Obama’s orders to ‘level playing field’ for unions

US President Barack Obama signed a series of executive orders yesterday that he said should “level the playing field” for labour unions in their struggles with management.

Obama also used the occasion at the White House to formally announce a new White House task force on the problems of middle-class Americans. He named Vice President Joe Biden as its chairman.

Union officials say the new orders by Obama will undo Bush administration policies that favoured employers over workers. The orders will: