No to the Labor Standards Board and top-down mandates

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This article was submitted on behalf of several leaders of business and trade organizations. Their names are listed below.

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In Minneapolis, we have all seen firsthand the powerful impact of collaboration between employees and employers. The city thrives on the mutual respect and shared goals that drive our local economy forward. It’s been proven time and again that we can work together to create a vibrant, inclusive and prosperous community. However, a new City Council proposal for the creation of a Labor Standards Board may be fast-tracked for approval, potentially disrupting this balance.

The proposed Labor Standards Board seeks to impose new regulations and standards on businesses across the city that could regulate everything from benefits and working hours to worker training. While the intention behind this proposal may be to protect workers, it fails to recognize the strong partnerships that already exist between employers and their employees. Minneapolis workplaces do not need an advisory board to mediate their relationships or dictate the terms of their operations. Instead, we need to maintain the autonomy that lets employers customize their hiring, benefits and workplace culture to address the unique opportunities and challenges of each organization.

In June, Minneapolis hotels set a monthly record for guest room revenue for the first time since 2018, due to major events like the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials. This surge provided a much-needed boost to the economy, aiding long-time businesses and communities in their efforts to rebuild the vibrancy of downtown and create opportunities for events and visitors to enjoy the city where we work and play.

Minneapolis’ success is built on the ground-up relationships within our community, not top-down mandates. Every day, employers and employees come together to ensure that Minneapolis remains a dynamic place to live, work and visit. This collaborative spirit is the cornerstone of economic vitality and should not be undermined by unnecessary bureaucratic layers. Decisions about businesses’ futures are best made by those directly involved — the people who understand their own needs and challenges.

The Labor Standards Board proposal also has a far-reaching impact. From retail, restaurants and construction to financial services and health care, the city could create complicated new regulations of all organizations in any industry sector. We hope all Minneapolis employers and employees realize the importance of letting Minneapolis officials know that we are already working together effectively to create a better Minneapolis. Our city already has some of the most robust worker protections in the country, and we do not need additional regulations to maintain this productive collaboration. Instead, we need to protect the collaborative frameworks we have established through years of hard work and mutual understanding.

A Labor Standards Board could complicate efforts to continue Minneapolis’ recovery, creating barriers where none are needed. By adding another layer of regulation and associated costs, we risk stifling the innovation and flexibility that are the hallmarks of our ability to invest in our employees and our communities.

This board’s one-size-fits-all approach, combined with an unbalanced membership, fails to consider our city’s diverse industries and the unique needs of different workplaces. One of our many concerns is that the appointments will be unfairly skewed, leaving the affected businesses without a meaningful voice on the board.

Minneapolis has always thrived when employers and employees unite to achieve common goals. It’s time to stand up for the future of Minneapolis. Together, we can ensure that our community remains a place where employees and employers thrive together, maintaining the autonomy and collaboration that have made us strong.

The article was signed by John Stanoch, Minneapolis Regional Chamber; Adam Duininck, Minneapolis Downtown Council; Sarah Anderson, Greater Minneapolis Building Owners & Managers Association; Angie Whitcomb, Hospitality Minnesota; Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers; Patrick Garofalo, Minnesota Grocers Association; Adam Hanson, Associated Builders and Contractors of Minnesota/North Dakota, and Tony Chesak, Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association.