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April 1998
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revolutionary new world economy |
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NewWork News Archives |
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April 1998
Links included were live and functioning at time of publication.
They may not necessarily remain so, and this is not under our control.
Deadline set for ending national strike in Denmark (Thursday, 4/30/98)
Normal activities have been all but shut down by the four-day strike in Denmark. Peter Starck reports that representatives of employers and trade unions have set a Sunday deadline for resolving the matter and getting everybody back to work. Aktuelt reports that negotiations will be held in secret. Also, even though employers are locking out members of the trade and administrative trade union, two large supermarket chains have announced that they will stay open.
One in five Portuguese work in tourism (Thursday, 4/30/98)
Diario Economico reports that a World Tourism and Trade Council study finds that the tourism industry in Portugal will employ slightly more than 20 percent of the population this year.
Some apparently think that IRS should be spelled KGB (Thursday, 4/30/98)
More on the scary stories being told in a U.S. Senate hearing.
Unions will support ANC if... (Thursday, 4/30/98)
According to South Africa's Business Report, the Congress of South African Trade Unions is saying that its support for the ruling African National Congress will depend on the outcome of a presidential jobs summit, in which job cuts and other issues will be discussed.
French businessman wants a delay on 35-hour work week (Thursday, 4/30/98)
The National Assembly will vote on the 35-hour work week in late May, and the plan would not be implemented until the year 2000. However, Bernard Brunhes, who heads a human resource consulting group, says it would be better if business had three years before implementation. Rushing the plan could cause its failure, he says. Les Echos has the story today.
Job stress greater for women doctors (Thursday, 4/30/98)
Here are the results from a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin.
Greece's foreign minister wants to shut down Olympic Airways (Thursday, 4/30/98)
Maria Petrakis reports that, following losses for twenty years, work stoppages this month have resulted in the loss of 65,000 passengers. Workers object to restructuring plans.
Need for "big fixes" called into question (Thursday, 4/30/98)
David Francis looks at Social Security's improved situation and wonders whether a major remodeling project will be necessary.
Nervous business people ask peculiar questions (Thursday, 4/30/98)
The Washington Post's Kirstin Downey Grimsley reports on how regulations and lawsuits are making business people afraid to do nearly anything without first asking for advice. Questions posed to a hot line tell the story.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Hudson Institute (Thursday, 4/30/98)
The Hudson Institute is one of America's leading private research institutions. It was founded by Herman Kahn who also founded the Rand Corporation years earlier, and, in the process, more or less invented the idea of a private "think tank." The Hudson Institute has been a leading force in the study of economic and workforce trends. It published the tremendously influential Workforce 2000 more than ten years ago, as well as its sequel, Workforce 2020, which was published last year. Laurence Shatkin of the Educational Testing Service reviewed Workforce 2020 for BNWW in 1997. Here's a description of the book plus a table of contents from a major on-line bookseller.
More scary stories, and it isn't even Halloween (Wednesday, 4/29/98)
Tabassum Zakaria reports on testimony about the Internal Revenue Service presented at a Senate hearing.
You may have to begin searching for something new to worry about (Wednesday, 4/29/98)
For years, you worried about the deficit, and now it's gone. You've always worried about the IRS, but it may be changing. Then, you worried that Social Security and Medicare were set to go broke. Well, actually, you can keep worrying about those, but the robust American economy has pumped more life into the Social Security system as it stands so that you will have a few more years to worry before the end comes. See, life isn't all disappointment.
Second Harvest study finds millions of Americans need food assistance (Wednesday, 4/29/98)
Marilyn Gardner writes that much of the hunger in America is "invisible," and that welfare reform may increase hunger rather than decreasing it. Also, Joanne Morrison reports that a record number of low-income Americans need housing assistance. The Kansas City Star reports that the income gap is widening, and declining union membership in the United States may be one of the reasons. Finally, access to information and information technology will become an increasingly significant factor in determining the difference between America's "haves" and "have nots." Aaron Pressman reports that Vice-President Gore has announced a program intending to give people in poor schools and poor neighborhoods access to the Internet and also provide on-line tutoring for students. A new web site has been set up to get students together with on-line experts at http:/www.vrd.org.
An historic demographic shift in the making (Wednesday, 4/29/98)
Populations in major industrial countries are getting a lot older. Crispian Balmer writes about what it will mean in most areas of life.
A woman's place is in the House (Wednesday, 4/29/98)
However, the American House of Representatives still seems to have a glass ceiling. Speaking of women and work, Lara Santoro reports on how things are for women in Ethiopia, where the work can be endless.
What poor pay probably means for the care of your children (Wednesday, 4/29/98)
ABC News reports on the wage stagnation among child care workers, which leads to high turnover, which can lead to diminished care for your children. However, when your children are grown, they may offer you a job. Here's USA Today's story about the increasingly common practice of children hiring their parents.
Half of D. C. police have additional jobs (Wednesday, 4/29/98)
The Washington Post editorializes today about the dangers of having so many of the District's police moonlighting.
Skepticism about OSHA's plans for making retail clerks safer (Wednesday, 4/29/98)
A nation awash in firearms is also a nation in which being a retail clerk can be very dangerous indeed. However, many clerks and store owners aren't sure that OSHA's recommendations will help.
Changing the climate of workers' rights (Wednesday, 4/29/98)
Lawyer and author Steven Mitchell Sack emphasizes the need for people to know their rights. The Detroit News asks him about his latest book, The Working Woman's Legal Survival Guide.
Silicon Valley's Green Card workers (Wednesday, 4/29/98)
Their status restricts their mobility, and this can put them at a disadvantage in an industry where the ability to move around can mean the ability to move up. Here's Julia Angwin's story from the San Francisco Chronicle. From the other end of Silicon Valley, the San Jose Mercury News reports that California's governor says he would veto any bill that would increase his state's minimum wage.
Middle manager recovery (Wednesday, 4/29/98)
For several years, middle managers seemed about as popular in major American corporations as government regulators, and their numbers decreased dramatically. Middle managers, that is. Now, though, as the Washington Post's Tim Smart reports in the Kansas City Star, they seem to be making at least a partial comeback.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Fast Company (Wednesday, 4/29/98)
Fast Company is a new kind of business magazine for a new economy, perhaps the first 21st century biz mag, in fact. It began publication in 1995 and is set to go monthly soon. It's smart, innovative, often irreverent, and has won numerous design awards. It was founded by some folks formerly with the Harvard Business Review. All of the articles from its previous editions are available on its web site.
Hoffa cleared to run (Tuesday, 4/28/98)
James P. Hoffa will be permitted to run for the Teamsters presidency again. Here's the story from David Lawsky. Also from Reuters today, a new IRS audit--OF the IRS, that is, not BY it. A very different kind of study from another government agency finds that increases in personal income have exceeded inflation in all fifty states with the exception of North Dakota. Which state has the highest personal income? Connecticut, and it's been this way for more than a decade. Finally, a new report finds that half of the American workforce isn't quite literate enough to get along effectively in the revolutionary new economy.
Portuguese pilots considering summer strike (Tuesday, 4/28/98)
According to Diario de Noticias, the Portuguese Civil Aviation Pilots' Union may conduct a 35-day strike against TAP, the country's state-owned airline, during Expo '98, which opens on May 22. The pilots object to the fact that the airline is "outsourcing" by contracting with other companies for planes and pilots to cover some of its routes. In other airline labor news, pilots and flight attendants at Greece's Olympic Airways have called off threatened strikes, according to Kathimerini.
Some think Florida is too generous (Tuesday, 4/28/98)
Isabelle de Pommereau writes that there is a growing movement in Florida to cut back a bit on paying students' college expenses. Also in the Christian Science Monitor today, Malka Older writes about what it's like to study abroad. Finally, Lee Lawrence reports on the increasing variety of certification programs that can help people make career changes, and more. Meanwhile, today's Minneapolis Star Tribune editorializes today on a solution for the poverty problem: education.
Want a really dangerous job? (Tuesday, 4/28/98)
Okay, become a retail clerk, then. It's one of the most dangerous, according to OSHA, which is issuing new safety guidelines. Also, the Akron Beacon Journal reports that the United Mine Workers is calling for better working conditions in Kentucky's mines following a newspaper report on black lung disease.
Drug shortage feared because of strike (Tuesday, 4/28/98)
Denmark's Central Organization of Industrial Employees yesterday refused to exempt drug deliveries from their strike, according to Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten. Pharmacies and hospitals fear that they may run out of vital drugs. Also in Denmark, Borsen reports that the government is indicating that the country can't afford longer holidays, and, at the same time, expect greater employment, no taxation increases, and repayment of the country's debt.
OECD lukewarm on Japan's stimulus package (Tuesday, 4/28/98)
Japan hasn't received the enthusiastic response it would have preferred from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which apparently feels that the Japanese government should do still more. Sayuri Daimon writes in today's Japan Times about how much of Asia depends on how well Japan can handle its economic problems and move things along. Finally, Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun reports today that unemployment in Japan has hit a postwar high.
