Friday, April 18, 2008
Free Kidney Screening
"On Saturday, May 3rd, Representative Michael Magaoay, 46th District, will be sponsoring a free kidney screening in conjunction with the National Kidney Foundation, at Lili'uokalani Church in Haleiwa, from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Kidney disease is of critical concern in our state; this particular screening is very inclusive and would normally run an individual over $400.00. The National Kidney Foundation does an excellent job; people should take advantage of the program and early detection may delay or prevent the onset of kidney disease. If you would like to sign-up for the kidney screening, please call Representative Magaoay's office, 586-6380, to schedule a time on Saturday, May 3rd.
Monday, April 14, 2008
'Card Check' Bill: Are you impacted?
Dear Chamber Member,
You are receiving this e-mail either because you may be directly impacted by this bill or if the bill passes, it sets a precedence and provides momentum towards the national movement which will have far-reaching implications and change the scope of how business is done, which in turn, will affect your business and your employees’ free choice in determining labor representation.
HB 2974 denies employees the right to a secret ballot election when deciding whether or not to have a union representation in the workplace and forces arbitration if the employer and union cannot come to an agreement with a certain time period. This bill currently applies to some small businesses, non-profits and agricultural workers.
If vetoed, the Legislature can still override the bill during session. We’ve been sending “Action Alerts” and e-newsletters on this bill, however, we cannot stress enough how important it is for you to take action and send letters to your legislators.
We are running out of time. Please take action via one of the following ways by this Wednesday:
"do not override the veto" letter to your legislators (pre-written message provided) – preferable action
"give permission" to list your company on the Chamber letter to the legislators requesting them not to override the veto
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your time and support.
Sincerely,
Sherry Menor-McNamara
PARTICIPATE: ENHANCE YOUR STANCE!
You are receiving this e-mail either because you may be directly impacted by this bill or if the bill passes, it sets a precedence and provides momentum towards the national movement which will have far-reaching implications and change the scope of how business is done, which in turn, will affect your business and your employees’ free choice in determining labor representation.
HB 2974 denies employees the right to a secret ballot election when deciding whether or not to have a union representation in the workplace and forces arbitration if the employer and union cannot come to an agreement with a certain time period. This bill currently applies to some small businesses, non-profits and agricultural workers.
If vetoed, the Legislature can still override the bill during session. We’ve been sending “Action Alerts” and e-newsletters on this bill, however, we cannot stress enough how important it is for you to take action and send letters to your legislators.
We are running out of time. Please take action via one of the following ways by this Wednesday:
"do not override the veto" letter to your legislators (pre-written message provided) – preferable action
"give permission" to list your company on the Chamber letter to the legislators requesting them not to override the veto
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your time and support.
Sincerely,
Sherry Menor-McNamara
PARTICIPATE: ENHANCE YOUR STANCE!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
URGENT ACTION NEEDED on Bill Eliminating Secret Ballot for Union Elections
Aloha Members,
I am forwarding an Action Alert from the main Chamber that requires your immediate action. Please read below and contact the Governor to veto HB 2974. I've also written a summary of the bill with contact info for legislators. Please act today!
Mahalo,
Antya
MONDAY REPORT - From Chamber President Jim Tollefson – April 7, 2008
Card Check Bill Action Alert!
Last Friday we had a very successful “Walk Around the State Capitol” with over 20 business leaders and chamber representatives meeting legislators and voicing their concerns. Through many of the conversations it became apparent that legislators are looking to hear from the business community and were in need of input from business leaders and their constituents. With only 18 days left (not including weekends) in the session, the time is now.
One bill, HB2974 HD2 regarding labor, also known as the card check bill is in need of your URGENT attention. This bill denies employees the right to a secret ballot election in determining whether or not to have union representation in the workplace and additionally forces arbitration if the parties cannot come to an agreement within a certain time period.
We believe it is the employee’s fundamental right to cast their vote privately, without the undue pressure from management and labor. Secret balloting is part of the democratic process which ensures fairness and the freedom of choice. In fact, the US Chamber of Commerce stated in testimony a poll by Zogby International, where 84% of union members expressed that employees should have the right to specifically vote on whether to join a union. They themselves recognize that secret ballot elections are the fairest solution. Despite this, the card check process continues to be a top issue.
Although the Card Check Bill currently applies to limited categories, such as agricultural employers, and small businesses and non-profits with less than $500,000 in gross annual revenues and not involved in interstate commerce (click here to see additional categories), if passed, it will set a negative precedence impacting both employees and employers. Also, it will provide momentum towards the national movement which will have far-reaching implications for business and change the scope of how business is done.
