Federal judge blocks NLRB's quick election rule
The
United States District Court for the District of Columbia has ruled that the
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) lacked a valid three-member quorum to
adopt its quick election rule that went into effect April 30. The rule, which
was challenged in court by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, shortened the union
election process, cutting voting time to as short as 15 days.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said union elections will have to continue
following previously established procedures until the NLRB can vote with a
proper quorum.
Read the decision.
Tim Timmons 803-255-2624
U.S. House
reauthorizes Export-Import Bank
Last week, by a vote of 330-93, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to
reauthorize the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank of the United States through
September 2014. The Ex-Im Bank is the official export credit agency of the U.S.
that assists in financing the export of goods and services at no cost to
taxpayers. The Bank's charter is set to expire May 31, 2012, putting critical
credit for exporters and suppliers at risk. The reauthorization now moves to the
U.S. Senate.
South Carolina Congressmen Tim Scott (SC-1), Joe Wilson (SC-2), Trey Gowdy
(SC-4) and Jim Clyburn (SC-6) voted in favor of reauthorization. South Carolina
Congressmen Jeff Duncan (SC-3) and Mick Mulvaney (SC-5) voted against it. U.S.
Senator Lindsey Graham has been an ardent supporter of reauthorization, while
U.S. Senator Jim DeMint opposes reauthorization.
The Ex-Im Bank is a critical tool for more than 50 South Carolina-based
manufacturers that routinely rely on the financing to export their products.
Last year alone, the Ex-Im Bank supported more than $40 billion in U.S. exports
that helped create or sustain 290,000 U.S. jobs at more than 3,600 companies.
The Ex-Im Bank is also self-sustaining. In the years since it was last
authorized in 2006, the Bank has returned $3.4 billion to the U.S. Treasury
above and beyond the cost of its operations.
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and other business groups have been vocal
supporters of the Bank's reauthorization.
Darrell
Scott 803-255-2639
Best Places to Work in South Carolina application deadline approaching
Less than two weeks remain to apply for the
2012 Best Places to Work in South Carolina. Apply
online by clicking on "Program Registration," and complete the information
before May 25. The award is open to all South Carolina for-profit and
not-for-profit organizations with at least 15 employees working in South
Carolina. Winners will be contacted in early August. View the
2011 Best Places to Work in South Carolina companies and rankings.
For more information about the application process, contact Best Companies Group
toll free at 877-455-2159. Save the date for the
recognition event, presented by
Colonial Life,
October 4 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Columbia.
Tish Anderson 803-255-2627
S.C.
Chamber seeks Manufacturer of the Year nominations
The deadline to apply
for South Carolina's Manufacturer of the Year is only a month away. The South
Carolina Chamber is seeking manufacturers who have a strong economic impact in
South Carolina and a commitment to improving the state's environment, workforce
and quality of life. South Carolina Manufacturer of the Year Awards will be
presented to a small, medium and large manufacturer.
Learn more about the nomination process. The deadline for entries is
Thursday, June 15 at 5 p.m. View the
2011 nominees and winners. All applicants will be honored at the South
Carolina Chamber's
Manufacturer of the Year Awards luncheon, presented by
Nexsen Pruet, LLC,
August 29 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbia.
Tish Anderson 803-255-2627
Register
for S.C. Chamber Membership Receptions
The South Carolina
Chamber of Commerce's four regional Membership Receptions are designed to give
South Carolina Chamber members the opportunity to meet and network with fellow
business leaders and elected officials. The receptions are free to all South
Carolina Chamber members thanks in large part to the 2012 platinum
sponsors: Bank of
America,
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina,
Blue Marlin
Signature Catering and Womble
Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP. All receptions will be held from 5 p.m. - 7
p.m.
Register today!
Lowcountry
June 7
Cooper River Room, Mt. Pleasant
Pee
Dee
June 12
Osbornes, Florence
Upstate
June 14
BMW Zentrum, Greer
Midlands
June 19
The Tower at 1301 Gervais, Columbia
Alexa Stillwell
803-255-2621
SEUS-CP
Conference to explore business relationships between U.S., Canada
The 5th Annual
Southeastern United States - Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS-CP) Conference
will take place in Myrtle Beach May 20-22 for more than 300 Canadian and U.S.
business and government leaders. Discussion forums will focus on key business
trends in the U.S. & Canada including: Economic Business Outlook of Canada & the
Southeastern United States, The Future of Manufacturing Innovation and Beyond
the Border: Ensuring Efficient Can-Am Trade in a Tighter Security Environment.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham will serve as the Sunday Dinner Speaker. Other
conference speakers include Marco Cavazzoni, vice president and general manager,
final assembly and delivery with Boeing South Carolina, Geoffrey S. Aucoin,
general manager at Michelin North America Inc., Derek Burleton, vice president
and deputy chief economist at TD Bank Financial Group, Mark Vitner, managing
director and senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities, and more.
The conference is hosted by South Carolina's Governor Nikki Haley and co-hosted
by New Brunswick's Premier David Alward. The business program will be chaired by
David Wilkins, the former ambassador of the United States of America, and
co-chaired by Andrea Feunekes, co-CEO of Remsoft.
Learn more.
Marisa Crawford
803-727-7089
Revitalizing America: Encouraging
Entrepreneurship being held May 31
South Carolina Congressman Tim Scott (SC-1),
a freshman class leader and successful entrepreneur prior to being elected to
Congress, has announced the launch of his Revitalizing America series bringing
together business leaders and congressional leadership such as House Majority
Leader Eric Cantor and businessman Steve Forbes. The first event, the
Encouraging Entrepreneurship Conference, will be held at the U.S. Capitol on May
31, 2012.
Learn more.
Nick Muzin
202-225-3176