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April 1997

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Verdict in the Aberdeen rape trial (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
Convinction on 18 counts of rape. Dana Priest of the Washinton Post says that the verdict will deepen divisions on the issue of women in the military.

The summit is over; now the work begins (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
Two of the dignitaries involved in the big volunteer summit in Philadelphia urge Americans to get on board and adopt its goals as their own. Speaking of volunteers, some generous soul has sent millions to the flood victims in North Dakota and Minnesota, no strings attached.

Change in federal policy on the mentally ill (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
Employers may not discriminate against qualified workers with mental illness, according to new rules, and, in fact, must make some accommodations to special needs.

Australian steelworkers prepare to strike (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
The Newcastle steelworks is scheduled to shut down, and steelworkers are preparing to strike in protest. Also, the Australian government is experiencing growing pressure to change the country's industrial policy. You'll also find several articles on unemployment in the "Features" section of the Sidney Morning Herald.

Symbolic strikes by magistrates in Belgium (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
Belgian magistrates are unhappy with accusations of incompetence in relation to recent scandals.

U.S. economy still booming (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
The latest U. S. Department of Commerce data show the highest growth rate in nine years.

Strikes at U.S. auto makers put brakes on sales (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
April sales slowdown at Chrysler and GM was only slight, though.

Scramble for tech workers accelerating (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
Hi-tech companies are competing wildly for scarce technical expertise, and concern with the year 2000 bug, stunning testimony to humanity's inability to think ahead, is adding to the competition.

Democrats resisting Republican liability bill (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
Senate Republicans want to pass a law to protect volunteers from big liability suits. Democrats say they're rushing things.

House committee schedules hearing on naturalization (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
The INS has been under fire, and its commissioner will testify.

Rubin optimistic about reducing worldwide poverty (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
The U.S. Secretary of the Treasury speaks to a committee of the World Bank. Also, David Francis reports on ways rich nations are trying to reduce poor nations' debt.

U.S. workers' compensation slows growth (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
Pay and benefits increased at a slower rate that expected during the first quarter of 1997, and the financial markets like the news.

Employee participation in capital coming to Belgium? (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
De Financieel Economische Tijd reports that the Belgian government is proposing a new law that would allow employees to participate in ownership of their companies, something that is quite common in other European and North American companies.

Development to accelerate in South Africa (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
The South African government is saying that the Reconstruction and Development Program will pick up speed resulting in the building of 200,000 houses and the feeding of 5 million school children, according to the The Star. Also in South Africa, the Municipal Workers Union is announcing a nine-day protest of privatization throughout the country. The union claims the privatization of essential services mostly profits foreign companies.

Austrian Chamber official says euro will help guarantee jobs in the country (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
Die Presse reports that the president of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Leo Maderthaner, is claiming that the single European currency will guarantee jobs in Austria.

Orly airport to reduce operations because of planned strike (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
Flight controllers are planning a 24-hour strike, and Les Echos reports that Orly airport in Paris will reduce operations resulting in only minimum air service.

"Rust belt" no more (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
James Tyson of the Christian Science Monitor reports on the remarkable recovery of America's industrial Midwest. Also in the Monitor today, Ann Scott Tyson discusses the "have vs. have not" gap in American education, and Gary Kleiman describes models for economic reconstruction in Africa.

Long-term Medicaid cost limitations probably coming (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
President Clinton continues to work on a budget deal with Congress, and it appears that his Medicaid proposals will be accepted. Also in the Washington Post today, Lisbeth Schorr wonders if American social policy can ignore the research on the importance of early childhood, and Robert Samuelson discusses the "culture of poverty."

Advocates of homeless clash with Japanese police (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
Here's the story from today's Japan Times.

A new spin on stock options (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
Kathy Bergen and Stephen Franklin write in today's Chicago Tribune about stock options, and guess who's getting them. They're not just for CEOs anymore, at least in one special little company.

HMO co-payments up a lot (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
America has been trying to cope with the extraordinary increase in health care costs during the past few years. The increasing prominence of HMOs is part of this response, as well as a tripling in average co-payments between 1987 and 1993, according to a new study.

How brokerages resemble locker rooms (Wednesday, 4/30/97)
Newsday's James Madore reports that experts are saying that the atmosphere gets a little repulsive in many male-dominated brokerages. One brokerage is being sued, as we reported yesterday. Also, Kenneth Crowe reports on the AFL-CIO's organizing initiative across the U.S.

Philadelphia summit wraps up today (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
Retired General Colin Powell joins the American first lady in bringing the big volunteer summit to a close today. James Bennet of the New York Times says that both Democratic and Republican presidents in attendance are calling for "big citizenship" as an alternative to "big government," whose day is past, according to them. For instance, President Clinton says that big government lacks the capacity to make a difference in the lives of America's vulnerable children. It will take individual attention, he says. At the same time all this has been going on, an alternative summit protesting welfare cuts has been trying to attract public attention. Also, Alexandra Marks of the Christian Science Monitor reports on contrasting views on whether the volunteer summit will make any real difference, and Allan Sloan of the Washington Post says General Powell has his work cut out for him if he expects to get a lot of money from corporations to help support social programs.

Incidentally, the bipartisan volunteer summit was the brainchild of the late George Romney, once a moderate Republican governor of Michigan, and, before that, a youthful president of American Motors Corporation. Romney was also a presidential aspirant for a brief period before coming back from a visit to the Vietnam War to say that he had been "brainwashed," a remark that seemed to have special significance for many Americans and stuck to him, sinking his presidential aspirations for reasons that may still not be entirely clear.

Worker compensation growth slows in the U.S. (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
Here's the Reuters story on the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

All they have to do is ask (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
The U.S. would probably help with food to assist victims of the growing catastrophe in North Korea, according to reports. Also, here's a story from the Christian Science Monitor's Eliot Engel about one of the other places on earth most resembling hell during the past few months. He says current conditions in Albania have to be viewed in perspective following a long period of Communist repression. Among the things that the Albanians most need now are market skills, according to Engel.

Portuguese farmers want ag minister to resign (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
Portugal's Diario de Noticias reports that thousands of farmers have been demonstrating in Beja to call for the resignation of the nation's Agriculture Minister. Farmers have been suffering from a major drought during the past couple of months, and they don't think the government has been doing enough to help.

Swiss canton to cut nearly 10 percent of its jobs (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
The Canton of Zurich has been hurt by falling tax revenues due to a contracting national economy, which has led to a budget deficit. The canton intends to cut 2,000 jobs by encouraging early retirement, according to Tages-Anzeiger.

Belgian telephone company and unions expected to reach agreement (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
De Financieel Economische Tijd reports that agreement is expected between Belgacom and unions that will lead to job cuts totaling about 6,500. The reductions will be carried out by incentives for early retirement.

Expect downsizing in the American military (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
A major review is going on at the Pentagon, and it is expected to result in cuts in troop strength. Also from the New York Times today, Douglas Martin reports on one woman's view of the impact of budget cuts on the disabled, and Kirk Johnson tells about how garment workers are learning the fine points of ownership. Mr. Johnson also provides perspective on employee stock ownership as a way of keeping companies going following their founders' disappearance from the scene.

More on Labour's "Tory approach" to combating poverty (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
The Guardian in London reports that the Labour Party, expected to win Thursday's election in the United Kingdom, is saying that it will not raise benefit payments beyond inflation for at least five years. It is part of a plan to move people out of poverty and into employment. Tony Blair, who is likely to be the next British Prime Minister, if the polls can be believed, has been compared to America's President Bill Clinton. Both have managed to capture the mood of the times and endorse many of their opposition's policies and turn it all to their own political advantage. Democratic Clinton resembles American Republicans in many ways, and Labour's Blair could be mistaken for a Conservative in a dim light. It may simply mean that the old "liberal" vs. "conservative" stereotypical dichotomy is losing its relevance. Stay tuned for a very different, greatly unfamiliar political as well as economic landscape during the new century. Incidentally, here's a story offering some perspective on Britain's economy from Youssef Ibrahim of the New York Times. As in the U.S., the UK's economy is booming, but it is also characterized by major inequalities.

Another change in the wind from California (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
Some California school districts are throwing out bilingual programs, according to this report by Daniel Wood.

Mitsubishi executives sacked in wake of the big harassment mess (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
The Mitsubishi mess is far from over. Here's the latest on some top management changes within the company. Also from the Washington Post today, US Airways shifts its focus to other unions, the Senate Majority Leader rejects the president's proposal on Social Security, in response to which Clinton might say, "Thanks a Lott." The Justice Department's inspector general looks into the INS' Citizenship USA program, and the Post editorializes about matching D. C.'s unemployed with northern Virginia's jobs, and what it will take. Does the word "skills" strike a chord?

