AFS News  

Instant Messaging System Released to Answer AFS Product, Service Inquiries
In an effort to respond as quickly as possible to service related questions, AFS has introduced an instant messaging system. This system allows individuals to chat live with representatives from the AFS technical, publications and membership departments.
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Have Metalcasting Related Books On Your Library Shelf? Donate Them Today
The AFS Butch Peters Library is seeking book and journal donations. AFS also will accept materials relevant to the metalcasting industry covering a wide range of topics, including casting processes, cleaning and finishing, energy conservation, environmental control, management, melting, molding and coremaking, safety and health, sand technology and metallurgy.
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Compilation on Magnesium Casting Technology Released
AFS recently released a new publication titled Casting Magnesium. This special compilation CD contains papers that were previously published from 2001-2009 in the Transactions of the American Foundry Society.
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Metalcasting Webinar: Is Safety Really First in U.S. Metalcasting?
On July 21 at 11:00 EST (10:00 CST) AFS replayed the 113th Metalcasting Congress' President's Session on safety. During this 60 minute webinar, attendees heard facts about our industry’s safety record, learn how safety can be planned for and controlled and hear a case study from a metalcasting facility that has achieved 2 million hours without a lost time accident.
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HR Solutions Casting Care Now Available for Corporate Members
AFS and its endorsed insurance and risk management broker, Willis HRH, have announced the HR Solutions Casting Care program, intended to help AFS Corporate Members control health care costs.
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Hotline

New Tool Calculates Electricity Price Increases for Metalcasting Facilities Under House Cap-and-Trade Bill
In late June, the House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), a cap-and-trade bill sponsored by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA). AFS opposed the bill because, among other reasons, the cap-and-trade scheme would cause electricity costs to skyrocket for all facilities (not just the covered facilities emitting over 25,000 tons of carbon equivalent). 
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Congress Discussing Card Check Compromise to Shorten Election Time and Mandate Binding Arbitration
Employee Free Choice Act supporters are now contemplating plans to replace the card check provision with a provision that would enable union elections to be held within five or 10 days of filing a petition with the National Labor Relations Board. It is our understanding that the compromise being discussed would leave in place mandatory arbitration to set the terms of a first contract and the enhanced penalties on employers (up to $20,000 per occurrence and treble back-pay damages) that unlawfully interfere with or discriminate against employees engaged in union organizing activity. 
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OSHA to Unveil New Recordkeeping National Emphasis Program
OSHA is in the process of finalizing a new Recordkeeping National Emphasis Program designed to look into the accuracy of injury and illness recordkeeping for evidence of under-reporting. 
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Climate Change Update: Mark-Up of Senate Cap-and-Trade Bill Postponed
Chairman Boxer (D-Calif.) has postponed the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee mark-up of a Senate cap-and-trade bill until September. She had initially pledged to pass a cap-and-trade bill through her committee by the end of the month.
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