Jan Teague

President/CEO

360.943.9198, ext. 19

jteague@retailassociation.org

Mark Johnson

Vice President of Government Affairs

360.943.9198, ext. 15

mark.johnson@retailassociation.org

Tammie Hetrick

Vice President of Retail Services (RASI)

360.943.9198, ext. 13

 tammie@retailassociation.org

Jim Szymanski

Key retail meeting held in Nashville

By Jan Teague, President/CEO

I just returned from our annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee with state retail association executives.  We spent time sharing ideas about association operations and talking about key political issues that seem to be trending around the country. 

Nate Garvis was a keynote speaker briefing us on his work consulting groups on how to negotiate for results.  Garvis told us that our country is too polarized and instead of working on common goals that need to be addressed, we are stuck in black and white positions where no answers can surface.  He advocated a new style for resolving community conflict. 

I thought it was a valuable discussion, but it would be hard for our political leaders in Congress given the current make up of our leadership there.  Another keynote speaker, Carl Cannon, who works in Washington D.C. gave a detailed description of our stalemate in Congress leaving me thinking that any real change will have to follow from different elected officials next go around.

One of the main reasons for attending these events is clearly the opportunity to spend time with our members who send their legal advisors and government affairs representatives.  We also have the opportunity to visit with our national association partners on their work with Congress.  It's a significant event for the retail industry and one well worth the time. 

As I attended these briefings, I was also working with our members interested in Initiative 517, which allows signature gatherers on any retailer's property.  The association has been a significant participant in the "no" campaign.  It will be over next Tuesday when voters are required to turn in their ballots.  I hope you have all communicated to your employees and family members to vote no on the issue.  There was a recent poll that now shows we are gaining some momentum for a no vote.  As people understand what is at stake, they respond no to the initiative. 

Next week, I will give you an update of our next steps given the outcome of the vote on Initiative 517. 

Tacoma grocery owners explain why I-517 would be a bad idea

Mike Hargreaves and Greg Saar are two of the faces opposing Initiative-517.

These grocers understand how the proposal would lead to unintended consequences and shared their thoughts in a recent Tacoma News Tribune opinion piece.

Click here to read why these grocers are urging a "no" vote.

Chambers are the grassroots of business

By Mark Johnson, VP Government Affairs

More often these days, chambers of commerce are investing time and talent to advocate on behalf of their members in local, state and even national levels.

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Washington Chamber of Commerce Executives' conference with more than 60 chamber executives, board and staff members. They moderated impressive breakout sessions on advocacy and government affairs.

These chambers are the grassroots of business.  They effectively help to organize and channel the efforts of many businesses for a common cause.  These business owners and managers in local communities are often the neighbors, friends and constituents of the elected officials that chambers are trying to get the message to.  Because of that, they're effective grassroots supporters for many WRA issues.

WRA recognizes the importance of these chambers and continues to develop relationships with them.  WRA often is asked to serve as guest speaker or to help organize a day on the hill at the Capitol.  This partnership is invaluable in advancing the ideals of WRA, its members and the business community as a whole.

New tv ads highlight pitfalls of I-522

Two new television ads have begun airing that point out weaknesses and negative outcomes from I-522, the ballot measure that would require additional labeling of some genetically-modified food.

The new ads highlight how the initiative's requirements would confuse consumers and raise food prices, both reasons WRA gives for its opposition to 522. The ads are entitled "A Badly Written Measure" (link) & "Claims vs. Facts" (link)

Prior tv ads have helped to whittle down support for 522 during the past several weeks. An Elway poll has reported on a 20-point drop in support for the initiative in the past month

Newspapers across the state have urged defeat of the initiative. To review the line up of editorial opposition, visit No on 522. The campaign is expected to wind up being the state's most expensive ever. 

Help elect Jan Angel to the state Senate

State Representative Jan Angel needs your help to get elected to the state Senate in the 26^th Legislative District that includes Port Orchard, Gig Harbor and parts of Bremerton. 

Jan is a strong supporter of retail issues.  She scored a perfect 100 percent for the 2013 WRA Voting Record. 

Jan Angel can't win this election alone.  She needs your help.  If you are able, please make a donation, offer to doorbell, put up a yard sign or sign in your business, make phone calls, host a reception, anything to help get her elected.  She will be an excellent addition to the state Senate.

WRA has already endorsed Jan Angel.  We encourage you to contact her and offer to help.  Thank you in advance.

Please call 360-204-0776 or visit www.janangel.com.

Beware the possible legal threats from social media

At a summit meeting last week in Chicago, human resources professionals warned businesses including WRA about the potential pitfalls of involvement in the popular social media.

WRA's Tammie Hetrick and others assimilated the following advice: your supervisory employees responsible for hiring and firing, even scheduling, should avoid linking to their employees' social media pages.

