Exporter Newsletter
May 2018
The monthly newsletter from the U.S. Commercial Service that promotes export opportunities for U.S. manufacturers.
World Trade Month 'Go Global' Webinar Series
Learn More About Export Control Regulations
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Compliance Deadline: May 25
Olympic Procurement Opportunities: Tokyo 2020
U.S. Companies Shine at Hannover Messe 2018!
Export Destinations: Germany & UK
U.S. Commercial Service Resources
Trade Events
May is World Trade Month, a time to acknowledge the importance of global trade and the role that increasing exports plays in contributing to our economy and U.S. job creation.
World Trade Month 'Go Global' Webinar Series
During World Trade Month, federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Commerce, Small Business Administration, and ExIm Bank bring you this FREE webinar series to help you go global.
Wednesday, May 16, 2 p.m. EDT: GET PAID How do I get the money I need to grow?
Wednesday, May 23, 2 p.m. EDT: PREPARE TO SHIP How do I follow all the rules?
Wednesday, May 30, 2 p.m. EDT: MANAGE CHALLENGES How do I keep my product from being copied or pirated?
No pre-registration is required for these FREE webinars. Click HERE for Dial-In information and passcodes.
Learn More About Export Control Regulations
Nationwide, May-September, 2018
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security(BIS) is offering several nationwide seminars. Led by BIS's professional counseling staff, these seminars will provide your business with an in-depth examination of Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The program will also cover the information exporters need to know to comply with U.S. export control requirements.
Learn More
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Compliance Deadline: May 25
The European Union (EU) is an important market for many U.S. businesses, and now firms must comply with new EU data protection requirements by May 25, 2018 or face penalties.
Certifying to the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework through the U.S. Department of Commerce can help U.S. companies comply with GDPR data transfer requirements. The U.S. Commercial Service at the European Union (CSEU) is here to assist U.S. firms comply. Click HERE for more information.
Olympic Procurement Opportunities: Tokyo 2020
In just two years Tokyo, Japan will host the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. While many tenders have been awarded there are still opportunities for U.S. firms to participate in the Olympic procurement process.
How can you get involved? The Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee has an English language website which gives general information on the procurement process, ongoing tenders, and tender results. Click HERE to learn more.
U.S. Companies Shine at Hannover Messe 2018!
The U.S. Commercial Service congratulates Upskill of Vienna, Virginia for being a finalist for the coveted Hermes Award at Hannover Messe 2018. Each year the Hermes Award recognizes innovative products or solutions on exhibit. This year Upskill's Skylight Augmented Reality (AR) project caught the attention of the jury. Congratulations!
In addition to Upskill, over 200 U.S. firms participated in Hannover Messe. For a contact list and additional information about the U.S. companies that participated, please visit our Export Interest Directory HERE.
Export Destinations: Germany & UK
The U.S. Commercial Service has created a dynamic series of videos that highlight business opportunities, leading sectors, and tips on how to do business in 20 key markets.
In this edition we spotlight:
Germany
United Kingdom
Click on each country to learn directly from Commercial Service personnel what each market offers to you and your organization.
Stay tuned for next month's edition when we will highlight additional markets!
U.S. Commercial Service Resources
Click HERE to access the most recent market research and sector snapshots such as:
Advanced Manufacturing Opportunities in Europe 2018
Industry Snapshot: Manufacturing Technology Equipment
Industry Snapshot: Industrial Automation Equipment
Trade Events
ACMEE 2018
Chennai, India - June 21-25, 2018
This show is held once every two years and is one of the premier expos of machine tools. It is organized by the local manufacturing association of Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association (AIEMA). The last show in 2016 had 465 exhibitors including 125 from overseas and 45,000 visitors. Please contact Malarvizhi Parimel for details.
Learn More
International Woodworking Fair (IWF)
Atlanta, Georgia - August 22-25, 2018
The International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair-USA® is a biennial trade show serving buyers from large production companies to small professional shops across the woodworking industry. Exhibiting companies from around the world introduce advanced industry technology to all of the above categories with new machinery, raw materials, supplies, tooling, hardware, specialized computer software and services. IWF is the 2nd largest show in the world serving the industry and provides buyers from around the world the unique opportunity to see side by side the most comprehensive innovative new technology available to the marketplace for machinery, supplies and services for the industry showcased by over 1,000 exhibitors. Contact Juanita Harthun for details.
