PennPIRG, also known as the Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group, recently released the results of its study on gender pricing at statewide hair salons and drycleaners called "Unfair Pricing: Why One Price Doesn't Fit All".
The study, which was conducted in May and June of this year, was a follow-up to the group's 1999 study which claimed that 38 out of 90 cleaners polled, or 42%, actively engaged in price discrimination against women.
According to the 2001 study, the percentage only dropped to 40%, with 41 out of 107 cleaners surveyed labeled as price discriminators.
However, the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association disputed the results, believing that the poll was likely inaccurate for a number of reasons.
The survey PennPIRG conducted was taken on the phone, but no attempt was made to speak with managers or plant owners. Additionally, the poll claimed that 42% of drycleaners engaged in price discrimination because they charged women more to launder and press a shirt than men; however, it is unclear whether or not any distinction was made for "identical" garments worn by men or women. After all, men's dress shirts and women's blouses are not always cleaned in the same manner, PDCA noted.
Poorly worded questions would likely explain the inconsistencies of the study, PDCA added, because the results showed that some areas in Pennsylvania conformed perfectly while others were in complete non-compliance, suggesting a discrepancy in the way questions were asked during the study.
PDCA also pointed out that some Pennsylvania cleaners who were widely known to be active promoters of genderless pricing were designated as not conforming to the law.
In the latest issue of PDCA Press, the association reminded cleaners to properly train front counter employees in order to make sure that they are knowledgeable on their plant's pricing policies. If counter employees do not know how to adequately explain differences in pricing, then consumers may suspect gender discrimination.
In order to help its members, PDCA is offering free posters in English and Spanish for store owners who wish to show their support of equal pricing. For more information, contact the association at (215) 830-8495.
If you would like to view the PennPIRG study in its entirety, go the to groups web site at www.pennpirg.com, click on the "Consumer" link under programs on the top left margin, then scroll down the page until you see "Gender Pricing."
If you click on the link to the current study, you will be taken to a page with links to the study's results, including a 29-page downloadable PDF file.
The Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association will be holding a free seminar for all Delaware drycleaners on Oct. 24. The location for the event will be the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Luken Drive facility, located in Riveredge Industrial Park off of Cherry Lane, near the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
Guest speakers will include Bill Warren, who works for the Air Quality Management division that inspects drycleaners, and Jim Snead, who works in the regulation development section of the Air Quality Management team.
Also present at the event will be Bob Palmer, who serves on DNREC's hazardous waste branch, working directly with cleaners.
The speakers will discuss the programs they work with at DNREC and will be available to answer questions from those who attend.
The seminar is tentatively scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Those who are interested in attending should contact PDCA at (215) 830-8495 for more information.
Allied trades will be exhibiting products and guest speakers will be educating attendees at the Iowa-Nebraska Drycleaners Association's fall seminar, set for Oct. 12-14 at the DoubleTree Hotel, located at 1616 Dodge St. in Omaha, NE.
Things will get started early on Friday evening at 6 p.m. with a two-hour wine and cheese reception for attendees.
The following morning, the first educational program will begin with David Rohan, the director of Gas Acquisition and Supply for the Energy Acquisitions Department of Metropolitan Utilities District. Rohan, who is a licensed chemical engineer in the state of Nebraska and is a member of the Nebraska section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, will focus his discussion on how energy use relates to drycleaners.
Also speaking on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 13, will be Jane Rising, manager of Training and Instruction at the International Fabricare Institute. Rising, who has been with IFI since 1985, holds a Bachelor's Degree in home economics with a major in fashion design from the University of Hawaii. She has taught textiles and apparel design and construction at Maui Community College, Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, and Bauder Fashion College in Miami, FL.
Over the course of the weekend, Rising will deliver three separate seminars. She will discuss problem garments on Saturday morning and deliver a program on wetcleaning later in the afternoon. She will also offer a presentation on customer service on Sunday morning.
Dr. John Dumonceaux, who earned a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Wyoming, Laramie, will present an inspirational seminar entitled "Celebrate You," also on Sunday morning. Dr. Dumonceaux is vice president of human resources at Saint Elizabeth Community Health Center in Lincoln, NE, and is currently a board member of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and a member of the National Speakers Association.