What it takes to get a job in science (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
Hal Lancaster says in today's Wall Street Journal that it takes creativity, as well as being a scientist, of course.

Does work in a family business count? (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
The Chicago Tribune's Carol Kleiman advises a correspondent that experience is experience and should go on the resume. Also, Kenneth Hooker answers questions in his Boston Globe column, including one about preparation for retirement.

Will is concerned about the courts and Title IX (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
Nationally syndicated columnist George Will comments on the Supreme Court's refusal to review lower court decisions affecting Title IX, which, he says, amounts to turning a silk purse into a sow's ear.

Lew Lieberbaum & Co. Inc. hit with harassment suit (Tuesday, 4/29/97)
Here's the story about a lawsuit filed against the Garden City, New York brokerage, first from the Nando Times, and, then, from the New York Times.

All living presidents except Reagan kick off volunteer summit (Monday, 4/28/97)
Presidents Clinton, Bush, Carter, and Ford seem to agree on one thing: America needs its volunteers, and it needs more of them. The much publicized volunteer summit has opened at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Some famous folks pitch in, at least while the cameras are present, although the Washington Post's John Harris says White House staffers don't seem to have much time for volunteering, ordinarily. Not everybody's happy, though. Michael Janofsky of the New York Times says that protesters are suggesting the Administration may be suffering from anemia. Meanwhile, Scott Baldauf of the Christian Science Monitor tells about helping kids to experience a functioning family setting, while others from the Monitor report on what some college students are doing. Finally, people in North Dakota haven't needed the Philadelphia summit for inspiration in order to help flood victims. Incidentally, former President Reagan is not appearing at the volunteer summit because he is ill, and, according to reports, is somewhat disabled by Alzheimer's disease.

Big election Thursday in Britain (Monday, 4/28/97)
According to the polls, the British will hand a victory to the Labour Party in Thursday's election. The parties are struggling to distinguish themselves in a campaign that, unlike previous ones, isn't much about policy differences. The next Prime Minister is likely to be young Tony Blair, who is leading a Labour Party that is in some ways similar to the "Clinton Democrats" in the United States. That is, Labour is looking a lot like the Tories this time around. However, the New York Times' Warren Hoge says that Labour is not being specific and is making few promises, taking advantage of the apparently widespread feeling in Britain that, despite success with the nation's economy, after many years in power, the Conservatives are tired and have finally run out of petrol. Incidentally, The Guardian is reporting in London today that Britain has more children living in poverty than any other European country, about 1-in-3. Also, Alexander MacLeod writes in the Christian Science Monitor that Britain has been "downsizing" for a long time. While the sun is setting on the British Empire, the handover of Hong Kong doesn't mean that the old empire will have gone entirely dark.

The last place on earth (Monday, 4/28/97)
The North Korean people could use some volunteers, but a government that isn't incompetent, irresponsible, brutish, and pathological would help for a start. In addition to everything else that makes life miserable for most North Koreans, a famine is now sweeping the country, and many of the reports coming out are absolutely grizzly.

G7 countries concerned about currency fluctuations (Monday, 4/28/97)
Representatives of the richest industrial countries in the world met in Washington yesterday and expressed concern about currency swings and the effects these might have on world trade.

Aberdeen rape case jury starts deliberating again today (Monday, 4/28/97)
Many, in addition to the defendant, await the outcome in the rape trial at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. There have been a number of incidents and allegations of sexual misconduct on several American military installations, and a debate is raging over what can be done about a coed military within a traditional military culture in which some men necessarily have power over some women.

Clinton may be willing to compromise on Social Security (Monday, 4/28/97)
A budget deal involving Social Security might be in the works.

Swedish men working more overtime (Monday, 4/28/97)
Dagens Industri reports that more Swedish men than women in middle-management positions are working overtime without pay, which could upset the balance between the sexes in the workplace, causing men to advance more readily in their careers.

Austria's Women's Minister calls for more contracts for companies treating women well (Monday, 4/28/97)
Women's Minister Barbara Prammer would like to see more state contracts granted to companies that advance the cause of women at work, according to Kurier.

A school-to-work program in Massachusetts (Monday, 4/28/97)
Kirsten Conover of the Christian Science Monitor tells about how some students are preparing for the new world of work in the banking industry. Also, Marilyn Gardner reports on how school is trying to teach students about money.

Government not the only major industry in Washington (Monday, 4/28/97)
The high-technology industry has been growing as a major provider of jobs in and around the American capital. Also in the Washington Post today, William Drozdiak writes that Germany is beginning to undergo a change of attitude about its increasingly diverse society. Many nations, particularly the wealthy ones, have received large numbers of immigrants in recent years, and, while conflict over these migrations continues, many are beginning to accept the reality that the world has become a smaller place, in effect. Traditional population patterns and political boundaries have resulted, in part, from an earlier time when transportaion and communication were far more limited and most persons passed their entire lives without even knowing about persons outside their immediate communities. For instance, nearly 1 in 10 persons living in the United States now were born someplace else. Of course, America has had earlier periods when large numbers of immigrants entered the country, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Arafat lectures striking teachers (Monday, 4/28/97)
The first teachers strike under Palestinian self-rule has ended, according this Washington Post story. Also, the Post editorializes about "welfare fraud," and they're not talking about what you might think. Finally, nationally syndicated columnist William Raspberry discusses racism as opposed to discrimination. Incidentally, scientists are saying that, while our ancestors might be forgiven for exaggerating the importance of superficial appearances, "race" is mostly just social construction. If you examine the DNA, you can't tell what race a person is. Incidentally, here's a story from today's Chicago Sun-Times about a CEO who has some thoughts on overcoming racial barriers.

Good spring for new grads (Monday, 4/28/97)
Graduating seniors are facing the best job market in years, but it isn't equally sweet for all majors. The new world economy has become far more performance-oriented and far less credentials-oriented. Graduating with a degree isn't enough. You actually have to be able to do something that employers want done and are willing to pay well for. Graduates can't expect to be paid well for simply being well-educated any more than for simply being a nice person.

Spirituality in the workplace (Monday, 4/28/97)
Newsday's Patrica Kitchen reports on a conference that has sold out, which may tell something about what people are looking for at work, and elsewhere. Incidentally, our regular contributor, John Cowan, has been specializing in these issues for years, and we'll soon be publishing a new essay by John. Here's our 1996 review of two of his three books.

Voice mail replacing prayers? (Monday, 4/28/97)
One executive says checking voice mail is the first thing he does when he gets up and the last thing he does before going to bed. Then, of course, there's the flood of e-mail. Steven Ginsberg reports on how easy communication is complicating many people's lives. Maybe it's time we think again about the differences among data, information, knowledge, and wisdom, as well as genuine communication.

What's so funny about your job? Come on now, stop laughing. (Monday, 4/28/97)
Maggie Jackson reports in today's Mineapolis Star Tribune on programs that try to make work fun, and humorous. Humor is taken very seriously in many corporations now, and that may be pretty funny.

L.A. Inner City still looking for jobs (Monday, 4/28/97)
It's five years since the Los Angeles riots. James Sterngold writes about the continuing need for jobs.

Is the Internet making you more productive? (Monday, 4/28/97)
It's not an open and shut case, but, then, there's still debate about the productivity effects of computers generally. Here's Steve Lohr's report in today's New York Times.

G7 meeting today in Washington (Sunday, 4/27/97)
The world's wealthiest industrial nations are worrying about an American dollar that may be too strong and how to get things back into better balance.

US Airways needs to cut costs, threatens layoffs (Sunday, 4/27/97)
The Washington Post is reporting that US Airways will start layoffs on June 30 if agreement on cost-cutting is not reached. Here's the story from Reuters this morning. Also from Reuters today, President Clinton is offering the possibility of slowing Social Security cost-of-living increases as part of budget package, and Bangladesh has a better reputation now because of the elimination of child labor from its apparel industry, but business is off.

The joys and hazards of flying solo (Sunday, 4/27/97)
Steven Ginsberg of the Washington Post discusses workers who are going it alone in an increasingly entrepreneurial economy. Of course, with job security declining and an increasing emphasis on outsourcing and contract work, some entrepreneurs are reluctant or involuntary. Incidentally, here's the Boston Globe story on the PBS show on entrepreneurship coming up this week. Check your local listings for time.

Will the boomers be bust at retirement? (Sunday, 4/27/97)
Retirement may be quite different for the boomer generation, and many may not be able to quit working, according to the Washington Post this morning. Also in the Post, Albert Crenshaw discusses health insurance portability under the new law, nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn tells about the elderly who are paying too much for advice on reverse mortgages, and Judith Havemann says Clinton is wavering on whether to privatize welfare workers' jobs.

