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July 1996

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President vetoes TEAM (Wednesday, 7/31/96)
Reuters reports today that President Clinton has vetoed Teamwork for Employees and Management Act bill that would have allowed company-run unions. Reuters also reports that the House of Representatives has passed a bill that would allow employees to choose time off for overtime rather than cash, as well as that the number of American farms continues to diminish, and that an arbitrator has ruled in favor of Bethlehem Steel Corporation on wage issues affecting 11,000 unionized workers.

Swissair cuts salaries in effort to survive (Wednesday, 7/31/96)
Tages-Anzeiger reports that unions are criticizing Swissair's decision to cut salaries beginning in 1997, but economists are saying that they're probably doing the right thing under the circumstances. The company wants to reduce personnel costs by 100 million Swiss francs. Also today, Neue Zuercher Zeitung reports that a Swiss postal worker has died from malaria. He had been infected by a mosquito imported on an airplane. The worker lived near the Geneva airport.

Continued state employee strife in Britain (Wednesday, 7/31/96)
The British government is saying that it might sue unions representing state employees to curb strikes. Talks involving postal workers have broken down, according to London's Financial Times.

Italian bank employees strike for first time in twenty years (Wednesday, 7/31/96)
La Repubblica reports that all of the branches of the Bank of Italy are on strike today, protesting cuts in the employee pension plan.

German court rules for time-limited academic contracts (Wednesday, 7/31/96)
Frankfurter Rundschau reports that the German court has upheld a June 1985 law saying that time-limited contracts for academics are legal if the position helps to train the academic, as well as under other conditions.

Culture clash (Wednesday, 7/31/96)
Steven Pearlstein of the Washington Post writes about the difference between entrepreneurs and the conventional corporate culture and what the costs of acquisition often are.

Smuggling human beings (Wednesday, 7/31/96)
Michael J. Jordan writes today in the Christian Science Monitor about how immigrants are being brought into Europe through its "back door."

How children are affected by work (Wednesday, 7/31/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal says what makes a difference is the type of job you have. Also, the paper has stories today on new types of temp workers in the hi-tech industry, and how welfare reform will hit the states.

Big training program for Hong Kong construction workers (Wednesday, 7/31/96)
Safety training should be provided for Hong Kong's 80,000 construction workers, according to association. The Hong Kong Standard reports.

Glitch in minimum wage bill (Tuesday, 7/30/96)
The Wall Street Journal reports that a little noticed provision of the minimum wage bill would exclude more than $500 million in U.S. retirement plan money from pension law protection.

ILO study finds women still at a disadvantage (Tuesday, 7/30/96)
The International Labor Organization, an agency of the United Nations, reports that working women worldwide continue to make about 25% less than men, on average, even though they work two to 10 hours more per week than men. Switzerland's Tages Anzeiger has the story today, as well as most other major papers around the world.

Thousands of French public service jobs to go (Tuesday, 7/30/96)
Le Figaro reports today that the French government will cut between 8,000 and 9,000 civil service jobs next year in an economy move.

Strikes in Germany canceled (Tuesday, 7/30/96)
Retail workers unions in Germany have called off a strike scheduled for the first day of the end-of-summer sale. Strikes later in the week remain a possibility, according to Frankfurter Rundschau.

More women on the bench (Tuesday, 7/30/96)
Today's Christian Science Monitor reports that the 1990's have been a time of more women judges. The Monitor also tells how more young people are looking for summer work that is career-related now, and the Japan Times reports that internships are also on the increase in Japan. Finally, Donald Rumsfeld writes today in the Christian Science Monitor about the relationship between political freedom and economic prosperity.

Families with more than two children get medical benefits (Tuesday, 7/30/96)
South Korea has changed its policy on birth control, according to the Korea Herald.

Republican rank-and-file taking labor issues one at a time (Monday, 7/29/96)
Republicans in the American Congress don't speak with one voice when it comes to organized labor, and this frustrates the Congressional leadership. Reuters reports.

American Stock Exchange downsizes (Monday, 7/29/96)
Bloomberg reports today that the American Stock Exchange will restructure, trim expenses, and cut 50 jobs.

Budget pressures bring consolidation in Switzerland (Monday, 7/29/96)
Financial crises, growing responsibilities, and personnel recruitment problems are leading to the consolidation of local governments in Switzerland, says Neue Zuercher Zeitung. As a consequence, the number of local communities has declined to less than 3,000. However, the average number of people in Swiss communities is still considerably smaller than in most European countries.

Dutch banking company to open offices in Asia (Monday, 7/29/96)
Het Financieele Dagblad reports today that the Netherlands' largest bank, ABN Amro NV, plans to operate about 30 banks in Asia which will employ about 1,000 people. The Asian middle class will be targeted.

State-owned Spanish mines to close (Monday, 7/29/96)
The Spanish government plans to shut down all of the money-losing mines owned by Hunosa within ten years. During the past ten years, the company has cut employment from 20,300 to 9,906.

Conductors to conduct strike in UK (Monday, 7/29/96)
London's Financial Times reports that UK train conductors have voted to hold 24-hour work stoppages in its effort to obtain increased productivity pay. The conductors' union also opposes job reorganization plans.

Employee theft a big problem (Monday, 7/29/96)
Today's Christian Science Monitor reports on the high cost of internal theft, and also presents opinion pieces today about how to counter corporate downsizing and why Dole's payroll tax cut ideas might make good sense right now .

Northwest maintaining high altitude, unions say (Monday, 7/29/96)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that unions at Northwest Airlines helped the company stop losing altitude a few years ago, and, now that Northwest is flying high again, the unions are not forgetting. Today's Strib also contains Ellen Goodman's syndicated Boston Globe column today about how so many Americans need cloning in order to balance responsibilities of work, home, and more.

Another likely consequence of new welfare legislation (Monday, 7/29/96)
The New York Times tells about how help for immigrants will probably shift to financially-strapped local agencies if federal assistance is lost. Also, the Times reports that the New York school system is scrambling to fill 3,000 jobs in time for school after large numbers of teachers accept incentives for early retirement.

Children shown why parents come home so late (Monday, 7/29/96)
Japan's Education Ministry wants employees' children to know that their parents are working, not playing, according to today's Japan Times.

President may be ready to sign on the dotted line (Sunday, 7/28/96)
Actually, we don't know whether bills have dotted lines or not, but, according to the New York Times today, President Clinton is indicating that he may be ready to sign a bill similar to what the Senate passed recently, although he may hold his nose while he does it. One of his campaign promises last time was to "end welfare as we know it," and, in order to avoid ending his administration as we know it, he feels pressure to get it done in time for the election. He doesn't expect to be totally delighted with the House-Senate compromise bill that will reach his office, but he's in a tight spot. Reuters says he vows to veto another "extremist bill," though.

It's probably safe to say that no one, including the people in Congress who have moved the bills along, really has any idea what the real consequences of new legislation will be, so stand by for frantic efforts to try to fix things if it all begins to go wrong after passage. As anyone who has ever written a computer program knows, it isn't even easy to get two lines of code to do what you expect. Unintended consequences of such an enormous social engineering project should predominate over the years ahead. Jason DeParle of the New York Time presents analysis today of America's new contract with its poor.

Jury finds for former General Dynamics workers (Sunday, 7/28/96)
Two former employees of General Dynamics will get $107.4 million in damages, according to Reuters.

Expecting war between the generations? (Sunday, 7/28/96)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune presents some trend data to ponder.

Things aren't perfect in Spain yet either (Sunday, 7/28/96)
Today's New York Times reports that Spain's new conservative government finds itself facing many of the same situations as the former socialist government, suggesting that realities often do overrule ideological fevers and contagions, and usually persist long after the echoes of intemperate campaign rhetoric have faded. In the United States, another Clinton administration or a Dole administration will face the same problems and will have to deal with many of them in the same ways, despite all the talk now. The Times also has a new article in its Job Market section on "surviving the ax with outplacement." Among other things, it reports on how affected individuals use the Internet after the ax falls.

Japanese opposition regarding WTO agenda for Singapore meeting (Sunday, 7/28/96)
The Singapore Business Times reports today that the Japanese oppose placing human rights or labour issues on the World Trade Organization agenda for the December meeting in Singapore. The Times also has a story today on Gracy Choo, head of the Singapore chapter of the Women for Women Foundation, and her ideas for the association. WOW is a regional organization to support women in management.

Women making gains, according to Post writer (Saturday, 7/27/96)
Jeff Glasser writes in today's Washington Post about women's progress in pay, education, and entrepreneurship.

Anxiety about too much work emphasis in education (Saturday, 7/27/96)
Minneapolis Star Tribune writer Mary Jane Smetanka says some fear that excessive work emphasis may weaken education in key areas. The Strib also reports the Bloomberg story today on the growing use of a labor index by the Federal Reserve.

Fatality on New York Construction site (Saturday, 7/27/96)
The New York Times reports that a construction worker has been killed by a jackhammer.

