Coalition Files Lawsuit Against Connecticut Law That Violates Employers’ First Amendment Rights
Two weeks ago, the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW), which MSCI is a member of, and several other employer organizations filed a lawsuit against a newly-enacted law in Connecticut that bans employers from communicating with their employees about “political matters,” including pending legislation or regulations.
According to CDW, the law violates employers’ First Amendment rights as well as free speech protections included in the National Labor Relations Act. The law also is so broad that small business owners could face potentially expensive and time-consuming complaints and litigation for communicating openly with their employees. The case is before the District Court of Connecticut.
CDW’s statement on the lawsuit is here.
CDW argues the law “is simply bad policy that hurts employers and employees alike… The state of Connecticut cannot be allowed to pick and choose which of its citizens have free speech rights.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC), Associated Builders and Contractors, and National Federation of Independent Business were among the other groups supporting the lawsuit. The USCC’s press release is here.