MORGANTOWN -- Some 200 cashiers, slot technicians and money room employees are set to strike at midnight Saturday at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester, complaining of "poverty wages" that make health care and other basic needs unaffordable.
The track's attorney says if that happens, it will be business as usual for gamblers. Supervisors, managers and other employees will cover for the missing employees.
The contract with Local 23 of the United Food & Commercial Workers expired March 1, and employees had continued working under an extension. But on Tuesday, members rejected the latest offer from Mountaineer, owned by MTR Gaming Group Inc.
Mountaineer lags behind competitors in wages and benefits, paying the unit an average wage of just $9.34 an hour, Secretary Treasurer Tony Helfer said Wednesday.
"The cashiers start at $6.50 an hour," he said. "If they want family health care, it costs them $109 a week."
Fifth Third, First Horizon ready to complete deal
CINCINNATI -- Fifth Third Bank said Wednesday it has reached an agreement to complete its stalled acquisition of nine First Tennessee Bank National Association branches in the Atlanta area.
First Tennessee will retain all loans held at the branches, but Fifth Third will assume the deposits, the companies said.
The purchase was announced in September but stalled in February, with both companies filing lawsuits. Those will be dismissed when the transaction closes, the companies said.
"We're pleased that all issues have been resolved, and we are excited to be welcoming our new customers and associates to Fifth Third Bank," Kevin T. Kabat, president and CEO of the parent Fifth Third Bancorp, said in a statement.
First Tennessee Bank National Association is the principal banking subsidiary of First Horizon National Corp. of Memphis, Tenn. It said in August it would sell all 34 of its branches outside Tennessee to four different banks.
"We are focusing our capital on our higher-return full-service banking businesses that are located primarily in Tennessee, where we have the largest business and consumer market share," Gerald L. Baker, president and CEO of First Horizon National Corp., said in a statement.
Fifth Third Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bancorp, a diversified financial services company with $111 billion in assets. It operates 18 affiliates in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Georgia.
Two local residentss become Tastefully Simple consultants
LAVALETTE -- Two local residents have become independent consultants with Tastefully Simple Inc., a national direct-sales company featuring easy-to-prepare gourmet products.
They include Mary Beth Sharp of Lavalette at (304) 522-2948 and Carey Dillon of Wayne at (304) 272-6096.
Sharp and Dillon will present the companies products at home taste-testing parties, where guests receive samples as well as tips and meal ideas.
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