Raleigh, NC- Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford), candidate for NC Labor Commissioner, issued a statement in response to two infectious disease petitions that were submitted to the NC Department of Labor (DOL).

One petition is related to General Industry / Construction employers and the other is for a rule related to Agricultural Employers and Migrant Housing Operators. The petitions were submitted by the NC NAACP, along with the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry, NC State AFL-CIO, Union of Southern Service Workers, Western NC Workers’ Center, and the Hispanic Liaison of Chatham County/El Vinculo Hispano.

The petitions are currently going through the rule making process in DOL. There is currently a comment period that is taking place and public hearings are scheduled. At the end of that period, the Commissioner can adopt the rules, send them back for changes, or not adopt the rules at all.

Hardister released the following statement:

As a candidate for NC Labor Commissioner, I want to make my position on this matter clear. I am opposed to the two petitions that are currently pending in the NC Department of Labor. The proposed rules are excessive and would create undue burdens on businesses across the state.

Commissioner Josh Dobson has stated that the public hearing process for these petitions is in no way an endorsement of the proposed rules. His office is simply following the rulemaking process and allowing the petitions to be heard. I have trust and faith in Commissioner Dobson in that he will make a decision that is based on common sense and reason. I have made my opinion clear to Commissioner Dobson on this matter.

If elected Labor Commissioner, I will oppose any efforts to create undue burdens on our workers and businesses. Our agency will maintain an open door policy that allows citizens and stakeholders across the state to offer input on safety protocols. That said, we will not support the establishment of any rules that we believe are burdensome and unnecessary.

The rule making process in North Carolina is multi-faceted and deliberative. It is not easy, nor should it be easy, to enact new rules in this state. Feedback from citizens must always be welcomed, but our Labor Commissioner must also oppose rules that are unreasonable and work to maintain a pro-growth business environment in our state.

Hardister was elected to serve in the NC House in 2012 and is currently serving his sixth term in office. He is the NC House Deputy Majority Whip. He announced in January 2023 that he would seek the office of NC Labor Commissioner.

NC Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson, who has chosen not to seek re-elected, has endorsed Hardister to succeed him in office.