"What we were reminded is that there is personal information embedded in the employee's social media account that could be construed as discriminatory if the employee were to claim they were treated differently as a member of a protected class identified by the National Labor Relations Board," said Hetrick, VP of Retail Services. "Were the employee to claim a supervisor was retaliating against them for any reason that might be defined under a protected class and the supervisor was linked to the employee via social media, the employer could be charged with discrimination."

Protected status could include issues related to gender, age, religion or sexual orientation.

There's no doubt that social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have exploded in popularity the past few years. As they continue to grow, Hetrick reminds, problems could result as lawsuits redefine how employers and supervisors use these sites.

NRF touts the value of joining a state retail association

Fresh from a national meeting in Nashville last week, the National Retail Federation is strongly urging retailers of all shapes and sizes to consider joining and becoming active in a state retail organization.

NRF sent several representatives to the Council of State Retail Association's annual meeting, where WRA was in attendance, and was favorably impressed with the presenters and range of issues addressed at the meeting.

Click here to read the commentary in a blog by Michael Cys, NRF's VP of State Relations and Political Affairs. NRF also lists state associations including WRA on its website. (link).

WRA offers members a host of benefits and lobbying representation in the state legislature and others levels of government that can prove invaluable. To learn more about WRA membership, contact Terry Hopsecger, Director of Business Development, at 360-943-9198, Ext. 24 or at terry@retailassociationservices.com.

RASI website offers rate calculator for 2014 insurance rates

WRA invites companies to use a calculator on its website to figure out proposed workers' compensation insurance rates likely to go into effect in January.

To access the calculator, go to www.retailassociationservices.com (Retail Association Services, Inc.) and click inside the red box that comes up on the page. Once at the worksheet, simply type in the numeric code inside the "risk class" box for your type of business and the calculator will generate how much rates to employers and employees are proposed to increase or decrease next year.

L&I is conducting public hearings around the state this month to take input before making a final decision on next year's rates. Click here to learn about times and locations for L&I's public hearings and how to submit written comments.

Website visitors do not have to be WRA members to use the rate calculator.

Lacey plans open house on shopping bags

The City of Lacey has scheduled a Nov. 12 open house at Chinook Middle School to seek public comment on a proposed ban of plastic shopping bags.

The city's utility customers also are receiving comment cards in the mail related to the issue.

WRA opposes such bans in favor of a deeper commitment to recycling the bags in addition to promoting the use of reusable bags. Overall, WRA favors maintaining choice for consumers, many of whom favor continuing the use and reuse of plastic.

The Lacey meeting will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Chinook Middle School cafeteria, 4301 6^th Ave. N.E.

While Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County have joined other cities in banning plastic bags, a repeal election will be held in Issaquah on Feb. 11 while Tenino recently decided against adopting a ban. For more information about the Lacey meeting, call (360) 491-3214.

E-Cycle program protects the environment, creates jobs

Five years after its creation, the state's free electronics recycling program has removed more than 200 million pounds of devices from landfills.

WRA CEO Jan Teague praised the program in a recent news account of the landmark anniversary. WRA was instrumental in development of the manufacture-financed program.

"This producer responsibility program is a model for other hazardous products that have reached their end of life and we encourage the state, federal and local governments to follow a similar path," Teague told PR Newswire.

The program has created more than 125 jobs for independent collection, transportation and processing of devices, said Miles Kuntz, E-Cycle program manager.

Click here to read a recent newspaper article about the program. Ecology has also produced an infographic. (link). For locations of free drop off locations, click here.

Sources: Ecology, PR Newswire

Target to remove criminal history question on job applications

In response to a new Minnesota law, Target stores will eliminate the box on job applications that asks about past criminal history.

The company is voluntarily expanding its change nationally, beyond the requirements of the new state law, Minnesota Public Radio reported recently.  The chain also plans to work with the Minneapolis-based Council on Crime and Justice to increase the hiring of ex offenders, the station reported.

Target also is partnering with another Minnesota campaign, where it is headquartered, to explore reforms regarding what types of criminal records an employer may consider in hiring.

Last summer, the Seattle City Council passed a bill that prohibits employers from asking about criminal histories until after an initial job screening. 

SeaTac minimum wage proposal would hurt companies, workers, study shows

After studying Proposition 1, calling for a 63 percent hike in minimum wages for some SeaTac workers, the Washington Policy Center concludes it would harm companies and employees by increasing prices and lead to layoffs and company closures.

"It is not free, someone has to pay for it," Erin Shannon, the center's Director of Small Business, wrote about the proposition. "The money would come immediately from employers, later from consumers, and eventually from the very workers the measure is supposed to help."

