nata - auto outlook staff auto outlook articles in this issue

AUTO OUTLOOK ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUENATA - AUTO OUTLOOK STAFF

May | June | July 2013

NATA Staff

NATA’s Executive DirectorBarbara Crest [email protected]

Insurance SpecialistCathi Webb [email protected] Office ManagerLaurie Kolar [email protected]

Contributing AuthorJohn YoswickCathi Webb

Contributing PhotographersCathi Webb

EditorBarbara Crest

Graphic DesignerJulie Almquist, www.AlmquistProductions.com

Mail editorial news, notices and correspondence to:NATA Administrative Office:7931 NE Halsey St., Suite 212, Portland, OR 97213

Article and Advertisement Deadlines:Jan. 10 for the February NATA Auto OutlookApr. 10 for the May NATA Auto OutlookJuly 10 for the August NATA Auto OutlookOct. 10 for the November NATA Auto OutlookCopyright 2013 Northwest Automotive Trades Association All rights reserved. This material may be reprinted only with the expressed written permission of NATA.

Administrative Office: 7931 NE Halsey St. Suite 212, Portland, OR 97213

1.800.730.7282 Fax: 503-253-9890503.253.9898 www.facebook.com/nwautotrades

www.aboutNATA.org

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9AUTO OUTLOOK INFORMATION

Car Care Council Reports; “Three out of four cars need service.”

As part of National Car Care Month, the Car Care Council reported that vehicle inspections held at community car care events across the coun-try last year revealed that 77 percent of vehicles need service or parts. An annual analysis of vehicle inspection forms found the top three prob-lem areas posting the highest failure rates to be engine oil (22 percent), engine cooling systems (20 percent) and brake service (18 percent).

Eight percent of the vehicles inspected had the “check engine” light on and new air filters were needed in 19 percent of the vehicles. At least one belt was reported as unsatisfactory in 14 percent of the vehicles inspected, and 10 percent required at least one new hose. Battery cables, clamps and terminals needed maintenance in 11 percent of the vehicles inspected, while 10 percent of the batteries were not properly held down.

At least 13 percent of vehicles needed lights replaced, including head-lights, brake lights and license plate lights. Improperly inflated tires were found on 9 percent of the cars and 10 percent had worn tread and were in need of replacement. Tire pressure failure rate has steadily declined after recording the highest rate of 54 percent in 2003.

“Neglected vehicle care almost always means much higher costs down the line in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

Letter from the Executive Director

Sabin-Schellenberg Center Hosts Oregon SkillsUSA Competition

Survey of Collision Shops Around the State to Measure Employee Compensation and Benefits

QPS Cautions Against Phishing Attempts

Northwest NewsOregon Shop Owner Now Chairman of National Association

Top 10 list of Customer Complaints filed to the Oregon Department of Justice

NATA Welcomes Its Newest Members

Challenging An Unemployment Claim

We’re on a winning streak!

NATA members had a chance to win free tickets to an Or-egon Trail Rally in Portland this month. I was happily surprised to learn that Oregon Trail Rally races from Portland to Hood River May 3 - 5. Round 3 of the Rally America Championship starts in our living room at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Thursday, then goes to Portland International Raceway on Friday to start the race, completing the race in Hood River on May 5. Chairman Matt Tabor graciously offered us free tickets to the Friday event, and here are the lucky winners:Transmission Exchange – Cur-tis and Roxanne Zapar; Steve’s Auto Restorations – Chris and Craig Clark; DuFresne’s Auto Service; Bradshaw’s Service Center – Jason Faust and guest; Innovation Body Shop – Don Hawkinson and guest; AJ’s Auto Repair; Irvine and Co. – Jason Hall and Justin Sweet; Port-land Transmission Warehouse – Ross and Dana Bradshaw; McCollums Inc. – Andrew Foster And Guest. Enjoy, all! Visit NATA’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nwautotrades) and click on Oregon Trail Rally Spectator Guide. Dirty fun!

So how about a winning steak? FOR NATA MEMBERS ONLY: Win a $50 gift card to Omaha Steaks! Call the office, 503 253-9898 or 800 730-7282 to enter. Fire up the grill! Treat your-self and your family to a steak dinner. Omaha Steaks sends premium steaks on dry ice right to your door. Redeem your certificate by phone, fax, mail or on line.

Right to Repair Has Passed, It’s Time to Begin Implementation

A few weeks ago, Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO, joined the board of the Na-tional Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF). Taken in context of years of battling on Right to Repair, this is truly a significant development.

