The next edition of Washington Business magazine will appear in your mailboxes next week. This special tourism industry issue includes an interview with Don Welsh, president and CEO of Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau; an assessment of Washington’s response to the 2010 Olympics; and an overview of Washington’s expanding tourism industry.

 Washington employers began the 2008 legislative session facing the “Worker Privacy Act.” This act, which was the labor unions’ top legislative priority, would have prohibited employers facing a union organizing campaign from effectively communicating with their employees about union matters. In the face of massive opposition from the business community, the labor unions withdrew the proposal prior to introduction, citing the unfinished legal challenge to a similar enactment in California regarding the use of public funds. Last Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard that lawsuit, Chamber of Commerce vs. Brown, and a decision on whether California’s law is a valid labor regulation is expected by July. Depending on the outcome, it could have ramifications for this proposal during next year’s legislative session.

 

Olympia Business Watch blog at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com/2008/03/supreme-court-h.html  Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org

 The Western Climate Initiative regional stakeholder process is beginning a four-month assessment of the potential economic impact of a cap-and-trade system to regulate emissions of greenhouse gasses. The first meeting is on March 28, at 8:30 a.m. Details about the meeting, including a conference call-in number, are available on the WCI Web site. The economic analysis will include policies such as tailpipe standards, low-carbon fuel standards and limiting vehicle miles travelled. For more information, please see WCI’s Web site http://www.westernclimateinitiative.org/, or contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 AWB’s Water Resources Committee will meet on March 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in AWB’s Small Business Conference Room. The main agenda item will be preparation for the next Department of Ecology Reclaimed Water Rulemaking Advisory Group/Impairment Subcommittee meeting on April 8. The committee will review the current DOE advisory impairment analysis guidance — including a discussion of the appropriate condemnation procedure due to impairment — and make any suggested statutory recommendations or changes for 2009. For more information, please contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or chrism@awb.org

Bring yourself up to date on the latest in safety training and OSHA standards. Classes will be held April 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. To register or to get additional information, go to www.awb.org/events/seminars/osha10hrcert.asp.Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

 AWB’s Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee will meet on Friday April 4, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties offices located at 335 116th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA. The committee will continue discussions on the Partnership’s Action Agenda, review AWB’s recommendation letter of Feb. 11, 2008, and prepare for AWB’s presentation of those recommendations to the Leadership Council at its next meeting on April 29 and 30 in Seattle. Please contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or chrism@awb.org for more information.

 The Department of Ecology is developing new rules for power plants that produce less than 350 megawatts. The new rules are part of the implementation process of SB 6001, which passed during the 2007 legislative session and will require electric utilities that enter into long-term contracts to meet specific emissions performance standards. The rules will also address sequestration, the capturing and storing of carbon emissions. Public hearings on April 8 in Olympia and on April 10 in Spokane will address the proposed rule. More information about these hearings is available on DOE’s Web site, www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2008news/2008-071.html. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org for more information.

Unfortunately, even minor mistakes or small misinterpretations of wage-and-hour laws can lead to major problems. When it comes to something as important as employee wages, you know you can’t make assumptions and hope you’re right. Don’t miss this seminar on April 22! For more information, go to www.awb.org/events/wage.asp, or contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.orgto register.

 

AWB will present its Community Service Awards at a special dinner held in conjunction with its Annual Spring Board Meeting in Spokane on May 21. Submit your applications before Friday, April 18 at www.awb.org/about/awards/communityserviceandbrucebriggsawards.asp.Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 JenniferC@awb.org.

 

The Department of Labor and Industries is now accepting applications for the Safety and Health Investment Project program grant dollars. This program will provide funding for safety and health projects in workplaces covered by the medical aid fund. Projects involving accident prevention through cooperation between employers and employees get priority. The Department of Labor and Industries has $8 million to give to public and private employers, trade associations, business associations and other qualified recipients. For applications and more information, see www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/Grants/default.asp. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org

 

On Jan. 28, President Bush signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which changes the FMLA law to include additional leave for military families. The Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division has released a temporary FMLA Military Family Leave poster Insert (Section 585A) for Military Family Leave, meant as a temporary mandatory posting only. The release of the New Federal FMLA Poster with amended FMLA/NDAA 2008 revised poster language won’t be available until sometime after April 11, after the final ruling.

 

Employers will be required to update their employment postings upon the release of this notice.

Before the U.S. Department of Labor releases its final FMLA posting, you can download a temporary Military Family Leave notice here. The Department of Labor recommends you display this poster in tandem with the current required FMLA poster until a permanent version is available. To purchase your new federal poster, which will be produced once the official FMLA posting is released, contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.