The Business Council of New York State, Inc.

2003 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES

Staff Contact: Tom Minnick

Following is The Business Council's 2003 Legislative Program. It identifies priority issues to be addressed by the Committees and Councils during 2003.

Employee Benefits

  • Oppose government mandated employee benefits, especially the use of Disability Insurance payments or Unemployment Insurance benefits for paid leave or paid time off.
  • Support legislation which makes it easier for business to offer dependent care program options.
  • Support the implementation of reasonable, objective medical guidelines and a maximum 500 week payment schedule for non-scheduled partial impairments for workers' compensation cases.

Employment

  • Support the doctrine of "employment at will" and oppose any attempt to undermine an employer's right to employ and terminate employment.
  • Support legislation which protects an employer's ability to create a drug-free workplace and excludes current drug and alcohol abuse from protection under the Human Rights Law.
  • Support legislation which would provide limited liability to employers who provide good faith employment reference information.

Human Rights

  • Support legislation which facilitates employer actions to eliminate sexual harassment and domestic violence and discourage additional mandates and remedies under the Human Rights and Labor Laws.

Labor Relations

  • Oppose the use of a "union only" workforce in public and private projects and continue support of New York's competitive bidding laws.
  • Oppose any attempts to limit an employer's right to operate during a labor dispute.

Pay Administration

  • Support the concept of "equal pay for equal work" and oppose the doctrine of comparable worth in both the public and private sectors.
  • Oppose living wage proposals.

Miscellaneous

  • Support a civil mediation process to serve as a first resolution effort prior to litigation and oppose any limitations to employer or agency Alternative Dispute Resolution procedures.
  • Support amendments to the Industrial Homework Law that give employers flexibility to allow workers the ability to work from home.
  • Oppose legislation that mandates studies, policy development and training in workplace violence prevention.

Regulatory

  • Collaborate with the state Labor Department and Human Rights Division on the rulemaking for the new "Use of State Funds" and "Religious Accommodation" laws.
  • Support the continuing activities of the state and local Workforce Investment Boards.

The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
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