Once hesitant and unfocused, it is now a major force in the land -- as witnessed by the crippling strikes in recent weeks against a new labor law that unions say threatens job security.

CNN: CINEMA

The reduction of working hours was one of the original objectives of labor law, and was first directed toward the hours of working children in mid-19th century Europe.

FORBES: Study: Working Less Could Save The Planet

In its most extreme interpretation, the rule would require a company that hires a labor-law firm to evaluate a potential acquisition with unionized operations, say, to report the relationship even if that blows its cover on secret due diligence activities.

FORBES: New Labor Dept. Rule Would Require Employers To Out Their Own Lawyers

This rule would violate those confidentiality requirements, Lotito said, because employers may have to identify a relationship with any law firm engaged in labor-relations work, whether or not the firm was hired for that purpose by that particular client.

FORBES: New Labor Dept. Rule Would Require Employers To Out Their Own Lawyers

James Pasco, executive director of the Fraternal Order of Police, the nation's largest law-enforcement labor organization, said that while he holds Mr. Kerlikowske in high regard, police officers are wary.

WSJ: White House Czar Calls for End to 'War on Drugs'