First, a little history. NASTF was born in 1999 due to efforts in Arizona by some aftermar-ket groups to obtain passage of Right to Repair legislation. The goal of what was called the “Arizona Pilot Project” was to address many of the issues voluntarily instead of by enact-ing legislation. The pilot project morphed into a national organization as the effort to pass Right to Repair moved to the U.S. Congress in 2001. There is no doubt that NASTF has tackled some important issues including the development of: • An infrastructure to resolve problems being experienced by independent shops obtaining information from vehicle manufacturers; and, • A solution to the issue of locksmiths and repair shops obtaining codes to reset vehicle security immobilizer systems.

Let’s see how Right to Repair progresses through NASTF, and let’s get it right this time!

On the Oregon level, the Legislature marks its halfway spot in early May. Many bills have died, but the ones that remain for consideration are likely to live on in the book of laws. For those who have to renew their dealer’s license, NATA introduced a bill that would re-duce the amount of continuing education required for vehicle dealers applying for renewal certificates. Really the purpose of the bill is to make continuing education better through oversight by the Oregon Dealer Advisory Committee. Believe me, that is a few steps in the right direction as continuing education needed an overhaul many sessions ago. There is good news of the Career and Technical Education front, and the Legislature and Governor are recognizing the importance of funding CTE programs for all Oregonians, not just those seeking four-year degrees and higher. The Trades are alive and moving toward better fund-ing opportunities in Oregon!

Enjoy the beautiful spring in our northwest, and find opportunities where you can go on your own winning streak!

AUTO OUTLOOK n Volume 22 May I June I July 2013 n 2

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

2013 NATA Board of Directors Ross Bradshaw, President, Portland Transmission Warehouse, Portland

Mary Ann Trout, Vice Presi-dent, Hillsboro Auto Wrecking, Hillsboro

Jim Moore, Secretary, Performance Warehouse, Portland

Jake Hammer, Treasurer, Everett Street Autoworks, Portland

Bob Anderson, AJ’s Auto Repair, Salem

Scott Asla, S & S Auto Parts, LaPine

Rick Field, Salem Transmission, Salem

Jerry Geiszler, Jerry’s Custom Paint, Gresham

Merry Green, McCollum, Inc. Portland

Monte Reed, Blue Mountain Auto Parts - NAPA, LaGrande

Ron Reichen, Precision Body & Paint, Inc., Beaverton

Catherine Skiens, RGS Auto & Marine, Inc. Albany

Jerry Titus, Portland Service Station Supply (POSSY), Portland

Oregon Automotive Trades Association (Managing NATA’s Assets | Appointed by the NATA Board of Directors)

Steve Hopkins, President, Hopkins Auto Supply, Gresham

John Meyerhofer, Vice Presi-dent, JM Mechanical, Canby

Nancy Scheewe, Treasurer, DuFresne’s Auto Service, Portland

Shanon Greisen, Bradshaws Service Center, Portland

Spencer Hodes, Transmission Exchange, Portland

NATA Executive DirectorBarbara Crest

n AUTO OUTLOOK n Volume 22 May I June I July 20133

Sabin-Schellenberg Center Hosts Oregon SkillsUSA CompetitionStudents showed off their technical knowledge by taking part in the SkillsUSA Oregon Skill Competitions on April 19-20 at the Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center in Clackamas.

The center that boasts 15 career-technical elective programs open to students from the district’s three high schools is the larg-est center of its kind in Oregon. Sabin Schellengberg is the first high school in the state to host this event because they have the facilities to accommodate so many technical education programs.

Students spent two days competing for the opportunity of going to the National SkillsUSA Leadership and Skill Championships in Kansas City, MO in June. Seventy-five Sabin-Schellenberg students took part in the competitions, along with 350 students from 21 high schools and two community colleges from across the state.

Competitions ranged from automotive repair, welding and carpentry, to law enforcement, early childhood education, broadcasting and culinary arts. Students were required to bring

a resume in order to compete and will take a general knowl-edge test about SkillsUSA.

All events are conducted and judged by people from the industries related to the areas of competition. The national win-ners receive over $50,000 worth of scholarships, cash travel awards and tools provided by SkillsUSA Oregon sponsors from community colleges, businesses and industry.

One of the most dynamic competi-tions is automotive technology, where students spent several hours demonstrating their breadth of knowledge in front of judges. Nine test stations were set up for each vehicle system, i.e. electrical, engine performance, brakes, etc. Students were asked to identify parts, tools, and perform repair function of each system. Judges included many NATA members and we want to thank them for their time and energy for our future industry leaders!

