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June 1996

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G7 summit ends (Sunday, 6/30/96)
Leaders of the seven largest industrial economies ended their meeting, vowing to work together to reduce the chaos in the new world economy and gain more control over the forces that are battering local national economies. Here's the Reuters version of the story.

Employers help employees learn about retirement options (Sunday, 6/30/96)
The Minneapolis Star Tribune contains a lot about work today. First, there's the story about retirement-related education for employees. Then, check the story on "emotional intelligence" as an employment selection criterion. There's also an important story on mental illness in the workplace, and a piece on the difference between working and overworking.

Chancellor Kohl's wild ride (Sunday, 6/30/96)
German Chancellor Kohl tenure is including historic events and trends in contemporary German history. Most recently, he's been trying to push through his austerity program, despite tremendous resistance from labor. Today's New York Times reports on his rough ride. The Times also reports on a threatened strike from the people who fuel airplanes at JFK International Airport, and how issues relating to the "family-friendly" workplace have been discovered by politicians. Also, check the Times story on the new career companion, which may turn out to be an important resource meriting a "bookmark" in your browser.

Professor expects a united Korea to be powerful force (Sunday, 6/30/96)
Many people are expecting that the re-uniting of North and South Korea is inevitable. South Korea's economy has become a powerful force in world affairs. Here's a professor who expects that the re-united Korea will be even more so in the next century.

Will Hong Kong become the world's most successful financial and business center? (Sunday, 6/30/96)
China takes control of Hong Kong one year from today, Hong Kong time. Hong Kong's Governor Patten expects amazing things if China keeps its promises. However, there is also widespread anxiety about political conditions in the colony once it's part of China. Many forecasters are predicting that China will have the world's largest economy by 2020. Given the tremendously high rates of development in some parts of the country, it should not be surprising if China's leadership is giving serious thought to extending Hong Kong's role following reversion. China is engaged in an historic experiment in which they are attempting to combine free-market capitalism with political totalitarianism while also trying to retain some of the communist ideology that helped unite the country fifty years ago. However, the fast growth regions of the country appear to be gaining some degree of political autonomy already, so the future may contain a range of possibilities.

G7 agrees that globalization a good thing (Saturday, 6/29/96)
Leaders of the world's 7 largest industrial economies have issued a statement in Lyon, France. Among other things, they're optimistic. Globalization "a source of hope," they say. Reuters reports this story, as well as stories about the grounding of Air France because of a strike, Clinton's threat to veto the minimum wage increase if businesses are exempt, and the Supreme Court ruling affirming the right of free speech for independent government contractors. Contractors cannot be fired because of their political views.

First woman Rotary president (Saturday, 6/29/96)
The Seattle Times reports that Anne Farrell has become the first president of the 715-member Seattle Rotary Club. The group began admitting women in 1987.

Flex-work is flex for whom? (Saturday, 6/29/96)
Author Jane Slaughter spoke last Wednesday at a University of Oregon forum and said that work-time flexibility often means more flexibility for companies and less for workers. She said that in applying "just-in-time" principles to manufacturing has resulted in a cadre of just-in-time employees. Temporary, part-time, and contract workers can be summoned and dispensed with quickly. They're typically paid less and also receive fewer benefits and have less job stability, according to Slaughter. The story is reported in the Eugene, Oregon Register-Guard.

Swedish drug firm fires its U.S. chief (Saturday, 6/29/96)
Reuters reports that the Swedish company Astra has fired the head of its U.S. operations, Lars Bildman, following abuse of power charges and also charges of sexual harassment. Along similar lines, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that an Anoka, Minnesota recreational vehicle dealer has agreed to a financial settlement of a sexual harassment lawsuit. The dealer will pay $350,000. to 19 female employees. The suit was brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of the workers. Reuters also reports that sexual harassment is an increasing problem in Asian workplaces. A survey was conducted by Asia Business News and the Far Eastern Economic Review and included 300 top executives. Who's really an "independent contractor?" (Saturday, 6/29/96)
A new Minnesota law makes it harder for contractors to claim that construction workers are "independent contractors" rather than employees in order to avoid taxes and insurance premiums. Also, enforcement efforts will be stepped up, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Contract expiration nears in Philadelphia (Saturday, 6/29/96)
Philadelphia's largest municipal workers union and the city are trying to head off a strike following the July 1 contract expiration involving 20,000 workers. The unions remember four years ago when the city's mayor imposed contracts that are still widely resented. The city was nearly bankrupt at that time. Union leaders felt that workers paid too much then for the city's recovery and vow that things will be different this time. Recently, the city has privatized a number of city operations, eliminating 800 jobs, according to a story in the Philadelphia Daily News.

G7 summit trying to think about things in addition to terrorism (Friday, 6/28/96)
Leaders of the world's seven largest industrial nations meeting in Lyon, France seem to be optimistic about growth and other issues, and are preparing to issue their report. You can follow the details yourself at the G7 web site. In the U.S., Reuters reports that the Commerce Department is saying that the American economy grew a little less during the first quarter than originally thought, and a private research organization finds that the help wanted index and jobless claims are down. Also, both sides in the McDonnell Douglas dispute have agreed to continue talking next week.

Not enough qualified workers (Friday, 6/28/96)
Bloomberg reports that a scarcity of qualified workers is hurting small business. Here's the story on the Minneapolis Star Tribune web site.

House Republicans ready to back off a bit on welfare issue (Friday, 6/28/96)
House Republicans want Speaker Gingrich to separate welfare reform from a Medicaid bill Clinton has said he will veto. Also, a welfare reform bill becomes law in Alaska.

Mexican employment up, but not a record (Friday, 6/28/96)
Mexico's Reforma says the Mexican government is reporting that 8.7 million people now have jobs with benefits, the highest since December 1994, but below the December 1992 record.

UAW focusing on auto parts suppliers (Friday, 6/28/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal has a story about the United Auto Workers making a major effort to organize workers at the auto parts supplier companies. A major concern of organized labor recently has been unionized companies "outsourcing" work by obtaining parts from non-unionized companies at the expense of unionized workers. The on-going conflict with General Motors is an example.

Japan expanding dual system (Friday, 6/28/96)
Young people are combining training in schools with training in business to prepare for careers, and Japan is expanding the program. The Japan Times has the story.

Mitsubishi annual meeting picketed in Tokyo (Friday, 6/28/96)
Reuters reports that about 25 representatives of U.S. and Japanese women's rights and civil liberties groups picketed Mitsubishi's annual meeting yesterday, but some leaders now expect that action will be taken to resolve the U.S. lawsuit and improve conditions for women and minorities working for Mitsubishi in the United States. Some Democratic congresswomen want the EEOC to monitor Mitsubishi closely, and Nihon Keizai says that American activist Jesse Jackson will meet with Mitsubishi's chairman next month to discuss the big sexual harassment case in the United States and to encourage the company to hire more minority workers. Reuters also reports that Ireland will use its 6-month presidency of the European Union to make the creation of jobs a top priority.

Job growth attributed to "lean and mean" policies (Friday, 6/28/96)
Mara Der Hovanesian, writing in Walnut Creek, California's Contra Costa Times, says that, despite corporate restructuring's impact on individuals and on the anxiety levels of many workers, it has contributed to phenomenal job growth in the United States. The creation of new jobs in the United States has far surpassed rates in other countries recently, and the "lean and mean" policies of American companies have been among the reasons.

Camp for kids teaches business skills (Friday, 6/28/96)
Teenagers are spending four weeks at camp learning about the world of business, including the extracurricular elements that can influence the advancement of careers. Rosland Briggs, in the Philadelphia Inquirer, reports that a business element has been added to summer sports camps operated by the Julian Krisnsky School of Tennis. Other camps focusing only on small business and the stock market are offered in various parts of the country, including Baltimore, Washington, D. C., New York, and Los Angeles.

Unemployment up in Italy (Friday, 6/28/96)
Reuters reports that April unemployment statistics in Italy rose .1 of a percent, with most of the increase coming in the poorer southern regions of the country, according to the Italian statistics office. Unemployment stood at 12.3 percent in the latest figures. Unemployment among young people is far higher in the south than in the more prosperous north. Reuters also reports on a strike for a day in London. Drivers on the city's underground railway left the job yesterday and brought chaos to the city. Drivers want a better pay arrangement, and have scheduled additional one-day strikes in July. UK Postal workers also started their second strike in protest of new work practices.

European experts say American should expect more from its youth (Friday, 6/28/96)
Three European experts in work force development and school-to-work programs visited Seattle earlier in the week. They agreed that America would have less difficulty with its youth unemployment problem if more were expected from American young people. America is the only industrialized country that hasn't formalized the path from school to work, according to Ellen O'Brien Saunders of Washington's Work Force Training and Education Coordinating Board, which set up the meeting. The story is reported in Tacoma's News Tribune.

Hard to concentrate on jobs at summit (Thursday, 6/27/96)
The bomb attack on U.S. soldiers in Saudi Arabia has shifted the G7 summit's attention to terrorism, as talks open in Lyon, France, despite demands by demonstrators to give priority to jobs issues. Reuters has this story, as well as stories about the evacuation of aid workers in Somalia and the resolution of a pilots dispute at TWA.

Unemployment down last week (Thursday, 6/27/96)
Economists were surprised that first-time unemployment benefit claims were down last week, according to Reuters. Also, the House has voted to eliminate funding for AmeriCorps, but it may not be all over yet, and Reuters also reports that the Supreme Court has ruled that the Virginia Military Institute must admit women.

Dole to step up attack on Clinton economics (Thursday, 6/27/96)
The New York Times reports that Presidential Candidate Robert Dole intends to increase attacks on President Clinton's economic record in the campaign. Ordinarily, in American presidential elections, incumbent presidents tend to get credit for good economic times and blame for bad. This time, things are less certain, because, while the American economy is in the best shape in years according to many conventional indicators, polls indicate that there is also widespread economic insecurity. The Republicans must be assuming that popular perceptions will prevail, despite measurable realities. Of course, the historic structural changes, because they are historic, throw a new factor into the equation.

