Trump Pitched a Labor-Friendly GOP. Labor Advocates Want to See His NLRB Picks First.

Democrats missed an opportunity to confirm board members to the National Labor Relations Board that would have secured them a majority until 2026. Now they’re worried about how Republicans will reshape it.

National Labor Relations Board

Jon Elswick/AP

President-elect Donald Trump will get the chance to fill two vacancies on the National Labor Relations Board with Republicans when he takes office, giving his party an earlier opportunity to reshape the board.

The Democrat-controlled board developed a labor-friendly reputation during Joe Biden’s presidency. Petitions for union representation more than doubled over the course of his time in office, according to an NLRB report. Democrats and advocates are watching closely to see whether Trump will fill the vacancies with anti-union replacements, worrying that his picks could set the labor movement back for years.

Sen. Bernie Sanders told NOTUS he has “many” concerns about how the NLRB will fare under Trump.