IN BRIEF

DETROIT

Delphi workers OK new union contract

Members of a union representing about 2,000 of Delphi Corp.’s hourly workers voted to ratify a new four-year contract with the auto parts supplier, the union said.

Seventy-five percent of International Union of Electronic Workers-Communications Workers of America members at locals with Delphi employees voted in favor of the deal, the union announced late Saturday.

“A message seeking comment was left Sunday with a spokesman for Troy-based Delphi.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York approved the deal last week, so the contract goes in to effect immediately, the Communications Workers’ industrial branch said. A tentative deal had been reached Aug. 5 after the union warned of a possible strike if progress wasn’t made on talks.

Delphi has said it needed union concessions to be able to compete against suppliers with cheaper labor costs. Delphi is the former parts division of General Motors Corp., which spun it off in 1999.

Delphi entered court protection in October 2005, and agreements with its unions are part of an effort to emerge from bankruptcy.

FORT WORTH, Texas

American to recall flight attendants

American Airlines plans to recall 460 flight attendants later this year, all of them former TWA employees, according to the airline.

The recall, which covers nearly a quarter of attendants on furlough, will address attrition and overall “staffing needs,” airline officials said. Union leaders have complained for some time that attendants are understaffed and are working with overly hectic schedules.

“We’re just happy to get some relief for our work group,” said Leslie Mayo, a spokeswoman for the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, the union that represents American flight attendants.

Lauri Curtis, American’s vice president of onboard services, said in a statement that “recalling a total of 660 flight attendants this year will help to ensure that American provides the best possible onboard experience for our customers.”

The airline will bring back 260 attendants on Nov. 13 and 200 on Dec. 18.

CHICAGO

Chicago Tribune to reduce paper size

The Chicago Tribune is reducing its page size slightly, a step being taken increasingly by U.S. newspapers.

The daily will debut its new 12-inch page width — narrower by one-half inch — on Jan. 14.

It said the cost-saving move will result in “an improved reader and advertising experience,” providing advertisers with more universal ad sizes as it conforms to the new industry standard.

The Tribune’s editorial design also will be updated to enhance reader appeal, the Tribune Co.-owned newspaper said in a written statement.

“This minor change in our page dimensions will allow the newspaper to more effectively serve our customers with our award-winning journalism and an enhanced advertising environment,” said Scott Smith, the newspaper’s president, publisher and CEO.