Are you free for lunch Nov. 15?
November 5, 2007 | Audience participation,Blogland games,Books,Ethics,Family,Parenting,PR,Work,Working Mother
- Who: You. You, too, dads. This is about families.
- What: Raise Your Voice: Advocating for Better Working Family Policy teleconference.
- When: Nov. 15, noon-1 p.m. (EST).
- Where: Wherever your telephone takes you.
- Why1: Hear what Working Mother magazine and Corporate Voices for Working Families say to policymakers on behalf of working families.
- Why2: Win a book! I’m giving away another autographed copy of Tracy Thompson‘s book, The Ghost in the House.
Here’s what you do.
Join us, won’t you?
- Arwen
- Justice Fergie
- Lance
- Margaret-in-NJ
- Catherine Morgan
- Nicole
- Aviva Pflock
- PunditMom
- Devra Renner
- Rhonda Van Diest
- Jill Miller Zimon
…
Corporate Voices for Working Families says it focuses on “Five Pillars of Work,” 1) Afterschool Care and Early Childhood Education, 2) Youth Transitions, 3) Mature Workforce, 4) Flexibility and 5) Lower Wage Work.
- It is working with Senate staffers to become the “business voice” of the Senate Caucus on Children, Work and Family.
- It is working with House staffers on “policy implications for youth development” and “the roles of business and government in the overall positive development and education of young people.” It presented reports called “Are They Really Ready to Work” and “Business Leadership: Supporting Youth Development and the Talent Pipeline” at a March 2007 briefing.
- It testified in June 2007 before the House Committee on Education and Labor, Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, as part of the committee’s consideration of H.R. 2392 (The Balancing Act), to highlight work/life policies already in place.
…
Members of Corporate Voices are companies affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce through their local chambers. The Chamber, which ranks first in lobbying spending ($72.7 million in 2006), holds this position on labor and workforce:
Oppose expanding workplace laws and craft alternatives when necessary. Aggressively oppose union-backed proposals to increase the minimum wage and abolish secret ballot elections in favor of card check majorities for union recognition. Oppose any efforts to expand Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave or mandate paid sick leave. Block attempts to increase penalties for criminal violations of OSHA. Continue to expose unreasonable union organization tactics such as salting and corporate campaigns. Protect the use of binding arbitration in employment. Aggressively advocate for pro-employer provisions in priority international labor and employment policy proposals. Continue to push for a reasonable application of the revised Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility guidelines.
- The Chamber supports the No Child Left Behind Act. It hired Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, which includes a panel of staffers with professional ties to the governmental administrations and agencies that created, implemented and promoted NCLB. According to its Advocacy Network:
The U.S. Chamber believes NCLB is one of the critical tools needed to transform U.S. education so that all students graduate academically prepared for college, citizenship, and the 21st century workplace.
- The Chamber supported the presidential veto of SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program).
- The Chamber opposes a bill that would give employees seven paid sick days each year. More here.
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What will they say about you? Tune in and find out.
Posted by Becky @ 7:16 pm | 14 Comments
