Serving Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming
January 21, 2015

GCEF Bestows 8 Scholarships     
The Graphic Communications Education Foundation (GCEF) recently distributed eight scholarships to students.

Rylie Ringoen from Scottsdale Community College received $500. Rylie is a graphic design major and will gradate this May.  She is currently interning at Prisma Graphics in the prepress department.

Chanel Wiscombe from Scottsdale Community College received $500.  Chanel is a graphic design major and will also graduate in May.  In addition to thriving as a graphic designer, Chanel wants to write and illustrate children's books.

Alexis Hale from Scottsdale Community College received $500.  After gaining experience as an in-house designer, Alexis wants to further her career as an educator in the visual communications field.

Seattle Benson from Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona, received $500.  Upon graduating from Perry, Seattle has been accepted into Northern Arizona University's Visual Communication Program.

Amy Sanders from Scottsdale Community College received $250.  After completing her graphic design associates at SCC, Amy plans to continue her education and obtain her bachelors degree with an emphasis in public arts.  Her long term goal is to work for Cirque du Soleil.

Chance Weir from Yavapai College received $250.  Change plans to continue in graphic design upon his completion of a bachelors degree.

Juan Loza from Phoenix College received $250.  Upon graduation with his associates in applied science in Digital Photography, Juan plans to continue his work in commercial and documentary photography.

Sharon Rudland from Scottsdale Community College received $250.  As a military spouse, Shar likes the flexibility of the career and plans to continue with her graphic design and photography skills in the publishing field.
Getting Down to the Wire for Awards Deadline

Don't panic but there are only 10 days for you to assemble some of your best print job's for consideration in this year's Print Excellence Awards. 

Join  fellow printers from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming in this amazing celebration of print where the best of the best is recognized. Detailed information on the competition, including award forms can be found at www.wsprint.org. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call 1-800-910-4283 (ext. 777).

Award ceremonies will be held on April 23, 2015 in Phoenix (Rustler's Rooste) and April 30, 2015 in Denver (Embassy Suites Downtown).  Both events will also feature the Employee Recognition Awards (stay tuned for details).

Mark your calendars! 
Free Webinar: What You Need To Know About The NLRB
      

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) wants to be in your company's future. It recently introduced measures to speed up quickie union elections and has issued a significant ruling in a case that could affect your company's ability to control your own corporate email.  Lastly, the NLRB decided it will now look more closely at labor arbitrators' decisions and may even rule while an arbitration is on-going.

The above are all significant changes that both non-union and unionized employers need to understand and adjust to in their strategic and day-to-day management. The labor unions are expected to take advantage of these changes immediately while the appeals are considered and filed.  By participating in this free member webinar you will learn: 

  • Key changes of the NLRB union election time-lines
  • Key changes in what employers (and their lawyers) can and cannot do during the union election process that will affect the election outcome
  • Key changes in the Purple Communications case as it relates to policy and practice of your corporate email policy and monitoring.
  • Policy tips in reaction to Purple Communications
  • Key changes in how labor arbitrations are viewed by the NLRB and how unionized employers can respond
  • Keys to maintaining a positive work environment so your company is not a target of labor unions
  • How to respond if your company experiences a union organizing attempt
  • A review of labor unions in the printing industry today.
The FREE WEBINAR featuring PIA's Jim Kyger (pictured above) will be held on February 12.  To register, CLICK HERE.  Make sure you are logged into the website as a member to get the webinar free.  If you need help with your login, feel free to call Member Central at 1-800-910-4283 (ext. 770). 

Work Your Relationship Web

You're calling on an account and getting orders from the people you're working with.  But, what about other people and departments in the same firm?  Ask your contact to be introduced to other potential buyers.  Talk to them to find out what they're doing so you can suggest ways that print can help them achieve their goals.  If relationships develop, leverage them by asking for referrals to friends and colleagues which peole are usually happy to give since it's an ego-trip for them to mention that they have found a great supplier.  It's an amazingly big world out there with a web of relationships that can build your business.

Member Benefit: PIA Lab Services    

Did you realize that as a member of WSPA, you have access to the top-notch laboratory services of PIA to examine and diagnose your paper and ink problems?  With the help of PIA's expert staff and constantly expanding laboratory facilities, you can resolve conflicts, evaluate materials, troubleshoot projects and save thousands of dollars a year in wasted downtime and consumables by making sure the same mistakes aren't repeated.

 

Consider the experts at PIA's lab to be print doctors.  Conflict resolution, print quality analysis, and materials testing are the most common prescriptions and with PIA's services, you'll get unbiased, comprehensive, and conclusive third-party testing with reliable, accurate, and timely results.  Just what the doctor ordered!

 

Paper tests include basis weight, caliper, opacity, brightness and smoothness.  Ink tests include IS02846, track, strength, duke emulsification and viscosity.  For a full listing of services available to you as a WSPA member, CLICK HERE.  


Minimum Wage News in New Mexico
       
Last week the Bernalillo County Commission approved a cost-of-living increase for minimum wage workers in unincorporated Bernalillo County, raising the minimum wage from $8.50 to $8.65 per hour effective January 26, 2015.

The 15-cent increase reflects a 1.7% increase in the CPI for the 12-month period September 2013 to August 2014 (rounded to the nearest five cents). The measure applies to about 1,800 businesses and hundreds of workers in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County, areas that are located outside of Albuquerque's city limits. The minimum wage in Albuquerque is $8.75 per hour as of January 1, 2015.

Weekly Photo Feature:  
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
 

Each week E-Connects will share incredible photos on just how lax companies can be when it comes to safety. 

The goal - to keep a safe work environment front and center on the minds of all of your employees.

Not the best example of teamwork!

If you come across a funny safety pic you think should be featured, email Michael Makin at mmakin@wsprint.org


Quote For The Week 

"Forgive your enemies but never forget their names."

John F. Kennedy