The federal panel that oversees labor disputes is “tilted against working people and more in favor of employers,” alleged a Democratic congressman this week at a congressional hearing.

The Bush administration has seated a majority of the members of the National Labor Relations Board. The result has been bias against union activities, said Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL) at a House-Senate subcommittee hearing this week.

NLRB Chairman Robert Battista, a Bush appointee, countered that the allegations are merely political posturing. Others disagreed.

“Virtually every recent policy choice by the board impedes collective bargaining, creates obstacles to union representation or favors employer interests,” board member Wilma Liebman, a Clinton appointee, said.