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July 1999
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revolutionary new world economy |
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NewWork News Archives |
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July 1999
Links included were live and functioning at time of publication.
They may not necessarily remain so, and this is not under our control
Limitations of the current HMO bill (Saturday, 7/17/99)
The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate turned away the Democrats' "patients bill of rights" plans and passed a bill of its own, which is unlikely to be signed by the President. Robert Pear of the New York Times says that most people in HMOs would remain unaffected if the bill were signed into law. He explains why.
Remember the big "sick-out" at American Airlines? A deal may be near (Saturday, 7/17/99)
A federal mediator has gotten involved in the dispute between American Airlines and its pilots, and settlement appears to be on the horizon.
Quebec nurses turn down deal (Saturday, 7/17/99)
Delegates representing more than 47,000 striking nurses in Quebec have turned down a recently negotiated agreement with the provincial government.
Clinton says American farmers are in an emergency situation (Saturday, 7/17/99)
Immediate action from the federal government is required to prevent the loss of a major portion of American family farms, according to President Clinton.
Chamber wants to encourage Cuban entrepreneurs (Saturday, 7/17/99)
Guess who would like to see an end to the embargo of Cuba. A left-wing group? Ah, well, not really. It's the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and representatives of this major American business organization are going to Cuba with the hope that they can help move things along for the tiny Cuban private sector.
Federal judges win cost-of-living increases (Saturday, 7/17/99)
They sued the U.S. Government and won.
Learning about disability first-hand (Saturday, 7/17/99)
Syl Jones writes in the Minneapolis Star Tribune about the personal experience of an executive and how it has changed policies at Medtronic.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Consumer Education for Teens (Saturday, 7/17/99)
American teenagers control a lot of spending, so they're seen by many as an important market. Unfortunately, important markets also attract the unscrupulous. The Washington State Attorney General's Office offers Consumer Education for Teens.
HMO legislation? Maybe some other time (Friday, 7/16/99)
The Republicans killed the Democratic "patients bill of rights" and the President is highly likely to veto the Republican bill passed by the Senate. Bottom line: that's the end of managed care legislation for now. Some are saying that both parties would rather have a hot issue in the upcoming election year than a solution to problems involving patients and HMOs, speaking of which, David Hilzenrath reports that nearly a third of a million Medicare recipients will be dropped by their HMOs next year.
First Worker should get a raise, House says (Friday, 7/16/99)
The House of Representatives wants to see the President's salary doubled, but President Clinton would not benefit. Meantime, House members voted to raise their own pay too, but more modestly.
World Wide Web may not have quite the right name (Friday, 7/16/99)
A United Nations reports predicts that the Internet will not be widely accessible in many developing countries for decades. It's a key example of hi-tech and the growing have vs. have not gap throughout the world. According to the UN's new Human Development Report, 88 percent of the people on the Internet are in wealthy, developed nations, with a large proportion of those still in North America. There is political resistance to the diffusion of the Internet in some societies, because the free flow of information is generally incompatible with political dictatorships and they like to protect themselves.
Weapons workers to get compensation and assistance (Friday, 7/16/99)
Civilian workers who contacted disease as a consequence of producing nuclear weapons will be compensated, the White House has announced. Here's more from David Brown of the Washington Post.
Foul-up in college internship program (Friday, 7/16/99)
Students are stranded at Northern Virginia Community College as companies decide not to following through with internships.
China's economy growing but slowing (Friday, 7/16/99)
The Chinese government says that the country's economy grew by 7.6 percent during the first half of the year. However, growth appears to be slowing.
Tentative deal reached between 16 German companies and former slave laborers (Friday, 7/16/99)
Large numbers of people were forced into slavery during that dark time when a psychotic gangster regime ruled Germany. A tentative deal has been reached to compensate former Nazi-era slaves.
Atlanta mayor leads resistance (Friday, 7/16/99)
Mayor Campbell vows to do what he can to frustrate the move to end affirmative action in the city.
Work conditions routinely grim for temporary farm workers (Friday, 7/16/99)
Here's one aspect of the American economy that we tend not to brag about on the 4th of July. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that conditions for many farm workers in many states continue to be dehumanizing.
Teen tech (Friday, 7/16/99)
Martha Mendoza reports for ABC News on the growing number of technically sophisticated teenagers who are drawing top dollar in America's hi-tech industry. Early this century and before, large numbers of people managed to acquire their work skills from parents or on their own. Then, for several decades, we believed that "you can't do anything without a high school/college/grad school education;" i.e., that formal educational experience was required and that educational institutions were needed to officially certify a person's readiness for work. For a while, America became very credentials-oriented. Necessary skill levels had increased, so things were simply too complicated for people to learn how to do needed work on their own.Well, no. The new economy in many ways is beginning to resemble the much older economy. Large numbers of people are preparing themselves with sophisticated skills without the assistance of formal higher ed programs, beginning with people like gazillionaire Apple cofounder and iCEO Stephen Jobs himself. Increasingly, the new economy asks whether or not you can do the job. If the answer to that question is "yes," there aren't many other important questions. If the answer is "no," there aren't many other important questions either.
