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

WRA members share their views

By Jan Teague, President/CEO

More than 1/3 of WRA's membership on board for at least 11 years has responded to a survey asking what their experience has been so far and what services they would like to use in the future.  I reported at the launch of this survey a few weeks ago and have been very happy with the number who took the time to respond. 

If you haven't put in your thoughts, there is still time. We will re-send the survey on Thursday, so watch for it and please take 10 minutes to weigh in.

A strong majority, 88%, described WRA as a good industry advocate.  I liked that response, particularly because it was followed by high marks in customer service and the weekly e-mailed newsletter. 

What we hope to do is work on some of the things that people requested regarding services. People liked our safety education and encouraged us to develop more in this area.  Members want more regarding court decisions, employment tips, success stories for managing injured workers, data security tips and information about the latest retail trends. Facebook was the top social media used by our members.

Our goal is to finish the redesign of our two websites by the end of August.  You will find a lot of new information in an easy-to-find format.  We are upping our online presence so you can use these sites to find the industry information you seek. We also want to launch dialogues among the members on key areas of interest and host recorded webinars so you can watch them when you want to. 

We plan to provide you with a wealth of new information from our service provider members who hold the keys to your success. 

The association is your place to get the information you need.  Make sure we are headed in the right direction for your company's needs.  Fill out the survey or just give one of us a call if you want to talk.  I will keep you posted as we move forward. 

State offers advice as pot stores open around Washington

The first few marijuana retailers to open around the state this week have raised several questions about the impacts of the drug's use on employers and how the law allows adults to use the drug.

Though only a handful of stores were scheduled to open this week, the state eventually expects more than 300 stores to be in operation around the state as a result of voter approval of Initiative 502 in 2012.

The state's official interpretation of the law is available on the Liquor Control Board's implementation page.

The Seattle Times also has published a thorough Q&A (requires subscription) regarding several aspects of the law and the drug's possible effects on users.

WRA's Tammie Hetrick, VP of Retail Services, has attended several conferences regarding the state's marijuana law. Lawyers there have offered the same advice: marijuana use is not legal on a national level. Companies with written policies that prohibit employees from being impaired on the job have rights to terminate such employees, Hetrick said.

"You do not have to allow employees to be intoxicated on the job for medical reasons," Hetrick said.

She said the law may not be as clear regarding new hires. Hetrick advised employers to seek out the advice of a human resources attorney before proceeding against an employee suspected of using marijuana.

Business group seeks at large public vote on higher Seattle minimum wage

A small business group seeking a fall referendum on whether to uphold a new Seattle $15 an hour minimum wage has submitted a petition seeking to be placed on the November ballot.

Forward Seattle delivered nearly 20,000 signatures. Of that amount, 16,500 registered Seattle voters must be validated in a review of the signatures by the City Clerk and officials at King County Elections for a referendum to qualify for the ballot.

The turning in of signatures corresponds to unrest over a June City Council vote to phase in a raise of Seattle's minimum wage, beginning in April, to $15 from the current state $9.32 an hour minimum. A Seattle radio station reports that Seattle small businesses have begun to postpone expansion plans in anticipation of needing to pay higher wages. It quotes one prominent former proponent of raising the minimum wage as having second thoughts now that the impact of the law is becoming clearer.

Meanwhile, political activist Tim Eyman has filed Initiative 655 to the 2015 Legislature. It would require a uniform minimum wage rate across the state and prohibit local governments from setting a higher minimum wage.

In Eyman's case, the Legislature could adopt the initiative or refuse to act, in which case it would go on the ballot at the next state general election.  A third option would allow the Legislature to approve an alternative, in which case the original proposal and the Legislature's would be on the ballot at the next state general election.

Port strikers ordered back to work

An arbitrator on Tuesday ordered striking Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif. dock workers to return to work after Teamsters began a picket.

Two shippers in Los Angeles temporarily shut down on Tuesday while pickets showed up at three shipping facilities at Long Beach.

A six-year labor contract for West Coast dockworkers expired last week, but talks to arrive at a new agreement have continued. Negotiators then agreed to extend the old contract through Friday of this week.

There are estimates that a West Coast terminal shutdown would force $2.5 billion a day in losses for the U.S. economy.

Retailers are closely in tune with the talks because they may have to arrange alternative routes to receive shipments prior to the fall and later holiday selling seasons.

Negotiators for the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have maintained a formal news blackout during weeks of contract talks, only adding to anxieties about the eventual outcome.

WRA, however, is receiving frequent updates regarding the situations at West Coast ports including Tacoma and Seattle. WRA also has joined a national letter from the National Retail Federation urging both sides to continue their commitment to keep contract talks alive.

Source: National Retail Federation

State predicts more retail hiring growth

The state's latest quarterly economic forecast report projects continued growth opportunities for retail hiring.

Retail employment declined sharply when the recession took hold five years ago, but it has turned around, according to the Economic Revenue Forecast Council report.

Retail employment declined for three consecutive years from 2008 to 2010, but surpassed its pre-recession peak by the fourth quarter of last year, the report said.

