Northeast News

For the fourth consecutive year, the Neighborhood Cleaners Association will organize Albany Day, an event which gives New York cleaners a chance to speak directly with elected officials so that they can discuss issues that are pertinent to the drycleaning industry.

In past years, Albany Day has been successful because as many as 50 to 100 cleaners have made the commitment to attend. NCA expects that this year will be no different.

One topic slated to be covered during this year’s proceedings is Bill #S5304, authored by Senator Balboni (R), that calls for a 4% state sales tax exemption on the purchase of 4th generation perc drycleaning machines, alternative closed loop drycleaning solvent machines and wetcleaning equipment.

NCA noted that a 4% tax exemption on a new $50,000 drycleaning machine could mean a savings of $2,000 for cleaners, which certainly is a strong financial incentive to encourage them to spend a day in Albany.

Additionally, other legislative issues will highlight this year’s issues, such as the lemon law (Bill #A2243) which is designed to help protect cleaners who have purchased 4th generation equipment that fails to meet the standards set forth by Part 232. In the Assembly, the bill’s sponsor is Jeffrey Klein (D).

Also on the list is the 90-day unclaimed garment requirement (Bill #A7640A) that would oblige cleaners to post a notice to their customers advising them that state law only requires that they hold unclaimed garments for 90 days before they can be disposed of. This law would help to free up cleaners from becoming entangled in legal/small claims hassles over garments that had been tossed out.

Of critical importance is the one-year enforcement period for third generation equipment (Bill #A2224). Without proper legislative guidance, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation could potentially set the deadline at its discretion. In such a case, the deadline might be reduced to a considerably shorter length of time, such as three or six months.

One other thing cleaners should be thinking about is the New York Department of Health’s ongoing efforts to accumulate information to support its claim that microscopic levels of perc vapor can result in adverse health effects. They are currently paying apartment dwellers $100 to participate in a study that seeks to prove it.

Albany Day will take place on February 5. Cleaners will board buses at 6 a.m. (call the NCA office to determine where your chapter will meet) to ride to Albany and meet in the Legislative office building by 9:30 a.m.

Those who participate will have an opportunity to speak with assemblypersons and senators between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For cleaners who cannot make it to Albany on February 5, NCA strongly recommends another way to support industry causes: sending an addressed letter to your legislator asking for his or her support, specifically on the legislative bills that will be discussed during this year’s Albany Day. To make it easier on cleaners, NCA has prepared sample letters that cleaners may use to voice their concerns to key political figures.

More information on Albany Day and the industry issues that will be covered this year are available by calling NCA at (212) 967-3002, or at www.nca-i.com.

A wide range of educational offerings for the coming year will be offered by the Neighborhood Cleaners Association. According to NCA Director of Operations Ann Hargrove, this year’s seminars have been expanded to keep the class curriculum as current as possible.

“NCA developed these programs to help cleaners develop their professional skills and expand their potential for profit,” she said. “We have redesigned and upgraded the content and delivery of the material of the courses. We have expanded the courses to use effective training techniques and up-to-date information that cleaners can apply immediately to their daily operation.”

The association’s comprehensive ten-week “Principles and Practices of Drycleaning” course will meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings at NCA’s office in New York City from 7 to 11:00 p.m. Starting dates for the class include: January 14; March 25; March 26 (in Korean); August 8; October 21; and October 22 (in Korean). Tuition is $870.

NCA will also offer the course in a one-week format that will meet from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. One course is scheduled to run from January 28 through February 1, and the other one takes place from June 10-14. Tuition for the one-week course is $645.

A four-week course on pressing will meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7 to 11:00 p.m., beginning on January 15, March 26, June 4 and October 22. Tuition is $380.

Several one-day courses will also be available, including an Advanced Spotting and Bleaching class on March 10 and November 11.

Technical Training for Counter Personnel, which will cover spotting and cleaning, takes place on Feb. 24 and costs $65 per person.

On the same day, NCA will offer a one-day wetcleaning course from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. NCA members pay $150; non-members pay $195.

On April 14, a one-day course on leather will take place, and on May 19, a one-day course on wedding gowns will be available. Both courses run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $150 for members and $195 for non-members.

A course on “Business Practices” is planned from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 21, and a one-day workshop covering shirts will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 18 and cost $125. Class attendees have the option to stay for a second day, scheduled on August 19, for another $75.

Other courses are tentatively planned for the coming year, including: “Basic Machinery Maintenance,” “Drycleaning & Management” and “Bleaching.” Specific class times and dates have yet to be determined.

For a full schedule, visit NCA’s web site at www.nca-i.com. For more information, contact Hargrove at NCA, (212) 967-3002, ext. 231.