Business news digest
REGION
Ryan: Lockout should end
WARREN — U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, has asked Concord Steel to end the lockout of its workers and to resume bargaining. Ryan sent a letter to the company that called the lockout “very perplexing and troubling.” He added that a strike or lockout should only be used as a last resort, “not as a measure to force the hand of one side or another.”
Jim Jones, Concord’s director of human resources, could not be reached for comment.
The company, which makes counterweights used in products such as cranes and elevators, locked out its workers Oct. 31 in a labor contract dispute. A contract with the United Steelworkers of America expired in August but had been extended until Oct. 31. About 100 union workers are off the job.
First Niles dividend
NILES — First Niles Financial declared a dividend of 16 cents a share on common stock and 17 cents a share on preferred class A stock. The dividend will be payable Dec. 19 to shareholders of record Dec. 5. The company is the parent of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association of Niles.
From Vindicator staff reports