Call To Reverse NLRB Ruling

Danny Farrar, CEO and founder of SoldierFit Fitness Company, testified last week on behalf of the Coalition to Save Local Businesses before the U.S. House Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations. He asked the committee to take action to reverse the NLRB's decision to alter the "joint employer" standard for all small businesses.

In his testimony, Farrar--who served eight years in the military, including a combat tour in Iraq, 700 missions, and tasked with leading the first Army team into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, stated that small business owners around the country are being forced to try to grow under great uncertainty because of this new standard.

"When the National Labor Relations Board decided to change the joint employer liability standard last fall, it was a scary moment for local business owners like me," said Farrar. "Any legal doctrine that is based on 'indirect' and even unexercised, 'reserved' control such as this one is so unclear and unpredictable that no one can assure small businesses that their operations are not in violation."

Farrar cited that the new joint employer standard rules could dampen economic growth and ultimately have a devastating impact on the franchising industry, entrepreneurship and jobs. "H.R. 3459, the Protecting Local Business Opportunity Act, is the solution that can protect small businesses like mine and give us certainty that federal agencies are not going to threaten our businesses in the future. I urge every member to support the bill," Farrar explained.

SoldierFit is a Frederick, Maryland-based company that offers a fitness program through four company-owned locations and two franchisees that combines basic training drills from the U.S. military with functional fitness techniques.

The Coalition to Save Local Businesses, is a diverse group of locally owned, independent small businesses, associations, and organizations, dedicated to protecting and strengthening all sectors of small business, which are now under attack by the NLRB.