Learn More
Smart Manufacturing Conference
Zagreb, Croatia - September 2018
The U.S. Commercial Service Zagreb office is coordinating a Smart Manufacturing Conference to bring together senior managers/buyers from Croatia’s manufacturing sector with U.S. companies offering solutions in:
· Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing
· Advanced Materials
· Material Handling
· Industrial Automation & Robotics
· Industrial Machinery
· New technologies -communications, data management, AI, cybersecurity
The conference will include a networking reception, forum for U.S. companies to present their solutions, an overview of Industry 4.0, and a special session on financing options. For more information, please contact Nina Cerkez.
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Grain: World Markets and Trade
This monthly report includes data on U.S. and global trade, production, consumption and stocks, as well as analysis of developments affecting world trade in grains. Covers wheat, rice and coarse grains (corn, barley, sorghum, oats and rye).
- (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System)World Agricultural ProductionMonthly report on crop acreage, yield and production in major countries worldwide. Sources include reporting from FAS’s worldwide offices, official statistics of foreign governments, and analysis of economic data and satellite imagery. The report reflects official USDA estimates released in the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE).
- Current Report
- Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System)
Washington, D.C. Headquarters
May 10, 2018
GOODWILL AND AFFILIATE TO PAY $850,000
TO SETTLE EEOC SEXUAL HARASSMENT SUIT
Night Shift Janitors Left Vulnerable to Supervisor’s Abuse, Supportive Managers Faced Retaliation, Federal Agency Charged
OAKLAND, Calif. – Goodwill Industries of the East Bay Area and its affiliate, Calidad Industries Inc., will pay $850,000 to eight former and current employees to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.
According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, six female janitors assigned to work the night shift at the Oakland Federal Building faced routine sexual harassment by their direct supervisor. The claimants included young women with developmental disabilities who were relatively new to the workforce, and were employed by Goodwill/Calidad’s janitorial operations under a federal government contract. The EEOC also charges that two managers were unfairly criticized and disciplined in retaliation for sup-porting the women’s sexual harassment claims, and one manager was compelled to resign.
“I was only 19 years old when I worked at Calidad -- it was my first job, and I enjoyed being able to earn my own money,” said former employee Crystal Edwards. “But after my boss put his arms around me, I did not feel safe at work. My complaints were ignored. I am so glad the EEOC filed this lawsuit to stop the harassment and to make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
Former employee Phyllis Sloan said, “I reported the harassment as soon as it started, but nothing changed. So I went to the EEOC, and they were able to help me. I just wanted justice, so that other disabled workers know that they don't have to put up with harassment from their bosses.”
Former manager Lisa Short added, “Within weeks of my start date, my employees trusted me enough to describe the harassment they faced on the nightshift. I knew my job could be on the line, but I needed to make sure my workers were safe.”
Concerned when higher management failed to take effective action, Short sought help from the Federal Protective Service and ultimately assisted the women in filing discrimination complaints with the EEOC.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from subjecting their employees to sexual harassment and specifically protects employees from retaliation for reporting or otherwise supporting claims of sexual harassment in the workplace. The EEOC filed its lawsuit (EEOC v. Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay, Inc. and Calidad Industries, Inc., Civil Action No. 4:16-CV-07093) after an investigation conducted by EEOC investigator Christopher Green and attempting through its conciliation process to reach a settlement out of court.
According to the consent decree signed by Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers, Goodwill/Calidad will pay $850,000 to the claimants. The employers will also revise their EEO policies and complaint and investigation procedures; institute supervisor accountability policies concerning discrimination issues; conduct comprehensive training of their workforce; and hire a consultant to monitor any responses to future complaints. The companies are also required to provide reports to the EEOC regarding adherence to the decree’s terms.
EEOC San Francisco Regional Attorney Roberta Steele said, “The EEOC vigorously defends people like Lisa Short, the courageous supervisor who spoke out on behalf of her employees, as well as the individuals who are harassed. Whether you are a target or a bystander, if you see harassment in the workplace, please take action now and call on the EEOC as a resource to end workplace abuse. And if you’re an employer, know that EEOC offers technical assistance programs to prevent and remedy harassment.”
EEOC San Francisco District Director William R. Tamayo added, “The #MeToo movement illustrates that sexual harassment impacts people across industries, from white collar to blue collar work, across class, race, age, gender and abilities. In this case, there were many factors that contributed to the vulnerability of these janitors – all were African-American, many were young females new to the workplace, with disabilities, working the isolated night shift. Employers must take proactive measures to stop predators who would abuse their power over vulnerable workers.”
Protecting vulnerable workers from harassment, disparate pay, and other discriminatory policies is one of the priorities identified in EEOC's Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP). The EEOC’s Select Task Force on the Study of Harassment in the Workplace provides practical resources for employers who want to address workplace harassment.
According to its website, Calidad Industries is a subsidiary of Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay and provides vocational training and employment to those with significant disabilities.
The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.
Stay Connected with U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
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