Jeffrey Groves of O’Reilly Automotive Inc. and Nathan Fidler of Worldpac have been appointed to CAWA’s Board of Directors. During the appointment process, Michael Rukov of RepWorks Marketing, Chair of the Board of Directors, commented: “We are pleased to have these two member company representatives join our Board of Directors to participate in our discussions of current and future industry issues”. “We welcome them and look forward to their participation and contributions which will assist CAWA in achieving its goals as an effective automotive aftermarket industry organization”, continued Rukov. See the complete press release regarding these two new board of directors’ members here.

Curt McDowell of NA Williams Company & Chair of the CAWA eCommerce Task Force is doing great work in organizing its members around key issues to examine and to provide solutions. Plus, he has recruited industry and CAWA member volunteers to lead the examination in five key areas (see next article). CAWA wants to share its excitement on the progress of Curt’s efforts to pull the industry together and provide solutions to eCommerce related issues. Please contact Curt should you have any questions. He can be reached at cmcdowell@nawilliams.com or 951.234.9230.

P.S. They are recruiting Task Force members and other industry representatives now to serve on one of the five sub-groups identified below.

Content - Erich Lough

Integration/Chain Supply - Taylor Mitchell

Digital Marketing - Stacey Miller

Pricing/MAP - Brian Rowland

Data Governance - Josh Meyer

~ Erick Esparza, First Brands Group

The California Plastic Waste Reduction Regulations Initiative would impose a tax on virtually all consumer goods packaging, including packaging for food products, and a tax on some single-use plastic products. If enacted, this new tax on businesses selling in or into California will also increase for inflation beginning in 2030. The Legislative Analyst’s Office has estimated the tax would be “several billion dollars” annually, with some industry estimations coming in as high as $8 billion a year. Of particular concern is that much of the tax revenue from this initiative is diverted to special interest programs to address a variety of environmental concerns, rather than being focused on reinvesting into the recycling and composting systems necessary to ensure a circular economy can be achieved. For more information, contact CAWA’s Legislative Advocate in California, Gary Conover. He can be reached at gary@garyconover.com or 916.233.9655.

As an expert in global supply chains, I think the war portends the end of something else: global supply chains that Western companies built after the Berlin Wall fell over three decades ago. Supply chains – often vast networks of resources, money, information and people that companies rely on to get goods or services to consumers – were already in disarray because of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in massive shortages, disruptions and price inflation. The war and resulting sanctions against Russia have immediately put further strains on them, prompting skyrocketing energy prices and even fears of famine. But beyond these short-term effects, I believe the war in Ukraine could drastically reshape global supply chains in a way the pandemic never did. Read more here. Source: Professor Tinglong Dai, John Hopkins University

General Motors announced that it is hiring several hundred new employees this year for software positions at its Information Technology Innovation Center in Chandler’s Price Corridor. “These jobs created by GM are high-wage, high-skill and provide tremendous employment opportunities for our residents,” Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke said. “We appreciate GM’s significant investment in Chandler and look forward to being a partner in their continued growth.” Read more here. Source: Our Friends at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce

I have an employee who was injured at work, and his doctor put him on leave for the next three months. The employee filed for workers’ compensation benefits, so I know his job is protected by the workers’ comp laws, but I want to know if his leave is also covered by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or California Family Rights Act (CFRA)? See discussion here. Source: Our Friends at the California Chamber of Commerce

If you're at least 18 years old, or have a qualifying child, you may be eligible for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), the state's Young Child Tax Credit and the federal EITC. Combined, these credits can put hundreds or even thousands of dollars back in your pocket. Families with at least one child under the age of six as of December 31, 2021, may also qualify for the Young Child Tax Credit. Starting in 2021, people who use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file their taxes may be eligible for the California Earned Income Tax Credit and the Young Child Tax Credit, which can boost their refund by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. To learn more, visit www.ftb.ca.gov/caleitc.

California’s Labor Commissioner has updated its FAQs concerning 2022 COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave (CPSL), answering some of employers’ more pressing questions about how this year’s more unique law operates. The answers are welcome news to many. Learn More. Source: Littler

CAWA member Joe Moch with Advanced Clean Air Technology (ACAT) and CAWA’s Government Affairs team meet with California Senator Brian Jones to discuss ACAT’s advanced catalytic converter technology.

It’s easy, send a letter by scanning the enclosed QR Code (click here). Let’s let Washington know about a consumer’s right to choose where they purchase their automotive parts and take their cars for maintenance, service and repairs. Tell your friends, family, associates and employees to let Congress know what’s right.

CAWA has partnered with Prominence Health Plan to bring our members access to Association Health Plans. These plans are designed exclusively for the employees and families of CAWA member groups in Nevada.

Don’t forget! Groups can enroll at any time in an Association Health Plan – you don’t have to wait until your existing health plan renewal month.

Learn more on our website or contact Prominence at PHP-GroupQuotes@uhsinc.com. Another member benefit.