Other events scheduled for the weekend include a board meeting on Sunday at noon, and a round of "Who Wants to Feel Like a Millionaire?" set to follow a banquet planned for Saturday evening. The contest is loosely based on ABC's hit game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," except attendees will have an opportunity to win between $1 and $200 by correctly answering questions pertaining to the drycleaning industry. Those who wish to be a contestant may sign-up at the registration desk.
Total registration packages for the three-day event are available at a rate of $110 per person for INDLA members. The cost includes fees for the welcome reception, refreshment breaks, a breakfast buffet, all of the seminars, access to the allied trade exhibits, and the Saturday night banquet with entertainment.
Non-members may also attend INDLA's fall seminar at a rate of $150 per person.
To register, or for more information, contact INDLA at (515) 225-3654.
To make a reservation at the DoubleTree Hotel in Omaha, NE, call (800) 222-8733.
During its 88th Annual Meeting and Summer Convention from Aug. 3-5 at the Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire, MI, the Michigan Institute of Laundering and Drycleaning officially recognized its newly-elected officers and directors for the 2001-2002 term.
The association's president is Greg Watkins of Watkins Management in Roseville, MI. Joining Watkins in office are: President Elect Dennis Conant of Master Drycleaners in Traverse City, MI; Vice President Rick Anderson of Acme Cleaners in Muskegon, MI; Treasurer Rick Fitzpatrick of Pingatore Cleaners in Sault Ste. Marie, MI; and Secretary Dave Dupuis of Clayton Cleaners in Bay City, MI.
Jan Barlow of Jan's Professional Cleaner remains as the association's immediate past president and also serves in MILD's Chairman of the Board position.
Other area directors elected for the new term include: Ray Nordberg of R.E. Nordberg & Company in Auburn Hills, MI; Jeff Bradford of Bradford's Master Cleaners in Charlevoix, MI; Gary Knight of American Cleaners in Mt. Pleasant, MI; Christian Pfeffer of Shores Cleaners in St. Clair Shores, MI; Dave Barlow of Jan's Professional Cleaners in Clio, MI; Joseph Maurer of Maurer's Sanitary Cleaners in Lansing, MI; and David J. Underdown, Jr., of Douglas Cleaners in Birmingham, MI.
Other area directors elected for the 2001-2002 term are: David Clark of Wash King in Saginaw, MI; Jeff Fetters of Sanitary Cleaners in St. Joseph, MI; Jeff Davis of Sun Cleaners in Kalamazoo, MI; Cam Mitchell of Sud-Z Cleaners in Hillsdale, MI; Michael Munson of RA Leather Care in Detroit, MI; Garry Dallas of Holiday 50 Minute Cleaners in Marquette, MI; and Dave Dupuis, who also serves as MILD's secretary.
Taking up the two new Allied Trades Board positions were Avery Clark of A&B Equipment Company in Saginaw, MI, and Terry Allie of New England Financial in Troy, MI.
Ken Bark of Michigan 49 Minute Cleaners will also represent MILD in his new position of Korean Liaison.
For more information, contact MILD at (517) 337-2811.
Senator Carol Roessler is scheduled to speak about some of the more strange and humorous things that have happened in government during a Saturday night banquet at the Wisconsin Self-service Laundry Association's fall convention.
This year's event is planned for Oct. 5-7 at the Regency Suites in Green Bay, WI.
Senator Roessler is just one of many guest speakers that have been invited to attend the show, which will kick off its educational sessions with Tom Zoeller, C.P.A., at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning with a seminar entitled "ADA Credit Review."
Following Zoeller's presentation will be Richard Farley, who will discuss "Understanding Your Utility Bill" at 10:30 a.m.
After a break for lunch, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about "How to Use A Voltmeter and Read A Wiring Diagram" from speaker Lil LaRue at 12:30 p.m.
Later in the evening, WSLA will offer a hospitality, followed by a banquet scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Senator Roessler will begin speaking at about 8 p.m.