Switzerland's lower house supports right to strike (Tuesday, 4/28/98)
The Swiss National Council, the lower house of parliament, has voted in favor of including a provision for the right to strike as well as the right to conduct lock-outs in the nation's constitution. Tages-Anzeiger has the story this morning.
South Africa to accelerate affirmative action (Tuesday, 4/28/98)
The South African government intends to inaugurate a new civil service that includes more vigorous affirmative action policies. Among other things, it is intended that more women and disabled people will be employed, according to Business Report.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: CareerNFOsource (Tuesday, 4/28/98)
CareerNFOsource is a gateway to hundreds of web sites and other resources of interest to professional career counselors, education professionals, and individuals interested in the development of their own careers. The site is selective, well-organized, and easy to navigate. CareerNFOsource comes from author and counseling psychologist Dr. Gary Harr.
"Europe, you are cleared for takeoff" (Monday, 4/27/98)
James Tyson writes that there are increasingly prominent indications that a European recovery is building underlying momentum. He also reports that experts expect the euro to be a mixture of good news and bad news for the American economy.
U.S. population growing at a record rate (Monday, 4/27/98)
Immigration is the sincerest form of flattery, as they say, and nearly two-thirds of America's rapid population growth is occurring because of the flood of people from other parts of the world, not because of a high birth rate, as Brad Knickerbocker reports. Also, David Francis writes about the drive to let immigrants in selectively based on their levels of hi-tech skill. The other period of tremendous immigration occurred from the late 19th century through the early years of the 20th century when the ancestors of a large proportion of America's current population entered through Ellis Island in New York. However, most of those were poor and uneducated.
The check will be in the mail when we get around to it (Monday, 4/27/98)
Doctors, hospitals, and others who are expecting checks from Medicare may have to wait longer than usual. The Clinton administration is slowing payment and also taking other measures intended to save money.
Buying time for 16.65 trillion yen (Monday, 4/27/98)
The big stimulus package will give Japanese leaders some breathing room, but no reprieve, according to the Nando Times. Cameron Barr and Nicole Gaouette explain why you should care, whether you live in Japan or someplace else.
A special kind of entrepreneurism (Monday, 4/27/98)
In this case, it's not a matter of starting a business, but a matter of inventing your job within an existing work organization. Shelley Donald Coolidge explains and also tells how to do it. Mark Trumbull writes that a tight labor market provides such opportunities even for freshly minted college grads who are just entering the workforce for the first time. As usual, many of the Christian Science Monitor's work-related articles are excellent, but their web URLs don't remain current very long. We point to many of their articles anyway, but, if you want to read their originals, you will have to move quickly. Later, you will have to search for them on the Monitor's own site.
A list of top employers in the D.C. region, and how to use it (Monday, 4/27/98)
Steven Ginsberg tells how to find the job you want by making use of the Washington Post's list of the 200 largest employers in the Washington region.
Foreign workers resented in Israel (Monday, 4/27/98)
Tensions have been rising anyway, but, as Doug Struck reports, a recent murder certainly hasn't helped people's attitudes.
Bias in the 'burbs? (Monday, 4/27/98)
Many African American job seekers don't bother looking for work in the suburbs, where they expect to find prejudice and discrimination. Sherwood Ross' story can be found in Newsday this morning. Racial bias isn't the only kind of bias, as the Sacramento Bee's Keith York reports. Persons with disabilities often face an unreceptive workplace as well, despite their ability to contribute. America has great underutilized human resource, and it's mostly because of antiquated societal attitudes.
The continuing squeeze of the American middle-class...or maybe not (Monday, 4/27/98)
There has always been a gap between the "haves" and the "have nots," and the United States has not been the exclusive world center of income and wealth disparity. However, the gap seems to be getting larger, and, in part, it may be because of the nature of the new information economy. Some data indicate that the American middle-class is shrinking, although, in their new book, Prosperity : The Coming Twenty-Year Boom and What It Means to You, Wall Street Journal writers Davis and Wessel claim this is about to change. In part, it will be because members of the middle-class are learning how to make full and effective use of the new technologies in order to boost their own personal productivity, just as business has been doing lately.
Unemployment up in South Korea (Monday, 4/27/98)
South Korea continues the difficult adjustment to its underlying economic realities. Today's International Herald Tribune reports that unemployment reached 6.5 percent in March and is likely to hit 8 percent by the end of 1998.
The call for labor market reforms in Lebanon (Monday, 4/27/98)
Thomas Schellen of the Daily Star explains why so many think reforms are necessary.
Campus recruiters sing the blues in a tough labor market (Monday, 4/27/98)
College grads are in high demand this spring, and the people who are trying to hire them are finding that they don't have the easiest of jobs. Of course, many non-college grads are in high demand too. In technical areas, age and overall education don't seem to be too important, so long as you have tech skills and a steady pulse. We've reported on how some seventeen-year-old high schoolers are being paid as much as $50,000 for their services. At any rate, Stuart Silverstein of the Los Angeles Times reports on corporate efforts to find needed workers on the campuses this spring.
New ethical issues in a new economy (Monday, 4/27/98)
The new technologies make some things easy, whether or not they're right. Here's USA Today's report on "techno-ethics" in the new workplace. In a not altogether unrelated story, the Orange County Register's Michele Himmelberg responds to a correspondent's question about what easily obtainable information can be used as part of a job applicant's background check.
Asia expects to benefit from Japan's stimulus plans (Sunday, 4/26/98)
Japan needs to rev up its own economy for its own reasons, but the new stimulus package is likely to produce benefits for economies throughout the region, according to Sarah Davison's report. The Japan Times has details of the package, as well as a story about the mixed reactions from the experts. Also from Japan today, Asahi Shimbun's Roy Akagawa writes about Tokyo's Ability Garden, a place where people are attempting to increase their worth in a tough job market through retraining.
Shortage of physical therapists disappearing (Sunday, 4/26/98)
For a number of years, there haven't been a sufficient number of physical therapists to meet demand, in part, because university training systems haven't been extensive enough to accept enough of the large number of qualified applicants. In Long Island's Newsday this time, Lisa Doll Bruno tells about the field and how supply and demand are expected to be in balance quite soon. Also from Newsday this morning, the Wall Street Journal's Sue Shellenbarger writes that men and women seem to be getting together on work-family issues.
Now may be a very good time to go for that raise you want (Sunday, 4/26/98)
Philip Longman and Shaheena Ahmad write for U.S News about the tight labor market and what it may mean for you if you feel that you're not being paid what you're worth. Also in U.S. News this time, a handy guide to web sites that you may find helpful if you're looking for work. Meanwhile, the Washington Post's Steven Ginsberg reports that some people are finding the jobs they want from radio ads, as employers move increasingly to the portable broadcast medium in order to reach a large audience.
Looking to Jack Kerouac for career guidance (Sunday, 4/26/98)
Steven Ginsberg of the Washignton Post writes that activities that once might have been interpreted as idleness or irresponsibility may help advance your career in the new economy. Mr. Ginsberg's story comes to you today via the Philadelphia Inquirer.
What a difference a decade makes to Ohio steelworkers (Sunday, 4/26/98)
Uncertainty returns, but, this time, steelworker union members are trying to help create new jobs, rather than trying to protect old ones. David Adams of the Akron Beacon Journal has the story.
Take Your Dog to Work Day? (Sunday, 4/26/98)
Nothing official yet, but Max Jarman of the Arizona Republic reports that the latest idea among some employers who are having difficulty attracting and holding the workers they need is to allow them to bring their pets along. If this isn't evidence that the new economy's really new, we don't know what is.
Homeless recruited for illegal work (Saturday, 4/25/98)
Attorney General Janet Reno says that hiring the homeless to illegally remove asbestos from buildings is a growing problem. Three were charged with doing just that yesterday.
Re-funding of IMF hits another obstacle (Saturday, 4/25/98)
Adam Entous reports that an emergency funding bill will not include the $18 billion for the International Monetary Fund that the Clinton administration wants, if Congressional leaders have their way. Paul Blustein of the Washington Post writes that Administration officials are worried about how the IMF will be able to respond to new crises of the sort that it has helped bail out in Asia during recent months.
The Teamsters' new president might be "un-fancy" Hall (Saturday, 4/25/98)
Ken Hall says he's not charismatic or flashy, but wants to be President of the Teamsters anyway. He's a fresh face, at the very least. Here's Frank Swoboda's story about him.
Some eastern Germans losing confidence in Kohl (Saturday, 4/25/98)
Things haven't turned out the way many living in the former East Germany expected. At the time of reunification, West Germany was an economic powerhouse, and many expected prosperity in the eastern region of the country as well. However, the costs associated with reunification came at about the same time that Germany began struggling to make the transition from an old-era industrial economy to the new global information economy. William Drozdiak reports on how things look from the perspective of voters in Magdeburg during Chancellor Kohl's campaign for a fifth term.
Slump in China bring calls for a "new deal" (Saturday, 4/25/98)
Franklin Roosevelt might be surprised at how far his influence has extended. The world's largest country is experiencing slowed economic growth at a very bad time, and many feel that, like neighboring Japan's economy, a major stimulation effort is needed. Some analysts are calling for China's very own "new deal" along lines put into place in the United States many years ago.
