Business Voice a Member Publication April 2009 | Volume 29 Number 4
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Business Voice A Member Publication April 2009 | Volume 29 Number 4 Routing Slip Please share The Business Voice 10 things you need to know about with others the Employee Free Choice Act mall business intimidation is closer to becoming a signatures to the NLRB and request a secret-ballot reality with the introduction of the Employee Free election. Employees become unionized if a majority What’s Inside SChoice Act (EFCA) in the U.S. Senate (S. 560) and votes in favor of the union during the election. Under U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 1409) on March EFCA, employees can become unionized if only a simple FREE and low cost 10, 2009. If EFCA, or card check, stands the test of majority sign the cards. marketing for members the legislative process it will drastically change the laws 3 governing how employees may unionize and the rules 3 Unions Will Hold All the Cards governing business. EFCA Proponents of EFCA claim FREE Business Survival is the number one job-killing that employees are “free” to Workshops piece of federal legislation “choose” between either a 6 the business community will secret-ballot election or a card face in 2009. check campaign as the method Executive development by which their union is to be in tough economic Every business is vulnerable recognized. When you consider times to the effects of EFCA. Here the fact that unions win 10 are ten things you need to about half of all secret-ballot know about the bill: elections but are successful on Green Initiative: Save 90 percent of all card-check water. Save money. 1 Small Businesses campaigns, it’s clear which 12 Most Vulnerable method union organizers will There are no exemptions choose for employees. April Calendar for small business in the of Events Employee Free Choice 4 Independent 16 Act. In fact, of the 2,649 Contractors Included secret-ballot elections conducted by the National Labor Independent contractors are fair game during a card www.lvchamber.com Relations Board (NLRB) in 2005, more than 20 percent check campaign. Under EFCA, independent contractors involved workforces of fewer than 10 employees and 70 can count toward the majority of workers necessary to percent involved workforces of fewer than 50 employees. unionize a business. This bill affects every employer. 5 Open-Ended Time Limit on Unionization 2 Effectively Eliminates Secret-ballot Elections Campaign Under current law, if a union gathers signatures from There are no time limits on card collection. The unions 30 percent of employees, it may request an employer would be able to collect these cards from employees and to voluntarily recognize them. If an employer denies independent contractors for as long as it takes to get 50 recognition then the union may take those same percent plus one to sign a card. Once a card is signed, it continued on page 28 We’re taking steps that will help shrink Nevada’s carbon footprint. That includes investing more in energy efficiency and conservationprograms, as well as developing more renewable energy resources here in our state, like solar, wind and geothermal. Because Nevada needs more than a power company. We need a vision for our energy future. For further steps we can all take, go to NVEnergy.com. From My Desk Chamber free and low-cost marketing tools: Built-in benefits to boost your business By Kara Kelley, President & CEO, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce e know that cost-efficient and effective to use the Chamber to leverage publicity and exposure marketing is vital to your business right now. opportunities. You are also invited to be part of the W You need to attract new customers, keep the exclusive “Mini Expo” table-top displays, allowing ones you have and promote the strengths of you to showcase your products and services to other your business, all on a minimal budget. In short, you’ve members. This complimentary event is open to all told us that you need your limited marketing dollars Chamber members and prospective members. (Tabletop to provide tangible results, and fast. Here’s what the displays are available only to members for $100 on a Chamber is doing to help you strengthen your marketing first-come, first-serve basis.) efforts and reach your goals. Member-to-Member Discounts FREE Chamber Benefits The Chamber’s Member-to-Member Discount program There are numerous marketing benefits built into your allows you to offer discounts, promotions and special existing Chamber membership that take only a few deals to other members online. The service is free and moments to implement and can have far-reaching, available only to Chamber members. Not only can you positive results. offer discounts, you can save money by utilizing Member- Kara Kelley to-Member Discounts yourself. To get started, go to President & CEO Member-to-Member Marketing Expos www.lvchamber.com and click the Member-to-Member Las Vegas Chamber of Member-to-Member Marketing Expos, formerly known