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January 1997

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U.S. economy strong in 4th quarter (Friday, 1/31/97)
The American economy was sluggish in the summer, but closed the year on a high note, says the Commerce Department.

New Administration guidelines on welfare out today (Friday, 1/31/97)
The Clinton Administration will attempt to clarify things relating to what states can and cannot do in the new world of welfare. They're emphasizing that the work provisions of the new law will have to remain in place.

States' governors oppose Clinton Medicare plan (Friday, 1/31/97)
The Clinton Administration plans to place limits on Medicare spending, and the states' governors don't like it. The National Governors' Association plans to resist.

Passengers worried about American Airlines strike (Friday, 1/31/97)
Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal report today that American Airlines is losing reservations because passengers are concerned about a threatened pilots strike around the middle of February. The pilots' association warned passengers to take the possible strike into account in an apparent effort to put pressure on the company even before a strike occurs.

Turkish steel producer to be privatized (Friday, 1/31/97)
Turkey's Finansal Forum reports that the government says that the state-controlled Eregli steel company will be sold. Only two bids have been received so far.

Dutch electronics company to cut jobs in Belgium (Friday, 1/31/97)
According to De Volkskrant this morning, Philips Electronics NV will cut 190 jobs at its Brussels headquarters. The cuts follow more than 1,300 previous jobs eliminated during recent months.

French strike fizzles (Friday, 1/31/97)
French railway unions called a strike yesterday to protest the government's plan to reorganize the state-run railway company, but only about 30 percent of the workers responded. The union wants to try again on February 5 in order to test the government's resolve, according to La Tribune.

Swiss company shifts from hardware to software emphasis, cuts jobs (Friday, 1/31/97)
Neue Zuercher reports that Alcatel Switzerland will reorganize and cut 470 of the company's 1,470 jobs. Some of the cuts will come from attrition, particularly early retirement.

Record unemployment in Japan (Friday, 1/31/97)
Last year was the worst for Japan, but the numbers would still look pretty good to some European countries, assuming standard ways of measuring joblessness, and, of course, this cannot be assumed.

We're staying put more than thought (Friday, 1/31/97)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says American workers aren't as mobile as we've believed.

Greenspan wants federal benefits indexed (Friday, 1/31/97)
American Fed head Alan Greenspan wants cost-of-living built in. Here's the story from Reuters today, which also reports Fujitsu in Oregon wants out of jobs creation program.

Growth around 2 percent expected for American economy (Thursday, 1/30/97)
The American Bankers Association's Economic Advisory Committee expects the American economy to grow moderately this year. They're a little worried about spot labor shortages that could fuel inflation, though.

Big bonuses at Saturn (Thursday, 1/30/97)
Saturn employees will receive the maximum bonus for the second year in a row.

Former employee guilty of perjury in wrongful termination suit (Thursday, 1/30/97)
The employee had filed a wrongful termination suit against Oracle. Larry Ellison testified in the perjury trial.

Government grads earn more (Thursday, 1/30/97)
The Singapore government is a good employer of university graduates, if pay is an indication. Grads working for the government earn S$2,313 a month, compared to S$2,148 in the private sector, according to the Singapore Business Times.

Rail strike goes on in France (Thursday, 1/30/97)
La Tribune reports that rail worker unions fear that France may be taking the first steps toward eventual privatization of the European rail system, and they're afraid that might cost jobs. The strike today is intended to test the French government's resolve in splitting the French state-controlled railway company into two companies.

Spain's labor unions want pay increase (Thursday, 1/30/97)
Two of the largest labor unions in Spain are demanding pay increases this year at least equivalent to the Spanish government's forecast of 2.6 percent inflation. They also want new agreements in include programs for job creation, according to El Mundo this morning.

Workers support fired colleague (Thursday, 1/30/97)
Israel's Ha'aretz reports that a district manager at Discount Bank allegedly loaned money to customers for gambling purposes. He was fired, and now staff at 120 of 160 branches are out on strike in protest.

More on conflict over job cuts in the Netherlands (Thursday, 1/30/97)
Het Financieele Dagblad reports that unions have called on workers at Royal Hoogovens NV to stop work for a day, and about 2,000 workers responded. The steel and aluminum maker wants to cut 3,000 jobs in the next five years. Talks between management and union leaders are not going well. In related news, Hoogovens wants to conduct a join venture with money losing Belgian steel company Boel. Unions there are resisting efforts on the part of Boel to reorganize the company, and a decision will come Friday on whether it will have to file for bankruptcy. Meanwhile, in Belgium, about 15,000 public-sector workers have marched in Brussels in order to protest cuts in social benefits, according to La Libre Belgique, but this is half the size of a protest a year ago.

Quality of data vs. quality of life (Thursday, 1/30/97)
Susan Strong of the Christian Science Monitor discusses the American Consumer Price Index and how the problem of inadequate measurement has consequences that are broader than many seem to suspect. Also in the Monitor today, more on the escalating cost of attending college and what the Clinton administration wants to do about it.

What are the think tanks thinking, and what should we think about it? (Thursday, 1/30/97)
John Harwood writes in today's Wall Street Journal that liberal and conservative "think tanks" are coming up with predictable predictions about the impact of welfare reform, which brings up questions of politics and social science research. Also in the Journal today, Alex Markels writes about diversity programs that don't bring people together, and Sophia Kishkovsky and Elizabeth Williamson tell about female entrepreneurs in Russia. Along slightly related lines, here's a Japan Times report on the first women in Japan to be put in charge of a department store.

Tentative agreement at GM in Ohio (Wednesday, 1/29/97)
Work is resuming at the General Motors plant in Ohio following a strike that has lasted for three days. Also from Reuters this morning, another trainer has been charged with sexual misconduct at the U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground, and the Labor Department reports that wages were up a bit in 1996. Here's that story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune as well, and Robert Hershey of the New York Times says that the financial markets are relieved that the increase isn't inflationary. Incidentally, income growth has been most rapid in Nevada, Arizona, Georgia and Washington state, according to U.S. Commerce Department figures.

France prepares for rail strike (Wednesday, 1/29/97)
The strike is expected to last for 36 hours and could tie up most of the country. Also in France, today, Les Echos reports this morning that unrest is increasing in the public sector, and civil servants could strike in March.

And in America? (Wednesday, 1/29/97)
Pilots at American Airlines warn that a strike may be coming, so passengers should plan ahead. Also, Southwest Air has been cleared of charges of religious discrimination.

Lott skeptical of Labor nominee (Wednesday, 1/29/97)
The Clinton Administration may have difficulty getting the nominee for U.S. Secretary of Labor confirmed, because the Republican Senate leader has some concerns.

Strike expected at aluminum producer (Wednesday, 1/29/97)
Het Financieele Dagblad reports that workers at Hoogovens NV in the Netherlands are expected to go on strike today in protest of planned job cuts at the company. The company has announced net cuts of about 2,000 jobs over the next five years as many older, poorly educated workers are replaced with fewer younger, better educated workers. Also, De Telegraaf reports that Hoogovens NV wants its Belgian competitor Usines Gustave Boel to reach an agreement with its employees over planned job cuts because it wants to set up a joint venture with Boel.

Insurance market saturated, job cuts planned (Wednesday, 1/29/97)
Swiss insurance company income shrank last year for the first time since 1940. It is expected that the industry will cut between 1 and 2 percent of its workers per year, according to Tages-Anzeiger.

Why is some news getting better? (Wednesday, 1/29/97)
Linda Feldmann of the Christian Science Monitor examines the improvement in some social statistics and what seems to be responsible for some things getting better in the U.S. Also, John Suits tells why nobody seems to be saying the U.S. should become more like Japan anymore. What's ahead for the formerly mighty Japanese economy? Also in Japan today, the Japan Times reports that a court has ruled in favor of an illegal worker, and NCR will begin offering employee stock options.

New reason that employers can be sued (Wednesday, 1/29/97)
Employers shouldn't leave out the bad stuff when providing references. Here's why.

Mexican immigrants don't stay long, study says (Wednesday, 1/29/97)
Frederick Rose reports in today's Wall Street Journal, and Sue Shellenbarger writes today about new job hunters.

Labor trouble in Rwanda (Wednesday, 1/29/97)
American and European employees are claiming discrimination. Also in the Washington Post today, a report that President Clinton wants to expand Pell Grants, while the New York Times reports that many educators like the president's plans for helping college students. Also in the Times today, Clinton won't rule out higher Medicare premiums.

