Members Of Furniture Industry Talk With Lawmakers

Posted by slone on February 21st, 2009 at 11:38pm

Furniture retailers and manufactures traveled to Washington recently to urge members of Congress to prioritize policies that will boost both consumer purchases and lending. They also requested that the lawmakers avoid regulations that would disrupt relations in the workplace and increase costs.

The group included representatives from Furniture Brands International, American Home Furnishings, National Home Furnishings and Ashley Furniture as well as several others. Earlier in the month another group led by John D. Bassett III, traveled to Washington to discuss health care revisions included in the stimulus bill.

One of the new revisions would require that employers offer to cover terminated employees that were 55 and over, with COBRA until they reached 65 or found another job with comparable health insurance. Another revision, would require the exact same coverage for any employee that had ten years of service and were terminated.

Lawmakers have expressed their desire to keep the furniture industry strong by supporting efforts and developing policies that are good for America. The group will meet with lawmakers again in May when they will be part of the midyear board of directors meeting in Washington.

Under Furniture News