Speaking for Massachusetts Employers

Associated Industries of Massachusetts is proud to speak for employers on key issues that affect economic growth in Massachusetts. Here are a few recent examples of AIM speaking out in the news media.

Tariffs

WBUR

Local manufacturers are preparing to pay more for items from Canada, Mexico, and China if President Trump’s tariffs go into effect tomorrow. Associated Industries of Massachusetts CEO,  Brooke Thompson says foreign suppliers will pass their higher costs on to manufacturers here. She also says the retaliatory actions by the targeted countries will make their products more expensive.

“If you’re talking something that’s 500 thousand or a million dollars, a 25 percent retaliatory tariff on that is a huge hurdle for customers. that’s going to certainly have. Really potentially impactful downstream effects.]” Thompson says manufacturers will have to pay more for electricity to operate their facilities.


WFXT – Trump’s ‘troubling’ tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China ‘going to touch everyone’ in Mass., expert says
MassLive – The only winner in U.S./Canada trade war ‘will be China’: Top Canadian diplomat in Boston warns
Boston Herald – Tariffs on Massachusetts’ three largest trading partners will leave residents facing price hikes, Healey tells Herald
Boston Globe – New England politicians slam Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico
SHNS State Affairs – AIM Statement on Tariffs


 

Immigration

Immigration

WBUR – Business group advises companies to prepare for immigration enforcement

AIM is helping businesses prepare for federal immigration enforcement to protect their workforce and stay compliant. “We are anticipating that increased enforcement in this space could disrupt industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor,” AIM Chief Executive Brooke Thompson said. “What we’re trying to do is help businesses protect their workforce, ensure they’re in compliance, and navigate through some of this uncertainty,” says AIM CEO Brooke Thomson.
Learn More


 

Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment

The Boston Globe – How a $2.5 billion error could be an opportunity to fix the state’s ailing unemployment system

AIM CEO Brooke Thomson weighs in on Massachusetts’ $2.5 billion unemployment mistake, urging leaders to find a long-term fix. With a $2 billion bill looming, all eyes are on the state’s $9 billion rainy day fund. “If it’s not raining now, it certainly will be in a few years,” says AIM CEO Brooke Thomson. Learn More


 

Funding Freeze

Funding Freeze

State House News Service – Massachusetts scrambles to understand, react to federal funding freeze

AIM is tracking the federal spending freeze, which could leave some MA businesses struggling to make payroll. “AIM is working with the MA Congressional delegation to determine the moratorium’s potential effect on employers.” Learn More


 

Wage Transparency

Wage Transparency

Boston Business Journal – Mass. employers face new wage reporting rules, starting this week

Massachusetts’ new pay transparency law is now in effect, requiring employers with 100+ workers to submit wage data already reported to the EEOC. Kyle Pardo, EVP of HR Services at AIM, urges businesses to prepare now: “This isn’t something you should put off to September. Employers need to ask themselves what their pay philosophy is … it’s time to put structure to that.” Learn More

WBUR – When Will Salary Ranges Be Required on Job Postings?