This year’s judges included: Jay Kuykendall – AutoShop Northwest, Mike Launder – Tom Dwyer Automo-tive, Jim Houser – Hawthorne Auto Clinic, Tom Curvat – Clark College, Scott & Felix LaPlante – Sherwood Auto Repair, Marlin Good – Cascade Auto Service & Repair, Dave Thomas – Vic’s Auto Center, Mark Smith – Bernard’s Garage.

NATA would also like to thank the following companies for their gen-erous donations of prizes for the competing students in the automo-tive fields—no student left empty handed: Health Net of Oregon, Kaiser Permanente, LifeWise of Oregon, Regence, Clackamas Auto Parts of Oregon City, Duane Case-day of Multnomah Hot Rod Coun-cil, B&B Auto Supply, Worldpac, Automotive Products, Baxter Auto

Parts, Fast Undercar, Portland Transmission Warehouse, NW Performance, 1-800-Radiator, LKQ, Todd’s Import, Z’s Car Care, Portland Community College, Bernard’s Garage, Tyler’s Automotive, NAPA Auto Parts, Autozone, Vic’s Auto Center and O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Students from 20 school districts in Oregon began the competition at the Sabin-Schellenberg Center at 8 a.m. All competitors gathered for the awards ceremony at Milwaukie High School later at 3:30 p.m. (More photos on page 8.)

Dave Thomas

Jim Houser

Marlin Good — Cascade Auto Repair & Service

Scott LaPlante — Sherwood Auto Repair

Gift Bags for the Students


Survey of Collision Shops Around the State to Measure Employee Compensation and Benefits

This winter, the Northwest Automotive Trades Association conducted a survey of collision shops around the state to measure employee compensation and benefits. The associa-tion conducted a similar survey in 2008. Although only 33 shops submitted data, that represents a 7 percent sampling of the shop population.

Here are some of the highlights of this year’s findings.

• LESS MEDICAL COVERAGE: In 2008, virtually every shop offered employees at least some form of health insurance. This year, about 12 percent of shops say they no longer offer any coverages. Dental and vision benefits have seen the largest declines; the percentages of Portland area shops offering these benefits is half what it was in 2008. Employees are picking up more of the tab for health benefits as well. In 2008, Portland area shops paid an average of 84 percent of their employees premium; that dropped to 70 percent this year. There were similar declines in much of the rest of the state.

• RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCALED BACK SOMEWHAT: About one in three shops has a 401(k) plan for employees, but still about half of shops offer no retirement benefit at all. The percentage not offering a retirement plan jumped in the Portland area since 2008. Of those offering a plan, a high percentage of shops still make employer contributions to them, though this too has declined somewhat since 2008.

• WILL SICK LEAVE BENEFIT CHANGE: As the Portland City Council debated and eventually passed a ordinance requiring businesses of a certain size to offer paid sick leave for employees, less than one in five shops currently offer this benefit. The percentage of Portland shops offering sick leave is half what the survey found it was in 2008.

• FEWER UNIFORMS: More than 90 percent of shops respond- ing in 2008 said they offered uniforms as a company benefit; this has dropped to about 75 percent today.

• OTHER BENEFITS: The good news for employees is that no matter which benefits are most important, generally one or more shops in a market seem to offer them. Holiday pay, one week of vacation after the first year, and the ability to purchase parts for personal use at or near cost continue to be the most widely-offered benefits.

• BEST AREA IN WHICH TO BE A JOURNEYMAN TECH: Port- land shops report paying the highest average wages to paint technicians and A-level journeyman body techs compared to shops elsewhere in the state. Painters in particular appear to earn significantly more in Portland compared their colleagues in other parts of the state. The average total compensation for painters in the Portland area was up slightly from 2008, but total compensation for body techs was down several thousand dollars; because average pay structures were similar in both surveys, the drop in body tech wages is probably based on a decline in work volumes.