Plans for helping with tuition (Tuesday, 1/28/97)
Karen Arenson of the New York Times reports on alternative plans for helping families cope with the cost of college tuition. The growing gap between haves and have-nots throughout much of the world was one of our top stories from 1996. The gap is reflected in many areas--wealth, income, job opportunities, access to computers and the Internet, and, of course, access to college.

Strike continues in Ohio (Tuesday, 1/28/97)
The strike at a General Motors plant in Ohio goes on. However, talks are expected to resume shortly.

Another story on executive divorce (Tuesday, 1/28/97)
We've reported recently on the high stakes involved when top executives get divorced. Here's an example.

Whistleblower suspended at the FBI (Tuesday, 1/28/97)
Here's the story from Reuters this morning, where you'll also find stories about the lottery winners who don't have to worry quite so much about layoffs now, the wait for the Labor Department's fourth quarter 1996 Employment Cost Index data to be released today, higher profits and big job cuts at American Express, Lott's criticism of Clinton's Medicare plan, and Clinton's tax credit ideas for helping to keep welfare reform from becoming a national disaster. Here's the New York Times version of that story as well. Also, Judith Havemann and Barbara Vobejda write in the Washington Post that responsibility for welfare seems to be a hot potato that is being passed along.

Bitter argument at Philips (Tuesday, 1/28/97)
According to De Telegraaf today, unions disagree about whether the Chairman of Philips Electronics NV is doing a good job. Chairman Boonstra has claimed that the company has maintained loss-producing functions in the past. A union representing managers feels that the criticism was aimed as Boonstra's predecessor and could damage the company.

White color workers in France becoming radicalized (Tuesday, 1/28/97)
Liberation reports that French white collar workers are becoming more involved in social conflict in response to a tripling of the white collar unemployment rate since 1992. Workers holding Credit Foncier's chief executive recently in protest of job losses is offered as an example of the radicalization in the troubled French economy. Also in France, Les Echos reports that the government is worried about reduced tax revenues from a new law that reduces work time in an effort to save jobs.

Meanwhile, across the border in Germany... (Tuesday, 1/28/97)
The leader of DGB, the German union umbrella organization, warns that widespread social unrest could results from government attempts to tax night-shift, weekend, and holiday work. Also, the German Labor Minister has suggested a cut in pensions in order to reduce the cost burden of the national pension system. According to his plan, payments would be reduced from 70 percent of average net wages to 64 percent by the year 2030. All major German newspapers are reporting these stories this morning.

Health care reform not forgotten in Washington (Tuesday, 1/28/97)
About three years ago, the argument over the Clinton Administration's proposed health care plan nearly pushed everything else off the front page. That plan seems dead, but the parties are putting the issues on the agenda again. Lawrence Goodrich of the Christian Science Monitor reports.

Can the churches do more? (Tuesday, 1/28/97)
Government is retreating from social welfare responsibilities, so it is expected that other societal institutions will have to take up the slack. Can the churches do more? Gary Reierson comments in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

GOP wants to change overtime laws (Tuesday, 1/28/97)
Glenn Burkins writes in today's Wall Street Journal about how unions are divided over the Republican plan. Also, check today's Journal for Hal Lancaster's piece on how to call attention to your M.B.A. when it isn't from a big-name school. Incidentally, this might be a good place to emphasize that America's recent obsession with academic credentials has obscured some underlying realities. Washington and Lincoln are widely regarded as two of America's greatest three or four presidents, yet both had only about a year of formal education. Historians argue about whether Washington ever went to school at all.

Detroit's newspaper strike continues (Tuesday, 1/28/97)
The newspaper strike in Detroit seems to have been going on for decades, which is not quite true, but it has been a long time. One of the papers involved reports on a request that the NLRB take a close look at recent union actions.

Health care "chaos" in French-speaking Canada (Tuesday, 1/28/97)
Elizabeth Thompson writes in the Montreal Gazette about the big fuss over providing health care services for the English-speaking population.

GM strike in Ohio (Monday, 1/27/97)
More than 4,000 workers have gone on strike at a General Motors truck plant in Ohio. Here's the story from Reuters and from the New York Times.

Job cuts at Philips subsidiary (Monday, 1/27/97)
Het Financieele Dagblad reports that an entertainment subsidiary of Philips Electronics NV will restructure in the Netherlands and cut 40 jobs.

Jobs and wages not on the same track (Monday, 1/27/97)
Ron Scherer of the Christian Science Monitor analyzes job creation and wages in the United States. One's hot, the other not so hot. Also, Ann Scott Tyson reports on welfare mothers who are tutoring in return for their checks, Warren Richey writes about a lawsuit involving the Christian Science Church and nursing homes, and Marilyn Gardner says this may be a "banner year" for the elderly.

More on "micro-credit" (Monday, 1/27/97)
Frank Wright reports on the movement to help millions of the world's poor with very small loans, and Marjorie Kelly discusses it in her business ethics column today. Also in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, John Turner and Gary Bauer offer their views on the Social Security controversy.

Union federation hits Las Vegas (Monday, 1/27/97)
In today's Wall Street Journal, stories about the AFL-CIO's efforts to organize in Las Vegas, as well as about a move in some states to cut the jobless insurance tax while the economy booms.

The next wave of med tech (Monday, 1/27/97)
The Washington Post's Leslie Walker reports on how computers are transforming health care. Also, here's the Post's view on the next step for the American health care system, given the current political climate.

On-line help for small business (Monday, 1/27/97)
Newsday describes what's available on the Internet and the commercial services to help small business.

College getting harder for the poor to reach (Monday, 1/27/97)
Karen Arenson of the New York Times reports on how student aid cuts are exacerbating the have vs. have-not divide.

America contributes to the world's vocabulary (Sunday, 1/26/97)
In a word, America exports "stress". Also, Paul Lewis of the New York Times reports that very small loans for very small businesses may help the world's poor. Elisabeth Rosenthal reports that restructuring in the health care industry is hitting senior physicians and nurses hard, much in the same way as so many executives have been hit during the recent years of corporate restructuring. Finally in the Times today, Evelyn Nieves tells about "a day worker's last night".

New strike threatened in South Korea (Sunday, 1/26/97)
Tensions have subsided, but the controversial labor law is still in place, for the moment. Stay tuned. Also from Reuters today, the woman whose accusations started investigations into sexual misconduct on U.S. military installations has been discharged, according to the Army. She jumped, wasn't pushed, according to them. In addition, here's more on the Publix Super Markets discrimination settlement, and nearly half of U.S. Senators are urging President Clinton to free up some money for heating assistance.

Shareholders think $65.6 million is too much pay (Sunday, 1/26/97)
A shareholders suit has been filed to challenge a top executive's pay at Green Tree Financial Corporation. Also in the Minneapolis Star Tribune today, Dick Youngblood tells how "overachievment" has taken on new meaning, Kristine Holmgren tells about a self-made man reconsidering limits, and Dale Connelly explains why economists don't seem to understand his toaster.

Quinn explains merits of mediation (Sunday, 1/26/97)
Nationally syndicated financial columnist Jane Bryant Quinn says mediation may help if you have a complaint against a broker or financial planner.

How much work is too much? (Sunday, 1/26/97)
Some American adults grew up thinking it's a good thing for kids to milk the cows early each morning before walking to school through the snow five miles (uphill both ways). Lots of today's young people work a lot of hours too, and it's not necessarily good for their developmental/success bottom line, according to Tom McNamee of the Chicago Sun-Times. Also in the Sun-Times today, Howard Wolinsky tells how computers are helping the disabled at home and at work, and Moneylife Mailbag answers some questions about benefits if you're running a home-based business. Hint: you've got to make a lot more if you're self-employed than if you have a comparable job with benefits.

Disgruntled worker destroys data (Sunday, 1/26/97)
Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun reports that an angry woman hit the delete key as she was going out the door.

Shifting gears in Singapore (Sunday, 1/26/97)
The United States surely isn't the only place in which large numbers of persons assume that the pursuit of wealth doesn't require explanation and in which conventional success criteria predominate. For instance, Singapore may have one of the highest concentrations of single-minded achievers on the planet. However, Rahita Elias of the Singapore Business Times reports on some people who have taken a different career path and are glad they did.

Volunteerism summit scheduled (Saturday, 1/25/97)
As government's social welfare role shrinks, some political leaders are trying to encourage an alternative system for helping the poor survive and help themselves. President Clinton has already spent considerable time telling business that it will have to do its part to hire welfare recipients, and now he and some prominent Republicans have scheduled an April meeting to promote volunteer contributions of time, energy, and money to assist the poor.

