In a letter sent to Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) applauded the re-introduction of legislation addressing the efforts of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to fragment workplaces and create micro-unions in the wake of the Specialty Healthcare decision.
The legislation titled the Representation Fairness Restoration Act, aims to reverse the Specialty Healthcare decision, which effectively redefined the standard for determining appropriate bargaining units, dramatically overturning decades of precedent.
"We strongly support Senator Isakson's legislation to overturn the NLRB's decision that paves the way for damaging micro-unions," said Kelly Kolb, vice president, government affairs. "These rulings, brought on by an increasingly overzealous regulatory board, hinder our ability to offer our employees greater flexibility in the workplace and ultimately stifle job growth in the entire retail sector, one of America's largest job providers."
The decision from the NLRB has grave consequences for employees, job creators, and U.S. productivity. Micro-unions would unnecessarily fracture retail workforces, undermining staffing flexibility, hindering employee development and impeding the customer service essential to the industry's growth.
"At a time of universal discussion about the need to grow our economy, Congress and the Administration should be looking for opportunities to help businesses survive and expand in these challenging economic times. Specialty Healthcare is a clear disincentive to both," said Kolb."With the Specialty Healthcare decision already being implemented, retailers urge Congress to take action."
The full letter can be found here.
RILA is the trade association of the world's largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
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