Legislature Cuts Costs on the Back of Nonunion State Employees
Unionized state employees will get their negotiated 3.2 percent pay increase on July 1 while nonunion state workers will have to wait until Sept. 1 to get their raise. Said one Health Care Authority worker: "It feels like a slap. It's like discrimination, in my opinion. Since I'm not a union member, I'm going to get treated differently." Rep. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, admitted in the April 28 Olympian: "I'm sure some workers will be upset. But it reflects the private sector where there are different pay scales for union and nonunion workers. Why should the nonunion employees receive the same benefits negotiated by the union?" Hunt also insisted that pay for non-union employees is at the "whim of the Legislature," and the lure of saving $10 million by delaying the salary increases was too much for lawmakers to resist in a tight budget year. Nonunion workers should be glad they will get the full increases. There was a push within the Legislature to give them less money. Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.
Legislature’s Repeal of Initiative 601 Spurs Initiative and Possible Lawsuit
The Legislature’s passage and Gov. Gregoire’s signing of SB 6078 into law has produced a serious backlash. This measure declares an emergency and suspends key provisions of Initiative 601, including the two-thirds supermajority requirement to raise taxes. The enactment of this bill has already inspired Referendum 59, which would repeal this new law. Now the Washington Farm Bureau is also considering a possible legal challenge to the constitutionality of SB 6078. Stay tuned. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.
Urge Governor Not to Sign California Emissions Bill!
HB 1397, the California vehicle emissions standards bill, has been sent to the governor’s desk. If this legislation is fully implemented, it will increase the cost of new cars by $3,000, while offering no measurable improvement to Washington’s air quality. Governor Gregoire is expected to sign the bill. Members are requested to go to http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.htm, and urge her to veto it. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org for more information.
UI Legislation Calls for Study – Employer Representatives Needed!
The union-backed unemployment insurance bill, EHB 2255, calls for a study and recommendations to the 2006 Legislature. It says organizations like AWB are to submit four employer representatives’ names to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. If you are interested in being a representative on this panel, please contact AWB’s Mellani Hughes McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.
Electrical Standard and Portable Ladder Rules Up for Revision by L&I
The Department of Labor and Industries is proposing to adopt amendments by the Expedited Adoption process. The department received letters from OSHA indicating that Washington state was not as effective as the federal requirements relating to the electrical standard, chapter 296-45 WAC. If you would like information on the electrical amendments, please visit http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/Rules/electricalworkers/InfoPack2.htm. Another rule is Portable Ladders Chapter 296-876, WAC. L&I is rewriting and clarifying requirements relating to the Portable Ladders rule. The filing is going to most likely be at the end of May. Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.
2005 Legislative Session Reports Now Available
AWB’s Governmental Affairs staff is finalizing its detailed session reports. They are available now for most issue areas. They are excellent. Contact AWB’s Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org if you’d like a copy.
AWB to Meet With Agency Directors – We Need Your Input!
With the legislative session over, we are scheduling meetings with Gov. Gregoire’s key cabinet officials. In the next two weeks, we have meetings scheduled with Karen Lee, Employment Security, and Cindi Yates, Revenue. If you have issues you’d like us to bring up with them, please e-mail AWB’s Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org.
AWB Governmental Affairs Staff Available for Speaking Engagements
Remember: If your company or group would like a speaker who can discuss policy issues of interest to employers, AWB’s Governmental Affairs staff are available for speaking engagements. Contact Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org .
Engler & Weeks at Spring Board Meeting in May – Register Early!
Just a reminder to register for the Annual AWB Spring Board Meeting in Spokane on May 24-25. Former Michigan Gov. John Engler is our keynote speaker at dinner on May 24, and we will unveil our border county competitiveness report at breakfast on May 25. Immediately after breakfast, we will have a forum with new L&I Director Gary Weeks. It will be his first week on the job, and he will speak and take questions. Our staff will also present session wrap-ups, talk about what we are doing to prepare for 2006, and answer your questions. Plan to attend. You’ll get your money’s worth. Contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.
Do You Know Someone Who Should Be on AWB’s Board? Nominations are Being Taken!
AWB’s Annual Spring Board Meeting is coming soon. At the meeting we will be choosing new members of AWB’s Board. If you know of an AWB member you think should be on our board, please send us that person’s name in nomination form. Deadline: May 23. Contact AWB’s Dick Walter at (360) 943-1600 or DickW@awb.org.
GAC Retreat Coming June 28-29 – Mark Your Calendars!
AWB’s 2005 Governmental Affairs Council retreat will be held along the beautiful Hood Canal, June 28-29. It’s not too early to make reservations. Contact Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.
Make Your Hotel Reservations for Policy Summit – “Capitol Steps” Are Coming!
No one satirizes national politics better than the Capitol Steps, the entertaining musical parody group from Washington, D.C. AWB is proud to announce that the Capitol Steps will be the Thursday night entertainment at the Policy Summit on Sept. 22 at the Semiahmoo Resort. Make your hotel reservations now by calling (800) 770-7992 or e-mail: Hotel@semiahmoo.com.
AWB’s HealthChoice – A Great Health Care Alternative!
Looking for affordable, quality health insurance for you and your employees? If so, AWB HealthChoice could be the right choice. Plans offered have deductibles ranging from $250 to $1000, and three Health Savings Account (HSA) options are also available. Companies with a minimum of two employees qualify for coverage. For benefit information, contact Helen Siggins at (866) 448-9577.
AWB Considering Regional Board Meetings in November to Adopt Legislative Positions…Your Thoughts?
AWB will ask our Board to consider canceling its December Board meeting and institute a series of six regional meetings of Board members from those areas during early November to discuss and adopt our legislative program for 2006. The Executive Committee would then meet to finalize the legislative positions in mid-December. Like the idea? Let us know. The Executive Committee will be making that recommendation to the Board on May 25 in Spokane. Contact Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.
Does Your Business Have an Updated Leave Policy? AWB is Dusting Off Its Flexible Leave Policy for You!
This year labor unions pushed a mandatory five-week paid family leave bill. It died but will be back. It is part of a nationwide effort to provide paid leave for births and sick children, parents and relatives. The bill would set up a new bureaucracy at L&I to the tune of more than $70 million a year and add 70 to 80 new inspectors to make sure you comply with the law and collect the payroll assessments from your workers. AWB argued that many employers have flexible leave policies which allow the employer and employee to sit down and solve problems. Over the years, AWB developed some flexible leave programs which we are dusting off and will share with our members. Addressing this issue through flexible leave policies may avert another mandatory program at L&I. Contact AWB’s Debra Brown at (360) 943-1600 or DebraB@awb.org.
More Big Tax Hikes in Two Years? - See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.
