McFerran’s NLRB is a Threat to Arizona’s Independent Contractors

Arizona’s economy depends heavily on independent contractors, especially in the construction and electrical industries, who play a crucial role in our state’s growth. Independent contracting gives tens of thousands of skilled workers the flexibility and autonomy to contribute meaningfully to Arizona’s development while supporting their families. In our role as Executive Directors of the Independent Electrical Contractors Associations of Arizona and Southern Arizona, we’ve seen firsthand how our training programs have impacted workers and communities. As a result of apprenticeships and ongoing communication with business owners and builders, we’ve built a system that ensures quality, safety, and fairness. Having this kind of collaboration has been key to Arizona’s economic success.

This successful partnership, however, is now under threat from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) under Lauren McFerran’s leadership. Over the course of her tenure, she’s made numerous decisions that undermine independent contractors’ rights and businesses’ livelihoods. McFerran’s leadership has been marked by a clear bias toward union interests, often at the expense of the very workers the NLRB was created to protect. Reports have highlighted that during her time as Chair, the agency has been accused of mismanagement and advancing political agendas rather than focusing on its core mission of fair labor practices. Most notably, the NLRB’s Cemex ruling threatens to dismantle the secret ballot election process that has long been a fair and trusted method for workers to decide on union representation.

For Arizona’s independent contractors, this shift could be devastating. In Cemex’s decision, workers lose the right to a private vote, leaving them vulnerable to intimidation and pressure. It’s a direct attack on independent contractors’ autonomy, which could cause widespread instability in a key industry for Arizona’s economy.

These decisions aren’t just theoretical – they’ll soon hit the pockets of Arizona’s contractors. As a result of the NLRB’s overreach, Arizona’s independent contractors could face higher costs, fewer job opportunities, and less innovation.

Our Senators, Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly, must recognize the dangers posed by McFerran’s NLRB and take a stand against it. The livelihoods of thousands of Arizona workers are at stake. Now is the time for our representatives in Washington to protect the independent contractors who are the backbone of Arizona’s economy by opposing McFerran’s renomination and advocating for a balanced approach that respects the rights of both workers and employers.