Discrimination case settled (Saturday, 1/25/97)
A class action suit brought against Publix Super Markets has been settled for $81.5 million.

Transit workers tie things up in France (Saturday, 1/25/97)
France continues to have its economic problems with high unemployment and a lot of unsatisfied workers. Anne Swardson of the Washington Post writes that French transit workers want to retire at 55. Also in the Post today, Kevin Sullivan writes that tensions are easing in South Korea as the sides try to reconcile, and the Supreme Court tries to decide whether to hear an affirmative action appeal from New Jersey.

More for child care (Saturday, 1/25/97)
Geeta Anand of the Boston Globe reports that Boston and the State of Massachusetts have formed a partnership and have come up with some additional money to help provide for children. Also in the Globe, a story about a deal to ease pressure on homeless families.

G-7 folks expected to be big spenders (Saturday, 1/25/97)
Delegates from the seven largest industrial nations will be meeting in Denver in June. Here's the story from the Rocky Mountain News.

UAW strike threatened in Michigan (Saturday, 1/25/97)
Alan Adler reports for the Detroit Free Press.

Medical worker cuts in Wisconsin (Saturday, 1/25/97)
Eighty-five employees of GE Medical Systems in Waukesha will be laid off, according to today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Jobs program for the young planned in Canada (Saturday, 1/25/97)
Today's Montreal Gazette reports on a new government/business partnership to create jobs for the young and to give them job experience.

Russian scientists in jeopardy (Saturday, 1/25/97)
Paul Josephson of the Christian Science Monitor reports on the sad state of once proud Russian science, and what is happening to the scientists.

Americans not confident about health care (Saturday, 1/25/97)
A new study says Americans have lost confidence in the nation's health care system. Here's the story from Tom Hamburger of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Also, Dee DePass and Donna Halvorsen report that bankrupticies are up but so is available credit.

Alternatives to nursing homes (Saturday, 1/25/97)
Judith Havemann of the Washington Post reports that fewer seniors are going into nursing homes.

Hiring foreigners in Japan advocated (Saturday, 1/25/97)
Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun explains why the hiring of people regardless of their nationality can open up Japanese society.

Walls haven't come down in Eastern Europe (Saturday, 1/25/97)
Jane Perlez of the New York Times reports on remaining barriers for people in the poor nations of Eastern Europe. Also in the Times, a reconsideration of the Japanese economy's role in the 21st century, and a story about divorce and top corporate executives. What are an executive wife's contributions worth in hard cash?

Computers hitting unskilled workers hard (Saturday, 1/25/97)
The Toronto Globe & Mail reports on a study from the Canadian Policy Research Networks that says computers are wiping out job opportunities for the unskilled. Computers have created more jobs than they have destroyed, the study says, but jobs for unskilled workers have been disappearing fast. Also, the unskilled aren't being given training opportunities so that they can qualify for the jobs that are being created.

Jobless claims up (Friday, 1/24/97)
The U.S. Department of Labor reports an increase in initial jobless claims last week. Also from Reuters this morning, a budget battle is looming in India, a big cut may be coming in the U.S. food aid program, Clinton's Medicare and scholarship plans get critical looks, and the Agriculture Department completed a day-long civil rights meeting following charges of discrimination.

Latest chapter in Korean labor conflict (Friday, 1/24/97)
South Korean strike leaders have abandoned their headquarters, as the South Korean government and the political opposition try to reach a compromise on revisiting the controversial labor law. Also in the region, the South Korean government will allow talks about South Korean investment in North Korea to move ahead, and the U.S. is keeping its eye on the famine in North Korea. The South Korean economy is one of the most successful in the world, while North Korea's is catastrophic. Many observers have expected the regimented communist North to collapse eventually, which would lead to eventual reunification with the South. However, many are nervous about how those changes might come about and whether or not they will be peaceful.

Seamen quit Greek strike (Friday, 1/24/97)
Greek seamen have called off their 11-day strike, but teachers and farmers continue their protest for higher pay and higher price and fuel subsidies, respectively. Naftmemboriki reports this morning.

Household consumption up in France (Friday, 1/24/97)
La Tribune reports in Paris that French household consumption went up in 1996 by 2.4 percent. This is the largest increase in six years. However, France has a high unemployment rate, and experts say overall economic recovery will occur only if the country can create jobs.

Employment up in the Netherlands (Friday, 1/24/97)
According to De Telegraaf this morning, employment in the Netherlands was up last year by about 124,000 workers compared to the year before. Meanwhile, De Volkskrant reports that employees at Boel, the Belgian steel company, have turned down a company proposal for cutting 800 jobs. If the agreement had gone through, the Dutch steel maker Hoogovens NV would have acquired 50 percent ownership of the Belgian company.

Job creation urgent in South Africa (Friday, 1/24/97)
The South African Labor Ministry says that the country's macroeconomic plan depends on government, business, and labor getting together on a program for job creation, according to Business Day.

Look where the work ethic is making inroads (Thursday, 1/23/97)
Lawrence Goodrich of the Christian Science Monitor expects the Congress to get down to work and have a productive session. Also in the Monitor this morning, Guy Halverson answers reader questions about IRAs, and you'll also find a story about how $500 loans are helping welfare recipients become entrepreneurs.

Korean crisis may last for sometime (Thursday, 1/23/97)
South Korea's political opposition has rejected a government offer to reopen parliamentary discussion of the new labor law, and the government doesn't like it. Here's a slightly different slant on the story from Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times.

Strike begins in Greece (Thursday, 1/23/97)
Kathimerini reports that a 24-hour strike has begun in Greece in protest against the government's tax policies. Seamen, public transport, civil aviators, and teachers are represented.

Shortfall larger than expected in Spain (Thursday, 1/23/97)
The Spanish government has announced that the deficit from the country's social security administration will be nearly 150 pesetas greater than expected for 1996. Gaceta de los Nitaegocios has the story today.

Minimum wage for unemployed youth? (Thursday, 1/23/97)
La Repubblica reports that the Italian government is considering a minimum wage for unemployed young people over the age of eighteen. The program would cost US$6.7 billion.

French railworkers call for strike (Thursday, 1/23/97)
Railworkers in France are concerned that changes in statutes influencing the French national railway could encourage foreign competition and jeopardize jobs, according to La Tribune. Unions are calling for a nationwide strike on January 30. Meanwhile, concern about job cuts at a mortgage bank led to a takeover of the company's headquarters in Paris and the holding of executives. The New York Times reports that the executives have been released.

Paper company to cut jobs (Thursday, 1/23/97)
Austria's KNP Leykam is an Austrian papermaking division of the Netherlands' Royal KNP BT NV, and it's been losing money. Kurier reports that the papermaking unit will cut 1,000 jobs through 1999.

Minnesota's welfare reform program recognized (Thursday, 1/23/97)
The Minneapolis Star Tribune's editorial this morning tells about the judgment of a New York research firm.

So who's getting poorer? (Thursday, 1/23/97)
Steven Pearlstein of the Washington Post says that the rich are getting richer in America, but so is the working class. At least according to the Fed's new survey.

Analysis of the long strike at Giant Food (Thursday, 1/23/97)
The Washington Post's Rudolph Pyatt says it's over, but nobody won. Also in the Post, Michael Fletcher has more on charges of discrimination at the Department of Agriculture.

How the new century looks to college students (Thursday, 1/23/97)
Here are the results of a new survey of students as reported in today's Chicago Sun-Times.

Aging Japanese population outdistancing social support systems (Thursday, 1/23/97)
Here's today's editorial in Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun.

Discount chain to cut jobs (Thursday, 1/23/97)
Bradlees Inc. will cut jobs as part of an effort to move out of bankruptcy protection, according to today's Boston Globe. Elsewhere, more job cuts, according to the Detroit Free Press. A Michigan software firm will cut in Michigan as well as in England.

The big city did better than its suburbs last year (Thursday, 1/23/97)
Job growth was better in New York City than in the suburbs in 1996, according to today's New York Times. Also, here's a story about indictments of former transit police union officials.

Korean government isn't satisfying everybody (Wednesday, 1/22/97)
The South Korean government is still trying to accommodate the unions on the labor law issue while retaining its political position, but it doesn't seem to be working too well. Here's the story from the Washington Post and the New York Times. A major union group says compromise isn't good enough, and the strikes will continue, while the political opposition puts pressure on the government too.

China begins to tighten controls on Hong Kong (Wednesday, 1/22/97)
Anyone who believes that China will allow the continuation of a British-style democracy in Hong Kong following the handover in July probably needs a lot of imagination. One question that remains: to what extent are totalitarian government and free-market economies compatible? Hong Kong has been one of the world's stunning economic success stories. Is all that drawing to a close? Also, many persons seemed to feel that the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rapid turnover of its eastern satellite states marked the end of 20th century communism, but this story from Vietnam reminds us about Asia, if we need reminding.

