Issue Updates

Workforce Development White Paper (PDF)

 

October 2009

While issues like health care and climate change dominate the dialogue in Washington, Card Check is still getting some headlines in recent weeks. There has been continued disagreement among Senate democrats regarding where the legislation stands. Some say a deal is close, others have no timetable and no one seems to agree upon any compromises. While this may seem like a good sign for now, it still remains to be seen what will happen with the legislation. Either way, rumors are that some version of EFCA could pass before the end of the year or early next year.

 

September 2009

Like an active volcano that could erupt at any time, Card Check continues to stay on the radar, but isn’t at the forefront. Negotiations for a compromise are ongoing behind closed doors while some union leaders still demand a vote on the proposal as it stands. To reiterate Card Check’s current status, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D- NV) stated that Card Check wasn’t on the radar because “we have too many other things on our plate.” As members of congress come back from their August recess, we’ll monitor any updates on EFCA.

As mentioned in the previous CAA e-newsletter, Ohio’s unemployment fund is in debt by more than $1 billion. As the situation continues to get worse, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce is still pushing for changes to our current system ensuring that individuals collecting unemployment compensation get back to work quickly. Due to federal benefit extensions provided in recent years, it is conceivable that someone who started collecting unemployment in May 2007 could collect until 2010. That imposes significant new costs on Ohio employers. For an article about what our state and country are facing and what needs to be done, click here. We’ll keep you updated as further developments unfold. 

 

August 2009

Card Check – the issue that won’t go away yet seems to be going no where. As many of you are probably aware based on articles you’ve read or conversations you may have had, the business community has done a great job of slowing this issue down in Congress.

However, in recent weeks, Sen. Tom Harkin (D- Iowa) has stated that a compromise will be unveiled in the near future – maybe even as soon as mid July. While such a compromise may or may not be introduced in the coming weeks, we MUST continue to stay engaged and communicate with employers, employees and elected officials. Senate leadership is certainly not going to give us a heads up as to when they’re moving the bill, so staying engaged and educated is the best way to be prepared should a compromise be introduced. 

 

June 2009

As health care reform and other issues continue to steal the spotlight, Card Check has in some ways taken a back seat. The bill that seemed destined to pass in January or February was then pushed back to a potential spring deadline, then summer and now potentially September or October. In recent weeks there have been rumors that a compromise may be nearing which would ensure the protection of the private ballot while still requiring arbitration and increased fines and penalties. 

 

May 2009

Card Check supporters refuse to give up in the hopes that this issue is NOT dead. Since the announcement of U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter’s (D-PA) decision to switch parties, (going from a Republican to a Democrat), more rumors have been swirling regarding a possible compromise. Specter is now working closely with Democratic leadership in the Senate in an effort to develop a new Card Check bill that would garner the 60 votes necessary to end debate and pass the bill. Whether or not a compromise can be worked out is yet to be determined, but one thing is certain – everyone needs to stay engaged. In fact, the Ohio Chamber has set up a link on our OBV Web site so you can learn about and contact the candidates running for Ohio’s open Senate seat regarding Card Check. The important thing to say when discussing possible compromises is – No to elimination of the private ballot, No to Binding arbitration and No to increased penalties and fines!

Mandated Paid Sick Leave returns! Unfortunately, members of congress have introduced the Healthy Families Act or Mandated Paid Sick Leave on the federal level. Very similar to the proposal introduced in Ohio in 2008, this proposal would provide employees with up to seven paid sick days to stay home and take care of themselves, a child, spouse, parent or other family members. Employees would accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours they work. This proposal increases administrative costs, takes away employer flexibility and encourages abuse. While the fate of this legislation is still uncertain, we will be closely monitoring it in the coming weeks and months.

 

April 2009

As many of you may have heard, there have been some rather encouraging announcements regarding Card Check in the last few weeks. On March 24 U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R- PA) announced he would not support the current Card Check bill as he did in 2007. Additionally, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) made a similar announcement on March 30. These developments make it much more likely that organized labor will have to find an alternative to the current Card Check bill in order to pass it in the Senate. While this is good news, the business community and local chambers must not let up. Until Card Check is officially dead, we cannot take any chances.

Unemployment compensation is another hot issue the Ohio Legislature has been addressing in recent weeks. As Ohio unemployment has risen in the last year to a current rate of 9.4% (meaning 566,000 Ohioans are without jobs), our unemployment compensation system has run out of funds. The good and bad news is that the federal government is stepping in to help out. That’s good because it ensures our Unemployment Compensation Insurance Fund (UI) stays solvent. It also means expanded benefits for laid off workers. The bad news is that these expansions may mean more costs on employers down the road – something the Ohio Chamber opposes. To learn more about the current state of the UI fund, contact Tony Fiore at afiore@ohiochamber.com.

 

March 2009

As many of you may have heard, there have been some rather encouraging announcements regarding Card Check in the last few weeks. On March 24 U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R- PA) announced he would not support the current Card Check bill as he did in 2007. Additionally, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) made a similar announcement on March 30. These developments make it much more likely that organized labor will have to find an alternative to the current Card Check bill in order to pass it in the Senate. While this is good news, the business community and local chambers must not let up. Until Card Check is officially dead, we cannot take any chances.

Unemployment compensation is another hot issue the Ohio Legislature has been addressing in recent weeks. As Ohio unemployment has risen in the last year to a current rate of 9.4% (meaning 566,000 Ohioans are without jobs), our unemployment compensation system has run out of funds. The good and bad news is that the federal government is stepping in to help out. That’s good because it ensures our Unemployment Compensation Insurance Fund (UI) stays solvent. It also means expanded benefits for laid off workers. The bad news is that these expansions may mean more costs on employers down the road – something the Ohio Chamber opposes. To learn more about the current state of the UI fund, contact Tony Fiore at afiore@ohiochamber.com.

 

February 2009

Two issues loom rather large in the coming months. One of course being Card Check. At this point, it appears the bill may be introduced in the House and Senate on March 9. Therefore, it is important that grassroots activities kick into high gear and quickly. The only obstacle this bill faces right now is in the U.S. Senate. The bill will almost assuredly sail through the U.S. House, so blocking it in the Senate is crucial. Local chambers and their members need to get involved and soon. Spreading the word, writing letters, e-mails, meeting with local newspapers and passing resolutions are just some of the things you can do to help defeat Card Check.

The second issue the Chamber has been working on for more than a year now is the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) group rating program and other programs for non-group employers. Currently the BWC is attempting to dramatically alter the group rating program that rewards employers operating a safe workplace and providing safety training for their employees. These changes could significantly reduce some of the premium discounts many employers currently in group rating programs enjoy. The Chamber opposes such a move and is working hard to develop programs that incent employers that operate their businesses in a safe and injury-free manner.

 

January 2009

This newly added issue area will keep local chambers and your members updated on a number of workplace issues. Issues such as workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, maternity leave, Card Check, prevailing wage, mandated paid sick leave and other employment law issues will be the focus of Workplace Costs and Benefits. We feel this issue area will be very active and even contentious at times during the next two years. The Chamber’s position in this area is to prevent government from placing additional costs on employers with one-size-fits-all policies or government mandates that make Ohio companies uncompetitive with those in other states. However, we do want Ohio employers to have the opportunity to provide their workers with competitive benefits in order to attract the best talent.

 





Copyright 2005, © All Rights Reserved • Powered by DigiKnow