GreaterPortland Area

WILLAMETTE VALLEYIncluding Salem,

Yamhill County, Eugene

SOUTHERN OREGONAshland,

Grants Pass

ELSEWHERE IN OREGONIncluding NE and Central

Ore., N. Coast

2013 NATA Collision Employee Compensation Survey Results

No. of participating businesses: 13 11 4 5Avg. No. of production emp. 6 6 4 5Avg. No. of office staff 3 3 2 3Percentage AAA approved 15% 36% 50% 20%Percentage ASE Blue Seal 0 9% 25% 0Percentage Eco-Logical Biz 23% 27% 50% 0Percentage I-CAR Gold Class 15% 45% 50% 60%Health Insurance Offered Medical 92% 81% 50% 100% Dental 46% 36% 25% 60% Vision 23% 0 25% 40% Supplemental 38% 63% 75% 0 None 8% 18% 25% 0

Of those who offer health insurance, average percentage of EMPLOYEE 70% 83% 93% 79%premiums paid by the company?

Of those who offer health insurance, average percentage of FAMILY 0 6.6% 0 13premiums paid by the company?

Retirement Plan None 46% 63% 25% 40% SEP-IRA 8% 0 0 0 Simple 15% 0 25% 20% 401(k) 31% 36% 50% 40%






Grants Pass


Ore., N. Coast

2013 NATA Collision Employee Compensation Survey Results

Of those who offer a retirement plan, percentage that make company 71% 75% 66% 100%contributions to the plan Percentage that require technicians to be ASE certified 62% 18% 75% 0Percentage that require body technicians to be I-CAR welding certified 69% 73% 75% 20%Percentage that pays higher wages for those with certifications 46% 55% 33% 40%Percentage offering: ASE Testing Fees 62% 36% 100% 20% Bereavement Leave 23% 0 50% 20% Disability Insurance 8% 0 25% 20% Educ/Train (tuition/wages) 54% 45% 100% 40% Emp. Assistance Prgm 0 0 25% 0 Holiday Pay 77% 55% 75% 60% Jury Duty 0 9% 50% 20% Life Insurance 15% 9% 25% 20% Personal Leave 8% 9% 50% 20% Section 125i Plan 23% 27% 0 20% Sick Leave 15% 18% 75% 0 Tools 0 9% 50% 20% Uniforms 77% 63% 75% 60% Unpaid Leave 46% 18% 50% 20% Annual Bonus 23% 18% 75% 20% Monthly or Other Bonus 62% 18% 50% 40% Weekly meal 15% 0 25% 0 Use of shop for personal cars 69% 63% 50% 40% Parts at/near cost for pers. use 92% 82% 50% 100%

Most common amount of paid vacation after… 1 Year 1 week (85%) 1 week (91%) 1 week (75%) 1 week (80%)

2 Years 1 week 1 week 1 week 1 week (38% offer 2 weeks) (27% offer 2 weeks) (75%) (20% offer 2 weeks)

3 Years 1-2 weeks 2 weeks 1-2 weeks 2 weeks (evenly split) (36% offer 1 week) (evenly split) (40% offer 1 week)

4 Years 1 week 2 weeks 1-2 weeks 2 weeks (38% offer 2 weeks) (36% offer 1 week) (evenly split) (20% offer 3 weeks)

5 Years 1 week 2 weeks 2 weeks 2 weeks (38% offer 2 weeks) (27% offer 1 week) (25% offer 1 week) (20% offer 3 weeks)

6+ Years 1-2 weeks 2 weeks 2 weeks 3 weeks (15% offer 3 weeks) (18% offer 1 week) (25% offer 1 week) (40% offer 2 weeks)

The first number in each category is the number of full-time employees in that job category for which compensation data was submitted.

Body Tech A (journeyman) 13 13 6 7 Average Total Annual Compensation $53,476 $44,411 $53,376 $47,333 High / Low Total Annual Compensation $89,628/$33,000 $64,000/$32,905 $69,500/$42,272 $54,000/$30,000 Most Common Pay Structure(s) $16-$18 per flat rate $16-$19 per flat rate n/a $15-$20 per flat rate hour (avg. = $16.56) hour (avg. = $17.25) hour (avg. = $17.89)

Body Tech B (mid-level) 4 3 1 2 Average Total Annual Compensation $31,572 $40,746 $46,971 n/a High / Low Total Annual Compensation $39,705/$24,946 $50,000/$31,492 n/a n/a Most Common Pay Structure(s) $15-$16 per flat rt hr n/a $16 per flat rate hour n/a

Body Tech C (entry-level) 0 5 1 3 Average Total Annual Compensation n/a $30,850 $19,260 $22,666 High / Low Total Annual Compensation n/a $32,000/$28,000 n/a $25,000/$21,000 Most Common Pay Structure(s) n/a $10.50 - $16 hourly n/a $10.50 - $12 hourly (avg. = $14.10)

