Advance Auto Stores Inc. of
Roanoke and two affiliated companies filed a copyright
suit in federal
court against Enity Technology Ltd. of Hong Kong. The
companies claim Enity's use of "Endurance" to market
a line of electric batteries infringes on the "Endurance" brand
marketed by Advance Auto, first as a line of car batteries
and now including a range of other batteries and electrical
products. (The Roanoke Times)
United Auto Workers Local 2069 voted to approve
a contract with Volvo Trucks North America at
the company's Dublin plant. Workers rejected an earlier
proposal in February. The union represents about 2,800
of the plant's 3,000 employees. (The Roanoke Times)
The United Steelworkers of America filed a
petition seeking a vote on union representation by
workers at Howmet Castings in Hampton. The last attempt
at unionization, by the International Association of
Machinists and Aerospace Workers, was rejected 513-202
in 1996. (Daily Press)
Ray Cartwright, a Chesapeake farmer, won a
$2.3 million decision in civil court against the Virginia
Department of Transportation over condemnation
and subsequent land locking of some of his farmland.
When VDOT took 13 acres of the Cartwright farm to rebuild
U.S. 17, it offered him a top figure of $300,000 and
agreed to allow access to 391 acres of property that
was left without public access. The offer for access
was later rescinded and Cartwright sued over the land's
loss in value. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
