In This Issue

Update: Employee Free Choice Act

Is Your PRW Earning Full Revenue?

Time is Running Out to Advertise!

Pre-Convention Tour

Tier II Time Draws Near

Connie Says

Cold Storage Industry News

Food Industry News

Government News

Once the U.S. Congress gets past its disagreements over the trillion dollar stimulus proposal, fierce arguments about the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) could make unionization the next big battleground in Washington.

EFCA legislation, described by Senator John Ensign (R-NV) as "a total game changer for the next 40 to 50 years," would give unions the right to win recognition simply by recruiting a majority of workers to sign cards favoring union representation. Businesses, fearing that EFCA would enable unions to add millions of workers and drive up labor costs, are mounting a multimillion-dollar lobbying and advertising campaign designed to defeat the proposed legislation,

EFCA was passed by the House in 2007, but died when it failed on a procedural vote in the Senate. Because it is so divisive, EFCA is unlikely to be among the first bills introduced in the 111th Congress, but it will sail through the House whenever it is brought up there and majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV), a strong supporter, is expected to put it on the Senate agenda the minute he believes it can survive a filibuster.

If EFCA is ever enacted into law, IARW will recommend a number of measures to protect your company. In the meantime, members are encouraged to do whatever they can to make company leaders, stakeholders, communities, and Congressional representatives understand how EFCA can impact the company, the community and the economy. In the January/Febraury 2009 issue of Cold Facts, IARW chairman Mike Henningsen urged members to contact senators and congressmen, to write to local newspapers, to organize businesses in the community, and to support the association's efforts. Also, see the suggested letter to legislators that was included in the 1 October 2008 issue of Cold Connection.

If your PRW is not earning full revenue for each activity and service it performs, critical profits are slipping through the cracks. WFLO is offering a FREE Training Webinar, “Enhancing PRW Revenue Through Activity-Based Costing and Billing”, on Wednesday, 4 February, 2:00-3:00 PM EST. Michael Armanious, Senior Logistics Analyst of supply chain software leader Datex International, will lead participants through the advantages of activity and task-based costing and billing. This approach can generate revenue, control costs, and better service your customers. Members committed to profit optimization and superior customer service should register for this FREE training webinar today.

Time is running out to advertise in the 2009 IARW-WFLO-IRTA Convention & Expo onsite program! The Convention Onsite Program is your best opportunity to reach potential customers, giving you the guaranteed attention of the event's 700+ attendees. Download your Insertion Order Form and submit today before you miss out on this tremendous opportunity! Are you planning on displaying at the IARW-WFLO-IRTA Expo? Reserve your booth at the same time as your ad space and save 10%! Take advantage of this offer here. Deadline for insertion orders is 2 February 2009. Questions? Contact James Rogers or call +1 703 373 4300.

Gain unrivalled exposure and attention from the world’s largest refrigerated logistics customer base by sponsoring the 2009 Convention. From onsite signage to specific mention during the General Sessions, Convention sponsors receive a bevy of benefits for their support. Find out more.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, is the destination for the 2009 Pre-Convention Warehouse Tour, 24-28 March. Philadelphia, the birthplace of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution, is also home to one of the largest Amish communities in North America. Participants will have the opportunity to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, experience the city’s fine restaurants, and tour the Amish Country Homestead in Lancaster County. The program will also feature a visit to a local refrigerated warehousing facility. The GCCA European Division will be organizing the visit. Learn more here and fill out the registration form today.

IARW wants to remind all U.S. facilities of the EPA filing requirement and 1 March 2009 deadline for submitting chemical inventory reports to state and local agencies. The Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) calls for facilities using or storing 500 pounds or more of ammonia, 500 pounds of sulfuric acid (batteries), or 10,000 pounds of other hazardous chemicals (battery mixtures containing lead acids, lead sulfites, etc.) to file Tier I or Tier II chemical inventory forms showing maximum and daily average amounts of hazardous chemicals on site, their locations, and other information. The forms must be sent not later than 1 March to the SERC, the LEPC, and the fire department having jurisdiction in each location.

During the recent snowstorms in the Pacific Northwest, some members found themselves scrambling for means to remove snow. Many of these areas had never experienced snow like this and had not stocked snow blowers in their inventories. A number of roof collapses and at least one fire resulted from this snow crisis. Prior to putting workers on the roof to remove the snow, the combined live and dead weight load on the roofs have to be calculated to determine how many, if any, workers can go up. We strongly suggest that any PRW owner located in a region vulnerable to snow purchase a professional snow blower and keep it in their equipment inventory. A professional snow blower can remove snow much faster than workers shoveling and, when weight is a factor, a snow blower is many times the only way to go. As we witnessed during this storm, the weight of snow can severely damage a building. As always, if we can be of any assistance please contact Connie Phipps at cphipps@lockton.com or +1 816 960 9946.

SCS Refrigerated Services, LLC announced that Carl E. Byrnes, previously Chief Financial Officer and Vice President Business Development was elected President by the Board of Directors of the company, effective January 26, 2009. See full release.

Eskimo Cold Storage is satisfying customers with a new computer system.  See full story from Logistics Online.

The American Frozen Food Institute named Kraig R. Naasz its new president and CEO. Mr. Naasz will take leadership of the organization on 1 Feb. See full release.

The commercial city of Hubli, Karnataka, India will have the first of its kind cold storage unit in the state. Good news for mango and vegetable growers of the North Karnataka region. See full story from The Times of India.

USDA released its monthly Cold Storage Report, showing meat and poultry stocks are entering freezers at a faster pace than a year ago.  See full story from Pork Magazine.

The utilization of the cold storage van given by President Gloria – Macapagal Arroyo has been benefiting farmers in the Philippines.  See full story from Fresh Plaza.