FORUM Credit Union will celebrate its 70th anniversary on December 7.  In honor of this milestone, FORUM invites members and the local community to take part in a variety of activities including branch events, a special drawing, and numerous prizes.  

FORUM was founded in 1941 as Hoosier Federal Credit Union and served as a financial institution for the workers of Indiana Bell Telephone Company.  The credit union’s name was officially changed on May 1, 2000 to FORUM Credit Union to be more reflective of the credit union as a whole. FORUM is available to people who live or work in central Indiana or who work for a company that offers FORUM as a benefit to their employees.  FORUM has grown from a volunteer-operated organization to one that serves more than 100,000 members.  Twelve branch locations are available as well as online and mobile banking. 
 
Each branch location will have a special celebration on December 7 from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm that will include a $70 prize drawing, refreshments, and snacks.  FORUM will also commemorate the anniversary with 70 Days of Giveaways at www.ForumCU.com.  This online promotion will start on December 7, 2011 and last through February 14, 2012 and will feature a prize giveaway every day.  Participants will have the chance to enter for gift cards, Apple iPods, Kindle Readers, a TV, digital camera, and an iPad. 

For a branch location near you, visit www.forumcu.com. 

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has just approved a push for swifter union control through speedier elections that could occur within two to three weeks after filing a petition. Before the rule goes into effect, it will be drafted into final language for a subsequent NLRB vote within the next three weeks.

Comments from Indiana Chamber of Commerce President Kevin Brinegar on this development:

"This is yet another attempt by organized labor to abandon the historical democratic process within labor-management relations and tip the scales in favor of employees voting for a union. Currently, the average time it takes to have an election is 38 days. By cutting that time in half, unions are boldly trying to rob employers of their time to fully discuss the impact of unionizing their workplace.

"It all comes down to fairness. Employees need to be able to fully hear both sides of the union organizing argument, and then let them make an informed decision. What the NLRB is attempting is basically an ambush and once again illustrates the Board’s increasing abuse of power."

There are other concerning changes covered in the new rule, says Brinegar, including no pre-election appeals to the Board and any post-election review of issues would be strictly discretionary.

Background:
The NLRB has less than three weeks to finalize its recommendations since the Board loses its quorum of three members later in December, including one key supporter of the approved election changes. The Board’s vote on Wednesday was 2-1. There are up to five members in total on the Board at any one time.

The National Labor Relations Act provides employees with the right to form or join a union in order to collectively bargain with their employer. To be recognized by an employer, a union must demonstrate it has the support of a majority of the employees. Any union election process is supervised by the NLRB.

As you’ve probably heard, we support the effort to make Indiana a right-to-work state. Here is House Speaker Brian Bosma explaining why it’s a good idea in a new ad campaign.

Comments from Indiana Chamber of Commerce President Kevin Brinegar on the announcement today by House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem David Long that right-to-work legislation will take priority in the 2012 session:

“Passing a right-to-work law is the single most important action our lawmakers can take to put more Hoosiers back to work. Currently, we have more than 200,000 people unemployed in Indiana and many more at risk as employers deal with a still unstable economy. A right-to-work law would open the door to attracting new and expanding companies and the numerous jobs they bring.

“Site selection experts from across the country will tell anyone who will listen that between one third and nearly half of the companies that hire them to find a good location won’t even consider non right-to-work states for their business growth and expansion plans. So Indiana is automatically out of the running in far too many instances.

“Other Midwestern states such a Michigan and Kentucky are now looking at passing right-to-work to gain a dramatic competitive advantage for jobs. We cannot afford to fall behind the competition.

“Right-to-work is about creating jobs, economic growth and fairness. Arguments to the contrary are smoke and mirrors. Right-to-work laws do not prohibit labor unions or collective bargaining, but simply protect workers from being forced to join or pay dues and fees to a labor union.  Workers would still have the right to join or support a labor union, only now it would be his or her decision to make. That’s simply fair.

“Case in point, right-to-work legislation was passed more than 15 years ago for Hoosier teachers. It certainly didn’t destroy their unions or collective bargaining rights, and it didn’t result in lower wages for teachers.

“Going forward, the Indiana Chamber will work to help citizens and lawmakers realize that a vote for right-to-work is a vote for job creation and worker freedom. A person shouldn’t have to be forced to join a union in order to get or keep a job. Today was an important step and I applaud legislative leadership for displaying determination with this issue.”

Indiana Chamber Communications VP Tom Schuman explains why streamlining the tax code and reforming entitlement spending will create a simpler and fairer system for American workers and businesses. The U.S. Congress’ Super Committee should work to make this happen.

As the country continues to battle through difficult economic conditions, Indiana has the opportunity to make our state more attractive to potential relocation and expansion prospects by becoming a right-to-work (RTW) state. Numerous site selection consultants have testified that Indiana misses out on competing for at least one-third of all company relocation opportunities because it is a non-RTW state. To create more jobs and expand our economy, our lawmakers must enact legislation in the 2012 Indiana General Assembly to make Indiana a RTW state. 

An Indiana Chamber study, published in January 2011, titled, “Right-to-Work and Indiana’s Economic Future,” examined results from various RTW and non-RTW states and found the following:

RTW states create more jobs than non-RTW states
- Growth in Jobs (1977-2008): Indiana, 42.8%; Non-RTW states, 56.5%; U.S., 71%; RTW States, 100%
- From 2000-2009, more than 4.9 million Americans moved from non-RTW states to RTW states

RTW states have faster growth in per capita income than non-RTW states
- Growth in Real Per Capita Income (1977-2008): Indiana, 37.2%; Non-RTW states 52.8%; U.S. 54.7%; RTW States, 62.3%

For more statistics from around the country, view this summary we’ve developed.

Now is the time to make Indiana a right-to-work state, but we can’t do it alone. To pass critical economic development legislation, it takes clout, resources and a strong, influential membership base. We need your membership support today. Membership is the driving force behind our ability to advance our pro-jobs, pro-economy agenda. Contact Tim Brewer at tbrewer@indianachamber.com to become a member and to help grow our right-to-work coalition. Membership is 89% tax deductible.

Oscar Moralez of StepStone Angels & Business Partners talks about the importance of mitigating risks associated with angel investing. Check out the full story in BizVoice magazine.