Northwest Airlines' annual meeting picketed (Saturday, 4/25/98)
Tensions between labor and management at Northwest Airlines seem to be escalating. About 200 workers picketed the company's annual meeting in New York City.
Japan moves to pump up its economy (Friday, 4/24/98)
Edwina Gibbs reports that Japan has announced its largest-ever stimulus package. Meanwhile, Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun reports that the Japanese government has responded to pressures to delay the target for reducing the country's deficit by two years. Also in Japan, a slump in auto sales has caused four major Japanese car companies to reduce the number of part-time workers they've been employing. Asahi Shimbun also editorializes today about the fate of Asia's workers, as several Asian economies attempt to get their economic houses in order. Finally, a report from the Asian Development Bank says that the world's economy is still threatened by crises in Asia, although some of the worst-hit Asian economies should be getting back on their feet by next year.
Clinton pushing for child care help for working parents (Friday, 4/24/98)
The President is pushing Congress to give tax credits to working parents, but he seems willing to compromise in order to get a deal.
More on the resurgence of history's most primitive and persistent institution (Friday, 4/24/98)
George Lardner Jr. reports that 16 people have been charged with what amounts to slavery. At the same time, America's Attorney General has announced a task force to combat slavery in the new economy.
Major strike could happen in Denmark beginning Monday (Friday, 4/24/98)
Politiken reports that more than a half million workers voted yesterday. The results will be released at 3 PM today. Mediators have no authority to postpone a strike further.
Political fund raising down at the Teamsters (Friday, 4/24/98)
The Teamsters' PAC has been drooping, in part because of a year of scandal and bad PR.
Report says effect of trade reforms threatened by rising labor costs (Friday, 4/24/98)
South Africa's Business Day reports that the World Trade Organization is concerned about the country's competitiveness because of rising labor costs resulting in part from a shortage of skilled workers. Also in South Africa, the National Union of Mineworkers is planning to protest the continuing firing of workers despite the saving of about 7,000 jobs since a February meeting between representatives of gold mining companies and organized labor.
Vehicle accidents are number one in work-related job deaths. You may be surprised by what's number two (Friday, 4/24/98)
Homicides now account for more job-related deaths than anything else except accidents involving motor vehicles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, another report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health indicates that work-related deaths are down somewhat overall.
What the dream factories mean to California (Friday, 4/24/98)
When you think of factory towns, places like Detroit might most readily come to mind. However, don't forget Hollywood, where film factories have cranked out productions daily since at least 1915. The feature film, television, and TV commercial industries generate nearly $28 billion dollars yearly, and directly employ almost a quarter million people. Okay, pop quiz--how many feature films were produced in California in, say, 1996? A couple dozen, maybe? No, it was 572, according to the Motion Picture Association of America's report. In addition, of course, there were tons and tons of television shows plus megatons of commercials. It all means major employment for a state whose economy ranks high among those of the world's countries.
Silicon Valley not slumping, despite widely publicized layoffs, experts say (Friday, 4/24/98)
One of the defining attributes of the new economy is a continual churning, with many things, including contradictory things, going on at once. For instance, it's easy to find examples of layoffs within industries where other companies are having difficulty finding enough people. This seems to be the case with the hi-tech industries. The San Francisco Chronicle's Jonathan Marshall reports on goings on in that region between San Francisco and San Jose which probably has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies per square foot on the planet. Also in California, M.S. Enkoji of the Sacramento Bee writes that a welfare-to-work program is getting resistance from unions in Sacramento County.
Gender pay gap has closed a bit, but women are still paid less than men overall (Friday, 4/24/98)
The Equal Pay Act was signed into law thirty-five years ago, but women who work outside the home still make about 74 percent of what men earn, on the average. A Los Angeles Times story on this topic comes to you today via Long Island's Newsday.
Medicare lost $20 billion to fraud and waste last year (Friday, 4/24/98)
Here are the results of an audit from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Go slow? No, no, no, says Northwest Airlines (Friday, 4/24/98)
While time lapse photography may be required in order to detect movement in some work settings, Northwest Airlines' claim that workers have deliberately slowed down is disputed, but firings and suspensions have occurred anyway, according to this Minneapolis Star Tribune report from Tony Kennedy. It's all part of an increasingly rancorous relationship between the airline and its unions that goes back to the early 1990's. Speaking of firings, Ford Motor Company has fired four workers because of racial and sexual harassment, according to the Chicago Tribune.
A temp firm for older workers (Friday, 4/24/98)
Katherine Spitz of the Akron Beacon Journal reports on what might be the only firm of its kind in the United States, and it seems to fill an important niche.
If you're reading this at work, say hello to your daughter. If your son's there, say hello to him too (Thursday, 4/23/98)
Today is "Take Our Daughters to Work Day" in the United States. It's an effort to help girls become familiar with and develop confidence about the work world. However, the program hasn't been without its critics. Some say boys should be included, while many educators wish that the girls' day would be held in the summer so that they wouldn't have to miss school.
High court hears arguments in sexual harassment case (Thursday, 4/23/98)
Arguments were heard yesterday in a case that could have broad implications. Here's Joan Biskupic's story from today's Washington Post, as well as some commentary from Robert Marquand of the Christian Science Monitor, who expects that the Court may decide that Kimberly Ellerth should be able to sue, even though her career was not influenced as threatened. In other action, the Supreme Court upheld a 1952 immigration law yesterday, but not unanimously.
Bank of Italy head wants welfare and pension cuts (Thursday, 4/23/98)
In general, the governor of the Bank of Italy likes the three-year economic plan that's brewing up in his country, but thinks still more structural reforms have to be included, including further welfare and pension cuts. Corriere della Sera has the story today.
New employment plan in Germany (Thursday, 4/23/98)
Germany officially released its plans for increasing employment with a generally unenthusiastic response from German trade unions. Here's the story from the Irish Times.
Managers seem to be back in fashion in France too (Thursday, 4/23/98)
During recent days, we've reported that, after years of downsizing and the almost complete elimination of the middle manager role in some work settings, managers are back in demand in the U.S. Similarly, Les Echos reports that nearly 38,000 management positions were created in France last year. Demand for managers in French companies is expected to be even stronger this year, when, one way or another, over 200,000 management positions will be filled. Also, French truck drivers have been left stranded on both sides of the channel by the strike of seaman and dock workers at the port of Calais. Strikers have ended their blockade, but large numbers of trucks are still backed up with no place to go, according to London's Financial Times.
GAO nervous about shifting Social Security to the stock market (Thursday, 4/23/98)
For some, it seems hard to remember that the stock market doesn't always go up, up, up, but, instead, sometimes comes down, down, down. The General Accounting Office points out some of the risks in its report to Congress.
Job cuts at National Semiconductor (Thursday, 4/23/98)
While many American hi-tech companies are experiencing a shortage of technically trained workers, others are laying off some of the same kinds of folks. For example, National Semiconductor will cut 1,400 jobs.
Gore massages part of his political base (Thursday, 4/23/98)
Vice President Al Gore may or may not be the next President of the United States, but, if that happens, it will probably be at least in part because of support from American organized labor. In return, he has reiterated his commitment to the unions.
News that may not be news to you (Thursday, 4/23/98)
Here's more on that survey showing the relationship between job satisfaction and overall quality of life, as well as some of the things that seem to contribute to the satisfaction people experience on the job. Data were gathered last year by the Families and Work Institute.
Where many of the young are looking for work in Japan (Thursday, 4/23/98)
Smaller firms are becoming more popular among young Japanese job seekers. Many also seek employment with foreign companies. Yoshiko Matsushita explains why in this Christian Science Monitor article. Also in the Monitor today, Marilyn Gardner writes about some company plans that include benefits for the older members of your family. Ms. Gardner also writes about what the very low pay of child care workers says about our attitudes toward them and our children.
Jobless claims up in the U.S. (Thursday, 4/23/98)
The latest data from the United States Department of Labor show an increase in first-time claims for jobless benefits. It's the highest in two months, but, still, may be part of the ripples, not waves or tides.
Grandparents to the rescue (Thursday, 4/23/98)
Paying for college is becoming more and more an extended family responsibility, according to this story that tells how grandparents are trying to help.
Unions still fighting layoff agreement in South Korea (Thursday, 4/23/98)
South Korea's new president made a deal with his country's Confederation of Trade Unions in January, and many unions still don't like it. They want to see the agreement turned around. Here's the story from Europe's International Herald Tribune.
Hardship sucks the energy out of Russian workers (Thursday, 4/23/98)
Many workers in Russia haven't been paid regularly for a long time, and some observer's, including Princeton's Steven Cohen, have even talked about the "de-industrialization of Russia" that may be going on. Still, organized protests haven't drawn much support lately. Stephanie Baker reports for Radio Free Europe.
The abused children of Asia (Wednesday, 4/22/98)
Amnesty International has issued a grim report on the "litany of abuse" of children in Asia, and it blames South Asian governments for a lot of it. Sweatshops and child labor are only the beginning, according to the report. This is one area in which the new economy looks quite a lot like the old, although there is evidence of an increase in some of the worst abuses, including an apparent resurgence of slavery in some regions of the world.