Japan's governing coalition showing cracks because of pension reform (Friday, 7/16/99)
The coalition that governs Japan is not all of one mind on a bill to reform pension systems.
Congress takes a look at IBM's new pension policies (Friday, 7/16/99)
When, after many decades, IBM began laying off workers a few years ago, it was taken as symbolizing the end of job security in the United States. Now, the company that once was renowned for NEVER laying off workers has a new pension plan which many workers feel victimizes long-term employees. Some members of Congress are asking the IRS to look into it, according to USA Today.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Preventing Homicide in the Workplace (Friday, 7/16/99)
This alert from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health was released in 1995, but workplace deaths continue. NIOSH asks your help in Preventing Homicide in the Workplace and offers some guidance on how to do it.
Schroeder's latest challenge (Thursday, 7/15/99)
The German Chancellor intends to take on the big budget issues directly in order to cut welfare and pension costs in a society that is used to having an elaborate and expensive safety net. The postwar German economy was one of the world's heavy industry superstars, but time and circumstances have changed.
Republicans, Democrats, and HMOs (Thursday, 7/15/99)
Senate Republicans continue to limit Democrats' plans for strengthening patient rights in relation to managed care organizations. Here's more from Alison Mitchell of the New York Times. Greg Gordon is in Washington and writes that an army of lobbyists has descended on the Capitol on both sides of the managed care debate. Lawmakers risk being trampled.
Jobless claims up a bit last week, but job market remains strong (Thursday, 7/15/99)
Here are some details on first-time jobless claims from the United States Department of Labor. John Berry reports that the Commerce Department says that Americans may be getting somewhat less spendthrifty overall, but there is evidence that back-to-school spending will be stronger than last year.
Where oh where is the inflation? (Thursday, 7/15/99)
Still no inflation in the American economy during the month of June, according to the Labor Department. As Caren Bohan reports, these data are likely to affect the Fed's thinking about interest rates.
AARP makes deal with IRS and spins off a for-profit division (Thursday, 7/15/99)
AARP will pay taxes on the sale of various products and services, as it attempts to satisfy the feds and also attract boomers who apparently don't like the thought that they're aging. Incidentally, AARP isn't an acronym anymore (and it isn't an amphibian mating call either).
Who will lead the World Trade Organization? (Thursday, 7/15/99)
Paul Blustein of the Washington Post reports that top officials are meeting again in an effort to break the deadlock.
Recession and suicide in Japan (Thursday, 7/15/99)
The very hard economic time that Japan has been having is driving many persons to the brink, and over the edge. Here's more on Japan's high suicide rate from the New York Times via the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Helicopter company loses altitude (Thursday, 7/15/99)
Sikorsky says it needs to become more competitive, so will cut 1,100 jobs.
Children returned to hard-working mom (Thursday, 7/15/99)
A lawyer who works long hours lost custody of her children, but that's been turned around. Here's more from Melody Peterson about a Florida appeals court decision.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Saludos Hispanos (Thursday, 7/15/99)
Here's a career site that can help promote workplace diversity as well as help individual employers and workers find what they need. Saludos Hispanos seems particularly important for Hispanic professionals and bilingual college graduates.
Republicans head off Democrats' patients bill of rights plan (Wednesday, 7/14/99)
The Democrats were reminded yesterday of what it means to have the opposing party in charge of the Senate. Here's more from Helen Dewar and Amy Goldstein of the Washington Post.
Clinton follows through following his "poverty tour" (Wednesday, 7/14/99)
Many people are eligible for food stamps, but for a variety of reasons, don't get them. President Clinton has announced a change in policy that should increase public awareness and cut through some red tape, he says, and also help make it possible for families to collect food stamps and also own a car. In addition, the President will introduce legislation that would clarify pension provisions for workers and how changes will affect them.
Survival will require $9 billion in aid, says Farm Bureau (Wednesday, 7/14/99)
If American farmers are to stay in business and survive current low market prices, they will need more assistance than has been offered so far. Here's more about what the American Farm Bureau Federation is saying.
Job cuts increase in Texas (Wednesday, 7/14/99)
Challenger, Gray & Christmas report that Texas companies cut more jobs during the first half of the year than any state except California. Incidentally, another thing that the two states have in common is that both are leading hi-tech centers. However, a new report says that the American high-technology industries have been shifting generally toward the west. Los Angeles County has become an important California hi-tech region, and the entertainment industry has been helping to drive those advances with its increasing use of current technologies.
Diversity report card (Wednesday, 7/14/99)
Diversity programs aren't helping minority women to get to the top of American corporations, according to a new report, but the N.A.A.C.P says American hotels have been doing better in their minority hiring.
Study says profit motive gets in the way of good HMO care (Wednesday, 7/14/99)
A new study indicates that the non-profit HMOs are more likely to make a point of providing the care that's needed, at least in some categories. Phil Galewitz' story comes to you today via the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Republican plan on prescription drugs (Wednesday, 7/14/99)
At the serious risk of over-simplifying, Democrats tend to be more likely to like the government to do things for people in order to promote equity, while Republicans tend to be more likely to provide tax cuts and let people do things themselves, in order to promote individual choice and less government involvement. That seems to be how it's breaking down on the issue of prescription medications and Medicare. Juliet Eilperin and Eric Pianin write about the Congressional Republican response to President Clinton's plan. Richard Goodwin, who has had considerable experience in past Democratic administrations, has some thoughts on the Clinton Administration's approach to things, including Medicare. Speaking of tax cuts, the Republicans would like to give a lot of the surplus back to taxpayers, but President Clinton would like them to scale back their plans, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune agrees with a "go-slow" approach. Meanwhile, Louis Uchitelle writes that some experts are worrying that a big tax cut might stimulate the economy too much. Finally, Richard Stevenson provides some additional perspective on the growing partisan battle to determine what to do about projected surpluses.
