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March 1997

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Major work-family report (Monday, 3/31/97)
Today's Wall Street Journal has a major section on work and family relationships. Many articles. Also in the Journal today, a story about spot shortages of managers, and a story about elderly who must continue working for a living. Incidentally, lots of workers who are older but not yet elderly are looking, and today's Christian Science Monitor tells about a special job fair that's intended to help. Also, Marilyn Gardner says it may be time for a national training program to help older workers, which make up the fastest growing group. In the old economy, news skills were introduced mostly by the introduction of new workers. However, in the new economy, skills become obsolete so quickly that new skills will have to come mostly from new training, which, among other things, brings up interesting questions about "old dogs, new tricks," and so on.

Clinton wants pension reform (Monday, 3/31/97)
President Clinton will propose a new law that would check pension plans more closely. Also from Reuters today, a settlement at Tosco.

Greek unions oppose government's proposed changes (Monday, 3/31/97)
Imerisia reports that the Greek government plans to change the country's labor and social insurance system. No specifics have been announced, but labor unions are objecting anyway. The government's goals seem similar to those in many European economies: greater flexibility and reduced costs, two conditions increasingly required in the new world economy.

Spanish bank wants to eliminate unit's privileges (Monday, 3/31/97)
Workers at Argentaria's Banco Exterior unit earn 18.6 percent more and work 6.6 less than other workers in the Spanish banking industry. The company may offer early retirement to 1,000 of the privileged workers within the next three years, according to Expansion.

Teachers union threatens strike in the UK (Monday, 3/31/97)
The National Union of Teachers in Britain expects confrontation with which ever party wins the upcoming national election, given their proposals for education in the country. A post-election strike is a possibility. London's Daily Telegraph has the story today.

Unemnployment up in South Korea (Monday, 3/31/97)
Unemployment increased by 3.2 percent in February in South Korea, according to Joong-Ang Ilbo.

More belt tightening in Japan (Monday, 3/31/97)
Nihon Keizai reports that the Japanese government intends to cut public works project costs by 10 percent over the year five years. They're hoping to do so my introducing greater efficiencies.

Changing the minds of providers (Monday, 3/31/97)
Welfare reform is requiring that many people change their interpretation of what they're trying to do, and that should include the providers of public assistance, according to the Christian Science Monitor. Also, here's a story about technical college success in Mexico.

Help with job-related deductions (Monday, 3/31/97)
With the income tax deadline only a couple of weeks away, here's some advice on job-related deductions from today's Boston Globe.

SBA wants to make things easier for women entrepreneurs (Monday, 3/31/97)
Carrie Mason-Draffen reports in Newsday that it may become easier for business women to get loans.

A popular executive at United Airlines (Monday, 3/31/97)
United Airlines appears to be ready to head off an embarrassing labor conflict in this employee-owned company. A new executive seems to please both sides on the pilots' pay issue.

What's responsible for the wage gap? (Monday, 3/31/97)
The wage gap seems to be growing in the U.S. as well as in other economies throughout the world. Here are some ideas about what the reasons may be. Also in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune, Marjorie Kelly tells about some ways employers treat workers like children, Michael Conlon reports on business travel, and Bob Herbert of the New York Times comments on some bad news from Nike's supplier in Vietnam.

Big drop in migrant farm workers' buying power (Monday, 3/31/97)
Here's a story from today's New York Times on what has happened to farm worker pay over the past twenty years.

Reich tells about his years in the Clinton Administration (Sunday, 3/30/97)
Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich has written a book about his years in the first Clinton Administration. He wasn't entirely happy. Surprised?

Employers and your credit report (Sunday, 3/30/97)
Nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn says that applying for a job may involve revealing more than you expect.

Here's more help when you've been terminated (Sunday, 3/30/97)
Frank Swoboda of the Washington Post describes a new handbook for persons who have lost their jobs.

Effects of the falling yen (Sunday, 3/30/97)
Japan's currency has been losing strength relative to other major currencies. Sandra Sugawara discusses Japan's two-tiered economy. Japan has been struggling to provide sufficient employment as its once-mighty economy falters.

Breaking the benefits-to-babies link (Sunday, 3/30/97)
Barbara Vobejda and Judith Havemann discuss the still-unseen consequences of one change resulting from the new welfare law.

More on immigrant panic (Sunday, 3/30/97)
Changes in INS regulations are confusing a lot of immigrants and causing some to panic. Here's the story from Long Island's Newsday. Also, Carrie Mason-Draffen advises a correspondent who seems to have "max'd out" on salary, despite good performance evaluations.

Could you blow the whistle? (Sunday, 3/30/97)
Some right ways and wrong ways to speak up when the boss is a jerk, according to Susan Wells of today's New York Times. Also in the Times today, changes in the wind for hourly wage earners.

Gore thinks North Korea is ready to collapse (Saturday, 3/29/97)
There are few places in the world where two countries with such dramatically different economies share a common border. In the case of the two Koreas, the contrast could hardly be greater. Though slowing at the moment, South Korea is one of the economic miracles of modern history and is now one of the world's great industrial powers. North Korea, on the other hand, has an economy that is simply catastrophic. Vice President Gore thinks North Korea may collapse soon, but this is not the first time someone has made that sort of prediction. Meanwhile, Reuters also reports today that the American economy looks strong for the remainder of the year, perhaps too strong to satisfy the Federal Reserve, says the Chicago Sun Times. Another interest rate increase may be coming before long because of inflation fears.

Medicare should cut payments to HMOs, panel says (Saturday, 3/29/97)
Growth in HMOs is increasing Medicare costs, a panel says, and payments should be reduced. In related news, a poll indicates that Americans don't want the budget fixed by reducing entitlements.

Big health care company under investigation (Saturday, 3/29/97)
The possibility of Medicare fraud is alleged.

Competition for Capitol Hill police (Saturday, 3/29/97)
Rival unions want to represent them, and the competition is heating up. Speaking of competition, Rachel Swarns says that allies are becoming rivals in response to the New York governor's welfare overhaul plan.

Large protests throughout Russia (Friday, 3/28/97)
Large numbers of persons throughout Russia are marching in protest of current economic conditions, unpaid back wages and pensions, and privatization. However, the number of participants is much smaller than forecast by organizers. Here's the story from Reuters and from the Washington Post.

Abuse of workers at Nike plant charged (Friday, 3/28/97)
Activists are charging that workers at a Nike plant in Vietnam suffer abuse. Reuters and Long Island's Newsday report.

Ratification at GM in Indiana (Friday, 3/28/97)
The strike is over at the Indiana General Motors truck plant. Workers have ratified the new agreement. Also from Reuters today, a harassment complaint against the head of a skin care products company, a drop in jobless claims, and a new study of children lacking health coverage.

Physicians demonstrate in Paris (Friday, 3/28/97)
Le Figaro reports today that nearly 20,000 doctors demonstrated in Paris yesterday to protest a government plan to ration the number of prescriptions that physicians can write. The government funds the national health care system, and is trying to cut deficits.

Fewer college grads will be hired in South Korea (Friday, 3/28/97)
According to Joong-Ang Ilbo, 30 of South Korea's largest companies will cut by nearly a quarter the number of new college graduates that they will hire during the first half of 1997. South Korea's economy has been slowing.

What is "full employment?" (Friday, 3/28/97)
David Francis of the Christian Science Monitor says that the Federal Reserve is helping to redefine the concept. Also in the Monitor today, Lawrence Goodrich tells how a Member of Congress juggles work and family responsibilities.

On the problem of staying licensed (Friday, 3/28/97)
Many health professionals in the D. C. area have difficulty renewing their licenses, and the fault doesn't appear to be their own, according to today's Washington Post.

Progress report on the Donnelley discrimination suit (Friday, 3/28/97)
The company is under increasing pressure to settle. They say they're making progress. Others aren't satisfied, and are thinking of a boycott.

Clinton names health care commission; Republicans critical (Thursday, 3/27/97)
President Clinton named his commission to monitor health care quality yesterday, but Republicans are afraid it means regulation is coming .

Another strike threatened at GM (Thursday, 3/27/97)
The United Auto Workers has set a strike deadline at a General Motors plant in Oklahoma.

No mass deportations on the horizon (Thursday, 3/27/97)
The U.S Immigration and Naturalization Service a new immigration law taking effect on April 1 will not result in mass deportations and it will not help to get married quickly. Fears have been particularly strong in New York, and here's the story from there. Also, here's a Los Angeles Times story about a coalition that is filing suit in order to try to block California's plan to cut services to legal immigrants. Reuters also has that story this morning. Finally, the new welfare law is being challenged in the courts in New York because of its impact on immigrants.

More protests against unpaid wages in Russia (Thursday, 3/27/97)
It's common for workers in many countries to protest because they don't think their pay is high enough, but, in Russia, many are protesting because they're not being paid at all. Economic gridlock continues in the country, and here's the latest on that story. Tens of thousands of workers in the United Kingdom won't get their pay to cover the Easter vacation either, but it's because of technical glitch, according to London's Daily Telegraph.

Judge approves settlement at Texaco (Thursday, 3/27/97)
Here's the latest on the settlement in the big discrimination suit against Texaco, first from Reuters, then from the Washington Post.

More interest rate increases may be coming (Thursday, 3/27/97)
The Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates in order to head off possible inflation probably won't be the end of it, according to this story from Reuters.

Women will serve in the Austrian army (Thursday, 3/27/97)
Austria's army has been all male, but that will change next January 1, when women will be allowed to join on a voluntary basis, according to Die Presse.

Jobs cuts from steel merger in Germany (Thursday, 3/27/97)
Thyssen and Krupp will merge, and it will cost 8,000 jobs, according to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Here's the story from Ruth Walker of the Christian Science Monitor as well.

Bold move against poverty in Michigan (Thursday, 3/27/97)
Michigan's Governor John Engler has a plan for reducing poverty, but it's as controversial as it is innovative.

Flight attendants and United Airlines begin talks to avoid confrontation (Thursday, 3/27/97)
It's another labor story, but the difference this time is that United Airlines is owned by its employees. Also in the Washington Post today, the big growth of "virtual classrooms" in higher education, and the Army has apparently given up its effort to recover tuition from a graduate of West Point.

Finding good employees not easy, writer says (Thursday, 3/27/97)
Roger Lowenstein writes in today's Wall Street Journal.

The struggle for volunteers (Thursday, 3/27/97)
Americans are contributing less to charities at a time when government involvement in helping the poor is declining, and nonprofits are having difficulty getting volunteers too. Merrill Goozner writes in today's Chicago Tribune. Also, here's a story describing how lunch at work is changing.

New York Democrats agree on welfare plan (Thursday, 3/27/97)
Ellen Yan writes in Long Island's Newsday.

Who's responsible for low-income housing? (Thursday, 3/27/97)
Here are comments by Leonard Witt in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Also, Dee DePass writes about women-owned businesses, and Susan Feyder reports on a discrimination suit against Advance Circuits.