Cult promotes childhood prostitution (Wednesday, 1/22/97)
Sexual exploitation and slavery in various forms may be on the increase throughout much of the world. At the very least, these things aren't disappearing. Here's a story from India. Also from Reuters today, a story about a widening strike in neighboring Pakistan. In addition, Clinton proposes Medicare savings in an effort to reach a balanced budget deal with Republicans, and Fed head Greenspan is upbeat, but expects wage pressures.

German apprenticeships in jeopardy? (Wednesday, 1/22/97)
Ruth Walker of the Christian Science Monitor wonders whether a German success story will have an unhappy ending. Also in the Montior today, Marilyn Gardner writes about how some men are coping with the isolation of retirement.

The return of the unemployed (Wednesday, 1/22/97)
Fred Bleakley tells about the return of the unemployed to the nation's labor pool in today's Wall Street Journal.

The IMF team moves in on emergencies (Wednesday, 1/22/97)
The Washington Post's Paul Blustein tells how the International Monetary Fund tries to prevent economic disasters. Also, here are opinion pieces on the "welfare wiggle", the "two-earner myth", the Social Security "time-bomb", and whether or not unemployment benefits are fair.

Former Secretary Reich heads to Brandeis (Wednesday, 1/22/97)
Robert Reich had been expected by many to return to Harvard, but that's not the case. Instead, the former Labor Secretary will establish the Center on Jobs at Brandeis University.

Partial backdown by Korean government (Tuesday, 1/21/97)
Despite the shifting power balance for weeks, with the government apparently gaining the upper hand in its conflict with trade unions over the new labor law, it appears that labor has been heard. The South Korean government has announced that it will send the law back to parliament for a second look, even though some union leaders aren't satisfied. Andrew Pollack of the New York Times reports that Korean business leaders and economists say the strikes will leave no lasting harm, and Cameron Barr of the Christian Science Monitor analyzes the political situation. South Korea's "economic miracle" rivals that of post-war Japan. A few years ago, it was a poor, underdeveloped country. Now, it has the 15th economy in the world, and is likely to be one of the industrial leaders of the 21st century. Such tremendous rates of change inevitably reverberate throughout a society, and more growing pains can be expected as South Korea adjusts to life in the new world economy.

Southeast U.S. economy to grow most rapidly this year (Tuesday, 1/21/97)
Things are looking good for the Southeast, but more for some states in the region than others. Also from Reuters today, big job cuts at Ryder.

Dutch shipping workers protest (Tuesday, 1/21/97)
Het Algemeen Dagblad reports that employees of a storage and transfer company in Rotterdam will stop working temporarily this morning in order to protest Britain's privatization of the Liverpool port, which cost hundreds of jobs, according to leaders. There is widespread concern that the Rotterdam port might also be privatized.

University of Bern counts Swiss poor (Tuesday, 1/21/97)
About 5% of the Swiss population lives below the poverty line, according to a new university study reported in Neue Zuercher Zeitung today. That amounts to nearly 400,000 people.

Israel to deport foreign workers; replace with Palestinians (Tuesday, 1/21/97)
By the end of August, there will be 15,000 foreign workers in Israel, compared to 74,000 during the past year. The Palestinian workers who will replace them will be chosen by the Palestinian Authority. Israel will retain the right to security approval, according to Yediot Achronot.

The broccoli-immigration connection (Tuesday, 1/21/97)
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development recommends a shift from corn to broccoli for Mexican farmers, and it could help slow the flow of immigration into the United States. Also in today's Christian Science Monitor, James Tyson writes about the test of employee ownership at United Airlines, as well as an editorial on reforming The Citadel's culture.

Welfrae recipients becoming entrepreneurs (Tuesday, 1/21/97)
Today's Wall Street Journal reports on the success of programs helping welfare recipients to start very small businesses. Also, the Journal reports that after a period of leveling, health care costs may be on their way up again.

More on the bank hostage in France (Tuesday, 1/21/97)
Bank employees are concerned about their jobs, so they've taken the bank president hostage. Here's the story from today's Washington Post as well as from the New York Times. Also in the Times today, Julia Preston writes about a hunger strike by street sweepers in Mexico City.

Labor conflict in Greece (Tuesday, 1/21/97)
Margarita Sotiropoulou of Reuters reports that some teachers have prepared to walk off the job in protest of income and tax policies. Also, a court has ruled that a strike by seaman is illegal, and the Greek government has asked them to return to work.

Clinton passes half-way point (Monday, 1/20/97)
President Clinton begins his second term in the United States today. The Wall Street Journal has a major section analyzing the Clinton presidency and what the next four years may bring.

What's really going on in South Korea? (Monday, 1/20/97)
Now, the government, which has appeared to be in the driver's seat in recent days, is making "concessions?" Here's the latest in the on-going story of conflict in Korea over a new labor law. You may also want to check today's Wall Street Journal for a story by Michael Schuman on the shift by Korean workers as reflected in a split in the ranks at Hyundai. Also from Reuters today, President Clinton comments on the Social Security recommendations, and a new study shows the dominance of managed care programs for workers with health care coverage. Spencer Rich of the Washington Post also has that story.

Government takes aim at unemployment (Monday, 1/20/97)
In this case, the country is Portugal. Its government is preparing a package of measures to deal with unemployment. While Portugal has one of the lower unemployment rates in the European Union, structural joblessness is becoming more of a problem. There will be efforts to make the labor market more flexible and also to coordinate jobs policy with education and training to a greater extent, according to Publico this morning.

Employees protest French government plan to liquidate bank (Monday, 1/20/97)
Liberation reports that employees of Credit Foncier are occupying its Paris headquarters and holding its governor.

Italian trains move to the slow track (Monday, 1/20/97)
A train crashed last week on the high-speed Milan to Rome route, and drivers are slowing to 150 kilometers per hour for the next week in pursuit of improved safety conditions, according to La Stampa.

AIDS and workplace perceptions (Monday, 1/20/97)
Changes come slowly and not all at once, according to the Boston Globe's Diane Lewis. Here's her story via today's Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Settlement at Giant Food (Monday, 1/20/97)
Margaret Webb Pressler and Frank Swoboda of the Washington Post have the story and an analysis. Also in the Post today, Spencer Rich examines the new Medicare freeze recommendations.

Getting 40,000 needy kids into college (Monday, 1/20/97)
Tired of bad news? Read this story about Silas Purnell. Also in the Chicago Sun-Times today, Mary Ellen Podmolik examines the relationship between pilots and owners at United Airlines.

Improved medical care for foreigners needed in Japan, Brazilian physician says (Monday, 1/20/97)
Taro Karasaki reports for Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun.

Still in a holiday hangover? Financial, that is? (Monday, 1/20/97)
Charles Jaffe offers advice in the Boston Globe, where you'll also find Chet Currier's thoughts on simplifying personal finances during the new year.

Learning economics in high school (Monday, 1/20/97)
Avrum Lank reports in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the 3 Rs and an E.

More small fixes (Monday, 1/20/97)
Patricia Kitchen offers more small fixes for work's frustrations in her Newsday column this time. Read about a genuine motivator, a stress reduction web site, and more. Also, Lisa Doll tells about a doctor who has a prescription for health plans that see to be under the weather.

What those working on the front lines think about welfare reform (Monday, 1/20/97)
Elizabeth Kolbert finds fear on the front lines. Here's her column in today's New York Times, as well as Randy Kennedy's story about another kind of fear at a New York shelter. Also, Dan Carney tells about efforts to promote greater use of hi-tech in rural areas.

Let's think some more about Social Security (Sunday, 1/19/97)
Here's "Promises to Keep" from today's New York Times, as well as Brett Fromson's Washington Post article on the TIAA-CREF's head's maverick response to proposals for putting Social Security into the stock market. Also, here's the Jane Bryant Quinn column in which she says that grief over Social Security is premature. Finally, Albert Crenshaw of the Washington Post comments on retirement accounts and says there's no easy way out.

Factories prepare to reopen in Korea (Sunday, 1/19/97)
South Korean union leaders have reduced their call for strikes and are calling for revisions in the new labor law now, rather than demanding that it be rescinded. Anne Swardson of the Washington Post tells why the rich nation's club is concerned about South Korea, and The Economist provides an analysis of what seems to be going on in the country.

