About Us

The Coalition for Arkansas Jobs (CAJ) is an organization whose mission is to protect jobs in Arkansas and stand up for the small businesses and workers in the state who grow the economy and create opportunities. The coalition is committed to informing the citizens of Arkansas about issues affecting the workplace, particularly those which would result in job loss and undue burdens.

CAJ is funded by and advocates on behalf of businesses that preserve good working relationships with their employees and strive each day to compete successfully in a 21st Century economy. The coalition has recruited and mobilized small business owners and workers throughout the state to voice their opposition to this job-killing legislation. CAJ has been formed to address the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), or more accurately the Employee ‘Forced’ Choice Act.

This legislation is the number one priority of national labor unions and has been introduced in four straight Congresses – most recently in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in March 2009. EFCA would devastate Arkansas employers and small business owners already struggling to survive in a challenging economic environment and produce hundreds of thousands of lost jobs nationwide, including increased unemployment in The Natural State.

EFCA would eliminate the secret ballot in union-organizing elections exposing workers to immense pressure, intimidation and coercion at the hands of the union bosses and organizers. In addition, this legislation takes away rights from workers and businesses by empowering government arbitrators to mandate contracts on employers and employees alike without their consent. The decisions made by these bureaucrats would affect everything from wages, duties, hours, benefits, and workplace conditions.

If an Arkansas business is unable to comply with the government’s demands, it would most likely be forced to close or move overseas. Working with its coalition partners, CAJ will educate Arkansans about the severe risks posed in legislation like the Employee ‘Forced’ Choice Act, which diminishes the freedoms and liberties workers have earned and deserve. The organization will seek to define the debate on EFCA through a public information campaign and by attaining positions on this important issue from candidates seeking federal office in Arkansas.