“The ABA Human Resources Committee has an excellent agenda for its annual winter meeting,” said Robb MacKie, ABA president and CEO. “Both Senator Isakson and Representative Kline play important roles in creating policy that directly impacts the baking industry.

Being able to meet with these key lawmakers will give committee members excellent exposure to power players in Congress. Continuously building and maintaining these relationships is critical to the industry’s success.”

In addition to meeting with Representative Kline, ranking member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, and Senator Isakson, ABA members attending the Jan. 24-26, 2010, HR Committee meeting in Washington, D.C. will also be able to take part in crucial policy discussions with industry leaders.

Other highlights from the meeting include:

• Lunch with Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health;

• A discussion on pension plans with Kevin Wright, general counsel for a national jointly-trusteed multi-employer pension and health benefits plan with over $6 billion in assets;

• An in-depth analysis of labor union politics by Hal Coxson of Olgetree Deacons, a 30-year veteran of workplace law;

• A VIP tour of the U.S. Capitol given by Kelly Johnston, former Secretary of the U.S. Senate and 20 year political veteran; and

• A legislative and regulatory update by Peter Susser of Littler Mendelson, ABA’s labor advisor.

“This will be an excellent opportunity to meet with human resource and labor relations colleagues from the baking industry to discuss, and more importantly, take action on key issues currently impacting the baking industry,” said ABA HR Committee Liaison Cory Martin, senior manager, government relations. “With so much activity in D.C. at the moment – from the possible creation of a new health care system to the ever-present threat of labor regulations – it is extremely important for ABA members to attend this meeting.”

“I strongly encourage all bakers to have someone attend the upcoming HR Committee Meeting,” said Committee Chairman John Wagner, vice president of labor relations with The Kroger Co. “The agenda is packed with critical updates and action items on issues impacting all of our companies. If you are a human resource or labor relations professional working in the baking industry, you won’t want to miss this meeting.”

Information on how to register for this meeting can be found online at www.americanbakers.org or by contacting Cory Martin at (202) 789-0300 or cmartin@americanbakers.org