Another go-round on health care, and, oh yes, the minimum wage (Friday, 7/26/96)
The bill that would make it easier for people who change jobs to retain their health coverage or to obtain coverage despite "pre-existing conditions" hasn't been forgotten, even though it's been off the front page for awhile. Bipartisan agreement has been reached on the medical savings account issue, as Reuters and the Washington Post report. The Administration seems to be sending signals that President Clinton will sign the bill.

German firm to cut jobs in Austria (Friday, 7/26/96)
German tiremaker Semperit Reifen AG, owned by Continental AG, will cut 1,000 jobs at its plant near Vienna, following the failure of a crisis meeting and a personal appeal from the Austrian Chancellor. Salzburger Nachrichten and other Austrian papers are reporting the story this morning. Dutch newspapers today are reporting on job cuts too, including 1,000 at Philips Electronics in the Netherlands itself, part of 6,000 that will be cut by the company worldwide. Also in the Netherlands, De Volkskrant reports that the rescue of Dutch stores owned by bankrupt German computer retailer Escom AG will result in the loss of about 120 jobs in the Netherlands. The company's Dutch stores have been bought by their management.

Wage freeze may be coming in Spain (Friday, 7/26/96)
Cinco Dias and other Spanish papers today are reporting that the Spanish government will freeze the wages of Spanish civil servants next year as part of an effort to save 200 billion pesetas. Unions had been demanding a wage increase and will mobilize opposition to the government plan in September.

Company directors hired gangsters to harass shareholders (Friday, 7/26/96)
Japanese department store company Takashimaya will suspend directors' salaries for three months as a consequence, according to Nihon Keizai.

ADA has benefited the disabled, study says (Friday, 7/26/96)
The Washington Post reports that a new census study shows that the Americans with Disabilities Act has had some of its intended effects. The Justice Department has also established an ADA site on the Internet. Today's Washington Post also has stories today about a Ukrainian worker killed in a nuclear mishap, an Urban Institute study estimating that the new welfare legislation will increase the number of American children in poverty by 12 percent, and a new bill in the House of Representatives that would diminish the importance of seniority and increase the importance of job performance when layoff decisions are made.

Australian miners union warns of strike escalation (Friday, 7/26/96)
In MSNBC's Australian news today, the miners union says the coal strike could spread beyond the coal industry. MSNBC also has stories today about disagreement over whether another Australian strike was successful, and also a United Press International story about Australian pay increases.

How some are becoming nouveau riche in America (Friday, 7/26/96)
CNBC reports on the paths to high income among those who are making it in the American economy.

New jobs in San Diego (Friday, 7/26/96)
The California defense industry was hit hard by the end of the Cold War, and this included the San Diego area. However, as the California economy comes back, San Diego seems a job creator highlight. Here's the story from today's Christian Science Monitor. Also, Alex Abrams writes today in the Monitor that there will be straight talk about entitlements now that Lamm is in the presidential race.

Forced labor at "rehab" site? (Friday, 7/26/96)
Deerpark Farms was not what it appeared, says woman filing a big lawsuit. Today's New York Times has the story.

Unemployment lowest in six months (Thursday, 7/25/96)
Reuters has the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as stories today about a Texas investigation into deaths of illegal immigrants, a settlement in the American rail dispute, and job cuts at Tower Semiconductor.

Federal court rules against Labor Department (Thursday, 7/25/96)
The Wall Street Journal has struck down U.S. Labor Department regulations intending to make it difficult to bring people from other countries into the U.S. to work. The issue has involved the heavy use of foreign professionals and technical workers by American hi-tech companies.

Netherlands has shortest work week (Thursday, 7/25/96)
De Telegraaf reports that the Dutch work 31.5 hours per week, on the average, which is the shortest average work week in Europe and considerably shorter than in the United States.

Large social security deficit expected in Belgium (Thursday, 7/25/96)
Belgium's National Social Security Office has announced that it expects a social security budget deficit of US$1.17 billion in 1997, according to Le Soir. Also in Belgium, L'Echo reports that the country's upper house of parliament has passed a bill giving the government special powers to reduce the deficit during the next two years. It gives the government power to reform the social security system, among other things.

Worker exposed to contaminated medical samples (Thursday, 7/25/96)
Austria's Kurier reports that a container containing medical samples infected with the AIDS virus exploded in an office of the Vienna International Airport, spraying a 27-year-old worker.

Employers organize to negotiate lower health costs (Thursday, 7/25/96)
Today's Washington Post reports on a new kind of collective bargaining.

Child laborers unite to press demands (Thursday, 7/25/96)
Working children in Dakar, Senegal are organizing, according to today's Christian Science Monitor. Also in the Monitor today, a story about Mexican-born children of Guatemalan refugees and Hal Morris' struggle with the word "rich".

Americans not of one mind on "the gap" (Thursday, 7/25/96)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune reports on a survey that shows that Americans disagree about the causes of the growing income gap, and that attitudes are related to various demographic factors. Keep in mind that "the gap" is a growing problem throughout much of the world, not only within many countries, but also when countries are compared with one another. The Strib also has stories today on a big jury award to a former Northwest Airlines employee, on the increase in personal incomes during the first quarter, according to Commerce Department data, and on how families are separated by work in Japan, a story that originally appeared in the Toronto Globe and Mail.

Partial strikes continue at Korean shipbuilder (Thursday, 7/25/96)
South Korea's largest shipbuilder is still hampered by partial strikes after twelve days, and negotiations continue, according to the Korea Herald. The Herald also reports on the indictment of three men in an employment swindle.

Welfare bill passes Senate with votes to spare (Wednesday, 7/24/96)
The Senate welfare reform bill had bipartisan support as it sailed through yesterday. Here's the Reuters story, and here it is from the Washington Post. Also, here are details on how the Senators voted. Now, the Senate and House must work out a compromise version, and the President is still threatening veto. The Senate version added amendments to soften it in order to make it more attractive to the President, but he hasn't endorsed it. He says the House version is unacceptable. Expect more "wrestling" during the days ahead, although both sides want signed legislation.

Greenspan testimony Tuesday (Wednesday, 7/24/96)
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan testified in front of a House of Representatives subcommittee Tuesday trying to reassure markets. Today's Wall Street Journal reports that he feels it's too early to tell whether a tight labor market will set off inflation.

Swiss unions to unite (Wednesday, 7/24/96)
Five unions representing workers in Swiss government-owned postal and telecommunication services intend to become one organization by 1999, according to Tages Anzeiger. The paper also reports today that the government's commission on foreigners says that the integration of foreigners into Swiss society presents many problems. A proposal has been sent to parliament with planned solutions.

Majority of laid off Fokker employees have found jobs (Wednesday, 7/24/96)
Dutch aircraft maker Fokker NV went bankrupt less than four months ago. With help from Fokker job centers, 59 percent of the nearly 5,000 people who lost their jobs have found new ones. It is expected that 70 percent will be re-employed by September, according to today's Telegraaf.

Philippine labor department takes over dispute (Wednesday, 7/24/96)
Philippine papers today are reporting that the government labor secretary has assumed jurisdiction over a dispute between Philippine Airlines and the pilots union in an effort to avoid a strike during the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in November.

Economist has different worries about health care now (Wednesday, 7/24/96)
Now, according to a Washington Post article today, economist Stuart Altman worries that the American economy could be hurt by declining health care employment.

Serfdom continues in Pakistan (Wednesday, 7/24/96)
Today's Christian Science Monitor reports that, despite laws against it, forced, unpaid labor continues in Pakistan. Here's a story about one man's efforts on behalf of those affected. Also, the Monitor editorializes today that developing countries should not be held to U.S. labor standards. The paper also has stories today about the University of Minnesota's dispute over tenure, a program at the University of Wisconsin for helping business students learn about the stock market, and questions about Argentina's ability to restore its high rate of economic growth. Changes in labor policy are part of the effort.

UAW may have changed its mind (Wednesday, 7/24/96)
General Motors may be the target instead of Chrysler, according to today's New York Times.

Foreign trainee desertions decline in South Korea (Wednesday, 7/24/96)
Most prosperous industrial countries are having to cope with the large numbers of persons from less prosperous countries who are looking for work. As a consequence, many have a problem with illegal immigration, and this includes South Korea which is now one of the world's economic powers. Today's Korea Herald reports that increased government vigilance has resulted in a sharp decline in the number of foreign workers to are deserting their assigned workplaces in order to disappear into the society and remain in the country illegally. The Herald also reports on the growing number of foreign workers who are marrying or living with Koreans. The paper also contains a story today saying that top business leaders want to see a quick settlement to labor disputes.

Brief careers (Wednesday, 7/24/96)
The Strait Times of Singapore reports that two young doctors have abandoned medicine almost immediately after completing their studies.

Less threat of rail strike now (Tuesday, 7/23/96)
A tentative deal is made. Reuters reports, and so does the Washington Post.

Swiss court rules in favor of privacy (Tuesday, 7/23/96)
Neue Zuercher Zeitung reports that a Swiss court has ruled that job applicants can refuse to answer questions infringing on personal privacy. The ruling results from a case in which a woman refused to answer a question about her possible pregnancy.

