Introduced by Sen. Jack Brandenburg R-Harrison Township on September 16, 2015
To establish that the owner of a business franchise rather than the franchisor is considered the sole employer of the workers for whom he or she provides a benefit plan or pays wages, except as otherwise specified in the franchise agreement, or where prohibited by law. The bill was introduced after President Obama’s appointees on the National Labor Relations Board issued a ruling that all franchise employees are actually employed by the franchiser for purposes of union organizing. Among other things, if sustained this policy would mean that employees at local restaurants franchised by a national chain like McDonalds could be unionized on a nationwide basis. Official Text and Analysis.
Referred to the Senate Commerce Committee on September 16, 2015
Referred to the House Commerce and Trade Committee on November 10, 2015
Reported in the House on December 8, 2015
Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.
Amendment offered by Rep. Jim Townsend D-Royal Oak on December 15, 2015
To not apply the bill if it would contradict the controversial franchise rule adopted by the federal National Labor Relations Board (which was the event that triggered the bill's introduction).
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on December 15, 2015