the link and the answer.

        • bheld

          A gov’t employee working O/T (for free, voluntary labor) without authorization from their supervisor is MOST DEFINITELY against the law. Appropriations are not only made because of the law, they BECOME the law when passed in the House, etc.

          Volunteering services is basically saying, Mr Congressman, I believe you made a mistake and I am going to change the law.

          …or whether it is permitted for an agency of the federal government to accept free services without violating a certain law (or two). Basically, volunteering services is adding to the appropriation. (And, man oh man, do those Congressman guard their power of the purse!!).

  • Vegas_Rick

    Please keep it up. I have learned a great deal about unions and the labor movement from your posts. It appears others, far outside Redstate, are getting your message as well.

    Well done!

  • spim

    … for 30 days

    if they’re telling any truth, it sure looks like only a sliver of a smidgeon of a bit.

    Excellent work on exposing what they are actually doing.

    Keep it up – it is much appreciated.