THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 31, 1997 TAG: 9701310739
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 52 lines
The Port of Richmond handled a record volume of cargo in 1996, its fourth consecutive year of growth. The small port saw 585,878 tons of cargo shipped across its docks last year, 12.6 percent more than 1995. Last year 115 vessels called at the terminal. Shipments of containers led growth at the terminal, rising 18.6 percent. A 23.8 percent surge in tobacco imports failed to offset a slight decline in break-bulk cargo tonnage. A $1.5 million improvement project completed last year added a 5-acre container lot and upgraded the terminal's rail lines and wharf fenders. (Staff) Vote set on Gwaltney union contract
Gwaltney of Smithfield Ltd. and Teamsters union negotiators have agreed to a five-year contract for about 1,400 workers at the Smithfield plant and its hot dog plant in Portsmouth. The Teamsters Local 822 union agreed to a pay freeze in the first year of the contract in exchange for ``dramatic increases in benefits,'' such as the addition of a 401(k) retirement savings plan. Pay for the workers, who average about $8.50 an hour, will increase by 25 cents an hour each year after the first. The current contract expires Feb. 5. Workers will vote on the new one Feb. 9 and have agreed to work until the vote. (Staff) American Cyanamid pays $7.3 million settlement
American Cyanamid Co., one of the world's largest manufacturers of agricultural chemicals, will pay $7.3 million in a multi-state settlement to resolve federal charges of price fixing. Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon filed a complaint and settlement agreement in federal court in Jefferson City on behalf of all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Nixon and the other attorneys general charged that American Cyanamid offered farm chemical dealers rebates only if its products were sold at or above retail price. (Associated Press) Nationwide faces lawsuits over alleged redlining
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. is facing lawsuits in at least seven states for allegedly telling its agents to avoid insuring homeowners in minority neighborhoods. The Justice Department is looking into whether the nation's sixth largest property and casualty insurer violated civil rights laws. At least six Nationwide agents have said they were told not to do business in sections of cities where minorities were in the majority. Nationwide spokesman John Millen said Nationwide is working on a plan to increase business in urban neighborhoods, but not because of the Justice Department inquiries. (AP)