Arguments in harassment case at the Supreme Court today (Wednesday, 4/22/98)
James Vicini reports that this case gives the Supreme Court an opportunity to sharpen the definition of what "sexual harassment" on the job means.
What do Singapore and the U.S. have in common? (Wednesday, 4/22/98)
They have the most competitive economies in the world, according to latest report from the Lausanne International Institute for Management Development.
More than you may be comfortable knowing about sweatshops (Wednesday, 4/22/98)
Long Island's Newsday reports on the new Smithsonian Institution's exhibit on sweatshops. It's controversial, they say, and is called "Between a Rock and Hard Place: A History of American Sweatshops, 1820-Present."
How's volunteerism doing in the U.S.? (Wednesday, 4/22/98)
Remember the big volunteerism summit in Philadelphia last year? A lot of famous people put their prestige behind a move to encourage Americans to take up the slack left by government's retreat from social welfare in the United States. Here's a report on how things are going long after the story left the front pages. Also in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune today, more on why some educators wish tomorrow's Take Your Daughters to Work Day weren't tomorrow, as well as a report on labor unrest and its consequences at Northwest Airlines.
"Give us your educated, your skilled, your technically sophisticated" (Wednesday, 4/22/98)
An influential Republican in the United States House of Representatives weighs in on the controversy over whether immigration law should be changed to give priority to persons the American hi-tech industry needs. Today's Washington Post has some editorial thoughts on the subject. Also, William Branigin reports on a new green card that is supposed to be harder for counterfeiters to fake.
Gore wants to untie the hands of federal workers (Wednesday, 4/22/98)
More flexibility for people on the front lines is needed, says the Vice-President.
Who's growing and who isn't (Wednesday, 4/22/98)
Bhushan Bahree reports in today's Wall Street Journal that the economies of eastern Europe seem to be poised for acceleration, but Russia still seems stuck in the mud. Also, Ian Johnson writes that China isn't meeting its growth goals, and this may delay the massive restructuring that the Chinese government has planned. They'll be under greater pressure to try to stimulate their economy, says Mr. Johnson.
Australian dock workers' dispute reaches out to North America (Tuesday, 4/21/98)
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union is calling for a boycott to protest what it sees as an effort to break the Maritime Union of Australia. In Australia itself, Bettina Arndt has more on reports that women have stopped moving into the Australian workforce in large numbers.
Lawsuit filed against Nike (Tuesday, 4/21/98)
A suit filed in San Francisco has to do with sweatshop conditions that Nike allegedly maintains in various Asian countries where many of its products are produced.
Schools want your daughters' attention too (Tuesday, 4/21/98)
Take Our Daughters to Work Day is Thursday, and, though not wanting to seem negative, some schools really don't want any part of it. Here's why. Also from the Nando Times today, corporate leaders meeting in London say that big companies must give higher priority to human rights.
Symbols, appearances, and realities in academe (Tuesday, 4/21/98)
A new Carnegie Foundation report is critical of some of America's most "prestigious" universities when it comes to their treatment of undergraduates. Most may not be getting what they're paying for, according to the Carnegie study. In another story that brings OC disorder to mind, Mark Clayton of the Christian Science Monitor writes about a young man who has completed five bachelor's degrees. It all reminds that, with sufficient commitment, one can still obtain an excellent education for nothing at the public library while learning from many of history's greatest teachers--so long as one is really interested in substance as opposed to symbols, that is. It also reminds that a large proportion of history's most creative, productive, and influential scholars have not gone to college and have not had any "degrees" at all. Disinterested observers might be forgiven for suspecting that the American academic culture, which routinely generates more degree holders than all of the rest of the world combined through all of history, may have learned more from the popular culture than the pop culture has learned from it. Many academics seem to be suffering from some of the kinds of things that genuine education is intended to help students overcome, while the new economy increasingly shifts its attention away from "credentials" and toward genuine competencies. What can all those degrees possibly mean?
First things first, and the first should be Social Security, sez White House official (Tuesday, 4/21/98)
White House budget director Franklin Raines says that fixing Social Security should have priority over any other plans for spending a surplus, no matter how large.
Workplace hazards and the health of children (Tuesday, 4/21/98)
Children with brain tumors are more likely to have parents who worked in the chemical or electrical industries before the child's birth, according to a new study.
Why Japan's economy isn't growing (Tuesday, 4/21/98)
Here's one reason, according to Sandra Sugawara of the Washington Post: Japan's safety net is still largely intact. However, Todd Zaun of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that some changes in the corporate culture do seem to be occurring. Also in Japan today, Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun reports on a temporary suspension of the strike against All Nippon Airways.
Don't throw away that biz school application quite yet (Tuesday, 4/21/98)
Middle managers are coming back, according to Tim Smart.
Unemployment up in Hong Kong (Tuesday, 4/21/98)
Joblessness has reached its highest level in two years in the former British colony. Here's the story from Europe's International Herald Tribune.
What may make NAFTA seem like a small thing (Monday, 4/20/98)
President Clinton and leaders from 33 other Western Hemispheric countries are trying to work out the details in what could become the largest free trade zone on the planet. Here's the story from the New York Times via today's Minneapolis Star Tribune. Also in the Strib today, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Carol Smith reports that University of Washington psychologists are trying to develop tests to help identify people who thrive in workplace pressure cookers. Ronald Bosrock discusses the difficulties faced by journalists in doing a really adequate and balanced job of covering the revolutionary new world economy. We've been aware of the need for a different kind of reporting for some time, incidentally. Finally, Carin Rubenstein doesn't agree with the new study that says fathers are spending a lot more time contributing around the house. Depends on whom you ask, she says.
This is Secretary's Week in the U.S. (Monday, 4/20/98)
As we've reported recently, studies indicate that there has been a tremendous reduction in the number of secretaries in American work life, or, at least, in the number of workers who are called "secretaries." It may be that many are being referred to by different titles. At the very least, we can be sure that the role has changed. Martin Moylan of the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes about the tremendous impact of high-technology on what secretaries actual have to know and be able to do in the new economy. Also, Randi Feigenbaum of Long Island's Newsday writes today about the new book by George-Anne Fay, Will the Real Boss Please Stand Up. Secretaries and administrative assistants certainly haven't gotten less important, according to the noted author and seminar leader.
Big increase in corporate/university partnerships (Monday, 4/20/98)
Computerworld reports that a new survey shows that about 40 percent of large corporate training units are expecting to develop partnerships with universities this year. The corporations will encourage universities to develop specialized degree programs tailored to the needs of particular businesses. Also, by the year 2000, more than half of these programs are expected to be delivered through hi-tech channels such as the Internet.
On the current state of harassment law (Monday, 4/20/98)
The Christian Science Monitor's Francine Kiefer examines current legal definitions of sexual harassment on the job. The Washington Post's Joan Biskupic also examines the issues and how a current case being heard by the Supreme Court may have broad implications. The law's the law, of course, and the judge threw out the Paula Jones case because of the way the current law is written. Some are concerned that it may mean that even the most offensive behavior won't qualify as harassment unless it's repeated. Given conventional dictionary meanings of the word "harassment," it does seem to be a stretch to expect a single instance to qualify. Maybe what we really should be talking about is broadening the meaning of "assault," which doesn't have to be repeated in order to be a crime.
The Social Security "crisis" can be exaggerated, writer says (Monday, 4/20/98)
In fact, the American Social Security system really isn't in a crisis at all, despite what you've heard. At least, according David Francis, who regards current plans to privatize the system to be quite risky. Speaking of bad ideas, today's Washington Post editorializes in opposition to a planned constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress in order to raise federal revenue.
German FDP calls for tax cuts to create jobs (Monday, 4/20/98)
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports that Germany's Free Democratic Party is calling for a tax cut of US$17.7 billion in order to stimulate job creation. The FDP is the junior partner in Germany's ruling coalition. Also in Germany, Die Welt reports that Jacques Santer, President of the European Commission, speaking at the Hanover Trade Fair, has called for European industry to encourage more entrepreneurship in order to cut unemployment. Finally, Die West also reports today that physicians in the former East Germany are demanding higher pay. They say they're paid less than their counterparts in western Germany, and patient care could suffer if parity isn't achieved.
Damages sought by former Japanese workers at American naval base (Monday, 4/20/98)
There were exposed to asbestos, which caused lung disease, they claim. Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun has the story today.
Spanish power company to cut jobs (Monday, 4/20/98)
Iberdrola SA is the second-largest power company in Spain, and it plans to cut its staff by more than 2,000 by the year 2004. Expansion has the story today.
Thursday is "Take Our Daughters to Work Day," and the controversy resumes (Monday, 4/20/98)
Amy Gage says that girls need their own day, but many still find the idea to be discriminatory.
