Some state employees to see big pay increases – Read more at AWB’s Olympia Business Watch blog
Pay raises approved by the Legislature went into effect yesterday, the first day of new two year budget cycle. The increase means, at minimum, a 3.2 percent cost-of-living adjustment for most union workers. Non-union employees must wait until Sept. 1 for their COLAs; union workers get a one-time, $756 lump-sum payment, a leftover health care allocation from the prior two-year contract. Almost 44,340 union and non-union state employees received additional raises of 2.5 percent effective yesterday, and bigger pay increases are coming for workers in position where pay lagged by more than 25 percent. Those make-up pay increases range as high as 17.5 percent for registered nurses and 30 percent for some security guards in mental hospitals. For more on the influence of state employee unions, visit AWB’s Olympia Business Watch blog at http://awbblog.typepad.com/olympia_business_watch.

First 787 rolls out of Boeing’s Everett plant
Yesterday (07-08-07) Boeing’s first 787 rolled out at Paine Field, Everett. The plane’s debut is available for the world to view on the Web. Former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw was the MC. For more, visit www.boeing.com/commercial/787family/787premiere.html. 

AWB membership continues upward - You can help! 
AWB continues to grow. At the end of June, we crossed over the 6,300 mark on our way to 6,500 members by Sept. 30. Last year, at the end of our fiscal year, we had 6,008 members. By comparison, five years ago there were 3,575 members. You can help by asking your suppliers and customers to become AWB members. In the end, it rewards them many times. Collectively, there is strength in numbers for AWB and the business community. Know someone who should join AWB? Contact AWB’s Jim Durland at (360) 943-1600 or JimD@awb.org.
 
Central and South America are big high-tech markets
According to the latest information from the American Electronics Association, the top 10 destinations for U.S. high-tech goods exported are the European Union ($46.1 billion), Canada ($30 billion), Mexico ($29.6 billion), Central/South America ($17.1 billion), China ($14.1 billion), Japan ($13.9 billion), Germany ($10.8 billion), South Korea ($10.6 billion), and Taiwan and Singapore ($8.9 billion each). Meanwhile, high-tech imports from Central/South America declined by $200 million between 2005 and 2006 from $3.3 billion to $3.1. That’s good news for our American high-tech companies manufacturing here. That’s a pretty favorable balance of trade!

Microsoft opens new development center in British Columbia
Microsoft announced it intends to open a new software development center in the Vancouver, B.C. area. The Microsoft Canada Development Centre will open this fall and house software developers from around the globe. This new facility will be one of a handful of Microsoft development centers located outside of the company’s Redmond headquarters. Microsoft announced similar expansions to Boston two weeks ago and Bellevue two months ago. The company also operates development centers in North Carolina, Ireland, Denmark and Israel. In addition, the company houses full research and development centers in Redmond, the United Kingdom, India, China and the Silicon Valley. The Vancouver area is a global gateway with a diverse population. It is close to Microsoft’s corporate offices in Redmond and allows the company to recruit and retain highly skilled people affected by restrictive immigration policies in the U.S.

Learn how to guard your good name from identity theft
Don’t miss the Guard it! Washington’s ID Theft Prevention tour, featuring Attorney General Rob McKenna and representatives from the American Association of Retired Persons and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. More than 5,000 Washington residents become victims of identity theft each year, according to the FTC. Thieves are capitalizing on the latest technologies to commit these crimes. In response, the 15-city Guard it! Washington ID Theft tour will teach you everything you need to know to prevent identity theft. Tour dates: Yakima (July 12), Tri-Cities (Aug. 8), Spokane (Aug. 9), Seattle (Aug. 14), Bellingham (Aug. 15), Everett (Aug. 16), Port Orchard (Aug. 27), Kent (Aug. 28), Tacoma (Aug. 30), Shoreline (Sept. 4), Vancouver (Sept. 6), Sequim (Sept. 19), Olympia (Oct. 4), East Wenatchee (Oct. 11), and Oak Harbor (Oct. 18). For more information or to register to attend these events, please visit www.guarditwashington.com.

Secure your Policy Summit sponsorship by July 14 to be included in promotional materials
AWB’s Policy Summit is coming on Sept. 19 to 21 at Semiahmoo Resort. As a sponsor, your company will receive acknowledgement before, during and following the event in marketing materials, signage and in AWB’s magazine, Washington Business. Display opportunities are also available. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

Pre-order your new Federal Minimum Wage poster
The minimum wage will be changing to $5.85 per hour effective July 24. This change means an update for the federal minimum wage poster. If you place your order for the updated set today, we will get the new postings shipped to you as soon as possible. To pre-order your poster, call AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (800) 521-9325.

Promote your company to other AWB members at Policy Summit, Sept. 19-21, Semiahmoo Resort
Every year, AWB provides goodie bags to all of our attendees. Give your organization a chance to stand out and make a statement by being a contributing goodie bag sponsor. Contact Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

AWB Regional Board Meetings
Don’t miss the chance to let AWB know what we can do for you. The Regional Board Meetings are your chance to participate in the formation of AWB’s 2008 Legislative Agenda. Contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

Keep Those 787s Rolling - See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org