Union says no to proposal from Allegheny Technologies

United Steelworkers union officials said they won’t submit Allegheny Technologies latest contract proposal to a vote by their members, who are working under the terms of a contract that expired June 30. USW officials said although the company’s July 24 proposal “shows measurable improvements on some issues,” it falls short of being a fair and acceptable offer. Workers are scheduled to picket the specialty metal producer’s Six PPG Place headquarters on Thursday.

FirstEnergy launches online feature on utility scam artists

FirstEnergy Corp., the Akron, Ohio-based owner of West Penn Power, launched an online educational section on its website to urge its electric utility customers to be wary of criminal fraud schemes. Nationwide, scam artists have gained entry to customers’ homes by impersonating utility company employees and threatening to shut off power. The site advises customers to refuse entry to anyone without a scheduled appointment and proper employee identification.

Pittsburgh among lowest in nation in credit card debt

The Pittsburgh metropolitan area has the nation’s 10th lowest credit card debt burden, according to CreditCards.com based in Austin, Texas. The company compared the area’s average credit card debt with its median income. Dedicating 15 percent of income to credit card debt, the average Pittsburgh-area resident would get out of debt in 12 months and would pay $287 in interest. San Antonio has the highest credit card debt burden in the nation and San Francisco has the lowest. The study found it would take 16 months and $448 in interest for a median-income San Antonio resident to pay off that areas’s average credit card balance.

Nordstrom adds Madewell clothing to its stores

Nordstrom is expanding its 15store partnership with Madewell to bring the clothing to an additional 15 stores, including the Nordstrom at Ross Park Mall. Madewell is a division of the J. Crew Group.

Thai Airways suspends unprofitable U.S. flights

Thailand’s beleaguered national airline Thai Airways said Monday it will suspend flights starting Oct. 25 to the U.S. as part of efforts to end years of losses.

From staff and wire reports