BUSINESS BRIEFS.(TO THE POINT)

TRANSPORTATION

Ford seen shuttering 5 facilities

The No. 2 automaker will probably close 5 North American plants employing 7,500 workers as part of a restructuring plan being announced next month, according to a published report. The plants include 3 in the U.S. and 2 in Canada and Mexico. The report appeared a day after Ford said Nov. sales of its 3 main brands fell 18%. Recently, GM announced it will shut 12 plants and lay off 30,000 workers in a bid to curb losses. Ford rose 0.5% to 8.15.

Boeing, union reach 3-year deal

Boeing engineers and technical workers voted to accept a 3-year labor pact that will boost average engineer salaries 17% to $95,884, and average annual pay for technical workers 15% to $71,134. The agreement covers 18,000 workers. Boeing's production schedule was set back in Sept. because of a 4-week-long machinists strike. To resolve that dispute, it agreed to boost pension benefits and cap health care premiums. Boeing fell 0.5% to 69.44.

Report gives airline group a lift

The brokerage firm raised '06 estimates and price targets on several carriers, helping shares rally even ...