New coalition on affirmative action (Sunday, 1/19/97)
Martin Luther King III is leading the effort, according to Reuters this morning.

On the road with business and family (Sunday, 1/19/97)
Maggie Jackson tells about how people are taking their children along on business trips.

Internet-related jobs boom (Sunday, 1/19/97)
As many commentators have pointed out, the Internet is a new and important part of our infrastructure, not a business opportunity as such. Nonetheless, an increasing number of companies are finding innovative ways to use the Internet to add value to products and services. In addition, here's a look at the Internet's impact on the job market.

The special problems of the "returnee" (Sunday, 1/19/97)
Returning to work isn't easy in the new economy, but Newsday's Patricia Kitchen how a career counselor helped one person deal with the obstacles. Also, Carrie Mason-Draffen advises a correspondent on how to turn age to an advantage, and here's a description of one necessary occupation in the new information economy.

Former exploiter returns to the battle on the other side (Sunday, 1/19/97)
Here's a New York Times story about a woman who used to exploit the welfare system, but look what she's doing now.

Medicare freeze recommended (Sunday, 1/19/97)
Here's Robert Pear's report on a panel's recommendations.

Korean strike leaders backing off somewhat (Saturday, 1/18/97)
More violence in the streets of Seoul, as the South Korean government seems to be getting the upper hand in a conflict that has shifted back and forth during recent days.

Source of offensive e-mail sought (Saturday, 1/18/97)
R.R. Donnelley is being sued for racial discrimination and is trying to find the source of racially offensive e-mail that circulated within the company's computer network.

Perspective on the job market if you're leaving welfare (Saturday, 1/18/97)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune editorializes on the job situation in Minnesota for welfare recipients, which is a mixture of good and bad news. Also, in an opinion piece, Lester Block examines Medical Savings Accounts.

Police promotions based on merit recommended (Saturday, 1/18/97)
Here's a report on a Chicago task force's recommendations from today's Chicago Sun-Times.

Hundreds may die in solitude (Saturday, 1/18/97)
A survey in Kobe, Japan finds many at risk for various reasons, including lack of health care. Here's the story from Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun.

Massachusetts Blue Cross giving up Medicare contract in New England (Saturday, 1/18/97)
Today's Boston Globe reports that the restructuring will cost about 500 jobs.

Ford cuts back employee discounts (Saturday, 1/18/97)
If you're a Ford employee, one perk will get less perky, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Layoffs at Lockheed Martin (Saturday, 1/18/97)
James Bernstein of Newsday writes about a plant closing and what it will mean for hundreds of workers.

Strike at Giant Food may be near resolution (Saturday, 1/18/97)
The sides seem to be getting closer at Giant Food with the Teamsters willing to compromise on outsourcing. Here's the story from today's Baltimore Sun, which also reports on job cuts at a Maryland plant owned by a Swedish company, as well as on an important ruling by the National Labor Relations Board.

Government closing in on strike leader (Friday, 1/17/97)
The labor drama continues in South Korea, and the government is attempting to arrest one of the strike leaders. Strikers are emphasizing that their quarrel is with the government and the new labor law, not with the companies. Incidentally, for those willing to greatly broaden their definition of "news," the North Korean government has launched its own web site.

General strike in Bombay (Friday, 1/17/97)
Trade unions are protesting the shooting death of a prominent leader. Also from Reuters today, new jobless claims were down last week in the U.S., China wades into the Hong Kong controversy over a fired immigration official, pilots at American Airlines say odds of a strike are about even, Eastman Kodak cuts 4,000 jobs, anger in the U.K. over Ford's job cuts, spending estimates are down for Medicare and Medicaid, Senate Democrats reveal plan to extend health coverage for children, and the Clinton Administration denies responding to pressure to change its position on immigration policy.

Less enthusiasm in the Congress for reducing legal immigration (Friday, 1/17/97)
The movement to further restrict the number of legal immigrants has lost some steam, according to Eric Schmitt of the New York Times.

Swiss dairy products job cuts (Friday, 1/17/97)
Tages-Anzeiger reports today that Toni Group, the largest producer of dairy products in Switzerland, will cut its work force by 10% by next year. The company has been unprofitable for years in a stagnant Swiss economy.

"Generational justice" and Social Security (Friday, 1/17/97)
If you haven't read your quota of articles about Social Security today, here's one by David Francis of the Christian Science Monitor, as well as a commentary by Richard Leone of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Sun belt should gain from consolidation (Friday, 1/17/97)
Kurt Shillinger of the Christian Science Monitor writes about the likely job benefits in the latest round of defense consolidation. Also in the Monitor today, Ron Scherer writes about corporate America under Jesse Jackson's magnifying glass, and Rod MacLeish describes the American paradigm shift in addressing the needs of the poor.

Smith Barney may try to restrict access to web sites (Friday, 1/17/97)
Smith Barney is being sued for sexual harassment and discrimination. Here's a story about part of their response.

Overwhelming rejection by United's pilots (Friday, 1/17/97)
Pilots at United Airlines didn't like the proposed wage increase. Here's an analysis of recent developments within the company.

Korean labor conflict continues with more arrests (Thursday, 1/16/97)
The world has been watching the response to South Korea's controversial new labor law with considerable interest. For one thing, it represents an attempt by the Korean government to force a major change overnight in order to bring Korea's economy more in line with what is seen as global economic trends. Also, there is considerable interest in whether union defiance will provoke a return of authoritarianism in the country, ending, or, at least, suspending the democratization process of recent years. And, what if any role is North Korea playing in current events? The vast underlying changes here at millennium's end are calling into question many traditional assumptions about economics, politics, and the relationship between the two. Here's the Reuters story this morning, as well as a report and analysis by the New York Times' Andrew Pollack. Finally, and perhaps ominously, here's a story about how world labor leaders left South Korea quickly under implied threats of deportation.

May Hong Kong live in interesting times (Thursday, 1/16/97)
As if the handover to China in less than six months weren't enough to make life interesting in Hong Kong, now the British colony is in the middle of a corruption scandal over its former immigration head. It's big news in Hong Kong itself all the more because it contrasts with the solid reputation long enjoyed by the colony's civil service. Here's the story from Reuters as well as the Hong Kong Standard.

U.S. Attorney General speaks in Alabama on affirmative action and civil rights (Thursday, 1/16/97)
We still need affirmative action, says Reno, and the federal government will be ever more vigilant on civil rights.

Deal reached at Mitsubishi (Thursday, 1/16/97)
Mitsubishi has reached agreement with Jesse Jackson's organization and the National Organization for Women, and the boycott has been called off.

American seems more set for shutdown (Thursday, 1/16/97)
A strike by the pilots at American Airlines or a lockout by the company could happen by February 15, as what recently seemed like a near-agreement descends into acrimony and distrust. Also from Reuters today, GM tells workers their plants have to shape up, Northrop gets ready to close some of its plants, an Estee Lauder executive faces a sexual harassment suit, and some members of Congress want to help the poor with their heating bills this winter.

More privatization in Greece (Thursday, 1/16/97)
Naftemboriki reports that the Greek government has decided to sell the Elefsis Shipyards within three months and other money-losing assets soon.

Cost of earlier retirement calculated in France (Thursday, 1/16/97)
Truckers won the right to retire early in December, and other workers would like to be able to retire at 55 instead of 60, a policy which might also help France's high unemployment rate. Les Echos reports that the French government estimates that a lowering of the retirement age would cost the country another US$22 billion per year.

Ford to make big workforce cuts in the UK (Thursday, 1/16/97)
London's Financial Times reports today that Ford Motor Company is expected to announce production cuts and the eventual loss of 500 jobs over the next few years at its Halewood factory. They will be shifting some production to plants in Germany and Spain.

People on welfare make arrangements while watching the clock (Thursday, 1/16/97)
Lots of work-related stories in today's Christian Science Monitor, including these by Christina Nifong, first about a mother who is trying to get ready for welfare changes, secondly one about a family in flux for similar reasons. Further, Ms. Nifong takes a look at programs in Massachusetts. Also in the Monitor today, the enemy within at The Citadel, MBA Students try to make a difference in Harlem, exporting the U.S. work culture to Argentina, the benefits to both employers and employees of greater flexibility, and Murray Weidenbaum's thoughts about why the Disabilities Act of 1990 isn't working very well.

Health insurance sex bias (Thursday, 1/16/97)
Maura Lerner writes in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune about a study conducted by a University of Minnesota scientist and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Violence in South Korean strike (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
Strikers battle police, while the government claims that North Korea may be stirring things a bit. Visiting labor leaders complain of South Korean government harassment. Cameron Barr provides an analysis.

