Posts for June 14, 2011

SENATE MAY REPEAL ETHANOL TAX CREDITS
Today in Manufacturing
The Senate will vote on a measure on Tuesday that would eliminate ethanol tax credits that pay the oil industry $5 billion a year ... continue

RETAIL SALES FALL IN MAY
Today in Manufacturing
Commerce Department said sales among U.S. retailers fell 0.2 percent last month -- the first decline after 10 straight increases ... continue

WHOLESALE PRICES RISE AT SLUGGISH PACE
Today in Manufacturing
Wholesale prices rose at the slowest pace in 10 months in May as food costs fell and gas prices rose by the smallest amount in eight months ... continue

IN SUPPORT OF H.B. 116
Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce
A statement of support for Utah's immigration approach

Let’s be honest. Utah faces a divisive and difficult immigration problem not because of the governor and Utah Legislature, but because of our federal government’s failure. Protecting our borders is not a state responsibility, nor is it a problem that states can solve alone. We must demand action from Washington, D.C.

Without federal action, states have no choice but to put pressure on Congress and protect state interests like public safety and economic development. The immigration bills passed during the 2011 legislative session are designed to do just that.
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NEW "OSHA RECORDKEEPING ADVISOR"
The Employers Council

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed an elaws Advisor to address the federal requirement to report and record work-related injuries and illnesses. This new OSHA Recordkeeping Advisor is intended to help determine:
• Whether an injury or illness (or related event) is work-related;
• Whether an event or exposure at home or on travel is work-related;
• Whether an exception applies to the injury or illness;
• Whether a work-related injury or illness needs to be recorded; and
• Which provisions of the regulations apply when recording a work-related case.

Remember that Utah OSHA has slightly different injury and illness reporting requirements than federal OSHA. For details, see the Utah OSHA poster.


SURVEY: CEOS EXPECT GROWTH IN HIRING, SPENDING
Today in Manufacturing

More than half of the CEOs of large U.S. companies expect to spend and hire more over the next six months despite slower economic growth ... continue

5 STRATEGIES FOR GROWING AS A DOMESTIC MANUFACTURER
Today in Manufacturing

To continue on a growth track, and remain competitive, domestic manufacturers will need to adopt new business strategies ... continue


NLRB AND BOEING

FLAGG Weekly Communications (NAM)
A big week in the NLRB-Boeing dispute. The NLRB’s case against Boeing goes before an administrative law judge today in Seattle. Boeing is expected to file a motion to dismiss the case. Sixteen state attorneys general have written an amicus brief on behalf of Boeing. More from Law.com:

The attorneys general argued that the NLRB's proposed enforcement action not only violates federal labor law, but that it ignores states' discretion to enact their own right-to-work laws. With national unemployment exceeding 9 percent, the AGs urged the presiding administrative law judge to consider the threat to businesses that the enforcement action could pose.