Japanese companies address sexual harassment issue (Sunday, 4/27/97)
Today's Chicago Tribune reports that Japanese companies are beginning a movement against sexual harassment in the workplace, including the development of a manual on how to get the problem under control, particularly for companies that have employees in the United States. Also in Japan, Kyoko Fujiu reports in Asahi Shimbun on how, for young Japanese, study abroad won't necessarily help a career back home.

How to cope with the cost of elder care (Sunday, 4/27/97)
How would you handle nursing home costs of $40,000 per year or more? Newsday offers a little advice. Also, Carrie Mason-Draffen answers a correspondent's question about access to a personnel file, and Lisa Doll describes the job role of bank teller, including the promotion possibilities. If you supervise tellers, are you a teller teller? Probably not.

More on the Education Department productivity report (Sunday, 4/27/97)
Here's the story on America's slipping edge from USA Today.

Korean youths support families (Sunday, 4/27/97)
Kim Song-ae writes in today's Korea Herald about the thousands of South Korean young people who are trying to support their families. Meanwhile, things are far worse in the North. Seth Faison reports in today's New York Times about the horror stories that are making their way across the border from North Korea. It's the worst, including spreading famine, even possible cannibalism.

Hong Kong trade unions not political organizations, new official says (Sunday, 4/27/97)
As the handover of Hong Kong to China approaches, Chief Executive-designate Tung Chee-hwa is trying to reassure trade unions that they will not be classed as prohibited political organizations. It will be interesting to see what actual happens, given that most one-party political systems typically are not greatly tolerant of competing social organization. One of the defining characteristics of the 20th century totalitarian state has been that it is "total." The world is watching with more than curiosity as one of the most free and economically successful communities in the world comes under the control of the world's largest dictatorship July 1.

A story about volunteers from Philadelphia (Sunday, 4/27/97)
U.S. News has a cover story asking if volunteerism is a waste of time, while the Clinton Administration continues to try to move it to center stage in American society as government retreats from its long-time role of helper of last resort. The New York Times' Pam Belluck reports on efforts to help in Philadelphia. Also in the Times, Louis Uchitelle reports on the new American confidence as the U.S. economy surges ahead of most others, Dan Barry tells about the problems of fishermen on the American East Coast, Florida sues the federal government over benefits for legal immigrants, and legal insurance becomes an increasingly popular job perk.

Russia prepares to deal with budget crisis (Saturday, 4/26/97)
The troubled Russian economy continues to struggle. The government is planning tax changes and big budget cuts to support a radical program of market reforms.

Getting around not so much fun in France (Saturday, 4/26/97)
Strikes already affecting rail and air spread to sea travel in France.

U.S. reassures Hong Kong residents on travel (Saturday, 4/26/97)
Hong Kong residents won't be issued British passports much longer, because, after 150 years, the colony will be returned to Chinese control on July 1. However, residents holding future Chinese-issued passports can relax, say U.S. government officials.

Economists expect slower U.S. economy (Saturday, 4/26/97)
Reuters polled more than thirty economists who seem to agree that the American economy won't be growing quite so rapidly, but that doesn't mean recession. Also from Reuters today, layoffs at Chrysler because of the strike, and American Treasury Secretary Rubin says G7 will be talking about the emerging economies at its meeting tomorrow. This is the organization of the seven largest industrial economies in the world.

"Geezer boomers" will do okay, say Hudson Institute authors (Saturday, 4/26/97)
The print edition of the Los Angeles Time contains a story by Stuart Siverstein this morning saying that employers will overhaul their employment practices to find ways to hire and retain older workers over the years ahead. The story features the Hudson Institute's new book, Workforce 2020, the sequel to Workforce 2000, published ten years ago. The new book's authors held a press conference in Los Angeles yesterday and are on a national promotional tour. We were among the first in the world to report on the new book's publication, but you can expect that virtually every newspaper and broadcast news service in the United States will be talking about it during the weeks ahead. The Hudson Institute was founded by Herman Kahn in the early 1960's. He founded the Rand Corporation after World War II, and, in the process, largely invented the modern private "think tank."

Reno moves on problems at INS (Saturday, 4/26/97)
The American Attorney General has appointed top officials to help straighten out the citizenship program at the INS.

Clinton agrees with those who want Roosevelt portrayed in a wheelchair (Saturday, 4/26/97)
Plans are underway to build a major monument to the 20th century president who is on most people's short list of the greatest in American history. During his lifetime, most Americans didn't realize that he could not walk because of polio. His disability was systematically concealed from the American people by the government and the press at the time. Many, including President Clinton, believe it's time to recognize that the fact that President Roosevelt had to use a wheelchair didn't diminish his greatness in the least. The new monument can send a strong message that such disabilities have nothing to do with a person's potential job performance, according to activists who want the fiction regarding Roosevelt to stop after all these years.

Headaches reduce work productivity (Saturday, 4/26/97)
Reuters reports on a new study. Also, the San Francisco garbage strike has been settled, and the American First lady says that working parents have something more to feel guilty about now that research is showing the importance of stimulation during a child's first three years of life.

Ross' old company slipping a bit (Saturday, 4/26/97)
Electronic Data Systems Corporation, the company that Ross Perot founded years ago, says that its earnings drop is because of the high wages that have to be paid to technical employees in what is a seller's market for highly skilled people.

Many already volunteering (Saturday, 4/26/97)
Here's Dale Russakoff's Washington Post article on the new push to get volunteers to pick up the slack left by government's disengagement from the social safety net. Meanwhile, Jason DeParle of the New York Times asks, somewhat rhetorically, if volunteerism really does any good, and some student followers of Ayn Rand's philosophy would probably say that Atlas would still shrug.

Here's a "business" you might not have expected the mob to be involved in (Saturday, 4/26/97)
Some New York City-area homeless shelters have been linked to organized crime families. Really. Also from today's New York Times, a union vote at City University of New York, and a fight over the union vote tally at Harrah's.

A new type of "Netizen," according to Business Week (Saturday, 4/26/97)
The new edition of Business Week contains a major cover story on the Internet and what it may mean. Also in the magazine this time, is Harvard Biz an old boy's club? Further, guess which HMO is getting help from the AFL-CIO. Finally, here's a report on the impact of welfare reform on employment.

Transportation strikes hit France (Friday, 4/25/97)
Train conductors have gone on strike in France. Here's the story from Reuters this morning. Also, La Tribune is reporting that pilots from Air France Europe are calling for a strike today and tomorrow. They're protesting planned pay cuts in relation to a decision to merge Air France Europe with Air France.

Concern with have vs. have not gap in Ireland (Friday, 4/25/97)
The wealthy chairman of Jefferson Smurfit Group says Ireland's boom isn't benefiting everybody, and there is a danger that the country will become a "two-tiered society", according to today's Irish Times.

World economy looking good, according to IMF chief (Friday, 4/25/97)
The International Monetary Fund's Managing Director says "rational exuberance" is justified.

Jobless claims dip last week (Friday, 4/25/97)
U.S. Department of Labor statistics show a decline in first-time jobless claims in the United States last week.

Competition for tech grads fierce this spring (Friday, 4/25/97)
Susan Nadeau reports that college seniors graduating in technical fields are being chased by a lot of employers, as the shortage of workers with the technical expertise needed by an exploding information economy intensifies. Incidentally, Richard Judy and Carol D'Amico caution in their newly published Workforce 2020 that, while we can expect the strong relationship between education and earnings to continue, one of the ways in which the new economy differs from the old is that a degree in just anything does not necessarily imply an employment advantage. Workforce 2020 is the sequel to the enormously influential Workforce 2000 published ten years ago by the Hudson Institute. Laurence Shatkin of the Educational Testing Service will review the new book for us soon.

Medicare fund still in trouble (Friday, 4/25/97)
Medicare's situation hasn't improved since last year, according to a report from its trustees. It could go broke by 2001. Here's the story from Reuters and the Washington Post. Also, Aaron Zitner of the Boston Globe says that Social Security's problems haven't diminished either.

Legislation introduced to manage managed care (Friday, 4/25/97)
A new bill has been introduced in the American Congress to regulate managed care institutions, as concern mounts that quality of service is beginning to suffer.

Action on unemployment in Germany needed, president says (Friday, 4/25/97)
Sueddeutsche Zeitung reports that German President Herzog is calling on politicians and business leaders to get together to do something about the country's unemployment problem. Germany's economy still plays a key role in Europe, but it's been struggling to reduce its costly social safety net and make the transition to an information economy at the same time it has been trying to cope with the enormous costs of reunification.

More job cuts coming to Austrian railroads (Friday, 4/25/97)
The Austrian state-owned railways expect to cut 8,000 more jobs during the next five years, according to Kurier.