Spain studying tax breaks for pension plans (Tuesday, 7/23/96)
The Spanish finance ministry is considering a program whereby investment in private pension plans might be encouraged through new tax breaks. Expansion reports this morning.

Boycott in Austria to protest job cuts (Tuesday, 7/23/96)
Der Standard reports that employees at Semperit, a part of Germany's Continental AG, are intending to boycott Continental products in protest of a plan to cut production in Austria by 50% and open a new facility in the Czech Republic. The paper also reports today that Austrians choosing early retirement hit a record high in June.

Restructuring plan approved in Italy (Tuesday, 7/23/96)
Banco di Napoli SpA will be able to save 150 billion lire under a new plan affecting wage costs agreed to by unions and management. The bank has been in danger of collapse.

Australian court case involving public servants (Tuesday, 7/23/96)
MSNBC reports today on a case involving 8,000 state employees in Australia. The news service also reports today that Australian unions are trying to "raise their profile," and that the economic recovery in Japan has slowed.

Extra food from the Olympics to feed Georgia's hungry (Tuesday, 7/23/96)
Today's Christian Science Monitor reports on efforts to keep excess food from going to waste during the Olympics, as well as on a spiritual solution to the job hunting problem in its daily religious article.

Home offices being abandoned (Tuesday, 7/23/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal reports that working at home isn't so great as many people expected, so some are leasing office space to escape the distractions of kids, dogs. The Journal also has stories today about lawyers who are tired of being lawyers and want to change careers and about how some overseas workers welcome jobs with Korean companies but dislike their bosses' tactics.

Deaths at Japanese work site (Tuesday, 7/23/96)
The Japan Times reports that three workers have died at a construction site in Japan.

Labor dispute at big Korean travel agency (Tuesday, 7/23/96)
Today's Korea Herald reports on a labor conflict at South Korea's Lotte Travel Services, as well as on Samsung workers put on leave because of over-production.

Wages rising much faster than inflation in Australia (Monday, 7/22/96)
The Australian Financial Review reports that a new survey indicates that wages in Australia rose at twice the rate of inflation during the first quarter of the year.

Help for the poor in Bethesda (Monday, 7/22/96)
Here's a Washington Post story about Susan Kirk and the program she heads to help the poor in Maryland USA.

Where will those coming off welfare work? (Monday, 7/22/96)
Today's Christian Science Monitor reports that there will be a problem with the availability of low-level jobs. Today's Monitor also compares spending and saving patterns in the U.S., Japan, and Germany.

Teams are the current fad in business (Monday, 7/22/96)
Workplace team success depends on facilitators. Here's a story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, which you will also find an opinion piece about the cost of driving down costs.

Wage advantage of college seems to have peaked (Monday, 7/22/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal has a story by Michael Phillips on the leveling off of the wage gap based on education.

Federal cuts cutting poor out of housing market (Monday, 7/22/96)
Here's a story in today's New York Times about the changes in housing for the poor.

More whistles blowing (Monday, 7/22/96)
More people are sounding the alarm, and the trend will increase, according to experts. Here's the story in USA Today. The paper also has a story today on how nice is in at the office.

Seoul traffic leads to work hours change (Monday, 7/22/96)
Seoul, South Korea has a world-class traffic problem. In an effort to help the situation, arrangements are being made to discourage people from all moving about at once. Here's the story from today's Korea Herald, which also has a story today indicating that among foreign workers in the country, there are twice as many illegal as legal.

Immigration policy blamed for deaths (Monday, 7/22/96)
A mother took herself and her two children to their deaths in Hong Kong. A legislator says that the colony's immigration policy is to blame, according to the Hong Kong Standard. Also, here's a story about accusations that Hong Kong's Social Welfare Department is ignoring migrant workers.

American economic ambivalence complicates campaigns (Sunday, 7/21/96)
In the past, the role of economics in presidential elections has seemed simpler. The incumbent gets credit for good times and is blamed for bad, however much or little he has had to do with it. However, this time American feelings about how the economy is doing are more complicated, and this makes life more complicated for campaign strategists. Here's today's Washington Post analysis by Clay Chandler. Incidentally, both the Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor will have new economic data this week.

401(k)s not entirely safe, Quinn says (Sunday, 7/21/96)
Economic columnist Jane Bryant Quinn says Congress needs to take action to protect the popular 401(k). The way it is, many people who believe their pensions to be secure could face unpleasant surprises. Quinn's column is syndicated throughout the United States.

The present never is an ideal time for a job change (Sunday, 7/21/96)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune feature, Job Talk, offers advice on making job changes and why it's easy to put off the necessary. Today's Strib also has an editorial today on academic tenure, as pressures for change increasingly hit academe.

It's not all downsizing (Sunday, 7/21/96)
Judith Dobrzynski, writing in the New York Times, tells about the other side of the job market that has been receiving less attention. Also, today's Times has stories on the various ways to pay back student loans, the growing attention given to simplifying life, even in some of the financial publications that usually emphasize how to get more, and on how a job search on the web can lead to thoughts of changing careers.

The top salaries in Singapore (Sunday, 7/21/96)
Most of the top earners are in the private sector in Singapore, according to a new report. The Singapore Business Times also explains that supply and demand determine incomes.

UK government says postal system could lose monopoly (Sunday, 7/21/96)
In an effort to end the postal strike the British government says the postal system could lose its monopoly on the delivery of letters. Today's London Times has that story, as well as stories about Germany's Upper House rejecting the Chancellor's austerity program, jobs on the line at Rolls Royce, and on how lengthening lives are making the problem of adequate pensions something that the government can no longer handle on its own.

Senate resists welfare bill amendments (Saturday, 7/20/96)
President Clinton would like a welfare reform bill that he can sign, but the U.S. Senate, following closely on the passage of the House version, has declined Democratic amendments that would make the bill more attractive to the President.

Jackson continues tour of Pacific Rim (Saturday, 7/20/96)
American activist Jesse Jackson is in Indonesia calling attention to the sweatshop problem, according to Reuters.

Special technology issue (Saturday, 7/20/96)
The current edition of Working Woman magazine focuses on the impact of technology on the work lives of women.

Teamsters convention more democratic (Saturday, 7/20/96)
Today's Washington Post reports that democracy has come to the Teamsters convention this time, but the union retains its macho character.

Gap widens in Mexico (Saturday, 7/20/96)
The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer in Mexico, but it's a trend throughout much of the world, including the United States, which has the most uneven distribution of wealth and income among rich industrialized countries. Here's Mexico's story from today's New York Times. The Times also has a story today about the big job shift in the Newark, New Jersey school district. More than 600 jobs will be cut so that the money can be used to hire more teachers.

Greenspan said economy will slow by itself, but Fed is ready if needed (Friday, 7/19/96)
Both Reuters and the Washington Post have stories today on the growth of the American economy, the prospect of higher interest rates, and related issues.

More reform needed in India, according to Minister (Friday, 7/19/96)
India's economy is growing rapidly, but additional measures are needed, according to a government spokesman, as reported by Reuters. India has become an emerging world economic leader, but uncertainty has been introduced recently by political turmoil. Reuters also reports on the non-polite struggle for the presidency of the Teamsters union as the latest in a non-polite tradition, and a House official's view that Congress should intervene in possible U.S. rail strike only as a last resort.

Agreement on employee raiding in Spain (Friday, 7/19/96)
La Gaceta de Negocios reports today that Ernst & Young and Coopers & Lybrand have reached an agreement in an eight-month dispute over "poaching" of personnel. The former company will pay the latter. The two companies have dropped lawsuits originally filed against one another.

Austrian government retiree insurance costs higher than planned (Friday, 7/19/96)
Der Standard reports that health care costs have been going up faster than anticipated, and that the Austrian government will have to pay more for retiree insurance than they had originally budgeted.

Women business owners become philanthropists (Friday, 7/19/96)
Today's Christian Science Monitor reports that women-owned businesses now employ more persons than the Fortune 500, and women are becoming a major philanthropic force as well.

Hong Kong workers slow to join unions (Friday, 7/19/96)
Union membership is growing slowly in Hong Kong, according to the Hong Kong Standard. Of course, with the colony's reversion to Chinese political control less than a year away, there may be a reluctance to make long-term plans at this point. Today's Standard also has stories today about a court worker getting her job back after a forced retirement, and the urging of tougher penalties for employers who disregard worker safety.

Recipe for depression? (Friday, 7/19/96)
The July edition of the Atlantic Monthly contains a cover story on what it might take to produce a depression, and some of the ingredients are made to sound familiar.

What downsizing is really about (Friday, 7/19/96)
Mother Jones, a smart magazine with a point-of-view as well as an attitude, contains an article this time that says downsizing really isn't about making companies more efficient and competitive. Instead, it's about making worker wages smaller. Naturally, there are other smart observers with alternative points-of-view.

