ASBC Condemns Attempted Coup on Capitol, January 6 

As Americans and as responsible leaders in the business community, we strongly and unequivocally condemned the actions of both domestic terrorists and their political allies who sought to undermine our democratic process on January 6. That evening, ASBC issued a media statement decrying the act of domestic terrorism at the Capitol that day and the role of politicians and others in encouraging it. The statement, issued by ASBC Co-founders, CEO Jeffrey Hollender and President David Levine, asserted that the deadly mob assault was “the culmination of serious and repeated attacks on our democracy...by politicians and influencers who “...either enabled the lies and lawless behavior or at best averted their eyes.” The statement also noted that on January 5, “ASBC and over 100 of our members, including Ben and Jerry’s, Patagonia and Seventh Generation, called on members of Congress to defend democracy by not challenging an election that local, state and federal election experts, the U.S. Attorney General and dozens of courts have found was fair and free of any serious issues.” 

We follow that up with a related media statement on January 7, “Business Demands Trump Removal, Transparency for Donations & Restoring Rule of Law.”

Citing our representation of more than 250,000 businesses, the January 7 statement by Thomas Oppel, Executive Vice President, ASBC; Former Chief of Staff, Secretary of the U.S. Navy asserted that “the ability to conduct business depends on the rule of law and equal justice” and decried “the far more aggressive preparation and response to largely peaceful protests in Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington and in other cities...” 

ASBC’s January 7 statement concluded by urging, among other measures, to restore “moral and legal guardrails defending democracy,” that “all private and public companies to commit to full transparency in their political contributions and lobbying efforts and to broadly support needed campaign finance reform...and...commit to a responsible and transparent engagement in our political system, thereby ensuring the rule of law is upheld so we can move forward to build a strong, equitable and sustainable economy.”  

High-Road Workplace Practices Get a Boost from Biden

ASBC members are largely committed to keeping their employees and customers safe, but they are competing in a marketplace where lax law and profit-focused shortcuts have allowed many others to take the low road. During the pandemic, this low road is also one that leads to more spreading of Covid-19 through our families and communities. We were very pleased to see President Biden issue executive orders this week to do something about it.  

We are also encouraged by the President’s positive comments about the need for a permanent Paid Family and Medical Leave policy, but until it becomes law, ASBC and our coalition partners in Paid Leave for All will continue to press for Congress to act.  

On Thursday, January 21, Biden asked the U.S. Labor Department to issue “science-based guidance” within two weeks to employers concerning mask-wearing and other practices to help keep workers safe from COVID-19 exposure in the workplace. On Friday, January 22, he asked the Department of Labor to “consider clarifying that workers who refuse unsafe working conditions can still receive unemployment insurance.”  

These executive actions should encourage responsible practices by employers and will be of particular importance, not only to in-person customers in all sectors, but to the millions of low-wage workers, many of them women and people of color, who have had to choose between paying their bills and keeping themselves and their family members safe from COVID-19. The president is also “pushing for additional resources to help employers protect employees.” See details of all the new executive orders at https://www.whitehouse.gov.