Teamsters support Lifespan merger proposal

Teamsters Local 251, the largest bargaining unit at the Lifespan hospital network and representing more than 2,300 workers at Rhode Island Hospital, said it supports the proposed merger between Lifespan and Care New England. The announcement follows consideration of the proposal by Teamster members, as well as discussions with hospital leaders. Local 251 is also calling on state regulators to begin reviewing the merger application, since the union said it is concerned that the application is falling victim to bureaucratic delay tactics. Lifespan’s initial merger application was rejected in early June because it did not include a clause attesting to the information included. The union said the rejection of the application, which included an internal clause attesting to the documents, is jeopardizing the chance to make the state’s health-care system a regional leader. “Publicly endorsing a management proposal is not something Teamsters Local 251 usually does,” said president and business agent Kevin Reddy. “But the opportunity to improve patient care, expand research capabilities and create jobs in our state warrants our organization’s advocacy.”

Catalane, Sadusky to leave LIN TV Corp.

LIN TV Corp. (TVL:NYSE) yesterday said senior vice president and chief financial officer Bart Catalane is moving back to the New York area, where his family is, to become CFO of webloyalty.com. Catalane joined LIN in November 2006 and his last day is to be Aug. 20. A search for a new CFO is underway, the company said. LIN president and chief executive officer Vincent Sadusky, who was CFO from 2004 to 2006, will reassume those duties during the interim period. Also, Gregory Schmidt, executive vice president of digital media since 2006, is leaving effective Aug. 15 to become CEO of Global Translation, Inc., a company in which LIN has an investment. Schmidt joined LIN in 1995 as vice president of new development, general counsel and secretary.

Complaint lodged against Mashantuckets

The National Labor Relations board has issued a complaint against the Mashantucket Pequot tribe for refusing to bargain with the union that represents dealers at the Foxwoods Resort Casino. The United Auto Workers won a union election last November to represent nearly 3,000 dealers. The NLRB action brings the tribe a step closer to having the U.S. Court of Appeals review its case. A labor board official says this is just a procedure that allows the tribe to take the matter to the courts. Once before the federal appeals court, the tribe will argue that the NLRB did not have the jurisdiction to administer last year’s union election because of the tribe’s sovereign immunity.

Touchstone Crystal joins Direct Selling

Touchstone Crystal, of Cranston, has been approved as a member of the Direct Selling Association. Touchstone, a member of the Swarovski Group of Companies based in Rhode Island, was previously a pending member of the DSA and is now entitled to all benefits and services the association provides. “We’re thrilled and proud to become an official member of the DSA,” said Pam Kingston, director of sales and marketing for Touchstone, which offers do-it-yourself jewelry parties and kits featuring Swarovski crystals and crystal pearls. “Membership allows us to showcase Touchstone Crystal as the reputable and trustworthy organization it is.” Professional development programs, health insurance for consultants and research services are just a few of the programs offered by the DSA to its members. All companies belonging to the DSA are also required to follow the approved code of ethics, which is designed to protect direct selling members, consultants and consumers.

US Sailing redesigns Web site

Portsmouth-based US Sailing, a nonprofit organization that promotes excellence in sailing in the United States, has launched a revamped Web site, SailingCertification.com, to learn about sailing courses and find accredited sailing schools in 46 cities across the United States and Mexico. Founded in 1897 as the then-North American Yacht Racing Union, it offers a comprehensive instruction program for adults who desire to learn to sail in keelboats, from learn-to-sail, to basic and bareboat cruising, to coastal navigation and passage making. It also offers training for sailing instructors and powerboat operation, as well as training in sailboat racing, judging and umpiring. US Sailing is the national governing body of sailing and selects and trains the US Olympic and Paralympic sailing teams. “It’s about helping people realize the dream of getting out there on the water and finding their own adventure,” said Janine Connelly, director of training. “In redesigning SailingCertification.com, we wanted to demonstrate that anyone can learn to sail by showing them each course they need to take and centralizing the search for classes near their home or vacation destination.”

Yankee nuclear plant back to full power

The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon, Vt., returned to full power Tuesday after repairs were made to a leak in a cooling tower. The plant was reduced to less than half its normal power output on July 11 after a leak was discovered during an inspection of the cooling towers, which reduce the temperature of Connecticut River water used to cool the plant before it is returned to the river. It was the second time in less than a year that cooling tower problems have forced the 36-year-old reactor in Vermont’s southeast corner to curtail operations. Yankee officials say the repairs addressed a design deficiency in pipe support connections installed following the August 2007 collapse of one section of the west tower.

Conn. green products go international

Stamford, Conn.-based Green Earth Technologies has announced its first co-packing and distribution agreement with an international distributor. The first container-load quantities of their products have shipped to Nano1 Ltd., a New Zealand-based distributor of low maintenance, environmentally friendly products and services. Nano1 will facilitate both bottling and distribution of GET’s line of biodegradable car-care products. The company will stock the shelves of retailers in New Zealand and Australia, including Bunnings, with GET’s entire line. Nano1 will also distribute to the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia and the United Arab Emirates. “Nano1 Limited’s core mission is to provide our customers cleaning and maintenance solutions with a low environmental impact,” said Edmund Lim, director of Nano1. “In an effort to address the growing demand for green products in the countries we distribute to, we began a global search for environmentally accountable products that offer performance and a competitive price. In the process, we found the line by Green Earth Technologies.”

Film studio proposed for Bridgeport, Conn.

Bridgeport, Conn.’s zoning board is being asked to approve a Wilton company’s plans to build a movie production facility in the city. Clearlight Group, a multimedia company, is proposing to build a 60,000-square-foot film studio on Seaview Avenue. The project is the second of its kind to be planned in the area. In April, Hollywood East/Area 51 was chosen to redevelop the 78-acre former Army engine plant site on Main Street in Stratford. If it goes forward, the Stratford project could have as many as 30 sound stages. Clearlight says its Bridgeport facility would provide full support to the film, TV, music video, video game and advertising industries. The Bridgeport zoning board will consider the plan next week.