Zenith to cut hundreds of additional jobs (Monday, 4/20/98)
You may not realize it, but Zenith Electronics Corporation stay makes TV tubes, but they aren't able to make and sell nearly enough of them in their plant near Chicago to compete with the tough competitors from other areas of the world. So, the company will lay off 388 workers. At one time, Zenith was one of the premier leaders in the new radio and television industries, but that was in the old economy. They also made personal computers for a while, but found the competition in that industry to be equally brutalizing.
That big Texaco bias case isn't quite ended (Monday, 4/20/98)
Two former Texaco executives are going on trial beginning today for allegedly destroying documents.
Number of Australian women entering the workforce stops increasing (Monday, 4/20/98)
Bettina Arndt writes in today's Sydney Morning Herald that more women are delaying their careers now in order to stay home with their children. It represents a reversal of a recent trend.
The hazards of being middle-aged (Monday, 4/20/98)
The Boston Globe's Margaret Morganroth Gullette writes that if you're not quite young anymore, you may find yourself a victim of a new kind of age discrimination in the workplace. Well, maybe it isn't all that new, but it's pervasive, according to her report.
More on the argument over the tech skills shortage (Monday, 4/20/98)
Is the shortage of technically trained people really as bad as the hi-tech companies claim, or is something else going on? Here's some perspective on the question of whether immigration laws should be relaxed for those with tech expertise from Peter Behr of the Washington Post, as well as from this New York Times story via the San Jose Mercury Times, which publishes right from the heart of California's Silicon Valley. Meanwhile, Robert Bellinger says that layoffs at some of the biggest tech firms may mean that the hiring boom has crested anyway.
How "welfare-to-work" is doing in Missouri and Kansas (Monday, 4/20/98)
Not so badly, according to this report from the Kansas City Star. In fact, many other states can look to the heartland for leadership.
A year after the plant closed, former workers still struggling (Monday, 4/20/98)
The Akron Beacon Journal reports on how things are going a year after the closing of the Volvo plant in Orrville, Ohio. Many former workers are still experiencing hard times.
Forget the ceiling; where's the door? (Sunday, 4/19/98)
Val Brickates reports on the growing number of women who are becoming entrepreneurs. More new businesses are being started by women in the United States now than by men.
The boomers are coming! The boomers are coming! (Sunday, 4/19/98)
Social Security needs to be protected from the rapidly advancing baby boomer generation, according to Republican Senator Rick Santorum.
The good news about supporting your workers (Sunday, 4/19/98)
Steven Ginsberg reports on how employers can help employees and help themselves as a consequence. Also in the Washington Post this morning, Judith Havemann writes that several states are passing up money from the feds for welfare-to-work programs.
Communities with a shortage of jobs, not workers (Sunday, 4/19/98)
The news about how well the American economy is doing overall, plus the daily news about spot labor shortages, can easily distract attention from parts of the country that have a different problem. For instance, Hawaii has not been sharing in the big American boom. Also, Mike Meyers reports on some smaller Minnesota communities that could use more jobs, and they're probably not alone.
Miscalculation on South Korea (Sunday, 4/19/98)
An internal paper indicates that the International Monetary Fund underestimated the scope and depth of South Korea's economic problems. Also, here's news of violence in the country, as striking workers protest layoffs.
Educated Latinos sought by American companies (Sunday, 4/19/98)
Work visas are widely sought for workers who don't fit the stereotype, according to the Antanta Journal-Constitution's Marilyn Geewax.
French cauliflower farmers to get help (Saturday, 4/18/98)
Prices have been falling, and cauliflower farmers in France have been hurting. About 1,500 of them have been blockading a major thoroughfare to show their displeasure and emphasize their need for governmental help. They've called off their protest now that France's agriculture minister has promised that help will be on the way.
More workplace violence (Saturday, 4/18/98)
One person is dead following a shooting in a suburban Dallas post office.
CoreStates Financial Corporation to pay up to correct inequities (Saturday, 4/18/98)
Women and minorities at the company haven't been getting the pay to which they've been entitled, according to U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis Herman. The company will pay $1.5 million as part of an agreement to correct the situation. Elsewhere, a fine against the Tennessee Valley Authority has been canceled after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission decided that the TVA was not guilty of discrimination after all.
Flu shots a good idea for workers (Saturday, 4/18/98)
Both employees and employers benefit from on-the-job vaccination programs, according to a new study. Workers who have received flu shots miss less work because of illness. Speaking of illness on the job, another study finds that mold and dust in work settings increases the likelihood that workers will develop interstitial lung disease.
Nursing home company cuts jobs (Saturday, 4/18/98)
David Hilzenrath of the Washington Post reports that Manor Care Inc., which operates nursing home and other facilities in the greater D. C. region, will cut about 100 jobs, mostly at its headquarters.
Pilots who teach may go out on strike (Saturday, 4/18/98)
Fifty-six pilots who teach other pilots have not been able to reach agreement with Boeing, so a strike is a possibility. If it happens, delivery of a lot of the company's planes could be delayed.
Who's reading your mail? (Saturday, 4/18/98)
Here are some editorial comments from the Washington Post on e-mail in the workplace, and on privacy. Basically, you don't have any, so watch what you say.
More evidence that Americans are working longer, harder (Saturday, 4/18/98)
If you've been a little more irritable on the job, it may be because you're skipping lunch. Here's news about what recent surveys have been finding.
Guess who has the hottest economy of them all (Friday, 4/17/98)
Ireland's economy grew at a rate of 10.5 percent last year. In times past, many of the Irish went elsewhere seeking economic opportunity and a better life. Now, many of them are coming home for the same reasons.
Strikes continue in Japan and South Korea (Friday, 4/17/98)
Here's today's Japan Times story on the strike at All Nippon Airways, while striking workers at South Korea's troubled Kia Motors renew their vow to prevent a government sell-off of the company. In other labor news, a settlement at Mork Clinics in the Twin Cities, and an increasingly divided Australia over the big waterfront dispute in that country.
Child care worker turnover bad for kids, according to report (Friday, 4/17/98)
A hot job market is attracting a lot of child care personnel to other lines of work, and it's putting child development at risk, according to Maya Blackmun of the Oregonian.
More good news about women entrepreneurs (Friday, 4/17/98)
Women are starting their own businesses in record numbers, and they're also better to work for than many of their own former employers, according to a new report. Meanwhile, business owners in the Kansas City area are pledging to do their part to make workers out of many women who are presently welfare recipients, and Loyall Solomon of the Savannah Morning News reports on the strong turnout at a newspaper-sponsored job fair, despite a hot local job market.
UAW gaining members again (Friday, 4/17/98)
The United Auto Workers had been losing members. Now, things are turning around. Here's the story from Dave Phillips of the Detroit News.
A call for an academic revolution (Friday, 4/17/98)
The Sydney Morning Herald's Leonie LaMont and Stephanie Raethel report on a controversial plan to change the way Australian universities conduct their affairs, and the government is considering it. Meanwhile, in the U.S. many job-seeking graduates are finding that employers are suddenly becoming more interested in their school transcripts.
Spanish labor minister says no shorter work week without wage cuts (Friday, 4/17/98)
According to a Graceta de los Negocios story, Labor Minister Arenas says that a move to reduce the work week in Spain without a corresponding cut in wages would make the country less competitive and hurt job growth. Some other European countries have been considering a reduction in the work week to 35 hours, most notably France and Italy. In Germany, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports that the Christian Democratic Union Party wants to fight unemployment by cutting taxes and creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs. Also, the paper reports that construction workers in western Germany have agreed to a 1.5 percent wage increase, retroactive to April 1.
Fathers "lifting a finger" after all (Friday, 4/17/98)
The Christian Science Monitor's editors are saying that they knew it all the time: working men are doing more around the house, and the new report from the Families and Work Institute confirms it.
Resistance to OSHA's new enforcement plan (Friday, 4/17/98)
Cindy Skrzycki writes about the furor over OSHA's Cooperative Compliance Program. At least, that's what the government agency is calling it. We probably shouldn't say what some others are calling it. Also from the Washington Post today, Steven Pearlstein writes that the IMF is responding to criticism arising out of the Asian economic crisis by insisting on an "early warning system."
More anger in France (Friday, 4/17/98)
In addition to its record unemployment and a range of other problems, France has some very unhappy cauliflower farmers. Western European agriculture has been heavily subsidized during most of the post-war period. Now, the squeeze is on as governments try to get their deficits under control and position themselves for participation in a more economically integrated Europe. Neighboring Germany also has high unemployment. France has been the more agricultural of the two, Germany the more industrial during the decades since World War II. Both are struggling to make a smooth transition into the revolutionary new world information economy.
ILO wants to head off social disasters in Asia (Friday, 4/17/98)
The International Labor Organization, an agency of the United Nations, wants to see the development of a "safety net" to help prevent social unrest in the Asian countries that have been in economic crisis during recent months. The story comes from Paris' International Herald Tribune.
What makes workers loyal? (Thursday, 4/16/98)
It's how they're treated more than the money, according to the results of a major new study. Okay, show of hands--how many find this surprising? Here's more from the same study on how fathers are getting more involved at home.
