Today, Michael Layman, International Franchise Association (IFA) senior vice president of government relations and public affairs, issued the following statement after the effective date of the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) expanded joint employer rule was further extended to March 11, 2024, by the judge presiding over the lawsuit pending in the Eastern District of Texas:

CRA overturning NLRB Joint Employer Rule Passes 206-177 

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives announced plans to vote next week on H.J.Res.98, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution overturning the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) expanded joint employer rule. Led by Congressman John James (R-MI), the CRA is co-sponsored by 39 members of the U.S. Senate, and 68 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. 

WASHINGTON – Testifying before a key congressional subcommittee, Matt Haller, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association (IFA), highlighted the significant economic benefits of the franchise business model, while warning lawmakers of the severe economic consequences of the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) final joint employer rule. 

The International Franchise Association (IFA) today applauded a bipartisan coalition of 15 members of the U.S. Senate for urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to strengthen and improve the Franchise Rule. 

Today, Matt Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchisers Association (IFA), issued the following statement regarding the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) delaying the effective date of its new joint employer rule until February 26, 2024: 

Today, the International Franchise Association (IFA) joined a coalition lawsuit challenging the joint employer rule issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, the lawsuit takes aim at the NLRB for exceeding the scope of its authority and violating the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by failing to respond to comments regarding the rule’s harmful economic consequences.

The International Franchise Association (IFA) today applauded a bipartisan and bicameral coalition for introducing Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval that would overturn the final joint employer rule issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

With the franchise model facing unprecedented regulatory challenges at the federal and state level, the International Franchise Association (IFA) today announced the formation of the “IFA Law Center.” The Law Center will add litigation to IFA’s existing government relations, public policy, media relations and educational programs that advocate for the protection, promotion, and enhancement of franchising. 

The International Franchise Association (IFA) today released the following statement on the final regulation issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) expanding joint employment between franchisors and franchisees. Today’s rule defines how brands and owners could be jointly responsible for the same employees under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), fundamentally upending the franchise business model. The rule would reduce the independence of franchise business owners, diminish franchisees’ equity in their businesses, and force franchisors to offer less support.