House wants welfare to follow telecommunications, agriculture (Thursday, 7/18/96)
The American House of Representatives is scheduled to vote today on a welfare reform bill that would bring about the greatest changes since the New Deal of the 1930's. This has also been a year of major change in telecommunications and agriculture, as new legislation has replaced laws from the 1930's era. Expect plenty of resistance, though, and, despite what is being said on both sides, sweeping welfare reform is not a done deal, by any means. This is an election year when nothing is easy, given that campaign posturing is added to all the ordinary conflicting currents in Washington. Problem is, in American politics, the next Presidential campaign seems to start shortly after the end of the last one. At any rate, Reuters reports the story this morning.

Bankruptcies down in Switzerland overall, but... (Thursday, 7/18/96)
Tages Anzeiger reports today that total bankruptcies fell in Switzerland by .5 percent during the first half of the year. However, while personal bankruptcies were down, business bankruptcies were up. The paper also reports that a construction workers union has lost an appeal in the Swiss courts. The ruling: it was legal for Ems-Chemie Holding AG to exclude the union from a collective contract in 1992.

Union head quits in Austria (Thursday, 7/18/96)
Josef Hoechtl, an Austrian legislator who has been head of OeAAB, a union representing government workers, has quit that position following disclosure that he has drawn a second income for 20 years while on leave from a university job. Current law allows dozens of legislators who are also government employees to draw double, sometimes triple incomes while serving in the Austrian parliament. Many are calling for a change in the law, according to Salzburger Nachrichten and other papers today.

Blair wants unions to quit London subway strike (Thursday, 7/18/96)
Labour party head Tony Blair is urging rail unions to abandon the subway strike in London today. It's a legal strike, so Labour's attitude is non-traditional for the party. Blair has been expecting that a Labour government might be in the UK's immediate future, but strikes affecting public services throughout the country might hurt the party's image with the public, according to London's Daily Telegraph. The Financial Times reports today that government figures show falling unemployment and low wage demands have boosted Conservative government hopes of reducing inflation and stimulating growth before the next election.

Jackson: Mitsubishi meeting not productive (Thursday, 7/18/96)
Jesse Jackson, in Japan for meetings with Mitsubishi executives and other leaders, left a meeting yesterday unsatisfied, according to the Washington Post. He wants to see boycott efforts stepped up, according to a Los Angeles Times story. Here it is on the Minneapolis Star Tribune web site.

Job training bill in jeopardy in conference (Thursday, 7/18/96)
Judith Havemann of the Washington Post reports that the bipartisan training bill is beginning to fall apart in conference committee. Accusations fly; veto is threatened.

Greenspan testifies in Congress today; Wall Street listening intently (Thursday, 7/18/96)
Job growth has been good, but Wall Street has been nervous, and we've just seen tremendous ups and downs in stock prices. Are higher interest rates coming? Here's a story from the Christian Science Monitor. Today's Monitor also contains a story about a futurist's critique of the contemporary "casino" world economy. Incidentally, in addition to being one of the finer small newspapers in the world, the Christian Science Monitor also has one of the better designed, higher quality web sites. No training, struggling, or muttering required in order to find your way around.

Poor isn't pretty, so you're under arrest (Thursday, 7/18/96)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune contains a story about the Atlanta Olympics' impact on the city's homeless, and speaking of games, the paper editorializes against playing them with Americorps.

No cost of living increase for legislators (Wednesday, 7/17/96)
The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to freeze the pay of legislators, as well as the Vice President and members of the Cabinet, according to Reuters this morning. Reuters also reports that Fed head Greenspan is favoring a rise in interest rates, that the Pakistan government is responding to international criticism with a crackdown on child labor, and that major American discount retailers are pushing to keep sweatshop merchandise out of their stores. Also, today's Washington Post reports that celebrities are urging cooperation to fight sweatshops. With the population explosion and growing income disparities across the globe, life is becoming cheaper in the eyes of some, and persons in economically desperate situations are losing their power to resist intolerable conditions. In Pakistan, according to the Reuters story, children often work 12-hour days for as little as 6 cents per hour.

UK plan models American Republican approach (Wednesday, 7/17/96)
The Times of London reports that the British Treasury has issued a report called Strategic Considerations for the Treasury 2000 to 2005 for reducing the size of the state through privatization and cutting funds for education, as well as a variety of other moves similar to those favored by many Republicans in the United States.

Austrian economy hits bottom, now on its way back, according to survey (Wednesday, 7/17/96)
Die Presse reports today that a survey from the Austrian Association of Industrialists indicates that the Austrian economy is ready to begin growing again, but the country's unemployment rate will continue to rise.

More steps by Mitsubishi to combat harassment (Wednesday, 7/17/96)
Today's Washington Post describes efforts by Mitsubishi to improve the climate for female workers. The Minneapolis Star Tribune has its own report on the same subject today, drawing on similar sources.

Hoffa gains early advantage at Teamsters convention (Wednesday, 7/17/96)
James Hoffa wins key votes and could unseat the current Teamsters president, according to the Washington Post. Today's Christian Science Monitor provides some perspective on the coming of democracy to the Teamsters, and the New York Times says that many Teamsters brothers are, well, sisters.

Experiment shows virtual office needs modification (Wednesday, 7/17/96)
MSNBC reports that a two-year experiment at a major ad agency indicates that people may need a water cooler to gather around after all.

Downsizing comes to French military (Wednesday, 7/17/96)
Paris cuts back, according to Christian Science Monitor writer Gail Russell Chaddock.

Strib editorial on some second thoughts about TEAM (Wednesday, 7/17/96)
Today's editor in the Minneapolis Star Tribune says TEAM isn't about teamwork.

Clinton says two years max (Wednesday, 7/17/96)
President Clinton has announced that he favors limiting welfare benefits to two years. After that, recipients will have to go to work. The story is reported in today's New York Times, which also has stories today about New York City's overhaul of its child welfare system, the pressure on college placement offices to help students find jobs, and Aaron Feuerstein's decision to cut jobs at Malden Mills Industries in order to try to save his company.

Good legislative year for workers, paper says (Wednesday, 7/17/96)
Today's Hong Kong Standard reports on what it sees as a good year for grassroots workers in the British colony. Hong Kong returns to China in less than a year.

Quinn reports on home-based business books (Wednesday, 7/17/96)
Nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn, in her column this week, tells about the new book by Sarah and Paul Edwards, Working from Home, and how to build a home-based business that clients will respect. She also quotes another new book by Barbara Brabec called Homemade Money. Both look as though they're worth a read. Jane Bryant Quinn is a recognized expert on personal finance, and her column is syndicated throughout North America. Incidentally, you might also want to take a look at Home Business Review, a publication specializing in issues of interest to persons running businesses from their homes. The publication has a web site, which we happen to know because it shares space on the same server in Austin, Texas as BraveNewWorkWorld. There is no other connection, however.

More on the UN income distribution report (Tuesday, 7/16/96)
Reuters has more on the UN report about who's gotten richer and who's gotten poorer. Reuters also has stories today about Mitsubishi's hiring an affirmative action expert, the layoffs at Motorola as the stock market in general and hi-tech in particular take a hit, a protest against Nike about worker pay in Indonesia, and Kathie Lee Gifford's appearance in Congress.

Austrian union loses members (Tuesday, 7/16/96)
Der Standard reports that membership in Oesterreichische Gewerkschaftsbund is down nearly 16,000 members from last year. It still has about 1.58 million members, though.

Wage increase cap in Belgium (Tuesday, 7/16/96)
De Financieel Economische Tijd reports that the Belgian parliament has voted in favor putting a cap on wage increases in order to insure that wages in Belgium do not rise faster than in neighboring countries. It's all part of an effort to qualify for the common European Union currency that may be coming.

Italian airport workers strike, will strike again (Tuesday, 7/16/96)
Today's papers in Italy report that airport workers struck for four hours yesterday and have scheduled another strike for August 8. Unions are trying to put pressure on employers during wage talks. The government said it will try to block the next strike.

German labor office has big deficit during first half of year (Tuesday, 7/16/96)
Frankfurter Allgemeine reports that the Federal Labor Office in Germany had a deficit of about US$5.1 billion during the first half of the year. The German Finance Minister says the Office should tighten its belt, according to Frankfurter Rundschau.

Japanese trust banks reduce hiring (Tuesday, 7/16/96)
Nihon Keizai reports today that Japan's seven trust banks will reduce hiring by 47% this year.

Anti-immigrant legislation worries educators (Tuesday, 7/16/96)
William Booth of the Washington Post tells about Miami-Dade College and the concerns of its Cuban-born president.

Seniors, working poor rely on food shelf (Tuesday, 7/16/96)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune contains an article by Jean Hopfensperger saying that more than half of the food distributed by Minnesota food shelves is used by the working poor and senior citizens.

Canadian strike likely, says union leader (Tuesday, 7/16/96)
A strike against General Motors in Canada is regarded as highly likely, according to a report in today's New York Times.

More on Jackson in Japan (Tuesday, 7/16/96)
Jesse Jackson is meeting with business leaders and others in Japan. Here's today's Japan Times story.

Korean labor hearings open with heated exchanges (Tuesday, 7/16/96)
Here's today's story on the labor meetings in South Korea from the Korea Herald. Today's Herald also has a story on a lockout at a research institute.