The sun sets on the British Empire over the bay in Hong Kong (Thursday, 3/27/97)
Warren Hoge writes about the rancorous transition in Hong Kong for today's New York Times. Also, the many vision tests for railroad engineers, and how insufferable can a boss be, legally?

More criticism of the Federal Reserve decision (Wednesday, 3/26/97)
Inflation is not a problem, but the Federal Reserve apparently thinks it can see it on its scope and wants to head it off by raising interest rates. This doesn't please everybody, which may not surprise you. However, one place from which criticism of the Fed is not coming at the moment is the White House.

Deadline extended at American (Wednesday, 3/26/97)
Pilot union leaders at American Airlines are hung up over who will fly the regional jets, so acceptance of the tentative agreement that was negotiated isn't assured. However, everybody seems to want more time, so the strike deadline has been extended.

New commission on health care quality (Wednesday, 3/26/97)
For quite a long time, the best of American health care service has been among the best in the world, so, in that sense, there hasn't been a health care crisis, so much as a health care cost crisis. However, enormous increases in costs over recent years have narrowed access, leaving tens of millions of Americans without coverage. In an effort to control costs, HMOs, or "managed care" organizations, have moved in fast. However, many people feel that cost control is cutting deeply in the quality of service itself. President Clinton will name most of the members of his new commission on health care quality today. However, the Journal of the American Medical Association would go further, and urges the establishment of a new agency to control HMOs.

Incidentally, the president would like to see closer screening of health care providers in order to control Medicare fraud, and once-presidential candidate Senator Phil Gramm is telling any who will listen about how big the overall Medicare problem is going to get. Senator Gramm likes to tell about how he flunked elementary school, but doesn't often mention the fact that he also spend many years as a professor of economics. Finally, Robert Pear of the New York Times tells how lobbyists are trying to influence the choice of medical tests covered by Medicare.

Benefits cutoff in California (Wednesday, 3/26/97)
The California governor's office announced yesterday that more than 200 benefits will no longer be available to illegal immigrants in the state.

Pensions to increase in Turkey (Wednesday, 3/26/97)
Yeni Yuzyil reports that the Turkish government will boost monthly pensions by 8.57 to 13.92 percent, retroactive to the beginning of the year. Also, according to Millyet, police wages will go up by 5 to 6 percent.

New bill in Denmark could cost taxi drivers jobs (Wednesday, 3/26/97)
Berlingske Tidende reports that Danish taxi drivers would lose their jobs if their debts were to rise above US$7,700, according to a proposed law. Also, Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten quotes a new study that finds that as many as 300,000 disabled people are employed in Denmark, and Borsen says that the world's economy is on a big new growth path because of privatization, liberalization of once-protected markets, and new technologies.

More dads are staying at home (Wednesday, 3/26/97)
Scott Baldauf of the Christian Science Monitor writes than more fathers are staying home to bring up baby. Also in the Monitor today, how very small loans are helping poor people start businesses, and what it means to have an office on a lower floor.

Japan's struggle for growth (Wednesday, 3/26/97)
There's a very good chance that China will soon surpass the United States as the world's largest economy. However, not so long ago, it appeared that Japan would have that distinction. Not any more. Here's Robert Samuelson's story in the Washington Post.

Italy less friendly to Albanian refugees (Wednesday, 3/26/97)
Here's more on the Albanian crisis and how it's affecting Italy from Long Island's Newsday.

Federal government pushes Texas to keep affirmative action (Wednesday, 3/26/97)
Today's New York Times reports that the U. S. government is threatening Texas universities with loss of funds if they don't retain affirmative action programs. Also in the Times today, a commentary on welfare's mixed role, a New York judge orders individual assessments for workfare, New York's mayor continues to fight benefit cutoffs to immigrants, and insurance companies want retraining for people with disabilities so that they can return to work.

Watch out for LittleBrother at work (Tuesday, 3/25/97)
If you're on the Internet at work, you may be under surveillance. Here's the story from Reuters.

Economy may need tuning by Fed (Tuesday, 3/25/97)
After months of anxious speculation about whether the American Federal Reserve would raise interest rates, it looks like it is about to happen. Not because there are problems, but in order to head off ones in the future. The stock market seems to like the idea, but Steve Forbes doesn't.

Job stress and preterm delivery (Tuesday, 3/25/97)
Pregnant women in stressful jobs are at greater risk for premature births. Also, a new study suggests a relationship between socioeconomic status and the risk of stroke.

Fraud charges in Minnesota (Tuesday, 3/25/97)
Glenn Howatt of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists is making major charges against some Twin Cities hospitals and physicians. In related news, Robert Pear of the New York Times says that President Clinton is about to announce new efforts to curtail health care fraud, and Michael Janofsky reports the government is targeting housing fraud as well. Here's the Reuters version of that story.

Things may be looking up in France (Tuesday, 3/25/97)
Some European economies have been surging, but France's has not been one of them. The latest government statistics indicate that unemployment will probably hit 12.9 percent by the end of June, but that estimate is down from the 13.0 forecast earlier. Economic growth seems to be creating more jobs than expected, so the beginnings of a recovery may be underway, according to Les Echos this morning. Also in France, La Tribune reports that French bankers and the French government want more flexible work hours in the banking industry, but banking unions threaten to strike if the 1937 law restricting bank operations is modified. Finally, Le Figaro says that Renault SA expects to cut 2,000 jobs per year in Europe for several years. The company's plant in Vilvoorde, Belgium is still being occupied by employees who are opposed to its scheduled July 31 closing. Alan Friedman of the Washington Post provides some perspective on growing anxieties and protests against downsizing across much of the European continent.

Medicine prices may go up in Italy (Tuesday, 3/25/97)
Italy is trying hard to reduce its budget deficit in order to qualify for European monetary union. Corriere della Sera reports that one of the consequences may be an increase in medical prices, including an increase in the cost of prescriptions.

Bad year for retirees in Russia (Tuesday, 3/25/97)
Russia's economic crisis is hitting a lot of people very hard, and retirees are not excepted. Also in the Christian Science Monitor today, Nicolaus Mills writes about sticker shock in higher education.

A women's place is below the ceiling, a bias suit charges (Tuesday, 3/25/97)
Today's Wall Street Journal reports that the EEOC wants to join in a bias suit against Home Depot. Here's the Boston Globe version of that story. Also in the Wall Street Journal today, Hal Lancaster says you should be sure there's a match between your employer's values and your own.

What's the real attitude of Generation X toward work? (Tuesday, 3/25/97)
Diane Lewis of the Boston Globe reports on a new study that seems to contradict common assumptions about the 20 and 30-something generation. Also, Juliet Brudney advises a correspondent on help for professionals who are looking for part-time jobs.

A point of view on the Korean job market for college grads (Tuesday, 3/25/97)
Today's Korea Herald editorializes on the limited job market for college graduates in the country. Of course, Korea is not alone. The United States, which produces more degree holders of most types than a lot of other countries put together, is experiencing a softening market for "credentials" alone in an economy that is becoming increasingly interested in genuine up-to-date competencies, whatever their source. The revolutionary new world economy is not interested in rewarding an individual simply for being well-educated, any more than for being a nice person. Also in Korea today, a bus strike has been scheduled in Seoul.

A change of attitude in Italy, and shots are fired (Tuesday, 3/25/97)
Italy isn't welcoming people from chaotic Albania with arms quite as open as a few days ago, and it is producing tensions. Here's the story from today's London Times. Also, the reorganization of the communications industry in Britain will result in job cuts. Expect reorganization worldwide as the communications industry moves deeper into the most revolutionary period of its history.

China and hog disease hammer Taiwan's economy (Monday, 3/24/97)
China increasingly flexes its muscles throughout the region on the eve of Hong Kong's historic reintegration into the country. Showing that it can impact when it wants to, China's decision to schedule military maneuvers near Taiwan has hit its stock market and currency. However, a potentially devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak may hit the Taiwanese economy even harder.

Tosco resumes talks with California oil workers (Monday, 3/24/97)
A strike at four California refineries is threatened for later today. Also from Reuters this morning, continued expansion of the American economy will depend on the technology sector, and former mathematician and renowned writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn says that his once proud and mighty Russia is becoming a third-world country.

Labour would close hospitals in the UK (Monday, 3/24/97)
In a Labour Party government, some hospitals may close as part of a plan to save 2 billion pounds that would be used for free dental examinations, as well as a decrease in treatment rationing and better salaries for hospital personnel. The Independent of London has the story today. The United Kingdom is only a bit more than a month away from national elections, and polls are indicating a Labour victory over John Major's Conservatives. Also in Britain today, the Times of London reports that the military is drawing up a new code that would eliminate the ban on homosexuals in the military. It would also change strict policies toward adultery as part of a program in which people would no longer be treated differently based on their sexuality.

Danish transport workers threaten strike (Monday, 3/24/97)
There could be a transport strike over the Easter holiday in Denmark, according to Jyllands-Posten this morning. The General Worker Union wants negotiations over wages to start today.

Last effort to prevent shutdown of Belgian steel company (Monday, 3/24/97)
Le Soir reports in Belgium that steelworkers have scheduled a protest on April 5 in a final effort to prevent the closing of Forges de Clabecq SA, a bankrupt steel company.

New study on how NAFTA impacts on U.S. jobs (Monday, 3/24/97)
David Francis writes in today's Christian Science Monitor. Also in the Monitor today, why Malaysia won't be censoring the Internet, and why the American military is having a recruiting problem. Speaking of recruiting, the Fort Worth Star Telegram says that Chrysler Corporation is trying to begin with high school students to build interest in automotive careers, and Maki Okubo of Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun writes that volunteer organizations in Japan are struggling to recruit members.

Managed care plans stimulate work for lawyers (Monday, 3/24/97)
Managed care is becoming a bigger part of the American medical service delivery system as the nation struggles to control health care costs. One of the principal side effects is an escalation in the number of lawsuits. However, David Peterson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that things aren't rosy for law careers overall, and, on the health care front, interns are striking in France.

Cheating to get into college (Monday, 3/24/97)
Daniel Greenberg of the Washington Post writes that college admissions people are having new problems because of the Internet. Speaking of college, here's criticism of the New York governor's plan to raise tuition at public institutions. Also, many American colleges are having enrollment problems in part because of the nature of the new economy. There are lots of jobs that pay well enough to attract would-be students and justify slowing down progress toward a degree, at the same time that incomes for new college graduates remain sluggish. This also encourages less sense of urgency in completing degree requirements. In a related story, Stephen Franklin of the Chicago Tribune analyzes how the new economy isn't following the old rules with respect to pay in response to a tight labor market. The economy's booming, but pay levels aren't increasing much.

More on the panic among immigrants (Monday, 3/24/97)
Many immigrants are rushing to get married, in part because of a misunderstanding of the new law. Here's the story from the Chicago Tribune. Also, Tom Hamburger and Glenn Howatt write in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune on growing concern about the impact of the new welfare law on legal immigrants. Also, Peter Kilborn of the New York Times writes about the impact of the new law on disabled children.

