Minority Business Groups Say EFCA Will Hurt Economy and Cost Jobs

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. April 28, 2009

ARIL 27, 2009 - As the debate over the mis-named Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) continues to intensify, representatives from a diverse cross-section of the minority business community will gather in the capitol today to make their case before lawmakers, urging them to vote no on card check or any harmful compromise.

"We are meeting with lawmakers today to make sure they understand that EFCA will hurt our workers and our ability to grow and create jobs," said Harry C. Alford, president/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

Minority business leaders and workers across America have joined forces to defeat proposed legislation officially known as the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). The Employee Free Choice Act - or "card check" bill will effectively eliminate secret ballots for workers in union organizing elections and bind employers to contracts that inhibit their ability to create much-needed new jobs.

The Coalition that has formed to protect secret ballots in the workplace and prevent the job-killing card check bill from destroying minority-owned businesses includes the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), the National Black Chamber of Commerce, The Latino Coalition (TLC), and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC).

AAHOA Chairman Ash Patel added, "Our members create and support more than 800,000 jobs in the United States. This bill would not only harm hotel owners, but also our hard-working employees whose privacy and secret ballot rights would be violated."

"If we as a nation are interested in economic recovery, job creation, and developing the new technologies and industries of the future - the Employee Free Choice Act is a bad starting point," said USHCC President & CEO Augustine Martinez. "In the long run, both business owners and employees would suffer. If made law, this bill would boost costs, restrain productivity and make businesses less competitive. Small businesses create nearly 80 percent of all new jobs, much like we produce the vast majority of patents and this legislation would hinder productivity as the small business community becomes a target of labor organizers, strikes and labor agreements," he added.

NABHOOD President Andy Ingraham said, "This legislation is unacceptable in any form. We are united in our commitment to defeating card check and protecting secret ballots for workers."

About the Coalition

Asian American Hotel Owners Association

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association ("AAHOA") is THE voice of owners in the hospitality industry. Founded in 1989, AAHOA is now one of the fastest-growing organizations in the industry, with over 9,300 members owning more than 22,000 hotels. AAHOA is dedicated to promoting and protecting the interests of its members by inspiring excellence through programs and initiatives in advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community involvement.

National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers

Our mission, to increase the number of African-Americans developing, managing, operating and owning hotels; increase vendor opportunities & executive level jobs for minorities, thereby creating wealth within the African-American community.

National Black Chamber of Commerce

The NBCC reaches 100,000 Black owned businesses. There are 1 million Black owned businesses in the United States. Black businesses account for over $100 billion in annual sales. African Americans have over $800 billion in expendable income each year according to the US Bureau of Census.

The Latino Coalition

The Latino Coalition (TLC) is a non-profit, nationwide organization based in California, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Mexico. TLC was established to address policy issues that directly affect the well-being of Hispanics in the U.S. TLC's agenda is to develop initiatives and partnerships that will foster economic equivalency and enhance overall business, economic and social development of Latinos.

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of almost 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate nearly $400 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Uruguay.