RAM Launches Holiday Digital and Radio Ads

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Reminder:  Updates to Waste Bans Effective November 1

Bans expanded to mattresses, clothing & food waste (1/2 ton)

All members are reminded that effective November 1, the state has expanded its waste bans to include a ban on the disposal of mattresses and textiles, and has lowered the threshold for compliance with the state’s existing commercial organics/food waste ban to generators of more than ½ ton per week.  The waste bans are implemented and enforced by the MA Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). 

Beginning in October 2014, MA adopted regulations to ban the disposal of commercial organics/food waste, requiring any entity that disposed of at least one ton of organic waste per week to donate or re-purpose the useable food, or dispose of via anaerobic digestion (AD), composting or as animal feed.  The updated regulation now lowers that threshold so that it applies to entities that generate one-half (1⁄2) ton or more of organic waste for disposal per week.  The previous threshold likely exempted most restaurants, convenience stores, and small markets, who may now be impacted under the lower threshold. 

For additional info from MassDEP see:

• Lowering the threshold on commercial organic/food waste to facilities generating more than one-half ton of these materials per week; and
• Adding mattresses and textiles to the list of materials banned from disposal or transport for disposal in Massachusetts.

For members seeking technical assistance, RecyclingWorks, is a recycling assistance program funded by the MassDEP (and your tax dollars) that helps businesses and institutions reduce waste and maximize recycling, reuse, and food recovery opportunities.  For assistance, contact them to learn more at (888) 254-5525 or [email protected].  

Deadline ahead - HIRD filing is open

Renew 2021 small business energy exemption certificates

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   Wage and Hour Law Changes for 2023

Minimum Wage Increase and the End of Retail Premium Pay

On January 1, 2023, the last of five annual increases to the Massachusetts minimum wage will take effect, as well as the final repeal of the retail premium pay requirement.  Members are reminded to take note of the following changes:

• Minimum wage increase to $15.00 per hour (currently $14.25)
• Tipped wage increase to $6.75 per hour (currently $6.15)
• Retail Premium Pay mandate is fully eliminated. 

As indicated, the retail premium pay requirement for work performed on Sundays and certain holidays has been eliminated from the Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 136 §6) as of the new year.  Retail employees may be compensated at their regular rate of pay for work performed on Sundays and the holidays of New Year’s Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Labor Day.  

Members are reminded that the Blue Law voluntary work requirement remains in effect.  All work performed on Sundays, and the aforementioned holidays, by employees of retail establishments must remain voluntary and refusal to work shall not be grounds for discrimination, dismissal, discharge reduction in hours, or any other penalty.

Keep reading article.

Members are encouraged to download RAM’s 2023 Retail Holiday Schedule for a detailed guide to these changes.
 
For additional information you may also visit:

• Minimum wage and overtime information – MA Department of Labor Standards
• Working on Sundays and Holidays ("Blue Laws") – MA Attorney General

RAMHIC Offerings for 2022  

RAMHIC continues to partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to offer members access to the carrier's entire portfolio of high quality, small group health insurance plans.  

New in 2022, all members purchasing their health insurance coverage through the cooperative will also receive an expanded list of ancillary benefits, FREE of charge.