TMA Joins Legal Challenge to IL Law Prohibiting Employer Discussions with Workers
SCHAUMBURG, IL – The Technology & Manufacturing Association has signed on as a second plaintiff on behalf of small and midsize manufacturers to the Liberty Justice Center’s lawsuit against Public Act 103-0722 (SB 3649), which prohibits employers from discussing certain topics with employees.
Ironically dubbed the “Worker Freedom of Speech Act,” the bill effectively revokes free speech rights across the state and would prohibit employers from discussing any religious or political matters, including legislation, regulation, and policy, in mandatory meetings—even when such matters are essential to the organization’s operations or to employees’ work—and would impose thousands of dollars in fines for any such discussion.
“It was important for TMA to join this lawsuit along with the Liberty Justice Center because it’s vital that we can communicate and educate our members and their employees about issues that impact the future of their business,” said TMA President Patrick Osborne. “This is a brazen attack on employers’ ability to have constructive and open dialogue with their workers and further regulates how businesses must operate in Illinois. Instead of restricting people’s First Amendment, Springfield should be focused on legislation that lowers the cost-of-living for working families, lowers energy and utility prices, and makes Illinois a more competitive business environment.”
More on the Liberty Justice Center’s lawsuit and TMA’s involvement can be found here.
About TMA: Founded in 1925, TMA is an independent trade association exclusively funded by industry and solely focused on small and midsize manufacturers. TMA has nearly 900 members representing approximately 39,000 manufacturing employees and more than 27 million square feet of manufacturing plant.
