Alliance Chamber
On March 9, 2009 our very own Sheri Haynes, Regional Sales Representative, was elected Second Vice Chairman of the Alliance Chamber of Commerce. Congrats!
Bits and Piece
The Stimulus Act includes a tax credit for individuals to the lesser of 6.2% of an individuals earned income or $400.00. The revised tax withholding tables can be found at www.IRS.gov.
Also, employers can now increase the amount of qualified transportation benefits to its employees.
The Palmer forecast predicts that demand for temps will decline 21.2% in the first quarter of 2009. That would be good news for the industry which locally has been hit harder.
In addition to the "Free Choice Act" labor is pushing the "Respect Act" which would more narrowly define the definition of a supervisor. Supervisors are not employees under the National Labor Relations Act and therefore have no rights to form a union. If passed many "working supervisors" and others considered part of management will no longer qualify as a supervisor.
The BWC is exploring the elimination of the discount given to those participating in the Drug Free Workplace Program. About 6500 employers participate.
On April 3, 2009 a new I-9 form is required for use by all employers for new hires and those requiring re-verification. The new form is available here.
STOP EMPLOYEE "FORCED" CHOICE ACT!
Most that know me understand my views about unions and their impact on our local economy.
Aside from the basic right of self determination through the ballot box I see nothing good coming from the passage of the "Employee Free Choice Act".
Like the "Ohio Healthy Families Act" we must all be involved in defeating this job killing piece of legislation. Here is my latest vent that ran in The Vindicator on April 6, 2009. I'm sure to be picking up garbage in my yard this week!
ALL THE WAYS WE'RE BROKE
EDITOR:
Let's see, GM/UAW has lost $80 billion in the past three years. The predominantly unionized manufacturing base of the Mahoning Valley has all but disappeared in the past 30 years. Government at all levels is broke (AFSCME, SEIU, etc.) President Obama has chastised the poor state of our public Education System (NEA). The president of the YSU Classified Employees Union is on paid administrative leave (some call that vacation) for alleged misconduct. And the USW has apparently been AWOI, when it came to the AMWELD MIA hospitalization problem. Oh, let's not forget the return of the "rat" attack on Thompson Heating for trying to stay in business, and V & M putting the brakes on its expansion. So let's end the democratic principle of the secret ballot in favor of the good work done by unions these days ... makes perfect sense to me.
TIM RYAN
Newton Falls
More Paperwork
For those that are Worker Comp Self Insured or Participate in $15,000 medical only program life just got harder.
Starting October 1, 2009 you will be required to report all claims of Medicare Beneficiaries to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). For more info click here.
Be aware also that the settlement of BWC claims for those eligible for Medicare benefits requires Self Insured to establish reserve funds for future medical payments. Stay tuned.
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