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

Find valuable wisdom in your association

By Jan Teague, President/CEO

I just returned from a CEO exchange where we discussed key challenges and opportunities for associations.  We talked about developing staff leadership, member education, the challenges with communicating effectively to different age groups, being transparent, and the digital association. 

The average tenure in the CEO group was 30 years.  Each year I glean from this experience what we seem to have in common even though we come from all over the country with different backgrounds and vastly different responsibilities.  One of my best discussions was around web-based services.

The group agreed that information is cheap and in large supply thanks to the internet.  But can people trust the information and will it provide adequate guidance quickly and at the right time?  This is one of the key membership values of a great association.   

An association can provide this higher level of service and add value to your membership by creating opportunities to experience the facts through webinars, idea exchanges and mentoring programs.   We bring together smart people who have the wisdom, not just facts.   Associations create the opportunity to find the wisdom you are looking for and can trust.

Recently we have been working on a new series of web-based services for our Retro members looking to do deeper dives into technical analysis of their worker injuries.  We have also increased our online security that gives members the confidence they want in their communications.  And, with the help of web consultants, we plan to move forward to create a more interactive and meaningful website that creates an association community of experts where you can find the answers you need when you need them. 

Part of the challenge with the idea of expanding web-based services is making sure we match our services to the needs of our members.   The observation at my meeting was that websites are constantly changing with member interests.

We will be asking you what you would like to see on our webpage.  We need your experience in what makes a website worth paying attention to.  What services would you like to see on your association's website?  How can we improve your  professional education or help you solve key problems in your work world?  Watch for a short survey to start the process. 

Seattle minimum wage issue gets more complex

By Mark Johnson, VP Government Affairs

Late last week, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced his plan to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

The City Council has started to hold hearings about it. So far, reviews have been mixed with some in support and some in opposition. 

The $15 Now! coalition lead by Councilwoman Kshama Sawant is collecting signatures on charter amendments and initiatives.  A group called Forward Seattle is backing a $12.50 proposal.  The OneSeattle coalition is still considering what to do.  It is entirely possible that Seattle voters will have 4 to 6 ballot measures on which to decide at the same time. This makes for a very crowded and confusing election. 

Being hotly debated is how much the minimum wage should go up, how soon the wage should go up, and what if anything is considered part of that wage such as tips and health care.  Also, the question lingers, should there be a longer phase in for non-profits and small businesses?  Or, should all businesses be treated the same?

There are even further unanswered questions. What is a small business, for example?  One proposal has the number at 250 employees or less and another has it at 500.  How do you calculate employees?  Do you use the nationwide number of employees for larger businesses and franchises? Or do you calculate based on the number of employees based full time in Seattle?  Should there be a training wage?  All these questions have come up in the discussions.

WRA continues to meet with stakeholders to best advise our members on this complex issue.  We will update you as the process continues. 

Seattle's mayor reveals one plan to raise minimum wage

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced a plan late last week that would raise the city's minimum wage to $15 either within three years for employees of large businesses to seven years for smaller businesses.

During a press announcement last week, Murray released a detailed formula intended to explain how minimum wages would rise in the city depending upon whether the city council and/or voters approved.

In short, under Murray's proposal, businesses larger than 500 employees would get three years to raise minimum wages to $15. Businesses smaller than 500 would get seven years to do so.

City councilwoman Kshama Sawant, who heads the advocacy group $15 Now, has said she will vote against Murray's proposal and work to make it more like hers.

Meanwhile, a coalition of concerned businesses known as One Seattle has formed to participate in the debate. Updates appear on One Seattle's Facebook page.

Also, a congressional vote on increasing the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour from the current $7.25 failed in the Senate last week.

Seattle wage debate strident, one-sided, author observes

The Seattle minimum wage debate not only has become complicated.

One Seattle author also has found it to be unrealistic, stubborn and one sided.

Author Richard Davis, president of the Washington Research Council, writes in an opinion piece that the strident Seattle debate is holding back the possibilities for deciding what the outcome of the debate should be.

Click here to read Davis' essay in The Everett Herald.

Source: Everett Herald

Hearing held on Retro rule change

By Tammie Hetrick, VP Retail Services

I attended a hearing earlier this week in Tumwater regarding an important pending rule change by Labor & Industries regarding tabulation of premium refunds.

The proposed change would remove the performance adjustment factor (PAF) from calculation of the net insurance charge for participants who elect premium-based plans. The belief is the PAF results in unfair financial outcomes for these customers.

