Business Digest

OHIO

Union to hand out leaflets about contract dispute

YOUNGSTOWN — Teamsters union members will be distributing leaflets this weekend outside two area car dealerships to highlight a contract dispute with General Motors and Chrysler. Similar distributions are being done in other areas.

Union officials said the automakers are demanding cost cuts that threaten the survival of car- hauling companies. Union jobs could be lost and turned over to inexperienced drivers, officials said.

Leaflets will be passed out at Sweeney Buick Pontiac GMC in Boardman and Columbiana Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Columbiana.

Groups oppose measure affecting phone service

COLUMBUS — Consumer groups are banding together to oppose Ohio legislation that would deregulate basic landline telephone service.

The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, AARP Ohio and other organizations said Friday that the legislation would increase rates, lessen consumer protections and decrease service quality.

Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander says the bill would create a deregulated monopoly in some rural areas that don’t have much competition. It would allow companies to raise rates for basic service $1.25 a year and give them more time to restore service outages.

However, a bipartisan group of lawmakers supporting the legislation, as well as the industry, say the change is needed to spur competition with other states and help create jobs.

From Vindicator staff and wire reports