The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is proposing an average 1.8 percent rate increase for 2015 workers’ compensation premiums, just under the current rate of wage inflation. The increase comes out to about a cent per hour worked. Public hearings on the proposed rates will be held in:
Bellingham, October 22, 9 a.m., Whatcom Community College.
Spokane, October 23, 9 a.m., CenterPlace Event Center.
Richland, October 24, 9 a.m., Richland Community Center.
Tumwater, October 27, 9 a.m., L&I Building.
Tukwila, October 28, 9 a.m., L&I Office, Gateway Corporate Center.
Vancouver, October 30, 9 a.m., Northwest Regional Training Center.
You can comment at the public hearings or in writing to Jo Anne Attwood, P. O. Box 41448, Olympia, WA 98504-4148. All comments must be received by 5 p.m., November 3.
Minimum wage survey – your opportunity to be heard!
Raising the state’s minimum wage will undoubtedly be a big topic during the upcoming 2015 legislative session. The WRA has been asked by members of the Legislature to gather important information on the cost structure and impacts of changes in the minimum wage on restaurants (including taverns, private clubs and other hospitality sector businesses). The information will be used to educate legislators, the public and media on the economics of running restaurants (both quick and full service) and other hospitality sector businesses. Additionally, the information will provide WRA with data on the impacts of a change in the minimum wage. The information you provide is extremely important to our efforts. While a summary of the information will be prepared, please be assured that any data you provide will be confidential. Please take the time to fill-out the survey NOW.
Click here to be taken to the survey for full service restaurants
Click here to be taken to the survey for quick service restaurants
All participants are eligible for a drawing for one $500 Visa GC. If you have any questions, please contact Sheryl Jackson via e-mail or by phone at (800) 225-7166, ext. 102.
Legislators react to State Supreme Court contempt ruling in school funding case
After a unanimous order of contempt issued by the Washington State Supreme Court, lawmakers are acknowledging that they must act decisively, during the 2015 legislative session, in order to meet the court’s order that they fully fund education. How this will be accomplished remains unclear. Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, estimated that a minimum of $3 billion in additional funding will be needed by the 2017-19 budget in order to fund educational reforms already passed by the Legislature, including expanding all-day kindergarten and reducing class sizes for students from kindergarten to third grade. Hunter believes this can’t be accomplished without measures including raising taxes, ending some tax breaks or extending taxes that are expiring. State Rep. Chad Magendanz, R-Issaquah, believes the 2015 deadline set by the court’s contempt order will push lawmakers to find compromises on difficult issues related to education funding. “We are going to have Democrats who want large tax measures, we are going to have Republicans who are going to want significant reforms,” said Magendanz, R-Issaquah. “This is going to drive the compromise in those discussions.”
WRA holding regional meetings – participate in your area!
Last year, the WRA Government Affairs (GA) team held a series of meetings around the state to discuss plans for key issues impacting hospitality sector businesses. These meetings provided an opportunity for members around the state to hear the WRA team’s suggested priorities and goals – and for us to receive input from members. These meetings replaced the traditional Government Affairs Committee meeting in September. We received favorable feedback about the meetings from WRA members across the state. Additionally, your WRA GA team gained valuable input and support from members who had not participated in our process. Accordingly, we are planning to replicate and expand this process during the month of October. There should be a meeting in a location near you. If, however, you cannot make that event please join us at any of the other meeting days listed. Please join us in:
Tacoma, Tuesday, October 7, 9– 11 a.m., Pacific Grill – 1530 Pacific Avenue
Seattle, Wednesday, October 8, 8:30–10:30 a.m., Pagliacci Pizza – 4739 Ballard Avenue Northwest
Mt. Vernon, Thursday, October 9, 1:30– 3:30 p.m., Max Dale’s Steak & Chop House – 2030 Riverside Drive
Spokane, Tuesday, October 14, 3:30–6 p.m., Lincoln Center – Lincoln Center Ballroom – 1316 North Lincoln Center
Burien, Thursday, October 16, 9–11 a.m., Azteca Mexican Restaurant – 153 Southwest 157th Street
At each meeting, the GA team members will outline our draft issue matrix and priority legislative agenda. We expect considerable time in these meetings to be focused on the minimum wage issue. The GA team will bring back the feedback we receive from each of these meetings, and prepare a final draft priority issue matrix and legislative plan for review and approval by the GAC during November. We are your voice in Olympia and we hope to hear from you!
SEIU declares war on franchises
While the fast-food strikes in Seattle and other cities are portrayed as a grassroots movement led by workers, in reality, this is all part of a national campaign led from top down by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). E-mails recently unearthed in a lawsuit reveal that the part of the SEIU’s motivation in pursuing this campaign was to break the franchise business model in order to more easily unionize fast food workers and boost dwindling union membership. Read more in a Puget Sound Business Journal op-ed by Steve Caldeira, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association.
U.S. wealth gap is real
A new Harvard Business School study indicates that the gap between the rich and poor continues growing with no sign of it narrowing anytime soon. Although larger U.S. companies are exhibiting strong signs of recovery in the wake of the financial crisis, things are not looking nearly so hopeful for many American workers. While average income rose 4 percent since 2012, the majority of the increase is concentrated among the highest earners. At the same time, a typical family’s income dropped 5 percent to $46,700, from $49,000 during the same period.
Azteca’s Randy Thurman and Seattle Restaurant Alliance’s Morgan Hickel on this week’s Dine NW radio show, now online
Don’t miss this week’s DineNW radio show, now online. First, co-hosts Lex Nepomuceno and Paul Schlienz talk with Azteca’s Randy Thurman. Lex and Paul then chat with Morgan Hickel of the Seattle Restaurant Alliance on the $15 minimum wage and how Seattle’s restaurants are responding to this challenge. Finally, we say sayonara with a delicious conversation with Tabitha Smith, owner of Fuji Sushi, in Seattle’s International District.
Washington Restaurant Market Watch: Ready or not, there’s a mobile payment system in your future
The secure mobile payment train has left the station, and it’s clear that restaurants are going to have to get on board. Last week’s launch of iPhone and Apple Watch, featuring a biometric fingerprint technology to add a new level of security to mobile payment transactions, was a game changer. Read more…
New study shows sustainable practices on the rise among restaurants
New research shows a many restaurateurs are bringing sustainability best practices into their operations. A survey of 1,000 full service and quick service operators revealed that nearly three quarters of restaurants recycled used fryer oil, fats and grease. More than six in 10 recycled cardboard and paper, used compact fluorescent lighting and purchased products made from recycled materials. Approximately, three in 10 installed faucet aerators to conserve water. Through its Conserve initiative, the National Restaurant Association provides sustainable tips, tools and best practices for restaurants. Learn more about how your business can become more sustainable at Restaurant.org/Conserve.