House Moves to Limit Labor Board's Power

The U.S. House approved legislation on Thursday to limit enforcement powers of a federal labor board and potentially influence its anti-union complaint against Boeing Co.

The Republican-sponsored measure targeting the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is unlikely to be enacted due to opposition in the Democratic-led Senate, which is not expected to even bring any similar measure up for a vote.

The House-passed legislation -- part of Republican efforts to roll back regulations they say hurt job creation -- would prohibit the NRLB from ordering companies to close a factory or relocate or transfer jobs under any circumstances.

The NLRB has sued Boeing, saying its decision to move aircraft assembly jobs to non-union South Carolina was meant to retaliate against union workers at its plant in Everett, Washington. Boeing said it has not violated any laws.

(Reporting by John Crawley, Editing by Sandra Maler)