Belgian physicians to strike (Friday, 4/25/97)
According to La Libre Belgique this morning, doctors in Belgium plan a one-day strike to protest government caps on health-care spending. Also in Belgium today, workers at Forges de Clabecq SA have rejected a government plan to ease the hardship of job losses at the bankrupt steel company. De Financieel Economische Tijd is reporting the story today.

The problem with home offices (Friday, 4/25/97)
There has been a tremendous increase in the number of home-based businesses in an increasingly entrepreneurial economy, but government hasn't caught up to the new reality, it seems. People with offices at home continue at a disadvantage, and some in Congress want to do something about it.

Other nations gaining on the U.S. in productivity and education (Friday, 4/25/97)
Scott Baldauf reports in today's Christian Science Monitor, which also contains an editorial with some news on the world of volunteers, and we do mean "world." Also, here's R. W. Apple's analysis of volunteerism from today's New York Times.

Clinton wants to eliminate bias against gays in the workplace (Friday, 4/25/97)
Here's Peter Baker report on the American president's stepped up campaign from today's Washington Post. Also in the Post today, William Raspberry traces the long history of families in peril, and Mickey Kaus analyzes the politics of immigration in the United States.

About one daughter who was taken to work yesterday (Friday, 4/25/97)
A lot of daughters and quite a lot of sons got to visit their parents' workplace yesterday. Here's one story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Also in the Strib, Anna Simons expresses skepticism about women in military combat roles.

Dangers lurk at work (Friday, 4/25/97)
Bruce Butterfield reports for the Boston Globe that the workplace is still a very dangerous place.

Promises, promises (Thursday, 4/24/97)
Black farmers in the United States have accused the U.S. Department of Agriculture of discriminating against them. The Department vowed to do better, but farmers are saying little has happened.

If you're reading this at work, say hello to your daughter, and, if your son's there, say hello to him too (Thursday, 4/24/97)
It's Take Our Daughters to Work Day, but many employers aren't leaving out sons. Newsday's Patricia Kitchen offers some advice, and Pastor Kristine Holmgren says her daughters don't think it's cool, because their mother's work is hard to watch. Incidentally, your son or daughter is supposed to be exploring, experiencing, learning. If s/he is working, he or she shouldn't be there, but should be in school instead. We reported yesterday that the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees is using the day as an opportunity to discourage child labor and sweatshops, which seem to have flared up significantly throughout much of the world during recent months.

Florida files suit over immigration (Thursday, 4/24/97)
The state of Florida is suing the federal government over the cost of providing services to legal immigrants because of welfare changes.

Aberdeen rape trial nears end (Thursday, 4/24/97)
Closing arguments will begin soon in the rape trial at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Charges of sexual misconduct have arisen at several U. S. military installations during recent months.

Labor tensions escalate with new GM strike (Thursday, 4/24/97)
Here's today's story from Reuters on the strike at the General Motors truck plant in Pontiac, Michigan. Also, Brian Akre writes in today's Boston Globe on how the current strike fits in with the UAW's overall efforts, and the New York Times' Robyn Meredith tells about the impact on auto availability at the start of the spring selling season. Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune says UAW's president in becoming involved in efforts to settle the Chrysler strike.

No agreement yet on how to increase minimum education levels in Turkey (Thursday, 4/24/97)
Yeni Yuzyil reports that Turkey's coalition partners agree that the minimum level of education in the country should be raised to eight years, but they haven't yet agreed on how to do it. Also, according to Dunya, the International Monetary Fund says Turkey is "risky" because of ``loose monetary and fiscal policies and high inflation.'' The IMF's report forecasts a 4.5 percent growth rate for the world economy. The Turkish government is forecasting the same for Turkey, but the IMF isn't convinced.

Big layoffs to follow big losses at chip maker (Thursday, 4/24/97)
Cirrus Logic will lay off about 15 percent of its workers.

Should a $1.4 billion mistake be enough to cost a person his job? (Thursday, 4/24/97)
Whoops! Nancy Millman of the Chicago Tribune tells about how a CEO is losing his job because of the "Snapple snafu." Harry Berkowitz of Newsday also has that story. Meanwhile, another CEO says his $28.8 million 1996 pay is about right.

Tentative agreement in the House on immigrant aid (Thursday, 4/24/97)
House Republicans have tenatively agreed on a bill that would help legal immigrants who will be shut out by welfare changes. Here's a story from today's Minneapolis Star Tribune about immigrants who are testifying in Congress to urge a restoration of Supplemental Security Income eligibility.

Party wants immigrant children to speak Danish (Thursday, 4/24/97)
Berlingske Tidende reports that the Danish Social Democratic Party wants to require immigrants to make sure their children can speak Danish before starting school, and that a maximum of 25 percent of the children in each class be bilingual. Also, Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten reports that a crisis of sorts seems to be brewing in the Danish daycare industry. Waiting lists have been getting longer, and the head of the National Association of Local Authorities says that the availability of child-minding services will not be guaranteed this year or next .

What would you rather neglect--your child or your job? (Thursday, 4/24/97)
Marilyn Gardner of the Christian Science Monitor describes the dilemma faced by an increasing number of parents. Also in the Monitor today, Laurel Shaper Walters reports that academic tenure is coming under increasing scrutiny now, given the glut of PhDs in the United States.

Vancouver's booming, but... (Thursday, 4/24/97)
The Washington Post's Howard Schneider tells about a boom town's dark side. Also, Rene Sanchez says that the direct loan program hasn't worked out quite like the U.S. Department of Education expected. Speaking of the Education Department, Richard W. Riley says the American middle-class needs a break.

How to pay no taxes (Thursday, 4/24/97)
Nationally syndicated columnist Robert Reno says it is true: the rich are different, as Fitzgerald or Hemingway or somebody said. Some of them don't pay any taxes.

Higher ed group supports affirmative action (Thursday, 4/24/97)
The Association of American Universities says higher educational institutions should be able to be selective in their admissions in order to foster diversity on the campuses. Also in the New York Times this morning, wage violations alleged at three companies, and Bausch & Lomb will cut nearly 2,000 jobs.

Thursday is the day to take your daughter to work, or not (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
For many, it's a very good idea to take your daughter to work. For others, it's something not to do, according to the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees.

Strike at GM plant in Pontiac, Michigan (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
Thousands of union workers walked off the job after talks failed at a General Motors pickup truck plant in Michigan. Also, the Goodyear strike spreads to a tenth plant.

Wanna buy a nuclear processing company? (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
Privatization continues. The Japanese government is thinking about selling off part of the state-owned Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation.

Legal immigration up last year in the U.S. (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
William Branigin of the Washington Post reports on the big rise in legal immigration, while this Chicago Tribune story discusses the political implications. Also, Reuters has more on the bipartisan effort in Congress to protect legal immigrants from the consequences of the new welfare law.

New approaches to higher ed diversity (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
Affirmative action has been turned back in some areas, so higher education is trying to find new ways of insuring diversity on the campuses. Here's Peter Applebome's report from today's New York Times.

Resistance to refugees in Denmark (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
Berlingske Tidende reports this morning that many county mayors in Denmark are demanding a temporary stop to the arrival of refugees and immigrants in their regions, citing excessive economic and social burdens. Also in Denmark, Politiken reports that a Danish Confederation of Trade Unions study shows an increase in the number of top directors of Danish companies who are losing their jobs. According to the report, there was a 45 percent increase in the number of unemployed directors from December 1994 to December 1996.

Workers in Germany taking less sick leave (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
Bild-Zeitung reports that German workers took 27 percent less sick leave during the first three months of 1997 compared to a year earlier. The change is attributed to a new law that allows employers to pay 80 percent of regular wages when workers are sick, rather than the 100 percent previously.

Will European economic unity really happen? (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
Gail Russell Chaddock of the Christian Science Monitor reports on spreading doubts in Europe.

Some executives mastering balancing act (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
The Wall Street Journal's Sue Shellenbarger writes today that some executives are doing a better job of balancing work and family responsibilities. Also in the Journal today, Rochelle Sharpe says some schools resist sending girls to work.

Big need for training in the Midwest, but other places too (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
The Chicago Tribune's J. Linn Allen reports on a Federal Reserve study that shows a big need for training, particularly for low-income workers and the unemployed in the American Midwest. The Fed's report will be released today. Also in the Tribune today, Stephen Franklin says to expect longer careers and less security in the new economy.

Woman-owned businesses in Boston (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
Women have been starting a lot of the new businesses throughout the United States. Jerry Ackerman reports in today's Boston Globe that Boston ranks 15th in the nation with 35 percent of all businesses owned by women.

Greek Central Bank head says the country can join the European union in 2001, but... (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
Central bank governor Papademos says that, in order to qualify, it will take continued selling off of state assets, increasing labor market flexibility, and reforms in the social insurance system, among other things. Naftemboriki has the story today.

