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July 1998
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revolutionary new world economy |
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July 1998
Links included were live and functioning at time of publication.
They may not necessarily remain so, and this is not under our control
Northwest could face two strikes at the same time (Friday, 7/31/98)
Both the machinists and the pilots at Northwest Airlines could be on strike before long. The countdown has started following the declaration of an impasse in the case of the pilots, and the machinists have soundly defeated a new contract proposal. Here's the story from Tony Kennedy and Jon Tevlin of the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Brad Dorfman of Reuters. In other labor news, the Teamsters reject a contract offer at Anheuser-Busch, which may mean a strike is on the horizon. Meanwhile, court-appointed overseers reject accusations that they were biased against Ron Carey's opponents.
Unemployment hits record level in Japan (Friday, 7/31/98)
Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun reports that unemployment has reached 4.3% in Japan, which is a modern Japanese record. If you're muttering to yourself that there are European countries that would be deliriously happy with a 4.3% unemployment rate, you're right, but you need to consider that nations do not use the same criteria for defining unemployment. For instance, in Japan, you're counted as fully employed if you have worked as little a single hour during the month surveyed. It brings to mind how unemployment figures were improved in the United States during the administration of Lyndon Johnson in the 1960s. Many persons who had been out of work for a long time were surprised to find that they were no longer unemployed if they had given up and stopped looking. Instead, they were called "not in the labor force." What we know always depends entirely on how we know it, so methodology is everything.
Train drivers expected to strike in South Africa (Friday, 7/31/98)
Drivers for South Africa's Metrorail have rejected a salary offer from the company. A nationwide strike seems likely, and the company has announced that it will use non-union drivers in order to maintain a skeleton service, if the strike happens, according to The Star.
Conflict between Russian government and striking miners gets hotter (Friday, 7/31/98)
The miners aren't striking for higher pay. They simply want the pay that's been due them for months. Here's the story from Tatyana Ustinova in Moscow.
GM begins the process of getting things back to normal (Friday, 7/31/98)
General Motors has been mostly shut down because of strikes at two Flint, Michigan plants. The strikes are over, but getting such a behemoth back on its feet takes a while. The company has called more workers back to the job, and more assembly plants are expected to be back in operation by Wednesday. Kevin Galvin has been thinking about how the recent strikes compare with those during the old glory days of American organized labor, and he doesn't find much comparison. One reason is that organized labor's numbers have declined. Only about 10 percent of the private sector workforce is organized now in the United States. The Christian Science Monitor has some thoughts about the recent strikes at GM too, and how important underlying issues remain unresolved.
California's privatization move may offer glimpse of 21st century higher ed (Friday, 7/31/98)
TechWeb reports that California has privatized its virtual university. The California Virtual University Foundation is made up of the state's principal higher education systems plus several hi-tech firms. Ninety-five schools will be offering 1,600 different courses which can be completed entirely online, and, of course, the big news that isn't really news is that you don't have to be in California in order to sign up. Hundreds of American higher education institutions are beginning to offer online programs for credit, as well as various others around the world. For example, we reported recently that Britain's famed Oxford University has announced that it will be offering continuing education programs on the Internet.
Do increasing wages mean inflation is about to rear its ugly head? (Friday, 7/31/98)
Inflation hasn't been a problem in the American economy for quite some time, but it would be a mistake to assume that it's disappeared permanently. That's why many experts regard rising wages and benefits as a mixture of good news and bad news, depending on your point of view. Incidentally, the latest Commerce Department data indicate a significant slowing of the American economy during the 2nd quarter, as many expected. The reasons aren't hard to identify, but what lies ahead? We don't know either.
HP cuts managers' pay (Friday, 7/31/98)
Hewlett-Packard is trying to get its costs under better control, and 2,400 managers will be making less for three months as a consequence.
How do you define a "balanced life?" (Friday, 7/31/98)
St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Amy Gage writes about different approaches to weighing the obligations of work, family, and other areas of life.
Those with more education and higher income have better health, on the average (Friday, 7/31/98)
It may not come as a surprise, but, anyway, here's what a new study from the Department of Health and Human Services has found. There's been plenty of previous evidence that life's privileges tend to cluster together, and so do many of life's miseries, not only in the U.S., but worldwide.
Cuts in mental health coverage (Friday, 7/31/98)
Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield is cutting mental health services, which means dropping about 120 psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers from its plans. Peter Kilborn of the New York Times reports that a lot of elderly are losing coverage too.
Who will more money attract to the classroom? (Friday, 7/31/98)
Massachusetts is hoping that strong financial incentives will improve the quality of instruction by attracting better teachers. Some are skeptical, given the special motivation of many who choose careers in education.
Undocumented workers get additional protections (Friday, 7/31/98)
Davan Maharaj of the Los Angeles Times reports on a California court's ruling and what it will mean for immigrants in the workplace.
Grads finding job crunch in Australia (Friday, 7/31/98)
During recent months, at least, most college graduates in the United States have found plenty of job opportunities, and it's taken little more than a steady pulse. In fact, in a hot job market, many haven't needed the degree. On the other side of the globe, however, things are quite different, as Luis Garcia reports from Melbourne's The Age. In Australia, the number of grads has been increasing as the number of available jobs has been decreasing.
Large numbers of American welfare recipients should find work on the next census (Friday, 7/31/98)
Jean Hopfensperger reports that the U.S. Census Bureau expects to employ 300,000 people in the big Y2K count.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: International Business Forum (Friday, 7/31/98)
Here's a "new global economy" site offering information that is both broad and deep for companies wanting to do business in foreign markets. International Business Forum comes to you from Australia.
Impasse at Northwest Airlines (Thursday, 7/30/98)
An impasse has been declared, which could clear the way for a strike by Northwest Airlines pilots.
New contracts approved; now the post-mortem (Thursday, 7/30/98)
Workers at General Motors plants in Flint, Michigan have approved the agreements reached by GM and the UAW, so the two plants will open, and that means that many other GM plants throughout North America will be able to resume operations as well. What does it all mean? Rebecca Blumenstein and Gregory White write in today's Wall Street Journal that the strikes have cost General Motors $2 billion, and, with that, they've bought a little labor peace for a while, but it may not be a bargain. Steven Greenhouse says that labor has paid a very high price too, and Keith Bradsher says no clear winner emerges from the conflict, and, in fact, losses are more obvious on both sides than gains. Abraham McLaughlin writes in today's Christian Science Monitor that organized labor may be bolder following the big standoff with GM, while others claim that the auto company's long-term problems have not been resolved by the strikes and the new agreements. On the other side of the Pacific, there is another conflict between labor and an auto company. South Korea's Hyundai Motors has shut down its principal plant, but workers refuse to leave. Here's the story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the Nando Times.
Continuing skirmishes over the "marriage penalty" (Thursday, 7/30/98)
Backers withdraw the measure in the Senate following a vote to support it. Here's an explanation. In other tax news, here's why a new law may affect estate planning for some people.
Brazil sells most of its phone company (Thursday, 7/30/98)
Seth Schiesel of the New York Times reports on the biggest privatization so far in Latin America. Meanwhile, a decision to privatize the telephone company in Puerto Rico resulted in a destructive strike that has finally ended after 41 days, according to this St. Paul Pioneer Press report.
Digital gulf widens (Thursday, 7/30/98)
The difference between the haves and have nots has increased, at least so far as access to computers is concerned, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Austrian miners may still be alive (Thursday, 7/30/98)
Ten miners have been trapped for 12 days. Sounds indicate that at least some may still be alive.
How to cope with college sticker shock (Thursday, 7/30/98)
This writer tells about the difficult job of coping with the high cost of college, which, in some cases, has approached stratospheric levels. We're reminded of Oscar Wilde's wisecrack about people who know the price of everything and the value of nothing. That is, Americans often use price as a measure of value, and, when it comes to higher education, it's probably a mistake. Keep in mind that, with sufficient resolve, it's still possible to obtain a splendid education for nothing at the public library.
The latest on France's 35-hour week (Thursday, 7/30/98)
The Paris-based International Herald Tribune reports that employers and unions had reached agreement on how to implement the 35-hour week, but that agreement has been thrown out by a government official.
Labor group displeased with Wal-Mart (Thursday, 7/30/98)
William Branigin reports that the National Labor Committee says that Wal-Mart's practices aren't consistent with its advertising in support of American-made products. The big American retailer sells more clothes manufactured overseas than their competitors, according to the group. Also in today's Washington Post, an editorial on whether adversaries in Congress will find common ground and substance in relation to managed care in an election year.
Despite changes in regulations, big broadcasting firms intend to keep affirmative action policies (Thursday, 7/30/98)
The New York Times' Steven Holmes reports on broadcaster intentions following a federal court ruling.
Appearances vs. realities in Zambia (Thursday, 7/30/98)
Angus Shaw reports on Zambia's effort to bring about economic reforms and why you should not be misled by what appears to be major progress. Below the surface, you will see a different picture, according to Mr. Shaw.
Secretary Herman urges government support for Teamsters election (Thursday, 7/30/98)
A court has ruled that the government should supervise the re-do of the Teamsters presidential election, but Congress has refused to provide the money.
U.S. wages and benefits getting better faster (Thursday, 7/30/98)
The U.S. Department of Labor's latest statistics indicate accelerated improvement in wages and benefits in the United States. Also, a University of Georgia study finds increased spending by African Americans throughout the country.
On life as a long-term temp at Microsoft (Thursday, 7/30/98)
Joe Brockert reports in the Detroit News on efforts to pursue the interests of tech workers who work at Microsoft Corporation for long periods of time but aren't full-time workers.
Canadian court rules in favor of pay equity for women (Thursday, 7/30/98)
Two-hundred thousand civil servants in Canada are entitled to compensation for years of unequal pay, according to a court. Here's the story from the Nando Times and BCC News.
Job cuts at TRW (Thursday, 7/30/98)
TRW Inc. manufactures auto parts, among other things, and the company intends to cut about 7,500 jobs in its automotive division, which amounts to 14% of that workforce.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Harvard Business School (Thursday, 7/30/98)
Harvard Business School is on most people's top ten lists of the best business schools in the world, and, as one might expect, Harvard Biz is on the web.
Settlement at GM; ratification vote today (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
General Motors and the United Auto Workers have reached agreement, and workers at the two Flint, Michigan plants are set to vote on the contract. Idled workers in Flint are eager to return to work, but Nichole Christian reports that many are afraid more conflict with GM will develop, while Keith Bradsher of the New York Times says that General Motors really needs better labor relations. David Lawder of Reuters writes that a period of labor peace will be helpful, however brief, but that the company has not solved its longer-term cost and productivity problems which put the company at a long-term disadvantage in the market. Meanwhile, as one might expect, President Clinton praises the settlement, but GM dealers expect a tough month ahead because of a shortage of vehicles to sell.
The latest labor news from Northwest Airlines (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
Machinists vote on a contract today as pilots may be nearing impasse and strike.
Why many Canadian social workers are leaving the field (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
Don Retson of the Edmonton Journal reports on what some Canadian union leaders are saying. Social work is a high-stress job with work loads that are too heavy in many cases, they claim.
Miyazawa draws the short straw (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
Want a tough job? Try being Japan's finance minister. Former premier Kiichi Miyazawa has agreed to give it a go in order to solve Japan's persistent economic problems and start its engine.
A growth forecast for the South African economy (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
South Africa's Business Report reports that officials are expecting a growth rate of about 3 percent next year. Growth this year has been running at about 1 percent.
Minorities urge the use of sampling in census (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
Several organizations have officially come out in favor of the use of sampling procedures in order to get a more accurate count of minorities and others in American society. Actually, by definition, a census means counting everybody in a population, which is fundamentally different from sampling from a population in order to draw conclusions about the total population. It might seem that a census will be more accurate than sampling, but this is not necessarily the case, and almost surely is not the case when it comes to trying to count each individual in a population of over 260 million persons. Modern statistics and sampling procedures didn't exist at the time that a national census was mandated in the Constitution. Also, at the time, the total population of the United States was smaller than that of Minnesota today.
World Bank says wage increases have neutralized improvement in the Turkish economy (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
Wage increases have been higher than was budgeted, so state asset sales have not resulted in the kinds of improvements that were expected, according to Sabah.
American agriculture: the big shutdown (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
Every several years, American farmers face a death struggle in their businesses. This is one of those times. Kyle Johnson of the Christian Science Monitor provides perspective on the current American farm crisis which extends across much of the nation.
A breather for the IMF (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
Paul Blustein writes that the International Monetary Fund isn't frantically having to fight fires at the moment, but it can't afford to stash its fire hoses either. Incidentally, ever wonder who's responsible for those credit ratings that can rattle national economies? Ron Scherer tells what it's like to work at Moody's Investor Services in New York City. Also in the Christian Science Monitor today, Lara Santoro looks at entrepreneurism in Nigeria, Marilyn Gardner examines why many people are losing their summers for various reasons, including vacation shrinkage, and Ross Atkin reports on how retirement influences spousal relationships.
Saudi government sets new limits on foreign workers (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
The Khaleej Times reports that the government of Saudi Arabia will impose new limits on the number of foreign employees in the country in order to create job opportunities for unemployed nationals. About a third of the Saudi population is made up of foreign nationals, largely from the Indian subcontinent and the Philippines.