link on the front page of our Chamber web site. Commerce as New Member Briefings, provide an outstanding networking opportunity where you can connect with the Visitors Center newest Chamber members. You can also activate your All Chamber members are invited to display their “members only” benefits and learn more about how company’s collateral and business materials in the continued on page 26 Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Member Services 2009 Board of Trustees Las Vegas Chamber Helpful Hints: Executive Committee: of Commerce Steve Hill Hugh Anderson Kevin Burke 702.641.5822 • Limit the number of releases you Chairman of the Board Vice Chair - Government Affairs Burke and Associates, Inc. send to the single most important CalPortland The ABD&F Group at Merrill Lynch Membership Sales 586.3855 happening in your organization. Richard S. Worthington Advertising Sales 586.3812 Fafie Moore Kevin Orrock The Molasky Group of Companies CSE 586.3839 • No advertisements will be printed Immediate Past Chairman Vice Chair - Finance Government Affairs 586.3815 in the Member News section. & Vice Chair - Member Services The Howard Hughes Corporation Kara Kelley InfoCenter 735.1616 Realty Executives of Nevada • No phone numbers will be listed in President & CEO Member Health Benefits 586.3887 the Member News section, with the Michael Bonner Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Public Relations 641.5822 exception of non-profit organizations. Kristin McMillan Kummer Kaempfer Bonner VYP 735.2196 Chairman-Elect & Renshaw & Ferrario • Outdated material will not be Vice Chair - Marketing Editorial Policy: published. EMBARQ The Las Vegas Chamber of Com- • Membership dues must be current Trustees: merce welcomes input, ideas and for submissions to be printed. Bob Ansara Robbie Graham Vicky VanMeetren suggestions from our members. Ricardo’s of Las Vegas, Inc. NTC Global Holding Group St. Rose Dominican Hospitals As with any periodical, we must • The Chamber reserves the right San Martín Campus adhere to strict deadlines and we to make the final edit on all Charles Atwood Corey Jenkins reserve the right to edit all mate- submissions. The Smith Center for the SAVMOR Rent a Car John Wilson rials submitted for publication. Performing Arts MedicWest Ambulance Commentaries that are marked as The Business Voice (USPS #717- Bart Jones such do not necessarily reflect the 970) is published by The Las Vegas Bob Brown Merlin Contracting Nancy Wong opinion or position of the Cham- Chamber of Commerce. Las Vegas Review-Journal & Developing Arcata Associates, Inc. ber, its trustees or employees. The 6671 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Ste. 300 Chamber cannot guarantee the Las Vegas, NV 89119-3290 Senator Richard Bryan Gina Polovina Michele Tell Woodrow Lionel Sawyer & Collins Boyd Gaming Corporation Preferred Public Relations, LLC validity or accuracy of the contents of paid advertisements. Questions Annual Subscription $25 Periodical postage paid at Las Vegas, NV Tim Cashman Kevin Rabbitt Michael Yackira or concerns about content of The Foghorn Consulting GES Exposition Services NV Energy Business Voice can be addressed to Vice President of Marketing, POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Doris Charles Larry Singer Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Wells Fargo Bank Grubb & Ellis l Las Vegas 6671 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Suite 6671 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Ste. 300 300, Las Vegas, NV 89119. Las Vegas, NV 89119-3290 Cornelius Eason Bruce Spotleson Priority Staffing, USA Greenspun Media Group April 2009 | The Business Voice | Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce 3 Chamber News “Explore the Possibilities” - Meet more than 2,000 customers at Business Expo 2009 Business Expo 2009 is set for June 24 at the Las Vegas a more effective public speaker. The “Be a Better Speaker” Convention Center. Chamber members can reserve their Series will be held in five, two-hour sessions and will provide booth today and get a great early bird discount if they participants with an Advanced Communication Silver register by April 17. This high energy tradeshow and (ACS) level recognition from Toastmasters International. networking event is expected to attract more than 2,000 Visit the Chamber’s event calendar at www.lvchamber.com attendees. Visit www.lvchamber.com for details. to register for this series or to reserve your space at any of the five sessions. Space is limited so register early. Please Attend a free “Business Expo Workshop” to contact Member Services at 702.641.5822 for program help maximize your tradeshow experience details. EXPO2009 To learn how to make the most of your investment at the Chamber’s 2009 Business Expo, make Chamber partners with local newspapers to provide plans to attend a free Business Expo Workshop. once-in-a-lifetime marketing opportunities for members This workshop is open to all Business Expo 2009 In December 2008, In Business donated a full page color exhibitors.