GM recalls trucks, SUVs for ignition issue

DETROIT – General Motors is recalling 92,221 full-size trucks and SUVs for a defect in ignition lock systems that can cause safety problems in hot conditions.

Thursday’s recall covers certain 2011-2012 models and certain 2007-2014 models that were repaired with defective parts. The recall is for U.S., Canadian, Mexican and exported vehicles.

The affected models are Chevrolet Silverado light-duty and heavy-duty pickups; Avalanche, Tahoe and Suburban; GMC Sierra light duty and heavy-duty pickups; Yukon and Yukon XL; and Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT.

GM said the ignition lock actuators may be too wide, making turning the key difficult when it’s hot inside the cab. No crashes or injuries have been reported.

Last year, GM recalled 2.6 million small cars for defective ignition switches, linked to at least 42 deaths and 58 injuries.

SeaTac wage hike has small impact

SEATAC, Wash. – City leaders in SeaTac say they’ve noticed little impact on the overall economy one year after voters increased the hourly minimum wage to $15.

KING-TV reports an estimated 1,500 total workers saw their minimum wage increase under the new law, including 400 who live in the city limits.

City manager Todd Cutts said there has been no impact on sales tax or property tax, and no change in the number of business licenses issued.

The law requires hoteliers with more than 100 rooms to pay workers $15 an hour. Scott Ostrander, former general manager of the Cedarbrook Lodge in SeaTac, said before the law was passed he would close several rooms in his hotel to avoid having to comply. However, Cedarbrook Lodge is now moving forward with a 63-room expansion and recently started paying the $15-per-hour wage.

Paul Guppy, researcher at the Washington Policy Center, said some employers are removing benefits like free meals to make up for the wage increase.

“We’re not seeing the big benefits that proponents said we would because so few people are affected,” said Guppy. “And at the same time, it’s not having a ripple effect through the economy. It just affects so few jobs, it’s not having much impact.”

The state Supreme Court is expected to decide soon whether Port of Seattle workers at Sea-Tac Airport will be included in the wage increase. That would increase the number of people affected by the $15-per-hour wage to around 6,500.

Ax maker to pay safety settlement

PORTLAND – Fiskars Brands Inc. has agreed to pay $2.6 million to settle allegations that safety regulators weren’t promptly alerted about a potentially defective ax made by the company’s Oregon-based subsidiary.

Federal prosecutors say Gerber Legendary Blades, based in Tigard, started receiving complaints within months of releasing the Gator Combo Axe in 2005. It reported potential hazards five years later and later issued a recall.

Court documents show customers complained that a knife secured by magnets inside the ax handle would slide out and slice them, the Oregonian reported. Consumer protection laws require manufacturers to alert regulators immediately after they learn about a product defect that poses a “substantial risk” of injury.

The settlement was announced Wednesday by the U.S. attorney’s office in Portland. It awaits court approval.

The Oregonian was unable to reach Gerber spokesmen Wednesday, and the company’s office was closed Thursday.

The company reported potential hazards with the ax to the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2010 and issued a voluntary recall the next year. Customers were offered a cap for the ax’s handle.