The painful task of rationing health care (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
HMOs aren't necessarily the monsters many believe, writes Robert Samuelson, and "patient rights" legislation won't magically cause tough realities and tough choices to disappear. Nationally syndicated columnist David Broder also has some thoughts over this year's fight over health care in Washington.
Single worker sues because of family allowance (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun reports that an airline employee is suing because she believes that she has been discriminated against because, as a single worker, she has not been given the family allowance paid to married workers. In the U.S., a worker with Seasonal Affective Disorder is suing under the Americans with Disabilities Act because she been required required to work in the dark while developing photographs. Part of her work could be done in lighted areas, she says.
A lot of lawyers in Sweden's government (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
One in four top government employees in Sweden has a law degree, according to Dagens Industri, while technicians and economists are over-represented in Swedish companies. Membership in the European Union will require many persons to have double degrees from now on, according to a parliamentary spokesman.
Fluent in any ancient languages? (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
If you're a retired computer tech, someone may be looking for you to help squish the Y2K bug.
Employees who would rather not be portfolio managers (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
Want to be in charge of your own pension investments? Are you sure? Business Week says that employers are finding that many employees would like some help with their 401(k)s.
Personality and careers (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
Columnist Carol Kleiman reports on personality differences and the differences they make in career choice and advancement. Also, St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Amy Lindgren discusses the role of irrational fears in the job search process.
Want children to learn about money? Here are some suggestions (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
Many people cause themselves a lot of trouble as adults because of financial illiteracy. Here are some ways this ailment can be prevented starting early.
Busy working adults continue education on-line (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
So-called "distance learning" might be just the thing if campus locations and schedules aren't convenient for you. In fact, business travelers with access to the Internet are finding that they can do their homework in a wide variety of locations, so why do we call it HOMEwork?.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Academy of Achievement (Wednesday, 7/29/98)
Want to hear some inspiring stories about persons of high achievement? Want the young people in your life to be inspired? You may be interested in exploring the Academy of Achievement.
Is it all over but the announcement? (Tuesday, 7/28/98)
There are some indications that General Motors and the United Auto Workers have reached agreement to end the Michigan strikes, and that an announcement will come later today. Keith Bradsher and Nichole Christian of the New York Times write that the arbitrator's imminent ruling has provided additional incentive to make a deal.
Carey not president, and not a Teamster either (Tuesday, 7/28/98)
The man who led a successful strike against United Parcel Service last year has been expelled from the Teamsters. Thomas Edsall writes in today's Washington Post that Carey's expulsion hurts the progressives in the labor movement.
Albright only a little cheery about Asia (Tuesday, 7/28/98)
Don't expect immediate improvement in Asia's financial situation, says the American Secretary of State. Meanwhile, Linda Sieg reports that Kiichi Miyazawa is likely to get the tough job of finance minister in Japan's new government.
The struggle to organize hi-tech workers (Tuesday, 7/28/98)
Unions aren't finding it to be an easy task. Here's an explanation from the Nando Times.
Open mind urged by the President (Tuesday, 7/28/98)
Keep an open mind on Social Security changes, President Clinton advised yesterday in a public forum in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The big issue is whether trust fund money should be invested in the stock market, thus introducing an element of risk into what was originally intended as a guaranteed retirement safety net below which retirees could not fall. Francine Kiefer writes that it's becoming increasingly likely that Social Security will be privatized in some way and to some extent, but how?
Unemployment hits five-year high in Israel (Tuesday, 7/28/98)
Israeli unemployment hit 9.3 percent in May, according to reports in the Jerusalem Post and other major papers.
Workplace violence declines (Tuesday, 7/28/98)
Here are details from the U.S. Justice Department via today's Christian Science Monitor. Meanwhile, other data indicate that the biggest work-related hazard people face are traffic accidents. Finally, new research reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicates that carpal tunnel syndrome is sometimes caused by factors other than repetitive motions on the job.
Fewer civil service jobs in French hospitals (Tuesday, 7/28/98)
La Tribune reports from Paris that the French government intends to cut 840,000 jobs in hospitals across the country. Many persons will be offered incentives to leave voluntarily.
Hop, but don't hop too much, writer advises (Tuesday, 7/28/98)
A strong job market is making it easier to change jobs, but, do it too often, and it can cause problems for yourself. Here's Max Jarman's article from the Arizona Republic.
Trade union congress predicts big job losses with energy deregulation (Tuesday, 7/28/98)
If the South African government deregulates the energy industry as it proposes, it could cost as many as 80,000 jobs, according to the Congress of South African Trade Unions. The Star has the story today.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: U. S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Institute (Tuesday, 7/28/98)
The United States Chamber of Commerce Small Business Institute offers a variety of resources for starting and building your own business, including tapes, books, and more.
Progress still in the air, but no deal yet (Monday, 7/27/98)
The New York Times is reporting that the strikes at General Motors plants in Flint, Michigan may be near an end. However, Ben Klayman of Reuters reports that talks have recessed without an agreement.
Effort to rescue miners continues in Austria (Monday, 7/27/98)
A mine near the Austrian village of Lassing collapsed, but rescuers have not given up hope. One miner has been brought out alive.
What to do with Social Security trust fund money? (Monday, 7/27/98)
Should the rules be relaxed so that Social Security funds can be invested in something other than U.S. government securities? Donna Smith reports that President Clinton is participating in a public forum today in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Meanwhile, David Francis of the Christian Science Monitor cautions against too much enthusiasm for linking Social Security to the stock market. For instance, it's a good idea to take a close look at Chile's pension system before trying to emulate it, he says. Several countries have followed Chile's lead in privatizing their pension systems.
Woman with multiple personality disorder gets career on track (Monday, 7/27/98)
Andrew Backover of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram provides an example of how persons with psychiatric illnesses can be valued and effective employees. At any particular time, approximately 20 percent of the population would meet diagnostic criteria for one or more psychiatric illnesses. For instance, about 1 percent of the population is schizophrenic, and far more suffer from various anxiety disorders, depression, and other illnesses ranging from life-threatening to mild. However, at this very late date, psychopathology is still widely misunderstood. In fact, it's probably accurate to say that most of what most people, including most employers, believe about it is simply wrong.
Welfare reform tipping the demographic balance (Monday, 7/27/98)
Large numbers of persons are leaving welfare for the work world, but the demographics are becoming increasing unbalanced. Much depends on the resources you have to work with, and these are distributed very unevenly in the American population.
Support your parents and you will inherit more in South Korea (Monday, 7/27/98)
Here's a Korean Herald story explaining the new bill drawn up by the South Korean Justice Ministry.
Telecommunications workers to lose jobs in Hong Kong (Monday, 7/27/98)
Cynthia Wan reports in the Hong Kong Standard about the likely lay off of 2,000 telecommunications workers, according to union predictions.
Is there still breath in the "temporary workers bill?" (Monday, 7/27/98)
The San Francisco Chronicle's Tom Abate reports that California's hi-tech companies are working hard to bring about a law that would allow more foreign workers with hi-tech skills into the U.S.
Company refuses to compensate Nazi slave workers (Monday, 7/27/98)
The head of Germany's Zueblin construction company says that Nazi-era slave workers worked for the Nazi SS, not for his company. About 1,700 persons have been seeking compensation for their forced labor, according to Ian Mader in the Detroit News.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: New York Public Library: Science, Industry, and Business Library (Monday, 7/27/98)
If you live a few blocks from the New York Public Library, please visit the real thing. On the other hand, if it's not convenient for you to drop in, their various web sites can be a satisfying substitute. For instance, here's their Science, Industry, and Business Library, which is a good place to start if you're looking for information about starting a business, market research, government information, and much more.
Progress at GM? (Sunday, 7/26/98)
Labor and management are agreeing that they have made significant progress toward settling the strikes at GM plants in Michigan.
Postal workers accept union dues increase (Sunday, 7/26/98)
The American Postal Workers Union has been spending quite a lot more than it's been taking in. Members have agreed to an increase in dues as part of an effort to get the union into the black.
If you're single, here's what it may be costing you (Sunday, 7/26/98)
The Boston Globe's Aaron Zitner says it isn't just the married who are penalized by the current tax code.
Summit sees increased role for women during the next century in the new global economy (Sunday, 7/26/98)
The Global Summit of Women has been meeting in London and is calling attention to the increasing number of women in entrepreneurial and other key economic roles, meaning greater influence on the global economy during the years directly ahead. In a related story, Noelle Know of the New York Times reports that women's access to business financing is disproportionately small relative to the rate at which they are starting new businesses in the United States. Finally, Albert Crenshaw of the Washington Post writes about how many persons are focusing on whether changes in the American Social Security system will end up being fair to women.
Change of attitude about death in the workplace needed, clergyman says (Sunday, 7/26/98)
Insensitivity is still common, but people need an opportunity to grieve, says Rev. Diana Dale of the Worklife Institute. Here's the story from L.M. Sixel of the Houston Chronicle.
Big privatization plan in Brazil (Sunday, 7/26/98)
Brazil intends to sell controlling interest in its state-controlled telecommunications company, which, among other things, might improve telephone service for Brazilians. It will be the largest privatization in Latin America so far.
Want to see the future? (Sunday, 7/26/98)
Saul Hansell of the New York Times reports on a new factory in Tennessee that manufactures computers for a great variety of companies, and does it differently. New processes and work settings mean new ways of working, as well.
Here's a "bottom 10 list" (Sunday, 7/26/98)
Here's Bob McMullan's Sydney Morning Herald report on what some think are the 10 worst things about Australia's Workplace Relations Act. A tide of change is sweeping across the country, and workers need help, they say.
The hi-tech engine in Taiwan (Sunday, 7/26/98)
Taiwan has been conspicuously absent in the news about Asian economic crises during the past year. The island nation is enjoying economic growth in large part because of its vigorous hi-tech sector.
Children in Arizona fields (Sunday, 7/26/98)
Children as young as four have been working in the fields, and the U.S. Department of Labor has announced fines against those responsible.
50 years since President Truman desegregated the American military (Sunday, 7/26/98)
Now, it's time for racial equality in the military, according to the head of the NAACP.
Who's in charge here? (Sunday, 7/26/98)
Mostly white men, but not just any white men. Here's a summary of results from a big new survey of American managers conducted by the American Management Association. Also in the Washington Post today, nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn offers help in calculating what you're likely to need for retirement.
A global economy also means many people working away from their home countries (Sunday, 7/26/98)
Amy Joyce reports on companies that are sending workers abroad and what the workers think about it.
Another means to exploit? (Sunday, 7/26/98)
American hi-tech companies say they need for more foreign workers with hi-tech skills to be allowed to come to the United States to work. Critics are saying that it amounts to exploitation.
Big fuss about union corruption in the SSA (Sunday, 7/26/98)
Ben White reports on the heated Congressional arguments over allegations of union corruption within the Social Security Administration.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Monster Board (Sunday, 7/26/98)
The Monster Board is one of the job listings sites in an increasingly crowded field. However, it's one of the major ones. It's been on-line longer than many of the others, and it claims to have been the most visited job site in a recent survey. In addition, it offers special features for the self-employed, for those relocating and in need of housing, and so forth.
UAW implies additional strike if GM follows through on non-union parts (Saturday, 7/25/98)
General Motors is indicating it may restart a Corvette plant using parts produced by non-union workers, but can expect no cooperation from the United Auto Workers. GM executives have been meeting in Detroit to develop contingency plans, depending on how the arbitrator rules on the legality of the strikes in Flint, Michigan. Meanwhile, Warren Brown of the Washington Post reports that GM dealers are running short of some hot models.
House passes managed care bill (Saturday, 7/25/98)
It's one that President Clinton has said that he will veto, though. Also, in and around Congress, a financial privacy bill has been introduced in the House, and the Senate has approved a plan for bringing more farm laborers into the United States. William Branigin offers more details on the movement to respond to shortages claimed by American employers, from farm laborers to hi-tech workers. Meanwhile, seven scientists are told to go home, but the circumstances are special ones. It has to do with sanctions imposed on India because of that country's nuclear testing. Finally, with the surplus looking much bigger than originally expected, and with tax cut fever in the air during an election year, President Clinton insists that he will protect Social Security.
Strikes planned in South Africa (Saturday, 7/25/98)
South Africa's Business Day reports that metal workers and chemical workers unions are planning strikes that are expected to affect both automotive and chemical industries in that country. The unions have made wage demands that employers have refused to meet.
Judge approves settlement at Smith Barney (Saturday, 7/25/98)
Gail Appleson reports on what may be the end of a long bias suit. Also from Reuters, Carol Giacomo reports on Secretary of State Albright's warnings about how the Asian economic crisis could get worse, and Earl Moxam reports that a 13-year-old has gotten a good job: he's to be hi-tech advisor to the Jamaican government.
Rover's switch to overseas suppliers could cost 20,000 UK jobs (Saturday, 7/25/98)
Rover Group Plc has decided to cut 1,500 jobs in an effort to increase productivity, but their decision to buy 1 billion pounds worth of parts from overseas suppliers could cost an additional 20,000 jobs in the United Kingdom, according to a report from the London Times.