Japan finds G7 worried but not particularly helpful (Thursday, 4/16/98)
The world's largest industrial nations, meeting in Washington, continue to be concerned about the Japanese economy and would like to see the Japanese do more to pump things up. Takashi Horie of Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun reports that Japan's fellow G-Sevens are pushing for fairly ruthless reforms to get the huge Japanese economy going and to avoid a deep recession, the effects of which would likely radiate in all directions. Meanwhile, David Hamilton reports in today's Wall Street Journal that Tokyo has revised its output forecasts downward, so things are looking worse than they were a few weeks ago, perhaps making the need for additional action more urgent.
Not necessarily the unkindest cuts of all, but cuts, nonetheless (Thursday, 4/16/98)
Two companies, among the leaders in their respective industries, are cutting jobs. Converse is cutting about 2 percent of its workforce, while Silicon Graphics will slice about 10 percent of its jobs. Overall, the strong American economy continues to churn with cuts in many companies at the same time other companies are experiencing growing worker shortages.
American elderly migrating to less costly HMOs (Thursday, 4/16/98)
George Anders writes in today's Wall Street Journal about how a less generous Medicare system is affecting the elderly. Some HMOs are more frugal than others, he says, and they're attracting older Americans.
Strike threatened at South Korean auto company (Thursday, 4/16/98)
Struggling Kia Motors Corporation in South Korea is a takeover target, and unionized workers say they'll walk out if the government lets a takeover happen. In other labor news, teenage workers at an Ohio McDonald's restaurant are on strike and have joined the Teamsters, while an Australian court issues an injunction banning picketing at Darling Harbour. It's the latest in the lengthy conflict at Australian ports. Here's the story from Anne Davies, Tim Jamieson, and Helen Trinca of the Sydney Morning Herald.
Inflation waaaaay down in Israel (Thursday, 4/16/98)
A 0.1 percent rate during the first quarter barely shows up on the radar screen. Here's the story from today's Jeruselum Post.
Employees to run some hospitals in Turkey (Thursday, 4/16/98)
Hurriyet is reporting that the Turkish government is turning over management of some state-owned hospitals to their employees as part of an effort to cut losses and streamline the social security system.
Leaders oppose relaxing immigration rules to help farmers (Thursday, 4/16/98)
Silicon Valley companies want a relaxation of immigration rules in order to let more workers with hi-tech skills into the U.S. Many American farm employers have a similar problem and have been urging a similar solution. However, the latter, at least, are getting no encouragement from at least two of President Clinton's cabinet members. In other news involving the American Immigration and Naturalization Service, something odd seems to be going on, and the INS is looking into it. It appears that some adoption agencies have been bringing pregnant Russian women into the U.S. for the purpose producing children for adoption. One major incentive seems to be that children born in the U.S., under whatever circumstances, are U.S. citizens.
Unions claim that tobacco companies target blue-collar workers, but judge throws out suit (Thursday, 4/16/98)
This lawsuit was filed in Florida, but there are many similar suits throughout the country. Observers are waiting to see how the federal judge's ruling in this case will affect the others.
South African job reductions mostly because of restructuring plus economic slump (Thursday, 4/16/98)
The South African economy has slowed down and many companies are also restructuring. These factors seem to be responsible for most of the job cuts that are occurring, according to a survey conducted by Andrew Levy & Associates and reported in Business Day.
Job cuts at Intel (Wednesday, 4/15/98)
Intel Corporation, possibly the most important computer hardware company in the world, is cutting costs in response to weak demand for its products during the first quarter. As a consequence, 3,000 jobs will go. Here's more from today's Washington Post.
Study finds Americans working more, not enough time for family (Wednesday, 4/15/98)
Here are the details from today's Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Are secretaries disappearing from the American workplace? (Wednesday, 4/15/98)
Are there really fewer secretaries, or is it simply a matter of fewer workers who are called secretaries? The U.S. Census Bureau says there were 700,000 more secretaries only 15 years ago, but experts aren't sure what it really means.
World's largest economies examine one of their own (Wednesday, 4/15/98)
The G7 are meeting in Washington and they're taking a close look at Japan and its sluggish economy. They have reason for concern, because if Japan falls into a deep recession, much of the rest of the world is likely to be affected. The Japanese economy is second in size only to that of the United States.
Court rules against FCC on affirmative action (Wednesday, 4/15/98)
The Federal Communication Commission's affirmative action regulations for broadcasters have been struck down by a U.S. Appeals Court.
Big welfare-to-work launch in the City of Brotherly Love (Tuesday, 4/14/98)
Yesterday, the city of Philadelphia introduced its $55 million plan for moving 15,000 welfare recipients off welfare and into the job market. Here's more from Paul Davies of the Philadelphia Daily News, who says that the city's mayor thinks that, despite the size and cost of the program, it will barely make a dent in the need.
Indonesia needs food assistance (Tuesday, 4/14/98)
Teruaki Ueno reports that, in addition to all of its other problems, Indonesia needs two million tons of food, according to the World Food Program.
Troubled Greek airline now has staff shortages (Tuesday, 4/14/98)
Olympic Airways has been in financial trouble for some time. During recent days, the Greek government ordered an overhaul plan that met with major resistance, including walkouts in the Greek parliament as well as the resignation of many airline workers. As a consequence, Olympic has staff shortages now and has decided to hire 250 permanent employees as well as 2,800 seasonal workers. Kathimerini has the story today.
IMF and other meetings in Washington this week (Tuesday, 4/14/98)
Knut Engelmann says that we shouldn't expect major results from the meetings going on in Washington, D. C. this week among representatives of the world's top economies. Janet Guttsman writes that the International Monetary Fund expects further slowing of world economic growth. The IMF mostly likes what it sees when it looks at the American economy, but takes a dim view of the Japanese economy's immediate prospects. This Japan Times story reports that the Japanese finance minister expects an unenthusiastic reaction from G7 representatives when he arrives in Washington.
Don't expect the wrong things from your college degree (Tuesday, 4/14/98)
We've been saying it all along: the strong relationship between academic credentials and economic security that was characteristic of the old economy in the U.S. is part of history now. You shouldn't expect an employer to want to pay you simply for being well educated, anymore than for being a nice person. Ilana DeBare advises a correspondent along these lines in her San Francisco Chronicle column.
IMF says 35-hour work week is a bad idea (Tuesday, 4/14/98)
France intends to introduce a 35-hour work week and raise its minimum wage, according to Le Figaro, and the International Monetary Fund thinks that will worsen, rather than help France's record unemployment situation.
Australia's PAYE system isn't paying enough (Tuesday, 4/14/98)
Billions in tax revenues are being lost under the PAYE system, according to Paul Cleary of the Sydney Morning Herald. Of those who are supposed to be paying their taxes under PAYE, one in ten isn't, it appears.
Going down (Tuesday, 4/14/98)
The world's largest elevator company expects to cut 1,100 jobs across its worldwide operations as part of a general restructuring.
Some unkind words about Congress and food stamps (Tuesday, 4/14/98)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune editorializes on what it considers one of the worst mistakes of welfare reform and how a plan in Congress will not fix it.
The problem of keeping good workers in a hot job market (Tuesday, 4/14/98)
Beth Mattson reports in CityBusiness on what some companies are doing to stem the turnover tide.
Internet jobs sites are a growth industry (Tuesday, 4/14/98)
Barbara Grady of Internet World reports on the increase in web sites dedicated to jobs in a hot job market.
"Alliance for Jobs" may be brought back to life (Monday, 4/13/98)
Representatives of German unions and employers favor giving the cooperative effort to create jobs and reduce unemployment another chance.
Will Indonesian economic mess lead to political freedom? (Monday, 4/13/98)
Cameron Barr writes that outsiders currently have considerable leverage for influencing the Indonesian political scene, but they don't seem to be using it. Meanwhile, even though Asia's economic problems aren't dominating front pages as they were several weeks ago, plenty of leaders are still concerned about them. For instance, representatives of 180 countries are getting together for meetings in Washington this week.
Getting rid of current tax law sounds good, but be careful, writer advises (Monday, 4/13/98)
William Gale looks at some alternatives to the American tax system that are brewing up in Washington, and also looks at the risks of radical change.
Organization for women who work at home (Monday, 4/13/98)
Shelley Donald Coolidge describes "Home-Based Working Moms," which has gained a lot of members in only two years. Also, here's why child care isn't just for people who work outside their homes. Incidentally, speaking of child care, a new report finds that about 10,000 firms offer at least some help with child care expenses.
Making the right connections (Monday, 4/13/98)
The right personal contacts can make a big difference in your career. Steven Ginsberg offers some advice about networking. Also in the Washington Post today, Barbara Vobejda and Judith Havemann report that no one really knows whether welfare reform is working or not because of all the technical problems associated with getting the relevant data. The paper also has some thoughts about an incremental approach to changing the American health care system and why there have been problems with it.
Unemployment dips in Spain (Monday, 4/13/98)
Spanish unemployment declined by more than 23,000 people in March, according to El Mundo. It's a smaller decline than the previous March, though.
Sides not optimistic about early end to Japanese airline strike (Monday, 4/13/98)
The pilots at Japan's All Nippon Airways are on strike, and Eiichiro Tokumoto reports that there is little optimism that the end will come any time soon.
