Unionization legislation coming in 2008—This is an issue YOU need to pay attention to! AWB President Don Brunell met with Rick Bender, president of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, to talk about the “union neutrality” legislation the Labor Council is proposing. AWB previously met with Marty Brown, Gov. Gregoire’s legislative director, and received copies of the latest draft of the so-called “union privacy act” bill (Labor’s term). The bill targeted the aerospace industry in 2007’s legislative session. In 2008, it will be open to all employers and is the top priority of the state labor council. Even with the changes labor proposes, it is still difficult for employers to swallow. We’ll let you know what transpires, but you need to pay close attention to this one. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Holidays at the Capitol—Come see the AWB tree
On Dec. 7, Gov. Chris Gregoire and AWB Board Chair Brad Carlson (Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Vancouver), helped light the state’s Christmas tree in the Capitol Rotunda. The tree will be on display throughout the holidays. It’s a wonderful 26-foot Noble fir provided by Rayonier from its Sequim tree farm. The Washington Forest Protection Association coordinated the delivery. This year, thanks to more than $25,000 in donations from AWB members and friends, we were able to provide additional help to rural fire departments in hard-hit Lewis and Grays Harbor counties. Rural firefighters are using the money to buy Christmas gifts and food baskets for needy rural families. Since 1989, AWB members and friends have raised over a quarter-million dollars to help the needy and provide the tree. For a good insight into the story behind the tree’s delivery, visit Adam Wilson’s blog at The Olympian and scroll down to his Dec. 3 entry called a “A Homeric tree story” at www.theolympian.com/adamwilson/index.html.

Brinks decision —What you need to know
Kris Tefft, our general counsel, developed a white paper that any employer with company vehicles should read carefully at www.awb.org/otherissues/Brinks%20Alert%2012-3.pdf. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Workers’ Comp Retro study
Deb Brown, our Senior Vice President for Member Services, is representing AWB on the Labor and Industries retro committee looking at the workers’ compensation retrospective rating program. For more information, contact AWB’s Deb Brown at (360) 943-1600 or DebraB@awb.org.

Climate change initiative continues—We need your input
A lot is happening with Gov. Gregoire’s climate change initiative. AWB is hard at work coordinating the business community’s input. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org, or AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Pre-Meeting on Family Leave Task Force
In anticipation of the last-before-session meeting of the Joint Legislative Task Force on Paid Family Leave (Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cherberg A-B-C, Olympia), a pre-meeting of interested parties will be held at 9:00 a.m. at AWB to go over the agenda, share our thoughts with task force representatives Judy Coovert and Susan Fagan, and discuss next steps. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Mark your calendars—AWB’s offices will be closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1

AWB Land Use Committee meeting scheduled
AWB’s Land Use Committee will meet Dec. 13, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at AWB. Agenda items include a discussion and adoption of changes to AWB transportation concurrency legislation from 2007 (HB 1753/SB 5683), a presentation by Dave Anderson of CTED regarding the scoping phase of the administrative rulemaking update to WAC 365-190 (Minimum Guidelines to Classify Forest, Mineral and Agricultural Resource Lands and Critical Areas) and WAC 365-195-010-865 (Procedural Criteria for Adoption of Comprehensive Plans and Development Regulations). For more information, contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org or at (360) 943-1600.

AWB Water Resources Committee meeting Dec. 14
AWB’s Water Resources Committee will meet Dec. 14, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at AWB. Agenda items will include a brief presentation by the Department of Ecology’s Gerry O’Keefe concerning DOE’s request of support for the state’s Lake Roosevelt supplemental budget drawdown proposal; an update and discussion of Rep. McCoy’s rain barrel bill (HB 1423) for 2008; an update on DOE’s interim report to the governor and Legislature on the reclaimed water rulemaking process (including impairment, barriers and funding workgroup reports); an update on Aqua Permanente’s Upper Kittitas Valley Exempt Well Petition to Ecology; and an update on the Columbia River Rulemaking and Policy Advisory Group’s work and status of various storage projects. For more information, contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Better Workplace Awards nominations due by Jan. 4
AWB’s Better Workplace Awards honor companies that have taken extra steps to create a better working environment in the areas of workplace safety, job training and advancement programs, and innovative benefit and compensation programs. Have your company recognized for its accomplishments! Submit your nominations by Jan. 4 to www.awb.org/services/awards/bwa/index.asp. For more information, contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at JenniferC@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

AWB Retro Program safety workshop
Don’t miss the opportunity to increase your safety knowledge and effectiveness in developing and administering safety programs within your company. The AWB Retro Program is offering a four-course safety seminar on Jan.9 in Olympia as part of the Certified Safety Coordinator program. For more information, visit www.awb.org/events/compretro.asp or contact Jennifer Costello at JenniferC@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

Wreath convoy headed to Arlington National Cemetery
For the last 15 years, the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, donated wreaths and decorating to the graves of 4,500 veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. On Sunday, the wreaths left Harrington for the 750 miles trek to the cemetery. The Patriot Guard Riders and the Civil Air Patrol escort the convoy through 196 communities. It is a very moving tribute to those who lost their lives for our nation and our way of life. This year, memorial wreaths are coming to more than 230 state and national cemeteries and veterans’ monuments around our nation. For more information, go to: http://knox.villagesoup.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=104855

Southwest Washington Bridges and Barges Are Critical to the Region’s Economy - See this week's President's Perspective at www.awb.org.