Swissair will be hiring (Saturday, 7/25/98)
Cash reports that Swissair expects to hire an additional 1,300 workers over the next 18 months. These will include flight attendants and pilots. The fifth largest airline in Europe has cut thousands of jobs over the past few years.
Anglicans want big debt write-off to give developing economies a chance to recover (Saturday, 7/25/98)
Mike Peacock has the report on the church leaders' recommendations for helping economies burdened by international debt.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's On-Line MBA (Saturday, 7/25/98)
A growing number of accredited higher education institutions are offering programs on-line for credit, including the highly publicized consortium made up of several Western states, as well as California's own system. Here's one of the lesser known on-line Master of Business Administration programs from the University of Wisconsin system. The Internet makes geography largely irrelevant, so schools all over the world will be competing all over the world, and it is likely to become a free-for-all for a while. For instance, here's the University of Asia from Australia, about which we know nothing whatever. However, it is an example of how every campus is close to every other campus and most of the learners in cyberspace, no matter how far removed on the surface of the globe.
Big job cuts at 3M (Friday, 7/24/98)
The inventor of that very well known transparent sticky tape has tens of thousands of products and has enjoyed a long reputation as one of America's best-run companies, as well as one of its best employers. However, demand has been soft, and much of the softening has come from Asia. As a consequence, profits are down and 4,000 jobs are out. Here's more from near the company headquarters: Terry Fiedler of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Speaking of cuts, the maker of the nearly ubiquitous Zip Drive, Iomega Corporation, has cut 700 jobs after big losses last quarter, according to Christina Follmann of MacWeek.
Clinton pushes for more farm aid (Friday, 7/24/98)
Given the vagaries of pestilence, weather, costs and markets over which farmers have no control, plus a hundred dozen other hazards, agriculture makes Las Vegas gambling seem sane by comparison. For centuries over most of the globe, subsistence farming has worked pretty well, but the best you can hope for is to subsist. As a business, though, agriculture may be inherently unprofitable in the long-run, and survival on the farm, as in Las Vegas, may depend in large part upon knowing "when to fold them." Farm commodity prices are way down, and, as Doug Palmer reports, President Clinton wants to see more of a safety net restored to keep farmers in business so that everyone will be able to continue eating. Sharon Schmickle offers more details on the decline in farm income over the past year in the United States. In related news, Curt Anderson of the Detroit News reports on a compromise bill in Congress that would steady the supply of legal farm workers while improving conditions for the workers themselves, claim supporters. Finally, California strawberry workers have voted to unionize, but offer a surprise to the United Farm Workers union.
Not your garden-variety strikes (Friday, 7/24/98)
Workers strike about as often as lightning around the globe, but the current conflict between General Motors and the United Auto Workers is not routine. How things are resolved during the weeks (or months) ahead will have a lot to do with determining the nature of the huge American auto maker for the next century, as well as its relationship with the huge auto workers union. Reuters reports that GM is working up some major restructuring plans, while Brian Akre writes in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune that the arbitrator's decision on the legality of the strikes in Flint might fundamentally alter the relationship between GM and the UAW,. Here's more on that issue from the Nando Times. Finally, David Lawder writes that if the arbitrator decides that the strikes are legal, the outcome may be decided by which side runs out of money first. Neither is in danger of doing that immediately, though.
Drive-through surgery? (Friday, 7/24/98)
Suzanne Gordon says that the motto of HMOs should be "Patient, heal thyself," given the means they're using to cut costs. However, despite cost cuts, not all HMOs are profitable. Here's one major east coast managed care organization that intends to lower physicians' salaries and raise fees to patients in order to try to get out of the red, which should leave everybody enjoying a warm glow deep within their hearts. The Washington Post's Charles Krauthammer tells how Hollywood screenwriters managed to help stir the embers in Congress and put health care issues up at the top of the election year political agenda where they haven't been since "Billary's" plan to rebuild the system from the ground up several years ago, including the parts that didn't need fixing. At that time, America had mostly a health care cost and access problem. Now, genuine quality of care problems seem to be developing in addition, and the evolving system seems to make everybody unhappy. If all this weren't enough, Y2K may be bad for your health too, particularly if you're in the hospital and your HMO's computers think you haven't even been born yet.
Plaintifs want to raise their suit to class action status (Friday, 7/24/98)
West Publishing may be best-known for their law books, and they may be consulting them regularly now that they're being sued for sexual discrimination. Jonathan Gaw reports that those making the allegations would like it to become a class action suit.
New jobless claims down last week (Friday, 7/24/98)
Here's news on the latest data from the United States Department of Labor.
Low income families to get help buying their own homes (Friday, 7/24/98)
The Ford Foundation is setting up a $2 billion dollar program that may help as many as 35,000 families.
Economist casts doubt on severe labor shortage (Friday, 7/24/98)
Millions of American adults remain unemployed, according to puzzled Irwin Kellner of CBS Marketwatch.
Not three, not four, not five, but SIX steps to the kind of career you want (Friday, 7/24/98)
Raymond Gerson offers some career advice from Career Magazine.
Gore talks economics in Russia (Friday, 7/24/98)
The American Vice-President is in Moscow discussing Russia's economic problems, and other things, with Prime Minister Sergei Kiriyenko.
The upside of an economic crisis (Friday, 7/24/98)
Economic hardship can promote consideration of fundamental life priorities and a return to traditional values, according to some in Thailand.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Internal Revenue Service (Friday, 7/24/98)
Now that they're kinder and gentler, maybe you'll want to find them, rather than waiting until they find you. If so, here's the Internal Revenue Service on the web. Their home page opens to their daily on-line newsletter, from which you can easily navigate to many other sections containing information, advice, and access to tax forms.
Is the American economy contracting? (Thursday, 7/23/98)
Ron Scherer of the Christian Science Monitor reports that some are expecting new numbers from the U.S. Department of Commerce to show the first econ shrink in the U.S. in seven years. Also, the Monitor reflects on the meaning of what Chairman Greenspan has been saying, bringing to mind President Truman's exasperated remark that he would like to have a "one-handed economist" as an advisor. This way, he wouldn't keep hearing, "On the other hand..." Also, James Thurman writes that the proposed health database is causing extreme anxiety among those concerned with privacy. Finally, here's some often overlooked good news about the economic progress of what will soon be America's largest minority.
It's official: IRS to be kinder and gentler from now on (Thursday, 7/23/98)
President Clinton has signed the bill into law, but a man who had quite a lot to do with setting all this in motion remains to be convinced that the American Internal Revenue Service will be all that different. Long Island's Newsday has that story.
Clinton has new plans for helping American farmers (Thursday, 7/23/98)
The President is scheduled to disclose new measures in radio interviews today. Meanwhile, the Washington Post's editorial writers support Republican interpretations of the current plight of American farmers and what should be done about it. Jim Barnett of the Oregonian reports that the two Senators from Oregon are introducing a bipartisan bill to change immigration laws that affect migrant workers. Finally, the Austin American-Statesman reports that the drought in Texas is taking its toll on farm jobs, and lines at the food banks are getting longer.
Strike disrupts air travel in South Africa (Thursday, 7/23/98)
Hundreds of striking workers blockaded a runway at the international airport in Johannesburg yesterday, resulting in flight cancellations and delays. The dispute centers on fears that ramp-handling concessions would be distributed to outside firms, resulting in loss of business and job losses. Business Day reports that the strike was called off following negotiations among involved parties.
Arbitration talks resume today (Thursday, 7/23/98)
Representatives from General Motors and the United Auto Workers first met with a court-mandated arbitrator yesterday and are continuing to argue their cases today. The arbitrator will decide if the strikes at GM plants in Flint, Michigan are illegal, as the big auto company claims. In other labor news, Northwest Airlines' mechanics are thinking of changing unions.
Minister supports worker demands at Lebanese electrical company (Thursday, 7/23/98)
Workers at Lebanon's state-run Electricite du Liban want an increase in pay, and Elias Hobeikah, Electicity and Water Resources Minister, has announced that he will support them when the cabinet meets next time. The electrical workers staged a 24-hour strike earlier in the week.
Job cuts at Russell (Thursday, 7/23/98)
Russell Corporation makes athletic uniforms and is thinking about cutting as many as 4,000 jobs. Also, Minnesota-based 3M Corporation has seen a dip in earnings, which may also lead to job cuts.
Funding for the IMF delayed in the House (Thursday, 7/23/98)
House Republicans have put the brakes on the move to replenish the International Monetary Fund's reserves. Here's that story from Adam Entous of Reuters. Meanwhile, Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun reports that, despite continuing international concern with Pakistan's nuclear tests, the G8 has approved an IMF loan in order to try to head off economic failure in that country. If you think you're already worrying about all the real and potential economic crises in the world, here's another one. U.S. Vice-President Gore isn't supporting aid for the Ukraine at this particular time.
Final: Congress won't pay for watching the Teamsters election (Thursday, 7/23/98)
The Washington Post's Frank Swoboda reports on why the Teamsters union may continue as the "problem child" of the American labor movement. Also in the Post today, Barbara Vobejda reports that a new survey finds little improvement in the employment of persons with disabilities.
Work ethic vs. the parenting ethic (Thursday, 7/23/98)
Sam Newlund isn't sure he's happy about New York Mayor Giuliani's plan to rid the big city of welfare by the year 2000. Maybe the Mayor is forgetting something, according to Newlund.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: U.S. Department of Commerce (Thursday, 7/23/98)
The United States Department of Commerce is one of the federal government agencies most involved in economic issues. They gather and analyze a range of economic statistics, among many other things, and they're on the web.
Russian government celebrates IMF loan (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
Russia will get its $11.2 billion loan, reports Irina Demchenko of Reuters, and the Washington Post's Sharon LaFraniere reports that officials are claiming that the Russian financial crisis is under control for the moment.
GM and UAW reps meet with arbitrator today (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
Arbitration at this point isn't intended to settle the dispute that has mostly shut down General Motors operations, but to determine the legality of the two strikes in Flint, Michigan. Chicago Sun-Times biz writer Francine Knowles provides her analysis of how the current dispute is about nothing less than the future of General Motors. Finally, despite the lack of parts coming from Flint, GM has found a way to reopen a truck plant in Mexico.
Getting off welfare vs. getting out of poverty (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
They appear to be two different issues, according to this Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial. Unless America drops the other shoe, we'll simply increase the number of working poor. The new government report, "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being," is cited.
Greenspan to say it all again today on Capitol Hill (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
The Federal Reserve Chairman testified before the Senate Banking Committee yesterday and will do the same before the House Senate Committee today. Things are still cool, he thinks, but there is the danger of, er, overheating. Robert Samuelson of the Washington Post wonders if the American economy is too good to last, and sees some of the same possible future dangers as Mr. Greenspan.
Clinton says no to education savings accounts (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
Here's more on President Clinton's veto of a bill supported by Congressional Republicans.
Discrimination suit filed against Merrill Lynch (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
Hispanic workers at a Merrill Lynch facility in New Jersey are claiming systematic discrimination.
No agreement in Portugal's gas truckers strike (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
According to Publico, striking gasoline truckers in Portugal ended talks with government representatives very early this morning, but without reaching agreement. The majority of gas stations in the country were expected to begin running out of fuel yesterday.
Here's the latest from Indonesia, and it ain't pretty (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
Not so long ago, it appeared that Indonesia had a serious economic problem. Now, nearly everything's a problem, and Suharto's departure hasn't solved much. Keith Richburg reports on the world's fourth largest country--the world's largest Islamic country--and its apparent slide into chaos.
America blew its best chance on health care in 1994, according to columnist (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
Los Angeles Times commentator Matthew Miller examines the ironies in how public dissatisfaction with HMOs has pushed health care issues to the top of the election year political agenda. Jack Faris and Anthony Burns of the Washington Post also have some thoughts on health care, and say that the various "patients' rights" plans would still leave huge numbers of Americans without coverage.
Pensions in Turkey to increase (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
The Turkish government will increase pensions by 30 percent between now and October in order to match the increase in pay for civil servants, reports Hurriyet today. The increases are intended to help compensate for the erosion of buying power resulting from Turkey's high inflation rate.
Clinton wants more regulation of nursing homes (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
Too many of the nation's nursing homes aren't doing a very good job, according to the American president, and he intends to do something about it. Here's the story from Amy Goldstein of the Washington Post.
Is there really a hi-tech worker shortage? (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
Hi-tech corporations are searching desperately for qualified workers, but they're also laying off a lot of people. What's going on?
Say good-bye to the familiar workplace, speaker says (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
Here's what John Challenger has been telling members of the World Future Society at their meeting in Chicago about an increasingly obsolete workplace.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Headhunter.net (Wednesday, 7/22/98)
There are a large number of job-posting sites on the Internet, and Headhunter.net is one of them. They say they're "Net Working @ Its Best," and should be of interest to job seekers, employers, and recruiters. No fees and no recycled postings, they say. The site is supported by advertising, and they claim lots of traffic.
Strikes may continue until autumn leaves begin to fall (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
Brian Akre reports in the St. Paul Pioneer Press that an official of the United Auto Workers is saying that the strikes at Flint, Michigan GM plants could continue until September. Dave Phillips of the Detroit News reports on rising discontent among GM workers at other locations, and also indicates where some additional strikes could occur, and Ben Klayman reports on rallies in which thousands of UAW workers vow to endure hardship for months if necessary. The Washington Post's Warren Brown explains how arguments over "peg rates" have played a role in the current strikes.