Paving the road to hell... (Wednesday, 7/14/99)
...with good intentions and unintended consequences. Montgomery County, Maryland has been toying with a "living wage" bill, but, if the County Council passes it, unexpected things may happen, according to a Washington Post writer who is not in favor of the idea. Layoffs, for instance.
Good times and the have vs. have not gap in Australia (Wednesday, 7/14/99)
Tom Allard reports from Canberra for the Sydney Morning Herald on the people who are being left behind in Australia's booming economy. Also in the Morning Herald today, a new report says that older men are over-represented among the unemployed, and Helen Trinca and Allison Jackson report that owners of a troubled cannery have agreed to remain responsible for worker entitlements, even though they intend to sell the operation.
Who's most competitive? (Wednesday, 7/14/99)
Singapore still tops the list, according to the World Economic Forum. The U.S. is number 2.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: IQtalent (Wednesday, 7/14/99)
Need a coach for your career? Maybe you do. Here's help, including a newsletter, from IQtalent, an organization headed by attorney Brian Clark.
Why many people get confused about the behavior of politicians (Tuesday, 7/13/99)
If you're a big-time politician, you may very well choose to blast your opponents in public while negotiating with them in private. It's because both sides in a political contest must wage war on several levels, and public opinion is one of the important elements. Arshad Mohammed reports that the White House has been highly critical of Republican tax cut plans, but, nonetheless, talks are going on.
Senators pitch their "patients bill of rights" (Tuesday, 7/13/99)
Here's an argument from Daschle and Kennedy on the patients bill of rights bill that is being debated in the U.S. Senaate this week. If you're a bit confused about what the two sides are proposing, here's an interactive comparison from the New York Times.
Retirement doesn't mean what it used to in Japan either (Tuesday, 7/13/99)
Kevin Sullivan and Mary Jordan of the Washington Post write that retirement in Japan is just another name for changing jobs for many people.
Training so as not to be left out (Tuesday, 7/13/99)
Here's a camp that provides training for the blind in independent living skills, and in the new economy, that includes hi-tech skills for life and work.
New jobs in Nashville (Tuesday, 7/13/99)
Sprint intends to open a new customer service center in the country music capital, which will result in 1,100 new jobs for the community.
U.S. intends to help Montenegro (Tuesday, 7/13/99)
Montenegro is seeking a greater degree of independence from Serbia, and the new American Treasury Secretary says his country will support Montenegro's economy. Meanwhile, the World Bank says that rebuilding Kosovo will be less costly than originally thought.
Japanese economy gets a bit better (Tuesday, 7/13/99)
Japan's Economic Planning Agency has announced slight improvement in the Japanese economy which can be attributed to government efforts.
Insurance deal to cost jobs in St. Paul (Tuesday, 7/13/99)
The St. Paul Companies have sold part of their operations to Met Life. As Mike Hughlett of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports, as many as 900 jobs will be cut from the St. Paul Companies downtown St. Paul, Minnesota operations. Scott Carlson says its shows how rapidly it can happen in the new economy. Jobs can suddenly go "poof!"
Looking back on Clinton's "poverty tour" (Tuesday, 7/13/99)
President Clinton intended to call attention to the poorer areas of the United States, as well as the contrast between them and a very prosperous overall American economy. But, now that his trip is off the front page, what is likely to happen? One major newspaper editorializes that it's easy to be skeptical, but it's a start, they say.
Legal work in Canada, rather than illegal work in the U.S. (Tuesday, 7/13/99)
Anthony DePalma writes about a Canadian government program that brings farmers and immigrant agricultural workers together.
Update on Malaysia's hi-tech corridor (Tuesday, 7/13/99)
Mark Landler writes from Yberjaya, Malaysia about that country's hi-tech plans following some unpopular actions by Prime Minister Mahathir. Also in the New York Times today, Robert Pear tells how change in Medicare could help prescription management services.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Quicken Retirement Planner (Tuesday, 7/13/99)
The leading personal finance software company offers information and a planner for those who want to do a better job of preparing for retirement. Here's the Quicken Retirement Planner.
Get set to hear a lot about HMOs this week (Monday, 7/12/99)
Debate is about to get underway in the U.S. Senate on what, if anything, should be done about managed care organizations. Republicans and Democrats both have plans, and observers seem to agree that there is room for compromise. However, the Republicans don't like the Democrats' idea of making it easier for patients to sue. Trent Lott says it should really be a "patients bill of rights," not a "lawyers bill of rights." Today's Washington Post has some editorial thoughts about this Congressional debate.
