The latest updates from Chamber President Brad Meier.
Appx. 20 min.
MP3 File
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Flower Baskets to Increased Owatonna Visitors
Just over five years ago the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism (OACCT) in partnership with the Owatonna Economic Development Authority, and Owatonna Public Utilities conducted a Business Retention and Expansion Program, surveying 102 businesses in Owatonna. Of those businesses visited, 83% rated beautification of the community as “important” or “very important.” This response helped to launch the hanging flower basket program that now originally consisted of 55 baskets and has grown today to 175 baskets!
It is difficult to measure the impact hanging flower baskets have on a community. We continually evaluate the Owatonna program and ask ourselves questions such as, “how many people visit Owatonna because we have added flower baskets?” or “how can we determine if the flower baskets bring consumer traffic to our businesses?” or “what is the impact of the flower baskets, period?”
And the answer we continually come back to is the old adage of – you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. And the hanging flower baskets certainly add to this notion.
For more information, contact Lisa Havelka (lhavelka@owatonna.org) or 507.451.7970.
Tourism Conventions Bring in Dollars to Locals
Things really get moving this month in Owatonna as three of the largest conventions in Owatonna return to the Four Season Center.
The Farm & Power Show returns for their fifth year after moving the show from downtown Minneapolis. The outstate setting has created easier access for show exhibitors and participants. However, there is a continual challenge they face in Owatonna, not enough space. Each year show organizers tell us they could fill another building full of exhibitors.
On March 13-15 the Deer & Turkey Expo returns for their third year in Owatonna. This show is for all those outdoor enthusiasts that hunt whitetail deer, turkey, other big game, waterfowl and upland birds and small game.
To round out the month, the KOWZ Home & Recreation show fills the former ice rink and brings close to 8,000 people through their doors.
This year in June, Owatonna will host the Firefighters Convention. This event typically brings 500+ firefighters from across the state to town for training and fun. It will fill hotels here and in surrounding communities.
Each of these events are big boosters to the local economy. They fill the hotels, increase restaurant patrons, utilize the convenience stores and more. Be ready to great our guests and encourage their return to Owatonna to Discover our Faces and Places.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Employee Free Choice Act-Not Good for Employees
By: Brad Meier, President/CEO, Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
Now that Congress has passed a stimulus package, one of the next pieces of legislation could drastically change the way businesses operate and interact with their employees. You might have heard about Card Check, otherwise known as the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). It’s legislation that would take away an employee’s right to a secret ballot when voting for or against a union.
The concerns about taking away a secret ballot are many, but most importantly because it puts the employee in an awkward position where both the business and the union will know how he or she votes. During Card Check organizing drives, workers have to publicly declare their support or opposition to union representation, exposing them to intimidation, harassment and coercion. Although current law permits use of card check procedures in certain circumstances, the federal courts have explicitly said that card checks are inferior to secret ballot elections as a method for discerning the true wishes of employees.
In addition, the legislation does not take away secret ballot for decertification votes.
This legislation, if proposed as it was in 2007, would not only take away secret ballot, but would also create a binding arbitration scenario after 120 days. This would allow federal government arbitrators to dictate wages, benefits and all other terms and conditions of the workplace under a union contract, and then deprive workers of the chance to vote on that contract. Under normal contract negotiations employees have the opportunity to ratify a contract. This expansion of government power takes away the direct relationship between the worker and employer and puts the determination of a workers contract in a third party’s hands.
Finally, the Employee Free Choice Act imposes dramatic new penalties on employers for violations of the National Labor Relations Act, but not a single new penalty on unions or labor organizers. Under one provision of the new penalty structure, employers would be vulnerable to an injunction reinstating a dismissed employee if that employee, or the union seeking to represent him or her, merely alleges that the dismissal was because of union activity. Such a low threshold goes against all traditional labor law due process.
The Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, on behalf of its members, is opposed to this legislation because of the ramifications it would have on workers and businesses. It is a fundamentally flawed bill that will negatively change the way America does business.
In 2007, Card Check passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 241-185. The bill had a slim majority of support in the Senate, but fell to a filibuster on a 51-48 vote. 60 votes are needed to end a filibuster (known as cloture).
The political dynamics have changed as a result of the 2008 elections. Card Check advocates have expanded their majority in the House and in the Senate. However, the economy has worsened, labor is winning elections, and there is a real possibility this legislation could pass.
Consideration by the House is expected soon followed by the Senate debate. 60 votes is a significant but reachable goal for the bill’s proponents.
Congressman Tim Walz voted for this legislation in 2007; however, at a recent meeting in Owatonna stated he had not made a decision about his vote this time around. We encourage employees and business leaders to contact their Congressional representatives to voice concern and opposition to this legislation. Let’s position the economy for future success.
For a sample letter and our Congressional contact information, go to www.owatonna.org.
The concerns about taking away a secret ballot are many, but most importantly because it puts the employee in an awkward position where both the business and the union will know how he or she votes. During Card Check organizing drives, workers have to publicly declare their support or opposition to union representation, exposing them to intimidation, harassment and coercion. Although current law permits use of card check procedures in certain circumstances, the federal courts have explicitly said that card checks are inferior to secret ballot elections as a method for discerning the true wishes of employees.
In addition, the legislation does not take away secret ballot for decertification votes.
This legislation, if proposed as it was in 2007, would not only take away secret ballot, but would also create a binding arbitration scenario after 120 days. This would allow federal government arbitrators to dictate wages, benefits and all other terms and conditions of the workplace under a union contract, and then deprive workers of the chance to vote on that contract. Under normal contract negotiations employees have the opportunity to ratify a contract. This expansion of government power takes away the direct relationship between the worker and employer and puts the determination of a workers contract in a third party’s hands.
Finally, the Employee Free Choice Act imposes dramatic new penalties on employers for violations of the National Labor Relations Act, but not a single new penalty on unions or labor organizers. Under one provision of the new penalty structure, employers would be vulnerable to an injunction reinstating a dismissed employee if that employee, or the union seeking to represent him or her, merely alleges that the dismissal was because of union activity. Such a low threshold goes against all traditional labor law due process.
The Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, on behalf of its members, is opposed to this legislation because of the ramifications it would have on workers and businesses. It is a fundamentally flawed bill that will negatively change the way America does business.
In 2007, Card Check passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 241-185. The bill had a slim majority of support in the Senate, but fell to a filibuster on a 51-48 vote. 60 votes are needed to end a filibuster (known as cloture).
The political dynamics have changed as a result of the 2008 elections. Card Check advocates have expanded their majority in the House and in the Senate. However, the economy has worsened, labor is winning elections, and there is a real possibility this legislation could pass.
Consideration by the House is expected soon followed by the Senate debate. 60 votes is a significant but reachable goal for the bill’s proponents.
Congressman Tim Walz voted for this legislation in 2007; however, at a recent meeting in Owatonna stated he had not made a decision about his vote this time around. We encourage employees and business leaders to contact their Congressional representatives to voice concern and opposition to this legislation. Let’s position the economy for future success.
For a sample letter and our Congressional contact information, go to www.owatonna.org.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
February Talk of the Town
Chamber President Brad Meier discusses current happenings at the Chamber. Also, member Nagel Sod is featured in the business spotlight.
Appx. 19 min. MP3 File
Appx. 19 min. MP3 File
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