Armageddon may just be the name of a movie (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
If you're expecting more or less the end of the economic world because of Y2K, the San Francisco Chronicle's Jonathan Marshall reports that the sky may not fall after all.
What it takes to gain work flexibility (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
Columnist Amy Gage says that simply working for a woman doesn't guarantee empathy for your work-family pressures. What it takes is skillful negotiation, she says.
Hard times for an ex-mayor (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
Darla Clark lost an election, and has had difficulty finding work ever since. However, she's given up trying to collect unemployment benefits.
Fed Head talks to the Senate (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
Alan Greenspan goes to Capitol Hill to deliver his report on the American economy. Here's Knut Engelmann's story.
Hot job prospects for new grads...in the U.S. (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
Even people with freshly minted degrees in the liberal arts are finding a welcoming job market this year in the United States, but new grads in Thailand are finding a much different situation, according to the Arizona Republic.
New York's mayor wants to bring a complete end to welfare and soon (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
The end of welfare in New York City by the year 2000 is Mayor Giuliani's goal. Here's the story from Blaine Harden of the Washington Post. Also in the Post today, Helen Dewar reports that House Majority Leader Armey has changed his prediction on new IMF funding. The Post also editorializes today on the standoff on who should pay for keeping a close eye on the Teamsters presidential election re-do. In another editorial coming to you via the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Post says that the surplus should be saved for Social Security.
Argument over health IDs begins to heat up (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
Privacy is the issue, according to many. Also from the Minneapolis Star Tribune today, Jon Tevlin reports on labor law violations at a nonprofit that runs a major Minnesota county's Head Start program.
Job cuts in the tech industry (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
AMP is cutting, and so is Harris. The former is the world's largest supplier of electric and electronic connectors, and the latter produces semiconductors, among other things.
Australian coal mine to become center of attention again (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
Christopher Niesche of the Australian News Network reports that a mining union is trying to regain jobs at the mine.
On the desire for quality at bargain rates (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
Today's Christian Science Monitor explains what the current argument over health care is all about. Also in the Monitor today, Linda Feldmann describes the conflict that many mothers face in relation to work options. Incidentally, there may be less intrapsychic conflict if work outside the home is an absolute necessity, but that doesn't make it feel any better.
Where you're most likely to find workplace violence (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
Devi Ramachandran reports that the incidence of workplace violence is high in Canada, according to a new study from the International Labor Organization, an agency of the United Nations. In Europe, La Tribune reports that workplace violence and sexual harassment are most likely in France.
Truckers strike in Portugal (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
Diario de Noticias reports that workers who drive truckers carrying gasoline and other hazardous substances began a strike yesterday which could cut back flights in and out of the Lisbon airport. Strikers are demanding better pay and working conditions.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Keirsey Temperament Sorter (Tuesday, 7/21/98)
The Myers-Briggs Type Inventory is a paper-and-pencil questionnaire that is widely used by counselors and others in a variety of situations, including employment settings, in which it is often used to help people determine what kind of work is best for them. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter is a briefer version which is intended to provide similar results, and it's available on the web. It represents another way in which the web may come to be used by a variety of helpers for employment as well as other purposes. Refer to this site for help in interpreting the Sorter's results. Also, professionals and other interested persons may refer to a little book by Keirsey and Bates, called Please Understand Me, published by Prometheus Nemesis, P.O. Box 2082, Del Mar, CA 92014. Here it is on Barnes & Noble's web site, where you can purchase it if you like. Or, you can order it from the other big on-line bookstore, Amazon.com. Also, here's a classic from the inventor of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator herself, and here's another book by David Keirsey to help you interpret his Sorter.
Strike authorization vote at Saturn (Monday, 7/20/98)
Saturn workers have authorized their representatives to strike if necessary, which further complicates GM's situation. Negotiators have taken some time off in efforts to reach agreements that would end the strikes in Flint, Michigan. Peter Grier of the Christian Science Monitor offers some perspective, including how the UAW sees its members' high stakes in the conflict. Also, here's a USA Today story about how the strikes in Michigan are affecting workers many miles away. Finally, Keith Bradsher of the New York Times looks back at the very beginning of the relationship between General Motors and the United Auto Workers in 1937 in, of all places, Flint, Michigan.
Electrical workers strike in Lebanon (Monday, 7/20/98)
According to As-Safir, workers at the state-run electrical company, Electricite du Liban, have staged a 24-hour strike to support their wage and working condition demands.
Two South Korean auto makers suspend operations (Monday, 7/20/98)
Yun Suk-bong reports that the car companies are trying to head off possible strikes or violence as tension increases. However, the South Korean government insists that it will not retreat from its intended labor market reforms, despite opposition from union hard-liners. Despite the ongoing economic problems, South Koreans are intending to take some time out to celebrate the country's 50th anniversary.
Events in America's northern plains affect Indonesia (Monday, 7/20/98)
One of the defining attributes of the new world economy is the high degree of integration, or, at least, the extent to which events in one part of the world affect other parts. Farmers in the American northern plains are in crisis because of low farm product prices, so the American government intends to buy a lot of wheat in order to push market prices up. The wheat will be distributed overseas, and Indonesia, which has severe economic problems, including high rates of unemployment and growing hunger, expects to benefit. Incidentally, other countries, including the United States, also have a stake in Indonesia's economic and political success, given that it is the world's fourth largest country, and, given its location, could be a destabilizing influence throughout the Asian region.
How are you feeling about being "downsized out?" (Monday, 7/20/98)
Sarah Schafer of the Washington Post puts things into perspective and passes along some suggestions from career expert and therapist Marilyn Goldman. Meanwhile, in Japan, people continue to die from overwork. Uri Kageyama of the Los Angeles Times reports.
What it takes to get rich (Monday, 7/20/98)
Wise investment in the stock market combined with patience is one way, according to Washington Post columnist James Glassman who reflects on the couple who quietly accumulated $800 million, which they left to charity. Glassman is also host of PBS' "Technopolitics" on public television stations throughout the United States.
Paying for wage increases in Turkey (Monday, 7/20/98)
Turkish civil servants will get a raise in pay beginning in October, and the Turkish government has announced an austerity plan to pay for the increased wage costs, according to Hurriyet today.
Irish teachers want pay increase like the police are getting (Monday, 7/20/98)
The Irish Independent reports that the government has offered a 9 percent pay increase to police, and this has brought about protests from 20,000 elementary school teachers who say their pay should be re-negotiated.
What's hot eventually cools (Monday, 7/20/98)
Enjoy the hot hi-tech job market while it lasts, but remember that nothing lasts forever, says Philip Ross of Forbes magazine.
The shrinking of the AMA (Monday, 7/20/98)
Charles Ornstein reports that the American Medical Association now represents only a bit more than a third of American physicians. What's been happening? Here's Mr. Ornstein's explanation.
High school students predict the future (Monday, 7/20/98)
Here's what some high school students expect from the future world of work, as reported in the Sacramento Bee.
Louder arguments coming over the minimum wage (Monday, 7/20/98)
David Francis reports on the new effort to increase the federal minimum wage. It last went up in 1996. Also in the Christian Science Monitor today, news about the issue that has moved to the top of the election-year agenda in Washington: patient rights and whether patients should be able to sue their HMOs. Meanwhile, Sheryl Gay Stolberg of the New York Times writes that the Clinton administration wants to be able to track every American's health history through the use of a unique "health identifier." It's all been fairly quiet so far, but we're betting that this will become a very visible and controversial issue before long.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: HealthCareerWeb (Monday, 7/20/98)
Want help locating either jobs or workers in the health care field? HealthCareerWeb specializes in health care and is associated with CareerWeb.
Negotiators met again yesterday (Sunday, 7/19/98)
Talks continue in an effort to settle the strikes at General Motors plants in Michigan, but there's not much more to report. Keith Bradsher of the New York Times tells how striking workers in Flint are getting by with a little help from the UAW, and Steven Greenhouse says that the current strikes bring to mind the old days when organized labor had more clout overall.
Retirement self-reliance in Britain (Sunday, 7/19/98)
Richard Stevenson reports that workers in the UK seem to think they should be mostly in charge of their own retirement. Also in Britain, Conal Urquhart of the The Scotsman tells the dismal story of the mostly forced labor camps of so many years ago. There were at least twenty-five of them in Britain, according to the article.
Quinn says this should be the year if you're going to shift to a Roth IRA (Sunday, 7/19/98)
Reason: this is the year when you'll get a tax break. Consider carefully, though. Here's nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn's advice. Also in the Washington Post today, Amy Joyce writes about how the twentysomethings are handling management roles in their own way, and suggests Bruce Tulgan's book, Work This Way: How 1,000 Young People Designed Their Own Careers in the New Workplace and How You Can Too, which may be a finalist for the year's longest book title, and this may be a finalist for the year's longest sentence. Finally, James Rupert reports on U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin's trip to Africa and what he's saying about economic development there.
More on the government's big wheat purchases (Sunday, 7/19/98)
The Clinton administration sees big dangers for America's agricultural industry and is buying wheat to send overseas in order to boost prices. Today's editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune suggests a fix for the Freedom to Farm act. Nearby, Minnesota's Red River Valley, which has some of the most fertile soil on the planet, is in deep crisis because of collapsing farm product prices. Many economists say that farming is an inherently unprofitable business in the long-run, so, if people like to eat, it will be necessary to support farmers in some way in order to keep them in business.
Quick quiz on the revolutionary new world economy (Sunday, 7/19/98)
In the New York Times today, Cynthia Mayer provides an example of what is so different about the new economy. Which company has the greater market capitalization, Barnes & Noble, which has been around since shortly after the beginning of time and has lots of bookstores, or Amazon.com, which is barely three years old and has no bookstores? If you said the latter, you are entitled to the handshake award. In the old industrial economy, bricks and mortar and such things were associated with much of a company's value. However, in the new information economy, the principal value comes from, well, information.
AFT approves merger with the NEA (Sunday, 7/19/98)
But, as reported earlier, the NEA turned down the merger idea at the national level. However, states can go their own way, and it appears that Minnesota will be the first to do so by merging the NEA and AFT at the state level. If any of this is confusing, ask a teacher for clarification. At any rate, here's the latest on the AFT vote from the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
Local hoarding of job vacancies alleged (Sunday, 7/19/98)
Tom Allard reports from Canberra for the Sydney Morning Herald on why the new national Job Network isn't working so well yet.
Music major runs big foundation (Sunday, 7/19/98)
Robert Miller of the Dallas Morning New tells the story of Anna Faith Jones' tremendous success in building a community foundation with assets of over a half billion dollars.
Among the best places to work if you're a minority (Sunday, 7/19/98)
Fortune magazine identifies 50 of the best companies if you're talented and Asian, Black, or Hispanic, and they explain why the best are the best.
European economies move beyond steady pulse (Sunday, 7/19/98)
John-Thor Dahlburg of the Los Angeles Times reports on the economic revival of economies on the European continent. Several countries still suffer near-record unemployment levels, though.
Mexican government gears up to protect Mexican workers in the U.S. (Sunday, 7/19/98)
The Mexican government intends to take a more aggressive stance in the courts to protect Mexican workers in the United States. Here's the report from Mexico City via San Diego.
Clinton may be waiting with a veto (Sunday, 7/19/98)
American hi-tech companies want the U.S. government to allow more immigrants with technical skills into the country. However, the Wall Street Journal reports that the President may be prepared to veto the bill that would increase the number of visas. Meanwhile, the Editor-in-Chief at U.S. News thinks it's foolish to restrict hi-tech immigration. Let 'em come, he says.
More teenage hi-tech experts (Sunday, 7/19/98)
Computerworld reports that new U.S. Department of Labor data indicate an increase in the number of computer programmers and system analysts between the ages of 16 and 19 in the United States. There were 9,000 in 1996 and 16,000 in 1997, says the Labor Department. Many are earning top salaries.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Job Direct (Sunday, 7/19/98)
In 1995, two Pittsburgh-area students were looking for summer jobs. This led to their making a job out of helping graduating college students find a job. Job Direct is the result, and it's intended to serve the special needs of students.
Help for farmers (Saturday, 7/18/98)
The Clinton administration hopes to boost domestic farm product prices by buying grain and distributing it overseas, and the U.S. Senate approves $500 million in emergency aid for U.S. farmers. On the other side of the Capitol, the House Speaker says that he expects Congress to approve more money for the International Monetary Fund.
First arbitration meeting scheduled for Wednesday (Saturday, 7/18/98)
Representatives of General Motors and the United Auto Workers will begin meeting with an independent arbitrator Wednesday to settle the issue of whether the strikes in Flint, Michigan are legal. Here's that story from Reuters and the New York Times. Meanwhile, the U.S. Labor Secretary has offered mediation help to settle the strikes.
New ruling lets individual managers off the hook a bit (Saturday, 7/18/98)
California's high court says that employers can be held financially liable in discrimination cases, but not individual managers. Here's that story from Maura Dolan of the Los Angeles Times.
Job cuts at Micron Electronics (Saturday, 7/18/98)
Personal computer price wars will cost 130 jobs at Micron.
