|
Top Issues:
The so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), or “card check” legislation jeopardizes employee privacy rights by doing away with important protections contained in the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). It increases the chances for any business to be unionized without employees being given the chance to understand the implications of that action. It allows unions to achieve recognition solely through the card check process, under which union organizers can use high-pressure tactics or coercion to collect signatures of employees on authorization cards and present them as representing the true intent of the workers. Certain members of Congress have been working with organized labor to get this legislation passed immediately, and it could become law early this year. As a citizen of Wisconsin, it is critical that you are aware of how this bill will dangerously impact your workplace. Right now, employees can vote by secret ballot process if they want their workplace unionized – a process that guarantees privacy. The NLRB has strict procedures to ensure fair private ballot elections, free of employer or union coercion. An NLRB agent is present and oversees the entire voting process and ensures that neither the employer nor the union can determine how an individual employee votes. Current law protects employees from coercion, intimidation or harassment when they decide whether to join a union. Current NLRB procedures also lead to swift and fair elections. Most elections are held within 56 days, and labor unions prevail approximately 55 percent of the time. Editable Poster for the Workplace 'EFCA Before & After' (National Ready Mixed Concrete Association) Briefing Material on EFCA, card check:
Material from National Association of Manufacturers:
Other resources are available at www.uschamber.com. Climate Change Bill The recent spike in the price of gasoline for American consumers has elevated the need for a comprehensive national energy strategy again. The United States has failed to pass a comprehensive plan, allow increased domestic oil exploration, or adequately invest in existing energy producing resources. The national energy strategy must promote domestic production and facilitate the construction of additional generation, refinery, and transmission capacity. The Wisconsin business community supports safe and responsible energy exploration and development, investing in clean and renewable energy sources, and reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. At the same time, policymakers are deciding whether and how to regulate greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate against the potential impacts of climate change. Their actions could have a substantial impact on the economy and may impact the ability of public and private owners to build new or modify existing structures. The business community supports reasonable climate change policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also maintain the competitiveness of U.S. Companies in the global marketplace and allow needed construction activities to proceed. Murphy USA – Fuel America: Energy 101 Murphy USA – Fuel America: Talking Points American Forest & Paper Association: One-page Fact Sheet
Health Care Reform Federal Health Care Legislation: No Floor Votes Until September Numerous news stories recently reported that a small group of U.S. Senators, both Democrats and Republicans, are continuing to try to reach agreement on health care legislation in the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, it isn’t known whether the group will unveil an agreement before the U.S. Senate adjourns on August 7. In the U.S. House of Representatives, negotiations between House leaders and “Blue Dog” Democrats, that is, fiscally-conservative House Democrats, appeared to produce an agreement to advance H.R. 3200, with significant modifications. Floor action in both chambers is not anticipated before September. Action Requested: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has put together a comprehensive, easy-to-use health care toolkit. Please visit this website for background information, up-to-date information on the latest developments, and sample letters to Congress. The National Assocation of Manufacturers has taken similar action and has also posted excellent informaton and tools on their website. Related Material: Pres. Obama Urges Congress to Pass Healthcare (WMC, 9/10/09 Glossary of Key Health Reform Terms (NFIB) NFIB Small Business Fact Sheet Campaign for Responsible Reform Fact Sheet Campaign for Responsible Reform Q&A Bipartisan Letter to House & Senate Leaders Democratic Blue Dog Coalition Letter to Leadership
Congressman Steve Kagen has held a series of “townhall” meetings on federal healthcare reform. News reports chararacterized many of the attendees as “angry” and “hostile.” In Green Bay, the event was repeatedly disrupted by shouting. Full details are provided in news stories, linked below. Related Material:
|
