Press Releases

BOSTON, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Wal-Mart has agreed to pay $40 million to as many as 87,500 of its current and former employees in Massachusetts in what is the largest wage-and-hour class action settlement in the state's history.

The class action lawsuit, which was originally filed in 2001, accused the retailer of denying workers rest and meal breaks, refusing to pay overtime and manipulating time cards to lower employees' pay. Under the terms of the deal, which was filed in Middlesex Superior Court today, any person who worked for Wal-Mart between August 1995 and the settlement date will receive a payment between $400 and $2,500 depending on number of years worked, with the average worker receiving a check for $734.

Robert Bonsignore, Lead Counsel for the Pedro and Mejia actions, successfully argued before the Massachusetts Supreme Court that the action should be recertified after the trial court essentially dismissed the case in 2007 and had it reinstated. Bonsignore confirmed the settlement class is the largest for a wage-and-hour cases in Massachusetts history and that this is a major step toward closure for all concerned.

"Today is a great day for all Massachusetts Wal-Mart employees and for Wal-Mart, which acted in the best interest of their employees and served as an example to others," said Bonsignore. "In addition to the guaranteed $40 million, there is a real ongoing value because of the injunctive relief. The injunctive relief institutionalizes measures that eliminate, minimize and red flag for corrective action occurrences that were the subject of the employees' lawsuit. Wal-Mart should be commended for acting in the best interest of its employees here."

Any further questions can be further directed to Lead Counsel Robert Bonsignore of Bonsignore and Brewer on his cell phone, (781) 856-7650.

SOURCE Bonsignore and Brewer

SEATTLE, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today reported November operational results for its subsidiaries, Alaska Airlines (Alaska) and Horizon Air (Horizon).

ALASKA AIRLINES

Alaska reported an increase in load factor to 79.8 percent in November 2009, compared to 76.7 percent in November 2008, on a 1.3 percent increase in available seat miles (ASMs) compared to the prior-year period. Alaska also reported that 88.2 percent of its flights arrived on time in November 2009, a 6.8-point increase compared to the 81.4 percent reported in November 2008. The following tables show the operational results for November 2009 and for the first eleven months of 2009, compared to the prior-year periods:

                          November                  Year-to-Date
                          --------                  ------------
                    2009      2008  Change    2009     2008      Change
                    ----      ----  ------    ----     ----      ------
Revenue passenger
 miles
 RPMs (000,000)    1,479     1,402     5.5% 16,750   17,229       (2.8)%
Available seat
 miles
 ASMs (000,000)    1,852     1,829     1.3% 21,216   22,382       (5.2)%
Passenger load
 factor             79.8%     76.7% 3.1pts    79.0%    77.0%     2.0pts
Revenue passengers
 (000)             1,217     1,224   (0.6)% 14,243   15,532       (8.3)%
On-time arrivals
 as reported to
 U.S. DOT           88.2%     81.4% 6.8pts    82.8%    79.9%     2.9pts
----------------    ----      ----  ------    ----     ----      ------

HORIZON AIR

Horizon reported an increase in load factor to 72.6 percent in November 2009, compared to 70.5 percent in November 2008. Horizon reported that 87.5 percent of its flights arrived on time in November 2009, a 4.0-point increase compared to the 83.5 percent reported in November 2008. The following tables show the operational results for November 2009 and for the first eleven months of 2009, compared to the prior-year periods:

                  November                 Year-to-Date
                  --------                 ------------
            2009     2008  Change    2009      2008    Change
            ----     ----  ------    ----      ----    ------
RPMs
 (000,000)   194      181      7.1% 2,197     2,452     (10.4)%
ASMs
 (000,000)   268      257      4.2% 3,014     3,366     (10.4)%
Passenger
 load
 factor     72.6%    70.5%  2.1pts   72.9%     72.9%    0.0pts
Revenue
 passengers
 (000)       540      525      2.9% 6,165     6,858     (10.1)%
On-time
 arrivals   87.5%    83.5%  4.0pts   86.6%     85.3%    1.3pts
---------   ----     ----   ------   ----      ----     ------

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 and 2009 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Air Group, Inc.

DALLAS, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Feld Motor Sports(SM) announced today the launch of the inaugural Nuclear Cowboyz(SM)15-City tour, featuring the world's top freestyle motocross riders in a never-before-seen action packed, record-breaking theatrical freestyle motocross production. The non-stop, aerial amazement of this new frontier in freestyle motocross will travel to American Airlines Center for one performance on Saturday, January 23, 7:30 p.m. The arena is located at 2500 Victory Avenue in Dallas, Texas.