Paint Technician 13 8 3 6 Average Total Annual Compensation $65,733 $46,634 $48,136 $41,666 High / Low Total Annual Compensation $110,000/$31,200 $64,000/$28,852 $61,500/$34,850 $65,000/$30,000 Most Common Pay Structure(s) $12.50 - $19.65 $16 - $17.25 n/a $18 - $21 per flat rate hour per flat rate hour per flat rate hour (avg. = $16.48) (avg. = $19.78)Paint Prepper 4 4 1 3 Average Total Annual Compensation $25,233 $24,231 n/a $24,000 High / Low Total Annual Compensation $32,000/$20,018 $32,000/$19,692 n/a $32,000/$16,000 Most Common Pay Structure(s) $9-$12 hourly $10 - $16 hourly n/a n/a (avg. = $10.50) (avg. = $12.06)

Estimator 7 9 1 2 Average Total Annual Compensation $44,471 $43,158 $28,350 $35,200 High / Low Total Annual Compensation $48,585/$37,000 $65,000/$29,405 n/a $50,400/$20,000 Most Common Pay Structure(s) $3,400-$4,000 varies n/a n/a monthly salaryParts Manager 2 2 0 2 Average Total Annual Compensation $33,500 $41,400 $28,500 High / Low Total Annual Compensation $42,000/$25,000 $46,800/$36,000 $32,000/$25,000 Most Common Pay Structure(s) n/a n/a $12 - $16 hourly (avg. = $14)Production Manager 2 3 0 2 Average Total Annual Compensation $44,227 $61,500 n/a High / Low Total Annual Compensation $46,455/$42,000 $72,000/$46,500 n/a Most Common Pay Structure(s) n/a $3,850 - $6,000 montly n/a (avg. = $5,125)Detailer 2 5 2 2 Average Total Annual Compensation $24,303 $21,500 n/a $18,500 High / Low Total Annual Compensation $25,000/$23,606 $24,000/$18,000 n/a $21,000/$16,000 Most Common Pay Structure(s) $11.50-$12 hourly $9 - $11.75 $9 hourly n/a hourly (avg. =$10.75)Other Positions: Clerical / Adminstrative (5) $2,100 monthly $11 - $13.75 $18.65 hourly salary hourly Shop Manager (3) $4,800 monthly $3,000 monthly $3,000 monthly salary salary salary Office Manager (3) — $2,400 monthly $1,800 monthly $4,000 monthly salary salary salary Mechanic (1) $14 hourly






Grants Pass


Ore., N. Coast

2013 NATA Collision Employee Compensation Survey Results (con’t)

In an effort to keep our members informed on their merchant services programs, Qualified Processing Services has asked that we pass on a message warning against a recent spike in solicitation attempts from companies claim-ing to be from Visa/MasterCard, other merchant processors/sales offices, mortgage brokers, and others.

To date, the calls being made are coming from people claiming to work with either Visa/MasterCard or the busi-ness’ current merchant account provider, although there may be others calling as well. We have had reports of callers claiming to be from more unusual companies such as mort-gage brokers, so please be aware of attempts from other sources. The script prompts that are being used for these solicitation/phishing attempts include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Your account has been red-flagged for review because your rates are too high. · Your current provider is a third party processor, whereas we are direct.

· I’ll stay on hold while you fax your statement to me.

· We’re not trying to get you to switch companies, we just want to ensure you’re getting the lowest possible rates, and your processor won’t do a rate review unless we see the rates.

· Your account is out of compliance, and your processor has asked us to contact you in order to fix that. The soliciting callers make several phone calls to get state-ments each day, in excess of 5 times in some cases. QPS is asking that any association member, who has received a call from these companies, or anyone using similar tactics, contact them immediately to report the incident, regardless of who you currently process with. As a full service merchant processor, it’s QPS’ obligation to report phishing and solicita-tion attempts that violate basic marketing rules, and they need the help of all association members to better report on the activity. You can contact Todd Lazar directly at 888-737-7762. QPS apologizes for any inconvenience these companies may have caused, and they are working diligently to stop the solicita-tion/phishing attempts. A final caution to all NATA members: no matter what, do not let these companies make any changes to your terminal or online gateway, and do not sign any contracts or forms for merchant services. If you think something has recently changed on your system, please contact QPS immediately.

QPS Cautions Against Phishing Attempts


Northwest News

Oregon Shop Owner Now Chairman of National AssociationRon Reichen, a long-time NATA board member and owner of Precision Body & Paint in Beaverton, Ore., was elected in April as the new board chairman of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS).