Swiss union membership dips (Wednesday, 4/23/97)
Newspapers in Switzerland are reporting that membership in labor unions in the country dipped to another low last year. Also, unemployment in Switzerland fell last month for the first time since last June. Finally, the Swiss government is proposing a VAT tax in 1999 to help reduce the state pension funding deficit.

Goodyear producing some tires (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
Despite a strike by approximately 13,000 members of the United Steelworkers of America, Goodyear has resumed limited production at the affected plants. Stephen Franklin of the Chicago Tribune sees some similarities between this and Chrysler's situation. Speaking of Chrysler, layoffs are rippling elsewhere as a consequence of the engine plant strike that has gone on nearly two weeks. Also, the United Auto Workers union is threatening to strike a truck plant in Pontiac, Michigan.

Off-the-clock work charged at Albertson's foods (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
A class action suit alleges that Albertson's unlawfully saves on workers' compensation costs. The suit could cost the company a half-billion dollars.

India's new PM says open-market reforms will continue (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
Many people in North America and Europe seem to pay relatively little attention to India, but, in addition to being the world's largest democracy and the second largest country in the world, it also has one of the most important emerging economies. While vast numbers of people still live in poverty, market reforms under a previous government have resulted in tremendous economic growth in some sectors, including high-technology. Suddenly, India has a modern middle-class about as large as the combined populations of Germany and France. However, the country has also suffered through a political corruption scandal, and it's been uncertain whether market reforms would continue under a new government. However, the new prime minister took over yesterday, and says reforms will continue.

Another computer company has troubles (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
Apple isn't the only manufacturer of personal computers with financial problems. AST has also been suffering losses lately, and will cut its workforce by 25 percent.

Bill to protect immigrants to be introduced tomorrow (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
Momentum is picking up in Congress to protect legal immigrants from the consequences of the new welfare law. A new bill is expected to be introduced into both the House and the Senate Wednesday.

Worker sleeplessness (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
A new survey says that nearly half of American workers suffer from insomnia, and stress from the high-pressure work world of the 90s seems to have something to do with it. Moreover, the sleeplessness may be interfering with the quality of job performance, suggesting that "downsizing" and restructuring can have more than their intended effects.

Brown University's appeal turned down (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
The Supreme Court yesterday turned down Brown University's appeal of a ruling that it discriminated against women in its athletic program.

Many can't afford health care in Sweden (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
Dagens Nyheter reports that the Health Institute says that forty percent of Stockholm's low-income households can't afford the visiting fee so are unable to gain access to heath care coverage that is available from the state. Also in Sweden, the government intends to reform the income tax system in 1999. The plan would lower taxes for low- and moderate-income groups, while raising them for high-income groups, according to FinansTidningen.

Swiss unemployment official arrested (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
A unemployment official has been arrested and charged with embezzling about 250,000 Swiss francs. Switzerland has record unemployment, and the unemployment insurance system has been laboring under an increasing deficit, according to Neue Zuercher Zeitung.

Home workers are workers, so shouldn't they have pensions? (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
Lawrence Goodrich examines Congressional efforts to see what might be done to make pensions fairer to people who do some of society's most important work. Also, Lara Santoro reports that European housewives may soon have insurance, because housework can be dangerous.

Welfare reform re-ignites church-state debate (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
Church-sponsored social service programs will be able to accept government money without hiding their religious symbols and beliefs under the new welfare law. Here's the story from Sam Walker of the Christian Science Monitor. Also in the Monitor today, a Supreme Court ruling adds to the confusion over the rights of single mothers, "fortress North Korea" prevents most from fleeing starvation, and what you could make if you worked for 5,000 years. Better get started.

The hard life of day laborers in Japan (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
One of the principal features of the new world economy seems to be the growing gap between haves and have nots. Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun reports on day laborers and the homeless in Osaka.

Groups protest government child support cuts in South Africa (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
Business Day reports that trade unions and church groups are protesting a new child support system that will result in cuts, they say.

Economic recovery underway in some regions of France (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
Les Echos reports that France's sputtering economy is beginning to improve, but it's spotty as the country prepares for May 25 legislative elections. Also, Le Figaro says that a new study predicts an increase in the proportion of income earned by people age 50 and older. That age group has 43 percent of the income in France now. The forecast says they will have 50 percent by 2005.

The paradoxes of the new work world (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
As many as a tenth of technical positions are going unfilled in many regions of the United States because of lack of suitably qualified people, and the overall unemployment rate is lower than in most other industrial countries. However, large numbers of other persons have given up looking for work, and many who take jobs leave them early. What's going on? Here's Charles Saunders' view in today's Boston Globe. Also in the Globe today, the Supreme Court agrees to decide on an age bias suit issue for persons taking severance, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court will decide on whether a salaried worker can refuse to work overtime, and Juliet Brudney tries to clear up some of the confusion over contract employees and worker's comp, at least in Massachusetts.

Questions about labor leader's earnings (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
Kenneth Crowe writes in Newsday today that one labor official has been doing very well, even if his union locals haven't.

Higher ed's economics undergoing change (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
Peter Passell writes in today's New York Times about new approaches to capturing students through the use of targeted merit scholarships.

Immigration victory for gay rights in Britain (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
The Express reports that the U.K.'s Home Secretary Michael Howard has agreed to allow a homosexual Brazilian to stay in the country with his gay lover.

Agreement reached at Philips plant (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
According to De Volkskrant, the strike at the Hoogeveen household-appliances plant in the Netherlands is near its end. Agreement has been reached with Philips Electronics NV, which has been planning to move more than 200 jobs to Poland. The company has agreed to guarantee three years comparable employment to 200 workers at the Hoogeveen plant.

Lawyers say pension funds should sue bank (Tuesday, 4/22/97)
Denmark's Politiken reports that four Danish pension funds lost US$12.5 million because of buying Hafnia Holing A/S shares shortly before its bankruptcy. Denmark's largest bank, Den Danske Bank A/, is accused of hiding information about Hafnia's financial problems. The bank had been managing the share issue.

Ink drying on Workforce 2020 (Monday, 4/21/97)
Richard Judy, senior author of the Hudson Institute's sequel to Workforce 2000, tells us that Workforce 2020 is available now. The original book, published ten years ago, was highly influential. We'll review Workforce 2020 soon.

Key issues in Goodyear strike revealed (Monday, 4/21/97)
Here's why talks broke down at Goodyear, according to union officials. Several plants and thousands of workers are affected.

Nations meeting to puzzle over world economy (Monday, 4/21/97)
Representatives of both rich and poor nations are meeting this week to decide what can be done to keep the global economy from getting out of balance.

Clinton asks for help (Monday, 4/21/97)
President Clinton was kidding when he said he might ask Robert Dole for a loan (we think), but he could use some help anyway. He would like to have a Secretary of Labor before his second term expires, so he's asking organized labor to try to push the Senate a little in order to get Alexis Herman confirmed. Incidentally, the previous Labor Secretary has written another book, and David Warsh of the Chicago Tribune examines Robert Reich's perspective on the first Clinton Administration.

It's National Secretary's Week, but what about the rest of the year? (Monday, 4/21/97)
Marsha Wagner says tells about what secretaries really need, and it isn't simply flowers and a card.

Tentative agreement heads off apartment workers strike (Monday, 4/21/97)
The Nando Times and the New York Times report on an apparent settlement by a union representing 30,000 residential building workers.

Social Security challenges court rulings (Monday, 4/21/97)
The U.S. Social Security Administration has told its judges to ignore federal court precedents in determining eligibility for benefits. Thousands could be affected. Here's the story from today's New York Times.

Retired electrical workers sue in Portugal (Monday, 4/21/97)
Retired workers from the state-owned electrical utility, Electricidade de Portugal SA, claim that the company decided on their own that pensions would be calculated differently. The Portuguese government is preparing to sell the utility, according to Diario Economico.

Belgian company to shut down French unit (Monday, 4/21/97)
Bekaert SA is a Belgian company that manufactures wire and other steel products. De Standaard reports today that it will shut down its unit in France, putting 63 employees out of work. Also, the paper reports that a Swiss-Italian company, Duferco SA, is considering buying bankrupt Forges de Clabecq SA. About 1,800 jobs are at risk, and Bekaert says it could save only some of them, not all.

Sunday shopping displeases union in Austria (Monday, 4/21/97)
Die Presse reports that hundreds of union leaders and members demonstrated yesterday at a shopping mall that was open for the first time on a Sunday in a Viennese suburb. An Austrian law still forbids requiring most people to work on Sundays. It remains to be seen if mall owners will be charged.

Many with too much credit card debt (Monday, 4/21/97)
James Tyson of the Christian Science Monitor reports that an increasing number of people are beginning to sink under credit card debt, and the card companies are putting on the pressure, sometimes illegally. In related news, Maryland's bankruptcy court system is in danger of sinking under the load as well, according to the Washington Post.