Strike ends at Rockwell (Saturday, 7/18/98)
Workers in the semiconductor division at Rockwell International have agreed to end a seven-week strike. As part of the settlement, the union has abandoned its work week demands, among other things. In other labor news, passenger-service workers at United Airlines have voted to be represented by the International Association of Machinists.
Rubber meets the road at RCA (Saturday, 7/18/98)
John Russell of the Akron Beacon Journal reports that while workers at RCA Rubber Company have been on strike, their company has been making some changes. According to the restructuring, a number of things will be done in different ways and affect the nature of 140 jobs.
Trade unionists want minimum wage in Ireland before 1999 (Saturday, 7/18/98)
Padraig Yeates of the Irish Times reports that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions wants to see a national minimum wage before the end of the year.
Lawyer mom loses custody of child (Saturday, 7/18/98)
The New York Times' Melody Petersen reports on a custody battle that may have implications for many hard working parents.
Perks get more perky in tight labor market (Saturday, 7/18/98)
Tim Smart and Beth Berselli write in the International Herald Tribune about the rich mix of benefits that U.S. companies are offering to high-demand workers in a hot economy where labor shortages are becoming more common, particularly in technical and professional areas. Affected workers should enjoy it all while they can and remember what they learned about supply-demand relationships in Econ 101. When the American economy begins to cool again, well, you know...
Would a job by any other name be as sweet? (Saturday, 7/18/98)
For many people, it's not only what they do but what they can call themselves that counts. Claudia Coates writes in the Kansas City Star about the importance of titles to many people.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: CareerPath.com (Saturday, 7/18/98)
CareerPath.com gives you access to more than 200,000 job listings from newspapers throughout the United States.
Adversaries present plans for the Japanese economy (Friday, 7/17/98)
How will the new Japanese government cope with the most severe recession Japan has experienced during the postwar period? That country's next prime minister is likely to be one of two or three leading contenders, and they present their views.
After seven weeks, sides in GM strikes troll for support (Friday, 7/17/98)
The sides don't seem to be in much mood for compromise as they seek support and turn up the heat on the war to win hearts and minds. Ben Klayman of Reuters reports that General Motors is seeking alternative sources of supply for the parts that are needed to resume production. Tom Henry of the Toledo Blade writes about how Ohio workers who have been idled by the strikes in Flint, Michigan are getting help from their union.
Clinton leads rally on Capitol Hill (Friday, 7/17/98)
Randall Mikkelsen reports that Democrats see public concern with managed health care as a ticket to big wins in November, possibly even including regaining control of the House of Representatives. As a consequence, President Clinton visited Capitol Hill yesterday in an effort to rev things up. The Washington Post's Amy Goldstein and Helen Dewar write that Republicans are trying to call attention to the cost increases they see as resulting from the Democratic plan. The Republicans have their own plan, and the Post examines the alternatives.
Gore addresses NAACP convention in Atlanta (Friday, 7/17/98)
The Vice-President told the conclave that African Americans haven't been benefiting enough from the American economic boom, and he found little disagreement.
The cost of Lebanon's pilots' strike (Friday, 7/17/98)
Pilots at Middle East Airlines were on strike for 24 hours, and it cost the company $1.2 million, according to reports in An-Nahar today. Also in Lebanon, As-Safir reports that workers at Electricite du Liban are planning their own 24-hour strike to enforce their demand for increased worker subsidies and a health care plan, among other things.
Adolescent health risk and immigration (Friday, 7/17/98)
What factors are related to health risks among adolescents? Is it safer to be a foreign born immigrant, a native born, or what? Ann Quigley reports on some new findings from a University of North Carolina study. Speaking of health risks, another study finds that women in some occupations are at greater risk for developing cancer of the reproductive system than are others.
Some reasons for starting your own business if you're a woman (Friday, 7/17/98)
Ann Scott Tyson of the Christian Science Monitor writes that not having to contend with a glass ceiling is one. Ms. Tyson also writes about women and retirement: many aren't able to afford it. Along similar lines, Rachel Kaprielian of the Boston Globe says that statistics show that American women are disproportionately represented among the elderly in poverty. Meanwhile, Jim Abrams reports in the Savannah Morning News that a Congressional report suggests that raising the retirement age will hurt blue collar workers.
Russian oligarchy and the IMF (Friday, 7/17/98)
The International Monetary Fund faces somewhat different home-grown obstacles in its effort to help Russia than it faces in trying to assist the Asian economies out of the hole they've gotten themselves into. Michael Gordon and David Sanger report in the New York Times on how the U.S. has been twisting IMF arms in relation to Russia.
Job satisfaction in Alberta (Friday, 7/17/98)
A new survey claims that workers in Alberta enjoy generally high levels of job satisfaction. Here's that story from Vicki Barnett of the Calgary Herald.
Are you nostalgic for the role of paperboy? (Friday, 7/17/98)
Jeffrey Shaffer seems to be, and, among other things, discusses customer satisfaction. Also in today's Christian Science Monitor, the problems that Massachusetts faces in finding enough qualified, that's qualified teachers. Other regions are likely to face that problem too.
Labor leaders assert their determination in South Korea (Friday, 7/17/98)
Don Kirk of the Paris-based International Herald Tribune reports that the latest strike in South Korea has mostly fizzled, but labor union leaders are undeterred.
How the "cagemen" are making it or not making it in mostly affluent Hong Kong (Friday, 7/17/98)
Being down and out in some regions isn't quite the same as being down and out in Hong Kong. Here's Keith Richburg's report. Also in today's Washington Post, Charles Krauthammer wonders if the population explosion will be over soon worldwide. In some areas of the world, there is already the opposite problem, and, if it were not for immigrants, he says, Americans would barely be replacing themselves. He reports on a new article by Nick Eberstadt.
Average real wages are increasing in the U.S. (Friday, 7/17/98)
David Wessel writes in today's Wall Street Journal that, adjusted for inflation, average wages in the United States have been on the way up again.
There's something unenthusiastic in Denmark (Friday, 7/17/98)
An 18-month experiment has found little enthusiasm among Danes for working at home. A key reason: they miss interpersonal contact with their colleagues, according to Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten.
Japanese court rules that many illegal aliens are covered (Friday, 7/17/98)
Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun reports on a Tokyo District Court ruling that means coverage by Japan's national health plan for many illegal aliens.
Fashions come and go, and when they go, so do jobs (Friday, 7/17/98)
San Francisco-based Levi Strauss plans to cut more jobs in order to bring costs down in an effort to adjust to softening demand.
Guilty plea in Medicare fraud case (Friday, 7/17/98)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois will pay a $144 million fine.
Clinton gets emergency assistance for farmers in Senate bill (Friday, 7/17/98)
President Clinton had been pushing for $500 million in emergency aid for farmers, and the Senate has agreed, following reluctance from many Republicans. Farmers in the northern plains are having trouble, in large part because of prices, but farmer and ranchers in Texas are suffering because of the extreme heat and drought. Here's that story from Worth Wren of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Also in Texas today, Diana Kunde reports in the Dallas Morning News that some companies are trying to help employees cope with business travel combined with family responsibilities. Incidentally, that kind of help is more forthcoming in a tight labor market.
Rail merger to create jobs in Chicago area (Friday, 7/17/98)
Mary Ellen Podmolik reports in the Chicago Sun-Times that more Chicagoland jobs will result if the Illinois Central--Canadian National Railway merger is approved.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Advancing Women (Friday, 7/17/98)
Advancing Women focuses on women and work and has an international orientation. News, self-help, and a good deal more.
Judge says arbitrator will decide if strikes are illegal (Thursday, 7/16/98)
In an effort to break the deadlock between General Motors and the United Auto Workers, a federal judge has ordered negotiators to set up an arbitration meeting. Here's the story from Reuters, the Washington Post, and the New York Times. The Detroit Free Press reports that GM may soon begin planning to eliminate white collar jobs, particularly if it discontinues some models, as reports have indicated. The two strikes in Flint, Michigan may not be the end of GM's problems. Workers at a Saturn plant in Tennessee will take a strike authorization vote on Sunday. Finally, here's an ABC News report on how the GM strikes are affecting subcontractors in a "just-in-time" economy.
First-time jobless claims decline last week (Thursday, 7/16/98)
They had gone up earlier because of the GM strikes, but hit a four-week low last week, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Some perspective on Puerto Rico's attitudes toward their phone company (Thursday, 7/16/98)
Peter Passell of the New York Times examines the reasons for so much resistance to the Puerto Rican government's plan to privatize the telephone company.
The state of America's kids (Thursday, 7/16/98)
There are 70 million children in the United States. A new government report finds good news and bad news to report.
The fight over securing patient rights (Thursday, 7/16/98)
The HMOs and related health care issues seem to have moved to the top of the political agenda in an election year, and both sides are scrambling to respond to what polls say Americans want. The Republicans released their plan yesterday, and President Clinton heads for Capitol Hill to be chief cheerleader for the Democrats. Also in Congress, a bipartisan group has introduced legislation to fix Social Security, but doesn't expect a vote until next session, and Helen Dewar of the Washington Post reports that things are looking better for President Clinton who wants $18 billion for the International Monetary Fund, but Senate Republicans have squished Democratic plans to provide struggling farmers with subsidies. Also, the Washington Post editorializes today that the higher-education bill that has moved through Congress involves spending increases financed mostly by gimmicks and amounts to sloppy policy. Finally, Bill Thomas says the Administration should stop stalling on Medicare. Key provisions of last year's law aren't being implemented, he says.
Why the West cares about Russia's success (Thursday, 7/16/98)
Here's more on the stake that a lot of people outside Russia have in it's economic and political success, and why the West is working to bail out the gasping Russian economy. Jonathan Landay writes for the Christian Science Monitor.
More on the new Business Work-Life Study (Thursday, 7/16/98)
Theresa Walker of the Orange County Register provides more details on the new study from the Families and Work Institute.
So, managed care means poorer care, right? Not necessarily, says a major newspaper (Thursday, 7/16/98)
An editorial in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune claims that it's possible for the quality of care to improve in a managed care environment.
Texas Instruments moves ahead on layoffs (Thursday, 7/16/98)
The Dallas Morning News reports that TI is half way through the planned cuts worldwide, and 275 jobs have been sliced in Dallas.
The search for the "money personality" (Thursday, 7/16/98)
Standardized assessment instruments are being used on Wall Street and in other parts of the financial community, this time to get to know clients better. Is it a valid process? Who knows?
Northeastern Brazil attempts a transition to the new world economy (Thursday, 7/16/98)
Diana Jean Schemo writes in today's New York Times about how a huge part of South America's largest country is working its way to full participation in the new economy and what it means for individuals.
Pilots strike in Lebanon as scheduled (Thursday, 7/16/98)
As-Safir reports that pilots for Middle East Airlines began their 24-hour strike yesterday. Twenty-two flights will have to be canceled. MEA has been struggling financially for several years, and pilots are concerned about pay as well as future employment prospects.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Training and Education Select List (Thursday, 7/16/98)
The Training and Education Select List helps you quickly find schools that offer the programs you're interested in, if you're in the New England region or want to study there.
General Motors files suit against the United Auto Workers (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
GM sues the UAW in an attempt to bring binding arbitration into the picture to settle the strikes in Michigan that have largely shut down its North American operations. Keith Bradsher of the New York Times sees chances for settlement diminishing.
If you work for Ford and get a buyout offer, here's what they're thinking (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
Ford Motor Company wants to get rid of about 5,000 of its white-collar workers who are doing less than a spectacular job, in their judgment. However, they want to do it in a kinder and gentler fashion, so they're offering buyouts, according to today's Detroit Free Press story. Incidentally, according to independent analysts, Ford and Chrysler are already operating at higher overall levels of productivity than General Motors, which helps explain the high stakes negotiations that are going on to settle the strikes at two GM plants in Flint, Michigan.
Russian stocks respond to IMF bailout plan (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
The Washington Post's Daniel Williams reports that investors seem buoyed by the IMF's $22.6 billion bailout plan to help Russia, and that the plan buys the Russian government some time. President Clinton likes the plan, but an editorial in today's Washington Post suggest that, while perhaps necessary to hold back catastrophe, what happens to Russia in the long run very much depends on the Russians. Clay Chandler writes that the big loans to Russia further depletes the IMF's reserves, and Reuters' Adam Entous reports that the U.S. House of Representatives may be getting ready to support the move to send the IMF more money, but not as much as many supporters have wanted. The Minneapolis Star Tribune says that the U.S. should get its checkbook out quickly.
Here's something that's surging in the Japanese economy as that country forms a new government (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
Business bankruptcies are at their highest level since World War II.
Pilots to strike in Lebanon (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
United Press International reports that twenty-two Middle East Airlines flights will be affected by a 24-hour strike of Lebanese pilots that is scheduled to begin at midnight. Also in Lebanon today, An-Nahar reports that the Lebanese parliament has approved a 30 percent increase in pension benefits for some state employees.
Thousands strike in South Korea (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
South Korea has been trying to restructure its economy in order to fix its economic mess. However, tens of thousands of union members don't like the restructuring efforts, and they've expressed their displeasure by going out on strike. Here's the story from Reuters and the International Herald Tribune, as well as the Nando Times, which also reports that labor is losing its clout in the present crisis.
