WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on the proposed joint employer rule:
“This ambiguous Obama-era rule creates uncertainty for small business franchises and jeopardizes their ability to function independently. These small businesses are run by members of the local community; federal bureaucrats should not force them to relinquish operational control to their corporate franchisors. The proposed rule released today would provide clarity and ensure small business franchises retain the power to make their own personnel decisions.”
Senator Cramer signed multiple letters to Secretary Acosta urging reforms to this rule and supported legislation last Congress to overturn it. The public will now have 60 days to comment on the proposed rule once it is published in the Federal Register.
Secretary Acosta recently came to North Dakota at the request of Senator Cramer, where they held round tables on workforce issues and association health plans and met with tribal college presidents.
###