Employer Advocacy
The Employers’ Advocate for Workplace Issues
If there is a legislative threat to your workplace, Catapult will be there playing a key role!
Catapult is very active in the NC General Assembly, working on bills that affect the workplace. We are a founding member of the Employers Coalition of North Carolina (ECNC), the only group in North Carolina focused on representing the voice of N.C. employers in workplace-related legislation and regulation. We focus on real-world problems and offer real-world solutions. ECNC plays a pivotal role in setting the legislative agenda for employers of all sizes.
How we act
ECNC is represented in the NC General Assembly by lobbyist Connie Wilson, a former NC legislator who is consistently ranked as one of the top lobbyists in the state. ECNC:
- Runs grassroots communications campaigns aimed at shaping workplace legislation
- Testifies locally on legislative committees
- Opposes legislation harmful to employers and job growth
- Assists in drafting and revising workplace-friendly bills
- Educates legislators on workplace issues
Organized a grassroots campaign of Catapult members to help defeat the “Wilkes Bill,” which would have substantially raised workers compensation costs in NC.
ECNC co-sponsored an expert study recommending needed changes to the state unemployment system and how to repay our $2.8 billion federal debt. A reform law passed in 2013, based in part on the study.
ECNC led the successful challenge to Industrial Commission medical fee schedules that had helped make NC one of the highest-cost workers compensation systems. This initiative saved tens of millions of dollars.
ECNC helped remove "guns in employee trunks" language from a bill that would have overridden company rules against weapons on site.
ECNC was successful in defeating a bill that would have greatly expanded NC’s garnishment laws requiring employers to garnish employee wages for practically any debt owed.
ECNC worked closely with a coalition concerned about a bill that would require corporations and LLCs to include the number of veterans they employ on their annual report to the Secretary of State’s Office. The coalition was successful in stopping the bill in the House.
Be part of our grass roots and rapid response team when bills are filed and legislative committees meet to vote. Thanks for your help!