On Sunday, Oct. 7, a full complimentary breakfast will be served for hotel guests at the Regency Suites from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.
The day's educational sessions will begin at 9:30 a.m. with Brian Wallace of the Coin Laundry Association. He will discuss "Pricing to Make a Profit."
At 10:30 a.m., Congressman Mark Green is tentatively scheduled to make an appearance as a guest speaker.
WSLA will hold a general meeting for its members at 11:30 a.m., followed by a brunch at 12:30 p.m.
Registration fees for the three-day event are $60 for WSLA/ CLA members. The fee covers all meetings for an individual and his/her spouse.
Non-members can register for $75. That price will also include all meetings for the attendee and his/her spouse.
Meal plans are available at $55 each for a total meal package, which includes the Saturday lunch and banquet, as well as the Sunday brunch.
Otherwise, individual meals can be purchased at the following prices: Saturday's lunch, $15; Saturday's banquet, $27; Sunday's brunch, $18. Sales tax and gratuities are included in all prices.
For more information, contact WSLA by calling (920) 748-7263. Hotel reservations at the Regency Suites can be made by calling (800) 236-3330.
Time is running out to register for the Neighborhood Cleaners Association's TexCare 2001, scheduled for Oct. 13-14 at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison, NJ.
NCA, who has reserved a block of 256 rooms at the Sheraton Hotel of Raritan Center at a rate of $85 per night for single or double occupancy. The association has encouraged those who wish to attend the convention to reserve a room as soon as possible by calling (732) 225-8300.
In an effort to offer a "different sort of trade show," NCA has promised a wide array of educational sessions designed to help drycleaners make more money.
Don Desrosiers of Tailwind Shirt Systems will be presenting "Shirts for Profit," which will reveal the details of how to run a profitable and efficient shirt laundry and explain why 99 cents shirts will eat away at profits.
"Diversification Dollars & Sense" will combine discussions by Arthur Weiss, Ed Boorstein, George Torpe and Ed Roth, covering ways for cleaners to diversify their businesses in order to be more financially successful.
Weiss, who operates one of the largest drycleaning and fire restoration plants in the East, will speak on "Fire Restoration". Boorstein will share his knowledge of high end drycleaning with "Cleaning for the Chemically Sensitive."
Torpe will present "On-Site Fabric Cleaning," which will focus on specialty items such as draperies, furniture and walls. Roth, who serves on NCA's Board of Directors, will give his thoughts on "Tuxedo Rentals."
Don Halperin, one of NCA's political liaisons, will also be at TexCare 2001 in order to discuss "The Practice of Preventative Politics" and how cleaners can use community-based projects to establish relationships with political office holders.
Another topic for the convention will be "Image Makes Money." Russ Petrozzi, who chairs the NCA Finance Committee and serves on the association's board, will emphasize the importance of conveying a positive image to help a drycleaning plant's bottom line.
Drycleaners Bob Joel and Tom Kulka are expected to make an appearance at the show in order to discuss the pros and cons of drop stores and routes for plants seeking to expand their market.
Rounding out the topics will be Fabricare Canada columnist Darcy Moen who will speak on generating more income from existing customers with "Getting Everything You Can Out of Existing Customers."
More information on TexCare 2001 can be obtained by calling the NCA office at (212) 967-3002 or visit www.nca-i.com.
Celebrating the one-year anniversary for its newest location at 1141 Dorchester Ave. in Dorchester, MA, Dependable Cleaners has announced that for the second consecutive year it will donate 10% of all retail sales from the plant for the month of September to the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys and Girls club.
"We are very proud to have this exceptional organization as our neighbor," said Christa Hagearty, president of Dependable Cleaners. "The work they do for the young people of the community is outstanding, and it's a privilege to be able to help them in their important work".
The Southwest Drycleaners Association will be presenting two stain removal courses in the month of November at its school at the International Textile Center, located on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.
SDA Chief Instructor Jane Zellers will teach Stain Removal from Nov. 12-14 and Advanced Stain Removal from Nov. 14-16.