July 4 strike may or may not occur (Thursday, 6/27/96)
Belgium's Le Soir reports that unions are divided over whether to strike on July 4 at Usines Gustave Boel, the troubled Belgian steel company, as we reported yesterday. Workers want clarification on whether the company will be closed. One union feels that a strike would be counterproductive, under the circumstances.

Spain may freeze public sector wages (Thursday, 6/27/96)
The new Spanish government of Jose Maria Aznar is considering freezing public sector wages next year in order to help meet its deficit reduction goals. Some 600,000 workers would be affected. The country is under pressure to qualify for the single European currency. El Pais reports.

Korean economy slowing (Thursday, 6/27/96)
Much work-related news in South Korea today. First, there is widespread concern and considerable argument about South Korea's economic slowdown, as reported in the Korea Herald. Also, the paper has stories today about the growing issue of work safety in the country, a threatened strike at nine hospitals, the high cost of labor in the Korean economy, compared to others, and a forecast saying that South Korean farm income may rise almost four-fold by 2020. Other forecasters are predicting that China will have the world's largest economy by that time, and that South Korea will become a member of G7 long before.

Non-profit group works to reform Social Security (Thursday, 6/27/96)
Annette Kondo, writing in the Lexington Kentucky Herald-Leader, describes widespread anxieties about the American Social Security system, and questions by many about whether it will be there when they need it. Even very young people are feeling they should begin saving for retirement. Economic Security 2000 is a non-profit organization working to change the Social Security system in order to put it on a sound financial basis. They would like payments to go into IRA-type accounts managed by professional money managers chosen by workers themselves.

Author says blue-collar world still most heavily male (Thursday, 6/27/96)
Carol Kleiman, in her Chicago Tribune career column, describes economist Joyce Jacobsen's new book, The Economics of Gender, published by Blackwell and available for $25.95. While many occupations have opened up during the past twenty years or so, women who have entered traditionally male occupations still haven't been integrated into the mainstream.

Union members demonstrate at Georgia paper (Thursday, 6/27/96)
About 150 people demonstrated on behalf of striking newspaper workers in Detroit, but they demonstrated at the Macon, Georgia Telegraph, which, like the Detroit Free Press, is also owned by Knight-Ridder. The Detroit newspaper workers have been on strike for nearly a year over a company demand that half of raises from now on be merit raises, rather than across the board.

Child labor on the increase (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions conference is exploring ways to help countries get out of a "downward spiral." The problem of child labor seems to be increasing in various parts of the world at a time when slavery, including sex slavery, also appear to be on the increase. Population pressures combined with growing economic disparities seem to be making life cheaper in the eyes of many, according to Reuters. Also, here's the Reuters story today on news of the apparent break in the Senate deadlock on the minimum wage. Here's the New York Times version of that story, as presented on the Minneapolis Star Tribune web site.

Belgian strike scheduled (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
Workers at the Belgian Usines Gustave Boel steel company want to know about the future of the company, and plan a July 4 strike to put pressure on management to clarify things. Forges de Clabecq SA is near bankruptcy, as the crisis in the Walloon steel industry continues. Le Soir has the story. The paper is on the web in French.

Inc. Magazine has new site (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
As an increasing number of people become entrepreneurs, voluntarily or otherwise, they need all the help they can get. Popular and influential Inc. Magazine has just gone on web, and appears to be an important resource. Among other things, there is information on how to start your own business, and here's a special article on whether "microloans" really help the poor.

Sayner receives award (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
Former corporate president Donald Sayner has received the Carl Gerber Community Excellence Award from the Century College Foundation. Don was a laid-off executive, and, in order to assist others who have been displaced from the new economy, he founded the Minnesota non-profit Jobs in Transition organization, which he now heads full-time. JIT operates a number of job support and resource centers in Minnesota. Don and his organization of volunteers have served thousands of job seekers, helping many of them obtain new positions. JIT's services are free.

Swiss employers want social security cuts (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
Tages-Anzeiger reports that the Swiss Employers' Organization is urging the Swiss government to cut social security spending and not introduce maternity insurance.

G7 summit picketed (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
Reuters reports that tens of thousands of union members are picketing the G7 summit set to start in Lyon, France, demanding that leaders give priority to jobs issues.

Austrian austerity brings protests (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
Neue Kronen Zeitung reports that 700 Austrian postal employees say they could begin walkouts in Vienna post offices tomorrow in protest of personnel cuts that will mean more work for them.

Italian tariffs may rise, unions told (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
Italy's Corriere della Sera reports that the Italian government's price setting body meets today. The government is telling unions that tariffs on water, highways, and sewers may rise.

Big training costs at Spanish airline (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
La Gaceta de Negocios says today that the Spanish airline Iberia spent 6.4 billion pesetas to train pilots that it didn't hire. Some are working for other airlines. The airline lost 45 billion pesetas last year and 66 billion the year before.

France to raise minimum wage (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
The French minimum wage goes up 0.5 percent on July 1. As many as 2.3 million French workers are paid the minimum wage, about 11 percent of the working population. Last year, it was about 8 percent., according to Figaro.

Industry-wide contracts should be limited, say employers lobby (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
The German lobby for engineering employers, Gesamtmetall, want industry-wide wage contracts scaled back. Companies want more flexibility in reaching individual agreements. Handelsblatt reports today.

Former GM workers scatter (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal has a story about a General Motors plant closing and its effect on workers, as well as a story about jobs and family issue during a political year.

Spirituality and work (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
Here's a Minneapolis Star Tribune story today about a theologian's ideas about the role of spirituality in the workplace. For some related ideas, see our review of John Cowan's books on our Reviews page. Also, in today's Strib, Dale Dauten, in his "Corporate Curmudgeon" column, says no one aspires to being dreary and difficult on the job, so what makes people that way? Are you that way, and, if so, why? He has found a new book he likes by consultant John Murphy, called Reinvent Yourself. Don't be put off by the "reinvent" cliche, he says. This one's worth a read. Dauten's column is syndicated throughout the United States by King Features.

Arthur Anderson becomes a convert (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
Jennifer Files of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Dallas office of Arthur Anderson & Co. is enthusiastic about the Dallas Together Covenant and the Dallas Women's Covenant in which they have been participating along with other companies to help minority and women-owned businesses. They make a point of encouraging the companies to bid on outside supplier contracts, and it's made a big difference to firms trying to get a foothold. Along similar lines, Comerica Bank in Detroit has announced that it has established a $10 million lending goal as part of a program for members of the Greater Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Women-owned business make up one of the fastest growing sectors of the American economy.

"Alliance for Jobs" pronounced dead (Wednesday, 6/26/96)
An official of a German employers organization says the "Alliance for Jobs," an agreement signed in January involving workers, government, and employers to try to lower unemployment, is finished, a victim of bitter struggles over the government's austerity measures, according to Reuters.

Expect 150 million new migrants during next fifty years (Tuesday, 6/25/96)
Large numbers of people are already migrating in search of work, but the growth of deserts will contribute even more. Here's the story from Reuters. Speaking of migrants, the Christian Science Monitor today reports that people trying to get to the U.S. are having trouble in Guatemala, and that a special police unit in Mexico is trying to protect others from abuse and exploitation.

Swiss railway wants to cut wages; transport minister responds (Tuesday, 6/25/96)
Moritz Leuenberger, the Swiss transport minister, says that the Swiss Federal Railways should try to improve profitability through a variety of cost-saving measures, not just by cutting wages. Tax changes could help, according to Tages Anzeiger.

Austrian unions oppose longer hours (Tuesday, 6/25/96)
After nearly forty years, Germany will be lengthening its retail store hours in order to stimulate the economy, and a similar movement is underway in Austria. However, Austria's retail unions aren't enthusiastic. Both countries have had some of the most restrictive retail store hours in Europe. Der Standard has the story today.

French jobless rate somewhat higher than thought (Tuesday, 6/25/96)
La Tribune Desfosses reports today that France's unemployment rate during Mach and April was 12.3%, rather than the 11.9% estimated earlier.

New Indian Prime Minister meets with unions (Tuesday, 6/25/96)
India's Economic Times reports that Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda met with labor union leaders yesterday, asking for legislation on labor in agriculture and construction. Unions also want secret ballots for recognizing unions.

Australian telephone company prepares for privatization (Tuesday, 6/25/96)
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a federal government study indicates that as many as 30,000 jobs may be cut as the state-owned telephone company, Telstra Corporation, prepares to go private. The phone company presently has a workforce of more than 74,000.

What good is a mid-life crisis? (Tuesday, 6/25/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal says your mid-life crisis may help you find the job you want. Also, check out the story about why delaying retirement account payouts may not be wise.

New study on GM's labor costs (Tuesday, 6/25/96)
General Motors still pays more for labor relating to parts, according to a recent report. The company wants extra concessions from the UAW, according to the New York Times.

Official says UK health system sinking (Tuesday, 6/25/96)
London's Electronic Telegraph reports that the chairman of the British Medical Association says Britain's NHS is "sinking like the Titanic" without adequate funding.

Data summarized (Tuesday, 6/25/96)
Here are the latest economic statistics of all types from USA Today.

Most Hong Kong women fear age discrimination (Tuesday, 6/25/96)
More on the age discrimination study from the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, reported by the Hong Kong Standard. The Standard also has stories today on business resistance to collective bargaining laws, and on a move to inspect Hong Kong dockyards for safety.

G7 summit this week (Monday, 6/24/96)
Leaders of the seven largest industrial economies meet in Lyon, France this week. Reuters reports the relative strength of the American economy may give President Clinton an edge, but there is growing frustration with U.S. trade policy. Reuters also has a story about the Census Bureau's new Internet service.

