Setting our sights on the future |
In her July column, OBI Chair Karen Vineyard, market executive, global commercial banking for Bank of America, discusses the upcoming leadership transition at OBI and the strong position our organization is in.
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Masks now recommended in certain areas as Delta variant spreads |
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Gov. Kate Brown and the Oregon Health Authority are recommending that all Oregonians wear a mask when in indoor public settings. The recommendation comes as cases and hospitalizations are increasing throughout Oregon due to the highly transmissible Delta variant.
Please note that this is a recommendation, not a mandate. We do not expect a renewal of the mask mandate from Oregon OSHA.
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On July 27, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced updated guidance that recommends Americans in areas with high transmission rates resume wearing masks indoors, whether they have received a vaccine or not. The new federal guidance also urges all students and staff in K-12 schools to wear masks, regardless of vaccine status.
The public’s best defense against this virus is to get vaccinated. If you need more information about where to get a free vaccine, click here to get started. You can also watch this great video from our partners at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce debunking several harmful myths about the COVID-19 vaccines.
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Oregon Agencies Developing Heat and Smoke Rules, Bootleg Fire Continues to Burn in Southern Oregon |
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As the country’s largest wildfire this year – the Bootleg Fire in Southern Oregon – continues to spread, and with the Pacific Northwest having already endured record-breaking heat waves this summer, Oregon OSHA is developing heat and smoke rules for employers with employees working outside.
The division adopted a temporary heat rule on July 8 and we expect a temporary smoke rule to be adopted soon. Permanent rules are still in development and likely to be published for comment in August. As always, OBI is at the table advocating for fair and easily implementable rules that protect both workers and employers. If you have any questions, reach out to Paloma Sparks via email.
Our partners at SAIF have also developed a guide for employers to prevent challenges with heat and wildfires during the summer months, which you can find here.
On July 22, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) also adopted temporary rules related to smoke and heat. The rules provide that employees can use sick time to cover absences due to evacuation orders at the employee’s home or workplace. Employees can also use accrued sick time if a public official determines that air quality or heat are at levels that would jeopardize the health of the employee.
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Meantime, the Oregon Business Wildfire Relief Fund – established by OBI, along with the Oregon Business Council, the Oregon Bankers Association and the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce after the devastating 2020 Labor Day fires – is working to support the community impacted in southern Oregon by the Bootleg Fire. Together, we raised more than $180,000 in the aftermath of last year’s fires and now, as the 2021 wildfire season progresses, we will continue to raise funds to help Oregonians impacted.
If you would like to contribute to the fund, you may do so here. All proceeds benefit Oregon communities impacted by wildfires.
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Eastern Oregon Economic Summit Coming Up – Join Us! |
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The OBI team will be heading to Hermiston Aug. 19-20 for the annual Eastern Oregon Economic Summit. We hope you’ll join us!
We are proud to again sponsor the annual summit, which will include field and industry tours, general session speakers, and a series of discussion panels focused on regional economic updates, federal and state legislative updates, program and industry updates, and more.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the vital role eastern Oregon businesses and industries play in supporting our statewide economy. Tickets are available at http://www.easternoregonsummit.com. See you there!
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Celebrate Manufacturing Day with OBI on Oct. 1 |
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Join OBI for our (free!) annual celebration of Oregon’s thriving manufacturing sector and the critical role these businesses play in our state economy and our way of life. On Oct. 1, organizations and businesses across the country will mark the occasion with events and acknowledgements in coordination with our partners at the National Association of Manufacturers.
With the success of last year’s Zoom event, we’re continuing with the online format and will be taking attendees on a virtual tour of different manufacturers throughout the state, and will host a panel of community leaders to discuss the importance of supporting this industry. We’ll dive into the various challenges facing Oregon manufacturers, and the changing nature of public policy, and we will highlight some of the extraordinary contributions and accomplishments OBI manufacturing members have made throughout the past year as the state has recovered from the pandemic.
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Thanks to our generous sponsors |
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Join OBI for Our Biggest Event of the Year |
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OBI’s inaugural Vision Oregon Dinner, taking place at the Portland Art Museum on Oct. 27, will celebrate our state’s tremendous potential and honor Oregonians whose innovation and spirit of service are making it possible for our state to soar into the future. |
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The event’s keynote speaker will be Ben Minicucci, the new CEO of Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. The pandemic had unique impacts on the travel industry that rippled worldwide. Learn about those challenges and why Oregon businesses should be more optimistic than ever as we recover together.
The event is an opportunity to bestow OBI’s highest honor, the Oregon Visionary Award, to individuals who – through steadfast service to their communities – illuminate our collective path to shared prosperity, built upon a thriving state economy with opportunity for all Oregonians. With an uncompromising vision for a fair and prosperous state, Oregon Visionaries are willing to set aside individual interests and traditional political allegiances to bring Oregonians from all walks of life together around a common set of values, as well as practical and equitable solutions to the most difficult challenges of our time.
We will be making announcing the first-ever Oregon Visionary Award winners very soon! We hope you’ll join us on Oct. 27 to honor them and celebrate with us.
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New Membership Benefits Now Being Offered |
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Have you had a chance to update your organization’s contact information and check out our brand-new member benefits?
We know business is constantly evolving and we want to keep up with the changes in your organization. We want to be sure that you are maximizing your membership with us.
Please take a few moments to review your information and make any necessary updates by accessing the online Member Information Center. Login at http://obior.memberzone.com/login.
New membership benefits include:
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Member Directory - help other members find you with a listing in our Member Directory.
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Job Postings - submit your own job openings to our jobs list.
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Member-Member Offers (coming soon) - offer coupons and special deals to fellow OBI members.
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Member Events Calendar - add your events to our online event calendar displayed with quick links; use these links to share in your social media, text to mobile devices, add to your calendar, or email to others.
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Benefit Spotlight: OBI Members Save 30% on Paylocity HR and Payroll Services |
OBI is proud to partner with industry-leading human resources innovator Paylocity to provide our members an exclusive 30% discount on their services. They have the unique ability to offer OBI members everything you need in a one-stop, single database such as: benefit administration, talent management, time and labor management, applicant tracking, performance reviews, employee engagement, compliance, and more. Their open architecture platform also provides the flexibility to integrate with other third-party systems that work best for your organization. Learn more here and start saving.
“Our partnership with OBI is something that all Oregon businesses should be aware of,” said Wes Higgins, director of sales at Paylocity. “Our company provides a wide range of services – at a discounted rate – that serve nearly every sector and region of Oregon. We’re proud to support OBI’s leadership role in Oregon and foster a greater sense of community among our fellow members.”
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OBI Members Making Headlines this Month
Here are a few recent headlines from OBI members.
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Welcome to Oregon Business & Industry! |
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OBI is thrilled to welcome 14 new members that joined in June!
Congratulations and thank you to the following businesses for joining OBI; we are a stronger organization because of you.
Watch our new member video to learn more about these great companies and where they do business.
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Are you taking full advantage of your OBI membership?
Check out all of our benefit programs and start saving today!
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Oregon Business & Industry
1149 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
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