Chamber leads initiative to urge worker recognition on Labor Day

Chamber Stands Up For Worker Rights & Small Businesses by Opposing Job-Killing Legislation

Eddie Tinsley (left), operations manager for Directional Drilling Services, explains the effect EFCA would have on his company as Kara Lowrie (left center), chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Bossier Chamber, and other employees of Directional Drilling Services listen.

The Bossier Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Louisiana Right to Work Committee and the Workforce Fairness Institute, hosted a press conference today at Directional Drilling Company of Bossier City, LA to urge employers throughout the Northwest Louisiana region to use the Labor Day holiday to recognize the contributions workers provide to the region's economy.

As the state's economy continues to grow, the Bossier Chamber of Commerce continues to keep a watchful eye on the details and progress of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), "Card Check," in the United States Congress.  Louisiana's workforce has helped maintain a top-third ranking in employment growth during this economic period and that workforce will be completely affected with any EFCA action.

"As Labor Day approaches, we continue to celebrate the accomplishments and values that workers, especially here in Louisiana, contribute to the employers and businesses they partner with on a daily basis," said Kara Lowrie of Acadiana Mortgage, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Bossier Chamber of Commerce.  "To that affect, we continue to raise awareness that the Employee Free Choice Act is not a piece of legislation that praises or rewards the hard work and the loyal work ethic Louisiana employees possess."

Efforts are underway in Congress to shift the delicate balance of labor/management relations through passage of EFCA which would open up a whole new era of strained relationships and could remove some of the most precious rights now granted to workers-rights like voting in a secret ballot election for selecting a union and the right to approve a union contract.

"Any item that will have a detriment to the competitiveness of small business is an item that will affect Directional Drilling Services," said Eddie Tinsley, operations manager for Directional Drilling Services.  "We believe EFCA is one of those items that will have a negative effect on not only our business but on that of our customers as well."

"Workers are the most important asset of any company, and most Louisiana businesses recognize this important fact," said Jim Patterson, executive director of the Louisiana Right to Work Committee.  "So as we approach Labor Day, we are encouraging businesses to make special efforts to recognize their workers and acknowledge their contributions to Louisiana's economic success."