International Franchise Association applauded committee members after House Education and the Workforce Committee passage of H.R. 3441, the Save Local Business Act. IFA expressed strong support for the legislation, sponsored by Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Lou Correa (D-CA), and others, calling it common sense legislation that will clarify the legal definition of joint-employer.
“We commend committee members for their dedication to this important issue and for holding today’s markup, as the uncertainty surrounding the new joint employer standard has made it harder for America’s 733,000 franchise owners to grow and create jobs,” said IFA SVP Government Relations & Public Affairs Matt Haller. “We are confident this legislation provides a fair, workable definition of “joint employer” that helps employers understand the rules of the game, but also provides flexibility so that bad actors are held accountable.”
In a letter of support sent to Members of the House Education and Workforce Committee, IFA stated the Save Local Business Act returns the status of the law to the long-standing interpretation of “joint employer” under the National Labor Relations Act and ensures that employers remain responsible when they are directly involved in an employee’s day-to-day working conditions.
“IFA has been at the very forefront of the broad effort to encourage Congress to provide clarity to franchise and other local businesses. We are thankful for the committee’s efforts today, and urge swift consideration of the Save Local Business Act on the House Floor,” stated Haller.
