REGION

REGION
Ormet plan approved
COLUMBUS -- A judge approved the reorganization plan Wednesday of aluminum maker Ormet Corp., clearing the way for the company to leave bankruptcy as workers at two plants in southeast Ohio remain on strike. "Although we can exit bankruptcy without first ending our labor dispute, that would clearly not be an optimal situation," Ormet chief executive Mike Williams said in a statement. A judge earlier allowed the company to break its contracts with workers at two plants in Hannibal, about 115 miles southeast of Columbus. About 1,300 workers went on strike Nov. 22, and the company has been using salaried employees to run the plants. The company, based in Wheeling, W.Va., is trying to cut $23 million in costs by freezing pension benefits, raising worker health plan contributions and changing work rules. The United Steelworkers proposed eliminating 300 of the plants' 1,220 jobs, raising the company's health care deductible and freezing its pension plan in favor of contributions to the union plan. The company confirmed that is negotiating with the union.
Alcoa to supply Fleetwood
PITTSBURGH -- A division of Alcoa Inc. will supply electrical distribution systems and components for Fleetwood motor homes, the company announced Wednesday. AFL Automotive, a joint venture between Fujikura Ltd. and Alcoa, makes components for the personal and commercial vehicle markets. The new contract is for Fleetwood 2005 and 2006 Class A diesel and gasoline engine motor homes. Alcoa is the world's largest producer of primary and fabricated aluminum. The company also owns Reynolds Wrap, which makes foils and plastic wraps.
Hospital purchase OK'd
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- Directors on the boards of Conemaugh Health System and its Memorial Medical Center approved the purchase of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Lee Regional hospital in Johnstown. The agreement, approved by a 28-2 vote Tuesday, covers contingencies and duplication of services, said Robert Gleason Jr., chairman of the Memorial board. The acquisition should be completed no later than Sept. 1, he said, pending review of regulatory agencies. Proponents said the deal would make it easier to attract and retain medical professionals and fewer patients would have to leave the region for medical help.
NATION
Tauzin heads lobbyists
NEW ORLEANS -- Retiring U.S. Rep. Billy Tauzin, who left his post as head of the House committee that regulates the pharmaceutical industry earlier this year, will become head of the industry's top lobbying group next month. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America made the announcement of Tauzin's hiring on Wednesday. Tauzin's spokesman, Ken Johnson, confirmed the hiring, but said he had no immediate comment. Earlier this year, Tauzin had been talking with the trade group about a post-Congress job, but his negotiations were widely criticized by Democrats and government watchdog groups. Tauzin had been chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which regulates the pharmaceutical industry. After 13 terms, Tauzin, a Republican, did not seek re-election this year to Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District seat. His son, Billy Tauzin III, ran as a Republican for the seat, but was narrowly defeated by Democrat Charles Melancon. Tauzin underwent cancer surgery earlier this year to have a tumor removed from his small intestine and was declared cancer-free after his release.
From Vindicator wire reports