The Board of Directors for the Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) recently met for a strategic planning session. The association’s leadership group convened last week in Orlando, Florida, following KBIS.

Current CMA Board President Matt Krig, who is the owner of Northland Woodworks in Blaine, Minnesota, remains excited about what the future holds for the CMA. “The energy and momentum in the association right now is invigorating and suggests a positive outlook,” he shared. “I’m proud to be associated with such a strong segment of the industry.”
During the two-day meeting, the Board discussed programs to encourage growth and secure new members as well as specific tactics to retain current members. A major outcome was deciding to hold a special 20th anniversary conference in early 2018 in Denver, Colorado. In addition, the group confirmed several regional events to be held in 2017. The CMA is committed to continuing regional events as a means of connecting similar-sized shops around North America with the purpose of sharing best practices and business acumen, while learning how other businesses do what they do. The regional events typically involve plant tours, educational seminars, networking, and simply a chance to talk shop and share issues, solutions, and even projects.  Although they are dubbed "regional", these events typically draw attendees from across the country as well as Canada.

The 2017 regional events are currently scheduled as follows:

• April 10: Chicago, Illinois
• May 3-4: Northern California
• October 18: Lancaster, Pennsylvania

The Chicago event will be held the day before the Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo so participants can extend their stay and enjoy both events in one trip. The Northern California event will be a longer, two-day event. The Lancaster event will be held the day before the Wood Pro Expo, again, so attendees can attend both events. Registration is already open for the Chicago event and preparations for the other two events have begun. For more information, please visit www.cabinetmakers.org/events.

The CMA’s Board also finalized their activities during the AWFS Fair, which is July 19-22 in Las Vegas. The association will kick off the show with their popular “What’s Your Problem?” round table discussion on Wednesday evening. This will be followed by a special event for new members to introduce them to other CMA members at the show.  On Thursday, the CMA will recognize their Wood Diamond Award winners in a ceremony on the AWFS Stage at 1 pm. Later that evening, the organization will host their annual Member Appreciation Banquet. Details will be shared closer to the event.

Question: We received a question regarding unpaid FMLA leave and holiday pay.  An employee has requested unpaid FMLA leave.  There are paid holidays during the leave period.  Is the employee entitled to holiday pay?
 
Response: In determining whether an employee on FMLA leave is entitled to holiday pay for a holiday that falls during the leave period, the employer's policy governs. The FMLA Regulations provide specifically that "[a]n employee's entitlement to benefits other than group health benefits during a period of FMLA leave (e.g., holiday pay) is to be determined by the employer's established policy for providing such benefits when the employee is on other forms of leave (paid or unpaid, as appropriate.)" See 29 CFR 825.209(h).  In other words, the employer's policy relative to holiday pay eligibility and whether FMLA leave affects it should be uniformly enforced for all types of leaves to avoid potential discrimination or retaliation claims. If employees on other types of leaves of absence, whether protected by the FMLA or not, are eligible for holiday pay, employees on FMLA leave should be, too.
 
If your policy does not specifically address holiday pay eligibility under these circumstances, we recommend that you consider revising your policy to ensure it addresses this issue in a manner that comports with your company's objectives while remaining compliant with applicable law. Any policy that is changed should be communicated in advance of its implementation, and uniformly enforced to avoid discrimination concerns. From an employee relations standpoint, if this is the first situation of its kind and your policy is silent, you may want to consider paying the subject employee for the holidays until such time as the policy is changed (and then move forward consistent with the new policy), even though strictly speaking this is not a statutory requirement.

© 2014 Advisors Law Group, All Rights Reserved
To learn more about the Federated Employment Practices Network®, contact your local Federated Marketing Representative, or visit www.federatedinsurance.com.

In the center of North Carolina, Biesse’s Charlotte Campus will host the first Inside Biesse event of Spring 2017, on March 23 and 24. We are pleased to invite you to join us and discover over 23,000 sqft of innovative technology at our state of the art showroom.   We will demonstrate solutions that combine the high output numbers of the assembly chain with the tailor-made value of artisan craftsmanship.  You will see exciting new technology like the revolutionary Winstore Automation and Management Systems, Panel Saws with the patented twin pusher technology, Viet’s Opera R, the only automated solution for sanding of MDF doors with flat center panel as well as removal of cross grain scratching of solidwood doors,  CNC Routers with leading-edge technology, the award winning AirForce Hot Air System that delivers a zero-glue-line, drilling solutions, 5 Axis Machines, plus much more.
 
Industry professionals will be present for exchanging ideas, learning about new technology and discussing Industry 4.0.  Consult with Biesse’s product specialists, each with over 20 years of experience in the woodworking industry, who will be on hand to show you how Biesse technology can increase your production and advance your bottom line.
 
Please join us and let our knowledge go to work for you! To register, visit www.biesse.com/na
 
BIESSE S.p.A. - Biesse Group is a global leader in technology for processing wood, glass, stone, plastic and metal. It designs, manufactures and distributes machines, integrated systems and software for manufacturers of furniture, door/window frames and components for the construction, ship-building and aerospace industries. It invests on average 14 million Euro per year in R&D, boasting over 200 registered patents. It operates through 8 industrial sites, 34 branches and 300 agents and selected dealers, exporting 90% of its production. Its customers include some of the most prestigious names in Italian and international design. Founded in Pesaro in 1969, by Giancarlo Selci, the company has been listed on the Stock Exchange (STAR segment) since June 2001. It now counts 3.450 employees throughout the world. 

​Keystone Wood Specialties offers “Greenery,” Pantone’s color of the year for 2017.  Or, if you prefer, choose from their list of other stains, paints and glaze combinations. If you don’t find what you need, Keystone will custom color match your order to your supplied color sample. All Keystone finished products include two coats of water resistant catalyzed varnish.