Former immigration official in middle of scandal (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
The official has been removed from office as additional evidence of corruption surfaces. Also from Reuters this morning, the Mitsubish harassment case has been off the front page for a while, but the company is still battling the EEOC. In addition, as part of President Clinton's plan to balance the budget, he wants to put a cap on Medicaid spending.

Truckers protest in Portugal (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
Portuguese truckers want lower tolls over the Tagus River. More than 100 trucks blocked roads leading to Lisbon for 26 hours. Transport Ministry officials have agreed to talk with the drivers, according to Diario de Noticias. Also in Portugal, the government is recommending a rent increase. Parliament is being asked to establish a minimum rent level which would affect about 300,000 families.

U.S.-owned plant closes in Belgium with loss of jobs (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
L'Echo reports that Boston Scientific Corporation has closed its Petit-Rechain factory with the loss of 225 jobs. The company is centralizing its European operations in Ireland.

South African unions end boycott of talks (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
South Africa's Business Report says that the National Union of Mineworkers and the National Union of Metalworkers have been boycotting talks about restructuring the state-owned electricity supplier, Eskom, for two weeks, and have decided to end their boycott. The unions claim that management has been privatizing some company operations without consulting them.

The kindest cut (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
Cameron Barr of the Christian Science Monitor tells about training personnel to improve the haircutting experience in Japan.

Management school to be handling health care management training (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
The Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota has developed a solid reputation as a good place to train future executives. Now, the university has transferred its health care administration program into the college in preparation for a managed health care world. Also in the Minneapolis Star Tribune today, a Washington Post editorial on Clinton's proposed tax breaks for higher education.

Distress among Polish physicians (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
Doctors in Poland feel that they're being left out of the country's booming market economy as old ways persist in the still socialized medical system. Barry Newman writes about it today in the Wall Street Journal, where you'll also find a story by Laurie McGinley on the growing popularity of plans for providing health insurance for children in the United States. It's the latest hot thing in Washington in both major parties.

Supremes clarify anti-discrimination law (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
Francine Knowles reports in the Chicago Sun-Times on the Supreme Court ruling that may make it easier for people to bring discrimination suits against small business. Richard Carelli also writes about the ruling in the Fort Worth Star Telegram.

Ford sells Budget, but jobs not to be cut, new owner says (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
Budget Rent a Car is being sold, but jobs should be preserved, according to reports. It's a different story at Guess? Inc. They're moving operations and jobs to Mexico following labor disputes in the U.S. Also, today's Detroit Free Press reports on the loss of jobs to restructuring at a Michigan-based company.

National leaders try to smooth relations at Briggs & Stratton (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
Geeta Sharma-Jensen reports in today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Quebec to get control of job training; English community reassured (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
Hubert Bauch writes in the Montreal Gazette on the change in jurisdiction in job-training programs as well as concerns.

Your pension money may be on its way to China (Wednesday, 1/15/97)
Pension fund managers are drawn to the economic boom in parts of China, but investing isn't necessarily easy, according to this New York Times article.

Citadel "made mistakes," says head (Tuesday, 1/14/97)
Here's the Reuters story this morning on an acknowledgment of mistakes from the interim president of The Citadel. In the Washington Post's story, he says that the problem in relation to recently resigned female cadets was about class rank, not sex. Peter Applebome of the New York Times also reports on the story this morning, saying that the school is insisting that coeducation will work.

Strike response in Korea not as great as some expected (Tuesday, 1/14/97)
According to international reports, the advantage has been shifting from the strikers to the government and back again in South Korea. Reuters is reporting that the strike has "crumbled", which may or may not be a premature overstatement. Stay tuned. Kevin Sullivan in today's Washington Post discusses how the whole thing presents a dilemma for the South Korean president, and Philip Authier of the Montreal Gazette reports that Canadian politicians have talked privately with Korean leaders about the situation as they continue their Asian tour, saying that's it's really none of their business. The world is watching, though, because the new Korean labor laws represent a major break with the past in a rapidly evolving world economy.

State lawmakers want managed care standards (Tuesday, 1/14/97)
State leaders would like to see their drafted legislation become a model for the country. Also from Reuters this morning, a discrimination suit against Morgan Stanley. Here's that story from the Washington Post as well.

Growth forecasts for the big industrial economies (Tuesday, 1/14/97)
Here are some predictions from Bundesbank President Hans Tietmeyer.

Death and disability insurance to be offered privately in Mexico (Tuesday, 1/14/97)
Bloomberg reports that private insurance companies in Mexico will be offering death and disability insurance coverage to workers beginning in July. Also in Mexico, the state-owned oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos, will cut some jobs at its petrochemical subsidiaries, according to El Economista.

California economy booms with the Internet (Tuesday, 1/14/97)
Daniel Sneider of the Christian Science Monitor reports on the recovery of California's economy and the role being played by the Internet. Also, Russia says it's ready for foreign investors, caution is required when hiring a financial advisor, and the auto industry wants people who can communicate.

How to leave a job (Tuesday, 1/14/97)
Mary Kane of the Newhouse News Service tells how Michael Ovitz did it, and how parachutes are getting more golden for some. Meanwhile, the Washington Post's Jay Mathews discusses why some CEOs make more than others.

Denny's works on their image (Tuesday, 1/14/97)
New ads suggest a corporate response to earlier discrimination problems. Also in the Minneapolis Star Tribune today, Mike Meyers reports on the Minnesota economy, and how it's expected to grow more slowly for a while, the paper editorializes on "Santa's sweatshop" and steps toward worker rights. Marilyn Geewax of the Cox News Service says that rescuing Social Security won't be easy, and Allan Sloan of the Washington Post seems to agree. However, Jane Bryant Quinn, in her nationally syndicated column today, says that the system is in better shape than many think.

What are worker incentives costing? (Tuesday, 1/14/97)
Investors are beginning to wonder about the effects of new ways of rewarding employees, according to Laura Jereski in today's Wall Street Journal. Also, check their stories today on the role of team spirit in career success and on efforts by Proposition's 209's leader to bring the movement to other states.

More on the American Airlines conflict (Tuesday, 1/14/97)
Here's a story from today's Chicago Sun Times and analysis from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

What to do if outsourcing turns you out (Tuesday, 1/14/97)
Juliet Brudney of the Boston Globe addresses concerns being expressed by many persons both before and after displacement by the outsourcing trend.

Backlash in Indonesia (Tuesday, 1/14/97)
Today's Australian Financial Review reports that the Indonesian government is feeling some heat because of its policy on foreign miners.

Women choose not to return to The Citadel (Monday, 1/13/97)
Women have been seeking military training and education in order to prepare to meet the enemy, not to meet the enemy himself on the premises. There have been various stories about harassment and assault in military settings. Here's the latest on the situation at The Citadel from Reuters this morning. Also, unions are planning a series of warning strikes in Bulgaria in order to put pressure on the government to hold elections. Here's that story from today's New York Times as well.

Optimal growth rate identified (Monday, 1/13/97)
Growth that is neither too fast nor too slow is best, according to Fed official. He thinks 2.5 percent is about right.

The Netherlands' success story (Monday, 1/13/97)
Flexibility seems to be the key to an economy with good employment levels that don't sacrifice everything else. William Echikson writes for the Christian Science Monitor today about how the Netherlands is becoming a model for the rest of Western Europe during a difficult period. Also in the Monitor today, Cameron Barr tells how much difference a few years have made in Japan. The giant surely has been weakened, for now.

College freshmen differ from their elders (Monday, 1/13/97)
A new study indicates that college freshmen are more "conservative" than students have been for decades, but, then, it appears that American society as a whole is more conservative in a number of ways than during any time since the 1920's. Words like "conservative" and "liberal" are "ink blots," though. You can see in them nearly anything you want. No consistent meanings of these dichotomous terms have been identified.

Kassenbaum-Kennedy Act will have broader effects than commonly thought (Monday, 1/13/97)
Expect widespread changes in healthcare when the new law takes effect in July, says Dean Rosen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Also, here's Marjorie Kelly's column, this time about how workers did during 1996. Finally, the paper editorializes today for a pay increase for a fairly small group of public workers.

Mistrust and missed opportunity at American Airlines (Monday, 1/13/97)
Today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports on how American airlines has gone from a near-agreement a week ago to a real danger of a strike today. Also in the airline industry, TWA will lay off hundreds of flight attendants.

Firms respond to criticism in relation to the homeless (Monday, 1/13/97)
Douglas Armstrong of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that area banks have been stung by criticism and will contribute money to a fund for the homeless. Also, Douglas Armstrong discusses survivorship insurance.