John Cleese, management consultant (Monday, 3/24/97)
English law school dropout John Cleese is best-known for his amazingly innovative and hilarious television and movie comedy. However, the early classics left him less than rich, and he was tired of it. As a consequence, he started a company that makes training films, which has become a tremendous success. Patricia Kitchen writes in Newsday that Cleese wants us to get organized.

Are Northwest's employees deliberately slowing down? (Monday, 3/24/97)
Tony Kennedy writes that travelers are beginning to get suspicious about the reasons for flight delays. Also, Audian Dunham tells about efforts to build a business culture that helps people do their best, and in her syndicated column this time, Marjorie Kelly tells about business ethics, General Motors, and the new global economy.

What a settlement at American Airlines could mean (Monday, 3/24/97)
Adam Bryant writes in today's New York Times that a final settlement at American Airlines could have broad implications. Also, the boom in day care as competition heats up between workers and welfare parents, some reconsiderations of the New York teachers contract, and the New Jersey's governor's plan to defray pension costs through the sale of bonds.

Hong Kong soon to begin a new era (Sunday, 3/23/97)
Hong Kong is one of the most spectacular economic success stories of the late 20th century, and the world will be watching with great interest when the British colony returns to Chinese control in just 100 days. Many people, not only the wealthy, have already left for other regions, and many more are experiencing significant anxiety over what the new era will mean. Indications are that China will soon have the world's largest economy, and that the 21st century will be a period of significant international political influence for the world's largest country as well. The reality seems to be that not only Hong Kong, but also nearby Portuguese-controlled Macao, and perhaps eventually Taiwan, will be reintegrated into China before too many additional years pass. Among other things, the handover of Hong Kong seems to symbolize the death of European colonialism as well. Here's the Hong Kong story at the beginning of the 100-day countdown from Reuters as well as today's Washington Post.

Teamsters head sworn in (Sunday, 3/23/97)
James Hoffa was not successful in preventing the inauguration of Ron Carey for another term as president of the Teamsters Union. However, there are still questions about campaign fund raising, and the FBI is taking a look.

Pilots board will talk more in April (Sunday, 3/23/97)
Things are still hung up over who will fly the commuter planes at American Airlines. There is still division within the union over the tentative agreement reached by negotiators.

Agreement heads off strike at GM supplier (Sunday, 3/23/97)
General Motors still has the strike at the Indiana truck plant to deal with, but, at least, they'll apparently be able to continue getting the starter motors they need. Tentative agreement has been reached at Delco Remy.

More on Clinton's opposition to the comp time bill (Sunday, 3/23/97)
In his weekly radio address, President Clinton outlined his reasons for opposing the Republican comp time bill and says it will face certain veto if it reaches his desk. If it were to become law, the bill would allow workers to choose time off in lieu of overtime pay.

The hidden cost of deductions (Sunday, 3/23/97)
The Washington Post's Albert Crenshaw explains why deductions may look attractive but may cost you. Also in the Post today, Steven Ginsberg tells why some employers are opposed to expanding the Family Leave Act, and Dana Priest explains the differences between Tailhook and Aberdeen.

Are some of the health care plans sick? (Sunday, 3/23/97)
Nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn says competition rewards low cost, not high quality.

Correspondents get advice from columnists (Sunday, 3/23/97)
Newsday's Carrie Mason-Draffen explains the overtime rules, among other things, and the Chicago Sun-Times' Moneylife Mailbag advises an individual with a new baby how to get ready for college expenses. It's simple: just gather together all of your assets, borrow enough to burden your family for six generations, and send it in. Kidding.

The coming need for low-income housing assistance (Sunday, 3/23/97)
Wayne Washington describes another consequence of the movement from welfare to work. Also in the Minneapolis Star Tribune today, Susan Peterson reports on the hot job market for grads this spring, particularly if you're technical.

Strasbourg as a microcosm of French concerns (Sunday, 3/23/97)
Craig Whitney of the New York Times tells how the French concerns about immigration, unemployment, and other things are playing out in Strasbourg. Also in the Times today, predators circle around frightened immigrants, and an acceleration of the controversy over repetitive stress injuries on the job.

American Airlines deal not solid yet (Saturday, 3/22/97)
No done deal at American Airlines at this point. Who will fly the regional jets is the stickler issue, and pilots are split. A strike could still come.

More on GM's labor problems (Saturday, 3/22/97)
General Motors is still trying to end the strike at its Indiana truck plant, as another strike threatens to shut down an important supplier.

Why aren't wages going up more? (Saturday, 3/22/97)
Judith Evans and Peter Behr of the Washington Post report that the D. C. area is characteristic of many parts of the country. Unemployment is low, but wage rates haven't been rising much. What's happening with the supply-demand relationships? Also in the Post today, fear of deportation among immigrants because of confusion over what the new law means, and the New York Times says they're told to apply by mail. Also, the Washington Post reports that unions and the IRS are at an impasse.

Japanese paper opposes abbreviated legal training (Saturday, 3/22/97)
The Japanese Supreme Court and the Justice Ministry would like to shorten the training time for new lawyers, but Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun thinks it's a bad idea.

Criticism of plea arrangement at Aberdeen (Saturday, 3/22/97)
The sex scandal at Aberdeen Proving Ground goes on. There is growing criticism of the bargain that resulted in dropping rape charges against an Army captain, and another man has been cleared.

New business alliance among minorities in New York (Saturday, 3/22/97)
Peter Alan Harper reports in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and here's the story from Carrie Mason-Draffen in Long Island's Newsday.

Another view on how the CPI should be fixed (Saturday, 3/22/97)
R.C.H. Schmidt writes in the Minneapolis Star Tribune today that "fixing the CPI should be done fairly." Just in case you believe that it should be done unfairly.

Connecticut governor expects income tax cut because of welfare aid (Saturday, 3/22/97)
Connecticut will receive a lot more federal aid under the new welfare law than it did before. Governor expects to have good news for state taxpayers.

Pilots union board to look at tentative agreement today (Friday, 3/21/97)
Negotiators at American Airlines worked out details yesterday. Now it's time to let the union leadership have a look. Maria Recio and Dan Reed of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram say it's an odd agreement, and Scott McCartney of the Wall Street Journal says that a "firestorm" over the terms is brewing among pilots. Today's Chicago Tribune says that the pilots would get raises totaling 9% during the duration of the contract. In other labor news this morning, a Friday strike deadline at a key General Motors supplier.

EEOC sues UPS (Friday, 3/21/97)
Violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act are alleged.

U.S. jobless claims up a bit last week (Friday, 3/21/97)
Here's the Reuters story on the latest U.S. Department of Labor figures. Also from Reuters today, some Democrats in the House are criticizing Clinton's Hispanic hiring record, and there has been a decline in workplace illness and injury.

Greece wants to limit wage increases (Friday, 3/21/97)
Kathimerini reports that the Greek government is saying that it won't sign any agreements providing wage increases for employees in state-run companies without a review by the Finance Ministry. The government wants increases limited to 7 percent.

More on Germany's health cost control efforts (Friday, 3/21/97)
Germany's government approved new legislation yesterday that will double private contributions to the cost of health care, according to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Also, Greg Steinmetz of the Wall Street Journal reports today on a former IBM executive who is trying to shake up the German business climate. He says high wages and generous benefits are hurting business.

Big corporate initiative to help low-pay workers (Friday, 3/21/97)
The Washington Post's Kirstin Downey Grimsley writes today about how executives from dozens of large American corporations have been meeting in order to develop a plan to help retrain and provide opportunities for people who work at low wage rates. Also in the Post today, evidence of a preemptive strike against inflation by the Fed, columnist William Raspberry takes a fresh look at affirmative action, and the paper comments on "Social Security stewardship."

The cost of a long-term care policy (Friday, 3/21/97)
Nancy Ann Jeffrey discusses what will determine the cost to you. Her article is in today's Wall Street Journal.

Minnesota Senate passes welfare reform bill (Friday, 3/21/97)
The states are still adjusting to the historic changes in welfare. Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune reports on how things are proceeding in Minnesota. Meanwhile New York City's mayor urges a change in the federal law because of how it affects immigrants. Also, Celia Dugger says that many immigrants are fearful because of a misunderstanding of the new law, and the government has hired a big accounting firm to advise on how to fix immigration policies and procedures.

Teamsters head returns more money (Friday, 3/21/97)
While James Hoffa tries to prevent the inauguration of Ron Carey, his campaign organization is returning more donations. Also in the New York Times today, Peter Passell says that Chile may have the right idea for privatizing retirement, and an Army captain pleads guilty in the sexual misconduct scandal at the Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Agreement at American Airlines (Thursday, 3/20/97)
The pilots union has reached a tentative agreement with American Airlines.

Comp time bill passes House (Thursday, 3/20/97)
The American House of Representatives has passed a bill that would allow workers to choose time off instead of overtime pay. However, President Clinton says it doesn't provide sufficient protection for workers, and says he would veto the bill. Also in labor news today, an engineers union has filed an unfair labor practices charge against Boeing.

Italian public works plan takes a step toward law (Thursday, 3/20/97)
Italian Labor Minister Tiziano Treu has proposed a package that would free up public works projects and provide incentives for job creation. The bill has been approved by the senate, but must be approved by the lower house to become law. Treu claims that the program would create 100,000 new jobs, according to Il Sole 24 Ore.

French prime minister proposes to help low-paid workers (Thursday, 3/20/97)
La Tribune reports that French Prime Minister Juppe is preparing a plan that would help low-paid workers in the textile, hospitality, and construction industries after the European Commission turned down a French plan to introduce 2 billion francs into the textile industry.

Low unemployment helps Conservatives in the UK (Thursday, 3/20/97)
London's Financial Times reports that unemployment in the United Kingdom has descended to the lowest level since 1990, which is good news for the Conservative government with the May 1 election approaching. John Major's Conservative's are widely expected to lose to Tony Blair's Labour Party, given their lead in the polls.

Texas plan to privatize welfare displeases some (Thursday, 3/20/97)
Christopher Cook writes in today's Christian Science Monitor about the Texas-sized privatization plan, which cuts a broader swath than most. Also in the Monitor today, programs to help keep new workers off drugs, and a prisoner who is working to have higher ed funds for prisoners restored. Finally, Dave Hage of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says it's too early to celebrate the success of welfare reform, while New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani praises workfare in his city.

The story behind Albania's disintegration (Thursday, 3/20/97)
Here's an analysis of why Albania has self-destructed, as refugees continue to flood into Italy.

Less may be more, so far as work is concerned (Thursday, 3/20/97)
Marilyn Gardner writes about a growing movement to reduce the level of workaholism among Americans, who have been working more and enjoying it less during recent years. Ms Garner also reports on an innovative "30 hours work for 40 hours pay" program to attract workers, as well as on the age-old case that can still be made for the personal and social value of leisure.

Another reason Russia's economy is struggling (Thursday, 3/20/97)
A new U.S. study concludes that nearly half of Russia's economy is controlled by organized crime, which is draining the country of assets. Nonetheless, the London School of Economics thinks that the Russian economy could soon become the world's fastest growing. Keith Collins and Irina Smetannikov tell how some outside companies are learning how to make business work in Russia.

