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Floral Industry Legislative Issues -
Labor and Workers Rights
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The Internal Revenue Service is offering a free nationwide conference call on May 20, 2009 for small business owners and industry professionals. This conference call will focus on proper work classification standards for employers.
In order to participate in the call, you must register by tomorrow, Friday, May 15 here. Topics that will be covered include employee vs. independent contractor classification, worker classification-related forms, and Section 530 relief requirements.
Today is the last day for registration for the forum call!
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Floral Industry Legislative Issues -
Employee Free Choice Act
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Passage of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is a near certainty in the House, but the real battle will be in the Senate. All 40 Republican senators are opposed to EFCA, meaning that the remaining 60 senators would need to vote to cut off debate and move toward a final vote.
It's pretty clear now that some type of compromise version of the bill will be considered in the Senate. At this point, no one expects the bill in its current form to reach President Obama's desk.
What's a compromise look like? No one knows for sure, but here's what we're hearing:
- The secret ballot requirement is likely to be retained, but some proponents are proposing an expedited election format. Among the ideas is one to require an election be held with in 10 days of the filing of signed authorization cards from a majority of employees.
- Another proposal, called "postcard check," would allow employees to mail their authorization cards directly to the National Labor Relations Board thereby eliminating the potential for intimidation by either management or labor.
- Some proposals center around giving organizers more access to the workplace. One proposal would require employers to give unions equal opportunity to make announcements, display signs and distribute literature in the workplace.
So far, none of these proposals has gained much traction, and the Senate still has not announced any timeframe for when EFCA will be considered.
And as the year moves on, some members of Congress will begin thinking about the 2010 elections, and labor will be looking at who does and does not support EFCA. For those lawmakers looking to vote for a pro-labor bill, some type of compromise will be attractive.
SAF supports an employee's right to a secret ballot election and opposes EFCA because of government mandated binding arbitration that would increase costs and straightjacket employers with wage levels and working conditions that will make them uncompetitive.
For more information see this op ed from Rep. Buck McKeon (R-25-Calif.).
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Floral Industry Legislative Issues -
General Issues
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Effective December 28, 2009, the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) has been extended until Dec. 31, 2010. This trade agreement was passed in 1991 and grants duty-free access to a wide range of exports including flowers coming from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.
Bolivia's status as a duty free nation has been suspended since November 2008 because of their non-compliance with counter narcotics efforts.
Most likely, Congress will take this measure up in the beginning of 2010 as they evaluate the effectiveness of the agreement, so be on the lookout for more information concerning ATPA.
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Congressional Action Days Information -
Speakers
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SAF is excited to announce that Jeff Birnbaum will be speaking at the SAF's Congressional Action Days on March 8-9, 2010 in Washington, D.C.
 Birnbaum will conduct an insightful session of lobbying do's and don'ts before CAD attendees prepare to storm Capitol Hill. He is currently the web editor for the Washington Times and is also a regular guest on Fox News and PBS's Washington Week. Birnbaum has worked as a columnist for the Washington Post, penned multiple books and will provide useful tips as SAF members prepare for their meetings.
Looking for more information on Congressional Action Days? Get the schedule or register right here.
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Floral Industry Legislative Issues -
Estate Tax Reform
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Message
The Administration unveiled its FY2011 budget yesterday. The $3.8 trillion budget request includes a provision for permanent extension of the estate tax at 2009 levels - 3.5 million per person and a top rate of $45 percent.
During Congressional Action Days, SAF members will be visiting their Senators and Representatives we need permanence and the most generous level of relief possible. Congress can still pass an estate tax bill that includes more rate relief and a higher exemption which would protect more small floral businesses from this onerous tax. If Congress does nothing the estate tax will snap back to higher rates and a very low exemption in 2011.
Looking for more information on the 2011 budget proposal? Check here or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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