BECOMING A MEMBER OF RAM IS ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS YOU CAN MAKE FOR YOUR BUSINESS.
By joining you gain access to exclusive, money saving discounts on services and programs, legislative updates and advocacy as well as valuable educational opportunities. We aim to help you grow and protect your business, promote the retail industry and save your business money.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCES
During this critical time, it is important for members to remain informed about the ongoing government response to the COVID-19 crisis and its resulting changes which may affect your business, your employees and your customers.
RAM has prepared a comprehensive list of resources and links on openings, operations and gatherings, small business loan programs, unemployment insurance expansion, taxation, and federal paid leave, sick time, and economic stimulus legislation. RAM urges members to click the link below to access this frequently updated information.
Gov. Baker Extends Order Limiting Operations to COVID-19 Essential Services,
Provides Updated Guidance and FAQs on What/Who is Essential
Governor Charlie Baker issued an extension of his previously issued emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public through Monday, May 4th, 2020.
- The order is here.
- The updated list of COVID-19 Essential Services is here.
- COVID-19 Essential Services FAQs are here, providing further guidance on a rolling basis with regular updates.
U.S. Department of Labor Announces New Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Implementation
The U.S. Department of Labor announced new action regarding how American workers and employers will benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted a temporary rule issuing regulations pursuant to this new law, effective, April 1, 2020.
Governor Signs Law Allowing for Immediate Restaurant Beer/Wine Sales with Takeout Meals
Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law today an act that included a provision allowing restaurants to sell take-out beer and wine, and an official postponement of the income tax filing deadline from April 15th to July 15th. The law took immediate effect.
The law also relaxes rules for municipalities on local property tax deadlines. The law did not address the RAM priority of commercial rent relief, yet we remain encouraged as the Legislature continues to work on compromise legislation that would protect tenants and homeowners from evictions due to the COVID-19 crisis. Competing House and Senate bills aim to suspend most residential and commercial evictions and foreclosures for a period of time during the crisis, but the specifics remain fluid.
Thousands of businesses flood Baker administration with inquiries over ‘essential’ list
Retailers, in particular, want freedom to offer curbside pickup and deliveries
By Jon Chesto March 31, 2020
Click here to read article
Shuttered businesses need rent relief
Sharing the burden between tenants, landlords, banks, and local governments will maximizethe chance that storefronts across the state can reopen for business.
By Tiffani Faison and Jon Hurst, March 31, 2020
Click here to read op-ed
Over the past three decades, RAM’s MA Retail Merchants Workers Compensation Group has saved our members $129 million in premium. To provide members a similar solution for the rising cost of health insurance, RAM has been hard at work establishing the RAM Health Insurance Cooperative (RAMHIC). Having secured a deeper upfront premium discount and expanded plan options, we are confident that our 2020 RAMHIC offering will help save you money on your health insurance.
We are pleased to announce premium rates on all health insurance plans offered through RAMHIC now come with an upfront discount of 3% for both renewals and new participating members. This represents a projected annual average savings of nearly $3,000 per participating business.
Information from our carriers has been mailed to members. Click here to view full mailing.
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