CalChamber Releases New
Video on Controversial Poster Requirement
The California Chamber of Commerce
has released a new, short video detailing employers’
responsibility to begin displaying an 11"x17" poster that
provides information to their employees about unionizing and the
right to strike.
Under orders of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), most
private-sector employers must have the poster up in their places
of business by January 31, 2012.
In the video, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg says
that most business owners will think the requirement is “stupid”
and that it amounts to unwanted meddling by the government.
He also calls into question the political wisdom of the timing
of the mandate. “When you’re heading into an election year, when
you’re trying to say ‘I’m for the economy,’ to impose these
additional requirements on businesses—to have to tell their
employees you have the right to strike—is troubling.”
Even though the issue remains controversial and is the subject
of pending litigation, it is the law and employers must begin
displaying the poster by January 31, 2012.
Among other things, the poster notifies workers about the rights
of employees to act together to improve wages and working
conditions, to form, join and assist a union, to bargain
collectively with their employer, and to refrain from any of
these activities.
The
Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
supported SB 617, a statewide requirement for an
economic impact analysis on major regulations to be
done at the beginning of the regulatory process.
The Governor
approved the Chamber-supported proposal on
October 6.
Specifically, SB 617 reforms the regulatory process by requiring
an economic analysis of all major regulations at the beginning
of the regulatory process, thus providing more transparency and
better data on which to base selection of most cost-effective
regulatory alternative.
This analysis will then drive the development and selection of
regulations that fully meet the goals of the underlying statute
while having the least negative impact on the state’s economy.
If the agency adopts anything other than the most cost-effective
option, it must state on the record why and justify its choice.
Currently a proposed regulation’s fiscal analysis, if any, comes
at the end of the process and is not based on uniform standards
of analysis.
Economic growth and prosperity depends on a predictable and
rational regulatory climate. SB 617 sends a message to investors
and employers that California is taking a meaningful step in
this direction by requiring a robust economic analysis for major
regulations. Additionally, this bill provides for a more
transparent regulatory process as well as oversight for state
agencies that are involved in the process.
August 22, 2011
California Chamber of
Commerce Launches Video Series, Focuses On Job Killing
Legislation
The California Chamber of Commerce unveiled a new video
project called “CalChamber News.”
The goal of this project to educate California businesses, local chamber members and others on public
policy issues that impact our job climate and economy.
The first edition focuses on job killing legislation that
remains active as California Legislators return to work
after the summer break. The video is narrated by former KCRA
reporter Kevin Riggs and features interviews with CalChamber
President and CEO Allan Zaremberg, and policy advocates Marc
Burgat, Brenda Coleman, Jennifer Barrera.
Three specific Job Killers are featured: SB 568 (Lowenthal),
AB 350 (Solorio) and AB 22 (Mendoza). In the segment, the
impact these bills would have on small business is
highlighted. The owners of a Sacramento café are interviewed
about SB 568 which proposes to ban the use of polystyrene
food containers. According to the café owners, if the bill
were to become law, it would drive up costs and, in turn,
require them to raise menu prices. This is something they
have tried to avoid in a down economy because it could drive
away customers. The higher costs and increased risk for
business owners that would result if AB 350 and AB 22 became
law are also discussed in the video. AB 350 would tie the
hands of businesses while AB 22 would eliminate an important
tool for screening potential hires.
CalChamber President Allan Zaremberg is featured in the
video discussing the fact California’s agenda must be more
competitive with other states and lower costs on
business so we can create more jobs. Zaremberg points out
the impact that California’s high unemployment rate and
difficult business climate are playing in the national
recovery saying, “It is hard for the United States to pull
out of a recession when California is stuck at the bottom of
an economic trough.”