Republican health plan to be released today (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
Senate Republicans have heard the public call for more regulation of the managed care industry and are set to release their plan to guarantee "patient rights." Also, the Senate vows help for farmers, and President Clinton has his own ideas on that problem, according to Charles Abbott's story. Despite a booming American economy overall, farmers across the northern plains have been suffering from a dangerous drop in income.
Are men working in the child care industry? Here's one (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
Marilyn Gardner writes about a man who regards caring for children as his mission in work life. Still, justified or not, Americans tend to be suspicious of men caring for children.
Boss won't listen to you? Tell BrainBank Inc. (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
A good suggestion coming from you may be ignored, so tell BrainBank, and they'll tell your boss. Also in today's Washington Post, Mary Janney reports on what it seems to take to stay off welfare. Hint: it's a nine-letter word that starts with an "e." So, what does it take to gain access to this wonderful stuff?
The '70s pioneers look back (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
Ellen Joan Pollock writes in today's Wall Street Journal about those dual-career couples of the 1970s and what they see when they look back. Incidentally, are you keeping up with the cost of raising children in the late '90s? Jean Hopfensperger reports that tax credits, which are supposed to help, are slipping behind the rising costs. Also, if you're a working parent, are your employer's policies helpful as you try to balance your responsibilities? Here's Maggie Jackson's report on a new study coming to you from today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Is there intelligent life on earth? (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
Some sales trainees were urged to walk on hot coals during a "motivational" training course, and, guess what? Some of them suffered serious burns.
No automatic productivity gains from hi-tech (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
South Africa has spent a lot on technology, but many are still looking for the productivity gains that were supposed to result. However, as the U.S. and others have found, it may be more of a people problem than a technology problem. Here's that story from today's Financial Mail. Also in South Africa, Business Report says that more than 14,000 Transnet employees are threatening to pull out of the medical aid program because it hasn't been paying medical bills that it's supposed to cover. The state-owned transportation company says that the problem is being addressed and that the program is 54 million rand in debt.
Wanna retire someday? What will it take? Biz Week has some suggestions (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
Here's the major cover story on retirement from the current edition of Business Week.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: United States Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (Wednesday, 7/15/98)
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination and was established by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. However, the Commission also enforces more recent statutes, including ADEA and ADA.
Strike settled in Philadelphia (Saturday, 7/11/98)
The long transit strike in Philadelphia is over. A tentative agreement was reached last night.
New contract at AT&T (Saturday, 7/11/98)
CNN Financial reports that communication workers at AT&T have approved a new four-year contract.
GM strike talks slow again (Saturday, 7/11/98)
There seemed to be progress in the negotiations between General Motors and the United Auto Workers, but things have slowed down again. Keith Bradsher of the New York Times says that a major reason is that GM wants a guarantee of no strikes elsewhere for a while.
UPS responds to Teamsters complaint (Saturday, 7/11/98)
The Teamsters are complaining that United Parcel Service has not created any new jobs, which was part of the agreement that ended the big strike. The company responds that they're waiting until business lost because of the strike has been restored.
Clinton and Yeltsin discuss Russia's economy (Saturday, 7/11/98)
The leaders of the two countries have been on the phone discussing the state of Russia's economy and what can be done about it. The U.S. supports additional IMF help.
Millions awarded in discrimination suit (Saturday, 7/11/98)
Seven managers at Liberty National Life Insurance Company have been awarded $19 million in an age discrimination suit.
The economics of death (Saturday, 7/11/98)
Suicide rates are far higher in underdeveloped countries, and additional research shows higher death rates in cities with a greater gap between haves and have nots.
Judges feel their hands are tied in relation to HMOs (Saturday, 7/11/98)
In general, the Democrats would like patients to be able to sue their HMOs, while Republicans don't like the idea. However, federal judges would like to see some change in the present law that protects managed care organizations from suit.
The relationship between breast feeding and work (Saturday, 7/11/98)
New mothers who work part time are as likely to breast feed their infants as those who do not work outside the home. However, full-time work makes breast feeding less likely. In other work-related health news from Reuters, researchers find that there are benefits associated with screening workers for ulcer infection.
An analysis of the NEA vote (Saturday, 7/11/98)
Members of the National Education Associated voted not to merge with the AFT the other day, and the Washington Post has some editorial thoughts. In Japan, more than 2,000 high school teachers stage a one-hour strike. Here's the story from the Japan Times. New York City needs teachers, and is looking for them in Austria.
Job cuts at Kirin (Saturday, 7/11/98)
Kirin Brewery, the big Japanese beer company, will cut 200 jobs by offering incentives for early retirement, according to today's Japan Times.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Salary Calculator (Saturday, 7/11/98)
Considering a career move? Costs vary in different cities and in different parts of the United States. What do you have to make in order to enjoy the buying power and standard of living you expect?. The Salary Calculator can help you in your salary negotiations.
Okay, now, this is really getting serious (Friday, 7/10/98)
Paul Blustein writes about why the IMF faces a dilemma with respect to Russia and its deteriorating financial situation. Meanwhile, President Yeltsin attempts to calm fears about the possibility of an "extremist" political takeover. Students of history will recall that severe economic troubles often provide fertile ground for extremist political movements. In Germany, for instance, there was a time when what once cost one mark soon cost as much a 700 million marks. Honest. Then, a man named Hitler came to power. Incidentally, one reason the world is worrying so much about Russia is that, even though the old Soviet Union is gone, its nuclear missiles are not.
Big labor rally planned in South Korea (Friday, 7/10/98)
Kim Myong-hwan reports on the continuing standoff between the South Korean government, which is now headed by a former political activist and outsider, and that country's major labor unions. A rally this weekend could involve the participation of as many as 100,000 persons who don't like the government's economic restructuring plans.
GM getting impatient (Friday, 7/10/98)
Ben Klayman reports that representatives of General Motors hope to have a settlement by Monday, but Ben Klayman says that the UAW has a different view on the progress of negotiations.
IRS reform bill is on its way to the White House (Friday, 7/10/98)
The U.S. Senate has passed a bill intended to change the way that the Internal Revenue Service conducts its business. The bill had passed the House of Representatives earlier, so is on its way to President Clinton, who has said that he will sign it. Incidentally, the Senate vote was lopsided, to say the very least, suggesting, among other things, that not too many Washington politicians are unaware of public opinion polls and the fact that this is an election year. Republicans would also like to eliminate the so-called "marriage penalty," but this may be harder. Also, Republican strategists are saying that their party could be hurt in the fall elections if they don't manage to meet public expectations on some sort of new "patients' rights" law regulating HMOs. While the Democrats have their own version brewing, they would like to see voters blame Republicans for its not happening. For one thing, this could result in the Democrats regaining control of the House of Representatives, and this could mean that those who are hoping for impeachment proceedings against President Clinton could largely forget about it, whatever Ken Starr's report has to say. Incidentally, in other significant Senate action, an even more lopsided vote passed the new higher education bill.
More U.S. children living in poverty (Friday, 7/10/98)
Here are some of the findings from a new study conducted by the National Center for Children in Poverty from the Columbia School of Public Health.
Swiss railway to cut jobs by encouraging early retirement (Friday, 7/10/98)
Incentives for taking early retirement are intended to result in a cut of 700 jobs from the Swiss National Railways, according to today's Neue Zuercher Zeitung. The rail organization employs 31,000 people overall at present. Also in Switzerland, a new business-friendly employment law will go to the voters a second time under a schedule referendum. If passed, the law will make it easier for businesses to require overtime and weekend work without paying higher rates.
Pension benefits increase in Lebanon (Friday, 7/10/98)
Pension benefits for state employees who retired before 1991 will increase by 30 percent under a proposal approved by the Lebanese parliament yesterday, according to As-Safir.
Teamsters say UPS hasn't followed through (Friday, 7/10/98)
The Teamsters are claiming that UPS has been cutting jobs rather than creating new ones as required by the agreement that ended the strike last year. Incidentally, a re-do of the Teamsters presidential election is coming up, and the campaign is underway. One of the candidates has been trying to persuade Teamsters in the Twin Cities.
Are you a passive smoker at work? (Friday, 7/10/98)
If so, your health is at risk, according to a new analysis of previous data. Other research indicates that your health is at risk if you're worried about losing your job. Yet another study shows that women are more likely to sufer stress fractures in military basic training. Rajiv Chandrasekaran of the Washington Post reports that the Y2K problem may also be a threat to your health.
Housework should qualify wives for social security, according to Ministry (Friday, 7/10/98)
The Turkish Ministry of Family Affairs is proposing a law that would require husbands to make social security payments for their wives who do not work outside the home. Hurriyet has that story today.
Parliamentary elections Sunday in Japan (Friday, 7/10/98)
Cameron Barr of the Christian Science Monitor writes that Japanese voters may be stirring because of the recession that worries so many outside Japan.
Talks cut off again at Northwest (Friday, 7/10/98)
Northwest Airlines and its pilots are still at it, or, at least, they were through yesterday. Talks have broken off again, though. Leaders of the pilots' union don't expect progress without a strike deadline.
Europe's population imploding, not exploding (Friday, 7/10/98)
The world's population continues to explode, although at a slightly moderated rate, but, in Europe, things are different. Michael Specter reports for the New York Times. Also in the Times today, Steven Greenhouse offers the story of lengthy efforts to organize at a New Orleans shipyard as evidence of what's wrong with current labor laws.
PhAME in Philadelphia (Friday, 7/10/98)
PhAME stands for Philadelphia Area Accelerated Manufacturing Education, and a lot of people are behind it. Here's the story from the Philadelphia Inquirer. From the other end of Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dan Fitzpatrick writes about the Working Together Consortium from the University of Pittsburgh. The Consortium's new report calls for an organized effort to prepare people for technical jobs and then match them up with appropriate employment in a new kind of "map making."
The high rate of temps in Spain (Friday, 7/10/98)
Spain has one of the highest levels of temporary contract workers in Europe, according to the Paris-based International Herald Tribune. Also in Spain, airport workers are threatening to strike again, this time at the height of the tourist season in order to press their pay demands.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: MBA Style Magazine (Friday, 7/10/98)
If you're about to be an MBA seeking employment, here's advice on how to dress and prepare for interviews. MBA Style Magazine is a free publication, and its web site includes links to many articles as well as outside resources.
Strike in Puerto Rico loses momentum (Thursday, 7/9/98)
Initially, strikers blockaded the road to the main airport, but things quickly wound down with fairly minimal disruption, except for some vandalism. Strikers were protesting the intended sale of the state-own telephone company. Guy Gugliotta of the Washington Post offers some perspective on how the battle over the phone company reflects Puerto Rican identity issues.
Vote on IRS reform today in the Senate (Thursday, 7/9/98)
The IRS reform bill is expected to be approved today in the United States Senate.
Progress at GM? (Thursday, 7/9/98)
There are some signs that the sides are getting a bit closer in negotiations between General Motors and the United Auto Workers. Investors seem to think so, as GM stocks strengthen.
Boom town isn't booming now because of GM strikes (Thursday, 7/9/98)
Richardo Sandoval writes for the Detroit Free Press about how the strikes at General Motors plans in Michigan have slowed things to a crawl in Silao, Mexico. It's just one more sign of the extent to which most regions affect most others in the new global economy. Also in the Free Press, Diane Stafford reports on generational differences when it comes to company loyalty in the new economy. Finally, here are some statistics showing the extent to which high school dropouts are vulnerable to unemployment in the United States.
Another clever use of the Internet (Thursday, 7/9/98)
Your pension benefits may be trying to find you via the Internet.
Income and race in America according to Clinton (Thursday, 7/9/98)
President Clinton says that race relations in the United States could be improved by narrowing the income gap.
Temporary smoking abstinence seems related to workplace accidents (Thursday, 7/9/98)
A study from the UK finds more accidents on the job on "no smoking" days.
What can you learn from the very rich? (Thursday, 7/9/98)
Don't spend all of your money, John Cunniff says, and reap the almost magical benefits of compounding, among other things.
Why are Europe's poorer economies growing faster than its richer economies? (Thursday, 7/9/98)
Edmund Andrews reports that it has something to do with Europe's coming common currency.
Mexican court orders rehiring of agents (Thursday, 7/9/98)
Many agents who were fired because they failed drug tests must be rehired, according to a Mexican court ruling.
Russian stock market slides while labor disorder spreads (Thursday, 7/9/98)
Mitchell Landsberg reports on Russia's growing problems. Meanwhile, Japan, which has its own albeit somewhat less acute financial problems, has agreed to loan Russia US$800 million. Back home, a wave of bankruptcies sweeps across Japan.
Signing bonuses for teachers (Thursday, 7/9/98)
Massachusetts may offer qualified teachers as much as an extra $20,000 to contract to work in the state's classrooms. In Minnesota, a story somewhat related to education, in that it will affect school district finances: A judge has thrown out a "prevaling wages" law affecting school construction projects.
Cuban economics minister says things are okay (Thursday, 7/9/98)
The U.S. embargo continues to have broad effects on Cuba's economy, and these have been exacerbated by this year's catastrophic sugar crop. Nonetheless, Economics Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez says that tourism has been picking up and the Cuban economy has been getting more diversified. The plusses more than outweigh the minuses, he says.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Social Security Administration (Thursday, 7/9/98)
Nearly anything you might want to know about the American Social Security system is available on-line. Here is the Social Security Administration's official site.