If L&I agrees to make this rule change, it would be effective prior to the July 1, 2014 enrollment cycle. A summary of the proposed rule change can be found on L&I's website http://www.lni.wa.gov/LawRule/WhatsNew/Proposed/default.asp?RuleID=418

Also, I have asked L&I to review how it calculates Retro versus non-Retro refunds in hopes of increasing refunds in the future. The department has agreed to complete a review followed by possible recommendations that may result in future rule changes.

AG seeks public input on use of surplus utility funds

Attorney General Bob Ferguson is seeking public input on a pending opinion regarding the use of surplus utility funds and the impact on rates.

Interested members of the public are required to express their interest to comment by May 28, 2014 by sending an e-mail to jeff.even@atg.wa.gov or by writing to the Office of the Attorney General, Solicitor General Division, Attention Jeff Even, Deputy Solicitor General, P.O. Box 40100, Olympia, Wa. 98504-0100.

Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy, has asked Ferguson to render an opinion regarding public utility rates. She wants to know if a city is required to reduce rates if the utility accumulates a financial surplus and to report on which authority determines if a city's utility rates are considered "reasonable" under the law.

The May 28 deadline is not the same as a deadline to comment. The AG first requires members of the public to express their interest in commenting. The comment deadline is at a later date.

After notifying the Attorney General, the office may provide a written copy of the legal questions at hand and instructions on how to submit comments including due dates.

Click here for more information on Attorney General opinions.

Source: Office of Attorney General 

NRF reports where holidays rank for consumer spending

On the heels of its Mother's Day shopping survey for this year, the National Retail Federation has issued a ranking of the top holiday spending seasons.

NRF's monthly consumer surveys show that winter holidays, chiefly Christmas, account for 20 percent of annual retail sales. But in the past decade, other holidays have grown in popularity.

Average consumer spending for back-to-school items has grown 31 percent since 2004, NRF reports. Thanksgiving, too, is becoming a shopping day for millions of bargain hunters.

It turns out that holiday shoppers spend the third highest amounts each year for Mother's Day, according to NRF surveys. Last week, NRF projected the average Mother's Day shopper would spend $162.94 this year.

By comparison, the average Christmas holiday shopper spent $730 last season.

Please click here and here to read more about NRF's ranking of holiday shopping.

Source: NRF

Retail imports increasing as labor talks begin

Retail imports through U.S. ports have been increasing steadily for months heading into the beginning of talks on a new contract for West Coast dockworkers next week.

Volumes for March were up 14.5 percent from the same month last year and up 6 percent in April. May is forecast to finish up 3.5 percent as retailers prepare for the upcoming back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.

The National Retail Federation has urged representatives of the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to avoid a work stoppage during talks.

NRF has forecast U.S. retail sales to increase 4.1 percent this year compared to 2013.  The port import volume statistics are considered a rough measure of overall U.S. economic health.

"Most economic fundamentals are pointing in the direction of continued, sustained recovery in consumer demand and import volumes," said Ben Hackett, whose company tracks port import volumes for NRF. "This is turning out to be the longest period of growth for some time now."

Source: NRF

Revenue surveys web users to become more user friendly

The Department of Revenue has devised a 10-minute online survey in hopes of improving its website.

The survey involves performing a series of tasks such as identifying a town's tax rate by looking at the department's website, www.dor.wa.gov.  

The department says it is focusing on obtaining participation from small businesses to make the website more user friendly.

Take the study here. For more information contact Cindy Autuchovich. 

Help elect pro-retail candidates by donating to the PAC

By Mark Johnson, VP Government Affairs

The election season is upon us.  This is an important year with all of the state House members and half of the state Senate up for election. 

WRA's Retail Action Council Political Action Committee, or as we call it the RAC PAC, will be a major player in helping elect pro-retail candidates to the legislature.  Our process is very involved and thorough to ensure the greatest chance for success. 

First, we are diligently working on a voting record for all current members of the legislature.  We select approximately 10 bills per chamber that we were involved in and score the legislators on whether they voted with us or sponsored something we liked or didn't like.  We then combine the 2014 scores with the 2013 scores for a biennium or two-year total.  This gives a better representation of the legislators overall support or lack thereof.  Once the voting record is done the RAC PAC will make its first round of endorsements. 

Surveys will be sent to all candidates who don't have a voting record and who have filed to run for the legislature.  After scoring the surveys we will decide which candidates to interview based on their scores and the viability of their districts to elect them.  Recommendations will then be sent to the RAC PAC for consideration of endorsements and contributions.

