(November 30, 2011) The California Chamber of Commerce has released a new, short video detailing employers’ responsibility to begin displaying an 11"x17" poster that provides information to their employees about unionizing and the right to strike.

Under orders of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), most private-sector employers must have the poster up in their places of business by January 31, 2012.

In the video, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg says that most business owners will think the requirement is “stupid” and that it amounts to unwanted meddling by the government.

He also calls into question the political wisdom of the timing of the mandate. “When you’re heading into an election year, when you’re trying to say ‘I’m for the economy,’ to impose these additional requirements on businesses—to have to tell their employees you have the right to strike—is troubling.”

Even though the issue remains controversial and is the subject of pending litigation, it is the law and employers must begin displaying the poster by January 31, 2012.

Among other things, the poster notifies workers about the rights of employees to act together to improve wages and working conditions, to form, join and assist a union, to bargain collectively with their employer, and to refrain from any of these activities. 

The poster may be ordered through CalChamber by visiting www.calchamberstore.com.