Violence flares in Ecuadorian strike (Monday, 7/12/99)
The transport strike in Ecuador has been going on for a week. Striking workers clashed with soldiers who opened fire. Eight people have been injured.
Will the great Mr. Greenspan keep his job? (Monday, 7/12/99)
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is nearly a decade beyond the time when many people are beginning to retire. His present term expires next June. Does he want another? Will President Clinton nominate him for a fourth term? Will the new Treasury Secretary recommend it? Secretary Summers won't say.
Big E-commerce report in today's Journal (Monday, 7/12/99)
Today's Wall Street Journal contains a major report on one of the hottest areas of business right now. Many articles; all worth reading.
Looking for a good place to live? (Monday, 7/12/99)
A new United Nations report provides an index based on a variety of factors and finds that Canada, Norway, and the United States are regarded as the best places in the world to live, in that order. The rankings change considerably when one looks at specific factors, such as inequality between the sexes.
Access to the Internet very unevenly distributed in the world (Monday, 7/12/99)
The world has become far more connected, but not everybody is embedded in the new network. Evelyn Leopold writes about a UN report about who all those people on the Internet are and where they are. Moreover, access to hi-tech provides a tremendous advantage overall, and is increasing the gap between rich and poor in the world. Here's more on that story from USA Today.
Japan's Finance Minister says jobs are problem number 1 (Monday, 7/12/99)
According to Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun, Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa is telling the Japanese Diet that the government's top priority must be turning his country's unemployment situation around. It is an emergency, he says, and strong and immediate action is needed to create jobs . The postwar "Japanese miracle" has been looking a good deal less miraculous during recent years, as Japan suffers through its worst economic slump since it began rebuilding following the devastation of World War II. Since the Japanese economy is more than twice as large as all of the other Asian economies put together, it's generally been assumed that the rest of the region cannot fully recover from the "Asian flu" without improvement in Japan's economy. However, the financial crisis has subsided considerably in Asia as a whole. David Sanger and Mark Landler of the New York Times says there is disagreement about the extent to which underlying problems remain.
The agony of working for a company that goes broke (Monday, 7/12/99)
Allison Jackson of the Sydney Morning Herald reports on the painful impact of lost entitlements.
More social workers needed in the schools (Monday, 7/12/99)
Basically, social workers are problem-solvers, and H.J. Cummins of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes that Minnesota school officials are thinking that more of them are needed in the public schools where there are plenty of problems to be solved and where there is the opportunity to prevent smaller problems from becoming huge problems. In addition, the demand for K-12 teachers probably will be on the upswing as large numbers of baby-boomer era teachers reach retirement at about the same time and as support grows for reducing class-size. In short, many persons will find interesting career opportunities in public education during the years directly ahead.
Careful where you scratch yourself (Monday, 7/12/99)
You may have an observer. Bobby McGill of the San Francisco Examiner says that technology is making it easier for people to keep an eye on you on the job. Look for growing controversy over privacy issues for this reason and others.
Deflation threatens Chinese economy, experts claim (Monday, 7/12/99)
Chinese government economists are sounding the alarm about deflation in the world's largest country.
A country that has largely skipped industrialization (Monday, 7/12/99)
In the United States and many other places, the "new economy" means one that has moved beyond a reliance on heavy industry and manufacturing to one based more on services and information technologies. However, Israel seems to be moving directly from a mostly agrarian economy to hi-tech. Edward Silver writes that Israel suddenly has become one of the world's important hi-tech centers.
Ratification at Safeway (Monday, 7/12/99)
A new five-year contract has been approved overwhelmingly by Safeway foods workers in Colorado, according to Michele Conklin of the Denver Rocky Mountain News. A feared strike has been averted.
Summer learning (Monday, 7/12/99)
Here's Cynthia Taggart's story from the Spokane Spokesman-Review about a federally-funded employment program for young people that enables them to earn as well as learn about the world of work and money.
Is that too much to ask? (Monday, 7/12/99)
U.S. News says the Internet makes it easy to learn something about how much you're worth in a tight labor market. Many salary surveys are easily accessible on the web. Incidentally, if you're making a LOT less than the boss, you're not alone. The pay gap between top corporate executives and the rank-and-file has increased considerably during recent years and is not narrowing particularly. Here's more from the Salt Lake Tribune.
Company policies in multiple languages (Monday, 7/12/99)
As the American workforce has gotten more diverse, a larger proportion of your workers may not have highly developed English language skills. Ilana DeBare writes in the San Francisco Chronicle what it takes in 1999 to make sure that everyone understands company policies.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Federal Hourly Minimum Wage (Monday, 7/12/99)
There seems to be little real resistance in Congress to raising the minimum wage again sometime soon. If you're curious about previous increases, here's the entire history of the Federal Hourly Minimum Wage since its beginning (at 25 cents an hour) in 1938.
What's needed in the Balkans (Sunday, 7/11/99)
Not so many years ago, what used to be referred to as Yugoslavia was a highly diverse collection of regions and cultures held together by a maverick Communist named Tito who, in addition to keeping persons with ancient hatreds toward each other as part of the same country, managed to maintain a precarious balance between the West and the old Soviet block, thus maintaining his independence and influence. Eventually, the Cold War ended, the Soviet Union dissolved, and Tito died, leaving a vicious, disorganized mess in the Balkans, which has been the region's natural state over several centuries. Alan Wheatley writes from Brussels that experts are reminding the G7 that they should not allow Kosovo reconstruction to distract them from broader, longer-term issues. Political strife and war during recent years have delayed the region's economic development, and there is still much residue from the old Communist-style economy to be overcome.