Child poverty to be targeted in Canada (Monday, 1/13/97)
Paul Wells of the Montreal Gazette reports on the Finance Minister's announcement of government policy.

Upgrading skills at GM in Baltimore (Monday, 1/13/97)
General Motors workers are learning what they will need to be competitive and marketable in the new economy. Here's the story from today's Baltimore Sun.

Another sign of community decline? (Monday, 1/13/97)
Many have identified the growing coarseness, rudeness, and even dangerousness of American life as indicative of the breakdown of a sense of community and commitment to one another. Is the growing movement away from communal solutions toward extreme self-reliance an additional indicator? Louis Uchitelle examines some recent trends in today's New York Times.

Korean labor conflict still raging (Sunday, 1/12/97)
Only a day or two ago, it appeared that the Korean government was gaining the upper hand in the conflict with unions over the controversial new labor law. Now, however, public support seems to be shifting toward the unions, and the government may be softening a bit as a broader political crisis seems to be developing. Also, the New York Times' Andrew Pollack provides some background, saying that the South Korean government has been influenced by the approach of Britain's Thatcher.

Clinton Administration considering premium cuts to HMOs (Sunday, 1/12/97)
Reuters reports on Clinton's developing plan for rescuing Medicare.

Quinn advises on the finances of divorce (Sunday, 1/12/97)
Nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn says it's essential to get good financial advice if you're heading for divorce. Also, Leslie Baldacci of the Chicago Sun Times describes a new book on the devastation left by divorce in American society.

The search for technical recruits (Sunday, 1/12/97)
The rapidly developing information economy places a premium on technical skills, and Katie Fairbank reports on the scamble to find the people who can do what hi-tech needs done. Also in the Washington Post today, how good is Virginia's new pre-paid tuition system? In addition, Anne Swardson writes about European efforts to prepare people for the common European currency that is to come.

Financial planning advice for those with a disabled child (Sunday, 1/12/97)
The Chicago Sun Times Moneylife Mailbag answers readers' questions, as does Kenneth Hooker of the Boston Globe who advises on retirement preparation.

Volunteers help with Japanese oil spill (Sunday, 1/12/97)
Hundreds of volunteers have rushed in to help limit the destructive impact of an oil spill, according to Asahi Shimbun, and they face health hazards. Also, Eiichi Tzunozu reports today on the difficult conditions under which part-time teachers work in Japan.

A business school for women (Sunday, 1/12/97)
Maria Shao writes in the Boston Globe about Simmons College Graduate School of Management and makes the case for women MBAs.

Demand up for temp workers in Texas (Sunday, 1/12/97)
Nationally, unemployment is running near a 7-year low, and things are even better in some regions of the country. Texas has the lowest rate in 16 years, and that means high demand for temporary workers. Also in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram today, Mark Babineck writes about a non-profit health care network, and there is also a story about a proposed average payout in the Texaco case.

Things are good in Colorado too (Sunday, 1/12/97)
Colorado has been producing a lot of jobs for years, and, while things are slowing a bit, the Rocky Mountain News predicts a soft landing.

Taking stock of Social Security (Sunday, 1/12/97)
Steven Pearlstein and Spencer Rich of the Washington Post offer this look at Social Security and the stock market in today's Newsday. Also, Robert Reno writes about keeping the "security" in Social Security. From today's New York Times, here's some help analyzing the various proposals, and here are lots of web sites explaining nearly everything you may be asking about Social Security now and in the future.

A retirement plan for small business (Sunday, 1/12/97)
In this Los Angeles Times article, Kathy Kristof tells how a change in the rules make it easier to provide pensions in small business.

Both sides digging in at Giant Food (Sunday, 1/12/97)
A long strike may get quite a lot longer, according to Liz Bowie of the Baltimore Sun.

Government scaling back discrimination suits (Sunday, 1/12/97)
Many work-related stories in the New York Times today. Allen Myerson writes that employees are taking over now that government seems to be retreating in the face of public antipathy toward affirmative action and discrimination issues generally. Also, stories today about workers and power at the megastores, the conflict with pilots at American Airlines, making the balance between work and family, grandparents picking up the cost of tuition, retirement plans for spouses who stay at home, proving sobriety to your boss, and the fine old tradition of complaining on the job, and whether or not you have a right to.

Strike leaders reject debate offer (Saturday, 1/11/97)
The Korean government would like to turn public opinion against the strikers, but that may not be easy. The conflict over the new labor law in South Korea surely isn't over, according to this Reuters report, and the Korea Herald reports that the whole thing puts opposition parties in a difficult position.

U.S. unemployment steady (Saturday, 1/11/97)
Unemployment in the United States remained at 5.3 percent in December, according to U.S. Department of Labor data. This is near a 7-year low, and new job creation was also strong. Some are concerned about inflation, but President Clinton is happy about the job figures. He also wants business to help with welfare reform by hiring people off the welfare rolls. In fact, the White House is looking into doing some hiring itself in order to help, but Press secretary Mike McCurry says that there aren't many jobs in the White House for unskilled workers. Now, now, now, no wisecracks about the presidency itself. Incidentally, in Massachusetts, Governor Weld is planning to connect welfare benefits to school attendance in an effort to keep the children of welfare recipients in school.

Strike may be getting closer at American Airlines (Saturday, 1/11/97)
Tension is building between American Airlines and its pilots.

It's official: Carey wins (Saturday, 1/11/97)
Teamsters Union President Ron Carey has been declared the winner in the recent election, despite challenges from his opponent.

Downsizing talks in Texas (Saturday, 1/11/97)
Talks continue on how to reduce staff at a General Motors plant in the Dallas region. Meanwhile, there will be job losses in Michigan when a wheel manufacturing plant closes, and striking workers at Giant Food will receive a letter from their company advising them of their right to resign from the Teamsters union. Finally, David Gonzalez writes in today's New York Times about efforts to organize workfare workers.

Workers may protest at Clinton inaugural (Saturday, 1/11/97)
Marian Burros reports in the New York Times that hotel and restaurant workers are scheduled to lose a day of holiday pay because of the inauguration.

Clinton putting final touches on budget plan (Friday, 1/10/97)
President Clinton is considering concessions to congressional Republicans on some issues, according to reports, but Democrats are vowing to find a way to extend health coverage to children.

As many return to work, Korean government issues arrest warrants (Friday, 1/10/97)
The power balance seems to have tipped in the direction of the government in the showdown over the controversial new South Korean labor law. Strike leaders are about to be arrested, it appears, as many throughout the world wonder if the country's attempts to strengthen democracy may be set back by this incident with a return to authoritarian government.

Pilots threaten to strike at American (Friday, 1/10/97)
Pilots at American Airlines may be set to strike, as their nogotiating committee resigns following member rejection of a tentative agreement. Elsewhere in the airline industry, USAir asks for concessions from pilots in order to help create a low-cost service, and mechanics vote down an agreement at United.

Clinton intending to twist some business arms (Friday, 1/10/97)
President Clinton believes that business must do its part to make welfare reform work. He's meeting with business leaders today.

Mayor Giuliani moves ahead on immigration (Friday, 1/10/97)
New York City's mayor believes that new federal laws are anti-immigrant and is going on the offensive by forming an expanded group to spread his message, and he's calling on some big names to help.

Student loan default rate improves (Friday, 1/10/97)
President Clinton has announced a decline in the rate at which students are defaulting on their student loans, but it's still running at over 10 percent. The improvement is attributed to a combination of an improved economy and an enforcement crackdown.

No raise for Turkish government workers on January 15 (Friday, 1/10/97)
Milliyet reports that government workers who have been expecting a raise during the middle of January will be disappointed. Turkey's minister of finance says a raise will depend on how much revenues increase. A raise may come after April, again depending on revenues resulting from the government's economic package.

Unemployment deficit to increase in Switzerland (Friday, 1/10/97)
Unemployment claims are rising to record levels in Switzerland, and the government is expecting an increase in the unemployment insurance fund deficit this year. Unemployment has been virtually unknown in Switzerland since the end of the Second World War, but is running at a record 5.3 percent now, according to Tages-Anzeiger.

Schorr thinks Clinton made a mistake in signing Republican bill (Friday, 1/10/97)
Veteran broadcast commentator Daniel Schorr writes in today's Christian Science Monitor about Clinton's decisions to sign the welfare bill.

