As many of us shop for gifts and look forward to celebrating the holidays, people and businesses in flood-devastated Grays Harbor and Lewis counties are still rebuilding their lives and businesses. Please make their lives a lot easier by lending them a hand. The Washington State Emergency Management Division has compiled a list of resource requests for the affected jurisdictions. Please check it out at http://www.emd.wa.gov/ to see how you can help.

 Watch and listen as AWB’s Dick Walter and Maj. Gen. Timothy Lowenberg discuss AWB’s new partnership with the Washington State Emergency Management Division. The interview covers the partnership’s response to recent devastating flooding; actions that affected individuals and businesses can take for assistance; the new business portal on EMD and AWB’s Web sites; as well as important ways that you and your business can help those who are suffering. To watch this video online, please see http://www.youtube.com/AWBorg, and check out http://emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_business.shtml for valuable information about disaster preparedness.

 

Rep. Fred Jarrett, R-Mercer Island, joined the Democratic Party and announced a bid for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Brian Weinstein, D-Mercer Island, who will leave the Legislature after next session to return to private life as a trial lawyer.

 

Make your voice heard at AWB’s Legislative Reception on Feb. 6
Where do your legislators stand on the issues that are important to you and your business?How will they deal with important issues like transportation, tax fairness, health care, workers’ comp and unemployment insurance? Find out about that and more at the AWB 2008 Legislative Reception on Feb. 6. The event begins at 9 a.m. and will feature Gov. Chris Gregoire as the lunchtime speaker. AWB’s board will meet in the afternoon. To register or become a sponsor, please see www.awb.org/events/legreception.asp or contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

 

Start off the year in compliance!
Washington state’s minimum wage will increase from $7.93 to $8.07 beginning January 1, 2008. Pre-order your updated poster set today to ensure your company is in complete compliance with Washington state and federal labor law posting requirements. To order an updated state and federal poster set, contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

 

Have your company recognized for its accomplishments! 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. Submit your nominations by Jan. 4 to www.awb.org/services/awards/bwa/index.asp. For more information, contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

 

In observation of the holidays, AWB’s offices will be closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1.

 

 

 

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