Strike less costly than expected (Monday, 6/24/96)
Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal report that the recent strike at General Motors didn't cost the company as much as expected. First quarter earnings were down $900 million because of lost production, but much of that has been made up by heavy scheduling of overtime.

Austrian bankers' hours may be extended (Monday, 6/24/96)
Salzburger Nachrichten says that Austria's Oesterreichische Volksbanken AG may keep its 40 Vienna branches open until 6 PM two days per week, because of growing competition. Labor unions are opposed to the plan. Germany is also moving in the direction of extending retail hours in order to stimulate the economy, breaking with a 40-year tradition of early closing.

Swiss unions oppose wage cuts (Monday, 6/24/96)
The Swiss Federal Railways are proposing to cut wages by 2 to 4 percent and suspend cost-of-living benefits in an effort to restore profitability. Unions are opposed and say they have not ruled out industrial action. The railway says the only alternative is major job losses.

A Labour government would impose minimum wage settlement (Monday, 6/24/96)
England's Guardian reports that the Labour Party expects to form a government before terribly long, and intends to impose a minimum wage settlement during its first year in power. The government would set a time limit on the Low Pay Commission's deliberations, and the new commission would include representatives of both employers and unions.

More job cuts than expected at Nabisco (Monday, 6/24/96)
Nearly 8 percent of the workforce will go in restructuring move, according to the Washington Post. Also, check out the Post's new job seeker's guide.

Still trying to cope with the ball-point pen? (Monday, 6/24/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal still finds computer illiterates in executive suites. The Journal also has a story today about firms that are refusing to pay overtime, and says the rules are confusing.

Lawyer specializes in age discrimination suits (Monday, 6/24/96)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune tells about the growing issue of age discrimination and how he's specializing in it.

How much do people make? (Monday, 6/24/96)
The Sunday supplement Parade Magazine yesterday published its annual look at pay rates by state and region, and also tells what some individuals are earning. For example, Roseanne made $19 million last year, if you want to do comparisons. Incidentally, people are finding jobs quicker now.

Postal strike in the UK (Sunday, 6/23/96)
The British postal service is trying to restructure, and unions don't like the effects on postal workers, according to London's Electronic Telegraph. There has been similar resistance to changes in the American postal system.

French government will try to save its railroads (Sunday, 6/23/96)
It's been six months since France's railway strike, and things may heat up again, according to the Christian Science Monitor. The Monitor also reports on the growing ethics awareness in American companies.

New setback for Ontario unions? (Sunday, 6/23/96)
The Windsor Star reports on a labour relations ruling won by General Motors of Canada.

Better pension protection proposed (Sunday, 6/23/96)
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, a federal insurance agency, has proposed legislation that would provide substantially improved pension protection for workers with multiple employers. The plan, which would have to be passed by Congress, would be of most benefit to blue collar workers, primarily in the construction, trucking, retail food, and textile industries who are covered by multiemployer retirement plans. In such plans, multiple employers contribute. However, at present, fewer than 1 percent of workers covered by multiemployer plans get full benefits if their pension funds run out of money. The new plan would guaranty full benefits.

Author speaks in Fort Lauderdale (Sunday, 6/23/96)
Ellen Forman, of Fort Lauderdale's Sun-Sentinel, reports on Kate White's recent talk in Fort Lauderdale. White is the author of Why Good Girls Don't Get Ahead But Gutsy Girls Do, published by Warner Books. She says that women in the work world have been taught to follow the rules, push the papers, and, sooner or later, they'll get rewarded. Don't count on it, according to her. Her career took off when she wised up and got more gutsy. Since her change of approach, she has held the top job at several national magazines, including Working Woman, McCalls, and Redbook.

California reimbursed (Sunday, 6/23/96)
About as unusual as a man bites dog story is a person returns money story. A formerly unemployed person has returned $2,500 in unemployment insurance benefits. Reuters reports.

Networking on the net (Sunday, 6/23/96)
Most people get good jobs, not through the want ads, but through "networking." Here's how people are doing it in cyberspace, according to the New York Times.The Times also has stories today about renewed blue-collar pride, and how women are still on the slow track, when it comes to earning a partnership in a law firm.

How's your state on child care? (Sunday, 6/23/96)
Working Mother magazine takes a look at child care in the 50 states.

Company-sponsored job fair for ValuJet employees (Saturday, 6/22/96)
More than 3,500 ValuJet employees are looking for work, but they're hoping it will be temporary. The airline voluntarily ceased operations following an FAA investigation.

Nabisco restructuring not to result in massive layoffs, company says (Saturday, 6/22/96)
Nabisco needs to cut costs. Some jobs will have to go, but the company says job losses should be minimal, according to the Reuters story. Reuters also has stories about Fidelity Investments restricting trading by employees and Kathie Lee Gifford's new deal to insure that workers manufacturing clothing sold under her name will make at least minimum wage and have good working conditions.

Increasing problems with home loans in Japan (Saturday, 6/22/96)
The recent economic slump in Japan has resulted in a 300 percent increase in the number of persons who have stopped paying interest on housing loans for more than six months, compared to a year earlier, according to Nihon Keizai.

New York teachers accept contract (Saturday, 6/22/96)
The New York Times reports this morning that New York teachers have accepted a contract that is about the same as what they had rejected at the end of last year. The Times also reports on an approaching strike deadline at Con Ed, a new Republican commercial attacking spending for illegal immigrants, and more on the University of Michigan study on the growing income gap. But, wait a minute. Is there really an income gap, and is it important? The Minneapolis Star Tribune has a story about a debate on that very issue.

Summer camp (Saturday, 6/22/96)
Knight-Ridder News Service reports on the growing trend toward using summer internships to help college students and employers take a close look at each other. The story is available on the St. Paul Pioneer Press web site, but you'll have to be a subscriber.

Credit card to draw on retirement funds? (Saturday, 6/22/96)
The Fortune Business Report tells about a plan that makes many people nervous.

New workers compensation legislation in Pennsylvania (Saturday, 6/22/96)
The Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Pennsylvania governor will soon sign workers compensation reform legislation that will reduce workers comp costs, which have been among the highest in the nation. New formulas for calculating benefits will be "devastating to construction workers," according to a union spokesman.

Oregon experiments with 12-hour shifts (Saturday, 6/22/96)
Sherri Buri, writing in Eugene's Register Guard, tells about workers who are choosing to work 12-hour shifts some days in order to have four consecutive days off. Some have been doing it for several years at the Pope & Talbot Halsey paper mill and like it. Nationally, an increasing number of companies are experimenting with a compressed work week.

South Korean automakers await results (Friday, 6/21/96)
Unions in South Korea are voting on proposals made by automobile manufacturers, hoping to end strikes that have largely stopped auto production in the country. Here's the story from Reuters. Also, the Korea Herald reports that police have stopped a strike at the Hilton hotel in Seoul. The Herald also has stories today about a hurried meeting of the Korea Employers' Federation in response to labor unrest due to layoffs, and about the growing number of Korean students studying overseas at younger ages.

Greenspan confirmed (Friday, 6/21/96)
Reuters reports that Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, has been confirmed for a third term. The wire service also has a story today about the holdup of health and welfare reform bills during the American presidential election year. Struggles also continue in the U.S. Senate over the minimum wage bill, and President Clinton prepares for the G7 summit in France next week, saying that the American economy is the strongest among the members.

Most favor ending age discrimination in Hong Kong (Friday, 6/21/96)
The Hong Kong Standard reports on a survey that finds most Hong Kong residents would like to see laws ending age discrimination. The Standard also reports that there is growing pressure to keep construction work sites safe. Also in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post reports that a legislator's report says that hundreds of workers involved in the construction of Hong Kong's new airport were fired last year because of poor needs assessment and planning.

Austrian growth to be slow, unemployment low (Friday, 6/21/96)
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development forecasts less than 1 percent economic growth in Austria in 1997, but unemployment should remain among the lowest in Europe, according to the Salzburger Nachrichten. The paper also reports today that Austrians will pay more for health care under the new government agreement to cut public spending and strengthen the public medical insurance fund.

Dutch ticket takers to be replaced by machines (Friday, 6/21/96)
The Dutch National Railway will close ticket booths in 51 train stations by July 1999 and replace them with machines. It is expected that 250 jobs will be affected.

Big breakthrough in Dubai (Friday, 6/21/96)
Reuters reports that a petroleum company in Dubai has started employing female pump attendants, and it's causing quite a stir. The economic role of women in many Islamic countries is limited, to say the least. For example, women cannot drive a car in Saudi Arabia, so female pump attendants make news in the Gulf.

Women's life expectancy rises in U.S. (Friday, 6/21/96)
On the average, women have been living longer than men in the United States for a long time, but the gap seems to be widening. The life expectancy for women now is 79 years, seven years longer than for men, according to Reuters. At the turn of the century, women's life expectancy was 48 years; however, much of the difference is attributable to the very high infant mortality rates of that period, which reduce the average length of life. Life expectancy, when calculated from birth, is considerably different than for persons who have already reached adulthood.

Former supermarket workers get help for retraining (Friday, 6/21/96)
Brian Jones, writing for the Providence Journal-Bulletin reports that the federal government will provide $2.3 million more to help former workers at the bankrupt Almacs chain to help in retraining and to help support their families in the meantime. Previously, another $2 million had been made available to help the 2,000 people in Rhode Island and Massachusetts thrown out of work by the company's failure.

Ministers meet to deal with migrant issues (Friday, 6/21/96)
Reuters reports that ministers from 39 Council of Europe countries met Monday in Warsaw to plan for regulating the movement of migrants and how to better integrate them into society. The flow of workers, legally and illegally, across international boundaries has become a critical issue in eastern Europe, as it has in many other countries, including the United States. A growing number of people are moving in search of work and the numbers have become great enough to cause disruptions in local economies.

