The industry issue presentations are a must to stay current on matters affecting the automotive aftermarket industry. Here are the presentations scheduled for the upcoming session in Napa in February (see registration materials here). They are:

• The Future of Diagnostics is Here and Now: Predicting Vehicle Repairs and Replacement Parts with Real Time Telematics

• Future Vehicle Powertrain Technologies: Making Heads or Tails of All the Predictions, Hype and Promises, as well as, Their Impact on the Aftermarket

• CARB's Regulation to Stop the Sales of ICE Vehicles in California by 2035: The Transition to Electric Vehicles – A Utilities Perspective

CAWA is holding its winter Leadership & Educational Forum in the beautiful Napa Valley on February 22-24, 2023. The event will take place at the Silverado Resort & Spa (www.silveradoresort.com) in the heart of the wine country. See you there...

Sexual Harassment Prevention training is required by California Regulation SB1343. For more information, click here. As a valuable CAWA member, CoreMark Insurance Services, our endorsed employee benefits agency, has kindly provided access to a training resource portal at no cost to you. Coremark’s Zywave Learning Management System (LMS) delivers high-quality courses to satisfy training requirements for employees of all levels, with easy-to-understand videos and tools for management tracking. Courses are available in English and Spanish. 

CoreMark’s clients also receive access to other high-quality courses to satisfy training requirements including OSHA Compliance and Safety Training, Workplace Violence and Stress Prevention, Supervisor Training, and much more. This system is available at no cost to CAWA members! Contact the team at CoreMark Insurance for access. Email mnabity@coremarkins.com or call (916) 835-1676!

Cal/OSHA is reminding employers in California to post their 2022 annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses, including those related to COVID-19, by February 1, 2023. The Form 300A summary must be posted each year from February 1 through April 30. The annual summary must be placed in a visible and easily accessible area at each worksite. This helps ensure workers are aware of work-related injuries and illnesses that occurred the previous year. Employers are required to complete and post Form 300A even if no workplace injuries occurred. See more here. Source: California Department of Industrial Relations

With union activity on the rise, experts say small businesses would be wise to take steps to ensure employees' voices are heard. Workers are organizing at rates not seen in years — and experts say small-business owners need to be ready in 2023. The National Labor Relations Board, the government agency that oversees union activity and collective bargaining, saw 2,510 petitions for new unions in fiscal year 2022 — up 53% from the year before and the highest number since 2016. Charges for unfair labor practices also grew 19% from 15,082 in fiscal 2021 to 17,988 in fiscal 2022. Taken together, the total number of cases at the NLRB in fiscal 2022 reached 20,498 — an increase of 23% — which was the largest  increase in cases since 1976 and the largest percentage increase since 1959.

“After years of declining membership, unions are gaining representation rights for workers at unprecedented rates,” said Jerry Cutler, an attorney, author and lecturer at Columbia University and an expert on labor relations. “My perspective is that it's not temporary. It's hard to get the cat back in the bag.” Experts say business owners should expect labor organizing to stay high for years as a once-in-a-lifetime confluence of factors, including the use of social media, a younger workforce, a labor-friendly Biden administration and a global pandemic and labor shortage have created a perfect storm for union activity. Cutler said small-business owners need to take note and take proactive steps to keep workers happy.

Here are some other best practices for how small businesses can approach union activity. More details here. Source: The Playbook Newsletter

“I have been involved with CAWA since 2016. It is a vital organization for not only the members it serves, but the entire Aftermarket. CAWA is on the frontlines to protect our industry and their membership from harmful legislation and regulations. They also offer members an array of services and programs to help them be successful in their business. If you aren't a member of CAWA, you should seriously consider joining this critically important organization”.

~ Tom Seboldt, Seboldt Consulting Services

Bringing technology into the shipping and logistics space can solve a litany of pain points for both customers and delivery companies. Technology innovations have the power to change entire industries. The processes that have been the status quo for decades can be improved and work better for customers who are expecting better. When addressing the needs of the logistics and delivery/shipping industry, it may seem as if there is little room for advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), app-based communications or e-commerce-linked logistics software. However, technology has already touched the logistics space and made a world of difference for companies looking to improve customer delivery times. See more here. Source: Supply & Demand Chain Executive

Your contributions allow CAWA to have success in the government affairs arenas in Sacramento, Phoenix and Carson City. Here are some successes:

In all three states CAWA represents, the Association has given PAC funds to legislators who Chair or are the Vice Chair of Assembly and Senate committees where automotive and general business issue legislative proposals are considered.