The Nuclear Cowboyz tour has assembled the world's greatest cast of freestyle motocross riders, including Adam Jones, Mike Mason, Nate Adams, Jeremy "Twitch" Stenberg, Ronnie Faisst, Todd Potter, Beau Bamburg, Nixey Danielson, Jim McNeil, Dustin Miller, Matt Buyten, Brian Foster, Jimmie McGuire and Jackson Strong. These legends of freestyle motocross will synchronize awe-inspiring tricks, like the amazing front flip, while attempting to break world records in a heart pounding two-hour scripted performance.

Nuclear Cowboyz truly is the dawn of a whole new freestyle motocross experience with the best FMX riders in the world performing together in one explosive theatrical production. Nuclear Cowboyz will ignite the arena floor with freestyle motocrossers defying gravity in this post-apocalyptic atmosphere, leaving the audience with an unbelievable and unprecedented adrenaline-rush.

The Nuclear Cowboyz tour is creating a new frontier in freestyle motocross by combining the high-octane sport and the high caliber of entertainment production for which Feld Entertainment is known. The story line rips wide open when the Nuclear Cowboyz reunite after chaos rocks their world. The sparse population divides into two tribes which operate without governance and compete for supremacy of their new world.

Fans will be blown-away by this new freestyle motocross performance format which includes a special appearance by Derek Guetter presenting an extraordinary back-flipping quad. New creative elements are integrated throughout the show and include the exclusive Nuclear Cowgirlz(TM) dancers, the latest pyrotechnics and pulsating hard rock music, exotic acrobatic fire presentations, sky-high stilt walkers, astonishing fire-breathers and the famed Grindergirl.

Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800/745-3000. Tickets are $65 (Gold Circle), $45, and $35.

For more information, please visit www.nuclearcowboyz.com.

SOURCE Feld Motor Sports

CARSON CITY, NV -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/02/09 -- Global Power and Water Industries (Carson City, Nevada) announced that they have formed a Joint Venture Company with Guangdong Meiyan Hydropower Co., Ltd. (Meixian County, Guangdong, China) (SHSE: 600868) and has been granted their CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF ENTERPRISES WITH FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. The new entity will be implementing the latest in concentrated photovoltaic solar technology and power storage technology for clean energy production in China.

On November 11, 2009, the Board of Directors of Guangdong Meiyan Hydropower Co. Ltd. and Global Power and Water Industries convened and passed the resolutions to establish the Joint Venture to be named "Guangdong Global Power and Water Industries, Ltd." Office facilities will be established at No. 1 MeiYan Science and Technology Park, MeiXian County, Guangdong Province, P.R. China.

The scope of the JV is to develop and build a 500 Megawatt Concentrated Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant in MeiXian County, Guangdong, China. Site planning, local government requirements and regulatory issues, as well as feasibility and engineering studies are set to commence immediately with a team of Global Power and Water Industries engineers traveling to MeiXian County after the first of the year.

Howard A. Foote, Chairman of Global Power and Water Industries, stated, "This JV Company is a very exciting step for both companies and moves us forward on our mission to bring Concentrated Photovoltaic Solar technology and Power Storage technology to large segments of the Chinese population. Guangdong Hydropower Co. Ltd. owns and operates eight hydropower facilities in China and they are a key strategic partner, properly positioned politically and financially in the power industry of China. They bring us the experience and expertise we need to successfully build and operate this, our initial facility."

Contact:
Gary Patterson
Email Contact

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The campaign for the Oscars kicked into high gear at last night's Piaget Men To Watch event, as Lee Daniels, the celebrated director of "Precious" toasted fellow Oscar hopeful Jeremy Renner, the star of "The Hurt Locker" which just swept the Gotham Awards. The two were being honored along with: Jeffrey Donovan, star of the TV series "Burn Notice", celebrity chef, restaurateur and now author David Chang, fashion designer Michael Bastian, and top-ranked US polo player Nick Roldan.

Piaget acknowledged the distinguished group at an exclusive cocktail party and touted them as the ones to watch in the year ahead. "It's a privilege to be in the company of these six accomplished gentlemen who exemplify style, strength of character and performance--the same ideals that we hold dear at Piaget," said Larry Boland, President of Piaget NA. In recognition of their achievements, Boland presented each of the honorees with a Piaget Polo FortyFive, the firm's bold new titanium and steel timepiece.

The event was held at the dramatic Lehmann Maupin Gallery on the Lower East Side, with the artwork of renowned British artist Tracy Emin providing a provocative backdrop for the festivities. An intimate crowd of New York's best and brightest from the worlds of film, fashion, art and design joined Piaget to personally congratulate the honorees.

Images are available for download at:

http://lsfiles.com/index.php?cc=674&cpwd=piaget&folder=Men+To+Watch

or via www.wireimage.com and www.patrickmcmullan.com

    Source: Piaget