Las Vegas business briefs

AMERICA WEST, TEAMSTERS MECHANICS REACH TENTATIVE PACT -- America West Airlines Inc. said it reached a tentative agreement with the Teamsters union and its Local 104. The five-year deal is subject to membership approval. The airline declined to disclose details of the agreement until it is presented to union members. The union, representing about 450 mechanics, has battled with America West over outsourced mechanical work since 1995 when the company laid off 375 mechanics. Labor troubles with the Teamsters have been blamed for recent problems in America West's on-time and financial performance. The Phoenix carrier has a hub at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.

LV TEAMSTERS APPROVE CONTRACT WITH BUILDING GROUPS -- Members of Teamsters Local 631 approved a three-year contract with members of the Associated General Contractors and the Nevada Contractors Association Sunday by a 284-112 margin. The agreement will give members about a $1 raise each year of the contract, according to David Detrich, president of the local. The contract covers about 1,000 workers.

LV BUILDER BUYING ARIZONA FIRM -- Saxton Inc., a publicly held Las Vegas-based real estate development company, today said it signed a letter of intent to acquire an Arizona homebuilder for an undisclosed price. The builder, which Saxton did not identify, specializes in entry-level and move-up homes in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. It had revenue of about $50 million in 1997. Saxton is arranging financing for the transaction. Saxton expects to add its own product lines and business components to the Arizona company 's existing homebuilding operations, including apartments, townhomes, design-build projects and portfolio products. Saxton already operates in Las Vegas, Reno and Salt Lake City.

MCCARRAN PASSENGER TRAFFIC DECLINES IN AUGUST -- McCarran International Airport said it served 2.62 million passengers in August, down .9 percent from August 1997. For the year to date, traffic is off 1.5 percent. America West Airlines, the No. 2 carrier at McCarran, reported a decline of 14.8 percent in its August passenger count at McCarran. America West's McCarran traffic is down 14 percent this year as the Phoenix carrier has shifted resources to higher-yielding business markets.

ALLIANCE TO DEBUT 'LET'S MAKE A DEAL' SLOT MACHINE -- Alliance Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas said its Bally Gaming and Systems unit will introduce "Let's Make a Deal" and other new slot machines at this week's World Gaming Congress & Expo in Las Vegas. Developed for Bally Gaming's 3-D video Game Magic platform, "Let's Make a Deal" incorporates full-motion video sequences and real voice-overs from the show's emcee, Monty Hall. Let's Make a Deal is a five-reel video slot that will launch players into two bonus screens. In one, players can choose to either keep their winnings or trade for what's behind one of three doors. In the other, the player chooses from one of three audience characters in hopes of finding "Monty's Secret Envelope" containing a bonus prize.

CONSULTANT JOINS MONARCH CASINO BOARD -- Monarch Casino & Resort Inc. of Reno said gaming consultant Craig Sullivan was appointed to its board of directors.

AGRIBIOTECH IN RESEARCH DEAL -- AgriBioTech Inc. of Las Vegas said today it and Mycogen will jointly develop insect-resistant alfalfa and turfgrasses. The improved alfalfa will result in higher yields and enhanced nutritional value.

PACIFICARE LEAVING LAUGHLIN -- PacifiCare of Nevada, which offers its Secure Horizons Medicare HMO in Laughlin and Mohave County, Ariz., will leave the market Dec. 31, forcing 3,500 customers to search for alternatives. The company announced the move today, saying it had evaluated the market and determined it could not stay competitive and profitable. "We are disappointed to be exiting the rural market, however, it has become increasingly difficult to negotiate reasonable contracts with doctors and hospitals in these areas," said Rick Beavin, vice president of network management for PacifiCare. Secure Horizons customers will have the option of moving to one of the other two HMOs serving the area -- Sierra Health Services' Senior Dimensions or physician-owned Premier Healthcare Inc. -- or returning to a straight Medicare program offered through the federal government. Customers also could acquire a "Medigap" policy designed to cut the costs of co-payments.

LV UNAFFECTED BY TOYS 'R' US CUTS -- Toys "R" Us will shut down 90 stores, but none of its three Las Vegas Valley stores will be affected, officials with the nation's largest toy retailer said.

To contact Sun Business Editor Steve Green, call 259-4083 or e-mail [email protected]

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