(Colorado Springs )– Stressing the damage that job-killing federal legislation can have on Colorado workers and small businesses, the Coalition for Colorado Jobs (CCJ) unveiled its campaign to educate candidates and citizens about the facts surrounding job-killing proposals, namely the Employee ‘Forced’ Choice Act (EFCA).
EFCA is the number one priority for national labor unions and has been introduced in four straight Congress’ and would severely hurt Colorado employees and employers already struggling through tough economic times.
The Employee ‘Forced’ Choice Act would tip the balance in efforts to organize Colorado workplaces unfairly in the direction of union bosses, allowing for card check signature campaigns that would force workers to state their views about unionization in public, opening them up to pressure and coercion from organizers in the workplace. The bill would benefit unions by creating a binding arbitration process run by government bureaucrats that would determine the terms of a contract without approval from employees or employers. It would also increase fines on small businesses for violating federal law – without increasing fines on unions for the same violations.
“The Coalition for Colorado Jobs will be a strong voice defending the rights of workers and small businesses, and we will make sure that Colorado voters understand how damaging the Employee ‘Forced’ Choice Act would be to our freedoms and economy,” stated Sandra Hagen Solin, state director of the Coalition for Colorado Jobs (CCJ). “We will also be asking all federal candidates to tell Coloradans in detail their views on this damaging legislation.”
All candidates for the U.S. House and Senate in Colorado will be asked to complete a candidate questionnaire on workplace issues, including EFCA. CCJ will publicly announce all responses, and other public statements received from the candidates, so that citizens can be informed where their candidates stand.
CCJ has earned the support of a number of business organizations that are concerned that, if enacted, EFCA would sharply increase the cost of doing business – and result in job loss throughout The Centennial State.
“There is no question that EFCA is bad for jobs, workers, business and Colorado’s economy,” said Chuck Berry, president of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI). “Our membership is committed to defeating this anti-jobs legislation, and we applaud the Coalition for Colorado Jobs for working to educate Coloradans and get candidates on the record on this very important issue.”
Tony Gagliardi, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Colorado stated, “As the voice of small business throughout Colorado, our members believe that EFCA is a direct threat not only to quality companies, but to the basic freedom of workers. NFIB is proud to stand with the Coalition for Colorado Jobs and stand up for strengthening small businesses and protecting jobs. The vast majority of jobs being created in Colorado are in small businesses. EFCA would stifle job creation in the midst of terrible economic times.”
“Ensuring that the entire Pikes Peak region can emerge stronger and more prosperous from the current economic turmoil requires us to work together to create and preserve jobs. Our members believe EFCA helps no one except union leaders, at the expense of workers and our economy. We are eager to move our economy forward, and EFCA would send us backwards. We strongly support the work of the Coalition for Colorado Jobs,” said Stephannie Finley, vice president of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.
To learn more about the Coalition for Colorado jobs, click here.
To view CCJ’s candidate questionnaire, click here.
The Coalition for Colorado Jobs is an organization committed to protecting jobs in Colorado and standing up for small businesses and workers. To learn more, please visit: www.CoalitionforCOJobs.com.