Housing plan congratulated (Thursday, 3/20/97)
Today's Christian Science Monitor likes a new plan presented by some non-profit organizations for providing quality low-income housing.

More on the new Census plan (Thursday, 3/20/97)
The Census next time will be done differently in an attempt to correct for undercounted minorities previously. Barbara Vobejda explains in the Washington Post. Also, Stephen Barr tells about a center to help former government workers who have been downsized out.

Credit for work, and study at work in Japan (Thursday, 3/20/97)
The Japanese government may approve a plan whereby high school students would receive credit for some work activities. Also, the government is considering a proposal for providing university classes at work, according to today's Japan Times.

Illinois court ruling expands financial rights of the mentally disabled (Thursday, 3/20/97)
Mental patients will have more to say about how their money is used. Here's the story from today's Chicago Tribune.

Hoffa tries to block Carey's inauguration (Thursday, 3/20/97)
James Hoffa still hasn't conceded the Teamsters presidential election. On the eve of Carey's inauguration, Hoffa wants the result thrown out. He says some donations were illegal.

More on Germany's need for a bending of the rules (Thursday, 3/20/97)
We reported yesterday that some are expecting that Germany will not be held to the strict criteria for qualifying for the common currency because the German economy is, well, the German economy, and the success of the whole enterprise largely depends on Germany's participation. Edmund Andrews of the New York Times reports that Germany may even ask for a partial absolution.

Thousands of Albanians continue to flow toward Italy (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
Albania has been the economic basket case of Europe for years. During the communist period, it was an isolated draconian Maoist state known mostly to the rest of Europe by the multi-language rants from "Radio Tirana." Incredibly, things have gotten worse. The difference now is that people are free to leave, and more than a thousand are leaving each day, with Italy the favored destination. Charles Trueheart and Vera Haller of the Washington Post say that Italy is compassionate, but worried, and the New York Times' Celestine Bohlen reports that tensions are building.

Economic reforms still top priority in Russia (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
Now that Russian President Yeltsin seems healthier and more in charge, a major cabinet reshuffle has occurred. Prime Minister Cheronmyrdin says the economy is still on top of their "to do" list.

Settlement may come by Friday at American Airlines (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
Negotiators are making progress at American Airlines, and talks are moving to Washington. A settlement in the dispute between the company and its pilots may come by the end of the week.

Lawyers want their money in Texaco case (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
Lawyers representing the plaintiffs in the big race discrimination case against Texaco want to be paid, and the bill is a big one, amounting to nearly $13 million.

Chances improving for Alexis Herman (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
Reuters reports that the Labor nominee is getting bipartisan support in her Senate confirmation hearing. Frank Swoboda of the Washington Post says that it looks as though Alexis Herman will be confirmed, and Michael Wines of the New York Times says that questions are focusing more on labor issues than on the political issues that have delayed the confirmation.

Cuts at Union Pacific (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
Union Pacific is moving its headquarters and cutting staff, according to Reuters this morning.

Rules slightly different for Germany (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
Portugal's Diario Economico reports that the Portuguese prime minister says that Germany will be allowed to join the European monetary union in 1999, even if it doesn't meet all the qualifying criteria with respect to public debt or deficits. Reason: there can't be any European monetary union without Germany's participation.

"Employment Minister" in the UK cabinet? (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
London's Financial Times reports this morning that the Labour Party is saying that it will create a Employment Minister cabinet post if the party wins the May 1 election, as indicated by polls.

Employment problems for immigrants and refugees in Denmark (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
According to Politiken, immigrants and refugees in Denmark typically don't get the high-wage jobs, even if they're university-educated and even considering that the government will subsidize half their wages. Also in Denmark today, Morgenavisen Jyllands Posten says that a new law will raise the limit that local government workers can be paid, which may push local taxes up, and Borsen reports that foreign pharmaceutical companies don't like a government proposal for reducing medicine costs by 8 percent. The companies are afraid it will set a precedent in other European countries.

Sunday work could spread in Austria (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
Parliamentary approval is expected for a new law that would collective bargaining over Sunday work. Currently, only a few categories of emergency workers and others can work on Sundays. The Catholic Church and some other groups oppose the new law, according to Wiener Zeitung.

The changing job description of "mayor" (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
In addition to the worldwide economic reorganization that has been going on, there has been plenty of political reorganization as well. In the United States, a shift away from Washington has changed conditions for local officials, and mayors are finding that they must innovate or pack their bags. Here's Kurt Shillinger story for today's Christian Science Monitor. Also in the Monitor today, here's a story about Americans who are seeking the American dream...elsewhere.

Good news and bad news for immigrants with disabilities (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
New INS rules will help some to become citizens, while placing obstacles in the paths of others.

Happiness as another asset (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
Sue Shellenbarger writes in today's Wall Street Journal that investors seem to be more interested in buying a company's stock if its employees are happy.

New rules governing appeal of HMO decisions (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
The government plans to clarify Medicare recipients' rights of appeal when HMOs deny services, according to today's Chicago Tribune. Also, a ruling on a bias suit on promoting minority firefighters in Chicago.

Minority applications down at universities following affirmative action changes (Wednesday, 3/19/97)
The New York Times reports on the impact of affirmative action changes at universities. Also, Joe Sexton reports on welfare fraud in Brooklyn, Celia Dugger tells about diversity and upwardly mobility in New Jersey's large immigrant population, and Karen Arenson clarifies what's really happening at CUNY's community college. New York politicians have been critical of low community college graduation rates, but, as Arenson reports, students and the community are benefiting, but not necessarily on a conventional schedule. The community college's diverse student population includes a large number of people with a variety of circumstances and responsibilities governing how they can handle college programs. The recent remarks of New York politicians seem to reflect the common American tendency to assume that symbols and "credentials" are more important than actually knowing or being able to do something. They also seem to assume that there is a clear end to higher education, when, in fact, the opposite appears to be the case in the revolutionary new world economy. Education for living, citizenship, and work must be ongoing, which makes discrete programs and graduation dates increasingly arbitrary and artificial.

Extension may help prevent strike (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
Mediation sessions continue. Optimism seems to be building that a settlement may be reached at American Airlines without a devastating pilots strike.

Things are better at IBM, employees find (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
For decades, International Business Machines corporation dominated the information technology industry. Then, a tiny company started by two young men that IBM had hired to provide software for their personal computers changed everything. Microsoft now sets the agenda for computing at all levels worldwide, and the wounded giant has had some tough years. However, all indications are that the company has improved its overall health in a new context. They've announced record bonuses to their employees.

The role of women in Japanese work life (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
Russell Blinch reports that much has remained the same for women in Japan, but there is growing discontent. Also from Reuters today, a White House official gets a cold welcome over the new welfare law, and investigators are still trying to determine why workers are getting so much skin cancer in a California nuclear research center.

Government sides with employees on meaning of short breaks (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
Portugal's Diario de Noticias reports that the Portuguese government has agreed to define short breaks in the vicinity of where work ordinarily takes place as "effective work." That is, they will be included in the 40-hour work week, the new legal limit. Employers didn't want the breaks to be counted.

Israeli standard of living declines (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
According to Ma'ariv, the Israeli standard of living declined by 17 percent during the last quarter of last year. Private consumption and production per capita dropped off. The government is considering a 12 percent increase in the minimum wage to help compensate for the high inflation rate in the country.

No quotas for women, Swiss government says (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
There is one woman in the Swiss government, and women hold 21.5 and 17.4 percent of the seats in the lower and upper houses of the Swiss parliament, respectively. The Swiss president says a proposal that would require a minimum number of government offices to be held by women is not the answer, and the government has vetoed it, according to Tages-Anzeiger this morning.

Resistance to children of immigrants in the Danish military (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
The Danish military is afraid that second and third generation immigrants might work as spies if trained for service in the country's military. Danish police have been actively recruiting second- and third-generation immigrants, according to Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten.

Albanians flee to Italy (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
Albanians have been trying to get into Italy for sometime for economic reasons, but now growing political chaos is stimulating the flow, according to Charles Trueheart and Vera Haller of the Washington Post. Also in the Post today, E. J. Dionne Jr. reports on some common connections joining the sides in the feminism debate, and Spencer Rich writes about a report showing that a reduction in the number of elderly persons with disabilities can cut Medicare costs. Also, Robert Pear writes in the New York Times today about limitations HMOs are placing on the ability of the elderly to file appeals on treatment decisions.

The different perspectives on factory work (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
Timothy Aeppel writes in today's Wall Street Journal about the strains on the factory floor, given the variation in full-time, part-time, temp, pay, status, and loyalty that are part of a new flexible work force.

If you're traveling for business, expect to pay more (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
If you're making last minute air travel arrangements, you'll find some of the fares have gained altitude.

New performance evaluation system hits Michigan college (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
Student evaluations will have quite a lot to do with determining the employment situation of faculty at a college in Michigan. At various times in the long history of academe, colleges and universities have been under the control of various interest groups. Over the centuries, some schools were run by the students, others by faculty.

How well older workers work (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
Juliet Brudney of the Boston Globe writes about changing attitudes toward older workers. Also in the Globe today, Diane Lewis reports that employers are trying to help solve the problem of family violence.

Campus sticker shock (Tuesday, 3/18/97)
Here's Time magazine's March 17 cover story on the high cost of college, at least at "prestige" institutions. Growing concern with costs at "name" schools may stimulate interest in alternatives, including the community colleges and on-line programs for credit, particularly considering that the quality of education is much determined by what students themselves do. With sufficient commitment, it's possible to obtain an excellent education for nothing at the public library. Many Americans still suffer from the late stages of an obsession with conventional symbols at the expense of substance, a trend that runs through much of the American upper-middle class culture. Was it Oscar Wilde who remarked about people who know the price of everything and the value of nothing?

Big European rally protests layoffs (Monday, 3/17/97)
Tens of thousands of persons demonstrated in Brussels yesterday, as tensions arising out of the troubled European economies mount. Job losses have been increasing as several European countries try to cut deficits, reduce social service budgets, and qualify for the intended common currency. Here's the story from today's Chicago Tribune. Also, Germany is urged to stop paying pensions to ex-Nazis, Dun & Bradstreet says some of the best job opportunities are to be found at new companies, and Frederick Lynch reviews a book that intends to offer an alternative view of workplace diversity. Finally, here's a story from Madison, Wisconsin about the impact of the new welfare law on one refugee whose husband fought for the U.S. in Vietnam.

GM strike continues in Indiana (Monday, 3/17/97)
They've been talking, but it's slow going at the Indiana General Motors truck plant.

Spanish labor reform agreement to be signed in April (Monday, 3/17/97)
Gaceta de los Negocios reports this morning that Spanish employers and unions have reached agreement on labor market reforms which will cut severance costs but offer more permanent employment for new workers. The Spanish government had threatened to impose a settlement after extended talks seemed to be going nowhere. Employers want more flexibility in order to increase their competitiveness in the new world economy, but labor unions have feared increasing reliance on part-time and temporary workers, thinking that employment security would disappear for several reasons.