Siemens workers reject proposal (Friday, 6/21/96)
Newport News' Daily Press reports that hourly workers in the Siemens automotive plant in Newport News have rejected a four-year contract proposal that would have provided them with pay and benefit levels less than they are seeking. Their current contract expires on August 31.

Mail sorters keep their jobs but change employers (Friday, 6/21/96)
Cathleen Ferraro, in California's Sacramento Bee, reports that 80 mail sorters at U.S. Computer Services International will keep their part time jobs, but, beginning July 7, they'll be working for Kelly Services, Inc. Their pay levels will not change. It's an interesting twist on the growing trend toward reliance on part-time employees as well as "outsourcing."

Minnesota women business owners honored (Friday, 6/21/96)
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that the Minnesota chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners last night. Minnesota has more than 166,000 women-owned business employing nearly 350,000 people and generating $42 billion in sales.

Fewer holidays and less pension support in Britain (Friday, 6/21/96)
A survey published by the consultancy firm Sedgwick Noble Lowndes says that British employers give their workers fewer holidays and contribute less to their pensions than employers in any other European country, according to Reuters. Italian employers make the largest pension contributions, according to the study. However, regular readers of NewWork News will know that many continental European countries are in the process of trying to cut back on various benefits provided by employers as well as by the respective European governments. The trend in many countries seems to be toward less employment security or social security and more self-reliance.

UAW delivers demands to Chrysler (Thursday, 6/20/96)
Contract talks between Chrysler Corporation and the United Auto Workers open with the UAW focusing on plans to make layoffs more costly and on limiting outsourcing. Bloomberg and today's Wall Street Journal have the story, among others.

Cost of aging will be high in the Netherlands (Thursday, 6/20/96)
De Volkskrant reports that the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says that the Dutch will have to spend about 10 percent of their net national income in order to keep pensions and health care at present levels as the population ages during the decades ahead. Finland leads industrial countries in the costs of aging, but the Netherlands will be second.

UK will check job seekers for criminal past (Thursday, 6/20/96)
London's Daily Telegraph reports that thousands of white-collar job seekers will be subject to full criminal checks from now on. Civil liberties groups say the measure is too wide-ranging.

Swiss create fewer jobs abroad last year (Thursday, 6/20/96)
Tages Anzeiger reports that fifty of Switzerland's largest companies created more than 20,000 jobs abroad last year compared to more than 50,000 the year before, but about 8,000 jobs were eliminated by the companies in Switzerland. The general trend toward moving operations out of the country seems to be continuing. The study was conducted by Schweizerische Handelszeitung, a business publication.

Spanish government wants to change basis for wage increases (Thursday, 6/20/96)
Spain's new conservative government would like employers to link pay increases to productivity rather than consumer prices. It says this would help create stability in employment. El Mundo and other publications report the story today.

Private pension plans favored (Thursday, 6/20/96)
Francois Leotard, former French defense minister, wants the government to cut taxes and allow private pensions, which he says should be a top priority, according to a story in today's Les Echos.

Employees become stakeholders (Thursday, 6/20/96)
Italy's Alitalia, the troubled national airline, has agreed to allow employees to take a major equity stake in the company in exchange for unspecified cost cuts, according to Corriere della Sera.

Labor market commission doesn't call for minimum wage (Thursday, 6/20/96)
South Africa's Business Report says that labor market commission proposals for a flexible labor market don't include a minimum wage plan. Representatives of labor, government, and business will attempt to negotiate an agreement.

Differences with communists worked out (Thursday, 6/20/96)
India's new coalition government has put budget cuts on hold following strong opposition from communist members of the coalition. India's Economic Times reports that communist representatives objected to plans that they feel would hurt employees. The budding conflict appeared to be the first major threat to the new government following much political turbulence in the country recently and much speculation about its economic implications.

Deadly sins of effectiveness (Thursday, 6/20/96)
Tom NcNichol has an opinion piece in the St. Paul Pioneer Press today called "The 7 deadly sins of highly effective people." He says that he has interviewed top executives all across the United States and has concluded that some familiar-looking behavioral habits or "sins" seem to be common to many of them, including pride, covetousness, lust, anger, and some of the others. The same edition contains a story by Darrell Rigby in which he suggests that executives aren't as enthusiastic about downsizing as they once were. Unfortunately, to read either of these pieces on the web, you'll have to be a subscriber.

Recent workplace issues identified (Thursday, 6/20/96)
Bonnie Newman Stanley, of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, says that human resource professionals are saying that, during the past ten years, some main issues have emerged in the workplace. Among them, workplace violence has taken new turns, including revenge against employers on the part of displaced workers. Also, technology has created a global workplace and has also made it easier to spy on employees. Stanley writes a regular workplace column, and here are some of her recent ones. The paper also has stories today about the continuing conflict between postal workers and the postal service. Among other things, workers claim technology is making them less productive. Finally, Betty Booker writes that we should prepare for change. Among other things, many Americans now feel they'll never be able to afford to retire.

GM to help Mexican workers with housing (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
In the growing furor over rich countries' exploitation of workers in poor countries, General Motors has taken its share of criticism. Now, they've made a deal to help some of their Mexican workers obtain low-cost housing loans. Here's the story from Reuters, which also reports today that the Japanese economy seems to be surging, finally.

Blair faces conflict with unions in UK (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
Tony Blair has signaled that a Labour government would not increase employment protection rights significantly. Blair spoke to a German employers organization. British Labour's stance seems to reflect the historic change of attitude in a number of European countries as all try to position themselves to compete in the new world economy of the 21st century.

German government won't raise pension age for women next year (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
The German government has announced that it's plan to save money by raising the qualifying age for women to collect pensions from 60 to 65 won't begin until the year 2000. All major German papers, including Frankfurter Rundschau, are reporting the story this morning.

Austerity plan in India attacked (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
India's newspapers today are reporting that communists in the ruling coalition are in opposition to the new finance minister's plan to freeze the wages of government employees. The plan would save 30 billion rupees, according to reports. This is regarded as the first sign of division in the new Indian government. The country has experienced major political turbulence in recent months.

"Decent from heaven" to be restricted (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
Nihon Keizai reports that the Japanese finance ministry will strengthen restrictions on the employment of former government officials in private financial institutions, a practice commonly referred to as "decent from heaven." The new policy is intended to reduce conflict of interest and possibilities of corruption.

Philippine workers demonstrate for tax relief (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
Workers from 348 companies in the Philippines have stopped work for one day to protest. for tax relief for those earning under 150,000 pesos per year, according to the Chronicle.

Argentine joblessness soaring (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
Increasing unemployment in Argentina puts great pressure on the government, according to the Christian Science Monitor. The Monitor also has a story today about the difficulties inherent in the task of trying to end the scourge of child labor.

ValuJet grounding idles 4,000 workers (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal tells about the effect ValuJet grounding all of its flights.

Target stores take PR hit over firing (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports today that the public has expressed anger over Target's firing of a store's head of security for using company facilities to search for a slain friend. The company has apologized and offered him his job back.

Hong Kong workers should be compensated (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
If workers experience losses because of investment company mismanagement, they should be compensated, according to the Mandatory Provident Fund Advisory Board in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Standard reports this morning.

Post hits the web (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
Among the world's great newspapers conspicuously absent from the web has been the Washington Post. Until now. They've launched a tremendously rich, deep site with lots of news from all over the world on every imaginable topic, joining hundreds of papers already online. However, you might find that the Post's site will be about as useful as a hundred or so of the others put together, which is about the way it is with the print edition. Check it out here. The site is free, for now.

Women nearly invisible on business pages (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
Susana Barciela of the Miami Herald reports on a survey of business pages from 20 American newspapers during February. References to women appeared seven times for every 50 references to men. She says findings were similar in her own paper. Advocacy groups such as Catalyst and the International Women's Media Foundation met in New York last week to discuss the relative lack of power shared by women in the work world, despite their movement into that world in such great numbers during recent years.

Woman named Tupper likes Tupperware (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
Ted Anthony, in Columbia, South Carolina's The State tells the story of suburban Patti Tupper in Hungtingon, N. Y. who says she loves Tupperware, but she's unrelated to the man who founded the company 50 years ago and brought a marketing revolution to the suburbs. The product also brought job opportunities and valuable business experience to suburban women. Incidentally, Patti Tupper is a full-time investment banker in Manhattan.

Give your banker a hug (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
Business Wire reports on the July 25 Golden Gate University workshop in San Francisco called "Have you hugged your banker today?" Women-owned businesses are one of the fasted growing sectors of the American economy, and, while women have complained that lending institutions have been biased against business women, things are changing. For information, contact Dr. Laina Farhat at (415) 442-6563.

Some resist "going captive" (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
Vincent Schodolski of the Chicago Tribune reports on the growing number of professionals who are choosing to make a career out of temporary or contract work, as opposed to "going captive," meaning getting a full-time permanent job. Some may be making a virtue out of a necessity, given the growing reliance on a flexible workforce, but many are thriving on it, he says.

Defense conversion not a big hit in central Florida (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
Central Florida has been trying for three years to convert defense contractors to commercial markets, but, so far, not many jobs have been created. The end of the Cold War impacted hard on many communities that had been heavily dependent on defense contractor employers. Richard Buyrnett of the Orlando Sentinel reports central Florida's story.

South Africa trying to stimulate outside investment (Wednesday, 6/19/96)
South African government ministers outlined a new government economic policy Monday for Europe's investors at a meeting in Cannes, France. The South African economy has been having a rough time of it, but government officials insist it has a bright future and offers interesting investment opportunities.

