Business in brief: Carpenters union holds informational picket

The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters is holding an informational picket at a downtown Spokane remodeling project, protesting what it calls substandard practices by a contractor.

Eduardo Canales, a representative for the carpenters group, said the picketing will continue today and next week. He said the union group represents roughly 3,000 area carpenters and joiners.

The picket calls attention to wages and benefits paid by Construction Associates of Spokane, Inc., a firm that Canales said does not pay workers according to the area’s standards. Canales said owner Michael Galles of Construction Associates pays $8 to $18 per hour with limited benefits, including no family health insurance.

Prevailing wages for those jobs are $13 to $24 per hour, he added.

The project being picketed is an office remodeling and expansion in the U.S. Bank Building, 428 W. Riverside Ave.

Galles, however, said he has employees who’ve worked for him for a decade or longer. “My employees are happy and are not interested in going to a union,” Galles said. “What I pay them and the benefits they receive are private and between me and them.”

Oak Brook, Ill.

McDonald’s execs hint at new food product lines

McDonald’s Corp. executives said Thursday that the world’s largest restaurant chain will roll out a new trans-fat-free oil nationwide within the next year, while hinting they also plan to add more fruits and vegetables to future menus.

McDonald’s already is using its trans-fat-free oil in about 3,500 U.S. restaurants.

Executives said they are spending more money on product development to make sure they have a “robust pipeline” of new food products for their 31,000 stores around the globe.

“We have some very strong products you won’t see in the next six months, you’ll see 18 to 24 months out,” President and Chief Operating Officer Ralph Alvarez told a shareholders meeting at the fast-food chain’s suburban Chicago headquarters.

McDonald’s officials said they were studying a dollar breakfast menu in certain markets while continuing to test premium Angus burgers, iced coffees and sweet tea at other sites around the U.S.

“We’re working hard on menu choice,” CEO Jim Skinner said.

McDonald’s shares have climbed more than 50 percent in the past year on strong financial results.

Officials also said the company would meet a July 1 deadline to begin complying with an ordinance passed by New York City banning the artificial trans fats used by many restaurants.