Labor board chief to press for new union rules Jan 25 06:24 PM US/Eastern WASHINGTON (AP) - The chairman of the National Labor Relations Board says he won't let the controversy over President Barack Obama's recess appointments stop the agency from pressing ahead with changes that could help unions win new members. Mark Pearce tells The Associated Press he will urge the board to approve new rules that would make it easier for unions to establish and win representation elections in workplaces. Business groups claim the rules make it more difficult for companies to combat union organizing drives. Obama outraged Republican leaders earlier this month when he bypassed the Senate to appoint a new national consumer watchdog and three new members to the labor board. Republicans have challenged the appointments as unconstitutional, saying the Senate was not technically in recess when Obama acted.