A new approach to vocational education (Monday, 3/17/97)
Lee Lawrence reports for the Christian Science Monitor on how educators are trying to prepare students for the new real world of work while also not neglecting their basic education. Also in the Monitor today, some reflections on whether Good Samaritans can be good economists.

The Japanese take a hard look at pensions (Monday, 3/17/97)
After several years of economic sputtering, Japan has a deficit problem. The government will try to get it under control, and spending on defense and pensions will go under the microscope, according to Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun. Historic changes are occurring in the traditional psychological contract that has connected workers, employers, and government that gave rise to the powerful, highly integrated post-War Japanese economy sometimes referred to as "Japan Incorporated." Basically, in exchange for life-long loyalty from employees, employers provided life-long employment, and the government took care of the companies. All this seems to be changing as Japan struggles to adapt to a very different global economy.

Entrepreneurship across the generations (Monday, 3/17/97)
Here's a business conference that is a family affair, and children are welcome.

A kinder and gentler Navy (Monday, 3/17/97)
Parts of the American military have earned a very bad reputation recently because of the way some recruits have been treated in training. Dirk Johnson of the New York Times says the U.S. Navy is trying to treat everybody better.

AFL-CIO goes door-to-door (Sunday, 3/16/97)
Frank Swoboda of the Washington Post reports on organized labor's new approach to organizing.

A movement for patients' rights (Sunday, 3/16/97)
Nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn says patients are organizing in an effort to deal with medical service rationing. Also in the new world of medical service cost crunch, Robert Rosenblatt reports that people don't seem to be dying fast enough to satisfy government auditors.

Clash of cultures on the job (Sunday, 3/16/97)
Heather Salerno reports on the conflict of religious faith and employer dress codes.

Social Security advice if you've been moonlighting (Sunday, 3/16/97)
Julian Block provides suggestions in today's Chicago Tribune.

Labor nominee may be handicapped by friendships (Sunday, 3/16/97)
Michael Wines of the New York Times writes about Alexis Herman's problems getting confirmed for the Secretary of Labor job. Here's the story via the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Corporations form Talent Alliance (Sunday, 3/16/97)
Here's a new approach to "employment security" for a new work world, and it's sponsored by some very big employers. The Wall Street Journal's Hal Lancaster reports in Newsday on an effort to combine the flexibility that employers need with some of the security that workers need. Also from Newsday, a look at the job of Certified Public Account.

Harder for immigrants to bring families to the U.S. now (Sunday, 3/16/97)
Celia Dugger writes in this morning's New York Times about how a new immigration law is making it tougher for families to reunite. Also in the Times, Dirk Johnson tells about how some are trying to make the uncertain transition from welfare to work, some criticism of Clinton on the welfare issue from a former Administration official, a New York storm over a union dues increase, and another storm over the New York mayor's criticism of community colleges. Also, the lonely life of a whistle-blower, the dangers of staking your retirement on your company's stock, and the question of whether anyone really uses the World Wide Web to recruit workers.

Big cuts at Apple (Saturday, 3/15/97)
Beleaguered Apple Computer Corporation is becoming a smaller company. Company Chairman Gilbert Amelio has announced cuts of nearly a third of Apple's workers, following earlier cuts, all part of an effort to get costs under control. Apple has experienced huge losses as well as loss of market share in recent months. Ironically, some of this loss has been to licensed Macintosh clones, which are selling well. Overall, the Macintosh platform has gained market share recently, while Apple's part of it has declined, further evidence that Apple cannot compete on price in what is becoming increasingly a commodity market at the low end. Analysts are saying that Apple must focus on high-end niche markets that require advanced technology. The Macintosh computer continues to be highly popular in Hollywood, publishing, and other media and multimedia areas, including the Internet, where it is the platform of choice for the design and development of complex, sophisticated web sites.

Big cuts at Heinz too (Saturday, 3/15/97)
The global food company is restructuring in major ways. Plants will close, jobs will go.

GM strike in Indiana (Saturday, 3/15/97)
A General Motors truck plant in Indiana was hit by a United Auto Workers strike yesterday. Talks are recessed.

Citizenship bill clears parliament in Hong Kong (Saturday, 3/15/97)
Thousands may achieve full British citizenship on the eve of Hong Kong's return to Chinese control, according to the Hong Kong Standard. Also in the Standard today, unions are critical of proposed language tests for teachers.

Talks begin again today at American Airlines (Friday, 3/14/97)
Pilots and management begin again today in an effort to head off the big strike that could still come. Also from Reuters this morning, an indictment relating to the big Texaco discrimination case, a dip in weekly jobless claims, the Speaker's speaking on Medicare expansion, and a bipartisan bill that would give health care coverage to many American children. Here's that story from today's New York Times as well.

Broad Army investigation reported (Friday, 3/14/97)
The U.S. Army is investigating hundreds of alleged sexual harassment and rape charges, according to Reuters. They're also denying charges that female cadets were pressured to allege that they were raped rather than harassed.

Wage increases in Turkey (Friday, 3/14/97)
Yeni Yuzyil reports that the Turkish government has decided to put a system in place intending to protect workers' incomes from Turkey's high inflation rate, which was 80 percent in 1996. They've also announced wage increases of between 20 and 40 percent for various government-employed professionals, retroactive to January 1.

Pilots begin strike tomorrow in Portugal (Friday, 3/14/97)
For a time, a strike by TAP Air Portugal pilots seemed less likely. However, according to Publico this morning, a strike is scheduled for tomorrow, mostly with the aim of achieving stricter limits on work hours.

Agreement on employment package in Italy (Friday, 3/14/97)
The Italian government has been working on the development of a public works program to stimulate employment in the country. La Stampa reports today that agreement has been reached on extending the scope of the program, among other things, to provide incentives for the young unemployed. Some expect 100,000 new jobs to be created.

How are things for the boomers, really? (Friday, 3/14/97)
David Francis says that the boomer generation isn't worse off than its parents' generation, but James Tyson says that paychecks don't "feel" as substantial.

Remember the big CPI story? (Friday, 3/14/97)
The venerable Consumer Price Index was front-page news for a while. Now, the story has faded, according to the Washington Post. President Clinton has moved plans to revise the CPI to the back burner.

More on physicians and unions (Friday, 3/14/97)
Kevin Galvin writes in today's Chicago Tribune that the thought of joining a union was the last thing on the minds of many physicians, until recently. Also in the Tribune today, John Schmeltzer writes about the third-longest economic expansion in the U.S. this century, but says American spenders are getting behind in their debt management, which is making some people nervous about the future.

Kohl and the coal miners (Friday, 3/14/97)
Edmund Andrews writes about the German Chancellor's efforts to please the country's coal miners. Also in the Times today, New York's Mayor Giuliani faces Capitol Hill critics of college student workfare, and Randy Kennedy writes about the large number of illegal immigrants who are trying to get married before new immigration rules kick in.

Army doesn't want outside investigators (Thursday, 3/13/97)
The Congressional Black Caucus wants a Congressional investigation of the latest chapter in a messy story, but the Army rejects the idea, while another soldier is charged with sexual misconduct at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. Also from Reuters today, NOW criticizes Smith Barney on alleged incidents of sexual harassment and discrimination, the Fed says wage gains are unspectacular, and Republicans plan to try to sell the new welfare law to voters.

Singapore to train more engineers (Thursday, 3/13/97)
The Straits Times reports that two of Singapore's major universities expect to increase enrollment of engineering students by 15 to 20 percent. We've reported during recent days on the shortage of top-level technically trained workers in the U.S., which is helping to ship hi-tech jobs overseas in a global information economy in which geography is becoming increasingly irrelevant.

Salaries up in Israel (Thursday, 3/13/97)
Average Israeli salaries were US$1,557 per month last year, an increase of 1.2 percent in relation to the year before, according to Ha'aretz. These data apply to salaried workers, not all workers.

Pilots strike less likely in Portugal (Thursday, 3/13/97)
Publico reports that the threat of a pilots strike at TAP Air Portugal has lessened as talks continue. Also in Portugal, Diario Economico says that some members of the Portuguese parliament want a new law that would clarify the government's position on restricted work hours. The current law seems subject to alternative interpretations with respect to whether short breaks should be counted as work time.

Growth forecast in Greece (Thursday, 3/13/97)
The Greek government expects the nation's economy to grow by 3.5% this year. Unemployment was at 10 percent last year, and it is expected to decline to 9.7 percent in 1997, according to Kathimerini.

Parties disagree over Italian labor bill (Thursday, 3/13/97)
Italian Labor Minister Treu has proposed a package of work incentives, but the majority parties in the government disagree over whether the bill should become law as it stands. One major issue is whether greater use of part-time workers will be allowed. La Repubblica and other Italian papers have the story this morning.

More African Americans working for themselves (Thursday, 3/13/97)
Nicole Gaouette of the Christian Science Monitor reports on another aspect of the entrepreneurial trend. Also, Daniel Wood tells how a California clinic is trying to cope with the twists and turns of welfare reform, and Judith Matloff writes about the argument over how affirmative action should be interpreted in South Africa.

Report on uninsured children released (Thursday, 3/13/97)
The Children's Defense Fund reports that 1 of 7 American children lack health coverage.

Japanese dock workers strike in response to American pressure (Thursday, 3/13/97)
The U.S. government would like to see the Japanese open up their ports to greater competition, and Japanese dock workers don't like the idea. The Japan Times reports on the one-day nationwide strike that resulted.

Talks to start up again at American Airlines (Thursday, 3/13/97)
The Chicago Tribune reports that the two sides say they'll be talking again this week, but they don't seem to agree on when the talks will start.

Privatizing punishment? (Thursday, 3/13/97)
Apparently based on the assumption that private sector competition can only have benefits, never costs or risks, the privatizing trend continues across North America and Europe. Here's a story about how it may be affecting the operation of prisons.

Glassman says provide incentives for seniors (Wednesday, 3/12/97)
We're not making full use of our potential work force, James Glassman says in his U.S. News column. Stimulate more economic growth by encouraging seniors, he advises. Glassman writes for the Washington Post as well and other publications, and also hosts PBS' "TechnoPolitics." Incidentally, the American economy has been expanding since March 1991. Here's more on that from Louis Uchitelle of the New York Times. Also in U.S. News this time, Paul Glastris tells about the trouble the Republicans have caused for themselves over the immigration issue.

Is it slave labor? (Wednesday, 3/12/97)
Here's a Business Week story about how workers are paid in Cuba and what some critics think about it. Also, here's a graphic summarizing the growing income gap in the United States.

How to be a terminator (Wednesday, 3/12/97)
No, not one of those guys with dark glasses who looks like Arnold Swartzenegger. Maybe more like "Chainsaw Al." Here's a Fortune story about being on the firing line.