Several hundred jobs will go at Sybase (Tuesday, 7/16/96)
C|Net reports on the closing of Sybase's New Media division.

Republicans wonder about Clinton's commitment (Monday, 7/15/96)
There has been a recent flurry in Washington lately over possible welfare reform legislation. First, Republicans in Congress decided to change strategy by allowing a vote on welfare separate from other issues, which President Clinton said made him pleased and encouraged. Now, House Republicans are saying they're going to test the President's own commitment.

Austrians want to look at politician pay (Monday, 7/15/96)
Der Standard reports today that a recent poll shows that 2/3 of Austrians want their politicians' total income examined carefully. More than half of the respondents suspect that politicians take financial advantage of their public positions. The Austrian parliament passed a pay-reform package a week ago.

Further Spanish union resistance to privatization (Monday, 7/15/96)
Union leaders will meet with the Spanish Industry Minister to demand that the government sell off its industrial holdings on a case-by-case basis rather than adopting the broad plan the government has announced. El Pais reports today.

Airport strike looms in Italy (Monday, 7/15/96)
Today's La Repubblica reports that Italian airport workers are scheduled to strike today. Milan's airport is expected to be the hardest hit.

Jackson in Japan (Monday, 7/15/96)
American activist Jesse Jackson is in Japan to meet with company executives about sexual harassment and other issues, including executives of Mitsubishi, the company involved in the huge sexual harassment suit in the United States. Nihon Keizai and other Japanese papers have the story today. Here it is from the Japan Times and the Singapore Business Times.

Hispanic success story in Washington (Monday, 7/15/96)
The Washington Post reports on the surge in Hispanic-owned businesses in Washington, D. C. Today's Post also reports on John Sweeney's efforts to restore organized labor's political influence.

Child labor and the Olympics (Monday, 7/15/96)
Ian Guest writes today in the Christian Science Monitor that child labor is casting a shadow over the games in Atlanta, but the children are working in other parts of the world.

Kelly says "empowerment" is often a myth (Monday, 7/15/96)
In her Business Ethics column today, Marjorie Kelly, questions "empowerment" rhetoric and says that it often doesn't represent what it appears to represent. Her column is in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune. The Strib also has Eric Schmitt's New York Times column telling how American got the minimum wage increase. Hint: tax cuts had something to do with it.

Korean president orders plan for labor reform (Monday, 7/15/96)
South Korean President Kim Young-sam wants a plan for reform measures by the end of next month.

Institute says German wages and taxes not too high (Monday, 7/15/96)
Despite claims to the contrary, foreign investors are not deterred by high wages and taxes in Germany, according to a new report. The Singapore Business Times has the story.

Worker paychecks finally increasing? (Monday, 7/15/96)
R. A. Zaldivar, writing for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, says that two new reports indicate that wages have been rising during the past few months after years of remaining flat. It makes Wall Street even more jittery, though. Inflation fears and the fear of higher interest rates cause sleep loss among investors as workers begin to sleep better .

Business coalition to help Republicans in ads (Sunday, 7/14/96)
Reuters reports this morning that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has put together a group of business organizations to run television ads in response to ones being run by unions, as the presidential race heats up in the United States.

Bitter fight for head of Teamsters (Sunday, 7/14/96)
Today's Washington Post contains a major story by Frank Swoboda on the contest for the presidency of the Teamsters and how it might be a turning point for the union. Also, check today's Post for a story on how blacks in South Africa are having problems making gains in the job market, despite political gains and the end of apartheid. The Post also has an interesting collection of career-related articles. For instance, check the articles in the section called The New Work Order on the new economy which can be found in their Career Library along with other resources, including their recommendation of BraveNewWorkWorld.

Father's identity required to receive benefits (Sunday, 7/14/96)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune contains an article by Jean Hopfensperger on efforts to find fathers to help in the support of their children in the wake of President Clinton's executive order affecting welfare recipients. The Strib also has stories on their web site telling why you should not ignore the relatively low inflation rate in your personal finances, a story about market research as a career, and the Job Talk column that answers a question about resumes.

Union says Border Patrol faked reports (Sunday, 7/14/96)
Today's New York Times says that the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service is investigating accusations that Border Patrol supervisors in San Diego falsified reports. The Times also says that a major rail strike may be on the horizon, and that the increase in the minimum wage may "ripple" to higher pay categories.

Sexual harassment by illegal worker in Korea (Sunday, 7/14/96)
Today's Korea Herald reports that an illegal worker has been arrested in South Korea for what the paper is calling "sexual harassment," but it might be called sexual assault in other places. The man has been in the country illegally since 1991.

Arrests made in labour scam (Sunday, 7/14/96)
Five Hong Kong recruiters have been arrested and charged with fraud, according to the Kong Kong Standard. The paper also reports today that a labour group is offering advice to summer workrs, and that the Chinese party-run People's Daily claims superiority for the Chinese system of "democracy," compared to that in the United States which is leading to U.S. decline, according to the Chinese Communist Party.

"Natural" unemployment (Saturday, 7/13/96)
Columnist Robert Reno of Newsday discusses the concept of "natural unemployment" during a political year. His column appears in the Minneapolis Star Tribune today, but also in many other papers across the United States. The Tribune also has stories today about the controversy at the University of Minnesota over a plan for guaranteeing graduation in four years, and about the higher rate of job creation in outstate Minnesota, as compared to the Twin Cities metropolitan region.

Clinton pleased with new Republican attitude on welfare reform (Saturday, 7/13/96)
President Clinton says the Republican-led Congress seems ready to produce a welfare reform bill he can sign. Here's the story from Reuters as well as from the New York Times.

BA and pilots reach agreement (Saturday, 7/13/96)
Pilots at British Airways have called off their planned strike as an agreement is struck, according to London's Electronic Telegraph.

Reich proposes $3.6 million fine for egg producer (Saturday, 7/13/96)
U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich says that Decoster Egg Farms has been running an "agricultural sweatshop", according to Reuters, which also has a story today about an agreement to limit picket line violence as the Detroit newspaper strike enters its second year.

Reduction in government hiring (Saturday, 7/13/96)
Nihon Keizai reports that the Japanese government will reduce its hiring to fill top bureaucratic posts by 30% as part of its administrative reform plans.

Republican change of mind on affirmative action bill (Saturday, 7/13/96)
The House Republican leadership decides not to support a bill that would end federal affirmative action programs, according to today's New York Times.

Brewer cuts jobs in Milwaukee (Saturday, 7/13/96)
Today's Chicago Tribunee reports that Miller Brewing in Milwaukee will cut 200 jobs.

Researchers strike in South Korea (Saturday, 7/13/96)
Hi-tech researchers strike for higher pay and better working conditions at 10 institutes in South Korea. Here's the story from the Korea Herald.

China's gender equality crashing under surging capitalism (Friday, 7/12/96)
Today's Christian Science Monitor reports that Chinese women are suffering more from the harsh inequalities of the market system than men, despite gender equality ideology. One might expect growing tensions in the country from what might be regarded as an inherent contradiction between Communism's emphasis on equality and the economically conservative market system's emphasis on economic freedom at the expense of equality. There should be long-term political implications. We've reported earlier on the apparent growing political autonomy of some of China's high-growth regions and questions about whether the country will be able to survive its huge economic growth as a single political entity. Western conservatives have often claimed that political freedom and economic freedom go together. Many forecasters expect China to have the world's largest economy within 25 years or less, and the world will be watching closely for a variety of reasons.

Times story on German choices (Friday, 7/12/96)
Today's New York Times contains a major story by Alan Cowell on how Germany is "finally" getting around to making tough economic choices. Today's Times also reports that New York's City Council wants higher pay for its contract workers.

More early retirees? (Friday, 7/12/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal has a story about how wage bills may encourage people to retire early. Vanessa O'Connell writes for the Jouranl.

Cabinet position for women in Blair government (Friday, 7/12/96)
Labour's Tony Blair says that there will be a Minister for Women in a Labour government. Here's the story from London's Electronic Telegraph.

Layoffs in the computer biz (Friday, 7/12/96)
C|Net reports that a general move into electronic distribution may be signaled by layoffs at Stream International. We've already reported on how electronic publishing seems to be making rapid inroads at the expense of print in a number of areas, and NewWork News is an example. The Computer News Daily reports on layoffs at Symantec. Hi-tech stocks have taken a hit in recent days too. In the meantime, London's Financial Times reports that a major expansion of the Silverstone motor racing circuit could create hundreds of jobs. The British Racing Drivers Club wants to built a "technology village" for the racing industry as well as mainstream carmakers.

More work council power to cost jobs? (Friday, 7/12/96)
The Dutch paper De Telegraaf says that tens of thousands of jobs will be lost if Dutch Social Affairs Minister Aad Melkert succeeds in passing a bill giving worker councils of foreign companies in the Netherlands more power.

Anti-corruption task force sought (Friday, 7/12/96)
Italy's Minister of Public Works, the former Milan public prosecutor, wants a task force of 350 investigators to investigate corruption by public employees, according to La Repubblica today. Also in Italy, Corriere della Sera reports that a modeling school in Biella may be engaging in prostitution, and it may involve a noted television personality. We've reported on what appears to be an increase in prostitution, including sexual slavery, in many parts of the world, including Europe. Women are often brought from poorer areas to more affluent areas under promises of good jobs.

