U.S. Chamber Holds Annual Labor Day Briefing

U.S. Economy & Labor Union's Anti-Growth Agenda Key Focuses

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce held its annual Labor Day briefing to outline the top economic and workplace issues important to American employees and businesses. Chief Economist Martin Regalia and Vice President of Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits Randel Johnson discussed the overall health of the U.S. economy and employment and immigration legislation currently before Congress.

"The U.S. economy is still grappling with high oil prices, a stagnated housing market and turmoil in the credit markets," said Regalia. "I don't see these issues going away anytime soon. To bounce back, we need to focus on domestic energy production, make the Bush tax cuts permanent, and remove unneeded government red tape and frivolous lawsuits that burden our small businesses."

Regalia also gave his economic projections for the third and fourth quarters of 2008, stating he expects moderate third quarter growth at a 1% annual rate and zero or slightly negative growth in the fourth quarter.

Johnson outlined the current health and retirement benefits offered to American workers and spoke out on the card check bill, legislation which essentially abolishes secret ballot elections in unionization drives, exposing workers to well documented coercion in deciding whether or not to join a union.

"Preventing the passage of the card check bill is one of the U.S. Chamber's top priorities," Johnson said. "This bill may be good for union coffers and driving membership up, but it is bad for the U.S. economy and American workers. The end does not justify the means."

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

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