News from this weeks NewsBreak!

News from this week's NewsBreak! > March 25, 2009

National AGC, CAGC Speak Out Against Bad Legislation

Today, representatives from both AGC of America and Carolinas AGC hosted press events in Charlotte and Greensboro regarding the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (also known as card check legislation). Many thanks to Crowder Construction Company (Charlotte, NC) and D. H. Griffin Construction Company (Greensboro, NC) for allowing AGC use of their facilities.

AGC of America and Carolinas AGC strongly feel that card check legislation is unfair to workers and employers. The following speech was given today by CAGC CEO Steve Gennett:

“Thank you Otis [Crowder, President and CEO of Crowder Construction] for taking the time to show us the work you are doing here. It is easy to understand how many construction firms see themselves as more than just a place of work. Around North Carolina and nationwide, companies like this are literally rebuilding and repairing their communities in a way that leaves a legacy for decades to come.

These businesses offer employees more than just good jobs and a sense of accomplishment. They offer the satisfaction that comes with working in a place that feels like family.

But all that is at risk. Groups in Washington are aggressively pushing new legislation that could bring significant and devastating changes to countless construction businesses and their employees.

This legislation will deprive millions of hard working Americans of their right to a free, fair and private vote before deciding whether to join a union. The private vote has, for over seven decades, been available to the nation’s workers as a way to protect them from undue coercion, intimidation or retaliation.

            It is the kind of legislation that will have a dramatic and detrimental impact on construction businesses like this. And it is workers that will suffer the most.

            The bill, known as the Employee Free Choice Act – Card Check for short – includes new requirements that allow a government appointed arbitrator to impose the terms of employment for workers if the union and managers can’t reach a deal within 120 days.

            Federally-appointed officials will get the final word on pay levels, work schedules, work rules and job responsibilities, instead of construction workers and the men and women that run businesses like this. In other words, the federal government is going to start telling workers and business in Charlotte what’s good for them, and what isn’t.

            When you look at the job they’ve done so far with some of the nation’s largest companies, it’s hard to imagine what will happen when Washington starts making vital decisions for North Carolina’s small, local businesses.

If this bill becomes law, a lot of people are going to think twice before risking their financial future on starting up a small construction business… union or non-union… if Washington appointees are likely to call the shots. In a construction industry where over 90 percent of the companies are small businesses, Card Check will have a chilling effect on construction start ups.

With a state budget reeling from declining revenues, the last thing the state needs is fewer businesses paying taxes. And with almost 20,000 construction workers out of job already here in North Carolina, the last thing they need are fewer construction companies.

            Fortunately, our state’s delegation, especially our promising junior Senator Kay Hagan, has the power to stop this bill from ever becoming law.

            So today I am announcing that the Associated General Contractors of America and its 33,000 member companies including the 3,000 member companies here in the Carolinas are asking Senator Hagan to oppose the Card Check bill. And we are urging her and Senator Burr to allow a full and unrestricted debate on this bill in the Senate. That is why we are asking both of them to vote against any effort to cut debate short on this crucial issue.

            They can help protect workers’ right to a free fair and private vote. They can help keep Carolina’s small businesses healthy and diverse. And they should help stop the Employee Free Choice Act from ever becoming law.”

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