Strikes slow movements to a crawl in Puerto Rico (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
Puerto Rico's government has decided to sell the state-owned telephone company, and a lot of people don't like the idea. In fact, thousands are striking, and many activities are nearly shut down as a consequence.
Russia hopes for IMF loan (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
Russian officials are seeking a loan from the International Monetary Fund in order to stabilize the country's financial markets, and propsects are looking better. However, it may not be enough, they say. Michael Sesit and Robert Bonte-Friedheim write in today's Wall Street Journal that investors continue to lose confidence. Russian stocks dip significantly, and bond yields reach 120%.
Volkswagen to establish fund for people who worked as slaves for the Nazis (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
Volkswagen was established during the Hitler regime, and, during the bad old days, benefited from slave labor. The company recently turned down a damage claim, but has announced that it is establishing a fund to help individuals who were forced to work for the Nazis. Thousands of other German firms used slave labor during the period as well, and VW's actions may encourage other companies to take similar action, some think. We probably haven't heard the last of this story, so stay tuned.
Former McDonnell Douglas foreman gets big award (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
A fired foreman at McDonnell Douglas is awarded $28 million by a jury. Also in the Nando Times today, a Cato Institute study finds immigration is good for the American economy, more on Clinton's effort to compel greater compliance on the 1996 Kennedy-Kassebaum health insurance law, and a big study is in preparation to determine how private lenders contributed to the Asian economic crisis.
Mixed signals on the GM strikes (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
The Wall Street Journal's Fara Warner and Rebecca Blumenstein are saying this morning that there are some signs of progress, but General Motors executives are seeing no quick end to the strikes at two Flint, Michigan plants. Keith Bradsher of the New York Times reports that the costs to both sides in the month-long strikes are enormous, but that both GM and the UAW have the financial strength to push ahead toward the sort of resolution they will want to live with on into the next century. At the moment, at least, there is no strong financial incentive to reach an early agreement. The strikes have shut down most GM operations throughout North America, and, as Richardo Sandoval reports in the Akron Beacon Journal, this includes Mexico, where thousands of workers have been laid off.
School for roughnecks, literally (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
Texas A & M University has a special program to train people to work in the oil industry, and it attracting many for their own reasons. Here's the story from Agis Salpukas of the New York Times.
The most socially regulated workers in the world? (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
The Sacramento Bee reports on how the recent Supreme Court rulings on sexual harassment have sent companies scurrying in all directions to set up their own "cupid police."
Increased job opportunities for students (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
The Toronto Star reports that job opportunities for students have improved in the Toronto region.
Thailand's economic crisis implicated in more than 100 suicides (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
There have been 112 suicides since the beginning of Thailand's financial problems a year ago, according to the Nando Times.
Many unrecorded births (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
About a third of the world's babies lack birth certificates, according to a new UNICEF study. Evelyn Leopold reports that this can have long-term implications in areas of employment and much more.
Why health care reform has returned to the public agenda (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
Washington politicians are spending a lot of time talking about health care reform again, and Peter Grier explains why. Also in the Christian Science Monitor today, Sara Terry Gabrels reports that things are looking up for people who expect to get old. Society may be less likely to hold it against you from now on. Also, Sue Shellenbarger writes in today's Wall Street Journal that your children may be making earlier plans for taking care of you now.
The Maccoby Group helps firms move to the new work era (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
The new global economy is impacting nearly everything, and it isn't only the people in financial and operational areas that are having to make the adjustments. Many cultural and psychological changes are occurring too, and Martha Hamilton tells about a Washington, D. C. consulting firm that is helping firms adjust to these changes. Also in the Washington Post this morning, Bradley Graham reports on how the U.S. Army is reviewing its retirement procedures in response to the case of General Hale.
Working to narrow the gender gap in computing (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
The New York Times' Pamela Mendels reports on a move by the American Association of University Women to help more girls obtain computer-related education.
Growing anger over Japan's public pension system (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
Jun Saito of Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun writes that many Japanese workers feel betrayed by Japan's public pension system and are distrustful of reform efforts.
The news is that there is no news in Northwest's conflict with its pilots (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
Mediators want more talks, though, and they have been talking, but there's a news blackout. Also in the Minneapolis Star Tribune today, here's an editorial about the growing partnerships between business and the University of Minnesota.
What are two nine-letter words that used to strike terror in many hearts? (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
It isn't that "inflation" and "recession" are all that taboo, but you still don't hear too many people using those words lately in the United States.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: CareerWeb (Wednesday, 7/8/98)
CareerWeb concentrates on professional, technical, and managerial jobs. The site helps employers and job-seekers find each other, but presents much information as well, including a number of career-related articles in Arnie Rincover's Career Doctor section..
UN report says Russia dependent on foreign investors (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
A report from the U.N. Economic Commission for Europe finds that Russia's troubled economy is at the mercy of short-term foreign investment and that the country may be tempted to devalue its currency. Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov says that, despite Russia's financial crisis, the country will pay its debts.
NEA leaders will try again later for merger with AFT (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
A merger of the two major national teachers' unions has been turned down by delegates at the NEA convention, but the idea of eventual merger still brews. Delegates want a different deal, and say that negotiations with the rival AFT should be resumed. Meanwhile, state organizations are free to go their own way, according to reports, so we may see a number of mergers at the state level.
Why the sides are digging in at GM (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
A Wall Street Journal report says that General Motors would have to cut more than a fifth of its work force to achieve the level of competitiveness now enjoyed by its principal adversaries, which helps explain why both sides in the current strikes feel the stakes are so high. Keith Bradsher of the New York Times describes a key pay issue snagging negotiations between GM and the UAW, and ABC News reports on how striking workers are resolved to keep their jobs. Julie McKinnon of the Toledo Blade says the strikes are testing the resolve on both sides as the costs to both sides mount. For example, General Motors dealers across the U.S. are about to run out of vehicles to sell, and the Christian Science Monitor's Suzi Parker provides more perspective on the rippling effects of the strikes.
Looking to Islamic doctrine for help with its economy (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
Indonesia's new government is encouraging its people to fast in order to save food as food shortages worsen in the country.
Tax reform seems to be on its way to Japan (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
Officials of the International Monetary Fund are saying that tax reforms will be necessary if Japan is to get its economy moving, and Japanese officials seem to agree, but are unwilling to announce details of their plan at this point. Also, the IMF's chief is calling for more help and restructured loans for the struggling Asian economies.
Footwear workers strike in South Africa (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
As many as 22,000 workers in the South African footwear industry are affected. Here's the story from the African National Congress Daily News Briefing.
Feds to turn up the heat on health insurers (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
The Clinton administration doesn't like the way the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act has been working so far and sees too much noncompliance, so they're intending to tighten things up in an effort to make the law work more as intended.
The value of information (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
In the old capital-intensive industrial economy, the tangible stuff which required large concentrations of capital gave a company much of its value. In the new economy, much value lies in intangible information. As an example, Yahoo's stock market value now exceeds that of Union Carbide. Speaking of Internet economics, Neil Winton writes that consumers are empowered by the Internet and broad-based economic consequences are developing.
Testing workman's comp coverage in Japan (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
The Japan Times reports that a family has applied for workman's compensation payments for a man killed in a nerve gas attack.
Eastern Germany's despair could end Kohl's career (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
Alan Cowell reports that, although German Chancellor Helmut Kohl would like a fifth term, that's looking increasingly unlikely, and conditions in the eastern part of the country may be the determining factor in the upcoming election.
Big strike in Puerto Rico (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
As many as a half million people may strike in order to protest the sale of Puerto Rico's telephone company. The main road to the airport is being blocked by strikers today, and effects are spreading.
Appalachian welfare recipients scramble for jobs (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Beth Lane writes about an enthusiastic response to employment opportunities at a job fair.
The view from Paris on American job cuts (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
Many American companies plan to cut more jobs. Here's more from the Paris-based International Herald Tribune.
The good news and bad news about American small business (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
Small business has been producing most of the new jobs in the United States during recent years, but studies show that workers aren't necessarily well off in small biz settings. Here's that story from Jonathan Marshall in today's San Francisco Chronicle.
What are the high-level defense industry workers doing now? (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
Daniel Wood reports that many of the highly educated former defense industry specialists are designing video games. Also from the Christian Science Monitor today, if you'd like to become one of tomorrow's highly educated, Mark Clayton suggests a visit to the college you're considering, and here are some more specific tips. Andrew Shulman is qualified to offer guidance on the campus too, because, well, he's a campus guide.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Hugh Chou's Mortgage and Financial Calculators (Tuesday, 7/7/98)
Need help in figuring out your finances? Hugh Chou's Mortgage and Financial Calculators are likely to come in handy, and they're right here on the web.
No teacher union merger, at least for now (Monday, 7/6/98)
The leadership of both the NEA and the AFT encouraged it, but it's not going to happen. Delegates to the big National Education Association meeting in New Orleans voted not to merge the two big teachers' unions. Here's the story from Reuters and the Washington Post.
Diversity at the front of the plane (Monday, 7/6/98)
Women and minorities are moving to the front of Northwest Airlines planes. Tony Kennedy reports on the big airline's move to encourage diversity in some of its most sought after professional jobs. Also in the Minneapolis Star Tribune today, controversy over whether or not health care costs are inflating, Lynne Curry has some suggestions if you're the boss and your workers are fighting, and Robert MacGregor tells about a new report on the role of the corporation in a global economy.
Blockade continues on the Trans-Siberian railway (Monday, 7/6/98)
It's the second time in two months that miners have blocked cargo traffic on the railroad. They're protesting the fact that they have not been paid. For several years, Russia has been experiencing economic gridlock. Many people are not being paid because many are not paying their taxes, and they're not paying their taxes because they haven't been paid. However, some large companies haven't been paying their taxes either, and the Russian government is getting more aggressive along those lines. For instance, the huge gas monopoly Gazprom has been ordered to pay up. As Judith Matloff of the Christian Science Monitor reports, the monopoly has been mostly untouchable so far.
The first year of the Asian crisis (Monday, 7/6/98)
The Asian economic melt down began in Thailand about a year ago and has spread across much of the region since. David Sanger says that, as the crisis begins it's second year, it's getting worse, not better. Also in the New York Times today, Peter Kilborn reports that American HMOs are dropping coverage of the poor and the elderly in order to cut costs. Speaking of older people, a Toronto Star columnist claims that Canadian business as well as government are biased against older workers.
Thai rice millers protest loss of foreign workers (Monday, 7/6/98)
Rice millers in Thailand have shut down operations to protest a government ban on the foreign workers they say they need.
GM strikes drag on (Monday, 7/6/98)
The strikes at two General Motors plans in Flint, Michigan are entering their second month with no end in sight, although negotiations continue. The two plants produce parts needed by many other GM facilities, so their shutting down has resulted in the shut down of most of the company's operations in North America. Many experts expect the strikes to last into August, with no apparent winners in sight either.
Is Mickey really Mighty Mouse? (Monday, 7/6/98)
The strike at Eurodisney near Paris continues, despite talks. Here's the story from Reuters and Craig Whitney of the New York Times.
Mixed feelings about Hong Kong's new airport (Monday, 7/6/98)
Travelers no longer will have to clinch their fists and pray as they come in for a landing in Hong Kong. The former British colony's $20 billion airport is impressing everybody, but, given Asia's economic condition and Hong Kong's weakening economy, a lot of non-travelers are clinching their fists and doing the praying because of the airport's price tag.
The info haves and have-nots (Monday, 7/6/98)
Michael Holtzman reports on how hi-tech is putting a new spin on the gap between those who have and those who don't.
The hazards of your boss' being your friend as well (Monday, 7/6/98)
Relationships can get very complicated on the job. Sarah Schafer discusses what it can mean to be perceived as a "teacher's pet" at work. Also in the Washington Post this morning, Beth Berselli writes about how immigrants are accepting American entrepreneurial opportunities with enthusiasm.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Career Zone (Monday, 7/6/98)
Career Zone is intended to be helpful to persons in the United Kingdom, but it's worth a look to those living in other parts of the world, as well.
Big privatization move in South Korea (Saturday, 7/4/98)
Jean Yoon reports that South Korea is preparing to sell off the state's interest in eleven big firms. This Inside China Today article examines the South Korean effort to recover from its economic problems and regain its footing as a major economic force in the world. Meanwhile, Russia continues efforts to privatize too, but has hit a snag now that Royal Dutch-Shell has indicated that it's no longer interested in buying the Russian state-owned oil company, NK Rosneft. Also in Russia, the country's new tax collector makes a big push to make one of the country's principal pastimes less popular: tax evasion.
Strikes in Venezuela (Saturday, 7/4/98)
Oil prices have been declining significantly, and this is leading to strikes across Venezuela. What's the connection? Here's the story from today's New York Times. Also in the Times today, Milt Freudenheim reports on some significant changes in the way Medicare will pay nursing homes and some home-care services, and Robert Pear writes about the very different views of patient rights coming from the Republicans and the Democrats.
Teachers vote on merger tomorrow (Saturday, 7/4/98)
The National Education Association is meeting in New Orleans and will vote Sunday on whether to merge with the American Federation of Teachers.
