The “right to work” governor of Georgia is visiting Valdosta and Lowndes County on May Day, which is a worker’s holiday many other places.

According to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, 2012 State Legislative Luncheon 05/01/12 – 05/01/12,

The Chamber’s annual state legislative luncheon will feature Governor Nathan Deal, who will share highlights from the 2012 Legislative Session. Hosting the Gov. along with the Chamber is Sen. Tim Golden and Reps. Ellis Black, Amy Carter, and Jason Shaw.

Registration is $25 for Chamber members and $40 for all others. Chamber members can purchase a corporate table for ten for $250. Attendees must register by noon on April 20.

Location: James H. Rainwater Conference Center

In many countries May Day is a holiday celebrating workers’ rights. Georgia is a “right to work” state (translation: workers can be fired at any time for any reason), and the Chamber promotes that:

Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Policy Position Statements 2011

It is the committee’s policy to advocate for increased access to capital and other incentives including tax based incentives that will promote economic development, to protect and strengthen Georgia’s right to work laws….

Nathan Deal last year signed into law H.B. 30, which strengthens restrictive covenants, including non-compete clauses that apply to workers after they are fired:

• Presuming reasonable non-compete time restrictions of up to two years following the termination of employment;
• Eliminating time restrictions protecting confidentiality and trade secrets;
• Assuming that non-solicitation covenants apply to all customers with whom the departing employee had “material contact,” which is broadly defined; and
• Allowing non-solicitation provisions to stand without reference to a specific geographic area.

In Georgia, an employer can fire you and stop paying you, yet still dictate who you work for and what you say for up to two years, even if you move somewhere else.

May Day is an ironic day for a visit by Gov. Deal.

-jsq

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