Jun 04
Uninvited guests called on the Chamber this morning – both outside and inside the building. Why? Desperation to preserve union viability through passage of the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).
A handful of picketers came together on a downtown street corner for a short time, while the Chamber was conducting its EFCA seminar (for members and customers) in its conference center. The protesters were Central Indiana representatives of Jobs With Justice, a national effort focused on workers’ rights. The piece of paper they were distributing to passers-by claimed that EFCA will not eliminate so-called “secret ballot” elections and that it would “increase penalties for companies who instill fear in employees by harassing and intimidating them against the union.” Those two points are so laughable that they are not even worth addressing, but the picketers did have the right to express their opinions.
Inside the Chamber office, two members of the local AFL-CIO maneuvered their way into a portion of the actual seminar before they were asked to leave. They had not registered or paid the fee to attend. They were not eligible to participate – that has been clearly communicated this time and through many years of offering union-related programs. They did not have the right to “invade” an educational conference.
The seminar informed representatives of Indiana companies about EFCA and steps they should take if they did not:
- want to be victim to a “card check” organizing campaign without any prior notice;
- want their workers to be subject to coercion through card check instead of maintaining the fundamental right to a secret ballot; and
- want to have independent government arbitrators decide how their business operates (if a union is put in place and no agreement is reached within a short time frame on an initial contract).
EFCA is bad for employers and employees. The only beneficiaries are union leaders.
Why has private sector employee involvement in unions declined to less than 8% nationwide? Because employers have provided open and effective communication, listened to their employees and created an atmosphere of trust. When those factors are not in place, employees may pursue union representation. The rules are in place for that to happen. Trying to artificially boost union numbers by taking away worker rights and the ability of employers and employees to negotiate contracts would be a disastrous move in the wrong direction.
The Indiana Chamber will host another EFCA seminar with Barnes & Thornburg in late August, featuring the most recent information. E-mail
customerservice@indianachamber.com to be added to the list to receive future information about this program.
Apr 22
For the third year in a row, I filed my family taxes only to then receive a "replacement tax statement package" from my investment company of choice. (Yes, those investment totals continue to shrink, but who isn’t sinking in that boat).
But we’re here to discuss business taxes — with the complications there making my amended 1040 seem rather paltry. The Indiana Chamber continues to offer a variety of resources to assist companies with federal and state needs, while the Indiana Department of Revenue (IDOR) has put in place a new online tool to make it easier to conduct business with the state.
Newcomers first: IDOR’s New and Small Business Education Center provides interactive video assistance and a direct connection to INtax — where needed forms can be obtained and various types of taxes can be paid. IDOR Commissioner John Eckart offers the example of a business that is expanding and hiring new employees being able to find information about state withholding taxes.
Chamber resources come in a trio:
- The 2009 Indiana Tax Conference on June 2-3. Participants learn the latest federal and state changes from issue experts
- The Indiana Taxation Handbook, which includes numerous recent updates and provides comprenhensive information in an easy-to-understand manner
- A free tax helpline (for Chamber members only), manned by Chamber tax and fiscal policy expert Bill Waltz, who can answer your questions and link you to additional resources
Don’t go it alone. Take advantage of the tax help that is available in our state.
Apr 21
Trying to figure out how your organization can take advantage of all that federal stimulus money? Join the crowd.
The Indiana Chamber has developed a page linking to a variety of federal and state government resources. It’s a start. But you need more help? Understandable.
We are partnering with Baker & Daniels law firm to present a full-day seminar with a somewhat imposing name — The Stimulus Business: Business Opportunities in the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. But the May 20 conference at the Hyatt Regency will simplify the complexities of the funds emanating from Washington and offer insights that you can use.
The full agenda is still being developed, but you can learn more and register today.
Mar 31
Today’s media world is changing as never before, but you still need to get your good news heard. And, in today’s economic conditions, you may be forced into the position of delicately delivering job reduction or other difficult news.