Protestors don't like Universal's pay scale (Saturday, 7/4/98)
A couple of hundred protesters march outside Universal Studios' headquarters in order to make their views known about pay rates for current and future employees. Karen Robinson-Jacobs of the Los Angeles Times writes that Universal plans a big expansion which will include significant hiring.
More good news for Germany: unemployment declines again (Saturday, 7/4/98)
Germany still has a very big unemployment problem, but things are getting better. Its unemployment rate was down 0.4 percent in June.
Rand continues to slip in South Africa (Saturday, 7/4/98)
The Washington Post's Lynne Duke reports on South Africa's deteriorating economic situation and the deep recession that seems to be coming.
Talks at GM will continue through the holiday weekend (Saturday, 7/4/98)
Given the enormous costs to both GM workers and the company, negotiators aren't likely to take time off for the holiday. Keith Bradsher of the New York Times says some progress seems to have been made.
Special reports on Asian problems and the American economy (Saturday, 7/4/98)
The General Motors strikes, combined with Asia's problems, are working together to slow the American economy somewhat. But, more is just ahead. Here's a special report from the Nando Times. Here's another report from Vincent Del Giudice and the Chicago Sun-Times.
Women advance in London (Saturday, 7/4/98)
A new report finds that women now make up half of London's workforce and have made major progress in white collar and professional fields. Here's the story from the London Evening Standard.
Making retailing careers more attractive for new grads (Saturday, 7/4/98)
Rachel Beck writes in the Akron Beacon Journal about what retailing companies are having to do to compete for new college graduates in a tight labor market. Pay more, for one thing, and try to change retailing's image, for another.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Money Magazine's College Guide (Saturday, 7/4/98)
They have a top 10 list, and they also have a top 100 list, but there is much here to help find the college that is just right for YOU. Check the Money Magazine College Guide's 1998 rankings.
Japan vows to bite the bullet (Friday, 7/3/98)
Sheryl WuDunn of the New York Times reports that Japan has announced its plans for getting its financial system under control by clearing a huge amount of bad debt, what many regard as a necessary precondition for the growth of the Japanese economy. Elections are coming up in Japan, so Prime Minister Hashimoto is talking about the strong possibility of permanent income tax cuts too. The condition of Japan's economy has given rise to widespread fears about the future, not only for that country, but also for much of the rest of the world. The Japanese economy is second in size only to that of the United States, so events in Japan have the potential for pulling the rest of the world into recession. The American Treasury Secretary is the latest in a long line of foreign officials who have urged Japan to take stronger action to clear up their mess and get things going, something that has been politically difficult domestically, given the pain strong action is likely to cause. Meanwhile, President Clinton is ending his lengthy trip to China and is saying that the U.S. will do more to help Asian economies recover if the Asian nations will do more to deal with "cronyism, corruption and overextended credit," which he regards as being among the root causes of the year-old economic crisis that has spread across several Asian countries.
Today's job cut news (Friday, 7/3/98)
Job cuts are scheduled at Sunrise Medical, Digital Micro, and Apple Computer in Ireland. Intel, on the other hand, doesn't plan to cut jobs, but it will slow production in a couple of plants because of weak demand, and this will involve a furlough for some of its workers.
Two of America's most influential hear from Hong Kong's women (Friday, 7/3/98)
Reuters' Tan Ee Lyn reports that Hillary Rodham Clinton and Madeleine Albright, two of the most famous and influential women in the United States, attended a forum in Hong Kong where they learned about some of the newer problems faced by many women in Hong Kong.
Secretary Herman urges settlement at GM (Friday, 7/3/98)
With increased unemployment and slowed manufacturing in the United States suggesting a slowdown of the strong American economy, in part because of Asia, a growing number of leaders are worried about the effects of the widening General Motors shutdown. The U.S. Labor Secretary has urged General Motors and the United Auto Workers to settle the two strikes in Flint, Michigan that have led to an almost complete shutdown of GM manufacturing operations across much of North America. But, how are Americans in general feeling about the future overall? Pretty good, according to Alexandra Marks of the Christian Science Monitor.
Deep recession feared in South Africa (Friday, 7/3/98)
South Africa's rand has about one-fifth the value it had only a few years ago against the British pound, and, as the London Times reports, this gives rise to additional fears about the future of South Africa's economy. A deep recession is feared.
Employers who want tax break will have to pay "living wage" (Friday, 7/3/98)
Christopher Anderson writes in the San Antonia Express-News about the new linkage between the city's tax break for employers and how much they pay their workers.
Too many Americans lack health coverage, according to the CDC (Friday, 7/3/98)
The Centers for Disease Control have taken a close look at health care coverage in the United States and concludes what many others have been saying for years: a large number of Americans don't have it. In Minnesota, a man with a famous name who is also a candidate for governor says that "health care is a right, not a privilege."
Surviving bloody merger (Friday, 7/3/98)
The National Business Employment Weekly's Pat Stevens offers a list of 15 ways you can cope with a coming together of companies. This article comes to you via Career Magazine.
Worker can't wear her patriotism on her lapel (Friday, 7/3/98)
A flight attendant at United Airlines has been wearing a little American flag on her uniform, and is told that she has to stop doing that.
Paper says teachers' unions should go ahead and merge (Friday, 7/3/98)
The Minneapolis Star Tribune editorializes today on the possible merger of the two major national teachers' unions and says it should happen.
Where the minimum wage isn't the minimum wage (Friday, 7/3/98)
The planned increase in the minimum wage won't make much difference in Indonesia, according to Sander Thoenes. Many businesses haven't bothered to pay the old minimum so are unlikely to pay the new. Meanwhile, the World Bank has released loan money that was put on hold during the recent upheaval in that country. Michael Richardson of the International Herald Tribune reports on growing protests across Asian countries and the increasing governmental restrictions that are resulting.
Reflections on the Supreme Court ruling on "disability" (Friday, 7/3/98)
Today's Washington Post editorializes on the implications of a ruling giving ADA protections to people who test positive for HIV. Also in the Post today, more on the re-do of the Teamsters presidential election and Congressional refusal to provide money for federal oversight.
Close, but no deal in SEPTA dispute, and there are five reasons why (Friday, 7/3/98)
The Philadelphia Inquirer's Maria Panaritis discusses the five issues that are keeping the sides apart.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Dilbert Zone (Friday, 7/3/98)
Is Dilbert on the web? Of course. All over it, in fact. Here's a more-or-less official site, including the daily mental workout and the Dilbert list of the day.
Joblessness up a bit in the U.S. (Thursday, 7/2/98)
U.S. unemployment was 4.5 percent in June, the highest in three months.
Y2K recession likely, economist says (Thursday, 7/2/98)
What should have been one of history's most preventable problems isn't likely to be solved in time, but is likely to cause a severe recession, according to Edward Yardeni, chief economist at Deutsche Bank Securities. If you're tired of worrying about that, now you can also worry about the effect of Internet commerce on the biz cycle. A new study from IBM's "think tank" suggests that boom-bust swings may be exacerbated by widespread shopping on the Internet.
Threats escalating again in GM-UAW conflict (Thursday, 7/2/98)
While General Motors backed off on its threat to cut health care coverage for thousands of idled workers, now it's saying that it may stop production of some models if the strike continues into next month. USA Today is reporting that the company may be able to re-open several plants by obtaining parts from alternative sources. Brian Akre examines the long-term hostile relationship between GM and the UAW and what it means for their present situation. Also, Mark Weisbrot of the Christian Science Monitor looks at how General Motors' relationship to the U.S. has changed over the years. Maybe, rather than thinking of GM as an American corporation, it may be more accurate to think of it as a global corporation, and that's the way it is with a lot of companies now.
Sun sets on 200 jobs (Thursday, 7/2/98)
Sun Microsystems is planning some restructuring, and it will cost about 200 jobs, they say.
How much can a newly minted MBA earn? (Thursday, 7/2/98)
Depends on whether s/he's graduating from one of a few top business schools, but, nonetheless, you may be surprised at some of the starting salaries. Here are some details from the current edition of Business Week.
There may be fewer layoffs at Boeing than expected (Thursday, 7/2/98)
Boeing has untied some knots in its production process and has decided to delay the planned layoff of 12,000 workers. In fact, there may be fewer layoffs overall now, according to company officials. Here's the story from today's Fort Worth Star Telegram. Stay tuned.
And, there may be more job security than you think (Thursday, 7/2/98)
Tim Smart of the Washington Post says that statistics don't support the notion that people are changing jobs more frequently than in the early 1980s, despite all the downsizing we've heard so much about. Also in the Post today, Rudolph Pyatt tells about an interesting welfare-to-work pilot project at Giant Foods. Some of the personal stories are impressive. Howard Schneider reports that Canada's national health care program is ailing because of budget cuts. Finally, Daniel Williams writes about the debate heating up in Russia about the uncomfortable belt-tightening that will be necessary to get the country's finances under control.
Cost of retirement plans going up in the U.S. (Thursday, 7/2/98)
Plans are getting more expensive for consumers, according to a new government report. Good to do comparison shopping, and the U.S. Department of Labor has a booklet that can provide a little guidance. Speaking of retirement, here's Richard Stevenson's New York Times report on yesterday's town hall discussion of Social Security in Rhode Island where Vice-President Gore expressed his worries about privatizing the system.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Locus of Control and Attributional Style (Thursday, 7/2/98)
Here's a little on-line career assessment. Should you take it seriously? Er, well, not too much. It can be useful to get your thinking started, though. However, keep in mind that psychological assessment is a highly technical professional activity. Best to consult a licensed professional for assessment service so that you can be confident the best instruments are being used and used properly, and also so that you can get help in properly interpreting the results. Psychometricians don't even aspire to the level of measurement precision routinely taken for granted in the natural sciences, including much of medicine. Best not to think of standardized psychological tests as providing the "last word," as one might in relation to an X-ray or blood test. Instead, think of these test results as a starting point for your thinking, and, if they just seem all wrong for you, you're not obligated to believe them.
One year and counting (Wednesday, 7/1/98)
The first anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong to China is being celebrated in the former British colony, where some have found less political change than expected during the past year, but everybody is finding an ailing economy. Here's how the first anniversary looks to Tatsuo Kondo writing for Asahi Shimbun from Tokyo, which used to be the most expensive city in the world (now it's Hong Kong). Incidentally, American President Clinton is nearing the end of his visit to China and has arrived in Hong Kong himself.While some think that a move toward improved relations between the richest, most powerful nation in the world and the largest should be good for everybody, many Asian nations aren't happy with the growing coziness between the U.S. and China, which many feel may turn out to be at their expense. Despite China's continuing as the largest totalitarian society on earth, Robert Kaplan finds much to praise, at least when compared to Russia during its post-communist period. In particular, the lives of individual citizens have been improving more in China than in Russia, he says, where, for many persons, things have gotten far worse. Also from Asia today, U.S. Secretary of Treasury Rubin has indicated that he is "deeply, deeply concerned" about the weak Japanese currency. As opposed to being only "deeply concerned," apparently.
Democratic presidential hopefuls and Social Security (Wednesday, 7/1/98)
Richard Gephardt may be running for president, and he has some concerns about the movement to change Social Security. Richard Stevenson of the New York Times explains why Vice-President Gore has special reasons to be concerned.
On personality testing in the workplace (Wednesday, 7/1/98)
This article from the Twin Cities Employment Weekly tells how standardized personality testing can be helpful in identifying strengths in individuals and also in helping to build effective work teams. For one thing, it will be helpful not to put matches and gasoline together, but there's more to it than that. Incidentally, keep in mind that standardized psychological testing is a highly technical professional activity fraught with peril for those who really don't know what they're doing.
Talks continue, but no progress on raising state employee salaries in Lebanon (Wednesday, 7/1/98)
An-Nahar reports that parliamentary committees have met four different times but have not been able to agree on how much to raise salaries and pensions for persons who work for the Lebanese government.
Fixing federal job training programs (Wednesday, 7/1/98)
Did you know that there are more than 160 federal job-training programs? Honest. There is much that needs fixing, according to critics, and today's Minneapolis Star Tribune editorializes on a bill produced by two U.S. Senators, one Democrat, the other Republican. It's likely to become law, sez the big Twin Cities paper.
Three hotel chains under fire from the NAACP (Wednesday, 7/1/98)
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is asking for a boycott of three major national chains because of their employment practices.
A Mickey Mouse strike (Wednesday, 7/1/98)
Okay, so everybody is beginning to run out of cute headlines about a serious situation. Crispian Balmer has more on the strike at Euro Disney near Paris. Speaking of strikes, General Motors seems to have lost $1.2 billion so far because of the shutdown of most of its North American operations. Only two plants in Michigan are on strike, but GM manufacturing operations across the continent are affected. The New York Times' Nichole Christian writes that this isn't the sort of vacation that some GM workers expected.
Midtown Manhattan in uproar (Wednesday, 7/1/98)
There has been little business as usual in Manhattan today because of a rough conflict between construction workers and riot police. The construction union has apologized for the mess.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Kaplan Careers (Wednesday, 7/1/98)
Kaplan is a well-known company that has offered various instructional services for many years. They're involved in the career planning area too, and their Kaplan Careers web site contains quite a lot of useful information, and parts of it are also fun.
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