It is important to take action and ask Governor Lingle to VETO HB2974. The Governor has until April 14th to veto this bill. It is also important to contact your legislators, because if Governor Lingle vetoes the bill, legislators can still override the veto during session. This bill could potentially become law within the next couple of weeks, so take action now. Click here to send a veto letter to the Governor AND click here to send a letter to your legislators to sustain the veto. Visit the Legislative Action Center for more information.
You vote for your legislators, so make sure they hear from you. The more voices, the more attention we bring to the issues impacting our businesses. We look forward to hearing your voice at the Capitol. Inaction will cost us if we as business leaders do not take action and use our voice.
Work Readiness
As Chairman of the Oahu Workforce Investment Board, I wanted to share the following event regarding employee work readiness.
On April 25, 2008 from 9:00am to 11:00am at the Mission Memorial Auditorium the Oahu Workforce Investment Board will be holding an event to preview a state of the art assessment tool customized for Hawaii employers that tests Work Readiness. The assessment provides employers the ability to have greater accuracy in hiring, reduced recruitment costs, minimized employee turnover, and improved employee performance.
The event is Free but space is limited. So sign up today. RSVP by April 22, 2008 at 768-7759 or email amachida@honolulu.gov.
Final Decking “Walk Around the Capitol” Friday April 25, 2008 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. RSVP to Courtney at cmenard@cochawaii.org by April 24th .
Jim Tollefson
President & CEO
The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii
The Voice of Business in Hawaii
1132 Bishop Street, Suite 402,
Honolulu, Hi. 96813
Ph: 808-545-4300 ext 383
Fax 808-545-4369
www.cochawaii.org
I am forwarding an Action Alert from the main Chamber that requires your immediate action. Please read below and contact the Governor to veto HB 2974. I've also written a summary of the bill with contact info for legislators. Please act today!
Mahalo,
Antya
MONDAY REPORT - From Chamber President Jim Tollefson – April 7, 2008
Card Check Bill Action Alert!
Last Friday we had a very successful “Walk Around the State Capitol” with over 20 business leaders and chamber representatives meeting legislators and voicing their concerns. Through many of the conversations it became apparent that legislators are looking to hear from the business community and were in need of input from business leaders and their constituents. With only 18 days left (not including weekends) in the session, the time is now.
One bill, HB2974 HD2 regarding labor, also known as the card check bill is in need of your URGENT attention. This bill denies employees the right to a secret ballot election in determining whether or not to have union representation in the workplace and additionally forces arbitration if the parties cannot come to an agreement within a certain time period.
We believe it is the employee’s fundamental right to cast their vote privately, without the undue pressure from management and labor. Secret balloting is part of the democratic process which ensures fairness and the freedom of choice. In fact, the US Chamber of Commerce stated in testimony a poll by Zogby International, where 84% of union members expressed that employees should have the right to specifically vote on whether to join a union. They themselves recognize that secret ballot elections are the fairest solution. Despite this, the card check process continues to be a top issue.
Although the Card Check Bill currently applies to limited categories, such as agricultural employers, and small businesses and non-profits with less than $500,000 in gross annual revenues and not involved in interstate commerce (click here to see additional categories), if passed, it will set a negative precedence impacting both employees and employers. Also, it will provide momentum towards the national movement which will have far-reaching implications for business and change the scope of how business is done.
It is important to take action and ask Governor Lingle to VETO HB2974. The Governor has until April 14th to veto this bill. It is also important to contact your legislators, because if Governor Lingle vetoes the bill, legislators can still override the veto during session. This bill could potentially become law within the next couple of weeks, so take action now. Click here to send a veto letter to the Governor AND click here to send a letter to your legislators to sustain the veto. Visit the Legislative Action Center for more information.
You vote for your legislators, so make sure they hear from you. The more voices, the more attention we bring to the issues impacting our businesses. We look forward to hearing your voice at the Capitol. Inaction will cost us if we as business leaders do not take action and use our voice.
Work Readiness
As Chairman of the Oahu Workforce Investment Board, I wanted to share the following event regarding employee work readiness.
On April 25, 2008 from 9:00am to 11:00am at the Mission Memorial Auditorium the Oahu Workforce Investment Board will be holding an event to preview a state of the art assessment tool customized for Hawaii employers that tests Work Readiness. The assessment provides employers the ability to have greater accuracy in hiring, reduced recruitment costs, minimized employee turnover, and improved employee performance.
The event is Free but space is limited. So sign up today. RSVP by April 22, 2008 at 768-7759 or email amachida@honolulu.gov.
Final Decking “Walk Around the Capitol” Friday April 25, 2008 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. RSVP to Courtney at cmenard@cochawaii.org by April 24th .
Jim Tollefson
President & CEO
The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii
The Voice of Business in Hawaii
1132 Bishop Street, Suite 402,
Honolulu, Hi. 96813
Ph: 808-545-4300 ext 383
Fax 808-545-4369
www.cochawaii.org
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