Spanish economic experts urge an acceleration of economic reforms (Friday, 7/12/96)
La Gaceta de Negocios reports that the Group of Experts on Economic Forecasts, in its latest report, calls for speeding up the process of labor market reform in order to spur economic growth and promote employment. Also in Spain, cabinet ministers are meeting today to study proposed changes in the pension payments system. Among the proposals is an extension of the number of work years on which pension payments are based, as well as a proposal that would reduce pension payments for some workers during the early years. El Mundo has the story today.

Little support for general strike in Niger (Thursday, 7/11/96)
Reuters, the world's largest wire service, has stories today about the fizzling general strike in Niger, HP's decision to get out of the disk drive business, indicating that they will try to reassign affected workers, and the freezing of Boeing orders at British Airways because of the threatened pilots strike.

Washington Post recommends BraveNewWorkWorld (Thursday, 7/11/96)
BraveNewWorkWorld is among eight "career links" recommended by the Washington Post. Among the others are the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Small Business Administration Online. Also, check out the Post's Career Library for additional resources.

Spanish unions angry over proposed sale of state-owned companies (Thursday, 7/11/96)
El Mundo and other Spanish papers this morning report that more than 10,000 union members attended a protest rally yesterday. Without a change in plans, the Spanish government will face a "hot autumn" of strikes and unrest, say the unions.

Talks in Switzerland about the construction industry (Thursday, 7/11/96)
Swiss construction companies and unions are meeting to try to find ways to save construction jobs while also making the industry more competitive. Companies say as many as half of existing construction jobs could be cut to aid a sluggish and troubled industry, according to Tages-Anzeiger. Also in Switzerland, Zuercher Zeitung reports that the number of foreigners living in Switzerland has been increasing more slowly than before. More than 60 percent of foreigners in the country are European Union nationals, says the Federal Statistics Office.

Freeze on health insurance ceiling planned (Thursday, 7/11/96)
The Dutch health minister Els Borst proposes freezing the income ceiling for public health insurance plans so that older people on fixed incomes can join.

Italian Prime Minister near agreement with PRC (Thursday, 7/11/96)
After voting against the government's economic planning document, the Partito Rifondazione Communista (PRC) party is near agreement with the Prime Minister on where to go from here. The PRC managed to get concessions from the government affecting annual wage increases and other issues. Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica have the story this morning.

MPs raise their own pay, despite Major's urging (Thursday, 7/11/96)
The London Times reports that British Members of Parliament have voted to increase their pay by £9,000. Prime Minister Major had urged restraint, and, as we have reported earlier, the move appears to be unpopular among the UK's citizens, according to polls. London's Financial Times reports the story this morning as well, and also has stories about a possible Conservative plan to ban strikes in essential service areas and a call from pension providers for the government to simplify Britain's pension system and to provide new tax breaks on savings for retirement.

Australian welfare dependency can't be sustained, official says (Thursday, 7/11/96)
Today's Sydney Morning Herald reports that Bob Officer, chairman of the National Audit Commission, says that welfare benefits have reached into the middle and upper income groups and cannot be sustained without higher taxes. Some families with incomes as high as US$63,000 are eligible for benefits.

South Korean clergyman faces jail for helping illegals (Thursday, 7/11/96)
Today's Korea Herald reports that the prosecution wants a two-year prison term for a clergyman who has obstructed government efforts to arrest illegal foreign workers.

IBM job openings to be available on the Internet (Wednesday, 7/10/96)
Reuters reports that U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich has announced that IBM will post all of its job openings on the Labor Department's Internet "America's Job Bank." He would like to see other companies follow suit. Incidentally, Reich also says that he thinks the American economy can grow even more without the danger of inflation heating up.

Spanish wage increases exceed agreement (Wednesday, 7/10/96)
Expansion says that Spanish companies increased employee wages by 4.4 percent last year, on the average. That exceeded the rate of inflation, as well as the increase agreed to with the Spanish government. Also in Spain, El Pais reports that more than 4,000 union leaders from government-controlled companies will meet in Madrid today to protest to new conservative government's plan to privatize those companies.

Austrian lawmakers raise their own pay (Wednesday, 7/10/96)
Austrian newspapers this morning report that the country's lawmakers have approved a pay package that includes a controversial expense provision that could freely boost lawmaker salaries, according to critics. Along similar lines, polls indicate that the British public opposes a pay increase proposal for members of Parliament, according to the Guardian.

Dutch buying power to decrease, according to government report (Wednesday, 7/10/96)
Het Financieele Dagblad reports that a leaked government report expects weaker buying power for all income groups unless taxes are cut. More than a 2 percent drop next year is expected.

June jobless figures down in Germany (Wednesday, 7/10/96)
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and other papers report that the number of German jobless decreased to 3.78 million last month, according to the Federal Labor Office. The unemployment rate was 9.9 percent during the month.

Australian unions want 10% pay increase (Wednesday, 7/10/96)
The Australian Council of Trade Unions begins a campaign today to achieve a 10 percent raise in pay for all union members. The Australian reports.

Mitsubishi employees dissatisfied with union responsiveness (Wednesday, 7/10/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal reports that women employees at Mitsubishi say the UAW local dropped the ball on the sexual harassment issue, rarely filing grievances. Other action was taken, though.

Hong Kong less attractive to mainland Chinese as conditions improve (Wednesday, 7/10/96)
The Hong Kong Standard says that illegal immigration from mainland China into Hong Kong has decreased as living standards in China have improved. The Standard also has stories today about a dispute involving Hong Kong hospital staff, a decision to give 37,000 temporaries in Macao permanent residency status, and a claim that governments are tolerating China's abuses in order to protect their countries' business opportunities.

Talks scheduled in effort to avoid BA strike (Tuesday, 7/9/96)
British Airways and their pilots union will talk within 24 hours.

Job cuts up during first half of year (Tuesday, 7/9/96)
Reuters reports that job cuts were up 28% during the first half of 1996. The year could be one of the worst of the '90's.

Le Soir goes on web (Tuesday, 7/9/96)
If you're a regular NewWork News reader, you'll know that Belgium's Le Soir is one of the major European papers we watch rather carefully. They've just started their own web site.

Gingrich says children of illegal aliens should not get schooling (Tuesday, 7/9/96)
A provision barring illegal aliens' kids from public schools is added to the House version of the bill. Here's the Reuters story.

Smaller companies growing faster in the Netherlands (Tuesday, 7/9/96)
In the Netherlands, most new jobs are being created by companies with no more than 10 employees, according to a new report from the small businesses economic institute EIM. The data reflect a big increase in the number of self-employed persons.

French talks scheduled on shorter working hours (Tuesday, 7/9/96)
La Tribune Desfosses reports that the French government has held talks with business and labor representatives on how to cut working hours in order to limit unemployment. Such "job sharing" approaches have been considered more frequently in some European countries than in the United States. However, the average number of hours worked per year in France is already smaller than in the United States or Japan. Current unemployment is running at 12.4 percent in France, compared to 5.3 percent in the United States and 3.5 percent in Japan. Also today, Les Echos reports that France's state-owned railway company has postponed a board meeting until the end of the month as well as talks with labor unions about reorganizing the company. They're waiting for a court decision on whether to release company chairman Loik Le Flock-Prigent from custody.

British Petroleum in Australia offers wage increase (Tuesday, 7/9/96)
BP Australia has offered workers at its Brisbane refinery pay raises and bonuses amounting to 16 percent over the next 2 1/2 years. Union members will vote during the next few weeks on whether to accept the deal. Union leaders are recommending acceptance, because it would amount to a pace-setting agreement for the industry. The Australian Financial Review reports.

More on the workplace violence report (Tuesday, 7/9/96)
Here's today's story in the Minneapolis Star Tribune about workplace violence. Each week, 20 workers are killed on the job. The Star Tribune also has stories today about a loyal Republican who has abandoned the ticket this year because of issues relating to persons with disabilities, the problem of finding employees in the inner city, and the comeback of the MBA degree.

Economists calm about inflation (Tuesday, 7/9/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal explains why economists aren't worried about inflation, despite last month's jobs and earnings data. Often, such indications of rapid growth are interpreted to mean that the economy is "overheating" and about to cause inflationary distortions which tend to be bad for nearly everybody. Not this time, though, according to the Jouranl. Today's edition also has a story by Hal Lancaster on performance reviews and why they're more useful when more join in. In addition, a story by Valerie Reitman tells how the big Mitsubishi sexual harassment case in the U.S. is causing sensitivity seminars in Japan.

Little change for migrant workers (Tuesday, 7/9/96)
Today's New York Times says that the decades have brought little improvement for migrant workers. Today's Times also has stories about the Gazans, who want their jobs back in Israel, and the continuing distress of the Serbian economy, still not recovered from the 1991 breakup of Yugoslavia.

