Advocacy News – October 21, 2021
Listen to MI Business, a new statewide coalition led by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, was launched this past Monday to urge President Biden and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to reconsider their pending federal sweeping vaccine mandate.
The coalition has spurred significant statewide media coverage and was created in response to an announcement by the Biden Administration – with formal rules not yet shared but expected any day now – that businesses with 100 or more employees must require COVID-19 vaccinations or undergo weekly testing.
Sixteen regional and local chambers and state associations across both peninsulas have signed on to date. They include the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, Battle Creek Area Chamber, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Community Bankers of Michigan, Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Area Chamber, Lansing Regional Chamber, Michigan Retailers Association, Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce, Midwest Independent Retailers Association, Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance (representing 16 chambers and economic develop organizations across northern Michigan), Petoskey Chamber, Saginaw County Chamber, Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber and Traverse Connect.
To be clear: This coalition believes increasing vaccinations is an important and sensible goal and is not about encouraging anti-vaccine rhetoric. Rather, it’s about speaking up regarding the unintended consequences associated with this major policy change and unprecedented government mandate, in addition to emphasizing that employers cannot be asked to shoulder the sole responsibility of increasing vaccination rates.
Coalition members are concerned about the countless unanswered questions, the negative impact the mandate will have on Michigan’s economy and in sowing more division at a time when our communities and families can least afford it. From vaccine-resistant or hesitant workers quitting their jobs and looking for employment elsewhere to unnecessarily pitting employers and employees against each other, Michigan businesses deserve better.
Visit www.ListenToMIBusiness.com to learn more and make your voice heard. Please contact Wendy Block with questions at wblock@michamber.com.