Large public sector jobs cut in Hungary (Tuesday, 6/18/96)
According to the Hungary Report, 22,000 public sector jobs will be fall due to budget cuts. Included will be about 5,000 civil servant jobs, according to the news service. Other reports indicate that the overall Hungarian economy is doing better than was expected.

Kennedy says don't take good economic news at face value (Tuesday, 6/18/96)
Senator Edward Kennedy says current economic indicators of prosperity represent something that is only superficial. Economic insecurities run deep and should be a principal issue in the presidential campaign. Reuters has the story. Also, President Clinton says the new deal with China will be good for American jobs.

Swiss maternity insurance may have to wait (Tuesday, 6/18/96)
Tages Anzeiger reports that the Swiss government has decided to postpone its proposals on introducing maternity insurance. It is expected that the proposals would support the introduction of maternity insurance both for women who are employed as well as ones who are unemployed for 16 weeks. The paper also has stories today about the appointment of Otto Piller as the new director of social security, and the planned World Trade Organization employees' protest over working conditions and salaries. A strike is planned. WTO employee salaries are determined by the United Nations in New York City.

Belgium steel company's fate now uncertain again (Tuesday, 6/18/96)
The European Commission has challenged the legality of a Belgium government plan to bail out the troubled Forges de Clabecq SA, a steel company in which it owns controlling interest. Following the government announcement of the plan, workers ended their strike and returned to work. The deal will also depend on union agreement on the elimination of 700 jobs. L'Echo and other Belgium publications have the story today.

Austrian company expects to break even after job cuts (Tuesday, 6/18/96)
Industrial seal-maker Economos Industrie-Beteiligungen und Managementservice AG lost US$9.9 million last year, but expects to break even this year following a cut of 200 jobs, according to Salzburger Nachrichten.

Italian Prime Minister expects slower Italian economy (Tuesday, 6/18/96)
Prime Minister Romano Prodi expects to be able to work out a deal with unions and employers in order to keep Italian inflation at about 4 percent his year and 2.5 percent next year.

More purchasing power for Dutch elderly (Tuesday, 6/18/96)
Premier Kok of the Netherlands says that the cabinet will make a special effort to ensure that the elderly on small pensions will have more buying power next year, according to Algemeen Dagblad. Also, in the Netherlands, Het Financieele Dagblad reports that Martinair, which owns 50 percent of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines NV, will look critically at whether job vacancies really should be filled. A effort to cut out "unnecessary fat" is planned.

Pension split in UK (Tuesday, 6/18/96)
London's Guardian reports that Parliament has passed a reform measure that will split pensions between divorcing couples. The law will go into effect in 1998.

Big welfare spending increases in France (Tuesday, 6/18/96)
Le Figaro reports that welfare spending has increased 250% since the system was set up in 1945 and now represents 30 percent of France's gross domestic product.

Strikes to hit Australian mining industry (Tuesday, 6/18/96)
Australia's Financial Review says that Shell Australia will be the first coal mining company to be hit by a strike of the Australian coal labor union. A strike has already been in progress for about a week at the Queensland Dalrymple Bay coal terminal.

Affirmative action good for all, according to columnist (Tuesday, 6/18/96)
Tom Teepen of the Cox News Service says affirmative action has been accomplishing much and that we'll all benefit if the politically volatile equality gap can be reduced.

"Whew!" on two counts, for the time being (Monday, 6/17/96)
Yeltsin won a narrow first-round victory in the Russian election, but didn't get a majority, so a run-off election will be held next month. However, many in the West are relieved that the communist candidate, Zyuganov, didn't get a majority either. Both will be trying to enlist the support of the number three candidate in order to insure victory in July. Also, on the good news front, a trade war with China seems to have been averted.

Problems appear to continue at New England pharmaceutical company (Monday, 6/17/96)
Reuters reports today that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that harassment and retribution continue at Astra.

Belgian steel company may be saved (Monday, 6/17/96)
L'Echo reports that the Walloon government, which holds controlling interest in troubled Forges de Clabecq SA, is prepared to put BF1.5 billion into the company to keep it from closing, assuming European Union approval and an agreement by unions to the elimination of 700 jobs.

Spanish employers federation seeks commitment from Prime Minister (Monday, 6/17/96)
Spain's labor code is one of the most rigid in the European Union, and employers want it changed. In particular, they seek a reduction in severance pay regulations, and unions opposes changes. Currently, a fired employee is entitled to 45 days of salary for each year worked, making the cost of downsizing higher than employers would like. The Confederation of Spanish Employers wants the conservative new Spanish government to act even if agreement is not reached with the unions. El Pais has the story this morning.

Chechen women work for nothing in Grozny (Monday, 6/17/96)
Kurt Schork of Reuters writes that female street crews are continuing to work for promises, but they're not getting paid. They report that most of their apartments have also been destroyed, and that they have to put up with taunting and abuse from Russian soldiers who are occupying the city. Grozny has been so heavily damaged that a return to normal economic activity make take years.

"Mr. Moms" becoming more numerous (Monday, 6/17/96)
Judy Fahys writes in the Salt Lake Tribune that studies by the Population Reference Bureau shows that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of working age men whose roles are primarily family caretaker now, rather than the principal provider. A number of factors coming together are responsible for the changes, including the increased number of women who are working outside the home, the effects of downsizing, and a growing number of men who are choosing to play a larger role in child care and other household responsibilities. Some businesses have flexible policies to assist workers whose family responsibilities have shifted.

Counter-summit planned (Monday, 6/17/96)
An umbrella organization of 180 trade unions and action groups have announced a "counter-summit" to this year's G7 summit in Lyon, France. According to Reuters, the purpose is to call attention to poverty, homelessness, and unemployment. "G7" is an organization of the world's seven largest industrial powers. Meanwhile, European Union leaders are meeting this week to focus on jobs, as well as the single European currency and the long-term future of the EU. The conflict over British beef continues to occupy much of the leaders' attention, however.

Many job openings remain for the Summer Olympics (Monday, 6/17/96)
With the Summer Olympics a month away, there are still 4,000 job openings, according to Georgia's Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

Haider wants to send foreign workers home (Monday, 6/17/96)
Austrian right-wing political leader Joerg Haider is demanding that unemployed foreign workers be sent home. He would be willing to accept volunteers, but he thinks legislation may be necessary. He claims that there are 36,000 unemployed foreign workers in Austria, but his estimates seem very high, according to officials. His remarks Friday stirred up a storm of controversy in the country, which has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe.

Much of world holds its breath as Russia votes (Sunday, 6/16/96)
Russians are at the polls, but not in tremendous numbers, apparently. Many in the West are wondering if Russia's budding capitalist experiment may be ending, to say nothing of its historic experiment with democracy after centuries of despotism. Will the Cold War be reinstated if the communist candidate wins? The race appears close, although neither of the leading candidates is expected to get a majority, so we should see a run-off election next month to decide who will try to train or guide the Russian bear during the years ahead. Yeltsin tries to remind his countryman of "Uncle Joe," and, if Zyuganov wins, Dole shows he's ready to issue a slightly revised call from nearly fifty years ago when some politicians were shouting "Who lost China?" Many Russians have not yet benefited economically from Yeltsin's reforms, and democratic elections are usually greatly influenced by economic issues. For some who are selectively romanticizing "the good old days," freedom means freedom to starve. Our Associate Editor Teresa Callies reminds us that America's democracy can be put in jeopardy because of growing economic problems for many people as well.

Incidentally, how are things with the U.S. and China now? (Sunday, 6/16/96)
A trade war between the 20th century's dominant economic power and what may be the 21st century's dominant economic power seems to be brewing, according to Reuters.

Secretaries become vice-presidents (Sunday, 6/16/96)
Here's a story about two top executives with a huge company, but they haven't always been on top. Today's St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. The paper is on the web, but many complete stories require a subscription.

Piecework doesn't necessarily mean sweatshop (Sunday, 6/16/96)
Piecework has a mixed reputation. Under some conditions, it doesn't work in the employee's interest; under others, it's not good for employers either. For one thing, the tendency of strong social groups and group norms to develop on the job can derail individual incentive systems. However, sometimes it can work to everybody's advantage, and here's an example reported by the New York Times. Also, here's another Times story today about how important those on-the-job social relationships can be, and how they can even outlast the job.

Here's where all those job statistics come from (Sunday, 6/16/96)
The New York Times today contains an interesting description of the fine art and intricate science of doing research on how the economy is behaving, and it's on the web.

Quinn says pay off mortgage (Saturday, 6/15/96)
In her nationally syndicated column, financial expert Jane Bryant Quinn says baby boomers, who are getting to be fiftyish now, should give high priority to paying off the mortgage on the house. Most people get through the decade of their fifties without serious incident, but various risks are increased during this period of life. Disability, for one; layoff, for another. If there is a serious loss of income, it will be much easier to weather the storm if there is no house payment. Otherwise, the unpleasant task of selling the house and seeking less expensive living accommodations without a fixed monthly rate may lie ahead. Making double payments can dramatically shorten the payment period because of the reduction in interest. Take action on your mortgage! Protect your home while your income is still high, she says.

Private companies may have to help with Seoul's tremendous traffic problem (Saturday, 6/15/96)
Workers may have to leave their cars at home every ten days. The Korea Herald reports the story. The paper also reports today that the president of South Korea's second largest broadcast organization has resigned in the big labor dispute that we told you about yesterday.

Monitoring of importation of airport workers called for (Saturday, 6/15/96)
The Hong Kong Standard reports today that an independent body may be needed to avoid the sorts of abuses that led to strikes last year on new airport projects. Also, the Standard reports that 3,000 dock workers may lose their jobs.

UK gas company must pay women who were forced to retire early (Saturday, 6/15/96)
Reuters reports that British Gas Plc has been ordered to pay 400 women employees 8.48 million pounds in compensation. The women had been forced to retire at age 60, rather than the mandatory 65 retirement age for men in similar jobs.

