When Craig Becker’s recess term on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) expired in December, the outlook didn’t look good for workers in 2012. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the NLRB needs three members to exercise its authority, so without new appointees, the Board would have been forced to shut down—leaving workers and employers alike in the lurch.

But yesterday, President Obama announced the recess appointments of Sharon Block, Terence F. Flynn, and Richard Griffin to the NLRB. In response, our Executive Director Kimberly Freeman Brown commended the President for moving swiftly to safeguard American rights on the job:

Without a functioning Board, employers and employees would have been stuck in legal limbo on a range of critical issues, including the rights of certain workers to form unions and the appropriate use of social media to discuss workplace concerns. What’s more, unlawfully fired employees could have waited years before winning their jobs back or receiving backpay.

Despite these concerns, corporate-backed politicians continue to slam the President’s decision to make these appointments. It’s clear that they’d rather play political games than protect the interests of workers or employers trying to follow the rules.