Organized Labor Gets Its Mojo; $7.4M R&D Center Planned

Some labor unions have made important gains recently, Dan O’Brien details in The Business Journal’s September cover story. 

And labor unions grabbed headlines this week. 

On Sunday, workers at Ultium Cells approved an interim agreement that boosts their wages. Then on Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown joined David Green, former president of United Auto Workers Local 1112, and other UAW members to discuss the new agreement and other matters of concern from Ultium’s workforce.

In other labor union news, the Warren local of the American Federation of Musicians disbanded and was absorbed by the Youngstown local.

Also this week, the 177th Canfield Fair got underway, and Guy D’Astolfo highlighted some of the new and unusual attractions.

Here’s a look at those stories and other top stories this week from businessjournaldaily.com:

‘Bargaining Power’: Organized Labor Gets Its Mojo

Some labor unions have made important gains over the past several years. Workers United, for example, now represents more than 1,100 at TJX HomeGoods’ distribution center in Lordstown. It is also leading the campaign to organize Starbucks coffeehouses throughout Ohio.

Then there are reminders that tensions between labor and management remain high, as the United Auto Workers emboldens its efforts to win big contracts with the Big 3 automakers and their electric-vehicle battery joint ventures. READ

Xaloy Plans $7.4M R&D Center in Austintown

Xaloy LLC said Tuesday it plans to build a $7.4 million research and development center at its Victoria Road plant in Austintown that would expand production capacity and increase efficiency for polymer processing.

JobsOhio, the state’s private economic development corporation, has provided a $2.2 million R&D Center Grant to support the project’s development. READ

Ultium Workers OK Pay Raise Agreement

Hourly workers at Ultium Cells LLC’s plant in Lordstown overwhelmingly approved an interim agreement that boosts wages by an average of 25%.

The interim wage agreement was ratified by a margin of 97.6%, the company said. More than 1,100 workers at Ultium’s Lordstown plant are represented by the United Auto Workers. READ

Horsepower and Alligator Sausages: A Closer Look at the Canfield Fair

The Canfield Fair opened Wednesday, bringing with it the familiar sights, smells and sounds that make it a tradition.

But there are always some new and unusual attractions. READ

Other Top Stories

New Mercy Health Hospital to Focus Entirely on Rehabilitation
Warren, Youngstown Musicians Union Locals Merge
Brown Discusses Wages, Safety with Ultium Workers and UAW
After 25 Years, Youngstown Community School Still Growing
Farmers Employees Chip In to Help Habitat for Humanity
‘Growing with the Times’: REM Electronics Pivots
Expert: ‘Whole Community Effort’ Needed to Repopulate Valley
Fisker Announces Planned Production Start for Pear EV
Youngstown Seeks Grant to Help Curb Tire Waste

From Around Ohio

Ohio Ranks No. 1 in the Global Groundwork Index
Next Round Open for Industry Sector Partnership Grants
Ohio Launches Venture Capital Programs for Tech Companies
Ohio Drivers’ Interest in Electric Vehicles Remains High
Lack of Affordable Housing Could Impede Ohio’s Economic Growth

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