Insurance company designates women's week (Saturday, 6/15/96)
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts has designated next week as women's week in order to highlight the company's commitment to improving health care for all women. Business Wire reports.

Slave trade arrests in China (Saturday, 6/15/96)
More than 20 persons have been arrested for abducting and selling women for $120 each in the boomtown of Shenzhen. The women, mostly from the countryside, had been promised jobs in the large southern China cities. A growing sex slavery industry cuts across countries over much of the globe, as we have reported during recent weeks. Reuters has distributed this particular story internationally.

Layoffs at ValuJet said to be inevitable (Saturday, 6/15/96)
According to the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, hundreds of ValuJet employees may be gone by July, because the company will not return to a full schedule during the foreseeable future. About 200 employees have chosen to take voluntary leave with benefits, many in order to search for jobs.

Bank of Boston wants to minimize pain (Saturday, 6/15/96)
The Boston Globe reports that the merger of Bank of Boston with BayBanks, Inc. will result in the elimination of 2,000 jobs, but the company will try to do it through attrition and early retirement, citing corporate responsibility to those facing layoff.

Boeing recruiting McDonnell Douglas strikers (Saturday, 6/15/96)
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Boeing and other companies conducted a job-recruiting fair yesterday, and striking machinists from McDonnell Douglas were checking out the opportunities. Boeing, Cessna, Learjet, and Raytheon are hoping to hire about 2,000 machinists.

Postal workers to protest Postmaster General's remarks (Saturday, 6/15/96)
The American Postal Workers Union will conduct an "informational picket" on July 1 to protest the Postmaster General's remarks about letter carriers being overpaid and under-worked. Columbus, Georgia letter carriers will protest on June 19, according to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

Contrasting views on Shanghai's migrant workers (Saturday, 6/15/96)
Reuters reports that most Shanghai residents would say that the city's 3 million migrant workers are "dirty, ill-educated, and responsible for most of the crime." However, a history professor at Fudan University, Shen Weibin, feels that the workers are bringing the city back to life. "The world's great cities are all immigrant cities," he said. The migrants from inland regions of the country provide most of the workers on Shanghai's more than 20,000 construction sites, as well as other things.

Securites industry getting back to 1987 employment levels (Friday, 6/14/96)
The 1987 stock market crash led to a major decrease in employment in the securities industry. However, that was then; this is now. Look for the 1987 record to be broken soon, according to Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal, and others today.

Walloon government will try to save endangered steel maker (Friday, 6/14/96)
Forges de Clabecq SA can be saved, according to the Walloon government, which controls majority ownership in the company. A rescue plan will be presented to creditors and unions soon. Unions have been protesting the possible closure. A final decision will be made Monday, according to Belgium's La Libre Belgique.

South African emphasis will be on job creation (Friday, 6/14/96)
South Africa's Business Day reports that the creation of new jobs will be a key part of the new economic plan that the Finance Minister will present to parliament today.

Italian health minister retreats from plan to tax pensions (Friday, 6/14/96)
A storm of protest from unions, the largest party in the Italian government, and the Vatican has resulted in the Italian Health Minister's withdrawing suggestions that pensions over US$5,000. per month be taxed to help pay for the health system, according to Corriere della Sera. The paper also reports today that the Italian Treasury Minister has said that courage is needed to fire or move unneeded public employers. The Italian civil service is behind the private sector in building efficiencies, according to reports.

French construction to lose 30,000 jobs (Friday, 6/14/96)
Les Echos reports that the president of the French Federation nationale du batiment says that 30,000 construction jobs will be lost this year because of weak demand in the construction industry. Major job losses have been occurring since 1990.

Another failure to reach agreement in Germany (Friday, 6/14/96)
Sueddeutsche Zeitung reports that state prime ministers and the German Chancellor has resulted in no agreement on the proposed budget cuts that have been a matter of major controversy in the country. About the only agreement is that students shouldn't have to pay interest on student loans. Also, most German papers today are reporting that arbitrators have recommended a 1.3% wage increase for public employees.

McDonnell taking Caterpillar route (Friday, 6/14/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal contains a story about how the aerospace company is doing what Caterpillar did when it was struck: hiring temporary workers.

Korean broadcasters resign (Friday, 6/14/96)
Today's Korea Herald reports on the mass resignations of union workers in the country's second-largest broadcast organization.

Labor Department confirms inflation okay (Thursday, 6/13/96)
Reuters reports today that the American economy is growing vigorously, which has given rise to fears about inflation. The U.S. Department of Labor says we need not worry now. This may mean that interest rates will not be raised, which will please investors who tend to get nervous about rapid job creation and other indicators of growth. Rapid growth sometimes means that the economy is "overheating," but not always. Reuters also reports that McDonnell Douglas will hire replacement workers in St. Louis, and that "lousy" relations between General Motors and the United Auto Workers union means talks will be tough. The UAW is accusing GM of breaking promises.

Spanish economists want less government role (Thursday, 6/13/96)
La Gaceta reports that a report by a group of economists in Spain calls for more tax cuts and less of a role for the government in the Spanish economy. Among other things, they would like to see a maximum of one year of unemployment benefits rather than three, as well as a cut in benefits for fired workers. Spain's new conservative government has been under pressure to cut spending in order to qualify for the European Union's common currency.

Levi Strauss plans very large bonus (Thursday, 6/13/96)
Britain's Financial Times reports that the big U.S. clothing manufacturer plans to give every employee an extra year's pay in 2002 if financial targets are reached. Here's the story from the New York Times. Here's the story from CNN Financial as well. Incidentally, also in the clothing industry, the Times also has a story today about a New York company that has vowed "no sweatshops," and is sticking to it.

Maybe health tax on pensions in Italy (Thursday, 6/13/96)
The Italian health minister suggests a tax on pensions to help for the health system. Unions aren't excited about the idea, according to a story in today's Corriere della Sera.

Medical savings accounts may not be worth the fuss (Thursday, 6/13/96)
Peter Passel writes in the New York Times that the health insurance bill's life or death may hang on the medical savings account issue, but is it worth it?

Aw, send a manager to camp (Thursday, 6/13/96)
Managers are learning more about how to manage at, well, space camp, according to CNN Financial. Also, check their story on the Department of Labor's newly released data on the economy.

More on the "modern slave trade" in Europe (Wednesday, 6/12/96)
European Justice Commissioner Anita Gradin says that the "disgusting trade" in women must be stopped. She spoke at a European Commission conference.

Growing uncertainty about interest rates (Wednesday, 6/12/96)
The American economy's recent growth spurt makes higher interest rates a growing possibility, but not a sure thing, according to Reuters. Federal Reserve Governor Lawrence Lindsey is not pleased with President Clinton's efforts to influence the Fed's decision.

Sick costs (Wednesday, 6/12/96)
A new study finds that 50 million sick days cost $3 billion, according to Reuters. The world's largest wire service also has stories today about the high rate of credit card defaults, despite a surging economy, and how teens around the world are getting more alike and more like those in consumer-oriented countries. Also, a new study indicates that more than 40% of American workers say they would change jobs if they could take their health insurance with them.

South African jobs to be cut (Wednesday, 6/12/96)
South Africa's Business Day. reports that Vaal Reefs Exploration and Mining Company expects to cut 4,000 jobs in order to increase profitability.

Both strike and bankruptcy imminent (Wednesday, 6/12/96)
Forges de Clabecq SA is a steel company that appears to be headed for bankruptcy, and workers have voted to go on strike until Monday. The company is unprofitable, and an independent report recommended that it file for bankruptcy. The Walloon government holds controlling interest in the company's stock. La Libre Belgique and other papers are reporting the story this morning. Also in Belgium, L'Echo reports that Sabena wants to reduce staff costs that could result in the loss of 1,270 jobs. Company management wants to reach agreement with the unions by the end of October on how to do it.

New conservative Spanish government pleases employers (Wednesday, 6/12/96)
El Pais reports that the Spanish Employers Federation is pleased with the government's new package of economic measures and wants labor reforms to "create stable employment." Unions oppose any move to reduce severance pay or to lower the cost of firing employees.

Strike at Gdansk Shipyard (Wednesday, 6/12/96)
The Polish government has announced plans to close the famous shipyard where the Solidarity movement was born and where former Polish President Lech Walesa recently returned to his former job as an electrician, technically and briefly. Workers are protesting the plans to close the shipyard. The Polish government owns controlling interest in the unprofitable operation.

Bad child statistics in the United States (Wednesday, 6/12/96)
The U.S. has some of the worst childhood and youth statistics among the industrial democracies, and a Los Angeles Times article in today's St. Paul Pioneer Press says that child poverty is worst in America, compared to the other "rich" countries. Also in today's Pioneer Press, you'll find a nationally distributed story on the AFL-CIO's increasing emphasis on women and minorities. Incidentally, it appears that the Pioneer Press has changed its policy to make full stories more accessible on the web without subscription.

Some fathers cut back on careers (Wednesday, 6/12/96)
Today's Wall Street Journal contains an article by Sue Shellenbarger telling about fathers who are shifting their priorities. Today's Journal also has a story on the missing million. Not money, but men who have left the work force during the past year who are "missing in action." Bernard Wysocki reports for the Journal

Hoover workers reject lower pay tier for new hires (Wednesday, 6/12/96)
The New York Times reports on the union vote at the big vacuum cleaner company. The Times also reports on big changes in Japan, where employment was for life, but no longer. Japan's postwar economic "miracle" resulted in part from a highly organized national effort to compete with other countries, but cooperate internally. The company took care of the workers, and the government took care of the companies. However, risk is being more widely distributed in Japan as well as in the United States and most Western European countries. Layers of protection are evaporating in the revolutionary new world economy.

Last minute Dole deal (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
Congressional Republicans reach a last-minute deal on the health insurance bill as Dole leaves the Senate, but Kennedy and other Democrats aren't impressed. Clinton says they'll study it.

