Business digest

REGION

To say thanks, Nemenz will offer refreshments

POLAND — Henry Nemenz said he’s received so many phone calls of support this week that he is offering free hot dogs and soft drinks at his Save-A-Lot store on U.S. Route 224 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

“I just wanted to say thanks for your support,” the grocer said.

Some members of the community have agreed to help run a grill in the parking lot, he said. People have been calling Nemenz this week in response to a Vindicator story this past Sunday about the ongoing informational picketing at his Poland and Struthers stores. Pickets from the United Food and Commercial Workers are out to inform the public that the stores are nonunion.

NATION

AT&T, CWA tentatively agree on new contract

NEW YORK — AT&T Inc. and its largest union have tentatively agreed on a new contract for 18,500 employees in the Midwest.

Leaders of the Communications Workers of America, which has gone three months without a contract, reached the deal after nearly five months of negotiations with AT&T. Union members will vote on it in the next few days.

AT&T spokesman Walt Sharp said the proposed three-year contract with the CWA district covering Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana provides for wage increases of 3 percent for each of the first two years and 2.75 percent for the last.

Vindicator staff/wire reports