In California some specific examples are: (1) co-sponsored legislation, which is now law, that requires vehicle manufactures to provide information to independents to diagnose, maintain or repair a vehicle’s emission system; (2) defeated the move by BMW to be the only replacement option for the vehicle’s keys; and (3) sponsored legislation, which is now law, to expand the vehicle inspection process for salvaged vehicles.

In Nevada the Association, in concert with other automotive aftermarket groups, defeated legislation which would have required the use of OEM parts only when following vehicle manufacturers’ repair procedures.

In Arizona, sponsored legislation to repeal the statutory dollar figure ($5) for battery core deposits and further allowed the market to determine the amount a retailer could charge for the deposit.

The Association created a Political Action Committee (PAC) which allows CAWA to strengthen our Association's voice by supporting key decision-makers who truly understand our industry and the work we do. The political climate is constantly changing, and it is important that we have resources to help look out for the best interests of our industry and member companies. Every member company and individuals within those companies has the opportunity to contribute to the PAC in support of industry and business issues. For more information on the PAC and where the funds are spent, contact admin@cawa.org or 800.332.2292.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the convenience of eCommerce have had a profound impact on how consumers purchase goods and how the supply chain has had to adapt to what is essentially a new way to shop. These observations and recommendations provide you with a helpful roadmap to navigate successfully through the dynamic challenges and opportunities in today’s growing eCommerce reality. See complete report here (large file may take time to load). Source: Invia Robotics

Should you and/or your employees be affected by these natural disasters, such as recent floods, you should know that the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (www.aacfi.org) has funds to support aftermarket associates in these catastrophic events. Application for natural disaster assistance here. For those interested in donating to AACF you can contribute here.

What do I need to know about the pay scale disclosure law that went into effect on January 1? The California Labor Commissioner’s office released frequently asked questions (FAQs) addressing some of employers’ lingering questions about the new pay scale disclosure requirements. These FAQs answer questions on job postings for remote positions, how to count your employees to see if you meet the 15-employee threshold and if a link or QR code can be used instead in an ad, among other topics. See answers here. Source: Our Friends at the California Chamber of Commerce

This scholarship program supports educational opportunities for you, your family, employees and those interested in a career in the auto care industry. Applying is easy! The online application process allows students interested in auto care industry careers to submit one application each year online at automotivescholarships.com and receive consideration for several scholarships. Preference will be given to those seeking a college level, vocational or technical program pursuing a degree, accreditation or certificate in the auto care industry. A candidate’s permanent residence must be located in the states of California, Nevada or Arizona. Scholarships will be awarded in June, 2023. The applicant with the highest ranking each year will receive the Mort Schwartz Scholarship Award. DEADLINE: March 31, 2023. APPLY HERE!

The oftentimes forgotten individuals in educating and training students in preparation for automotive careers is the high school automotive teacher. Whether it’s their use of personal funds to keep their programs going or their need for certification to keep their instructor and program status, CAWA wants to assist them in achieving success. The Association has established a scholarship program to help these teachers in several ways, including financially. CAWA represents manufacturers, distributors and retailers that could supply these high school automotive teachers with products, tools and other resources for classroom use to assist them in providing relevant, up to date and quality education and training for their students. Access to industry training being conducted by CAWA members could be made available to the automotive high school teachers for their own knowledge and development. Teachers that are interested in applying for a scholarship should complete an application for consideration, found here (PDF) or contact programs@cawa.org. Application deadline is May 31, 2023.

Cheers to 2023! This year feels like a long-awaited gift, new potential that we may have missed out on over the past few years. We are walking through the door labeled 2023 with excited anticipation, and we want you all to come with us. We thought it was high time to put a face to the name for the core team that keeps things running as smoothly as possible so you can focus on your business’ growth. After all, if we’re going to be strutting into 2023 together, it’s only polite to say hi! See details here.