Layoffs slow last month after big 1996 so far (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
Reuters reports this morning what most observers have expected. American business has cut a lot of jobs during 1996 so far, but cuts slumped in May.

Contract talks begin in Detroit (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
In what should prove to be the biggest story in America's car capital during the months ahead, contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers and the U.S. auto manufacturers "big three" have opened. The UAW not only wants payback on its role in helping the American auto industry recover, but also hopes to halt the erosion of its own membership, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

Cereal war produces job casualties (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
The American breakfast cereal industry is in a price war, and one of the competitors is cutting jobs. For the benefit of persons who may not be familiar with American "breakfast cereal," it is a highly processed grain-based product sold in cardboard boxes often for more per pound than high-quality beef steak. It's hard to explain the peculiar phenomenon any more than that, but Americans buy vast quantities of it, which they consume with milk and sugar. Marketing costs account for most of the overall product cost.

Swiss social services will run deficit (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
Tages Anzeiger reports that the Swiss Interior Minister Ruth Dreifuss is not surprised that a new report finds that another 29 billion Swiss francs will be required by the year 2010 in order to keep the system solvent and social services at the present level.

Belgian workers protest possible closure (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
La Libre Belgique says that the Walloon regional government will decide soon if the steel company Forges de Clabecq SA will file for bankruptcy. If the company closes, about 2,200 workers will lose their jobs. About 500 workers went on strike yesterday to protest the possible closing.

Austrian Chancellor speaks at opening of new Siemens plant (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
Austrian Chancellor Franz Vranitzky says Austria remains attractive to investors as a place where high productivity compensates for above-average labor costs. Wage cuts are the wrong way to keep Austria competitive, he says. Der Standard and other papers report the story. International competition is putting strong pressure on existing living standards in most of the industrial democracies, including the United States.

Most former Fokker workers still without jobs (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
De Telegraaf reports from the Netherlands that between 3,000 and 4,000 persons who lost their jobs when the aircraft company Fokker NV closed are still without work.

German unemployment falls in May, but only slightly (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
A German labor official says May unemployment dipped slightly because warmer weather resulted in a return of construction workers to their jobs in Eastern Germany. However, weak growth will limit improvement in June. Frankfurter Allgemeine reports this story, and also reports that the German parliament has decided to put off raising their own wages, given the country's deficit and austerity program.

Supreme Court decision a victory for business (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
Businesses can offer early retirement incentives in exchange for a promise not to sue for age discrimination. All major papers have the story this morning. Here it is in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and here it is in the New York Times.

Increase in mortgage delinquencies (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
Karen Blumenthal in today's Wall Street Journal says mortgage delinquencies are up in California, reflecting the state's protracted slump. The overall California economy is getting better, though, and experts predict that it will be a principal economic engine in the 21st century.

Sixteen-year-olds may be able to work in pubs (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
The Electronic Telegraph reports that legislation is being proposed in the UK that would allow 16-year-olds to work in pubs, even though they are too young to buy alcohol. The ET also says that a government report this week will tell about a workforce skills audit in relation to Britain's economic decline relative to some other countries with which it has to compete. The paper also has stories today on how a ball of lightning terrorized workers and how soldiers and airmen are covering for striking fire fighters.

Job fair yesterday in Tokyo (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
More than 2,000 young job-seekers attended a job fair in Tokyo yesterday as the Japanese economy gradually improves. The Japan Times has the story.

South Korea elected to ILO executive board (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
The Korea Herald reports that South Korea will now play a significant role in world-wide labor issues. The International Labor Organization, an agency of the United Nations, is holding its 83rd General Assembly in Geneva this week. The ILO is on the web.

New sexual harassment policy in Hong Kong (Tuesday, 6/11/96)
The Hong Kong Standard reports that Hong Kong's Hospital Authority will punish hospital personnel from now on who engage in sexually offensive behavior.

McDonough not worried about inflation (Monday, 6/10/96)
The tremendous increase in new jobs recently has some investors worried about inflation, but one Federal Reserve official doesn't see a serious threat. Here's the story from Reuters. Today's Wall Street Journal says spending by consumers is keeping the economy humming and agrees that inflation probably won't be a problem, at least for a while.

Talks deadlocked in South Africa (Monday, 6/10/96)
South Africa's Business Report says that De Beers and the National Union of Mineworkers have deadlocked after several meetings during the past month. The union wants wage increases more than twice as large as those the company is offering.

Belgian postal workers may strike again (Monday, 6/10/96)
Postal workers in Belgium have disrupted service twice during the past month and may strike again on June 17. They're protesting changes in the postal code system that has resulted in more work for postal personnel. Le Soir reports the story today.

Greater flexibility in Austrian ski industry sought (Monday, 6/10/96)
Today's Die Presse reports that the Austrian ski industry and unions are negotiating a more flexible work arrangement that, among other things, would lengthen the work week during the ski season and shorten it during the off season. Unions are not enthusiastic. Austria's ski business was stagnant last year. Also in Austria today, Der Standard reports that a continuing labor dispute has disrupted food service on many trains in the country. Workers are protesting the firing of 400 restaurant workers.

Professor responds to Tim Penny's NLRA assertions (Monday, 6/10/96)
University of Minnesota professor John Budd responds today in the Minneapolis Star Tribune to former Congressman Tim Penny's contention that National Labor Relations Act needs revision. Penny had written an opinion article in the Strib several days ago, as we reported. Today's Star Tribune also contains an article by Marjoie Kelly who says Senator Jeff Bingaman's (D-N.M) bill to encourage corporations to treat employees better has good intentions, but is the wrong bill and far too complicated.

Defeat for Mexican teachers (Monday, 6/10/96)
Thousands of Mexican teachers end strike and are disappointed, according to. USA Today.

Lots of Kleiman columns available (Monday, 6/10/96)
Carol Kleiman writes two nationally syndicated columns for the Chicago Tribune and several recent examples of each are available on the Tribune's web site. Here's Women at Work and here's Your Job. Also, here's more information about Carol.

Arizona, Delaware, and North Carolina win Albee Award (Monday, 6/10/96)
Knight-Ridder reports that Avon Products and the U.S. Small Business Administration have recognized Arizona, Delaware, and North Carolina as particularly good places for women entrepreneurs by awarding the states the annual Albee Award, named for Peris Albee who became the first "Avon Lady" in 1886. States given the award have provided particularly strong technical, financial, and training support to women who dream of starting and successfully operating their own businesses.

NBCC files suit against U.S. West (Monday, 6/10/96)
The National Black Chamber of Commerce filed a $150 million lawsuit in Denver last Thursday against U.S. West, claiming that the company intentionally denies business to black-owned companies. U.S. West denies the allegation. Two black-owned transportation firms claim that they have been denied opportunities to contract with U.S. West to deliver goods, according to the Denver Post.

China watching for trade unions (Monday, 6/10/96)
Reuters reports that the Chinese government has ordered officials throughout the country to be alert for illegal trade unions. The South China Post reports that the government says it will no longer tolerate illegal unions posing as employment agencies or workers mutual self help groups. The government also claims that illegal trade unions have been responsible for hundreds of strikes during recent months. Only trade unions authorized and controlled by the Chinese government are allowed.

Rank has severance privileges too (Monday, 6/10/96)
New York lawyer Alan Sklover says in Human Resource Management News that across various industries, severance benefits tend to be correlated with corporate echelon level. For instance, senior managers tend to get about one month severance for each year of service, while middle-managers get two or three weeks. Similar patterns emerge with respect to bonuses and pension benefits.

Entertainment picks up job slack where aerospace and defense left off (Sunday, 6/9/96)
The end of the Cold War hit Southern California hard. Thousands of aerospace and defense jobs were lost and contributed mightily to California's overall economic slump in recent years. Now, though, the huge California economy is on its way back, and its entertainment industry is helping, symbolized by the DreamWorks take over of the Hughes hanger.

Northwestern U economist on America's new predicament (Sunday, 6/9/96)
Economist Michael Evans has an opinion piece in the current Christian Science Monitor, and it's available on the Monitor's excellent new web site.

Straight talk about multi-level marketing (Sunday, 6/9/96)
Sooner or later, and it usually doesn't take very long, persons in need of a job are approached about multi-level marketing and "get rich" stories. Here's a discussion of the issues in the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Job Talk column.

New York teachers union rejects contract (Sunday, 6/9/96)
The largest city in the United States has 67,000 teachers, and they will vote again after rejecting the first contract in their union's history. Here's the story from the New York Times. The Times also has stories this time about why it isn't easy to get anything done in a home office during the summer, why employers are helping less if you have to move, and how the AFL-CIO is adjusting to the information age.

British Aerospace in Scotland to cut jobs (Sunday, 6/9/96)
Another 300 jobs will go, according to London's Electronic Telegraph.

More on May job surge (Saturday, 6/8/96)
The American economy was a far more effective job creation machine during May than had been expected. President Clinton is pleased for various reasons, not the least of which being the expected boost to his re-election campaign that typically comes to incumbents who can take credit for good economic times. His rival, Senator Dole, probably isn't quite so pleased, because his campaign is struggling anyway, and Wall Street investors are spooked about inflation possibilities.

Gifford blasts media at Wal-Mart meeting (Saturday, 6/8/96)
American television personality Kathy Lee Gifford spoke to Wal-Mart shareholders at the company's annual meeting yesterday and blamed the media for the storm of bad publicity arising from disclosures that clothing carrying her name has been produced under sweatshop conditions. She was critical of how the mass media have treated the story.

Mexican workers to protest alleged labor violations (Saturday, 6/8/96)
La Jornada reports that the executive secretary of Bancomer's union claims that the bank isn't paying required wages and is eliminating benefits. An organized protest is planned. Workers will appear for work, but will not wear the company uniform and will wear badges asking for official intervention. The union has 17,000 members.

