CAWA Connections (11/19/13)

CAWA's Annual Dinner A Resounding Success During Industry Week

"This year's annual meeting was very well attended and the Association raised over $17,000 for our scholarship program", according to Rodney Pierini, the President & CEO of CAWA. "Once again, Motorcar Parts of America sponsored the event and the Association sends its gratitude to their CEO, Selwyn Joffe for his gracious and continuing support", Pierini went on to say. CAWA has historically held its annual meeting the Sunday evening before Industry Week in Las Vegas. Next year's event is scheduled for November 2, 2014.

Ron Aparicio of Walker Products Installed as CAWA Chair of the Board for 2014

At its annual meeting to kick off this year's Industry Week in Las Vegas, CAWA - Representing the Automotive Parts Industry, installed Ron Aparicio of Walker Products as the 2014 Chair of the Board of Directors. Joining Mr. Aparicio are the following officers of the Board:

Vice Chair of the Board - Ward Myers, WORLDPAC
Treasurer - Greg Livingston , Alltrade Tools
Secretary - Michael Antonelli, Vantage Marketing Global, Inc.
Immediate Past Chair of the Board - Ed Jimenez

CAWA Assists in Developing a National "Call to Action" Network for the Aftermarket

CAWA through its membership in the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations' (ASAAA) is assisting in the development of a national call to action program. It is envisioned that every state in the union will have at least one aftermarket association that can be vigilant regarding legislative and regulatory issues that might arise in the state. The program would be administered by the national AAIA and would represent a step up in the industry's government affairs program. For more information, contact CAWA's President & CEO, Rodney Pierini at 800.332.2292 or [email protected].

What Business Owners Should Know

I've been told I can no longer ask an applicant if they've been convicted of a crime. Does this mean I have to take that question off my employment application? See the enclosed article prepared by the California Chamber of Commerce (click here). Should you have any specific questions regarding this issue, contact our California based legal counsel, Stephen Marmaduke at 916.441.2430 or [email protected]. Recall, as a member in all three states represented by CAWA, you have ½ hour per month of FREE legal consultation. See www.cawa.org for our legal counsel in Nevada and Arizona.

OSHA Revised its Haz Com Standard
They have done so to align with the UN's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Significant changes to the standard require the use of new labeling and a standardized format for Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), formerly known as, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). OSHA is phasing in requirements over several years (12/1/2013 to 6/1/2016). The first compliance date is 12/1/13. By 12/1/13 employers must have trained their workers on the new label elements and the SDS format. For more information (click here) and contact our partner, Glen Daily, at Armstrong & Associates 800.575.6891 or [email protected].

New Layer of Employer Liability for Texting While Driving
A NEW APPEALS court decision should serve as an additional reminder about the liability you as an employer can face for not properly ensuring that your staff who drive on the job do not send texts while behind the wheel. In what could be a test case for employer liability in states that ban texting while driving, the New Jersey Appellate Division has held that "a person sending text messages has a duty not to text someone who is driving if the texter knows, or has special reason to know, the recipient will view the text while driving". While the case in question was not in the context of an employer texting an employee, the logic would also apply if the employer knowingly sent a text message to an employee that was driving in the course of their employment. Find out how this ruling affects your risk picture. For more information, contact our insurance partner, Glen Dailey at Armstrong & Associates 800.575.6891 or [email protected].

AAIA Applauds EPA Determination that New Vehicle Refrigerant Can Be Sold for Consumer Use

As a result of a lawsuit brought by our national partner, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Automotive Refrigeration Products Institute (ARPI), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that will permit R-1234yf to be sold to consumers so that they can recharge their vehicle air conditioning systems. Developed by Honeywell and DuPont, HFO 1234yf will likely be used by many vehicle manufacturers to replace R-134a due to its lower global warming potential (GWP). HFO 1234yf has a GWP of 4, while 134a has a GWP of 1430. General Motors has already begun using the new refrigerant on some of its vehicle lines and others are expected to follow suit soon. The
new rule becomes effective on Dec. 2, 2013 and the Federal Register Notice can be found HERE.

Want $1,000 off Your Credit Card Processing Fees?

Click (here) to see the offer that CAWA's endorsed processor, QPS, is offering our members today. Call Todd Lazar for more specific details at 888.737.7762. Many members are converting to our endorsed processor, who is used by many aftermarket businesses throughout the Country and they are saving money as a result.

CAWA Connections (11/19/13)

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