The Dangers of Down-Ballot Elections and Union Pressures

Yesterday, the NC Ag Partnership hosted North Carolina Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson for a small roundtable with various Association Executives and Business Leaders. The discussion focused on the external pressures the Department of Labor faces and the open dialogue Commissioner Dobson has created. 

At the NC Ag Partnership, we are looking more closely at down-ballot races, such as the Commissioner of Labor. Here’s why these races are just as important as the more advertised elections:

Aside from the apparent Labor Department ties to ag via housing inspections, complaint processes, and even testing equipment for county fairs – the Commissioner of Labor and Commissioner of Agriculture work together on numerous issues. It is this working relationship that is vital to the agriculture community.

In 2020, Commissioner Dobson won his race by just over 89,000 votes, defeating a progressive labor attorney that would openly be committed to pushing pro-union, pro-mandate policies onto companies without funding. However, our current business climate could look completely different if 45,000 citizens voted differently.

North Carolina is the least unionized state in the nation and is clearly on the unions’ wishlist. Only 2.6% of employees in the state are members of unions. We’re not the only ones to notice this, however. In March, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Durham and talked about expanding union jobs after touring the trade school for union electrical workers at Durham Tech.

“The Biden-Harris administration has created 6.6 million jobs and lowered unemployment to 4%. This morning I am in Durham, North Carolina with (Secretary Walsh) to talk about our work on strengthening our nation’s unions and apprenticeship programs,” Harris Tweeted about her visit.

The Department of Labor is receiving mounting pressure to conform to union requests. Lawsuits regarding COVID mandates and safety measures, policy requests to consult with organizers on all issues within the Department by creating a Labor Advisory Committee, and statewide $15/hr minimum wage requirements are all issues the Department is currently facing. However, one of the most disturbing pressures for the agriculture community has been the requests to remove all ag-related industry exemptions. 

Specifically, incoming decisions for a ‘North Carolina Heat Stress Standard’ could have crippling impacts on multiple industries if mismanaged. Advocates for a proposed heat standard want worker housing, humidity levels, and an abundance of additional regulations to be considered and prioritized during this process. 

For the last 22 years, we have been fortunate to have level-headed Labor Commissioners. However, suppose we are not actively involved and educating the public on these races. In that case, we risk a future where farming, companies, and businesses are not valued: this is the space where the NC Ag Partnership operates.

Over the next year, The Partnership will be hosting more of these roundtables across the state so that our supporters can hear directly from the Commissioner and have time to ask questions and engage in meaningful dialogue with him.

Finally, be on the lookout for a ‘Save The Date’ for our November Fall Dinner, where we will hear from ag leaders after the election.