Record unemployment in Germany could result in social conflict (Friday, 1/10/97)
William Drozdiak of the Washington Post writes about growing concern with record unemployment in Germany, the highest since the end of the second great war. Also in the Post today, Giant Food asks workers to cross picket lines, David Hoffman writes about the new power of capital in Russia, and John Goshko reports that the new UN Secretary General opposes "disjointed downsizing".

Unions and the scandals in Osaka (Friday, 1/10/97)
The Japanese public is angry about the behavior of Osaka prefectural officials, reports Asahi Shimbun. Many are also concerned about the response, or non-response, of unions as well.

Workers afraid of losing their plant in Ohio (Friday, 1/10/97)
Workers fear that Jeep plant could be closed in Toledo, according to today's Detroit Free Press.

Job figures improve in Australia (Friday, 1/10/97)
The Australian Financial Review reports on an improved jobs picture during recent months.

GM workers in Baltimore arrested (Friday, 1/10/97)
Workers at a General Motors plant in Baltimore have been arrested for selling drugs. Here's the story from today's Baltimore Sun.

Rural response to urban sweatshops in Thailand (Friday, 1/10/97)
Seth Mydans writes in today's New York Times by a program in Thailand that "takes the sweat out of sweatshops".

Company pays workers families following blast (Friday, 1/10/97)
Diane Lewis of the Boston Globe reports that a Massachusetts-based company has responded to families of victims of a Texas explosion.

A new kind of hobo rides the rails (Friday, 1/10/97)
The Washington Post's Mark Matthews reports that some of the hobos around the rail yards in the West aren't what they may appear to be. Some are gang members and very dangerous.

Docked pay adds up in Montreal (Friday, 1/10/97)
Elizabeth Thompson of the Montreal Gazette says that the head of the head of the largest teachers' union in Quebec says that the government should finally give up and pay up. The total for two days of docked pay thirteen years ago: $50 million.

Korean strikes may be losing momentum (Thursday, 1/9/97)
The showdown between trade union leaders and the South Korean government may be tipping in the direction of the government, according to Reuters this morning. Also, Texaco takes more action in response to the discrimination scandal. Here's the story from the Washington Post as well.

PM wants fund to help poor celebrate holiday (Thursday, 1/9/97)
Milliyet reports that the Prime Minister of Turkey wants to establish a fund to help the poor celebrate Ramadan. Also in Turkey today, Yeni Yuz Yil reports that 304 workers at the Derince Port held a one-day demonstration against the sale of shipping ports as part of the country's privatization move.

Belgian public not optimistic about economy (Thursday, 1/9/97)
Gates Marketing Research reports the results of a poll of the Belgian public which finds that 53 percent expect the economy to get worse this year, according to L'Echo.

Spanish labor agreement possible by spring (Thursday, 1/9/97)
El Mundo reports that Spanish labor unions are refusing to agree to labor reforms that would make it easier for employers to fire or lay off workers. However, they have agreed to allow job cuts by collective bargaining negotiations, not to be determined by new labor laws. Also, the Spanish airline Iberia is offering employees compensation for unpaid wages as part of a reorganization plan that calls for wage cuts. If agreement is reached, the company's employees would control up to 8 percent of the company's capital.

Unions want shorter work week (Thursday, 1/9/97)
Unions in Switzerland propose a shorter work week to help create more jobs and reduce unemployment. The country's biggest workers' group, the Association of Swiss Trade Unions, is calling for a 37-hour week with no reduction in pay, according to Neue Zuercher Zeitung.

Italian metal workers plan strike (Thursday, 1/9/97)
Metal mechanic workers have been holding talks with the industry group Federmeccanica, but the talks have broken down. The workers are planning a series of 10-hour strikes in response, according to Corriere della Sera.

Watching welfare reform in California (Thursday, 1/9/97)
Will California lead the nation? Daniel Wood of the Christian Science Monitor examines the implications of events in California. Also, here's a Monitor editorial on the reform of the American Social Security system.

Meaning in work (Thursday, 1/9/97)
G. Pascal Zachary writes about the new search for meaning in "meaningless" work in today's Wall Street Journal.

Big increase in European immigrants in New York (Thursday, 1/9/97)
European immigrants have been attracted to New York for a long time, and the 1990s have been no exception. Also in the New York Times today, a sweatshop in a fish market favored by "liberals?" Also, speaking of liberals, here's Secretary Reich's parting words on American social policy. Robert Hershey reports on the growing optimism of economists, Milt Freudenheim writes about a Labor Department move that is alarming employers, and Peter Passell tells about a book that discusses new kinds of insurance. Even insuring wages, maybe?

More layoffs in 1996 (Thursday, 1/9/97)
Layoffs occurred at a higher rate last year, according to a new survey.

Pilots reject plan at American Airlines (Thursday, 1/9/97)
Here's the story from today's Fort Worth Star Telegram.

More on the council's Social Security recommendations (Wednesday, 1/8/97)
Newsday says Wall Street is beginning to get gold rush fever, and the Baltimore Sun's Jon Morgan agrees that the market could be helped by public pension funds. However, the New York Times' Peter Passell says there are lots of risks, and David Francis of the Christian Science Monitor agrees. Steven Pearlstein and Spencer Rich of the Washington Post fear that the proposals could create new problems. The Tmes also reports that lawmakers are intrigued but cautious.

Constitutional crisis may be brewing in South Korea (Wednesday, 1/8/97)
Union leaders are directly challenging the South Korean government over the controversial new labor law, while the president defends it and says it's all a "misunderstanding." Some see the possibility of a return to authoritarianism in the country, and the principal strike leader expects to be arrested.

States lose immigration cases (Wednesday, 1/8/97)
California and Arizona want reimbursement for the cost of dealing with illegal immigration, and they've sued to get. However, the cases have been thrown out by a federal appeals court. Also from Reuters today, job cuts at Nissan, and a posible strike at a General Motors plant in Ohio.

Federal investigation of Texaco continues (Wednesday, 1/8/97)
Bloomberg and the New York Times report that Richard Lundwall is cooperating in the government's investigation of possible obstruction of justice on the part of Texaco executives in relation to the big discrimination case. Lundwall was charged with destroying documents.

Turkish police to get a raise (Wednesday, 1/8/97)
Milliyet reports that the Turkish prime minister has announce a wage increase for police. University personnel may be in line for a raise as well. Also, public employees in Greece are schedule for a 2 to 2.5 percent increase in pay, according to Kathimerini

New cost-of-living measure in Belgium (Wednesday, 1/8/97)
Belgium will be measuring the cost of living in a new way using methods differing from those employed in the European Union price indexes, according to De Financieel Economische.

Another snag in Italian wage talks (Wednesday, 1/8/97)
Federmeccanica, which represents Italian industrialists, has rejected a new attempt by the Italian government to bring about agreement on wage issues. La Repubblica has the story today.

Hong Kong attracting British job seekers (Wednesday, 1/8/97)
Todd Crowell reports for the Christian Science Monitor, while David Newsom writes more generally about the sun setting on the British Empire in south China.

Clinton favors extending disability coverage (Wednesday, 1/8/97)
The proposed changes would help some Gulf War veterans, according to the Washington Post. Also in the Post today, Jon Jeter provides a little historical perspective on welfare in the United States.

Yokohama lifts ban on foreign workers (Wednesday, 1/8/97)
Non-Japanese will be able to hold municipal jobs in Yokohama, according to a story in Asahi Shimbun.

Social Security report released (Tuesday, 1/7/97)
The advisory council has released its long-awaited report, but not with complete agreement on what should be done, according to Reuters this morning and nearly everybody else. There are lots of reactions in the press, including this piece by Peter Grier of the Christian Science Monitor, which says that the door is now open for a fundamental debate about government's role. Jackie Calmes of the Wall Street Journal says that the report opens debate, but politicians aren't likely to act soon. Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune says that three possible paths are presented in the report, and none is right. The council's agreement that the stock market should somehow be involved in a revised Social Security system may be good news for Wall Street, but it makes some economists nervous. Here are the members of the council, and here are some excerpts from their report.

Conflict intensifies in Korea (Tuesday, 1/7/97)
South Korea's president is standing firm on the controversial new labor law, but is trying to appeal to the unions.

Labour still wants a second ballot (Tuesday, 1/7/97)
London's Financial Times reports that the Labour Party has renewed its plans to require labor unions to vote a second time if a company makes a significant new offer during a strike. A new Labour government is widely expected in Britain before long.

On being an illegal immigrant in Italy (Tuesday, 1/7/97)
Italy is one of the many countries attracting immigrants from poorer nations. Here's a report from Lara Santoro of the Christian Science Monitor. Also, Dick Meister writes this morning about the