Union wins at Towne for first time in 42 years

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	Tuesday, February 12, 2008
	Union wins at Towne for first time in 42 years Approximately 40 truck drivers employed by Towne Air Freight LLC in Indianapolis have voted to be represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. It was the first time in Towne's 42-year history that drivers have opted to join a union. However, the South Bend company said it would not stop its drive to make more of its drivers independent contractors.   GM posts big loss, offers more buyouts General Motors Corp. today reported the largest annual loss ever for a U.S. auto company and said it is making a new round of buyout offers to hourly workers as it struggles to turn around its North American business amid a weak economy. GM said it lost $38.7 billion in 2007. The loss was due largely to a third-quarter charge related to unused tax credits. The Detroit-based automaker said it is offering a new round of buyouts to all 74,000 of its U.S. hourly workers who are represented by the United Auto Workers.
	Report: Indiana work force unprepared Nearly one in four Hoosiers of working age have at least one problem that makes them difficult to employ, according to a report from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Lack of a high school education and inability to speak English are among the deficiencies. "Workforce development is the number one issue in making sure Indiana can continue to compete national and internationally," Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar said in a statement. Powerway CEO elevated to chairman Powerway Inc., an Indianapolis-based developer of manufacturing quality control software, today gave CEO H. Dave Chambliss the additional title of chairman. Chambliss was hired in January 2007 because of his reputation as an IT industry turnaround expert. Chambliss replaced William Hagerty and Dave Peterson, a pair of venture capitalists and Powerway investors. They served as co-interim CEOs after auto industry veteran Ted Wozniak stepped down in 2005.   MetLife closing north-side office New York insurer MetLife Inc. is closing its call center at 9001 Wesleyan Road and shifting the employees to working from home, the company said today. Approximately 89 workers take calls for auto and home claims. The office is located near Interstate 465 and North Michigan Road. Delaware company proposes biodiesel refinery A Delaware company wants to build a biodiesel refinery on a 32-acre site in Fulton County just east of another area that has been rezoned for a proposed ethanol plant. The plant eventually would produce 20 million gallons of biodiesel fuel a year and employ 15 to 18 people, said Shane Blair, executive director of the Fulton Economic Development Corp. Fulton County is between South Bend and Kokomo.   Illegal immigrant bill hearing tomorrow A hearing about legislation that would penalize businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants begins at 9 a.m. tomorrow before the House Committee on Public Policy in the House chamber at the Statehouse. The bill, authored by Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, has passed the Senate. The bill calls for businesses that knowingly hire illegals to have their licenses to operate suspended or revoked. Many business groups oppose the legislation.   Carson seeks 'balance' in run for Congress The grandson of the late Rep. Julia Carson says he wants to emphasize his positions on the economy, education and other issues - and not his family ties - leading up to the March 11 special election to fill the seat for the rest of this year. Democratic candidate Andre Carson appeared yesterday at a downtown hotel with Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., before about 30 supporters to tout his support for education reforms, such as allowing more flexible student testing under the federal No Child Left Behind law.
	Blog: Champ Car bankrupt? Indy Racing League boss Tony George returns from Japan today with what league sources say is good news concerning the possible unification with Champ Car. Meanwhile SpeedTV and AutoRacing1.com are reporting that Champ Car will file bankruptcy today. So why is George eager to broker a deal with broken down Champ Car? To weigh in, go to IBJ's new sports business blog, The Score. From IBJ staff - Compiled by Norm Heikens Ice and snow hit Hoosier state Several accidents were reported after a winter storm blew through central and southern Indiana overnight. In one accident, a semi-trailer truck overturned on Interstate 65 in Johnson County. Fox 59 will update conditions at 10 p.m.
	Ballard granted control of police The City-County Council voted 21-8 last night to shift control of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to Mayor Greg Ballard from Sheriff Frank Anderson. Ballard will work with Police Chief Michael Spears and Public Safety Director Scott Newman to oversee the department. The changeover goes into affect Feb. 29. Tax bill would hurt Indianapolis, Ballard says Mayor Greg Ballard told the state House Ways and Means Committee yesterday that Indianapolis would need financial support from the state in order to counter a loss of revenue caused by limiting taxes. A bill that passed in the Senate would cap property taxes. Suspect in 8-year-old's death due in court An Indianapolis man accused of killing an 8-year-old girl is scheduled to appear in court today. Police say Emmanuel McClendon Jr., 26, shot Karissa Hitchings while firing into a home at 2317 White Ave. on the near north side. Prosecutors are expected to ask the court for more time to decide on what, if any, charges to file. The investigation is ongoing. Winona trustee keeps fighting Paul Greske, the bankruptcy trustee overseeing the liquidation of Winona Memorial Hospital, is pushing for a showdown in court to prove his claims that Winona's former owner illegally transferred more than $4 million out of the hospital.   Taking shot at franchises A Fishers company is doing so well with its multi-court basketball fieldhouse that it is franchising the operation.   Changes down road for transportation planning group? The Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization is exploring a merger with a peer group in Anderson.
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