ACG Minnesota on Monday, Feb. 26, attended a forum where local franchise businesses voiced concerns with the chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee about a move by the National Labor Relations Board to expand the definition of a joint employer.
U.S. Rep. John Kline, who is also the local congressman, oversees federal policies and initiatives related to the National Labor Relations Act. He heard the Minnesotans’ worries about how the NLRB’s joint employer decision could adversely affect their businesses. Kline expressed his support for the work of the Coalition to Save Local Businesses, an alliance of business groups that includes ACG Global, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the International Franchise Association, and was set up to raise awareness about how the NLRB action could adversely affect local job creation.
The NLRB is trying to expand the definition of a joint employer to include a franchise parent, despite its lack of day-to-day oversight of franchise operations, in addition to franchisees.
Attorney Jake Grassel, a member of both ACG Minnesota and the ACG Global Public Policy Committee, represented ACG at the event, which was held at an Anytime Fitness franchise. Many of the local business owners pledged to continue outreach to members of Congress and federal regulators, informing them of the challenges that will result if the expanded joint employer definition endures. Members of the coalition are working to preserve the current definition of what constitutes a joint employer and vowed to preserve the franchise business model that provides millions of jobs to hardworking Americans.
To view the article that appeared in SUNThisweek, click here.
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