Aftermarket Insider - February/March 2009 - (Page 2)

PRESiDENT’S MESSAgE The MusT-ATTend suMMiT it’s One-on-One Time With Congress March 11 & 12 in Washington, d.C. Never has the Aftermarket Legislative Summit been so important to our members, our association and our industry as a whole. Just weeks ago, our country inaugurated a new president and just over a month ago, the 111th Congress convened in the Capitol. Clearly, change is in the air and Congress will be addressing many issues over the next several months that will impact our industry. They include: • Support for enactment of Right to Repair legislation will again be a priority. While the issue has been discussed in previous Congresses, changes to the leadership on Capitol Hill, combined with the high number of dealership closings nationwide, make this a perfect opportunity for our industry to obtain legislation that will ensure independent repair facilities have access to the same tools and information available to their dealer competitors. • Opposition to labor union-supported card check legislation is important to protecting the rights of employees and employers. This bill will make it easier for unions to organize businesses by eliminating the right for a private ballot, and thus exposing workers to retribution and pressure by union leaders. • Support for measures to reduce the cost of health insurance is critical to the survival of many aftermarket businesses, particularly small shops. However, attendees also will want to ensure effective reform, opposing the inclusion of employer mandates as part of any comprehensive health care bill. The summit is a unique opportunity for our members to communicate directly with their elected officials on these issues and to educate legislators on the importance of our industry to the nation’s economy. I hope that I can count on you to join me in Washington, D.C. next month so that together we can demonstrate the political importance of our industry. Please register online by visiting the AAIA Web site at www.aftermarket.org or by contacting Cael Pulitzer in the AAIA government affairs department at 301-654-6664. Kathleen schmatz AAIA President & CEO Change is in the air and Congress will be addressing many issues over the next several months that will impact our industry. 2 | AFTERMARKET INSIDER | FEBRUARY • MARCH 2009 https://tcms.aftermarket.org/solutionsite/Default.aspx?tabid=92&action=RegisterforMeeting&args=888 http://www.aftermarket.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aftermarket Insider - February/March 2009

Aftermarket Insider - February/March 2009
Contents
President's Message
Primetime News: “Be Car Care Aware”
Industry News
Member Profile
Toolbox
International Focus
Association News
Super SmartBrief: Even More News You Can Use
Government Affairs
Technology Update
Market Research

Aftermarket Insider - February/March 2009