Business digest

REGION

USW contract at Severstal extended to Jan. 31

WARREN — A labor contract between Severstal and the United Steelworkers of America has been extended until Jan. 31, according to the Web site of USW Local 1375 in Warren.

Bette Kovach, a Severstal spokeswoman, said the two sides have been operating with monthly extensions for several months. She declined to comment further on the negotiations, and Steelworkers officials could not be reached.

A labor contract for Severstal Warren and two other Severstal operations originally expired more than a year ago. American Metal Markets, a trade publication, said this week that a deal does not appear imminent. The Warren mill has been shut down, and more than 1,000 workers are laid off.

Sims Chevrolet reaches settlement in bias lawsuit

CLEVELAND — Sims Chevrolet, a Cleveland auto dealership, will pay $85,000 and furnish other relief to settle a racial-discrimination and retaliation lawsuit, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said Friday.

In its lawsuit, the EEOC charged that since July 2007, Sims Chevrolet subjected black workers to different terms and conditions of employment and a hostile work environment because of their race. The federal agency alleged that the discriminatory conduct included racial epithets and managers’ making sales-team assignments based upon race.

The settlement includes payments totaling $85,000 to five victims and other relief, which includes revising company policies and training.

Couple opens their 14th Little Caesar’s Pizza shop

WARREN — Lynn and Dale McBrier will open their 14th Little Caesar’s Pizza franchise with a ribbon-cutting celebration at 2867 Parkman Road at noon Tuesday.

The McBriers have opened all 14 stores in the past six years and are based in Erie, Pa.

The new restaurant will feature the “Hot-N-Ready” pizza concept available in all of their stores. It allows a customer to pay $5 for a ready-made cheese or pepperoni-and-cheese pizza.

From Vindicator staff reports