Republicans offer big tax cut (Sunday, 7/11/99)
Congressman Bill Archer's plan would cut income taxes by 10 percent. The White House is unimpressed. Anyone who is puzzled by these initiatives need only remember that a big election is coming up soon, and voters tend to like tax cuts. Amy Goldstein and David Broder of the Washington Post write that you're likely to be hearing plenty about health care issues during the upcoming presidential campaign as well. President Clinton continues his campaign to develop public support for his Medicare reform plans which would include government help in covering the cost of prescription drugs, which the New York Times' Sara Rimer says are a blessing as well as a curse for the elderly, as well as free preventative medical tests.
The 24-hour work day (Sunday, 7/11/99)
The global economy is always "open," and this means that participants are finding something other than the familiar 9-5 work schedule may work better. The Boston Globe's Diane Lewis tells about the great variety of work schedules that are being found in the new economy. Meanwhile, California's governor is set to sign a bill into law that will mean that nonunion workers will get overtime pay for anything more than eight hours of work in a day.
What can the U.S. learn from Europe? (Sunday, 7/11/99)
The Minneapolis Star Tribune takes an editorial look at Europe's employment situation and compares it to that in the U.S., but the inferences may not be what you would expect. Germany and France have far higher levels of unemployment than the U.S., so why aren't they in worse shape than they are? In a related story, John-Thor Dahlburg of the Los Angeles Times examines France's shortened work week.
Results still not in on experiment for managing day laborers (Sunday, 7/11/99)
Patrick McDonnell tells about a new effort to handle the hiring of about 20,000 day workers in the Los Angeles area and how well it's working or not working so far.
Have you been spending more time thinking about space lately? (Sunday, 7/11/99)
Not probes into other regions of the galaxy, but the space in which you're working. Marc Meltzer reports that you may not want to apply for some jobs if you're claustrophobic, because cubicles are getting smaller. Also, of course, some workers in the new economy don't have space at the office anymore at all. Hi-tech is making it possible for them to work out of their cars or in a booth in a restaurant.
Rumbling among Teamsters over new settlement at meat packing plant (Sunday, 7/11/99)
It means a raise, but it also means elimination of some pension benefits. Here's more from Hannelore Sudermann of the Spokane Spokesman-Review.
Can you stand the stress of calculating your retirement income? (Sunday, 7/11/99)
Retired Washington Post writer Stan Hinden says he and his wife have made a startling discovery. They could easily outlive their retirement funds, which have been draining away faster than they had expected. Meanwhile, syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn looks ahead to a time when the huge baby boomer generation will no longer make up the bulk of the American workforce. A much smaller generation is following, so how will an economy already strained by labor shortages cope? Expect the flexibility that helps define the new economy to spread to new and more varied definitions of retirement.
Remember that big strike at Mexico City's huge university? It's still going on (Sunday, 7/11/99)
Molly Moore reports that the three-month-old student strike has become symbolic of a larger struggle between the old Mexico and a new Mexico that some would like to see.
Wall Street, Sesame Street (Sunday, 7/11/99)
H.J. Cummins reports that experts are finding that increasing demand for up-scale child-care facilities is making child-care a good investment opportunity.
The ancient problem of succession (Sunday, 7/11/99)
In this case, though, it's not a political problem. Instead, it's the problem of making a smooth transition from one generation to the next in a family business. Since 90 percent of the businesses in the United States fall into this category, it's a problem that affects a lot of people.
Cash flow problems at the U.N.'s poverty fighting agency (Sunday, 7/11/99)
The New York Times' Judith Miller writes that contributions from member nations have been down, which means trouble for the United Nations Development Program.
Do you REALLY need to attend that meeting? Does anybody? (Sunday, 7/11/99)
Tradition may not be a very good reason for doing some things in the new work world. For instance, you may want to take a close look at all the meetings that are going on and what they're costing. Also in the New York Times today, Lawrence van Gelder finds that "old boy's club" traditions are beginning to give way.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: ActionJobs (Sunday, 7/11/99)
Tired of boring jobs? Would you like to work in Alaska, fight forest fires, work on a cruise ship. Want adventure? ActionJobs may be able to help you find just the thing.
More big layoffs coming to China (Saturday, 7/10/99)
China's still a one-party, totalitarian state, but Mao, let alone Marx, probably wouldn't recognize it as a Communist society anymore. The Chinese government continues the process of dismantling inefficient state-run industries, and this means layoffs on a scale that would be unimaginable in most societies that don't have more than a billion people.
Teamsters essentially surrender at Overnite Transportation (Saturday, 7/10/99)
Hundreds of workers cross picket lines at 11 locations, so the Teamsters strike is called off. Teamsters President Hoffa attempts to put the best face on it.
