Vol. 5, No. 16 – July 31, 2006 

 

SOFTWOOD LUMBER STILL IN DISPUTE

 

Despite the August 1 signing of a softwood lumber agreement by the U.S. and Canada, debate rages on north of the border, and a recent U.S. Court of International Trade ruling could put the agreement in jeopardy.

 

Steve Mertl of The Canadian Press reported on July 21, “In a ruling issued Friday, the U.S. trade court upheld a Canadian claim that the U.S. Commerce Department illegally continued to charge anti-dumping and countervailing duties on lumber after a North American Free Trade Agreement ruling determined there was no basis for them.” He goes on to say, “B.C. Forests Minister Rich Coleman said the court ruling might be a wake-up call to the U.S. and Canadian governments to make some changes to the agreement to win over dissidents in Canada.”

 

The court has not declared its decision regarding a remedy, but according to Canadian observers, a refund would not be out of the question. It’s assumed the U.S. will appeal any such decision.

 

According to both U.S. and Canadian sources the U.S. will not reopen discussions concerning the trade agreement. “The Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports categorically denies that it, or its members, have or will engage in any discussions with representatives of the Canadian lumber industry concerning modifications to the recently initialed settlement agreement… The Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports continues to support a negotiated settlement as the best solution to end the ongoing lumber trade dispute, and agrees that settlement should be preferential to round after round of trade cases,” according to the PRNewswire, as quoted in ProSales Online.

 

The U.S. Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports is an alliance of large and small lumber producers from around the country, joined by their employees and woodland owners.

 

 

“Each one reach one” membership campaign

 

Have you talked to anyone about MLA membership lately? The Mid-America Lumbermens Association (MLA) is sponsoring a membership contest to run from July 1 to October 31, 2006. The MLA Board unanimously approved plans to reward current members who recruit new members for the Association. 

 

Complete details were mailed to all current members. The grand prize winner will be awarded a trip to Las Vegas – all expenses paid – for recruiting the most new members for MLA. Cash prizes also will be awarded to the second and third place winners. Contact MLA at 800-747-6529 for more information.

 

Training without Travel Teleconferences

 

Learn More Than You Thought Possible Over The Phone!

 

Participate in the most cost-effective training available to dealers. NLBMDA holds monthly Training Without Travel telephone conferences. These teleconferences cover a variety of topics and are designed specifically for lumber and building material dealers. Each teleconference can be attended over the phone from your own lumberyard for only $95 members; $179 non-members. You receive a 45-minute presentation, reference materials, and a chance to ask questions of the presenter during a Q&A session. For more information call NLBMDA at 800-634-8645. Plan to participate in a teleconference this fall:

 

September 19 – Are You Prepared for a Disaster?

October 19 – Lockout/Tagout for Lumberyards

November 16 – Ergonomics – What is OSHA Doing?

December 14 – Triennial Forklift Evaluations

 

 

 

 

LUMBER NEWS – QUICK GLIMPSES

 

Existing Home Sales Flattening, Prices Cooling – Existing-home sales were down modestly in June, and home prices were up slightly from a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

 

Total existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – declined 1.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.62 million units in June from an upwardly revised level of 6.71 million in May. Last month’s sales were 8.9 percent below the 7.27 million-unit pace in June 2005.

 

According to David Lereah, NAR’s chief economist, “Sellers have recognized that they need to be more competitive in their pricing given the rise in housing inventories. Home prices are only a little higher than a year ago.”

 

Source: National Association of Realtors® press release, July 25, 2006.

 

Sales of New Homes Dip 3.0 Percent in June… Sales of new single-family homes were down 3.0 percent in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.131 million units, following a downward revision to the sales rate for May, according to figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department today. Year-to-date, actual new-home sales for the first half of the year were down 11.9 percent from the same period during last  year’s record year in new home sales.

 

Visit www.HousingEconomics.com, the online publication from NAHB Economics Group, for housing in-depth market analysis, forecasts, housing statistics and more.

 

Source: NAHB.org, July 27, 2006

 

News from Washington… The House passed estate tax relief legislation before their August recess, and now the Senate is having to deal with the package starting today. With a minimum wage increase wrapped up in the legislation, this is sure to be the source of much debate and party bickering with the likelihood of passage doubtful, at best. We’ll report the outcome in our next issue.

