Slade Gorton and Major Papers Endorse I-841 - Support Grows for Repealing Ergonomics Rules!Former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton, the Seattle Times, Spokesman-Review, Bremerton Sun and Tri-City Herald have endorsed Initiative 841. See
www.yes841.com. I-841 payroll stuffers and yard signs are available. Contact AWB’s Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or
CodyB@awb.org.
Final Push on Tort Reform—Contact Cantwell and Murray Today!
Please e-mail or fax Senators Maria Cantwell at
maria@cantwell.senate.gov or (202) 228-0514 and Patty Murray at
senator-murray@murray.senate.gov or (202) 224-0238 with a simple message: “The United States Senate needs to pass class action, asbestos and medical malpractice insurance reform before it adjourns this year!”
Competitiveness Council Meets - No Clues on 7E7 Production Site!
Boeing executive Alan Mulally criticized Washington’s business climate at last week’s Competitiveness Council meeting, but gave no hint on where the 7E7 will be built. However, thanks to reforms championed by AWB and enacted by the 2003 Legislature, Mulally also stated he is "a lot more encouraged after the last two years."
Setting the Record Straight – AWB Strongly Supports I-841!
AWB President Don Brunell has asked the Washington State Labor Council to withdraw its rebuttal statement on I-841. “The unions took a partial quote from one of my columns and made it look like we are opposed to repealing the ergonomics rules, which is totally false,” Brunell said. Contact Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or
DonB@awb.org.
Ergo Study – AWB Demands Answers from Consultant
AWB President Don Brunell wrote Steven Moss, M.Cubed consultant who performed the ergonomics impact study for AWB, seeking an explanation for his comments suggesting he may have doctored the information “to give us the answers we wanted. We paid him to give us an honest assessment,” Brunell said. If he did not, this is a breach of contract. AWB wants answers by Oct. 15. Contact Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or
DonB@awb.org.
Trause and Rice Meetings---Anything You Want to Pass On?
AWB staff will be meeting with Acting Revenue Director Will Rice on Oct. 23 and L&I Director Paul Trause on Oct. 30. Anything you’d like us to pass on? Contact Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or
DonB@awb.org.
Stormwater Conference - A Huge Success!
Last week, over 260 people attended an AWB co-sponsored stormwater conference to learn about the new Industrial Stormwater General Permit requirements. For a limited time, you can access meeting materials, including presentations at
www.stormwaterweb.com. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at or (800) 521-9325 or
GrantN@awb.org.
2004 Legislative Objectives - Now Online!
AWB’s 2004 Legislative Objectives can now be viewed at
www.awb.org/policy/issuepapers.html. Issues AWB will focus on in 2004 include health care costs, tort reform, state spending, water rights, workers’ comp and much more.
L&I’s 19.4% Workers’ Comp Rate Increase - Find Out How You Can Help!
For all the information you need on L&I’s proposed workers’ comp rate increases, including public hearing dates, visit
www.awb.org/policy/workerscomp/index.html. Contact Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or
CodyB@awb.org.
Your Business Can Receive a Refund on Worker’s Comp - Find Out How!
Enroll in AWB CompWise and receive refunds on the premiums you pay to L&I. Find out how at
www.awb.org/benefits/compwise.htm. CompWise’s enrollment deadline is approaching, so act now! Contact AWB’s Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or
KandiceJ@awb.org.
AWB’s HealthChoice – Big Company Benefits for Small Companies!
HealthChoice, a partnership between AWB and Premera Blue Cross, is open to businesses with two or more employees. See
www.awb.org/benefits/healthchoice.htm. Contact Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or
KandiceJ@awb.org.
Grade Tampering Short Changes Students - See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.
