You’re Invited > 2012’s Largest Gathering of North Carolina Manufacturers
Many would have you believe that manufacturing is declining and being replaced by a technology-driven economy. In fact, manufacturing is the engine of technology development and innovation, responsible for more than 70 percent of private sector research and development.

Teresa Helmlinger Ratcliff, P.E., Ph.D and executive director of the Industrial Extension Service (IES) at North Carolina State University, invites you to join IES on Tuesday, June 19 at Made in North Carolina – The North Carolina Chamber’s Summit on Manufacturing.

The North Carolina Chamber is the state affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturer’s. Join us for an action-packed day of discussion around the industry’s most pressing issues. Register now!

Great Schools Make Good Business
NC Chamber supports NC Senate education reform plan
The North Carolina Chamber supports the Excellent Public Schools Act (S795) introduced in the NC Senate last week by Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and Sens. Tom Apodaca (R-Henderson) and Jerry Tillman (R-Randolph). The Excellent Public Schools Act aligns with several priorities of the North Carolina Chamber’s Education Vision Plan, including promoting public-private partnerships through a streamlined lateral entry process.

NC Chamber joins statewide education tour. The NC Chamber hit the road last week, joining Sens. Phil Berger and Tom Apodaca at the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, to discuss how the Excellent Public Schools Act will better prepare students across our state. Among other aspects of the bill, Sen. Berger discussed the importance of reading-intensive instruction in grades K-3, stating that our kids must learn to read before they can read to learn. Strengthening our state’s education system is fundamental for economic growth and the future success of our children and businesses in North Carolina. Next stop: Charlotte Chamber of Commerce on May 10!

Washington Update: Bad News for Job Creators
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ambush election rule, expediting the unionization election process, went into effect yesterday. Ambush elections are bad news for both employers and employees. Employers are not provided adequate preparation time before an election and employees are forced to make an important decision with minimal information.

US Senate failed to stop NLRB ambush elections: The NC Chamber was disappointed last week when the US Senate rejected a resolution (S.J. Res. 36) to disapprove the NLRB ambush election rule with a 45-54 vote. Sen. Burr (R-NC) voted in favor of the disapproval and Sen. Hagan (D-NC) voted against it. NC Chamber members sent nearly 200 letters to the North Carolina Congressional delegation urging them to rein in NLRB overreach. We appreciate your support and will continue to update you on important labor issues!