On the Block: A Discussion on the Proposed "Labor Rights" Amendment
Recently, Chamber President & CEO Todd Maisch had the opportunity to appear on WCIU-TV in Chicago for an episode of "On the Block" hosted by Brandon Pope. The segment was centered around SJRCA11, a proposed amendment to the state constitution that will appear on ballots this fall. Maisch spoke in opposition. This amendment would permanently enshrine pro-labor legislative desires into the state constitution and says the following:
Employees shall have the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions, and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work. No law shall be passed that interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively over their wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and work place safety, including any law or ordinance that prohibits the execution or application of agreements between employers and labor organizations that represent employees requiring membership in an organization as a condition of employment.
Illinois is already a tremendously pro-labor state. Union Security Agreements are common and no law threatens them at any time. This amendment does not give workers any “rights” they do not already have in practice. SJRCA 11 essentially says that right to work laws will never be allowed in Illinois at the State or local level in case political winds were to some day shift.
One point that Maisch made during the interview was that this amendment is not in the best interest of workers and would remove future flexibility from employees. Yet, he also highlighted the camaraderie between the business and labor communities and our joint effort to pass the Lockbox Amendment in 2016. Maisch was joined by Joe Bowen from "Vote Yes for Workers Rights" an organization supporting the ballot initiative.
View the labor rights segment here.
View the full episode here.
ACCE Convention: Indianapolis
Illinois Chamber Sr. Vice President of Government Affairs Clark Kaericher will be spending next week at the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Conference in Indianapolis. Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, Kaericher will be presenting on a panel with other members of the Chamber community and industry leaders. Send us a note if you’ll be attending as well so that a connection with Kaericher can be made during the week.
Help Prevent Prescription Drug Cost Increases - A Message from President & CEO Maisch
This past legislative session, Illinois lawmakers came very close to passing legislation that would have increased the cost of prescription drugs, and we need to make sure they don’t try it again. That’s why the Illinois Chamber is leading a new initiative to urge lawmakers to find real solutions to address prescription drug costs, instead of implementing misguided government mandates that do nothing to improve access or affordability. Click here to learn more.
Had these bills (SB 2008 & HB 3630) become law, they would have hurt businesses by making it more expensive for them to provide healthcare to employees. Healthcare can be a complicated issue with competing and legitimate points of view in the business community. However, SB 2008 and HB 3630 are the wrong answers.
The bills would have:
- Cost our state, businesses, and families over $1 billion every year.
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Mandated a new $8.85 fee on nearly every prescription filled—draining patients’ pockets when families and businesses are already suffering from record-breaking inflation and high taxes.
- Fees add up quickly: a family that fills 5 prescriptions each month could pay more than $500 extra every year, with no health benefit.
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Limited employer choice and flexibility in partnering with Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), which most employers contract with to lower drug costs and manage prescription drug benefits for employees.
- PBMs save nearly $1,000 per patient every year (average = $962).
- Employers partner with PBMs to provide quality, affordable prescription drug benefits to employees, improving health outcomes and lowering out-of-pocket costs.
The bottom line: Employers use PBMs to help lower prescription drug costs and improve patient care.
We need your help to urge lawmakers to take these damaging prescription drug cost increase bills off the table in 2023 and instead address the root causes of high prescription drug costs – like the skyrocketing prices set by big drug companies – rather than impose additional fees on businesses and families.
Click here to learn how you can take a stand for common-sense alternatives.
Thank you for your continued support of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce as we work together for a stronger business, stronger Illinois.
