SB 347 / Chamber Supports
Work share legislation has renewed life this session with a new committee chairman, and the Indiana Chamber is again leading the charge to get this pro-employer, pro-worker bill enacted.
First, a refresher: Work share is a voluntary and cost-effective alternative to traditional unemployment benefits. In lieu of laying off a number of employees entirely during an economic downturn, an employer elects to retain those employees and reduce the hours of all employees or of a particular group or department. Those employees are then permitted to draw partial unemployment compensation benefit based upon the reduced hours.
The Indiana Chamber Board of Directors and its overall membership have made their voices loud and clear that Indiana needs to institute work share as an alternative track to traditional unemployment insurance (UI). Thus, we are in full support of Senate Bill 347, authored by Sen. Eric Bassler (R-Washington), which addresses this need within the UI system.
Senate Bill 347 was heard last week in the Senate Pensions and Labor Committee, chaired by Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger). The Indiana Chamber voiced strong support for the bill along with local Chamber allies. We were joined by Cummins, Inc., which testified that work share would allow the company to retain its highly skilled workers that are so sought after by such manufacturing firms.
As in past hearings on the matter, the Indiana Manufacturers Association (IMA) testified in opposition, but Sen. Chip Perfect (R-Lawrenceburg) was having none of it and did an admirable job dissecting IMA’s baseless opposition. Senator Perfect reminded the committee that work share is an optional program – not required – that allows employers to retain the talent they have worked hard to acquire and invested heavily in.
The Chamber appreciates the continued support of Sen. Bassler and the bill’s co-authors. We also appreciate the local chambers and Cummins for showing up to testify in favor of SB 347. Committee vote on the legislation is scheduled for this week. We are optimistic the bill will pass with bipartisan support.
Ashton Eller is vice president of health care policy and employment law for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. A Hamilton County native, Eller previously served as the Chamber’s manager of political affairs and has been with the organization since 2008.