Chrysler wants quick agreement with UAW (Saturday, 6/8/96)
Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal report that Chrysler Corporation is not likely to force a walkout over United Auto Worker demands to add jobs or restrict work sent to outside suppliers.

Alitalia pilots make offer to struggling airline (Saturday, 6/8/96)
Pilots at Italy's Alitalia are offering to take lower wages and increase productivity in exchange for 30-40 percent of the company's stock and a role in running the company.

Austrian government pulls back on foreign worker plan (Saturday, 6/8/96)
Salzburger Nachrichten reports that the Austrian government has responded to strong opposition from industry groups by withdrawing its plan to limit the number of work permits granted to foreign workers. Union groups have wanted the plan to protect jobs, while employers say they need the skilled workers from outside the country.

Swiss unions want debate over unequal pay (Saturday, 6/8/96)
According to Neue Zuercher Zeitung, Swiss government statistics indicate that women are paid an average of 30 percent less than men, and some companies forbid employees to talk about their salaries. Unions want workers to speak up and encourage a national debate on the issue.

Big increase in temps and sick-pay claims in the Netherlands (Saturday, 6/8/96)
Sick-pay claims by temporary staff increased 33 percent in March compared to the previous year. The increase seems to be because of the increased number of temporary workers in the Dutch economy, according to Het Financieele Dagblad.

French unions want to control welfare agencies (Saturday, 6/8/96)
Les Echos reports that there will be a struggle for control of two agencies responsible for healthcare and unemployment benefits in a July election. The Confederation Francaise et Democratique du Travail wants to chair the agencies.

Unemployment up, but so is jobs creation (Friday, 6/7/96)
The U.S. unemployment rate went up .2 percent to 5.6% in May, but lots of new jobs were created. The President is pleased, and Fed head Greenspan is pleased too, but says that workers are worried. The U.S. Department of Labor's method for measuring unemployment, like any measure of anything, requires careful interpretation. As we've indicated previously, sometimes unemployment increases when things are getting better, because persons who had previously given up and stopped looking for work are encouraged and start looking again.

Union lobbying group accuses Nike of sweatshop connections (Friday, 6/7/96)
The Made in the USA Foundation says that some Nike products are made in Asia under sweatshop conditions. The company disputes the claims. In the meantime, American TV personality Kathie Lee Gifford meets with a teen worker from a Honduran sweatshop and emphasizes her commitment to work for changes.

Some health workers should get AZT, government says (Friday, 6/7/96)
Reuters reports today that the government is recommending that health workers who have been exposed to HIV be treated with anti-viral medications.

Reports of the death of Medicare have been premature (Friday, 6/7/96)
The St. Paul Pioneer Press today contains a story describing Medicare's situation. Under current conditions, it will go broke in five years, but we won't allow it to crash. Major changes will be necessary, though. The story is available on the paper's web site, but you must be a subscriber.

Protest leads to arrests in India (Friday, 6/7/96)
More than 100 workers protested at India's Premier Auto Lt. factory in Bombay and were arrested yesterday, according to Reuters. A partial lockout has been in effect following the breakdown of talks over productivity issues.

Picket lines pulled at Soopers and Safeway stores in Denver (Friday, 6/7/96)
The Denver Post reports that the United Food and Commercial Workers union has pulled its pickets away from Soopers and Safeway stores in the Denver region, relieving warehouse workers and truck drivers of the decision as to whether to cross picket lines. The companies had threatened to replace drivers who refused to make deliveries with temporary workers, which union officials regard as a lockout. About 13,000 union workers are affected by the conflict.

Nearly a million and a half new jobs expected during the year (Friday, 6/7/96)
Dun & Bradstreet's annual Survey of Employment Expectations finds that American businesses expect to create about 1.4 million new jobs during 1996, according to Reuters. The Deloitte & Touche Survey of American Business Leaders also finds optimism among top executives about their own companies' growth prospects.

Mitsubishi executives meet with Jackson and NOW president (Friday, 6/7/96)
Top sales executives for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States met in Chicago with Jesse Jackson, National Association of Women president Patricia Ireland, and others yesterday to discuss the company's efforts to promote minority and women-owned dealerships. The company has received considerable negative publicity recently because of a major sexual harassment suit in Illinois.

Britain blocks EU initiative (Friday, 6/7/96)
Reuters reports that Britain, in retaliation for the European Union's ban on British beef exports, has blocked a number of EU initiatives, including one to declare 1997 the European Year Against Racism.

Persons who do not meet "thinness" standards still face discrimination, according to Kleiman (Friday, 6/7/96)
Carol Kleiman, career writer for the Chicago Tribune, writes that women are still facing discrimination in hiring and promotion because of their weight. Most discriminatory laws have been repealed, she says, but there are still "unwritten" limits based on arbitrary appearance standards.

Confirmation by Medicare trustees (Thursday, 6/6/96)
Medicare trustees have confirmed that the program will run out of money in five years. Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune has the story, as does Reuters.

Stike begins at McDonnell Douglas (Thursday, 6/6/96)
Salaried workers try to keep things going at McDonnell Douglas as hourly workers walk out. Here's the story from Reuters and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Today's Wall Street Journal says it could be a long strike.

Job sharing at University of Minnesota branch (Thursday, 6/6/96)
There have been strong moves in Europe to protect jobs and worker benefits by cutting back on hours rather than laying people off entirely. This approach has been less tried in the United States. However, at the University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD), while some jobs are being cut, other members of Teamsters Local 320 are having their hours reduced in order to share the pain and protect worker benefits. Reduced funding and on-going pressure on the university's budget have made the first layoffs in 20 years necessary, according to administrators.

The university's principal campuses are located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region, 140 miles to the south, and there has been considerable controversy recently about proposed revisions in tenure for faculty. University administration wants to make it easier to lay off professors or reduce their pay if programs have been cut back or eliminated.

We expect a fundamental restructuring of the American higher educational system within the context of the new economy's changing realities, and also because of altered perceptions of the value of academic symbols and credentials during a transformational period. Middle management has largely disappeared in some private sector organizations for reasons that are shared by many higher education institutions. We expect further elimination of those roles, as well as fundamental changes in the way scholarship and instructional services are provided in society, as the present system dissolves into something quite different.

Eventually, many academic people are likely to be playing different kinds of roles in different kinds of organizations, with an overall net reduction in academic job opportunities. We reported recently on a growing number of students who qualify for Phi Beta Kappa who are declining the presumed honor, in some cases because they don't feel it's worth the $30-$50 fee. Much of existing academic structure depends on large numbers of persons believing that traditional symbols, such as the Ph.D. degree or the MBA degree, are somehow meaningful and worth major time investment and heavy debt loads. Incidentally, University of Minnesota professor Carolyn Williams, in a guest column in the St. Paul Pioneer Press today, criticizes the university's "blindly embracing re-engineering."

Mexican teachers march again (Thursday, 6/6/96)
Reuters reports that the conflict between teachers and the Mexican government continues, as their most recent march snarls traffic in Mexico City. Reuters also has stories today about Apple's shift of jobs to Singapore and Ireland, more meetings in Congress to develop a compromise health care bill that will fly, and a House Republican bill to bar unions from using dues for political purposes without the consent of members.

Raytheon union leader voted out (Thursday, 6/6/96)
The Boston Globe reports that Joseph Kelleher has lost his job as business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local following worker disappointment with the outcome of negotiations with the company last September.

Self-employed will pay more in the Netherlands (Thursday, 6/6/96)
Het Financieele Dagblad reports that a new law on disability benefits will result in the self-employed paying 55 percent higher premiums.

Only minor disruptions result from French public transport strike (Thursday, 6/6/96)
According to Le Figaro, labor unions at the state-owned railroad authority SNCF and RATP called for strikes.

Tuberculosis reappears at Minnesota chicken processing plant (Thursday, 6/6/96)
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports today that hundreds of workers are being tested for TB following its diagnosis in one worker. The Strib also has Ellen Goodman's nationally syndicated column today in which she offers some retrospective thoughts on the recent "Stand for Children" march in Washington. Goodman writes for the Boston Globe.

WITI conference underway (Thursday, 6/6/96)
The annual Women in Technology (WITI) conference is underway through tomorrow at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California. WITI is a worldwide organization supporting women in technical fields and offering opportunities to network and share technical expertise.

Safeway workers eligible for unemployment benefits (Thursday, 6/6/96)
Colorado's labor department has ruled that 4,000 locked out Safeway employees can collect unemployment benefits, according to the Denver Post. Safeway had argued that the workers should not be eligible, because they were collecting strike pay and not actively looking for other jobs. The Post is on the web.

Geogia rural and small town incomes up (Thursday, 6/6/96)
The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reports that incomes of Georgia's rural and small town people have increased more rapidly than those of metropolitan residents during the 1990's, even outpacing Atlanta's income growth. Here's the paper's web site.

Romanian oil workers threaten strike (Thursday, 6/6/96)
Reuters reports that workers at the port terminal at Constanta on the Black Sea are resisting government plans to include the terminal in its consolidation plans that would put all of the state-owned oil industry in a single company. The Romanian oil industry is the largest in Eastern Europe. An indefinite strike is threatened.

IOE opposes move to link international trade agreements to labour conditions (Thursday, 6/6/96)
The International Organization of Employers (IOE), the largest employer organization in the world, strongly opposes "coercive measures to enforce labour standards." The United States, with some backing from the European Union, would include a social clause into the rules of the World Trade Organization covering child labour and working standards. The employers association favors improving work conditions by improving living standards through open trade. Reuters has reported the story internationally.

AIDS crisis may bring radical changes in employee benefits in South Africa (Thursday, 6/6/96)
The African AIDS crisis is moving into South Africa, according to Reuters, with HIV infection