Bank of Montreal study fails to find NAFTA disaster (Monday, 4/13/98)
Ross Perot expected a "giant sucking sound," but, so far, it's been fairly quiet, according to a new report. NAFTA has not resulted in economic disaster for Canada and the U.S.
Clinton has friends in the Strib's editorial offices, as least so far as Social Security is concerned (Monday, 4/13/98)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune editorializes about President Clinton's approach to fixing Social Security, and thinks he's on the right track.
How to produce an effective resume (Monday, 4/13/98)
Some people spend too much time on their resumes compared to other aspects of the job search. Nonetheless, your resume can be important, and here's what the experts are saying about what it takes to present yourself in the most effective manner.
Clarifying the rules on harassment (Monday, 4/13/98)
If everybody in work settings simply maintained the kinds of attitudes toward themselves and others that we should be able to expect from grownups, there probably wouldn't be any problem. Then, a lot of the behavior that's presently in the papers could only result from some sort of brain disease. Until a better world develops, though, it's probably important to get a bit clearer on what constitutes sexual harassment and what doesn't. Here's a look at the issues from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Does your boss have a right to shift your shift? (Monday, 4/13/98)
The Los Angeles Times' "Shop Talk" column advises a correspondent who has been shifted from days to nights. Also from the Times, changing attitudes are helping to bring disabled people into mainstream work settings.
Women progress in the skilled trades (Monday, 4/13/98)
The construction trades can pay very well, which is why many women have wanted to get into them for a long time. Robert Jordan of the Boston Globe reports on how affirmative action has been helping people who can do the work do the work in fields where sex, not ability or lack of it, traditionally has determined who gets the opportunities.
How things are going in Pennsylvania's biggest cities (Monday, 4/13/98)
Good in Philadelphia, not so good in Pittsburgh, if newspaper stories can be believed. However, economists aren't sure the papers really have the picture in focus.
A shortage of migrant workers in Michigan (Monday, 4/13/98)
Michigan farms are experiencing some of the same problems as many Silicon Valley firms: too few of the kinds of workers they need. Here's Lisa Zagaroli writing from Washington for the Detroit News.
Vietnam also "downsizing" (Monday, 4/13/98)
We've been reporting for weeks on the huge number of jobs that China is cutting from its government bureaucracy. Here's news from Paris' International Herald Tribune of another Asian communist country that is making some cuts of its own.
Pull the ripcord on your CD-ROM (Sunday, 4/12/98)
The best-selling self-help career guide has just been released in a CD-ROM version. Here's Shawn Stewart Ruff's report on the newest version of What Color is Your Parachute?
Just when you thought things couldn't get worse in North Korea (Sunday, 4/12/98)
A crazy dictatorship needs a well-fed army more than anything, if it can hope to stay in power. Food intended for the North Korean people doesn't seem to be reaching them, and it's not accidental. Scott Hillis reports that the United Nations is threatening to suspend food shipments unless or until the North Korean government and military start trying to make things better rather than worse.
Californians more likely to be audited (Sunday, 4/12/98)
A New York Times story this morning says American taxpayers will have a 1 in 150 chance of being audited by the IRS this year, but a much greater chance if they live in California.
Preparing for retirement if you're self-employed (Sunday, 4/12/98)
Albert Crenshaw examines the situation of people who are self-employed and concerned about their late years. Also in the Washington Post this morning, a look at work-life benefit programs and the difference they can make for everybody involved.
Hawaii's hard times (Sunday, 4/12/98)
The surging American economy's exception is Hawaii, which has some deeply-rooted problems. Here's Laura Meckler's report from the Detroit News.
UPS workers file complaints against the Teamsters (Saturday, 4/11/98)
UPS workers who did not support the Teamsters strike against United Parcel Service claim they have suffered retaliation from the union. Many have filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board. Meanwhile, the Teamsters Black Caucus, an organization of African American Teamsters members, doesn't like the way things are brewing up for another Teamsters presidential election, and the Caucus intends to exert its influence.
Formal work dress suits the British (Saturday, 4/11/98)
Dress codes have relaxed in work settings in a number of countries, but, for the most part, white collar workers in Britain are still wearing, well, white collars, and more.
Where the rate of pay isn't the principal complaint (Saturday, 4/11/98)
Many workers throughout the world don't think they're being paid quite enough, but, in Russia, millions find that not being paid at all is more on their minds. David Filipov writes from Moscow for the Boston Globe about the Russian economy's continuing gridlock problem.
Money isn't everything (Saturday, 4/11/98)
Linda Stern writes about Ralph Warner's new retirement book: Get A Life: You Don't Need A Million to Retire Well.
Correspondent advised to look before leaping (Saturday, 4/11/98)
Job offers should be evaluated carefully, writes columnist Jim Gallagher.
Change of direction in Japan (Friday, 4/10/98)
Japan's prime minister responds to growing concern about the Japanese economy and decides to cut taxes. Here's a Los Angeles Times story via today's Minneapolis Star Tribune, and here are additional details from the Christian Science Monitor, which also has some editorial thoughts about taxes in the U.S., yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Opposition parties walk out in protest over Greek parliament airline bill (Friday, 4/10/98)
Naftemporiki reports that the Greek parliament passed a bill to cut costs at Olympic Airways. Opposition parties walked out, and labor unions responded with a 24-hour all-industry strike. The airline has been losing money.
Perhaps a new beginning in Indonesia (Friday, 4/10/98)
Following a revised agreement with the International Monetary Fund, the Indonesian government has announced major reform measures. However, many observers are skeptical, and protests are continuing.
AFL-CIO blasts CEO pay (Friday, 4/10/98)
Top corporate executives are being paid more than they should be, according to a new report from the AFL-CIO. Never mind arguing that it's just the free market working. Much is a result of "rigged" boards and cronyism, they say. Even Business Week seems to think there may be a genuine problem, and that stratospheric pay levels for many CEOs isn't simply a matter of rewarding performance. The new edition of Biz Week has a special report on the issues that includes many articles.
OSHA lays down the law on bathroom breaks (Friday, 4/10/98)
In response to numerous complaints that some employers aren't allowing workers sufficient access to toilets on the job, OSHA restates its policy.
Smith Barney settlement under consideration (Friday, 4/10/98)
Attorneys representing the plaintiffs in a sexual harassment and discrimination suit against the brokerage is asking a federal judge to approve a proposed settlement. He's thinking it over.
The influence of big employers on American health care (Friday, 4/10/98)
Here's why the New England Journal of Medicine thinks that a health care system that isn't employment-based might be a good idea. This is the second of two articles. Here's the first in the two-part series.
Big job cuts at Hyundai (Friday, 4/10/98)
New South Korean labor laws make the cuts possible, according to Sang-Hun Choe. Also from the Washington Post this morning, Stephen Barr writes that Vice President Gore is enthusiastic about how well "welfare-to-work" has been going so far, but also calls on federal contractors to do their part.
The middle-class squeeze (Friday, 4/10/98)
Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Reich has some thoughts about the growing number of affluent and what they mean for America's middle-class. Meanwhile, Arthalia Ray writes for the San Francisco Chronicle that the "living wage" movement is gathering momentum.
Jobs data don't necessarily mean that the economy's cooling (Friday, 4/10/98)
Business Week ponders the March employment report and concludes that it's probably the weather.
Thousands protest in Russia (Thursday, 4/9/98)
A lot of Russians haven't been paid for a long time. Thousands of them are expressing their dissatisfaction with the situation in protests throughout parts of the country today. However, despite calls for a national day of action, many also appear to have stayed home. Also from Reuters today, Francois Raitberger reports that the French prime minister is defending his government's decision to send thousands of illegal immigrants home. Israel is being urged to step up privatization in some key sectors, and Arshad Mohammed reports that the United States is becoming increasingly concerned about the Japanese economy. U.S. officials aren't the only ones, though. Akiko Shiozaki of Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun reports that participants in a Tokyo symposium yesterday called for quick action on the part of Japan in order to prevent a slide that could bring the rest of world down with it. Meanwhile, Mary Jordan of the Washington Post reports on public spending in Japan that may be part of the problem, rather than part of the solution.
European labor unions organize cross-national protest (Thursday, 4/9/98)
One thing Germany and France have in common is high unemployment, and Roland Eggleston of Radio Free Europe reports that labor unions from both countries are getting together to protest the lack of sufficient numbers of jobs.
Welfare-to-work transition incomplete for many (Thursday, 4/9/98)
Ann Scott Tyson writes about people who are off welfare now, but that's only half of it. Jean Hopfensperger writes in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune about how efforts to help people make the transition in Minnesota are being met with apathy and resistance. In Philadelphia, an expensive welfare-to-work program is about to be unveiled. Here's that story from the Philadelphia News.
Lying, cheating, and treating? (Thursday, 4/9/98)
Managed care may be presenting many physicians with moral dilemmas. David Hilzenrath explains. Also via the Minneapolis Star Tribune this morning, the Boston Globe's nationally syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman comments on the Paula Jones case and what sexual harassment in the workplace really costs in the real world.