Seniority may be weakening in education (Saturday, 7/10/99)
There is good reason to believe that performance-based reward systems tend to encourage performance, while seniority-based reward systems tend to encourage people to keep a low profile, not make waves, and try not to call attention to themselves by doing things differently, including creative things. It's the difference between making good things happen, on the one hand, and simply trying to outlast one's colleagues, on the other. Education tends to attract a lot of people whose work is value-driven, so, if they're able to maintain the momentum, many might be willing to work hard if they didn't get paid at all, if they could afford to do so.On the other hand, there also seem to be a lot of educators who simply try to maintain a holding pattern until retirement. As a consequence, there has been vigorous argument for many years over the merits and demerits of "merit pay" in education. For the most part, teacher labor unions have jealously guarded seniority as a fundamental principle. Now, though, that may be starting to change as seniority loses much of its attraction throughout the new economy. Steven Greenhouse of the New York Times writes that the American Federation of Teachers seems to be offering a concession on this issue. In part, it may be an effort to neutralize growing calls for the "privatization" of K-12 education in the United States through vouchers or other means.
Industry helps education catch up (Saturday, 7/10/99)
Among other things, many educational and training institutions intend to prepare students for work in the private sector, but in the new economy, industry and its needs change at lightning speed, while, because of funding and other issues, educational institutions often have difficulty keeping up. It can be particularly difficult to obtain up-to-date equipment. A leading technical college was about to give up and discontinue its printing program when industry stepped in to help.
More minority journalists should be hired, Gore says (Saturday, 7/10/99)
The American media don't sufficiently reflect the growing diversity of the country, and media organizations should hire more minority journalists, according to the Vice-President.
Companies find their options can be broadened by not requiring English (Saturday, 7/10/99)
Tom Webb writes about how an increasing number of companies, starved for workers, are turning to immigrants. Mike Hughlett offers a big printing company as an example, and Doug Iverson how human resource departments are learning from marketing people about creative recruitment during a time when skilled workers are hard to find. Managers appropriate for the new economy are also hard to find, according to nationally syndicated Chicago Tribune columnist Carol Kleiman, particularly flexible ones.
World's poorest countries may have less reason for despair (Saturday, 7/10/99)
Many impoverished countries have been struggling under a massive debt load, but, as Katherine Ellison writes from Rio de Janeiro, there may be light at the end of the tunnel now that the world's richest industrial nations have indicated a willingness to forgive a lot of debt.
Target to add jobs in the Twin Cities (Saturday, 7/10/99)
Minnesota-based Dayton-Hudson Corporation owns the Target stores, which can be found most places around the United States. Expanding operations have resulted in plans for a new campus in suburban Minneapolis that will employ 700 people.
How natural resources are helping Indonesia get back on its feet (Saturday, 7/10/99)
Indonesia was particularly hard hit by the "Asian contagion" that began in Thailand about two years ago and spread throughout the region, in part because the economic problems aggravated an unstable social and political situation in that counry. Wayne Arnold reports that, while other societies see their salvation in hi-tech, Indonesia is looking to its ancient industries for help, and it's working.
The most-read by biz people in June (Saturday, 7/10/99)
Here are the books that people in American business were reading most often during the month of June.
How to get un-stuck (Saturday, 7/10/99)
If you're stuck in a dead-end job, a time of strong job growth and labor shortages is a good time to try to do something about it, and columnist Amy Lindgren offers some guidance on how to go about it.
Learning to juggle (Saturday, 7/10/99)
Carol Kleiman tells how some creative individuals are arranging their work lives around the family responsibilities so that the kids don't get left out.
Being nice to job-seekers (Saturday, 7/10/99)
Many employers are used to being in the driver's seat, so they may not be particularly sensitive to the needs of job-seekers. However, things have changed, so this may be a good time for job-seekers to declare their rights, according to Amy Lindgren, and she has a list.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (Saturday, 7/10/99)
If you've never gotten around to reading Adam Smith's classic book, here's your chance. Wealth of Nations is available on the web.
Clinton ends "poverty tour" at Watts high school (Friday, 7/9/99)
Todd Purdum of the New York Times reports that President Clinton stopped in Watts to call attention to that community's continuing economic problems, as well as to the promise provided by a high school training program. Here's more from Randall Mikkelsen of Reuters, while the Washington Post's Charles Babington writes that Clinton calls for a blend of traditional "liberal" and "conservative" approaches to dealing with poverty in the United States. Jason DeParle reports that many leading politicians and journalists, as well as others, are skeptical, despite Clinton's apparent enthusiasm. Finally, Sri Ramakrishnan tells about a new Census Bureau report on the scope of poverty in the richest society on earth. The same report indicates that persons below the poverty line aren't the only ones who often have difficulty paying the bills.
Russia says they'll be able to pay their bills after all (Friday, 7/9/99)
No debt write-off will be required, a Russian official is telling other members of the G8.
Hot summer, hot economy (Friday, 7/9/99)
Tim Smart reports some of the latest government numbers showing strong retail sales and low jobless claims.
When you think D. C., you think...hi-tech? (Friday, 7/9/99)
Yes, politicians and lawyers are still in great supply in the American capital, but the region is becoming a major hi-tech center too, and, like other such centers, needs more people with hi-tech skills. Presently, though, there are more computer programmers than lawyers in the D. C. metropolitan area.