College choices underway (Monday, 4/21/97)
This is the time of year when many young people and their families agonize over which college to choose, while the schools become almost contortionists as they try to distinguish themselves from one another. In many communities, exclusivity still sells, of course, just as there will always be people who will be willing to go into debt in order to buy over-priced automobiles and other consumer products. Many colleges hire experienced marketing consultants to tap the same insecurities that lead people to pay more than they would have to in the consumer product area.

Bottom line: the most important factors determining the quality of educational outcomes are those having to do with the students themselves, and it's still possible to obtain an excellent education for nothing at the public library. Eventually, we'll report on the tremendous number of outstanding intellectual leaders who have not gone through the conventional academic grind at all. This is not to suggest that people should not go to college, only that many could afford to be more prudent shoppers and spend less. Some of the best educational experiences for young people are at the least expensive schools. In the meantime, here's Kate Grossman's story from the Christian Science Monitor.

The call for a tune-up of immigration legislation (Monday, 4/21/97)
Changes in immigration and welfare law have impacted on immigrants in both intended and unintended ways. The Christian Science Monitor provides some perspective on the issues. Meanwhile the New York Times' Joe Sexton reports on the impact of welfare reform on New York's Hasidic community.

Africa's disabled assert themselves and overcome obstacles (Monday, 4/21/97)
Changes are under way on the African continent. The Washington Post's Stephen Buckley reports on how Africans with disabilities are organizing in order to deal with discrimination.

Gephardt supports Clinton Medicare cuts (Monday, 4/21/97)
President Clinton has offered additional cuts in Medicare in budget negotiations, and House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt likes the idea.

Writer doesn't like CD retirement strategy (Monday, 4/21/97)
A correspondent asks about his CD-based retirement plan, and the Boston Globe's Kenneth Hooker doesn't think much of it.

Fathers who stay at home (Monday, 4/21/97)
For some fathers, staying at home is just right. Here's Sherwood Ross for Newsday.

The company as living thing (Monday, 4/21/97)
Marjorie Kelly thinks about the company as a living organism, and what difference such an idea means. She writes in her syndicated "Business Ethics" column today.

New government initiative to reduce farm-related accidents (Monday, 4/21/97)
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is starting a new effort to reduce the number of children who are injured on farms. Here's the story from the Nando Times.

Strike at Goodyear (Sunday, 4/20/97)
Contract talks have failed at Goodyear, and nearly 13,000 workers have walked out. Nine Goodyear plants are affected. No new talks have been scheduled.

Republicans want volunteers protected from liability lawsuits (Sunday, 4/20/97)
As government retreats from social welfare in the United States, an increasing burden falls to the private sector and to volunteers, whom President Clinton has been trying to encourage. However, people are becoming more reluctant to lend assistance because volunteers are being named in liability lawsuits with increasing frequency, according to some Republican leaders. New legislation is needed to protect them, some say.

Shortages lead to call for new technology training (Sunday, 4/20/97)
A lot of technical jobs are going unfilled in the Washington, D. C. region, as well as in many other areas of the United States. The Washington Post's Peter Behr reports that business and education leaders agree that a drastic change in technology training is needed. A conference is going on in Washington.

Big shift away from the "hourly wage" model (Sunday, 4/20/97)
Among the most interesting aspects of the historic economic restructuring that has been going on is a major change in the way workers are compensated, which helps explain why inflation hasn't been knocking at the door in the United States. Pat Widder reports for today's Chicago Tribune. Also in the Trib today, Stephen Franklin writes on why President Clinton and others want an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act . Along similar lines, Sue Shellenbarger of Newsday tells how overwork is making a frontal assault on family life.

Here's a hot career: graphic design (Sunday, 4/20/97)
The stereotype of the "starving artist" is pretty heavily ingrained in the American mind, so much so that most people seem to assume that no one can expect to make a living as an artist. However, when we look around and stop to think for a moment, we will realize that just about everything we see around us in modern life had to be designed by somebody. Now, with stunning new technological tools available, the demand for graphic designers, particularly those with hi-tech skills, is very hot indeed. Even Disney is trying to find ways to relieve the tremendous shortage of digital animators. Here's some information about graphic design as a career.

Sunday advice from Newsday (Sunday, 4/20/97)
Albert Crenshaw tells about some 401(k) rules, Carrie Mason-Draffen tells a correspondent that lying about age doesn't disqualify pension, and Lynn Brenner advises a divorcee about her right to part of her former husband's pension. Also in Long Island's Newsday, Patricia Kitchen writes about a "school to career" program, and a new study suggesting that workers at all levels seem to think that a lot of corporate brain power is being wasted.

A public library helps job-seekers (Sunday, 4/20/97)
A Minnesota suburban library is breaking new ground in being of use to job-seekers. It's not just a few career books on the shelf anymore.

Calling on the Web to help you relocate (Sunday, 4/20/97)
Today's New York Times tells how to use the Internet to help reduce the stress of relocating. Also in the Times today, Rachel Swarns reports on the confusion resulting from the new law that is already denying services to immigrants, including those who should not be affected. Finally, Adam Clymer writes about debate in the U.S. Senate over whether to use expanded cigarette taxes to finance health coverage for children.

Bipartisan effort to restore aid to immigrants (Saturday, 4/19/97)
Reuters reports that Republican and Democratic members of Congress are trying to get together on a law that would restore aid to elderly and disabled legal immigrants. Under the new welfare law, aid will end in August. Also, in today's Washington Post, William Branigin reports that an audit has found that the INS hasn't been very careful about granting American citizenship to criminals. Here's that story from the New York Times as well. Also in the Times today, Larry Rohter tells about how the new U.S. immigration law is affecting central Americans.

How CEO income compares (Saturday, 4/19/97)
Richard Harwood of the Washington Post tells about two major publications and their articles on a dramatic income disparity in the United States. Median income for corporate CEOs is about 60 times the median family income in the United States, he says. How much of the reason for high CEO pay is simply the market system in action? Are there other factors at work as well?

Labor leader's remarks alarm some (Saturday, 4/19/97)
The Secret Sercice is investigating Gus Bevona, leader of the union representing 30,000 apartment building workers in New York City who could be on strike soon. Bevona reportedly commented about how he would shoot several recent American presidents because of how the labor movement has declined during their administrations.

AARP decides against royalty plan (Saturday, 4/19/97)
The American Association of Retired Persons has changed its mind about a royalty plan involving HMOs, after government officials and others suggest that it might run afoul of Medicare anti-kickback laws.

Joblessness up a bit in the U.S. (Friday, 4/18/97)
The U.S. Department of Labor reports slightly higher numbers than expected last week.

Portuguese unemployment declines (Friday, 4/18/97)
Publico reports that March unemployment in Portugal was 3% lower than a year earlier. Also, according to Diario Economico, controversy continues over whether short breaks should be counted toward the 40-hour work week. A new law seems ambiguous on this issue, and various interpretations have arisen among labor unions and employers. The country's Labor Minister has been called on by other government officials to draft a new labor law that clarifies the situation.

More rail strikes planned in Belgium (Friday, 4/18/97)
Railway workers in Belgium are concerned that management is planning significant job cuts. Workers say they will strike Tuesday and Friday next week, according to L'Echo.

Opposition to legalizing immigrant workers (Friday, 4/18/97)
Kathimerini reports that a poll in Greece indicates that more than 50% of those surveyed are not in favor of issuing work permits to illegal immigrants.

The debate about women in combat (Friday, 4/18/97)
The United States military has been in the news a lot lately, and for some of the wrong reasons. However, behind the daily headlines is a debate that is likely to surface on the front page during the weeks ahead. Should women be permitted to serve in combat? Here's the story from Alexandra Marks of the Christian Science Monitor. Meanwhile, a woman takes charge of the National Guard in Vermont. Also in the Monitor today, charities benefit from the recent surge in stock prices, college grads find a good job market waiting this spring, and Bob Chase writes that high academic standards are a moral issue, not just a practical one. Finally, here's additional perspective on the new sweatshop code in the apparel industry.

Fewer may be able to afford to retire (Friday, 4/18/97)
Frank Swoboda of the Washignton Post writes about the gray and green in the next century. If you can retire, here's some information from the Chicago Tribune on how to get ready. Also from the Washington Post, Keith Richburg tells about the very young illegal immigrants in Hong Kong on the eve of the handover, Bill McAllister reports on harassment charges at the VA, and Stephen Barr says that President Clinton's reorganization plan for American foreign affairs agencies in the post-cold war era doesn't seem to include job cuts.

