GCCA and Coalition Partners Send Letter to DOL Requesting Stakeholder Meeting Over New Overtime Regulations

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, GCCA was joined by 109 coalition partners in sending a letter to the Department of Labor (DOL) requesting a stakeholder meeting prior to the development and issuance of its anticipated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) on the “exemption of bona fide executive, administrative, and professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum wage and overtime requirements” (also known as the “white-collar” exemptions). In the Fall 2021 Regulatory Agenda, DOL’s Wage and Hour Division announced its plans to issue an NPRM modifying the white-collar overtime exemptions in April 2022. This will be a significant rulemaking with respect to cost, difficulty in implementation and impact on the workforce, particularly given the current acute labor shortages. The coalition feels DOL would benefit from hearing stakeholder insights into the current economic environment and the practical implications certain policies could have on the economy, workers, and the employer community.

Read the full letter HERE.

Republicans Consider Shutting Down Government Over Vax Mandate

Several Republicans are considering shutting down the government if the next funding bill includes money for federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The current funding for the federal government will expire mid-February, meaning Congress will have to pass a continuing resolution or appropriations legislation to keep the lights on. In a letter, Republicans plan to tell House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that their party is reaching another crossroads where they "must once again decide whether they will vote to fund a federal government that is enforcing tyrannical COVID-19 vaccine mandates on the American people." The lawmakers plan to take aim at the "myriad municipalities and states that directly benefit from federal funding" as a result from the vaccine orders, including in Washington, D.C. They also point out that the Biden administration has "unilaterally imposed" five COVID-19 vaccine mandates, referring to the mandates on medical workers, the military, federal employees and federal government contractors. "Congressional Republicans cannot continue to abdicate their Article I duties in hopes the judicial branch will rule in favor of the American people," the GOP lawmakers are planning to say. "Therefore, we the undersigned refuse to consider supporting any federal government funding vehicle, be it a continuing resolution or an omnibus appropriations measure, that funds the enforcement of COVID-19 vaccine mandates at any level of government," they continue.

U.S. Meat Export Federation to Host Webinar with USDA on Changes to EU Transit Requirements

On Tuesday, February 1, 2022, all interested industry participants are invited to join a USMEF webinar with USDA for an overview on changes to the European Union transit (third country transit, U.S. military, and ships stores) requirements. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will provide an overview of the new documentation and clarify that EU establishment approval is not required. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will give an overview of applying for an Export Verification (EV) program for those establishments new to the process, as well as cover details of the EU Transit EV. In addition, you will have a chance to ask FSIS and AMS any questions on the new transit requirements.

As a part of our partnership with USMEF, GCCA members can access this webinar free of charge.

Register for the webinar HERE.

Join Us for Our Upcoming Advocacy Webinar This Week!

Join us on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 11:00am ET for our monthly update on Advocacy Efforts, including government and industry affairs. Get the latest information on the state of the cold chain industry, including updates on COVID-19. We will conclude with a Q&A session so come with your questions! Register HERE.