Prop. 1 proposes to raise the current state minimum wage of $9.19 to $15 an hour for about 6,300 employees at SeaTac International Airport business employees and nearby service industries such as hotels and car rental stores.

WRA opposes Prop. 1 because it would force layoffs, force some businesses to close and discourage expansion of other companies into SeaTac. It also would spike up the city's costs to administer the law.

Click here to read the entire policy center article. 

Watch video overview of WRA's discount shipping partner

WRA's third-party shipping provider, PartnerShip, has released a short video overview of the discount services it offers customers.

As a WRA member, you could begin saving up to 27 percent on select FedEx shipping services by joining PartnerShip free of charge.

Four other possible advantages of joining PartnerShip include:

*Routing management. Based on an analysis of shipments, PartnerShip will recommend the best shippers for particular routes. The recommendation is based on a carrier's cost effectiveness and customer service.

*Bill auditing. Vendors such as PartnerShip say they often find invoices with rate errors of up to 10 percent in favor of the freight carrier. Corrections are made before the third-party vendor sends the bill to the customer.

*Improved inbound shipping. By relying on vendors to control your inbound shipping, it can be difficult to learn how and when your orders will be shipped and delivered. You can gain that knowledge by arranging shipping through a third party partner such as PartnerShip.

*Consolidated invoices. For frequent shippers, this can mean paying only one bill weekly or monthly as opposed to paying for each shipment.

Click here to watch the video overview of the company and obtain contact information. Also, visit PartnerShip's website and its improved, separate shipping website. 

Register for upcoming state policy summits

The Washington Policy Center will host two statewide policy summits on Nov. 12 and 13.

The events are scheduled to cover a range of subject matter from education to transportation, the environment, small business and government reform proposals.

The sessions are geared toward obtaining comments to influence Olympia policymakers, engaging the media in issues coverage and prompting civic action.

The Nov. 12 event will be at the Pasco Red Lion Hotel.  It moves to the Bellevue Hyatt Regency Hotel on Nov. 13.

Register for the Tri-Cities event here.  Register for the Bellevue event here. Click here for information on speakers. 

Sales increase heading into holiday shopping season

New census figures showed a 3.8 percent national sales increase in September compared to the same month a year ago.

Economists for the National Retail Federation said they considered it positive news even after characterizing consumer confidence as cautious.

"The American consumer remains ever cautious and value-driven but continues to spend," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. He recently has warned that the federal government shutdown, now temporarily ended, could erode consumer confidence.

NRF has forecast a 3.9 percent sales gain this holiday season over last year.

Falling gasoline prices and rising home prices are fueling consumer spending, said Jack Kleinhenz, NRF's chief economist.

"While far from robust, consumers are shopping, but they are spending both discriminately and moderately," Kleinhenz said. "Volatility still persists in various retail sectors but spending has somewhat stabilized heading into the all-important holiday shopping season."

NRF's sales report excludes automobiles, gas stations and restaurants.

Using NRF's figures unadjusted for season factors, September sales increases included 8 percent in building materials and garden supplies; 1.8 percent in electronics and appliances; 4.1 percent in furniture; 4.6 percent in health and personal care products; and 0.9 percent in sporting goods, hobby, books and music. Visit NRF's holiday headquarters for more shopping trends.

Source: NRF

Safety tip: (one in a series)

Darker days require extra awareness

With November's arrival coming in a few days, it's important to remember safety threats posed by darker days.

For a business, that means being aware about whether outdoor lighting is sufficient and checking to make sure that bulbs and electronic surveillance is working.

Darker days also remind us to review the safety habits of employees expected to report early or remain late in the day.

Here are safety tips, courtesy of WRA's safety administrator Rick Means, for the parking lot during the winter season:

*Try to park in a well-lighted area closest to the door. It's particularly true if employees carry deposits.

*Arrange to leave the building with a co worker. It will make you less vulnerable.

*Consider backing into a parking spot to allow for a quicker exit if confronted.

*Carry a flashlight to illuminate areas and check back seats before unlocking and getting into your vehicle.

*Carry your keys out of the building and use the panic button on your key fob if you are threatened.

*Avoid taking shortcuts between vehicles in a darkened parking lot. Try to walk down the middle of a parking aisle keeping as much distance as possible between yourself and parked cars.

*Do not leave valuables tempting to robbers inside your car.

*Walk with a purpose and scan you surroundings.

*Once inside your vehicle, quickly lock the doors and get underway without delay.

*Trust your instincts. If you are uncomfortable about walking to your vehicle alone, do not if it is practical.

WRA employs Means as Safety and Claims Administrator, who can assist members with planning safety meetings. Reach Rick at 360-943-9198, Ext. 18 or at rick.means@retailassociationservices.com.