FOR INFORMATION:

Carrie Davis

PR & Communications Manager

P: 253.627.2175

carried@tacomachamber.org

                                                                                                 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 1, 2016

CHAMBER HOSTS BUSINESS LEADER BRIEFING ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Discusses the TPP with the White House

TACOMA, Wash. –

On Friday, January 29th, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber in collaboration with Business Forward welcomed Gaurab Bansal, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Cabinet Secretary, and Congressman Derek Kilmer, Representative from the 6th District, to discuss international trade.

Mr. Bansal provided an overview of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Obama Administration's international trade agenda and its effect on the greater Tacoma-Pierce County region and Washington State. This was an opportunity for business leaders to speak with a senior Obama Administration official on how trade policies affect their businesses and the larger Puget Sound economy.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce has a deep interest in the progress and future of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The Chamber is dedicated to supporting the business interests of the community – a direct alignment with the TPP’s expectation to increase job growth, boost trade, open up new markets, and create an overall positive impact for not only the local economy but the Country’s as well.

At the meeting it was discussed that an estimated $27 billion is exported from Washington to TPP countries despite existing tariffs.  These exports support 400,000 jobs both of which would expand with the passage of the TPP.

The TPP is not only good for business but it is good for people as well as worker rights language is embedded directly in the agreement creating labor provisions and protections for workers across the globe. This is an advancement in worker protections that has not typically been present in past trade agreements.

With a long road ahead in Congress, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber looks forward to more discussions on trade and continuing to build its relationships with federal representatives.

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The Chamber’s most important function is job creation. Supporting job creation plays a large part in the Chamber’s commitment to the economic revitalization, growth and prosperity of Tacoma-Pierce County. Forming strategic partnerships, keeping abreast of news and information that impact business interests and staying on the forefront of issues like job retention, expansion and attraction are just a few ways the Chamber constantly works behind-the-scenes for member businesses.

Representative Kilmer & Deputy Bansal leading a discussion on trade.  (Courtsey TPCC) 

Tacoma’s Minimum Wage Rules Finalized

Tacoma will host Public Information Sessions in Downtown Tacoma Public Library on Jan. 20 and 21 for finalized minimum wage rules.

After a public process that included four meetings to solicit community feedback, Tacoma’s minimum wage rules are now final and available HERE.  These rules will guide the implementation of Initiative Measure No. 1B, which was approved by Tacoma voters in November 2015.

Initiative Measure No. 1B called for the Tacoma minimum wage to increase to $10.35 per hour on Feb. 1, 2016 (the same effective date as the Paid Leave Ordinance passed in January 2015). The Tacoma minimum wage would increase to $11.15 per hour on Jan. 1, 2017 and to $12 per hour on Jan. 1, 2018.

There will be two public information sessions in the Downtown Tacoma Public Library (1102 Tacoma Ave. S, Olympic Room) for employers and other community members who wish to learn more about both minimum wage and paid leave:

Wednesday, Jan. 20
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 21
2 – 3 p.m.

Information on both minimum wage and paid leave is also available by calling (253) 591-5306 or visiting HERE.

U S Chamber Supports TPP