REGION

REGION
Small-business surveyshows hiring expectations
CLEVELAND -- A National City Corp. survey of small businesses in Ohio found that 37 percent of respondents expect to hire additional staff in the next six months.
The survey also found that 68 percent of small businesses in Ohio believe the economy will improve in the next six months and 44 percent plan to expand their operations. Nearly 600 businesses participated in the survey Oct. 1 as bank executives met with small-business owners across the state.
Astro Shapes, unionfail to reach agreement
STRUTHERS -- Union and management negotiators at Astro Shapes failed to reach a deal Thursday in their attempt to end the five-week strike at the aluminum extruder.
United Steelworkers of America Local 9401 said it proposed eliminating a clause on subcontracting but the company rejected the offer. The union, which has 320 members, is concerned that the clause could lead to the elimination of jobs at the plant. Dennis Brubaker, a Steelworkers staff representative, said the company's offer would be reasonable if not for the clause.
Astro Shapes is continuing production with managers and others.
W. Pa. jobless rates
SHARON, Pa. -- Unemployment rose a fraction of a percent in both Mercer and Lawrence counties from September to October as more people entered the work force, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
The jobless rate rose from 4.2 percent in September to 4.6 percent in October in Mercer County and from 5.1 percent to 5.4 percent in Lawrence County over the same two months.
The October 2003 jobless rates were 5 percent statewide and 5.6 percent nationally. In October 2002, jobless rates were 4.1 percent for Mercer County and 6.1 percent for Lawrence County.
From Vindicator staff reports