REGION

REGION

Organization to create mobile learning center

YOUNGSTOWN/GIRARD — Cerni Motors of Youngstown and Girard Equipment Co. have donated a Wabash Dry Freight Van Trailer, through the contact efforts of Nick Strimbu Inc., to the nonprofit organization, Precision Manufacturing Institute (PMI), located in Meadville and Sharon, Pa., to be used as a mobile learning center.

The learning center will visit schools and events to promote and educate students and the public on the manufacturing industry along with career opportunities and/or educational opportunities in their surrounding areas. Once completed, the trailer will include interchangeable and interactive exhibits, which highlight how the industry has embraced technology and also highlight new advances in manufacturing.

The learning center will also be designed to offer manufacturing clients and prospects the ease and availability of on-site training and hands-on test-drives for software and equipment solutions at their location.

NATION

Steelworkers union prepares for strike

PITTSBURGH — Members of the United Steelworkers union have voted to give the union authority to launch a nationwide strike against ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel producer, if ongoing contract negotiations fail. The union has been negotiating with Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal since April over a new labor contract that would cover more than 14,000 workers and tens of thousands of retirees. The current contract expires Monday.

ArcelorMittal said it remains committed to trying to reach a settlement before Monday.

The contract affects hourly production, maintenance, office and technical workers at facilities in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, South Carolina, West Virginia and Minnesota.

Starbucks cuts some raises

Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Schultz and other executives at Starbucks Corp. won’t receive salary increases in the next fiscal year, according to an internal memo sent this week. The move is part of the Seattle-based coffee chain’s effort to cut spending.

All U.S. workers at the vice president level and above will not get raises for the coming fiscal year that starts at the end of September, the memo said. The memo also said that, based on Starbucks’s year-to-date performance, the company doesn’t appear likely to hit the financial targets that trigger its general management incentive plan payouts.

Vindicator staff/wire reports