Ohio unemployment rate stays the same

Ohio unemployment rate stays the same

YOUNGSTOWN

Ohio’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains the same at 5.2 percent in May from the previous month.

Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 12,000 over the month, from 5,395,000 in April to 5,407,000 in May. The number of unemployed workers in Ohio was 302,000 in May — up 5,000 from 297,000 in April.

The unemployment rate in May was down from 5.7 percent in May 2014. In the past 12 months, the number of unemployed has decreased by 26,000 from 328,000.

The U.S. unemployment rate for May was 5.5 percent, up from 5.4 percent in April but down from 6.3 percent in May 2014.

Relocation of center

AUSTINTOWN

Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corp., a developer of immunological biotherapeutic products, announced the relocation of its plasma-collection center to 6000 Mahoning Ave., Suite 410. The 15,165-square-foot facility officially opened its doors for business Sunday. The plasma donated at Biotest Plasma Centers is used to manufacture care therapies that treat life-threatening disorders. The newly relocated facility is expected to expand to more than 50 employees with current employment opportunities available for medical personnel and phlebotomists.

GM adds some Vibes to air-bag recall

DETROIT

General Motors on Friday added more than 243,000 compact hatchbacks in the U.S. and Canada to the growing recall for the Takata air bags that can explode with too much force.

The company expanded the recall for passenger air-bags covers the Pontiac Vibe from 2003 through 2007.

The giant recall covers driver and passenger air bags in cars and trucks made by 11 automakers. Go to vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/ to check the database of recalled vehicles.

Hershey to cut jobs

HERSHEY, PA.

Hershey is expected to cut about 300 jobs by the end of the year as it looks to simplify its operations. The candy maker also cut its revenue outlook for the year.

Its shares fell more than 3 percent in afternoon trading Friday. The company has approximately 22,000 employees globally.

Greece receives a temporary lifeline

ATHENS, GREECE

With the clock running down on Greece’s chances of avoiding a painful exit from the euro, the country got a temporary lifeline Friday to help it cope with a bank deposit drain and turned its hopes to a European leaders’ summit next week.

The European Union president warned the situation was “getting critical” as Greece approaches a deadline June 30, when it has to make a debt repayment it cannot afford without more loans from creditors.

Uncertainty over whether Greece might default on that payment — something that could lead to the country eventually falling out of the euro — increased after a meeting Thursday ended in discord over what reforms the country should make to get more loans.

Staff/wire reports