The first course will focus on training students on proper stain removal techniques. Those who attend the class will learn how dyes, pigments, prints and finishes play an integral part of the cleaning process. In addition to being able to understand the proper use of the tools on a daily basis, students will be able to recognize terms such as wetside, dryside, alkaline and acid.
The class will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 and 13 and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14.
Class fees are $290 for SDA members, $360 for other IFI members and $425 for non-members.
Zellers will also present a course for advanced stain removal that will train students on the proper stain removal techniques for more experienced cleaners.
Those who attend will gain a better understanding of fiber content, weaves, garment construction and how to test fiber content by burn testing. Dyes, pigments, prints and finishes will be covered, as well as hands-on training using bleaches and digester.
The course will run from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 15, and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16.
SDA members pay $280. Other IFI members pay $345 and non-members pay $410.
Both classes have a maximum capacity of 25 students, so early registration is recommended. SDA has secured a special rate with the nearby Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Lubbock for students at $51 plus tax per night for single occupancy.
For more information, contact SDA at (888) 732-6423 or visit www.sda-dryclean.com.
Due to a decision by the comptroller's office, Texas drycleaners were still required to pay sales tax on wrapping, packing and packaging supplies until October.
When SB 1125 passed, the state tax code was amended in order to include a provision that made Texas cleaners exempt from paying sales tax for a variety of packing supplies which includes "hangers, safety pins, pins, inventory tags, staples, boxes, paper wrappers and plastic bags," as defined by the language of the legislation.
The bill, which was signed in June, was initially scheduled to take effect on Sept. 1, 2001. However, the comptroller's office utilized its powers to push the date back to Oct. 1, 2001 in order to have more time to prepare for the changes to take effect. Thus, cleaners will be held responsible for paying sales tax on wrapping and packaging items for an additional month.
The South Eastern Fabricare Association will be rolling through October and November with a multitude of seminar topics especially tailored for drycleaners.
The majority of the classes will spotlight basic and advanced techniques for drycleaning and spotting in two-day classes designed to give attendees a well-rounded education.
The first day will be devoted to the basics of fiber and fabric classification, weaves, dyes, prints and finishes. Students will also learn how to get the most from their drycleaning machines, achieve a true understanding of pre-spotting and preparing garments for cleaning, and study the soil release curve and the effects of humidity and moisture content of solvent.
Day two will review the first day's teachings before attendees will be taught in-depth about spotting chemicals and the correct uses of acids, alkalis and lubricants and how each reacts with certain fibers, fabrics, dyes and finishes. The class will also look at using the proper tools and advanced techniques for bleaching, dye stripping, mineral oil barriers and other methods of professional stain removal.
Two-day Basic and Advanced Drycleaning and Spotting classes are currently set to take place from Oct. 27-28 in West Palm Beach, FL, and two courses are set for Nov. 17-18 in Columbia, SC, and also in Atlanta, GA.
SEFA will also present a seminar on "Customer Service Excellence!" on Oct. 25 in West Palm Beach, FL.
The course will discuss the six most common types of customers and what makes them tick. The information is designed to help plant owners and managers identify the problem areas in their customer service policies and procedures and focus on what can be done in order to ensure that customers will return to the drycleaning store.
Rounding out the Fall courses is one on "Employee Relations 101," set to take place on Oct. 24 in West Palm Beach, FL.
There are many motivational factors that influence today's employees and this seminar is designed to help employers outline a strategy that will work toward a more stable workforce. Most employees don't leave for money; instead, they tend to leave for higher personal achievement. Attendees will have an opportunity to look at how they view their employees and how relations can be improved.
For more information, contact SEFA by calling (770) 998-9900., or visit the association's web site at www.sefa.org.
Not long after California's South Coast Air Quality Management District issued plans for a possible 10-year phase out of perc drycleaning equipment through amendments to rule 1421, six industry associations joined together to criticize the proposal.
The California Cleaners Association held a united front alongside the Greater Los Angeles Dry Cleaners Association, the Korean Drycleaners and Laundry Association, the Neighborhood Cleaners Association, the International Fabricare Institute and the Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance.
All six associations urged members in a public letter to voice their concerns at a Sept. 20 public workshop held at the AQMD headquarters in Diamond Bar.
