Business Briefs – November 22, 2016

Toyota Recalling 834,000 Sienna Minivans in North America

PLANO, Texas (AP) — Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling 834,000 Toyota Sienna minivans in North America because the sliding doors could open while the vehicle is moving.

The recall involves Sienna minivans from the 2011-2016 model years. A majority of the minivans — 744,000 — were sold in the U.S.

Toyota says the problem happens when the door’s opening is impeded and the motor’s circuit gets overloaded. If the door is unlatched, it could open while the minivan is driving.

Toyota will repair the doors for free. It is still developing a remedy for the problem.

The company said it will notify owners about the fix by mid-January.

World Bank: Europeans Still Worried About Job Security

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The World Bank says people in Europe and Central Asia remain worried about job security despite modest economic growth.

The bank’s chief economist for Europe and Central Asia, Hans Timmer, said Tuesday that the region’s economies are expected to grow 1.6 percent this year, with similar growth levels in 2017 and 2018.

However, the bank says people are worried that many of the new jobs are temporary and part-time and the skills required are “driven by new digital technologies.”

Lufthansa Group Hit by Strikes, Cancels 100s of Flights

BERLIN (AP) — Cabin crew at Lufthansa’s budget unit Eurowings launched a 15-hour strike Tuesday, causing dozens of flight cancelations, as the German carrier warned customers to prepare for a larger walk-out by pilots Wednesday.

The Cockpit union announced Monday that pilots of all short- and long-haul flights out of Germany will go on strike in a dispute over pay.

The airline said Tuesday that due to tomorrow’s strike, 876 of 3,000 LH Group flights had to be cancelled. It said about 100,000 passengers would be affected, including on 51 intercontinental connections.