CAWA  CONNECTIONS

Website       About Us       News & Alerts       Government Affairs       Free Legal

Thank You to Our Sponsor of This Edition of CAWA Connections

Automotive Distribution Network
  
January 23, 2018 Week In Connections

Bring Your Commercial Customers to Training at CAWA's February General Session in Napa
You and your commercial customers will walk away with some powerful information from the presentations that will be made at the upcoming meeting in Napa California on February 16, 2018 (11:00 am - 2:00 pm, includes lunch). 

Here are the presentations:  
  • "Ecommerce and the Changing Needs of Repair Shops", Greg Kirber, CEO, PartsTech  
  • "A New Standard for Automotive Repair Software", Carolyn Coquillette, CEO. Shop-Ware, Inc.
  • "Warranty Rights - What You and Your Customers Should Know", Jennifer Zins, Director of Government Affairs, CAWA 
  • "A National Update on the Auto Care Legislative Agenda in the 115th Congress", Aaron Lowe, Senior Vice-President, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Auto Care Association 
See HERE to register for the training and treat your customers to lunch, as well. Another member benefit. Thanks to the following sponsors of this event:

ADN
WIX
MANN FILTER
PUROLATOR
GPC
LKQ
MotoRad
ENEOS

Is Your Sales Team Fat, Dumb, and Happy?
On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is not at all, and 10 is a perfect description, how does your sales organization rate according to the following definitions? Find out here! Source: John Chapin
Happy Sales People

By 2035, New Mobility Tech Will Drive 40 Percent of Auto Industry Profits
The convergence of three trends - vehicle electrification, autonomous driving and shared mobility - will profoundly change the sources of profitability in the automotive industry over the next 10 to 15 years, and by 2035, new mobility technology will drive 40 percent of industry profits, according to new research by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Read this interesting projection of the future of the automotive industry here and think what it means to you and your business. Source: aftermarketNews


Some Critical New Laws to Consider for Businesses in California This Year
Family Leave

SB 63, extends parental leave laws for companies with 50 or more employees, the California Family Rights Act, to companies with 20 to 49 employees. The bill provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected parental leave for parents to bond with a new child within one year of the child's birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Employers are prohibited from refusing to maintain and pay for coverage under a group health plan for an employee who takes this leave. SB 63 better aligns job protected leave laws with paid leave available through the Paid Family Leave (PFL) program funded through employee payroll deductions.

Equal Pay

AB 168, prohibits an employer from seeking salary history information, relying on an applicant's salary history in determining whether to offer the applicant employment, or relying on salary history to set salary. Upon request, the employer must also provide the pay scale for the position for which an applicant is applying.

Minimum Wage Increases

In 2016, SB 3. The measure went in to effect January 1, 2017 and increased the state's minimum wage requirement for the year to $10.50 for employers with 26 or more employees. Additionally, the law set a schedule of incremental minimum wage increases every year through 2022 when the schedule eventually tops out at $15 per hour. As of January 1, 2018, the minimum wage requirement increases to $11 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees and $10.50 for employers with 25 or less employees. Accordingly, the increased 2018 minimum salary for exempt employees would be $45,760 and $43,680 respectively.

Conviction Histories

AB 1008, prohibits an employer, with certain exceptions, from inquiring into or considering the conviction history of an applicant until that applicant has received a conditional offer, and, when conducting a conviction history background check, to consider, distribute, or disseminate information related to specified prior arrests, diversions, and convictions.

Source: Wilke Fleury Law Firm. Regardless of the state you do business in, as a member of CAWA, you can receive up to ½ hour FREE legal consultation on issues such as these. To find the CAWA attorney in your state, visit www.cawa.org. Another member benefit.

Tax Law Changes You Should Know About for Budget Planning in 2018
Once again it's a new year! Each year will have its challenges and its opportunities for the economy and the business community. 2018 is no exception as tax laws have changed and business models continue to change. 2018 brings in massive new tax legislation with most changes not effecting 2017 tax returns. The following is a list (here) of some of the changes effective January 1, 2018 that will affect your business. Another member benefit. Source: Our partners at Wyman & Little, Inc. Accounting & Consulting.

If Your Livelihood is in Any Way Associated with the Sales of Aftermarket Parts and Services, You Should Care - a Lot
Telematics This article discusses telematics and its impact on your world and that of the consumer. Read HERE for a perspective on this technological advancement and its importance to you.

Source: Scott Luckett, Aftermarket Business World

With the New Law in California Legalizing Marijuana, What are Our Obligations and Rights?
California's new law on recreational marijuana can create some difficulties for employers. This law was enacted in 2017, but as of January 1, 2018, people in California now have the right to sell and/or purchase marijuana. Employees may think they can use marijuana and come in to work; however, the law is unchanged in one regard: Employers have the right to have employees who are not impaired-be it under legal or illegal drugs. As a comparison, alcohol is legal, but one cannot drink it on the job. Read more here. Source: Our friends at the California Chamber of Commerce


Looking for New Employees in 2018 - Look No Further
The CAWA Careers Industry Job Board HERE offers multiple posting packages. Each posting made on the CAWA Industry Job Board is automatically posted on multiple aftermarket industry job board sites, enabling employers to see all candidates in one network.
  • The CAWA Industry Job Board network includes the following organizations:
  • Auto Care Association Automotive Service Association (ASA)
  • CAWA - Representing the Automotive Parts Industry
  • Custom Automotive Network (CAN, formerly PWA)
  • National Independent Automotive Dealer Association (NIADA)
  • Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
  • Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS)
So, post today and find that employee you have been looking for that has aftermarket industry experience and knowledge. For more information, contact [email protected]
or call 800.332.2292. Another member benefit.
"CAWA - Representing the Automotive Parts Industry"
Copyright 2018, All Rights Reserved