"This proposal ignores the tremendous progress made by drycleaners in reducing perc emissions over the last several years," stated the letter. "It singles out the drycleaning industry, despite the fact that its contribution to air pollution in the Los Angeles area is very small.
"Moreover, it assumes that wetcleaning can replace perc in most operations and underestimates the likely increase in the use of other regulated solvents. Rather than allow you to determine which solvent works best for your long-term business needs, AQMD is proposing to make that choice for you."
If the current amendments to Rule 1421 were to take effect, there would be no more new perc facilities as of 2002 and no new or replacement perc machines at existing facilities as of 2003.
By 2006, there would be no perc machines less than 4th generation and all perc machines would be eliminated by 2011.
However, the proposed changes to Rule 1421, which was originally passed in 1994 and amended to its current state in 1997, are still open to discussion and subject to change.
For more information, contact: KDLA at (310) 679-1300; CCA at (916) 443-0986; NCA at (212) 967-3002; IFI at (301) 622-1900; HSIA at (202) 775-0232; or GLADCA at (626) 796-4335.
Information on current and proposed rules for drycleaners is available on the SCAQMD web site: www.aqmd.gov.
The King County Department of Natural Resources has recognized 41 Washington state cleaners who participate in the EnviroStar Program. Using a two-to-five star rating system, the program awards stars based on how proactively each business prevents pollution.
Three Washington-based drycleaning businesses achieved the program's highest level, five stars. They were: Clampitt's Cleaners of Mercer Island; Four Seasons Cleaners of Seattle; and Madison Carnolia Drapery & Cleaners of Seattle.
Reaching the status of a four-star member of the program were: Ambaum Cleaners of Burien; Gay Hill Cleaners of SeaTac; and White River Cleaners of Auburn.
All of the remaining cleaners in the program were given a two star status. Those businesses include: Aloha Cleaners of Bellevue; Anna's Custom Cleaning of Bellevue; Bella Cleaners of Federal Way; Betty Brite Cleaners of SeaTac; Cascade Cleaners of Renton; Deluxe Cleaners of Kirkland; Five Star Cleaners of Bellevue; Four Star Cleaners of Normandy Park; Michael's Fine Dry Cleaning of Redmond; Northwest Cleaners of Bellevue; Panther Lake Cleaners of Kent; Redmond Cleaners of Redmond; Scott Dry Cleaners of Renton; Sparkle Cleaners of Kent; Stone Cleaners of Issaquah; Strom's Custom Cleaners of Burien; Sun Cleaners of Kent; Totem Lake Cleaners of Kirkland; and West Hill Cleaners of Kent.
Sixteen drycleaning businesses from Seattle also achieved two-star status, including: Apex Custom Dry Cleaners; Bon Ton Cleaners; Carson Cleaners; Cherry Cleaners; Emerald City Cleaners; Esquire Cleaners; Glo Cleaners; Jackson Cleaners; Jewel Cleaners; Joe Spate The Cleaner; National Cleaners; Quality Cleaners; Robert's Cleaners; Seattle Best Cleaners; Short Stop Cleaners; and Wardrobe Cleaners.
The San Diego Dry Cleaners Association will be offering California drycleaners the California Air Resources Board required course on the Air Toxic Control Measure on Oct. 27.
The Air Toxic Control Measure is part of a set of drycleaning regulations enacted by CARB back in 1994, which stipulated that drycleaning machine operators be certified as having completed a course on safe environmental procedures.
The class will take place at the Inn Suites Hotel, located at 2223 El Cajon Blvd. in San Diego, CA.
The class will run from 9 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. A book is provided for first-time certifiers, so re-certification applicants should bring their old book, certificate, and a picture ID.
Cost for the certification course is $100 for re-certification and $150 for first-time certification. Advanced registration is important because classes may be cancelled or moved unless an adequate number of people register.
For more information about CARB certification courses, contact SDDCA at 2545 Ridgeway Dr. #B, National City, CA, 91950-7733, or call (619) 267-5390.
Copyright © 2001, National Clothesline Maintained by: Hal Horning