Employers know that. They have lawyers, lobbyists, politicians and political parties on their side. And they have one another. Epic enjoyed abundant “concerted activity” from a rogues’ gallery of big-time, big-business advocacy groups that filed amicus briefs in favor of denying workers’ rights. Here are highlights of just a few — with ties to the notorious Koch brothers — that Sourcewatch uncovered in its extensive research:
• National Association of Manufacturers opposes environmental regulations, donor disclosure and sanctions on Russia, and supports tort reform and makers of asbestos. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce is an affiliate.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposes paid sick leave, environmental regulations, unions and anti-smoking laws, and supports tort reform and the tobacco industry.
• Business Roundtable supports “voluntary” cuts to greenhouse gases, limits on class action lawsuits and privatization of Social Security.
• Pacific Legal Foundation “is the key right-wing public interest litigation firm in a network of similar organizations [that] support capitalism and oppose environmental and health activism and government regulation,” according to Sourcewatch.