Where do you turn for help? Try Rick Kamel, a 30-year public relations, marketing and broadcast news veteran. Kamel will be presenting a half-day Indiana Chamber seminar titled "Communicating the Good, the Bad and the Ugly During Tough Times: Communication/PR Strategies for Indiana Employers."
Kamel has worked with major clients throughout the country. In short, he knows his stuff and he can share plenty of tips and secrets with you. Among the key benefits for anyone in need of communications assistance (that includes most of us):
- Strategies for identifying and prioritizing your internal and external audiences
- Communication timing strategies that maximize the good news and minimize the bad news
- Tried-and-true formulas for how to construct statements
- Clear and concise words and phrases
- Specific words to use and to avoid
- How to stay in control during a Q & A session with employees or the news media
- Being prepared to disseminate bad news in case of an emergency
The Indiana Chamber Conference Center is the site for the April 24 program (9-11:30 a.m.) Investing a few hours now could pay off in many valuable benefits for years to come.
Mar 13
Human resources professionals probably too often fall in the "taken for granted" category. You know, the dependable, they’ll get done what needs to be done mentality.
I counter that the HR job is probably one of the most dfficult, balancing the needs of the employer while trying to best serve individual employees and their needs. A tough job in any economic environment, but one that’s probably even more challenging in the current downturn.
Ogletree Deakins and HR Dimensions of Indianapolis have recognized leaders in the HR field since 2005 with the Human Resources Professional of the Year award. Nominations for 2009 are open, with an April 3 deadline. The award presentation takes place May 6 as part of the Chamber’s 45th Annual Human Resources Conference & Expo.
Check out the details and nomination form.
Feb 25
Safety is something that can easily be taken for granted – that is until something happens.
When an employee died on the job at Strick Corporation in 2002, the Monroe-based company knew change was needed. “The incident rate was almost a recordable one (to OSHA) each day” prior to that fatality, notes Cheryl Pike, plant nurse and safety coordinator.
Impacted by the death of a co-worker, employees started volunteering for the company’s safety programs. The company’s culture changed for the better. The transformation at Strick Corporation earned the company INSHARP (Indiana Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) status in 2008.
Today, Strick was honored at the 2009 Governor’s Workplace Safety Awards for its overall safety program.
Joining Strick in earning awards at the Indiana Safety and Health Conference were:
- Turner Construction Company of Indiana LLC in Indianapolis – education and outreach by a construction company award
- Bayer Healthcare LLC, Product Supply/Diabetes Care facility in Mishawaka – education and outreach by a large company award
- Futurex Industries Inc. in Bloomingdale – education and outreach by a medium company award
- Monsanto Company, Windfall Soybean Production division in Remington – education and outreach by a small company award
- ERMCO Inc. in Indianapolis – innovation by a specialty contractor award
- Indianapolis Power & Light Company – innovation by a large company award
- Emerson Industrial Automation, Emerson Power Transmission division in Monticello – innovation by a medium company award
- DSM NeoResins+ in Frankfort – innovation by a small company award
- Kimball Electronics and Advanced Rehabilitation, Inc. in Jasper – partnerships award
- Cerrowire Inc. in Crothersville – small company safety award
- Solid Platforms Inc. in Portage – specialty contractor safety award
The 2009 Governor’s Workplace Safety Awards are presented by the Indiana Department of Labor, on behalf of Gov. Mitch Daniels, the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Indiana Chamber.
Feb 09
When Congress passes this "little" stimulus thing, one of the items expected to be on the fast track is the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). I would much rather see a "fast track" on the trade promotion authority needed to maintain and grow our country’s status in the global market, but that’s another story.
EFCA will end secret ballot union elections and impose unreasonable mediation/arbitration provisions on initial contract negotiations. Union leaders like it; employers and many employees won’t. As we’ve documented on this blog, even the Chicago Tribune and former Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern think it will be detrimental to workers.
Being prepared from a company perspective will be essential. The Indiana Chamber can help with the February 20 Employee Free Choice Act Seminar. A minimal investment and three hours of your time may pay tremendous dividends down the road.
