http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/business/188040.php

PHOENIX — Two major business groups in Arizona are merging to help confront perceived threats from organized labor and immigration restrictionists.

The merger of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Arizona Association of Industries has been considered for almost a decade.

Concerns over possible ballot initiatives proposing universal health care and state-imposed punishments of businesses that hire illegal immigrants helped seal the deal.

Glenn Hamer, the chamber's executive director, said business and manufacturing interests had formed a united front to combat organized labor's growing political might after last year's passage of Proposition 202, a labor-led measure that set a $6.75 minimum wage with annual increases based on cost-of-living indexes.

"They've (labor unions) made it pretty clear that Arizona, because of our ballot initiative process, is the state to move their agenda," Hamer said.
He said the merger is also an opportunity to pursue traditional pro-business interests, such as tax cuts and an increase in job training programs.

Mark Dobbins, chairman of the Arizona Association of Industries, said he expects manufacturers' interests to be represented by a council with a board and chairman that will be a sub-board to the chamber.
"It's our objective to represent the broad spectrum of interests for any manufacturer," Dobbins said.