MEMPHIS, Tenn. >> FedEx will forgo special charges for most packages shipped during the chaotic holiday season this year as it squares off against rival UPS in a fight for a larger share of the millions of items now bought online. The announcement Thursday came two months after UPS announced new surcharges that will affect shipments near Black Friday and the holidays.
U.S. coal mine deaths increase
LOUISVILLE, Ky. >> Deaths in U.S. coal mines this year have surged ahead of last year’s, and federal safety officials say workers who are new to a mine have been especially vulnerable to fatal accidents. But the nation’s coal miners union says the mine safety agency isn’t taking the right approach to fixing the problem.
Nissan workers start voting on unionization
CANTON, Miss. >> Voting has started in Mississippi among 3,700 Nissan Motor Co. workers to decide whether to be represented by the United Auto Workers union. The ballots are being cast after intense lobbying by supporters and opponents that took on the trappings of a broader electoral campaign. The union has never been able to fully organize a foreign-owned carmaker in the South, but the Japanese carmaker works with unionized employees around the world.
Avon CEO to leave struggling company
LONDON >> Avon’s CEO will leave the company in March as the struggling beauty products maker continues a turnaround campaign. The company said Thursday that it had hired an executive search firm to help find a successor for Sheri McCoy.
Weed dispensaries face banks’ rejection
LOS ANGELES >> Paying taxes in California can come with a lot of risk — if you’re a medical marijuana dispensary. Even though medical pot is legal in the state — and recreational use will be on Jan. 1 — most banks refuse accounts from the pot business. That’s because they don’t want anything to do with money linked to a plant that remains illegal under federal law. Pot store owners pay a price to be legal: They often nervously carry around tens of thousands of dollars in cash to pay taxes.
ON THE MOVE
Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has announced three new independent agents.
Sun E. Park joins the Honolulu office. Park was a Realtor-associate at Primary Properties Inc. and worked 10 years as partner and general manager for Soho Fashion Inc. at Ala Moana Center.
Sheldon M. Tatei joins the Leeward office. Tatei was a Realtor at Innovative Realty Group Inc. with 15 years of residential sales and property management experience.
Alison Wisnom joins the Windward office. Wisnom was a Realtor-associate at Hawaii Life since 2013 and operated a commercial furnishings business in Washington, D.C., for 13 years.
