As reported last week, PPAI has joined with several industry coalitions, representing hundreds of trade organizations, to oppose the PRO Act. The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, H.R. 842, makes significant changes to current labor law that will harm the promotional products industry by banning the independent contractor model. The new legislation makes a broad presumption that all workers in the U.S. are employees unless each element of a newly established “ABC” test can be demonstrated. PPAI is opposed to the PRO Act because, if signed into law, it would significantly change how thousands of promotional products companies interact with each other, and it will eliminate jobs in the industry.
The House is expected to consider H.R. 842 as early as today, with a possible vote happening this week. In the latest episode of PPAI’s PromoTalks podcast, PPAI’s D.C.-based lobbyist Cliff Andrews and PPAI’s Public Affairs Manager Maurice Norris discuss the implications of this proposed legislation on industry companies, answer some of the most commonly asked questions and explain how industry members can take action now to oppose it. The 16-minute podcast, PPB Presents: “Why The PRO Act Is Detrimental To the Promotional Products Industry,” is available free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and at PromoTalks.
PPAI also urges industry members to click here to quickly email and call members of Congress to educate them about why independent contractors in the promotional products industry do not want to be forced to reclassify as employees.
PPB’s Associate Editor Kristina Valdez moderates this podcast sponsored by Kaeser & Blair. Cliff Andrews is principal of CapCity Advocates, LLC, a federal government relations firm that he opened in 2004. He partners with associations to deliver a wide range of policy issues management, coalition management and association advisement services. Maurice Norris is PPAI’s public affairs manager where he monitors legislative and regulatory developments affecting the promotional products industry, assists Association members with compliance challenges and helps them advocate for their companies with various levels of government. He also serves on the board of the Graphic Communications Workforce Coalition.