Unemployment down in Canada and Australia (Friday, 7/9/99)
Unemployment in Canada hit a 9-year low in June. Well, waddya know--it's at a 9-year low in Australia as well.
Republicans plan tax breaks for college (Friday, 7/9/99)
In general, Republicans tend to prefer tax-cut approaches to making targeted things happen, while Democrats tend to be skeptical. So, responses to the latest Republican plan for helping families pay for college are fairly predictable on both sides of the aisle in Congress.
Japan supports China on WTO membership bid (Friday, 7/9/99)
China still wants to join the World Trade Organization, and Japan has announced that they're in favor of the idea.
The other political Clinton is talking about health care again (Friday, 7/9/99)
Hillary Rodham Clinton says she's traveling around New York in order to listen, but she's also been doing quite a lot of talking, and her on-going concern about a national health care system from which 43 million Americans are largely excluded has been coming up a lot lately. Incidentally, the body of which she apparently wants to be a member--the United States Senate--is debating Senator Kennedy's bill that would govern the way HMOs operate. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Shalala is trying to convince America's elders to support President Clinton's plan for reforming Medicare. Speaking of health issues, E. Fuller Torrey and Mary Zdanowicz offer their views on the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill over the past 45 years or so. They say it's been a failure.
Help in planning your retirement (Friday, 7/9/99)
The new edition of Business Week contains a major cover story on retirement planning.
Strikes threatened in Australia (Friday, 7/9/99)
Australian unions feel the government is a bit sluggish in moving toward the guarantee of employee entitlements, and they're beginning to rattle their sabers.
The "inevitability" of a minimum wage increase (Friday, 7/9/99)
Janet Fix writes in the Detroit Free Press that a boost in the minimum wage is coming. You can take that to the bank.
Another view of the revolutionary new work world (Friday, 7/9/99)
The workplace has undergone transformation in many ways during recent years and for a variety of fundamentally historic reasons. Here's a story about some of the changes from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Recruitment only fair at the fair (Friday, 7/9/99)
Silicon valley, you're not alone. The people who run the Ohio State Fair are also having trouble finding enough help. Here's more from the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Internet haves and have nots in the U.S. (Friday, 7/9/99)
Minorities in America continue to have far less access to the Internet, according to a new report.
Counting chickens before they're hatched (Friday, 7/9/99)
And, as Ben Franklin said, a bird in the hand is, well, ...bad table manners, or something like that. Actually, there are a lot of familiar aphorisms that may apply to Washington's treatment of the surplus, particularly when it hasn't piled up for use yet. The Minneapolis Star Tribune editorializes on this issue today, while David Frum also comments on the "imaginary surpluses" and what can happen when too many people begin confusing imagination with reality.
Suit over bad air (Friday, 7/9/99)
The quality of airline cabin air has been in question for sometime, but some Alaska Airlines flight attendants say it's particularly bad on MD-80 planes and for some specific reasons.
Analysis of the meatpacker walkout (Friday, 7/9/99)
Nancy Cleeland of the Los Angeles Times tells why workers who walked off the job at a Washington state meat packing plant are disappointed with results.
Car haulers ratify new contract (Friday, 7/9/99)
The Teamsters members who drive the trucks that carry the new cars to dealers have voted to accept a new contract.
No more free wine (Friday, 7/9/99)
Suzanne Daley writes from South Africa about the end of a centuries-old policy. Workers no longer get free wine at the end of the day.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Malaysia Commerce Hub (Friday, 7/9/99)
From Malaysia, here's a site for persons interested in electronic commerce. You'll find information, as well as online discussions on the Malaysia Commerce Hub.
Japanese Cabinet agrees to build new policy (Thursday, 7/8/99)
The old Japan, Inc. hasn't been working very well for several years, and the country's leaders say it's time for a new form of Japanese capitalism. That may be about to happen. Japan has been suffering the worst economic downturn since the devastation of World War II.
Seniority may count for little at Toyota from now on (Thursday, 7/8/99)
Toyota executives and a lot of other business and government leaders would like to see pay linked more clearly to job performance as part of a more general effort to increase productivity in Japan and get the Japanese economy moving. Presently at Toyota, seniority is a major factor determining white-collar salaries. Negotiations are underway which could change that policy.
Strikes around the world (Thursday, 7/8/99)
In Poland, 30,000 nurses, dissatisfied with their pay levels, have started a hunger strike, while the Teamsters strike Overnite Transportation in Virginia and dockworkers in California have largely shut down the Port of Oakland. However, a last-minute agreement between Air Canada and its flight attendants has averted a strike, and truckers in Argentina call off their three-day old strike. In Ecuador, 50,000 transport workers remain on strike, but the government says that it hasn't particularly damaged the already weak Ecuadorian economy.
Clinton completes his "poverty tour" (Thursday, 7/8/99)
The President ends his tour to call public attention America's poorest regions with emphasis on an ambitious program to prepare disadvantaged youth for highly skilled jobs in the new economy.
Summers feeling goooood (Thursday, 7/8/99)
The new Secretary of the Treasury likes what he sees when he looks at the American economy and is optimistic that its strength can be maintained. Meanwhile, jobless claims fell again last week.
