Alert; to Control Credit Card Swipe Fees

Member Alert

On February 17, the House Finance subcommittee will hold a hearing on credit card swipe fees (Durbin amendment). Credit card companies and big banks have sought ways to derail reform. We have an opportunity to voice our support for this important reform.  Before the hearing, we need as many small business owners as possible to contact Congressman Darrell Issa and call on him to protect swipe fee reform. Below are some brief talking points that you can personalize:

Representative Darrell Issa

U. S. House of Representatives

1800 Thibodo Road, #310

Vista, CA 92081

Phone: 760-599-5000

Fax: 760-599-1178

Dear Representative Issa,

I am contacting you to ask you to protect the commonsense swipe fee reform that was included in the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act last year.  A bipartisan majority in the Senate passed an amendment by Senator Richard Durbin to ensure debit card swipe fees are ‘reasonable and proportional’ to the overall cost of the transaction.

Today, these fees are excessive and cost my small business $___ each year.

Please don’t let the special interests from big banks and credit card companies repeal this critical measure to help small businesses and consumers in California.

I urge you to support the protection of the Durbin amendment to rein in debit card swipe fees as signed into law last year.

Swipe fee reform – the FACTS

• When prices increase in the restaurant or hotel industry, our members’ tend to be able to negotiate with suppliers in order to bring costs under control.
• Unfortunately there is no such negotiation with the big banks and the credit card companies on swipe fees.
• Swipe fees have increased by 300% in under a decade and our members have had no option but to pass on the cost to consumers.
• Higher prices mean lower sales and slower wage growth for our hardworking employees.
• Rising prices hurt underserved communities and those living on a fixed income.
• With swipe fee reform, we can look forward to a level playing field that will help grow businesses, not just in San Diego, but across the entire country.

Zenith Insurance Offers Safety Seminar to FBA Members on February 16, 2011

Dear FBA Member,

Zenith Insurance, the endorsed Workers’ Comp insurer for the FBA is excited to announce a series of educational safety seminars that will be offered free of charge to members of the Food & Beverage Association of San Diego (FBA) in 2011.  Zenith experienced dramatic new business growth in FBA members and more than doubled the number of policyholders they insure in 2010.  One of Zenith’s goals in 2011 is to help FBA members in providing their employees with a safer work environment.  

The timing and subject matter of Zenith’s first 2011 FBA seminar is perfect given the recent passage of Assembly Bill 2774.  This new legislation adds a lot more punch and seriousness to workplace violations issued by Cal/OSHA.  See attached article for more details.

Zenith’s training facility is located at their Mission Valley office which holds 30 people comfortably, so it is important for those of you that are interested in this important seminar to RSVP as soon as possible.   Refer to the attached seminar flyer for RSVP instructions. 

Best regards,

The Zenith

Strategic Marketing Workshop 101

Food Trucks and Mobile Carts Workshop

Food & Beverage Association Members and Associates,

This workshop will be an opportunity for restaurants to gain a real understanding of what food carts/trucks can and cannot do in proximity to your business and what it takes to operate a cart or truck if interested.

The F&BA is partnered up with the Health Dept and BID Council City of San Diego to inform and educate!

Stephen A Zolezzi

Executive VP, CEO

Food & Beverage Association San Diego County

FREE WORKSHOP

Monday, January 24, 2011

9AM – 11AM

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Mission Valley

2270 Hotel Circle, Peacock Room 1

Permitting Requirements for

Food Trucks and Mobile Food Vendors

Presented by:

Food & Beverage Association of San Diego County

County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health

This workshop will answer questions for both mobile food vendors and restaurants.

• What are the permitting requirements?
• City’s code compliance requirements
• Legal issues
• Selling beverage alcohol
• Selling retail merchandise
• Restaurants’ rights and concerns

Panel of Presenters:

• San Diego County Department of Environmental Health
• Food & Beverage Association of San Diego County
• BID Council

Sponsored by Zenith Insurance Company

CALL TO RESERVE A SPACE

Pre-Registration to F&BA

3110 Camino Del Rio South, #315

619.228.2291

fbasd@foodnbeverage.org

FBASD Training Calendar

Food & Beverage Association Training

New approved Computer food handler training in our office---just call to make an appointment Monday thru Friday!!!

This new innovation helps accommodate work schedules for quicker certification turnaround!

January Training Calendar

Manager’s Food Safety Certification

8 Hr Training

Monday, January 17 (8:30AM - 5:00PM)

Monday February 28 (8:30AM - 5:00PM)

($135 - Non-member) ($105 - F&BA member)

Managers Test Only – Register to get study guide for prep.

Call for appointment to take test—Monday thru Friday

($90 - Non-member) ($75 - F&BA member)

Food Handler’s Card

Computer training in our office-call for appointment

Classes are also held---for times and days please call 619-228-2291 or go to our web site www.foodnbeverage.org

SATURDAY-November 13th and Saturday November 20th at 8:30am

($25 - Non-member) / ($20 - F&BA member)

Please call F&BA office for appointment!

(Please check complete schedule online---time and day may change)

Class of 12 or more we will come to your business for training

****NEW! Food Handlers Computer Training in Our Office

Call for appointment to do training and testing in our office Monday thru Friday 9am to 4pm!!!

Responsible Alcohol Beverage Server (RABS)

California Dept. of ABC Approved

Friday February 11, 9am

$20

Class of 12 or more we can come to your businesses for training

Online RABS (On Your Computer) $25 – California Dept. of ABC approved

www.foodnbeverage.org  go to training page---alcohol server-onsale

Online Sexual Harassment (On Your Computer)– state certified

AB 1825 Overview

The new law, effective January 2005, requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide at least two hours of "classroom or other effective interactive training" to all supervisory employees on the prevention of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation.

www.foodnbeverage.org; go to training page

Door Host Training (in-house/proprietary security)

Three day training to complete mandatory requirements---call 619-696-0234 for reservations or online admin@nightclubsecurity.com

All Food & Beverage Association Members receive special pricing per person of $150---$170 non-members

January 31, Feb 1 & 2 - 5 -9pm

Feb 28, March 1 & 2 - 5-9pm

March 28, 29 & 30 - 5-9pm

April 25, 26, & 27 - 5-9pm

It must be made clear that the above listed PPSO or Proprietary Private Security Officer training classes are mandated by state law to be 16 hours in length; This cannot be altered. A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the last training

***FHC and RABS are available for a private session at your location or at the F&BA Office.

A minimum of 12 or more employees is required.

Check our website for classes available online.

Please call F&BA to make reservation at (619) 228-2291

or visit us online at www.foodnbeverage.org or email us at fbasd@foodnbeverage.org