Employee Free Choice Act Would Burden Small Businesses
USHCC testifies on its opposition to legislation that could create unfair costs to small businesses.
Washington, D.C.—
The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) today “Hispanic-owned businesses have many pressing needs like access to capital, the need for affordable health care given the steep rise in costs and premiums, and especially the need for comprehensive immigration reform. But one legislative proposal that we do not need, and must avoid, is the Employee Free Choice Act,” Mr. Martinez stated while testifying before the committee. The proposed legislation would bring the most sweeping change in labor law in 70 years—and one that could affect millions of small businesses. The Employee Free Choice Act passed the House of Representatives in 2007, but subsequently died in the Senate. The current bill, reintroduced this year, would eliminate a required vote by a company’s workers and replace that vote with a simple signature card supporting the formation of a union. While targeting large businesses, the proposed legislation could also bring many small businesses into its purview. “Some would argue that small businesses are not the target of union organizing. The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce believes this legislation could make it significantly cheaper and easier to organize unions in small businesses and would createunfair and burdensome costs on those establishments,” Mr. Martinez continued. “In the long run, both business owners and employees would suffer. If made law, this bill would boost costs, restrain productivity and make us all less competitive.”
About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of almost 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate nearly $400 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Uruguay.
Testified before the Senate Republican Policy Committee on its opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act. In particular, USHCC President & CEO Augustine Martinez noted that the proposed legislation could create unfair and harmful costs for small businesses, especially during these hard economic times. Mr. Martinez was among a select group of panelists who represented a variety of views including those of business owners, workers, and voting experts.