This year's statewide retail employment of 338,700 is a gain of 2.8 percent from last year. Though the state predicts further hiring growth, the state thinks it will level off percentagewise compared to the past few years.

Retail employment could grow just less than 1 percent next year, to 341,600 and continue to slow to a levelling off at 343,000 in 2018, according to the latest state forecasts.

The state predicts an overall weak labor market, a factor that could slow retail hiring. Also, the report notes, households recovering from the last recession may dampen spending and therefore act as a limiter in retail hiring.

Source: ERFC

Walmart hosts domestic suppliers during historic open call

Walmart hosted more than 500 manufacturers on Tuesday at its Arkansas headquarters during the company's first-ever "Made in the USA" open call.

Suppliers of products ranging from sleeping bags to socks, bed sheets, trash bag, offices supplies and toys pitched their wares to Walmart buyers. The event aims to increase the company's percentage of goods made in the U.S.

The company is finding it is increasingly cost effective and efficient to source products closest to where they are purchased, said Michelle Gloeckler, Walmart's executive vice president of consumables and U.S. manufacturing.

The company expects to spend an additional $250 billion in the next decade on products by domestic manufacturers. The commitment will bolster American jobs and the economy, Walmart said. Visit Walmart for more information. 

More on Supreme Court ruling on union membership

An author for the Washington Policy Center this week weighed in on last week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling exempting Illinois home-based care workers from paying union dues.

In an Olympian opinion piece, author Jason Mercier reports that one Olympia-based political organization is considering going to court to seek the same impact in Washington State.

The court ruled that non-public employees could not be forced to pay union dues if they objected to union activities. The case has not yet been tested in Washington State.

State Attorney General Bob Ferguson so far has withheld comment on the ruling until he has had more time to analyze it. Meanwhile, analysts such as Mercier speculate that the ruling could dent union finances in years to come.

Source: The Olympian

WRA co presents annual small business forums

WRA again this year is co-presenting a series of upcoming small business forums around the state with the Washington Policy Center.

Times and dates still are being arranged. Forums have been scheduled Aug. 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Yakima Red Lion Inn on Aug. 11 and at the same times of day on Nov. 14 at Tacoma's Pacific Grill Events Center.

Forum participants will be asked to complete a survey explaining how issues affect their business. A report reflecting the impacts will be shared with lawmakers at the upcoming 2015 state legislative session beginning next January. Topics under discussion at this year's forums will include the minimum wage, health care reform, regulation and workers' compensation.

To register as a Tacoma attendee, contact Savannah Kimball at SavannahK@tacomachamber.org. Contact Chris Cargill, 509-570-2384 or ccargill@washingtonpolicy.org to register for the Yakima event.

WRA will update information on future forums, times and dates, in this newsletter as information develops.

Good time to comply with hazardous drug rule

Pharmacy employees and delivery personnel are among the occupations under alert to comply by this coming January with a new state law to protect employees from dangerous chemicals.

WRA members most likely affected by the new law would be pharmacy employees and shippers. Improper exposure to certain hazardous drugs can cause several reactions including rashes, genetic damage, birth defects and cancer.

Information from the state can be found here.  Labor and Industries has assembled a hazardous program guide for pharmacies.  Timelines and check points for the phased-in law can be found here.

Source: L&I

Safety tip: (one in a series)

Consider steps to prevent hearing loss

Beginning with today's installment, Rick Means, WRA's Safety Administrator, presents a three-part series of reminders on personal protective equipment in the workplace.

Today's item is on hearing protection. The next two weeks will address eye protection and the use of safety gloves.

Hearing is important and hearing loss, with implications on communication, employment opportunities, job performance, injury-risk, depression, and anxiety, places a significant burden on society. 

Occupational hearing loss represents a substantial portion of all hearing impairments and is nearly always permanent.  It is also nearly always preventable.  Reducing worker exposure to hazardous noise is a sound investment.  A great video on how the ear works and how to protect it can be viewed here on RASI SAFETY TV - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHH-kJt07eg

When should employees wear hearing protection?  A safe level of sound that a person can be exposed to, for long periods of time, is measured at 85dB.  If you are recording an exposure limit value greater than this, hearing protection in the form of ear plugs or ear muffs should be made available to all staff members.

To see what levels of noise are prevalent in your shop, you could bring in an Audiologist or as with most things today, there is an app for that. Android

Iphone. 

There are many different types of hearing protection that you can choose from.   Review the type of situation that you need hearing protection with your employees to find a suitable type that they will feel comfortable using.  You want to have something that they will regularly use.

Additional Information can be found at:

OSHA article - https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/

CDC article - http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/enewsV10N11.html

L&I training packet - http://lni.wa.gov/Safety/TrainTools/Trainer/Kits/HearingProtection/

WRA employs Means as a Safety & Claims Administrator who is available to members to help draw up safety plans and suggest topics for safety meetings. Contact him at 360-943-9198, Ext. 18 or rick.means@retailassociationservices.com 

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. Visitwww.PartnerShip.com/99WRA to enroll. Shipping customers with further questions are encouraged to call Partnership at 800-599-2902 or e-mailsales@PartnerShip.com. You also may click here to receive a free rate analysis to help with your shipping decision.

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.

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.