As part of its ongoing campaign to tell the story of America’s restaurants, the National Restaurant Association has unveiled its latest “America Works Here” advertisement highlighting the industry’s commitment to local communities through charitable giving.

 “America’s restaurants serve more than great food, they respond in times of need and nourish communities nationwide,” said Scott DeFife, EVP, Policy and Government Affairs, for the National Restaurant Association. “When you support a restaurant, you support your community and your neighbors.”

 According to National Restaurant Association research, the restaurant industry donates nearly $3 billion to charitable efforts every year. Ninety-four percent of America’s restaurant operators made charitable contributions in 2010, and 92 percent supported local organizations and charities. Seventy-three percent of operators made donations for hunger relief, and 70 percent made cash donations.

 The National Restaurant Association launched the America Works Here campaign in an effort to educate policymakers as to the breadth, depth, scope and influence of the restaurant industry on the American economy. The restaurant industry is the nation's second-largest private-sector employer and is a provider of nearly 13 million jobs. Click here to see the latest America Works Here ad.

Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act

The NRA also has voiced strong support for H.R. 3094, “The Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act,” which aims to ensure fairness for employers in the face of alleged anti-business actions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The Association is considering a vote on the bill to be a “key vote,” and sent a key vote letter to all members of the House of Representatives.

“The restaurant industry is the nation’s second-largest private-sector employer, providing jobs to nearly one in every 10 workers,” DeFife said. “With the right policies, America’s restaurants will be able to create even more jobs and provide greater opportunities to more Americans.”

H.R. 3094 blocks the NLRB from moving forward with its election proposal allowing union representation elections to be held in as few as 10 days after the filing of a union petition. The Association believes the move would shorten the period between petition to elections to such a degree that it would deny employees the time and information needed to make an informed decision on union representation.

The bill would also reverse the NLRB’s recent decision in the Specialty Healthcare case, which opens the door to micro-unions. The Specialty Healthcare decision would allow the creation of mini-unions, making it easier for unions to organize by allowing them to form small groups of workers who support the union without allowing other workers who oppose the union an opportunity to vote. Job creators would then be in the unworkable situation of bargaining with multiple unions for similarly situated employees.

Read more about trends and statistics.