Swiss minister opposes salary cuts (Monday, 7/8/96)
Swiss Transport Minister Moritz Leuenberger says he opposes the Swiss Federal Railway plan to cut staff salaries. He doesn't see why employees should have to pay for the company's financial troubles. He told the Swiss newspaper SonntagsBlick that companies in Switzerland seem to be increasingly favoring stockholders at the expense of jobs.

Bankrupticies up in Austria (Monday, 7/8/96)
Die Presse reports that personal bankruptcies in Austria have more than doubled during the first half of the year compared to two years earlier.

Spanish employers may contribute more to social security (Monday, 7/8/96)
The Spanish government is studying a plan that would increase employer contributions to the social security system as part of its effort to cut costs and solve budgetary problems in order to qualify for the single European currency. The changes would occur over the next five years, but other changes will be put into effect next year. For instance, workers will be provided with incentives to delay retirement, according to La Expansion.

Dutch cabinet working to shrink gap (Monday, 7/8/96)
Dutch newspapers this morning are reporting that the Dutch cabinet is developing a plan to reduce the gap in the Netherlands' social security funds affecting pensions, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and national health insurance.

BA pilots oppose possible use of foreign pilots during a strike (Monday, 7/8/96)
London's Daily Telegraph reports that British Airways pilots are moving ahead with efforts to prevent the airline from using foreign crews in the event of a pilots strike later in the month. They have appealed to the International Federation of Airline Pilot Associations. Also in the UK, the Times of London today reports that Conservative Members of Parliament are trying to force Prime Minister John Major to confront European Union proposals for a maximum work week of 48 hours.

Caring enough to keep employees creative (Monday, 7/8/96)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune has a story on how Hallmark Cards works to keep employee creativity from flickering out.

Not so much danger in being frank now (Monday, 7/8/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal explains why former bosses can be more honest in their employee references now.

Lobbyists work overtime as minimum wage vote approaches (Monday, 7/8/96)
The U.S. Senate is set to vote on the minimum wage increase on June 26, and the Senators are the targets of many efforts to persuade. Here's the New York Times story.

More on South Korea's illegal workers problem (Monday, 7/8/96)
South Korea has a labor shortage, so there is strong pressure to use foreign workers, and they have strong incentives to stay in the country once their visas expire. The Singapore Business Times reports.

Clock ticking for new graduates (Sunday, 7/7/96)
The Minneapolis Star Tribune has a story today about what graduation means to millions of former students: Loan payback time. The Strib also has stories today about delaying discussion of salary requirements in a job interview and about efforts to head off a pilots strike at British Airways. The Star Tribune's Chuck Haga also writes today that sociologist Arlie Hochschild thinks that many Americans are working so much because work is more pleasant than home, while the paper's H. J. Cummins says that researcher Lotte Bailyn's latest study says that conflicts between work and families arise more from badly run workplaces than from workers' personal problems.

Employees downsizing themselves (Sunday, 7/7/96)
Today's New York Times tells about downsizing in employee-owned firms. The Times also has stories about how union concessions helped bring a factory to New York, a baby boomer retirement scenario, and how the aging baby boomer generation will mean a surge in healthcare-related jobs. Also, the Times tells you about the online versions of the Occupational Outlook Handbook and Report on Employment Projections.

Korean pilot shortage leads to increase in retirement age (Sunday, 7/7/96)
The Korea Herald South Korean pilots will be able to work until age 62, according to new rules. The Herald reports on relaxed procedures for promoting higher education faculty, and that about 60% of foreign workers are remaining in the country illegally.

Lindgren offers advice in overcoming past (Sunday, 7/7/96)
Career consultant and and St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Amy Lindgren today has advice on how to overcome big mistakes in your past when trying to get a job. She tells about Mike Davis Project Turnaround in Minneapolis which helps ex-offenders get a fresh start in the workforce. In a separate piece, Lindgren offers advice on the job search process, saying that one should set a timetable, outline a strategy, and expect success. Also, in today's Pioneer Press, Republican Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming tells why he supports parity for mental health treatment in the insurance bill. His column is distributed nationally by the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service. The Pioneer Press is on the web, but you'll have to subscribe in order to read most full stories.

Clinton claims credit for economy (Saturday, 7/6/96)
U.S. President Bill Clinton says the American economy is in the best shape in a generation, and his administration is responsible. The American unemployment rate hit the lowest level in six years and the economy is generating jobs at a high rate. However, part of the dip in the unemployment rate in June is an artifact of the measurement being taken while many students were still in school, and a major portion of the new jobs are low-pay service jobs. The big news continues to be the structural changes in the American economy as well as in many other national economies worldwide. Feelings of economic insecurity run high, according to polls, despite strength on many conventional economic indicators. The Democrats are hoping that the President will be given credit for the economy's strengths in the November election. Republicans are hoping that this election year will be different, and that they will be able to tap into the remaining insecurities arising from the structural changes. So far, Clinton remains ahead in the polls, despite various scandals touching his administration, and the latest jobs data have helped strengthen the American currency. Incidentally, neighboring Canada's economy is not doing so well, even by conventional indicators. Canada experienced the largest increase in unemployment in 14 years last month.

Strike set at British Airways (Saturday, 7/6/96)
British Airways pilots say they are set to strike July 16 unless their demands are met. Reuters has the story today.

Folk hero Feuerstein could lose his company (Saturday, 7/6/96)
Aaron Feuerstein has put his company on the line in order to support his employees. However, what kind of precedent will be set if he goes out of business as a consequence? Is it all really in his employees' best interest? Does "corporate responsibility" most fundamentally mean protecting jobs by staying in business? Here's the story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

How to attend a conference (Saturday, 7/6/96)
The Chicago Tribune's Carol Kleiman tells about the upcoming Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference and Women's Business and Buyers Mart to be held on September 12 in Chicago. Don't simply attend passively, she says. What do you want to get out of a conference? Decide on your goals ahead of time and accomplish them before the day ends. Take plenty of business cards and hand them out. Carry a tape recorder or notebook; don't trust your memory. Carol Kleiman does three columns weekly, and they are distributed throughout the United States. You'll find lots of them on the Tribune's web site here, as well as here. The Tribune also has a story today telling about why suing an employer should be a last resort.

The ten healthiest (Saturday, 7/6/96)
Working Woman magazine this month has identified the 10 healthiest companies for women. Six criteria were used, including choice of at least two different health plans, reproductive health benefits, mental health benefits, and disease prevention. The current edition of the magazine also features a major piece on women and technology. The magazine has a web site, but it does not duplicate the print edition.

Lowest unemployment in six years (Friday, 7/5/96)
The U. S. Department of Labor reports that unemployment in the United States fell to a 6-year low in June. All major news services have the story this morning. Here's the Washington Post version. The strong jobs figures prompted a big sell-off on Wall Street amid persistent fears the Federal Reserve will end up raising interest rates to moderate the high rate of economic growth because of inflation fears, according to Reuters. A lot of new jobs are still being produced, the Post reports, but, the St. Paul Pioneer Press says that nearly all are in the service sector, and a lot of those are in the low-pay part of the service sector. Service jobs tend to be either high-income and high-skill (e.g., surgeon, corporate consultant) or low-income and low-skill (e.g., waiter, fast food), with fewer in between.

California violence over immigration legislation (Friday, 7/5/96)
Protesters clashed violently over Proposition 187, according to Reuters.

Public sector wage freeze planned in Switzerland (Friday, 7/5/96)
Tages-Anzeiger reports that the Swiss government plans to cut its deficit by freezing salaries for public-sector workers next year and the year after. A reduction in wages has not been ruled out, and a cut of 1,000 jobs has already been announced. Also in Switzerland, Basler Zeitung reports that employers have begun a campaign for a referendum to change Swiss employment laws so that companies will be in a better position when negotiating with unions. Employers say they need more flexibility in order to remain competitive. Unions say worker rights are threatened.

One-day steel company strike (Friday, 7/5/96)
Belgium's Le Soir reports that workers at Boel held a one-day strike in order to exert pressure on the company's management to commit itself about the future of the company. The Belgian steel industry is in crisis. Another company, Forges de Clabecq SA, is hoping for European Commission approval for a bailout plan.

Unemployment increase expected in France (Friday, 7/5/96)
France's unemployment benefit system, Unedic predicts that the number of jobless in the country will rise by somewhere between 50,000 and 80,000 this year. The actual number will be determined by how fast the economy grows, according to Les Echos.

Skirts-only policy in Hong Kong? (Friday, 7/5/96)
Hong Kong's anti-discrimination board may endorse a rule allowing employers to require female employees to wear skirts, according to the South China Morning Post.

Attempt to organize strawberry pickers (Friday, 7/5/96)
The New York Times has a story about a union's efforts to organize 15,000 strawberry pickers. Here's the story via the Minneapolis Star Tribune web site. The Star Tribune also contains editorials today about lawyers sharing their wealth in Minnesota and about the use of more part-time bus drivers.

