Massachusetts News Briefs

Consumers fighting ATM surcharges
BOSTON — Consumers are fighting the state’s banks that imposed ATM surcharges on their non-customers in September. Their weapon of choice: ATM cards. New data shows the use of machines belonging to a new surcharge-free ATM network surged nearly 40 percent in October and November, shortly after the state’s biggest banks imposed the new fees The SUM network, distinguished by the bright green-and-gold decal slapped onto member ATM machines, has emerged in three months as the second-biggest network in Massachusetts, behind BankBoston. SUM started as a pilot program after the Massachusetts Legislature ended its formal session in July without passing a ban on ATM surcharges. On Sept. 14, Fleet Financial Group began charging a 75-cent surcharge on non-customers who use its ATMs. On Sept. 24, BankBoston started charging its non-customers $1 for ATM use.

Unions gain membership in Massachusetts
BOSTON — While the percentage of unionized workers in the United States slipped last year, Massachusetts boosted its union membership by 7.1 percent, or 30,000 members, according to federal labor statistics. Nationally, there was a net gain in the number of union members by 101,000 — including both new enrollments and employees that dropped membership. But the proportion of union employees dropped from 14.1 percent to 13.9 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Massachusetts boost in labor enrollment is likely due to increased recruiting, which has increased the proportion of union members in the state’s workforce from 15.1 percent in 1997 to 15.9 percent last year, according to union officials.

UMass success earns pay hike for President Bulger
BOSTON — His successes at increasing the University of Massachusetts’ endowment and boosting the school’s reputation have earned President William M. Bulger an annual pay hike of $49,000 and a contract extension until 2003. The 26 percent pay raise — to $238,000 from $189,000 — and the contract extension recognize what Bulger has done for the university since becoming president in 1996, said Robert Karam, chairman of university trustees. Private support of the university has increased by 70 percent since Bulger became president, and the endowment is more than $100 million, the Herald said.

AFC Cable sells to Thomas & Betts for $490 million
NEW BEDFORD — A major New Bedford employer has been sold to a Memphis, Tenn.-based electrical equipment company. AFC Cable Systems was sold for $490 million to Thomas & Betts, The Standard-Times of New Bedford reported. The company has a 73-year history in the city, where it employs about 575 workers. Nationwide, AFC has a workforce of about 1,400 at 18 facilities in 10 states. Company officials said no layoffs are planned. Under the terms of the deal, AFC, which manufactures electrical and communication cable products, will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Thomas & Betts. Ralph Papitto and Robert R. Wheeler will remain as AFC’s chairman and president, respectively. Betts had $1.6 billion in sales for the first three quarters of 1998; AFC’s sales were $202 million during the same period. The boards of both companies have approved the transaction, which still requires approval by federal regulators and shareholders.

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Emmy winning doctor cleared of fraud charges
LAWRENCE — A doctor known for his Emmy-winning television appearances and radio talk show success was cleared of fraud charges that his lawyer labeled a sham from the beginning. Police had accused Alan P. Xenakis, 49, of illegally cashing $10,000 worth of checks on the account of a business associate. Xenakis had pleaded innocent in Lawrence District Court, and last week, Judge Richard A. Mori criticized police handling of the case, dismissed all charges and ordered the incident expunged from Xenakis’ record. Michael J. Early, Xenakis’ attorney, had said the charges stemmed from a “smear” campaign launched after Xenakis’ North Andover business partnership with Pamela Cahill went bad. The two had run a medical employment agency called Trans Care Inc. The venture ended with a dispute in which Cahill accused the doctor of writing three bad checks totaling $10,000. In the 1980s, Xenakis was a medical consultant for ABC’s “Home” show, medical editor for Channel 7 in Boston and medical consultant to WRKO radio.

His television shows earned him an Emmy and 13 Emmy nominations.

School bus co. pays $1.25 million settlement
BROCKTON — A school bus company has agreed to pay $1.25 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a couple whose daughter was struck by a car as she rushed to catch a bus. Laidlaw Education Services admitted no wrongdoing in the agreement reached in Brockton Superior Court. Patrick Vaughan, senior vice president for Laidlaw, said the company maintains it did not cause any injury but decided to settle to avoid prolonged jury deliberations and a possible appeal. Laidlaw Education, which operates school buses across the country, is a subsidiary of Laidlaw Transit Co., based in Naperville, Ill. On Oct. 24, 1994, Melissa Hamill, then 12 years old, was crossing a street in Plymouth to catch a school bus. She was hit by another vehicle and sustained serious brain damage. “The bus company changed the schedule, and the bus came early,” said Peter Eleey, an attorney representing Melissa’s parents, Luann and Thomas Hamill. The Hamills sued the operator of the car as well as Laidlaw, and the motorist agreed to pay an $875,000 settlement earlier this year, Eleey said. Melissa Hamill now attends a residential school in Plymouth. Eleey said she is disabled because of the accident.

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