RAC PAC contributions are very important to help the pro-retail candidates to get the word out.  Yard signs, letters, websites, radio, bill boards and TV all cost money.  A contested House race can run anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 and an average Senate race can cost upwards of $500,000. 

Individual donation limits to candidates this year are $950 per election, so for the primary and general you can give $1,900.  Contributions to PACs are unlimited.  We can also accept corporate dollars.

In order to secure a pro-retail legislature it is critical that contributions to the RAC PAC be made.  If you are in a position to donate please mail a contribution made out to:  The Washington Retail Association Retail Action Council PAC, P.O. Box 2227, Olympia WA  98507-2227.  We appreciate all of the WRA members who have already donated.

If you would like to discuss giving opportunities please give me a call directly:  360-943-9198 ,  Ext. 15  We appreciate your serious consideration of this very important component of our political program.

Ag department urges care in spraying to protect bees

The Department of Agriculture hopes to reach home owners through retailers as part of a campaign to show more care in the use of pesticides.

Some pesticides are too toxic and have killed many bees. Populations of a variety of bees are necessary to protect for pollinating fruit and vegetable gardens, native plants and the support of the environment and economy.

The department has prepared a brochure that retailers might consider displaying to raise awareness with customers about the proper use of pesticides.  The brochure includes numerous computer links to learning more about ways to reduce bee poisoning to preserve bee populations.

The brochure lists chemicals to avoid in pesticides and includes helpful hints such as avoiding spraying during the blooming season or applying pesticides after flower petals have fallen.

For more information, contact Erik Johansen, WSDA, at 360-902-2078, or as pestreg@agr.wa.gov or visit agr.wa.gov.

Source: WSDA

Shippers save thousands of dollars with WRA partner

Shipping customers saved an average $3,100 in 2013 by shipping with PartnerShip, a partner with WRA.

Enrolled WRA members can save up to 27 percent on select FedEx services.

WRA encourages all members to explore this service. Visit www.PartnerShip.com/99WRA to enroll. Shipping customers with further questions are encouraged to call Partnership at 800-599-2902 or e-mail sales@PartnerShip.com. You also may click here to receive a free rate analysis to help with your shipping decision.

WRA co-presents health care conference next week

WRA will co-present the Washington Policy Center's 12^th Health Care Conference on May 13 at the Hilton Bellevue Hotel.

This year's conference will feature this year's keynote speaker, Katie Mahoney, Executive Director of Health Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The event will include a bi-partisan legislative session review, followed by three panel discussions. Mahoney also will present at a Spokane luncheon on May 14.

This policy event usually attracts 300 or more state legislators, candidates, business owners and health care industry representative. Click here to register.

Save the date for the 2014 business fair

Organizers have settled on Sept. 27 for this year's annual small business fair at Renton Technical College.

WRA is an annual exhibitor at the fair, where speakers address numerous seminars on starting and growing a small business. Admission is free.

Look for updates as they occur at www.bizfair.org. Also, look for periodic announcements on the Business Fair Facebook page.

Safety tip: (second of three parts)

Note keyboard, mouse requirements

Repetitive motion such as typing can cause wrist stress if you are not properly aligning yourself with the keyboard and mouse. 

Last week's safety tip installment covered how you can adjust an office chair to achieve comfort. Similar adjustments should be considered for comfortable typing and navigation on the computer screen.

Rick Means, WRA's safety advisor, says the keyboard and mouse should be at elbow level. This will allow for the wrist and forearm to work in a more natural state and not be working in an upward or downward position.

Often, the mouse is down and typists wind up putting too much pressure on their wrists. This pressure is what can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. 

The keyboard that comes with the computer may not be the best for the user. There are several alternatives on the market that might be worth exploring to achieve more comfort and protect from repetitive motion injury.

The mouse also has options such as a track ball instead of the traditional clicker type.  With the track ball, your fingers do all the work instead of having to use the elbow, shoulder and arm to move the cursor on the screen.  Some versions of a mouse also can be re-set for the opposite hand.

To learn more, follow the link on proper mouse/keyboard use.  It is important for employers to check what arrangement works best for each employee.

Next week's final series installment will review the layout of workspaces to encourage productivity and reduce the risk of injury.

Rick is available to members to help draw up safety plans and suggest topics for safety meetings. Contact him at 360-943-9198 x18, or rick.means@retailassociationservices.com.