AK Steel union approves deal

Middletown's AK Steel has gotten its first success in negotiating a new, cost-cutting agreement with one of its unions. The company, which says it needs new labor agreements with all its unions to stay competitive with its rivals, said the United Auto Workers at its Coshocton, Ohio finishing mill Thursday approved a three-year agreement. The agreement covering 460 employees is similar to those negotiated by other steel makers, the company said. It calls for seven flexible job classifications, a defined contribution pension plan and cost-sharing on active and retiree health benefits. The company is in various stages of talks with unions at its six other plants, including Middletown.

Group protests 5/3 hiring, lending

A group that claims to represent African-American businesses in Chicago protested at some Fifth Third Chicago branches this week, contending the bank does not do its fair share of hiring minority contractors and lending to African-American businesses there. The African-American Coalition of Fair Banking also sent a letter to Fifth Third president and CEO George A. Schaefer stating their concerns and requesting a meeting. Officials at Fifth Third said Friday that they were trying to meet with the group and that they stood behind the bank's record of strong lending and its use of minority and women-owned contractors in all its markets.

Half Price Books opens 4th store

Half Price Books has opened a fourth Greater Cincinnati store at the Arbor Square Shopping Center in Deerfield Township. The 8,000-square-foot store is the fourth for the discount book chain, and it will sell new and used books, music and movies. Other locations are Northgate, Madeira and Springdale. Dallas-based Half Price Books operates 80 stores in 12 states.

Staff reports