Obama vetoes measure blocking federal labor board from streamlining union election process

President Barack Obama has vetoed a congressional measure blocking the National Labor Relations Board from streamlining the process for union elections.

The labor board finalized a rule last December that eliminates a previous 25-day waiting period between the time when an election is called and when the election is held.

Republicans and business groups opposed the rule, arguing that it would limit the ability of businesses to prepare for union elections.

They also said workers wouldn't have enough time to make informed decisions about whether to join a union.

Obama on Tuesday called the labor board's changes "common sense" and "modest" and he vetoed a measure the Republican-controlled Congress sent him nullifying the rule.

The NLRB is an independent federal agency. The rule is set to take effect April 14.