Are you an officially certified webmaster? (Wednesday, 3/12/97)
The enormous number of academic degree holders in the United States, compared to virtually all other countries, has been partly a consequence of employers agreeing to hold opportunities hostage to "credentials" in order to benefit the universities with whom they have enjoyed complex, mutually beneficial relationships during much of the post-War period. Universities have acted as "gatekeepers" by taking on the role of "legitimizing" or "certifying" competencies, whether or not this role has been necessary. Now, prepare to be asked if you've been "officially blessed" as a webmaster. The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that various higher ed institutions are setting up degree programs for webmasters. Interesting, in part, because higher ed itself seems to be lagging with respect to the new media, as in a number of other areas of the new economy. Some colleges are still expecting their computer science people to develop their own web sites. In radio and television, you don't turn programming over to the electronics people.

The confusing new math in the welfare-to-work equation (Wednesday, 3/12/97)
Here's a story from The Economist, which also reports on what may become a radically different pension system in Britain. Alexander MacLeod of the Christian Science Monitor discusses this new level of privatizing as well.

The Army harassment stink gets more odoriferous (Wednesday, 3/12/97)
Reuters reports that women who claimed being victims of harassment were pressured to claim they were raped, suggesting that the military culture may be more generally predatory than many people have suspected. Also from Reuters today, another Medicaid plan from some state governors.

Another major change in the new world economy (Wednesday, 3/12/97)
After thousands of years, gold may be losing some of its attraction, a measure of how different the new global economy may really be. Also in today's Christian Science Monitor, Jeremy Lennard writes about poverty and entrepreneurship in Columbia.

Productivity up last year (Wednesday, 3/12/97)
Dave Skidmore writes in the Washington Post about the biggest increase in productivity in four years in the U.S., although still not spectacular. Important, because overall living standards are tied to underlying productivity levels.

The real effect of the CPI on Social Security (Wednesday, 3/12/97)
Jackie Calmes says in today's Wall Street Journal that a change in the Consumer Price Index would only modestly influence Social Security payouts, at least at the beginning.

Next Census to do better (Wednesday, 3/12/97)
Many have claimed that the national Census that is conducted every ten years in the United States has been underrepresenting minorities and the poor. Preparations are now being made to make it more accurate next time by combining sampling with census procedures. The accuracy of the Census is important, among other reasons, because it determines how many Members of Congress will come from various regions and how well represented minorities and the poor will be in the political process. Incidentally, while it's widely believed that attempting to count everybody is more accurate than taking samples, this is not necessarily the case. The principal reason that a Census is still taken in the United States is that modern survey and statistical procedures didn't exist at the country's beginning, and it says in the Constitution that a Census must be taken every ten years.

Korea revises its labor law (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
When the South Korean government tried to quietly push through a new labor law in December, the response was anything but quiet. There were massive demonstrations and strikes in response. Yesterday, the law was modified. Some people are happier, but members of the Federation of Korean Industries aren't among them. Incidentally, recent Korean government data indicate a widening of the wage gap between industries in the country.

Bank extends benefits to domestic partners (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
Bank of America has announced that it will extend health care benefits next year to cover its employees' domestic partners. Also from Reuters this morning, General Motors approaches a strike deadline in Indiana, and the National Association of Manufacturers says employment will hold mostly steady in the American manufacturing sector.

The Citadel drops the other shoe (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
The South Carolina military school has punished several male cadets involved in the hazing of two female cadets earlier. Criminal charges are still possible.

Singapore official may visit Chicago to calm job fears (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
The Singapore Business Times reports that the Singapore prime minister may go to Chicago to reassure workers who are concerned that U.S. investment in Asia will cost American jobs. He thinks it will result in more jobs in the U.S., not fewer.

Illegal employment in Portugal (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
Publico reports that the Portuguese government has found 3,000 cases of illegal employment during two months of raids and investigations. The government has been targeting companies suspected of infringing Portuguese labor laws.

Privatization in Turkey awaits Council approval (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
The Turkish Privatization Administration hasn't met yet as planned in order to approve or disapprove the sale of state assets totaling nearly $900 million. The delay is attributed in part to the death of the daughter of a top official, according to Finansal Forum.

Spanish air traffic controllers slowdown (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
Air traffic controllers in Spain are refusing to work overtime until their labor dispute has been settled. A result may be significant delays at most major Spanish airports through Friday, according to Cinco Dias.

A different perspective on the American economy (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
How the state of the American economy appears depends on your point of view. The Christian Science Monitor's Kurt Shillinger tells how things look to welfare recipients who are trying to move into the job market. Meanwhile, Leonard Inskip writes about some approaches to helping people move from welfare to work in Minnesota.

Managed care losing its sparkle for many (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
William Schwartz writes that persons who expected managed care to deal effectively with health care costs without pain are changing their minds.

Layoffs at Heinz (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
The big food company is restructuring, and it will mean that more than 2,500 jobs will go. Heinz employees 43,000 people.

Some states delaying food-stamp cutoff (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
Christopher Georges writes in today's Wall Street Journal that many states aren't rushing to cut food-stamp benefits. Also in the Journal today, Hal Lancaster says that companies are promising to help their employees plan their careers.

Wealth isn't what some in Russia expected (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
Alessandra Stanley writes in the New York Times about Russian women who find that wealth can be boring and depressing. Researchers in the West have long known that low-grade depression and other "diseases of affluence" are among the unexpected risks of economic privilege. Also in the Times, Iver Peterson says that the Detroit newspaper unions are trying to change their approach, and Raymond Hernandex reports that the New York governor is getting resistance from fellow Republicans on his plans to change the welfare system in the state.

Nationality clause to be abolished in Osaka (Tuesday, 3/11/97)
It appears that municipal employees in Osaka, Japan will no longer need to be Japanese nationals. Here's the story from today's Japan Times.

Current job description for Chief of Police (Monday, 3/10/97)
Want to be a Chief of Police? You'll need a lot of hats to qualify, according to Daniel Wood. Also in the Christian Science Monitor today, Mark Trumbull summarizes current information on the great American job machine. The U.S. economy is the hottest in the world, and many countries in Europe and Asia wish they had America's economic problems rather than their own. Still, fundamental structural changes continue in the U.S. as well as in most other regions, as the new work world continues to evolve on the eve of the 21st century.

Police trainee claims discrimination (Monday, 3/10/97)
A police trainee in Chicago says he was fired because he is homosexual. He's filed suit, according to today's Chicago Sun-Times. Also, the Teamsters and United Parcel Service will begin talks tomorrow.

Is your employer "family friendly?" (Monday, 3/10/97)
Newsday's Patricia Kitchen tells about an organization that is recognizing "family friendly" employers.

Shortage of hi-tech workers (Monday, 3/10/97)
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, an Information Technology Association of America study finds that 1 of 10 jobs requiring information technology skills is going unfilled because of a shortage of qualified people. The report says that there are about 190,000 unfilled information technology jobs in the United States, which, it says, provides another reason for American companies to move jobs overseas. At the same time, there has been a decline in the number of college grads with degrees in mathematics and computer science. There may be a shortage of people with an understanding of technology and its implications among those running colleges and universities too, but the report doesn't say. Here's more information on the Association's study.

Unions shift strategy (Monday, 3/10/97)
Steven Greenhouse of the New York Times tells about how organized labor has changed direction. Also in the Times today, Joe Sexton says that welfare changes are changing everything else in part of Brooklyn, and Elizabeth Kolbert comments on New York's effort to investigate fraud among those claiming homelessness.

Women in the EU earn less (Monday, 3/10/97)
According to Reuters, the European Commission reports that women in the European Union earn an average of one-fifth less than their male counterparts. Women are more heavily represented in low-pay jobs, according to the study, but a survey indicates that they are no less interested in work than men.

New labor law in Korea (Monday, 3/10/97)
The Korea Economic Daily reports that the South Korean parliament will pass a revised labor law today. The current law was passed in December and resulted in massive protests and demonstrations that nearly paralyzed the country. Among other things, the new law will make it easier for companies to fire workers after 1999.

Military training may be an option for unemployed in Australia (Monday, 3/10/97)
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a plan is being considered under which young persons who are unemployed would be given the option of doing military training. Also in Australia today, The Age reports that public transport unions and the government are in conflict, and the government isn't ruling out selling the public transport system. Finally, professionals are warning against a plan to privatize care for the most abused and vulnerable children in Victoria. Australia elected a conservative government last year, and, as in many other countries, there have been strong moves to cut public budgets and privatize state-run operations.

Israeli software companies to subcontract jobs in Egypt (Monday, 3/10/97)
Ma'ariv reports today that talks are underway that could lead to a plan by which Egyptian software companies would subcontract from the Israeli software industry.

Clinton says government will try to hire welfare recipients (Sunday, 3/9/97)
The success of welfare reform in the United States will depend, in part, on whether employers hire people who are coming off welfare, and President Clinton has encouraged employers in the private sector to do their part. He's saying that the federal government will try to help too. Here's the story from Reuters and the Washington Post.

More on the CPI (Sunday, 3/9/97)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune editorializes on the plan to fix the CPI in order to help balance the budget, and Newsday columnist Robert Reno also comments this morning.

A new law and long-term care insurance (Sunday, 3/9/97)
Nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn explains how a new law will affect decisions to obtain long-term care insurance.

On fooling drug tests at work (Sunday, 3/9/97)
Deb Riechmann writes about the great variety of ways people are trying to get by drug tests on the job.

Controversial government program to discourage training new doctors (Sunday, 3/9/97)
We've reported on this before, but here's Spencer Rich's Washington Post story about the Clinton Administration's plan to pay New York hospitals $400 not to train more physicians. The problem is that there are getting to be too many doctors in the United States. However, some think that this amounts to a loony use of public money, and that ordinary market forces will take care of it, if left alone. Also in the Post today, David Osborne and Peter Plastrik tell about the changing role of unions in making government more efficient.

The tough job of preventing workplace violence (Sunday, 3/9/97)
"The whole person goes to work," as the saying goes, so one can expect people to take their domestic problems to work with them too. For a variety of reasons, violence in the workplace is a major problem in an overall violent American society. Carrie Mason-Draffen writes in Newsday this morning about efforts to deal with the problem in Long Island.

The relationship between social status and health (Sunday, 3/9/97)
Being among the "have nots" is hazardous to your health. Here's Richard Shweder's New York Times article on the subject. Also in the Times downsizing in a Maine mill town and what the people are doing about it, scheduling withdrawal of retirement funds, on being an outsider at "coffee time," and the shortage of useful web sites for minority job seekers.

Strong job creation indicated in latest U.S. figures (Saturday, 3/8/97)
Unemployment was down in February. Job creation was highest since early last year. Here's the story from Reuters, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and the New York Times.

Airline union settles civil suit (Saturday, 3/8/97)
A Northwest Airlines union was charged with retaliating against workers in Detroit, and has settled the civil suit.

Education should remain part of welfare reform, writer says (Saturday, 3/8/97)
Lucy Kennedy writes that the key to long-term independence is education. Here are her comments from today's Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Japanese government officials' pay to be cut (Saturday, 3/8/97)
Today's Japan Times reports on the pay reductions coming in Osaka. It is the first time that officials' pay has been cut for nearly 20 years.

