The week in review
Highlights from the past week in the local business world:
New suit: Three employees of Boeing's 787 campus in North Charleston have filed an unfair labor practice charge against a union recently at the center of a national dispute. The National Right to Work Foundation said the complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board said the International Association of Machinists retaliated against workers at the nonunion local plant.
The NLRB dropped a lawsuit it filed on behalf of the IAM against Boeing last month, moving to end the case after the union approved a four-year contract extension. The NLRB lawsuit said Boeing broke labor laws when it opened the North Charleston line, punishing union workers in Washington state for past strikes. It also argued Boeing should return the local 787 line to the Seattle area.
Shutting down: National tax-representation firm JK Harris & Co. suspended all operations, putting more than 100 area residents out of work, and is setting the stage for a possible liquidation of its assets. CEO John K. Harris had been attempting to restructure and sell the bankrupt business since October. But he said the company was unable to line up more funding. The firm's 135 workers in Goose Creek were told Thursday to return Friday to pack up their personal belongings. More than 5,000 customers who had hired JK Harris to resolve their tax debts also are left in the lurch.
Expansion-minded: A company that works with many of the world's top drugmakers is expanding its North Charleston laboratory and manufacturing operation. AAIPharma Services announced the investment in new equipment and a second filling line. The company also is launching a second shift at the Faber Place Drive facility this month. The company plans to hire 15 to 20 employees to its current 50-worker local payroll over the next 90 days.
All a twitter: A Mount Pleasant company has garnered national attention after suing a former employee, saying the worker cost the company thousands of dollars when he took 17,000 Twitter followers with him when he quit.
PhoneDog LLC filed a lawsuit against Noah Kravitz, who worked for the firm from 2006 to 2010. The website, which reviews wireless devices, said Kravitz owes them $340,000. The company said when Kravitz resigned, he changed his Twitter name and kept his 17,000 followers. The company said the followers should be treated like a customer list.
Urge to merge: One of the largest law practices in the region is beefing up its Charleston office. Hagood & Kerr PA, a Mount Pleasant firm co-founded by former state Rep. Ben Hagood, said it is merging with Moore & Van Allen effective Jan. 1.
Final clearance: The local furniture chain that owned a West Ashley store where nine firefighters fighting a blaze died four years ago is going out of business. Sofa Super Store chain announced its two remaining stores in North Charleston and Mount Pleasant will close after a liquidation sale starting Jan. 5.
For the latest in local business news, go to www.postandcourier.com/business.