“SCRS in the past has not always taken a position that’s most popular, that’s most politically correct for the sake of

just getting along,” Reichen said in accepting the position. “We’ve taken a position to get things done.”

SCRS is a national collision repair trade association with 40 affiliate associations and representing more than 6,000 collision repair businesses.

Oregon-based Kadel’s Auto Body received the “North American Regional MSO Group of the Year” award from Farmers Insurance; Kadel’s operates 17 shops in three Northwest states. The com-pany also recently worked through the Collision Repair Education Foundation to donate uniforms for 20 second-year collision repair students at Portland Community College.

The Oregon House in April voted 33-27 to pass a bill (HB 3160) that would repeal the insurance industry’s exemption from the state’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act, giving individuals, businesses and the state Attorney General expanded rights to pursue fraud, mis-representation and oppressive acts by insurers in court. Although insurance is regulated in Oregon, it is the only type of business not subject to the state’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act. If the legisla-tion is passed, Oregon would become the 27th state to do so. Sen. Chip Shields (D-Portland) has threatened to pursue a statewide initiative if the insurance lobby succeeds in squashing this year’s legislative effort.

The owners of Fix Auto Portland East, Camille Eber and her nephew, William Bray, have opened a second shop, Fix Auto Gladstone, in that Portland suburb.

Top 10 list of Customer Complaints filed to the Oregon Department of Justice

Fewer than 200 consumers complaints about automotive or autobody repair shops were filed with the Oregon Department of Justice last year, keeping the automotive trades off the Department’s annual Top 10 list. For the second year in a row, telemarketers topped the list with 1,828 written complaints, 15 percent of all received. Collection agencies were next, with 1,032 complaints, about one of every 12 received. About 652 complaints related to motor vehicle sales were filed (making it No. 5 on the list), most (402) dealing with used car dealers. Health-related complaints (375 in all) ranked eighth, including 126 related to physicians or hospitals.

SkillsUSA CompetitionPhoto Gallery con’t

Mark Smith - Bernard’s Garage

Felix LaPlante - Sherwood Auto Repair

Scott LaPlante

SkillsUSA Competition Winners:

High School, Keegan Mullinnix from Mountain View High School Post Secondary, Jason McCrory from Linn-Benton Community College


Fred’s Honda – In business since 1961, Fred’s Honda is a motorcycle dealer and repair facility in Corvallis with seven employees. 1925 SE Third Street, Corvallis, OR 97333. 541-757-1034 www.fredshonda.net

Hays Companies of Oregon (Associate Member) – One of the fastest growing, privately held insurance brokers in the country. They have teamed up with NATA to offer exciting new options for members in health, property and workers’ compensation insurance. 5285 SW Meadows Rd., Suite 451, Lake Oswego, OR 97035. 503-624-4750 www.hayscompanies.com

Qualified Processing Services - A credit card processing company that specializes in customer relations, and works with their clients to save them money. 260 Newport Center Dr., #100, Newport Beach, CA 92660. 888-737-7762 www.qualifiedprocessing.com

Sanford’s Automotive LLC – An auto and RV repair facil-ity started in 2007. They have 3 employees. 1085 13th St SE, Suite 100, Salem, OR 97302. 503-391-5400. www.sanfordsautomotive.com

Challenging an Unemployment ClaimIf a former employee who has filed for unemployment is telling the state he was fired for performance issues, but in reality he was fired for misconduct, you may have a good chance to prevail in an appeal.

In your written or oral statements to the unemployment department, make it clear if the employee was fired because of conduct and violation of company policies. Avoid any discussion of the ex-employee’s capability to do the job, to follow directions or to meet your standards, because all of these things deal with performance rather than misconduct.

During an unemployment hearing or interview, start with the exact single reason the employee was fired. A laundry list of misconduct over years is not going to help support your case. If the employee was late yet again on the day you finally terminated him or her, state that as the cause, backed up by the written warnings you gave the employee that arriving late again could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of their employment.

Always remain calm and polite, not defensive, and state facts and specifics, not opinions or generalizations.

But also think about your liability before you appeal; your unemployment liability for someone who worked for you only a few weeks or months may not be enough to warrant the time and related expenses to challenge.

NATA Welcomes Its Newest Members!

MANAGEMENT

Administrative Office: 7931 NE Halsey St. Suite 212, Portland, OR 97213

1.800.730.7282 Fax: 503-253-9890503.253.9898

www.aboutNATA.org

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