Janitors end strike in D. C. (Saturday, 3/8/97)
A five-month janitors strike has ended in Washington, D. C. Frank Swoboda of the Washington Post writes that the agreement will increase wages and provide help to immigrant workers.

Good news and bad news on the Russian economy (Saturday, 3/8/97)
President Boris Yeltsin's health seems to have improved, and he's trying hard to indicate that he's in control and is committed to improving the Russian economy. Toward that end, he has put an assistant in charge who is both effective and unpopular. Also in the New York Times today, safety rules for homeless shelters have been eliminated in New York.

More strength in American economy indicated in latest numbers (Friday, 3/7/97)
Strength in the manufacturing sector is good news for good jobs. Last week's data from the Departments of Commerce and Labor bode well.

Fed criticized on hiring issues (Friday, 3/7/97)
The Federal Reserve is in the news again, but for different reasons this time. Two members of Congress don't like their hiring and promoting record when it comes to minorities and women.

Harassment cases seem to have peaked (Friday, 3/7/97)
Tough responses seem to be helping to deter sexual harassment in work settings. Recent data suggest that the explosive growth in cases has slowed.

SROs get comfortable (Friday, 3/7/97)
Ron Scherer of the Christian Science Monitor tells about new approaches to providing shelter for the homeless. Also in the Monitor today, several authors describe Albert Shanker's legacy, as well as a call to fix the CPI to head off problems because of aging boomers.

Privatizing welfare (Friday, 3/7/97)
Some states are turning over whole sections of their social service organizations to private business, according to today's Washington Post. Also in the Post today, Richard Cohen says all seems calm in Germany, despite an unemployment rate that hasn't been equaled since 1933, which is the year you-know-who came to power, in part because of economic hard times in the country. Also, Roger Boyes reports on the German employment story for the London Times, and Janet Bush reports that the German government is leaving interest rates unchanged partly because unemployment increased again last month.

Pilots talk to American's management next week (Friday, 3/7/97)
Mary Ellen Podmolik reports for today's Chicago Sun-Times. Also, on-campus recruiting is up, according to American universities.

Lifetime job security ending in Japan (Friday, 3/7/97)
Job security may come to be seen as a quaint relic of the "old 20th century." Even in Japan, where workers have signed on for life, things are changing, and fast. Here's the story from Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun

Homeless welfare recipients given time to find housing (Friday, 3/7/97)
Massachusetts Governor Weld has decided to give homeless welfare recipients four months to find housing before they have to begin working for their benefits. Also in the Boston Globe today, Doris Sue Wong reports that many mental patients are ready to leave the hospital, but have no place to go.

Michigan employment service needs work, governor says (Friday, 3/7/97)
The Michigan state government has hired a consulting firm to explore ways that the Michigan Employment Security Agency can be reorganized and improved.

Comp time bill approved in the House (Friday, 3/7/97)
Would you prefer time off to overtime pay? A bill in the American Congress would make it easier for workers to choose. It's been approved by a House of Representatives committee, but not everybody is happy about it. Also in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel today, the head of the transit union is elected secretary-treasurer of the Milwaukee County Labor Council, and a bias suit has been filed against S.C. Johnson & Son Inc.

Anti-Defamation League supports Avis (Friday, 3/7/97)
Avis has been accused of having a policy of discriminating against Jews, but the Anti-Defamation League says they don't believe it..

Citizenship applications pile up, threaten welfare benefits for many (Friday, 3/7/97)
Celia Dugger reports in today's New York Times on a new threat to benefits for immigrants. Also, Bruce Lambert reports that the recently dismissed Adelphi University president is demanding a teaching job with a large salary, and plea bargaining negotiations with a former Texaco executive have fallen through, apparently meaning that he will be indicted in relation to the big discrimination case.

Move toward compromise on labor law changes in Korea (Friday, 3/7/97)
South Korea's opposition and ruling parties apparently are ready to compromise and work together toward a change in the country's labor laws, according to the Korea Herald.

Hong Kong government criticized on social welfare issues (Friday, 3/7/97)
Less than four months before Hong Kong will revert to Chinese rule, the current British administration is being accused of ignoring social welfare problems in the colony, as reported in today's Hong Kong Standard. Also, Patsy Moy reports on the budget's impact on the poor.

Global economy widens wealth gap in Singapore (Friday, 3/7/97)
A higher minimum wage is not the solution, according to a National Trades Union Congress official, who proposes the use of workers' cooperatives to help narrow the gap. Here's the story from the Singapore Business Times.

British government plans vigorous enforcement of EU 48-hour work week (Friday, 3/7/97)
Here's Philip Bassett's story from the London Times. Also, 600,000 victims of a pension scandal await compensation years later, and Paul Wilkinson writes that a woman has won her fight to keep officials from shutting down her business.

Big surge in small businesses started by women (Thursday, 3/6/97)
There are a lot of involuntary or reluctant entrepreneurs in the new economy, given the widespread de-emphasis being given to permanent, full-time jobs with benefits. However, many people are seeing the changes as providing an important opportunity, and women are starting businesses at a rapid rate.

EEOC charges interference at Mitsubishi (Thursday, 3/6/97)
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission doesn't like the way Mitsubishi has been handling things in relation to the big sex discrimination lawsuit. In other news related to bias claims, Avis is denying that it instructed employees to discriminate against Jews, and what used to be Minnesota-based Control Data Corporation has settled an age discrimination suit. Here's that story from Reuters and today's Minneapolis Star Tribune.

A deal may be near at American (Thursday, 3/6/97)
American Airlines says it's ready to settle with his pilots.

Unemployment up in New York City (Thursday, 3/6/97)
Employment is strong throughout most of the American economy, and many regions are experiencing shortages of skilled employees. However, in New York City, unemployment has hit a three-year high.

NAFTA not working, panel says (Thursday, 3/6/97)
A panel in the American House of Representatives opposes expanding NAFTA to include Chile, because it isn't working the way it is, according to them.

Danish retirees benefit from low inflation (Thursday, 3/6/97)
Borsen reports that retired persons in Denmark are finding that their pensions are buying more than was expected. Inflation has been lower during the 1990s than predicted several years ago, so persons on fixed incomes have not lost buying power to the extent they would have.

Government workers to get raise in Turkey (Thursday, 3/6/97)
According to Yeni Yuzyil, the Turkish Ministry of Finance has announced that wage talks have ended, and that government workers will get wage increases between 10 and 30 percent, retroactive to January 1.

More details on plan to abolish state pensions in the UK (Thursday, 3/6/97)
The Conservatives' social services secretary, Peter Lilley, has provided more information about the Conservative government's plan to replace the state-run pension system with a private pension program. Prime Minister John Major says the plan is intended to avoid a crisis that would otherwise come in the middle of the 21st century. It will all depend on the Conservatives winning the next election, of course, and, at the moment, chances appear increasingly slim, so some are questioning the party's timing. It would be the most radical retreat from the British welfare state since the end of World War II. The Financial Times and other papers are following this story closely in the United Kingdom.

Agreement appears near in Spain (Thursday, 3/6/97)
Spain has had relatively inflexible regulations controlling the labor market, and talks have been going on for sometime between unions and employers with the goal of making the system more flexible in order to address employment concerns. The Spanish government has threatened to impose a settlement if one is not reached soon, but Gaceta de los Negocios and other Spanish papers are reporting today that settlement appears to be near.

Proposed law would allow closer checks on benefit recipients (Thursday, 3/6/97)
Sweden's Dagens Nyheter reports that the Swedish government would like to be able to keep closer tabs on people who are claiming social benefit payments to be sure they're entitled to them. A proposed law would allow more home visits, but opponents say it would amount to a permanent search warrant.

Fixing what may not be broken (Thursday, 3/6/97)
The Christian Science Monitor's David Francis says some experts aren't convinced that the Consumer Price Index really needs fixing, or, at least, not in the manner proposed. Instead of overestimating inflation, could it be that it provides an underestimate? Confused yet?

Medicare home visit costs soar (Thursday, 3/6/97)
George Anders and Laurie McGinley report in today's Wall Street Journal that entrepreneurs are benefiting from the boom in Medicare home visits.

Russian workers still not paid (Thursday, 3/6/97)
Economic gridlock continues in Russia, and the Yeltsin government hasn't been able to ensure that workers will be paid. Also in the Washington Post this morning, William Branigin reports on what the Clinton Administration is saying about problems with the naturalization process.

Foster parents get a raise (Thursday, 3/6/97)
Michael Grunwald writes in today's Boston Globe about the end of a long pay freeze for foster parents in Massachusetts.

Job fair in Texas (Thursday, 3/6/97)
More than 2,000 people participate in the big Spring Metro Job Fair in Arlington, Texas. Here's the story from the Forth Worth Star-Telegram.

Newspaper spies? (Thursday, 3/6/97)
Unions say that newspaper employees were paid to spy during the 19-month newspaper strike in Detroit, according to the Detroit Free Press today. The Freep was one of the papers involved in the strike. Also according to the paper, a former Teamsters official has been charged with theft. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that six officers in other unions have been charged with embezzlement in Wisconsin.

The Web as a tool to counter harassment (Thursday, 3/6/97)
Pamela Mendels reports in today's New York Times that some women are using a web site to deal with on-line behavior that is familiar to many women in the workplace.

GAO study finds fraud (Wednesday, 3/5/97)
The General Accounting Office has released the results of a new study that finds widespread fraud in a large U.S. government program for the disabled.

Italian Welfare Commission calls for healthcare and pension cuts (Wednesday, 3/5/97)
Italy is among many European countries presently trying to find ways to cut social spending. Italian papers are reporting on the Welfare Commission's recommendations this morning.

Deal may be close in Spain (Wednesday, 3/5/97)
Representatives of Spanish employers and unions are continuing to talk and may be nearing an agreement on labor law reforms intended to ease the country's high unemployment rate, according to Gaceta de los Negocios.

Matadors resume work (Wednesday, 3/5/97)
Here's the story from Reuters and the New York Times this morning on the end of the Spanish matador strike.

End of state pensions in the UK? (Wednesday, 3/5/97)
Britain's Conservative government has announced that it intends to abolish the state pension program or Serps. According to plans, it would be replaced with a private pension system with compulsory contributions. London's Financial Times reports this morning. An election is coming soon in the United Kingdom, and polls are predicting that John Major's Conservatives will be out and Tony Blair's Labour Party will be in. However, the argument over socialism seems to be over in Britain. Labour has begun to look a bit like the Conservatives, but the public still seems to want a change.

Study says many Danes will work at home in 10 years (Wednesday, 3/5/97)
Politiken reports on a Danish government study that predicts that a quarter million Danes will be working from home within a decade, although many Danish companies apparently are opposed to the trend. Also in Denmark today, Berlingske Tidende says that county budgets are becoming burdened by the increase in the number of reunited immigrant families in the country.

Army accepting more non-grads (Wednesday, 3/5/97)
The U.S. Army is accepting more recruits who have not completed high school, according to the Washington Post this morning. Also in the Post, Stuart Auerbach discusses the cost of health care.