Mickey lays off CD-ROM workers (Friday, 4/18/97)
The CD-ROM business is in a slump, and even Disney is cutting jobs as a consequence. For years, CD-ROM technology didn't take off because of a "chicken and egg" problem. Not enough people had CD-ROM players to attract software developers, and people weren't buying players because there wasn't enough software. Finally, the market began to take off, and CD-ROM players became ubiquitous. Now, though, the large capacity of the disks doesn't look so impressive compared to the essentially unlimited capacity of the Internet, and, of course, there are the new DVDs, which can hold 40 times as much information as the CDs. That's equivalent to the text content of about 40,000 ordinary books.

Labour would sell Post Office (Thursday, 4/17/97)
Privatization continues, as opposition Labour Party leaders in the United Kingdom indicate they might consider selling the Post Office if they win the May 1 election and establish a new government headed by Tony Blair. The Independent in London also reports that one option would be for the government to retain 51%. Earlier reports have indicated that, after about 150 years, the London Underground might also be for sale. No truth to rumors that the government would sublet Buckingham Palace. Actually, no truth to rumors that there have been rumors either; it all started and ended right here. We're watching the continuing retreat of governments from operations of all kinds with great interest, though, and wondering how far it will go before the contagion cools and people begin to discover that, despite the fad, things aren't perfect yet. Also in the UK, The Sun reports that a 15-year-old schoolboy put on a suit and his best "older look," and fooled Norweb Plc into hiring him as a highly-paid sales executive. He ran up large debts on the company credit card, but he did manage to sign up 22 new customers.

Progress report on Eastern Germany (Thursday, 4/17/97)
It's been eight years since the Berlin wall came down, and eastern Germany has become almost unrecognizable because of enormous investment. Will it pay off? The New York Times' Edmund Andrews shares some thoughts. Also in the Times today, Robyn Meredith tells about a man in Detroit who has taken an enormous pay cut, but calls it progress. Steven Greenhouse writes that apartment dwellers in New York City are preparing for an expected strike by 30,000 workers that would make living in an apartment building a lot less fun. Milt Freudenheim writes that many people are getting frustrated with HMOs because they're taking a long time to pay their bills, among other things. Finally, will there ever be another U. S. Secretary of Labor? Christopher Drew and Michael Wines write the President Clinton's labor nominee has run into more questions which could put Alexis Herman's appointment in jeopardy.

Swedes to adopt Danish employment model (Thursday, 4/17/97)
Dagens Nyheter reports that Swedish government authorities are indicating that the country will adopt the Danish employment model in order to create jobs for unemployed youth. Young people will be required to accept work or study in exchange for unemployment benefits. Unemployment has been virtually eliminated among young people in Denmark through the use of the system.

Accreditation may not mean what you think in daycare (Thursday, 4/17/97)
Marilyn Gardner of the Christian Science Monitor writes about the accreditation process for daycare providers. She says that it doesn't guarantee quality. Also, Gloria Goodale writes about the impact of college costs on overall family life patterns, and here's a story about "National Service Week," as designated by President Clinton. With historic welfare reform in the United States and other efforts by the federal government to dismantle parts of the "welfare society," the president is trying to stimulate volunteerism, as well as efforts in the private sector.

Albania isn't the only desperate place on earth (Thursday, 4/17/97)
Among the locations in which the hungry are found in great abundance is North Korea. Steven Mufson says in this Washington Post article that stories of starvation are making their way across the border. Meanwhile, South Korea is trying to mobilize its resources to get its economy going again after a period of sluggishness. Michael Schuman reports on that in today's Wall Street Journal. It's all relative, though. The difference between North Korea's economic problems and South Korea's is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug, as Mark Twain might say.

Women and family-career considerations (Thursday, 4/17/97)
America's First Lady describes her own experiences while pregnant on the job at the big conference on early childhood. Also, in her nationally syndicated column today, Ellen Goodman says that the tax code surely wasn't written to benefit working mothers.

Personal report on what it takes to get a green card (Thursday, 4/17/97)
In the middle of a near firestorm over immigration issues in the United States, Julie Tilsner writes in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune about her own family's experiences.

Many rank and file have stock options too (Thursday, 4/17/97)
Stock options have helped many corporate CEOs earn income located somewhere up in the stratosphere. However, CNN Financial's Bill Tucker reports that many companies also offer stock options to lower-echelon employees, but many don't understand all the benefits. His explanation may help.

Get ready for more job cuts (Wednesday, 4/16/97)
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has announced new rules making mergers easier, and this is expected to make it easier for jobs to be cut.

Greek tax system "progressive," reports says (Wednesday, 4/16/97)
A Bank of Greece report says that high-income groups are carrying the main tax burden, and taxes on average-income groups were reduced during the period from 1992 through 1995, according to Kathimerini.

Union critical of Swiss cement plant closure (Wednesday, 4/16/97)
HCB, the Swiss unit of Holderbank Financiere Glarus AG, is intending to close one of its cement plants in Switzerland, which will result in the loss of about 100 jobs. The plan is part of a larger Holderbank reorganization across much of Europe in anticipation of further declines in the construction market. Union officials in Switzerland are critical of the move.

Aid arriving in Albania (Wednesday, 4/16/97)
For years, Albania was one of the poorest and most regimented societies in Europe under the control of a repressive Maoist-style communist government. This was followed by corrupt post-communist government, and now anarchy and economic devastation. Large numbers of persons have been fleeing the country during recent weeks, with many making their way to Italy. Conditions in Albania itself have become increasingly desperate, and now international humanitarian aid is arriving under heavy military escort.

ING employees offered stock options (Wednesday, 4/16/97)
Het Financieele Dagblad reports that ING Group NV in the Netherlands is offering its employees stock as part of a program to encourage employee loyalty. The company is expecting to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Belgian Renault plant reopens, but work doesn't resume (Wednesday, 4/16/97)
The Vilvoorde Renault plant is scheduled for closing in the summer. Union workers closed the plant for weeks with a strike that was called off by a vote of the majority several days ago. However, a committed minority of union workers has managed to keep the plant from resuming production, according to Le Soir.

Tool company workers ratify new contract (Wednesday, 4/16/97)
Jacqueline Fitzgerald of the Chicago Tribune reports that employees at Snap-On Inc.'s Algona, Iowa plant have ratified a new three-year agreement. In other labor news, Chrysler lays off more workers because of the parts strike, nurses vote to strike Kaiser Permanente hospitals for one day, and Daniel Sneider of the Christian Science Monitor reports on an aggressive union organizing effort in California's strawberry fields.

Wanna work? The market's right (Wednesday, 4/16/97)
While unemployment remains high in many of the European and some of the Asian economies, the job creating machine in the United States continues to steam ahead. Employers are beginning to struggle to find and keep the kinds of workers they need, and this means adding incentives. The Washington Post's Kirstin Downey Grimsley reports. Also in the Post today, a point of view on President Clinton's role in bringing apparel companies together on an agreement to move toward the elimination of sweatshops in the clothing industry.

Negotiating financial aid (Wednesday, 4/16/97)
Lynn Asinof writes in today's Wall Street Journal on how college financial aid may be negotiable. Also, Sue Shellenbarger says some people find work a retreat, compared to things at home.

Volunteering can be good for you (Wednesday, 4/16/97)
As thoughtful persons have known for centuries, giving can ennoble both the giver and the givee. Here's a Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial on the upcoming summit for volunteers and what it means.

The special vulnerabilities of women in the military (Wednesday, 4/16/97)
A psychiatrist testifies in the Army rape trial.

Wrongful dismissal suit in Hong Kong (Wednesday, 4/16/97)
A law professor is suing Hong Kong's City University, claiming that he was dismissed wrongfully. Here's the story from today's Hong Kong Standard.

Food on its way to Albania (Tuesday, 4/15/97)
The situation in Albania has gotten increasingly desperate, and many persons are in serious need of food. However, getting aid to the people who need it will require military support, given the current chaotic situation. Similarly, across the globe, the U.S. will provide food aid to North Korea, which also has a collapsed economy and an apparently deteriorating political situation.

President endorses sweatshop code (Tuesday, 4/15/97)
As planned, President Clinton provided his endorsement of the new apparel industry agreement intending to end sweatshops and child labor in the global clothing industry.

Internet may cause more downsizing (Tuesday, 4/15/97)
The Internet is making geography largely irrelevant in many areas. Now, it may spur further corporate downsizing too.

Thai farmers head home (Tuesday, 4/15/97)
Farmers in Thailand have spent more than 78 days camping out at the parliament building, visible evidence of the growing rich-poor gap in that country. However, Yvan Cohen of the Christian Science Monitor reports that they're going home.

Casual dress spreads through tech firms in D. C. area (Tuesday, 4/15/97)
The conventional "business uniform" is in decline in some work settings, perhaps because "uniform" implies, well, uniformity, and the concept of a "highly creative, highly conformist person" may be an oxymoron. Here's the story from today's Wasington Post. Also in the Post today, big push to learn English in South Korea, some thoughts about the summit for volunteers, and the growing prominence of community colleges in American higher education.

