After serving eight years on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or “Board”), Member Peter C. Schaumber (R) has left the agency now that his second term has expired. Notably, for 27 months Schaumber served as one of only two members of the Board, issuing rulings in approximately 600 unfair labor practice cases during that period. The U.S. Supreme Court in New Process Steal v. NLRB  recently invalidated those decisions, holding that the Board must operate with at least three acting members. Of this decision, Schaumber stated: “While the Supreme Court ultimately determined that a three-member quorum is necessary to issue decisions, Chairman Liebman and I set a tone for collegiality and dedication to case processing that I hope will carry forward to future Boards.”

Schaumber was nominated to the Board in 2002 by former President George W. Bush, and served as the agency’s Chair from 2008 until January 20, 2009, when President Obama appointed Wilma Liebman to that position. According to a press release, (pdf) Schaumber intends to take some time off before “returning to work in traditional labor law, government affairs and the legislative arena.”

Remaining on the Board are Chair Wilma Liebman (D) and Members Craig Becker (D), Mark Pearce (D), and Brian Hayes (R). There is no time table for nominating a replacement for Schaumber – which will be a Republican – to maintain the Board’s traditional minority party representation.

Photo credit:  nlrb.gov