The Fight for Progress

     In recent years, the Chamber of SWLA has taken more and more of an active role in shaping, supporting, and voicing opposition to legislation or policies affecting our region.  Currently, we have several issues on our plate. For example, our Board of Directors is strongly opposed to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act and has urged our congressional delegation in Washington to vote down this bad legislation. This legislation should be called the "Employee Forced Choice Act,” but is referred to by most as the "Card Check" legislation.  If passed, it will forever change some basic rights and principles that have governed the workplace since our inception as a country.
     Under the EFCA, union organizers could walk in any size business and ask employees to sign a card in public rather than make the decision to unionize utilizing a secret ballot. Many fear that this could result in harassment and intimidation. If 51% of the employees sign the card, the company is unionized and the company must come up with a contract within 120 days. If that doesn’t work out, a federal mediator comes in and sets the terms for two years and with no recourse for the company. The bill also substantially increases penalties for violations, but only for the employer, not the union.
     Small and medium companies can not afford the terms of these contracts and could be forced to go out of business. Many companies are now hanging by a thread and any volatile changes to the pay and benefits—with no input from the management and owners—could put thousands out of work. This is the worst time to even consider such a dangerous and far -reaching bill.
     Recently we went to Washington to join with other Chambers around the state and nation to ask Congress to vote no with no compromises. Congressmen Boustany and Fleming from our area are opposed as well as Senator Vitter.
     Senator Mary Landrieu is a very crucial vote in the outcome of this bill. Senator Landrieu supported this bill last year, but she has wisely declined to co-sponsor this bill this year. She is gathering information from both sides. As the new Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, Senator Landrieu is in a great position to make positive changes to the SBA and other programs to aid small businesses.
     Think of the restaurants, hotels, car dealers, retailers, and others that could be ruined if EFCA passes. We urge you as employees and employers to write Senator Vitter and Congressmen Boustany and Fleming and thank them for their opposition and we ask that you write or call Senator Landrieu and ask her to vote against cloture and against the bill in any form.
     There is a right way to organize businesses and there is a wrong way. This EFCA legislation is bad all-around and it must be defeated. The last thing we need at this pivotal time in our nation's economy is something like this rammed down the throats of our businesses who are struggling to keep open and keep their workers on the payroll.
      As the State Legislature is getting set to begin, we have informed our delegation of our legislative priorities for 2009 including funding for infrastructure projects and the Louisiana Economic Development Department and support for the Blueprint Louisiana and Driving Louisiana Forward initiatives. Louisiana is in a position to compete nationally and our Southwest region is recognized in the state as being among the strongest performing regions. We need the funding to entice new major projects for Louisiana like the Shaw Westinghouse project which is underway. 
     Also underway, is our SEED Center at McNeese. The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury will serve as contractor for the project and an architect has been selected. The center will focus its attention on entrepreneurship and will serve existing and start up businesses in our five parishes. McNeese, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the City of Lake Charles, and the Alliance have formed a local services agreement to work together to make this happen. McNeese will be the focal point for our economic development activities in this new facility.
     As an aside, one of the best parts of my job is visiting with our chamber members.  Recently Paula Ramsey and I met with Elizabeth Payne, the General Manager at Olive Garden. Elizabeth has worked in Beaumont and Lafayette and she loves the Lake Charles area. She is excited to come to work everyday and her enthusiasm shows. Managers like Elizabeth set a positive tone not only in the operation of Olive Garden, but in the attitude of her staff. Why don't you try it?

Think globally, act regionally, and talk up Southwest Louisiana.