Fed leaves interest rates alone, for now (Thursday, 7/4/96)
Reuters reports that the Federal Reserve announced their decision Wednesday to leave interest rates unchanged, taking a wait-and-see approach. Also, May figures show high levels of manufacturing activity in the American economy, as well as plentiful jobs. Reuters also reports on the historic railway merger. No indication yet what the implications for jobs will be. There are also stories about a UK psychologist's claim that women are sold on the Internet, the latest chapter in what appears to be a growing 1990's-style slavery in a world where life seems to be getting cheaper, in the eyes of many, as well as Democratic claims that Senator Bond's proposed amendment would deny a minimum wage increase to half of low wage earners.

New Rand Corporation study on effects of immigration (Thursday, 7/4/96)
Data may confirm some fears and shows much variability in the economic progress of immigrants, according to the New York Times.

Korean firm to lay off 800 in Singapore (Thursday, 7/4/96)
Maxtor Singapore Ltd. produces hard disk drives and is a division of South Korea's Hyundai Corp. In a productivity move, the company has announced a big cut in jobs, according to Computer News Daily, a service of the New York Times.

Store hours debate broadening in Austria (Thursday, 7/4/96)
The president of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce would like retail stores to stay open until 10 PM on weeknights and 6 PM on Saturdays. The organization says that their research indicates that a majority of consumers would like to see longer store hours, according to Die Presse. Traditionally, retail stores have maintained restricted hours in some European countries, but sluggish economic activity has exerted pressures for changes, with resistance from some unions. Also, Die Presse reports today that hundreds of Austrian jobs are likely to be lost by the end of the year as Semperit, a part of the German tiremaker Continental AG, moves much of its production to the Czech Republic.

Swiss referendum to be held on labor law (Thursday, 7/4/96)
Reuters reports that a petition with more than 150,000 signatures will force the Swiss government to hold a referendum on whether to partially deregulate Swiss labor law. Some trade unions are opposed to government plans, not only to extend shopping hours, but also to require employees to work up to 500 hours of overtime per year.

Many Swiss jobs secure because of new train contract (Thursday, 7/4/96)
Neue Zuercher Zeitung reports that the Swiss national railway has placed one of the largest orders ever for new high-speed tilting trains, which will keep 600 Swiss jobs secure for five years. The contract is for US$397 million.

UK pilots vote to strike (Thursday, 7/4/96)
London's Financial Times reports that British Airways planes may be grounded during the summer season. BA pilots have voted to strike over pay and pension issues, although service may be maintained with the use of new pilots.

Dutch government wants partial layoff possibility (Thursday, 7/4/96)
According to Het Financieele Dagblad, the Dutch government would like to allow businesses to lay off workers in part. That is, employees would give up part of their salaries, and the government would make up for a part of the loss through unemployment benefit payments. Companies would be better able to respond flexibly to changing market conditions. The plan is similar to one in effect in Germany.

Spanish health care system to be reorganized (Thursday, 7/4/96)
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar says that his government will reorganize the public heath care system in order to reduce costs and make it operate more efficiently. The system will still be government-run, however. El Mundo reports the story this morning. Also in Spain, Cinco Dias reports that the Spanish government expects pension costs to rise 6.7% this year.

401(k)s popular, but many workers are vulnerable (Thursday, 7/4/96)
Andrea Knox, writing in the Philadelphia Inquirer, says that there are now far more 401(k)s than traditional company pension plans, and nearly as many workers are covered by them. Companies like them because they are less expensive, and workers like them for various reasons, among which is that they are portable; i.e., they can be taken from job to job, and occupational mobility is increasing dramatically. However, many workers are starting too late, not putting enough in them, or are pulling money out for other purposes, making it highly likely that they will experience a major decline in living standard upon retirement

Women's Healthcare Consultants described (Thursday, 7/4/96)
Chuck Hutchcraft of the Chicago Tribune writes that the Women's Healthcare Consultants was founded on the belief that women are the primary decision-makers relating to the health of their families. The company is located in Evaston, Illinois, and publishes newsletters for and distributed by hospitals, health maintenance organizations, and Medicaid populations. All but one of the company's 30 employees are women, and they see their role as empowering women when it comes to healthcare choices. They also work to persuade employers to develop more family-friendly work settings that take into account that workers have a family life. The Tribune is on the web.

U.S. economy awaits Fed decision (Wednesday, 7/3/96)
Favorable employment statistics and other indicators of economic strength still stimulate fears of inflation in some quarters. A decision about interest rates is expected today. Here's the story from Reuters.

Digital to make big cuts (Wednesday, 7/3/96)
Digital Equipment seemed to be doing well, but some parts of the company are doing much better than others. Their part of the personal computer industry has been awful, and they're planning big layoffs in order to try to adjust. Here's the Washington Post version of the story, and here's the story from Reuters. Everyone else has the story today too, including the Wall Street Journal. Speaking of job cuts, they're still happening in other parts of the world, not just in the U.S.. For instance, a large Swiss banking organization will cut 5,000 jobs. Reuters has that story too.

New York law aims to discourage sweatshops (Wednesday, 7/3/96)
New York's governor has signed new legislation that is intended to stop sweatshops in the state.

Labor Department cancels audits (Wednesday, 7/3/96)
The U.S. Department of Labor has canceled two audits that were intended to determine if NationsBank Corporation has been complying with affirmative action guidelines, according to the Wall Street Journal. The bank had filed suit against the agency arguing that the audits violating the company's constitutional rights against search and seizure. The Journal also reports that a federal appeals court has ruled that the buyout contract between United Airlines and its unions will stand. Non-union workers had filed a class-action lawsuit against the company claiming that they illegally permitted unions to negotiate wage concessions affecting non-union employees. The court ruled that the non-union workers have no standing to challenge the contract.

Astra wins court of appeals stay (Wednesday, 7/3/96)
The Boston Globe reports that Astra USA has won a stay of a lower court decision allowing workers who settled harassment claims to file charges with federal regulators. It means that Astra USA employees who reached settlements can't file additional claims with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Swiss banks reminded of social responsibilities (Wednesday, 7/3/96)
Tages-Anzeiger reports that the Swiss president has told Swiss banks not to forget their social responsibilities following an announcement by the country's second largest banking organization that restructuring will lead to laying off 3,500 employees in Switzerland.

Austrian argument about flex work continues; union describes conditions (Wednesday, 7/3/96)
Austria's Oesterreichische Gewerkschaftbund says it will support flexible working hours only if there are also shorter hours. A proposal would allow construction workers to work overtime in the summer and collect the money in the off-season, according to Der Standard.

Unemployment down in Spain (Wednesday, 7/3/96)
La Expansion reports that unemployment in Spain fell by 30,000 in June. However, the country's quarterly unemployment rate of 22.7 percent is the highest among European Union countries. Also, on the employment front, Belgium's De Financieel Economische Tijd reports that that country's jobless total fell 1.5 percent in May and 5.2 percent in June. Belgian unemployment now stands at 12.8 percent.

Blair wants party members to support changed plans (Wednesday, 7/3/96)
The United Kingdom's Labour Party will tighten up on budget controls, if party leader Tony Blair has his way. Blair may be the next British Prime Minister and wants a different Labour approach to spending, according to the UK's Financial Times.

Italian strike threatened (Wednesday, 7/3/96)
The head of Italy's CGIL labor union threatens to call a strike if the Italian Prime Minister doesn't modify spending cut proposals affecting social and health services, according to La Repubblica.

German minimum wage issue may end up in court (Wednesday, 7/3/96)
Germany's IG Bau union wants a court order to declare a negotiated minimum wage for construction workers legally binding. Unions have wanted a minimum wage in order to protect German construction workers from foreigner workers who may be less costly to employers. Handelsblatt reports that a minimum wage had been agreed upon with employers.

A few more days off in the U.S., but nothing like Germany (Wednesday, 7/3/96)
The Christian Science Monitor reports on a growing trend in the U.S., as downsizing's survivors generally work more. Germany still leads in the amount of time off for workers, but, as we've been reporting for months, there are strong pressures in that country to reduce labor costs, as well as the costs of benefits and social services.

More evidence of strength in U.S. economy (Tuesday, 7/2/96)
Reuters reports on U.S. Department of Commerce data for May. Reuters also has a story today on an appeals court ruling on the American military's ``don't ask, don't tell'' policy.

Swiss drug makers offer early retirement incentives (Tuesday, 7/2/96)
Tages Anzeiger reports that Sandoz AG and Ciba-Geigy AG intend to cut 3,500 jobs, but will try to do it mostly by offering incentives in order to avoid as many layoffs as possible. The two companies are merging to create Novartis AG.

More on extended retail hours (Tuesday, 7/2/96)
Germany is moving in the direction of extending the hours retail stores remain open, and Austria is debating it. Now, FNV, the largest union in the Netherlands, says that it doesn't think retail stores are benefiting from staying open past 6 PM, according to De Volkskrant.

Korean president tries to calm economic fears (Tuesday, 7/2/96)
The current slump in the South Korean economy doesn't mean crisis, according to the country's president. The Korea Herald has the story today.

Columnist says computers have made us less productive (Tuesday, 7/2/96)
David Morris, writing in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, says we can't do without computers, but their economic impact has been the opposite of what