Culture and the Asian economic crisis (Thursday, 4/9/98)
One of the complaints many Westerners have had about some of the troubled Asian economies is their lack of transparency. It's difficult to tell what's really going on, which, among other things, makes it tricky for investors who are then left to speculate or succumb to irrational fears and rumor. However, the tendency to avoid putting things out in the open isn't necessarily a deliberate effort to conceal, mislead, or deceive. The Christian Science Monitor's David Hitchcock tells about how cultural factors play a role. Speaking of the Asian economies, Cindy Shiner of the Washington Post reports that, despite the new agreement between the IMF and Indonesia, there are new concerns about cronyism.
One-day strike in Greece (Thursday, 4/9/98)
A 24-hour strike is underway in Greece today to protest government privatization plans and plans to change the country's labor laws. The General Confederation of Greek Workers called the strike. The GSEE represents all unions, including the civil servants union, according to Kathimerini.
Blame it on the computer (Thursday, 4/9/98)
For whatever reason, computers have been getting it wrong for 20 years, and now Los Angeles County finds that its pension fund has come up a little short-- about $1.2 billion, in fact. Also in today's Washington Post, an editorial look at the first of four forums on Social Security to be moderated by President Clinton, and nationally syndicated columnist George Will examines the possible end of high school as we know it.
Big report on executive pay (Thursday, 4/9/98)
Today's Wall Street Journal contains a special section on the pay top executives are receiving. Many articles.
Swedish economy growing slowly (Thursday, 4/9/98)
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says that the Swedish economy will continue to be among the most slowly growing in Europe. It is expected to grow by 2.6 percent this year and 2.4 percent next year, which is below the European Union average. The Swedish government has forecast a higher rate of growth. FinasTidningen has the story today. Incidentally, Handelsblatt reports that the EOCD expects increasing stability in the German economy, but continued high unemployment.
The latest court report (Thursday, 4/9/98)
Newsday's Carrie Mason-Draffen reports on a $522,000 award in a discrimination suit, and the Nando Times reports that $1.75 million will be paid by a brokerage firm in a sexual harassment case. Finally, here's a USA Today story about wrongful termination suits and how the tide seems to be turning against employers.
New list of largest women-owned businesses released (Thursday, 4/9/98)
Working Woman magazine released its first list of the 500 largest women-owned businesses in the United States yesterday. The list shows that women have been moving into traditionally male-dominated fields.
Big bias suit at Amtrak (Wednesday, 4/8/98)
African American workers and applicants have filed a $100 million suit against the American rail service.
Revised agreement reached (Wednesday, 4/8/98)
Indonesia and the International Monetary Fund have reached agreement on a modified version of the original bailout plan.
Jobless down in Germany; rate remains the same (Wednesday, 4/8/98)
The number of unemployed in Germany fell more than was expected last month, but, because of seasonal adjustments, the unemployment rate remained the same. Sueddeutsche Zeitung and all other major German papers have the story today.
Wages increasing in medium-sized U.S. companies (Wednesday, 4/8/98)
Reuters has the results of a survey by the American Business Conference.
How's "don't ask, don't tell" working? Don't ask (Wednesday, 4/8/98)
If nobody's asking and nobody's telling, it's difficult to explain the increased number of gays leaving the American military, except that, for many, departure appears to be voluntary, according to this report from Jonathan Wright. Also from Reuters today, President Clinton says that an increase in Social Security taxes will not be necessary as part of an Administration plan to fix the system for the long-term.
The "untouchable" appears to be touchable after all (Tuesday, 4/7/98)
The Christian Science Monitor's Linda Feldmann examines the state of American Social Security and whether "privatization" will sweep it into the market. Donna Smith of Reuters reports that President Clinton plans to encourage a national dialogue on the issues.
Job cuts at Xerox (Tuesday, 4/7/98)
Xerox Corporation is planning to eliminate 9,000 jobs as part of an effort to save a billion dollars per year.
Malaysia responds to illegal immigration (Tuesday, 4/7/98)
Cindy Shiner of today's Washington Post reports on how the Malaysian government is attempting to deal with Indonesians who are seeking jobs in the country illegally. They're cracking down, Ms. Shiner says.
Weather influencing U.S. jobs (Monday, 4/6/98)
Ron Scherer of the Christian Science Monitor says El Nino has cut into U.S. jobs, but there is also growing concern about the effects of Japan's economic problems. Christina Duff provides more information and perspective in today's Wall Street Journal. Also in the Monitor today, David Francis tells about all the nice things so many experts are saying about the astonishingly good American economy. It's enough to cause blushing.
Trade policy agreement seems closer in Belgium (Monday, 4/6/98)
Trade union and employer representatives are scheduled to meet with Belgium's prime minister to discuss plans for reducing labor costs and changing laws governing working hours. La Libre Belgique has the story today.
Some thoughts about Speaker Gingrich and Social Security (Monday, 4/6/98)
Editorially today, the Washington Post begs to differ with House Speaker Newt Gingrich's plan for the American Social Security system. Effects would not be quite what he says, according to the Post's editors.
Government support for companies and workers (Monday, 4/6/98)
South Africa's Business Day reports that a plan is in preparation by the South African government to provide support services for both companies who lay off workers and the workers themselves. It would apply in those cases where companies lay off more than 500 workers or 10 percent of their work force, whichever is greater.
Strike at Japan's second-largest airline (Monday, 4/6/98)
A midnight strike at Nippon Airways is likely to affect some international flights, according to Asahi Shimbun. Also, next year's graduates will face a tough job market, according to the paper.
New poll on the unfriendly American workplace (Monday, 4/6/98)
Long Island's Newsday reports that nearly a quarter of working women surveyed say they have been sexually harassed. Most don't report it because of fear of reprisal. You'll find a number of stories relevant to this issue in the current edition of Newsday, including a story about a big brokerage firm that's being sued the old fashioned way.
Europe's share of the tech worker shortage (Monday, 4/6/98)
Several European countries have a major unemployment problem, but, if you've got hi-tech skills, you probably won't have to be personally affected. Even without ready skills, you may find technology companies wanting to hire you, according to Paul Floren of the International Herald Tribune.
How's that again? (Monday, 4/6/98)
U.S. Senator Grams is protesting. Not the abuse of workers in the American-held Northern Mariana Islands, but, instead, the inquiry into the abuse. Sharon Schmickle reports for the Minneapolis Star Tribune from Grams' home state.
Irish employers blast minimum wage plan (Monday, 4/6/98)
It would be a disaster for Ireland's hot economy, they say. Bill Murdoch reports for the Irish Times.
One dock strike ends as preparations are made for another (Monday, 4/6/98)
Tim Jamieson reports for the Sydney Morning Herald on labor strife in Australia.
Values assessment as a predictor of employment lawsuits (Monday, 4/6/98)
An attorney recommends that employers try to determine if job applicants have work-related values that are consistent with their own. It may save a lawsuit later, he says. Also, Cathleen Ferraro of the Sacramento Bee reports that there are a lot of things about job applicants that employers would like to know that might not have been on their minds during earlier years.
Settlement reached in Hollywood (Monday, 4/6/98)
The dream machine won't be shut down after all. An actors' strike has been averted in Hollywood.
The importance of showing up cannot be exaggerated (Monday, 4/6/98)
Alarm clocks will be provided as essential equipment in a new program to move unemployed youth into the workforce. Here's a report from the UK's BBC News.
No major disruptions on the Mississippi so far (Sunday, 4/5/98)
The recently organized Mississippi River tugboat pilots are formally on strike, but Christi Daugherty reports that traffic on the river hasn't slowed significantly as yet. The pilots want higher pay.
Ukrainian coal miners killed in explosion (Sunday, 4/5/98)
A gas explosion in a Ukrainian coal mine has taken 63 lives. It's one of the worst Ukrainian mine disasters ever.
South Korea watches Japan closely (Sunday, 4/5/98)
The sputtering Japanese economy isn't doing neighboring South Korea much good, according to this report from Jean Yoon of Reuters. Meanwhile, Japan's Prime Minister Hashimoto thinks some of the pessimists are over-doing it. Don't exaggerate the trouble the Japanese economy is in, he says.
What does "going well" really mean? (Sunday, 4/5/98)
International Monetary Fund officials say that talks with the Indonesian government are going well, which may simply mean that they're not shouting at each other in public. Reading between the lines, it might appear that the IMF folks may still harbor doubts about how serious Suharto's government is about biting the bullet when there are personal fortunes and friends to protect. However, the Nando Times presents evidence that Indonesia is moving ahead with reforms.
Are your harassment premiums paid up? (Sunday, 4/5/98)
With jury awards in the millions or even tens of millions of dollars, employers are understandably nervous about their liability. As a consequence, what would you guess is one of the hottest insurance products right now? In related news, the fizzled Paula Jones case is making many people wonder about definitions. Jean Boler writes that Judge Susan Webber Wright has, in effect, narrowed the meaning of "sexual harassment," but Amy Goldstein and Barbara Vobejda say that both courts and companies are involved in the struggle with definitions. In fact, some company policies may provide working women with more protection th