What does the unemployment rate cover? (Tuesday, 3/4/97)
As someone once pointed out, "cover" can mean either "include" or "conceal," and the relatively low unemployment rate in the United States, compared to most other industrial nations, means a little of both. The American economy is creating a lot of jobs, but what kinds of jobs? This particular government statistic, by itself, reveals nothing about the extent to which good jobs are being replaced by poorly paying, temporary, or insecure jobs, and says nothing about the gap between have's and have nots.

Avrum Lank writes in today's Milwukee Journal Sentinel that one must look beyond glib statistics in Wisconsin too, where a low unemployment rate conceals underlying growth problems. Among other government statistics that can't be taken at face value are the Gross Domestic Product and the Consumer Price Index. A high GDP doesn't necessarily indicate overall economic well-being, because it is influenced, not only by a society's productive and creative activities, but also by things like how much is being paid to prison guards or how much goes for drug treatment or to repair vandalized property.

The CPI has been under fire recently, because it is thought by some to overestimate inflation, which also inflates how much is paid out in government benefits. Richard Stevenson of the New York Times reports that President Clinton is trying to make a deal with Congress along those lines. Incidentally, it is not true that one can "prove anything with statistics." There is no satisfactory alternative to using statistics to deal with things which are inherently statistical. One can "prove anything" with statistics only to persons who don't know anything about statistics.

Will China be a threat to American jobs too? (Tuesday, 3/4/97)
China, which is expected to have the world's largest economy within 20 years or so, seems to be following a familiar path in Asia, according to Seth Faison in the New York Times.

Consumer spending up in January (Tuesday, 3/4/97)
American consumers spent more in January, and incomes were up too. However, Marilyn Geewax of the Cox News Service reports that many Americans are also allowing themselves to be buried in an avalanche of plastic.

Tentative agreement at United Airlines (Tuesday, 3/4/97)
Pilots and machinists have tentatively said "okay" to their employer, who seems to be willing to take "yes" for an answer.

Workers accuse machine manufacturer of stalling (Tuesday, 3/4/97)
Het Financieele Dagblad reports that Stork NV, a Dutch company, is negotiating to rescue bankrupt Fokker, a jet manufacturer. Fokker's employees think Stork is stalling and want negotiations to conclude within 24 hours.

How states are trying to help immigrants (Tuesday, 3/4/97)
The new welfare law leaves legal immigrants out in the cold, so many states are trying to help. Skip Thurman explains in today's Christian Science Monitor. Also in the Monitor today, Isabelle de Pommereau reports that Jersey City is welcoming immigrants. Also, Cameron Barr writes that more Japanese are willing to accept help now, and the Monitor editorializes in favor of increases in federally subsidized housing for the poor in order to prevent the creation of more homeless in the United States.

Supremes say okay to sex bias suit (Tuesday, 3/4/97)
Here's the story from today's Minneapolis Star Tribune about a lawsuit brought against Home Depot in 10 states. Also, here's Leonard Inskip's comments on why welfare reformers should learn from a former Minneapolis mayor and Minnesota Congressman.

Plant closing in Belgium just the beginning, unions say (Tuesday, 3/4/97)
Renault has closed a manufacturing plant in Belgium, and unions at the company says it's only the beginning of big job cuts, according to a story in today's Wall Street Journal. Also, Hal Lancaster comments today on why black managers need to emphasize the building of relationships.

Women extend protest in Japan (Tuesday, 3/4/97)
Yesterday was Girl's Day in Japan, and women protesting for equal rights noted the occasion by demonstrating at the Labor Ministry in Tokyo, according to this Japan Times story. Incidentally, not so many years ago, there was only a Boy's Day in the country.

Another newspaper labor conflict (Tuesday, 3/4/97)
This time, it's in Boston. Here's the story from the Boston Globe about what's happening at the Boston Herald. A 19-month newspaper strike was recently settled in Detroit when striking unions declared that they were continuing the fight while essentially giving up.

On the road again, but maybe not for long (Tuesday, 3/4/97)
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram tells about a life-long trucker who's about to park it. For one thing, it's hard to find drivers.

Strike possible at Irish engineering company (Tuesday, 3/4/97)
Today's Irish Times reports that Mackie International, a West Belfast engineering company, has failed to break a deadlock in a pay dispute, and that a strike may be on its way.

Colleges and universities on their way out, Drucker says (Monday, 3/3/97)
Higher education is in deep crisis, according to Peter Drucker in the current edition of Forbes. Drucker says that the cost of higher ed as risen as fast as the cost of health care, but without any discernible increase in quality or relevance. This, plus the hi-tech revolution, which is as fundamental as the invention of the book, is providing far less expensive ways of delivering instructional content. The conventional higher education institution won't survive as a residential institution, he predicts. Now nearing ninety but still producing a new book about every 18 months, management consultant Peter Drucker is one of the most influential intellectuals of the 20th century.

Meanwhile, here's a story about one of the increasing number of persons who have succeeded without going to college at all. In the new economy, the required skill levels have been increasing, but this doesn't necessarily imply increased need for degrees. America probably has produced more degree holders of most types than most other countries put together, but the conditions that gave rise to and supported the national obsession with "credentials" for several decades are rapidly dissolving, and, in the process, contributing to a dramatically new climate for conventional higher ed institutions.

Nearly half of Portuguese workers lack security (Monday, 3/3/97)
Publico reports that nearly half of the 4.25 million people working in Portugal already lack a permanent job with fixed working hours. The government and labor unions in the country are in dispute over making work conditions more flexible and also over the 40-hour work week.

More on the change at the Vienna Philharmonic (Monday, 3/3/97)
Ruth Walker reports in today's Christian Science Monitor on the woman who has been given membership in the orchestra. Also in the Monitor today, a story about how immigrants and others are finding that French comes first in Quebec, and Martin Rutte's "Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work".

Health care change one step at a time (Monday, 3/3/97)
Tom Hamburger writes about President Clinton's incremental approach to changing the health care system after efforts to do it all in one swell foop failed. Also in the Minneapolis Star Tribune this morning, Marjorie Kelly writes about the angry reaction to Ford's gesture toward the UAW at Johnson Controls, and Dale C. Nathan claims that we may see more "Whistle-blower" suits."

Enabling the Disabled (Monday, 3/3/97)
The Washington Post's Jay Mathews writes about how entrepreneurs are responding to the demands of the Disabilities Act and assisting the disabled. Also in the Post today, Fred Barbash tells about the change in political climate in Britain that has Tories and Labour singing from the same page of the hymnal on the eve of a big election. Among other things, Labour has been scrambling to reduce its dependence on British trade unions.

Women demand fairness in Japan (Monday, 3/3/97)
Mayumi Maruyama reports in Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun on a demonstration held yesterday.

Finding ways to stop when working at home (Monday, 3/3/97)
Here's Patricia Kitchen's column from Long Island's Newsday.

Matadors temporarily hang up their capes in Spain (Monday, 3/3/97)
The bullfighters have gone on strike in Spain. Also in the New York Times today, a new book sumarizes the facts on African-American education, New York's mayor will limit severance, an employer legally draws money from a worker's account, the Teamsters challenge some of GE chairman's pay, and James Brooke tells about a group that has been helping women in the American military.

Cohen optimistic about solving harassment problem (Sunday, 3/2/97)
United States Secretary of Defense William Cohen said yesterday that he is confident that the problems that have been plaguing the American military can be solved. Earlier, he indicated that he was opposed to segregating the sexes in military training and service settings.

Administration may form committee to review the CPI (Sunday, 3/2/97)
The Consumer Price Index is the principal means by which inflation is measured in the United States, and, so, helps determine how much federal benefit programs pay out. Recently, many have claimed that the CPI overestimates real levels of inflation, thus inflating payouts as a consequence. The Clinton Administration wants the support of Congress for a plan to set up an independent committee to examine and perhaps change the formula used by the CPI.

Americans reluctant to save (Sunday, 3/2/97)
Americans save less than people in most other industrial countries, and this is causing anxiety about a possible retirement crisis on the horizon. Albert Crenshaw examines the issues. Along similar lines, here's Crenshaw's Washington Post piece about the struggle to gain financial stability faced by the current young generation.

Here's a different missionary story (Sunday, 3/2/97)
Dick Youngblood writes in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune about an "urban missionary" who helps the unemployed and the underemployed. Also in the Strib today, Deb Price's Los Angeles Times commentary about military leaders' need to begin following orders.

More on comp time (Sunday, 3/2/97)
Alice Ann Love reports in today's Washington Post that Congress is taking another look at the upside and downside of taking time off instead of overtime pay.

Complaints against Amtrak (Sunday, 3/2/97)
Harassment and discrimination charges are filed against Amtrak. Diane Lewis writes in the Boston Globe about how being a Pullman porter was once a treasured job for many African Americans. Incidentally, the Pulman company employed a great many blacks from Illinois, where the company was headquartered. The fact that Harvard-trained lawyer Robert Lincoln headed the company for many years earlier this century may have had something to do with it. You may recall that he had a fairly famous father who also played a role in determining the economic status of black Americans.

Workers begin return to Detroit newspapers (Sunday, 3/2/97)
The 19-month newspaper strike in Detroit is over, but former strikers won't be flooding back to work. The papers will re-hire based on seniority, as openings occur, according to today's Detroit Free Press, one of the papers involved.

Info officers on fast track (Sunday, 3/2/97)
Frederick Rose writes in Newsday that chief information officers don't stay in their jobs very long. Also in Newsday today, a look at the role of interior designer, as well as advice for a person whose job offer fell through and a correspondent who is advised to be wary of inflated insurance claims.

Quebec may lose out on immigration investment plan (Sunday, 3/2/97)
Eric Siblin reports in today's Montreal Gazette about a change in an immigration-investor program.

Volunteering can help in career change (Sunday, 3/2/97)
Here's how to use experience as a volunteer to help you explore new career possibilities and get the job you want. Also in the New York Times today, a possible matador strike in Spain, a worker who used marijuana for medical purposes fights dismissal, Alabama coal miners look for alternative work, and Jonathan Fuerbringer asks if you're enjoying your new wealth.

Physician glut threatened (Saturday, 3/1/97)
The supply of physicians is in danger of exceeding demand and cutbacks on medical school enrollments are needed, according to expert testimony in Congress. Here's the story from Reuters and the New York Times.

NAFTA extension should include labor and environmental clauses, union says (Saturday, 3/1/97)
The largest trade union in Chile is pushing for additional protections as a condition of extending the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Clinton wants government to hire welfare recipients (Saturday, 3/1/97)
President Clinton has been insisting that welfare reform will work only if business does its part to provide jobs. He wants to find ways for government to do the same thing. Also in the Washington Post this morning, the Agriculture Secretary is moving to change the climate of discrimination in his agency, and Baltimore-based Monumental Life Insurance Company is being sued for harassment.

Flight attendants threaten strike at United (Saturday, 3/1/97)
United Airlines flight attendants are trying to move contract talks along, and a strike isn't ruled out. Pickets are already appearing.

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