10/10/05 WA workers comp rate hike

This Tuesday is the start of a series of public hearings sponsored by the Washington State Labor and Industries Department. And the subject is a proposed increase in hourly workers compensation insurance rates starting January First of 2006. To say members of Washington State's fruit industry, like Jim Hazen of the Washington State Horticultural Association is not happy about the proposed rate hike is accurate. HAZEN: And this would be the third year in a row that the tree fruit industry will receive a bump. Orchards & it's a four per cent increase. For packing & it's an eight per cent increase. In addition, nursery owners would face a five per cent increase in workers comp insurance rates. Public meetings are scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 AM between now and October 25th. Locations in order include Spokane, Yakima, Mount Vernon, Tukwila, Vancouver, and Tumwater. And with a January First start date looming, Hazen says a decision by L and I is expected soon after the last public meeting. HAZEN: And so it would likely be thirty to forty days after that that the Director of L and I then would make his decision on whether or not to approve that increase. We have opposed it as has every other business opposed L and I rate increases over the last three years to no real effect. In Hazen's opinion, there needs to be reforms in how L and I determines the necessity of a rate increase. HAZEN: Those programs never get back to improving the safety record of the employer, which ends up costing the employer more money, in this case, tax rates.