On suing your employer (Tuesday, 4/15/97)
The Wall Street Journal's Hal Lancaster tells about what you risk if you try. Also in the Journal today, Steve Stecklow tells about how college tuition is often one of the perks for college employees.

More jobs open to non-Japanese (Tuesday, 4/15/97)
Most Kochi prefectural workers will no longer have to be Japanense citizens, according to this story in today's Japan Times.

T-Day in the United States (Monday, 4/14/97)
Taxes are due tomorrow in the United States. Many American newspapers are running stories offering last-minute help and advice. Here are 12 common mistakes from today's Boston Globe, plus many additional stories to help you get it right next time by beginning to plan now.

Parts disabling the whole at Chrysler Corporation (Monday, 4/14/97)
The parts plant strike continues, but Chrysler and the UAW are beginning to talk again today.

High-tech skills in hot demand (Monday, 4/14/97)
Michele Himmelberg of the Orange County Register reports that the demand for technical information workers can hardly get any hotter, it seems, as the worldwide information economy continues its explosive development. Also, hi-tech industries are leading the new economy in another way: perhaps a third of hi-tech workers are employed on a project basis, not necessarily full-time jobs with benefits. Also, Cheryl Fields writes in today's Washington Post that frequent job changes are typical for young workers on the fast track.

Child exploitation on the increase in Baltic region (Monday, 4/14/97)
Denmark's Politiken reports that Denmark is committed to doing what it can to stop the sexual exploitation of children in the Baltic region, where child sex and sex tourism seems to be on the increase. Over the past year or more, we've reported that sexual exploitation and various forms of slavery seem to be increasingly prominent features of the new world economy, and the International Labor Organization, an agency of the United Nations, has been taking the lead in efforts to stem the tide. Speaking of exploitation, here's an analysis from Christina Nifong of the Christian Science Monitor of the agreement intended to end sweatshops in the world's apparel industry.

European airlines don't like Portuguese labor legislation (Monday, 4/14/97)
According to Portugal's Diario Economico, several major European airlines are telling TAP Air Portugal that they aren't interested in a cooperative agreement unless restrictive labor legislation on work and rest time for airline staff is changed.

Unemployment up in Israel (Monday, 4/14/97)
Unemployment increased 3.6 percent between February and March, according to latest figures. Government officials are meeting to discuss Israel's economic slowdown and the government budget deficit, according to Ha'aretz this morning.

Single parents taxed too much in Switzerland, some say (Monday, 4/14/97)
An association representing single parents in Switzerland is calling for tax breaks to offset the cost of hiring nannies, according to Tages-Anzeiger.

Conflict at targeted Renault plant continues (Monday, 4/14/97)
The Renault plant at Vilvoorde, Belgium is scheduled for closing, which led to a six-week strike which a majority of workers have voted to end. However, a vocal minority of workers have vowed to disrupt the planned resumption of operations, according to La Libre Belgique. Also in Belgium today, workers at the bankrupt steel company, Forges de Clabecq SA, are threatening to strike by the 21st of this month if the Belgian government does not guarantee that workers will be paid.

Not all Russians are cash poor (Monday, 4/14/97)
The economic devastation created by the collapse of the Soviet Union followed by Russia's painful effort to establish a viable market economy have been hard on the great majority of Russians. However, in the old days, those with money found there was little to spend it on. Now, they're free to purchase elsewhere. Peter Ford says that many countries around the globe are saying, "the Russians are coming, the Russians are coming," and, to the delight of tourist industries, they're bringing their money.

Poland puts the brakes on privatization (Monday, 4/14/97)
The old European Communist countries had a particular need to privatize, because nearly all enterprise was state-run and set new international standards for inefficiency. Most state firms were propped up only by the centralized political power, so when that was gone, little more than an empty shell remained of most industrial organizations. However, privatization has been a major trend in western Europe as well. Some are frustrated that Poland seems to be dragging its feet on privatization at the moment.

We have met the enemy, and it is apathy, activist says (Monday, 4/14/97)
Doug Grow of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes about one labor leader's frustrations relating to migrant worker concerns. Too much apathy, he says. Who was it, when asked why there's so much ignorance and apathy in the world said, "I don't know, and I don't care." We don't know, and, well, we just don't know. Also in the Strib today, columnist Marjorie Kelly discusses a company's human resources and its balance sheet.

The graying of the American work force (Monday, 4/14/97)
Used to being rejected because of your age? Some companies are now actively recruiting older workers, according to today's Nando Times.

How's Bill's net worth doing today? (Monday, 4/14/97)
Want to keep track of how the CEOs are doing? The New York Times' David Cay Johnston offers help and suggests some interesting sites to see.

Details of sweatshop agreement to be revealed Monday (Sunday, 4/13/97)
President Clinton will announce details of the new sweatshop agreement tomorrow. Apparel manufacturers will get to use a "no sweatshops" label. Steven Greenhouse of the New York Times says it's a new approach and explains why it's different.

Family leave expanded (Sunday, 4/13/97)
Government workers can now be away longer without pay. President Clinton is urging Congress to do the same for workers in the private sector. Here's the same story from another source.

Since you can't take it with you, what are the best ways to leave it behind? (Sunday, 4/13/97)
Michelle Singletary writes in today's Washington Post about the painful business of planning to leave your inheritance. Larry Dignan of the New York Times discusses the difficulties and hazards of being an inheritor, and David Rosenbaum asks about whether, if death and taxes are certain, how about death taxes? Finally, the Washington Post's Albert Crenshaw discusses 401(k) options and choices.

Dilbert the ethicist (Sunday, 4/13/97)
Lockheed Martin looks to cartoonist Scott Adams for help in its on-the-job ethics training.

Affirmative action opponents cheered by California ruling (Sunday, 4/13/97)
Michael Fletcher of the Washington Post analyzes the aftermath of the ruling upholding California's ban on affirmative action.

Violence in Argentine teachers strike (Sunday, 4/13/97)
One death and thirteen injuries have resulted from conflicts between striking teachers and police in Argentina.

Is Japanese affluence "empty?" (Sunday, 4/13/97)
There's nothing like hard times to bring on self-examination. Japan's economy, famous as the post-War "miracle," has been having a rocky time of it lately, and the nation's currency has been weakening during recent weeks. Still, Japan enjoys a living standard that the majority of the world's nations would envy. However, an outsider who has lived and worked in Japan for a long time talks of the "emptiness of Japanese affluence." James Dalglish reviews Gavan McCormack's book in Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun.

Workfare idea is a work in progress, writer says (Sunday, 4/13/97)
Stephen Franklin of the Chicago Tribune explains why workfare needs work.

An assault on modernism in economics (Sunday, 4/13/97)
The Boston Globe's David Warsh says that University of Iowa economist Deirdre McCloskey's new book, The Vices of Economists, has its virtues.

New study on job satisfaction (Sunday, 4/13/97)
Research has long indicated that high job satisfaction doesn't necessarily mean superior job performance, but it does mean that people are less likely to quit. However, Patricia Kitchen of Newsday reports on a new study that says that, after a time, satisfied workers are leaving their jobs too.

Palestinian workers promised access (Sunday, 4/13/97)
The Israeli government has promised 20,000 Palestinian workers they will be able to reach their jobs in occupied areas.

Indian air traffic controllers strike ends (Sunday, 4/13/97)
Travel has been disrupted for thousands of people, but the strike is ending after only about 24 hours. Here's the story from the Nando Times, which also reports on the breakdown of talks involving five supermarket chains.

Unions try to organize in boom towns like Las Vegas (Sunday, 4/13/97)
Today's New York Times reports on part of organized labor's effort to get a new start. Also in the Times today, hope and fear with a work plan in Australia, and, with the help of hi-tech, job interviewing at a distance.

Chrysler CEO's pay revealed at a fairly bad time (Saturday, 4/12/97)
Strikers at Chrysler have not been made happier by news that the company's chairman made $12.6 million last year.

HUD and jobs (Saturday, 4/12/97)
Reuters reports on HUD's efforts to move residents to the work force. A "change of culture" is called for.

Abused women present dilemma for states (Saturday, 4/12/97)
Barbara Vobejda writes in today's Washington Post about the dilemma faced by many states over whether they should wave the requirements of the new welfare law for victims of domestic violence.

More jobs for foreigners in Osaka (Saturday, 4/12/97)
The Osaka government has increased the range of jobs open to non-Japanese. Here's the story from today's Japan Times.

Diversity at work (Saturday, 4/12/97)
Heather Salerno writes in Newsday about making room for diversity in the workplace. Also, some advice on the home office deduction, knowing your rights when you lose your job, the law covering