 

MEMBER NEWS

 

In Memoriam… Longtime MLA Member E.A. Nielsen passed away July 16, 2006. He worked in the lumber business in Kansas City for more than 50 years, starting with Badger Lumber and as Sales Manager and VP of Southwest Lumber Company, a division of R.L. Sweet Lumber before starting a partnership called Lumber Products Sales Company in 1953. In 1960, he formed his own wholesale lumber company, E.A. Nielsen Company, which is now run by his son, James. He is survived by his wife Norma Nielsen, son James M. Nielsen and daughter Karen Nielsen; as well as four grandchildren, a great granddaughter, a niece and nephews.

 

Please send memorials to the Danish Immigrant Museum, Box 470, Elk Horn, Iowa 51351; Dana College, 2848 College Dr., Blair, NE 68008; or Westwood Lutheran Church, 5035 Rainbow Blvd., Fairway, KS 66205.

 

 

TIDBITS

 

Blocking Unwanted Emails… You have every right in the world to create an email policy stating that your computers are used for business purposes only. You can state that visiting certain types of websites (e.g. porn) are a grounds for discipline or dismissal if done on company time. You can invest in filters and firewalls that screen based on type of content. Instruct your people not to open any type of pornographic e-mails that make it through the filters, but immediately delete them. Remember, you can be accused of creating a hostile work environment and be sued for sexual harassment if your employees are viewing porn that is seen by others.

 

Source: Bob Losyk, MEd., M.B.A., C.S.P. is a Certified Speaking Professional, master trainer, author, and President & CEO of Innovative Training Solutions, a Greensboro, NC consulting firm.  For more information on Bob’s keynotes, seminars, best practices facilitation, panel discussion leader, and products, please visit his website at www.boblosyk.com.

 

Motivating BMWs… BMW’s are those bare minimum workers or those who are unmotivated. They are close to retirement and become masters of the minimal. They been there for twenty plus years, and won’t advance in position or salary, and they feel they have accomplished everything they can. They do just enough to get by. You would be hard pressed to terminate them because you have been giving them satisfactory reviews for years, and will only create legal problems. 

 

Try making them a mentor to a new, young employee. This could give them a spark, as they may be flattered with the new responsibility and feel very important. I have seen people really come alive when they become a mentor, and they give it their all. You may want to ask them to assist in classroom training in some areas, as long as they have the communication and interpersonal skills. Also, try putting aside their regular duties, and give them special projects with a bonus incentive. If all else fails, sit down with them, and explain to them that you are concerned about their last years at the company, and want to be sure they are productive and happy. Ask them, what kind of work would they like to do more of that would give them job satisfaction.

 

Source: Bob Losyk, MEd., M.B.A., C.S.P. is a Certified Speaking Professional, master trainer, author, and President & CEO of Innovative Training Solutions, a Greensboro, NC consulting firm.  For more information on Bob’s keynotes, seminars, best practices facilitation, panel discussion leader, and products, please visit his website at www.boblosyk.com.

 

POOR HEALTH, POOR WORK

 

We don’t work well when we don’t feel well. And, while it’s not possible to be strong and healthy at all times, we can all learn to better manage our ailments. Here are some common at-work health problems, their costs for U.S. businesses and practical self-care tips:

 

• Employers lose $50 billion each year in medical costs and lost productivity from workers with headaches, including migraine. Self-care: At the first sign of a headache, try a pain reliever or a 30-minute rest and relaxation period. If headaches often start at work, check your stress level or the glare on your computer screen.

• Millions of employees suffer from allergies and allergy-related asthma, resulting in 24.5 million lost workdays per year. Self-care: Record your allergy triggers and asthmatic episodes so you can avoid them.

• Treating back pain costs approximately $50 billion annually. Self-care: Exercise aerobically and do stretching exercises daily, with your health care provider’s advice. Lift safely and watch your posture.

• The pain and disability of arthritis have become a leading cause of work limitations. Self-care: Arrange your workspace so that you limit reaching and lifting. Change positions and stretch frequently to reduce stiffness. Regular exercise, with your provider’s advice, can help maintain muscle strength around your joints.

• Clinical depression is a condition as costly as heart disease in lost productivity and treatment costs. Self-care: Be watchful of symptoms, such as sleep disorders, feeling  hopeless or worthless, and lost interest in normal activities. If signs persist beyond two weeks, seek professional help.

When self-care measures fail to provide the relief you need, discuss optional treatments with your provider. You deserve to feel better.

 

Source: Federated Insurance, Vol. XXIV, No. 4, April 2006.

 

This article provided courtesy of Federated Mutual Insurance Company, your association’s recommended insurer.

MLA is proud to endorse….

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY