The Enquirer

ARLINGTON, Va. - US Airways made a last-ditch offer to its divided pilots' union Friday for a new labor contract as the beleaguered airline tries to avoid a second bankruptcy filing that may be just days away.

The offer came as the pilots met Friday afternoon in Pittsburgh, a meeting scheduled at the request of the hard-line union representatives who refused to send an earlier company proposal to the union's 3,000 members for a vote.

Time Warner offers Hamilton phone service

Time Warner Cable says its Internet-based residential phone service is now available in Hamilton. The company began the service to several southwest Ohio communities, including most of Hamilton County, in June. The service will cost $39.95 a month for existing digital cable customers. For those without cable or Time Warner's high speed Internet access, the service will cost $44.95 a month.

Midland expects up to $4M in Frances claims

Midland Co. of Cincinnati said Friday that it expects to pay $3 million to $4 million to cover claims of policyholders affected by Hurricane Frances in Florida. The Amelia-based insurer said those dollar amounts represent losses net of reinsurance, but before taxes. Midland insures manufactured homes, boats, recreational vehicles and other specialty items.

Goodyear trimming 340 jobs to cut costs

Akron-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., the largest North American tire company, will cut about 340 jobs to reduce costs in businesses that make chemicals and products such as gas-pump hoses and conveyor belts. Eliminating the positions will result in third-quarter costs of up to $29.5 million, Goodyear said.

Energy costs, trade deficit dip for U.S.

The economy got a double dose of encouraging news Friday as wholesale prices went down and moderating energy costs helped improve the country's trade deficit. The Labor Department's Producer Price Index, which measures costs of goods before they reach store shelves, dipped 0.1 percent in August. The Commerce Department reported the trade deficit shrank to $50.15 billion in July as U.S. exports rose and imports declined for the first time in nearly a year.