Monster.com begins auction experiment (Thursday, 7/8/99)
Employers are invited to bid on the skilled people they need.
Would a mandated "living wage" bring down civilization as we know it? (Thursday, 7/8/99)
Rudolph Pyatt of the Washington Post post has some opinions about the argument over increasing the minimum wage to a "living wage" that is going on all over the country, including Montgomery County near D. C.
Thoughts about a new law that would allow independent physicians to unionize (Thursday, 7/8/99)
Under present law, only doctors who work on salary can form labor unions, but that could change at least to the extent of negotiating collectively with HMOs if an AMA-backed bill presently moving through Congress were to become law. Not everybody agrees that it would be good for patients, though, writes Michael Weinstein of the New York Times.
The world's best 1,000 (Thursday, 7/8/99)
The current international edition of Business Week lists the top-performing companies in the world, and guess which is number one? It's a company run by a man named Gates that now has a market value of nearly twice that of the legendary IBM. Honest. If Rip Van Winkle is just waking up, he'll think he's not only arrived at a new time but also on a new planet.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Wealthiest Americans of All Time (Thursday, 7/8/99)
Bill Gates has net worth that is now nearing $100 billion, which clearly makes him the wealthiest businessman in America and probably the world. But is he the wealthiest businessman in history, when inflation is taken into account? No, and not even the wealthiest American. In fact, according to American Heritage magazine, he's several notches from the top, although that might not last long, given Mr. Gates' relative youth and the rate at which Microsoft's stock has been appreciating. Quick--who's on the top of the list of the Wealthiest Americans of All Time?
Clinton in South Dakota (Wednesday, 7/7/99)
South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian reservation hasn't had a visit from a president in more than 60 years, but they're about to get one as President Clinton continues his "poverty tour." John Broder of the New York Times reports that the President is trying to convince corporations that it will be in their own enlightened self-interest to invest in America's poorest regions. Incidentally, while in South Dakota, the President stopped off the visit the great stone presidential faces at Mount Rushmore. We don't know whether there's room for another president on the mountain or not, and we don't know if he had a tape measure with him. Sorry, we simply can't keep up with ALL the news.
Labor Department charges Boeing interfered with government investigations (Wednesday, 7/7/99)
The complaints allege interference in discrimination investigations. Here's more from Laurence Zuckerman of the New York Times
Mirror, mirror on the wall... (Wednesday, 7/7/99)
...who has the lowest unemployment rate of all? The latest data from the United States Department of Labor show that the metropolitan Twin Cities region has won the low-employment sweepstakes among communities of more than one million persons with an unemployment rate of only 1.6 percent.
Hoffa makes major appointment in effort to combat union corruption (Wednesday, 7/7/99)
Teamsters President James Hoffa would like the government to become convinced that the troubled union can police its own affairs, and has appointed a former prosecutor to head an in-house effort to combat corruption.
Ohio farm operations find that migrant workers are in short supply too (Wednesday, 7/7/99)
Hi-tech workers aren't the only ones who are scarce. Here's John Seewer's story in the Akron Beacon Journal.
Minnesota Senator supports aid for struggling farmers (Wednesday, 7/7/99)
Senator Rod Grams says he's in favor of changes in federal law to assist farmers who are struggling to survive.
Another occupational hazard for farmers (Wednesday, 7/7/99)
Exposure to carcinogens in agriculture may be the reason for farmers' higher risk of prostate cancer.
Bush wants to see more free trade (Wednesday, 7/7/99)
If he becomes the next American president, the younger George Bush will work to eleminate trade barriers all over the world, he says.
Job cuts at EFTC (Wednesday, 7/7/99)
Another hi-tech company will lay off workers while so many are trying to find them. In this case, Denver-based EFTC will cut about 150 jobs.
Communication devices to become more accessible to persons with disabilities (Wednesday, 7/7/99)
The Federal Communications Commission is expected to put new regulations in place next week to govern the design of cellular phones and other such devices.
Those with strong values may want to de-emphasize them when applying for a job (Wednesday, 7/7/99)
Persons who are strongly religious or strongly political might be at a disadvantage in the job-search process, because some employers may wonder what they're in for. Kirstin Downey Grimsley passes on some advice from a consultant to a correspondent who is making a career change from religious to secular work.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: MBAgames.com (Wednesday, 7/7/99)
Games aren't necessarily frivolous, and they're not necessarily just for recreation. They can also be for training. MBAgames.com offers games on line intended to help business professionals sharpen up their skills.
Clinton calls for investment in poor regions (Tuesday, 7/6/99)
Following a visit to Appalachia yesterday, President Clinton says a mix of public and private sector investment can help the poorer regions of the United States hitch on to the great economic engine that has been pulling much of America to higher and higher levels of prosperity. Charles Babington of the Washington Post reports that Clinton is asking corporate America to do its part, and, as an example, the Bank of America has pledged $500 million to help inner cities in the U.S.
More cases of "pilots' disease" (Tuesday, 7/6/99)
A pilots' "sickout" has forced the cancellation of several flights at Italy's Meridiana airline.
Ecuadoran government forces strikers back to work (Tuesday, 7/6/99)
Gustavo Oviedo reports from Quito that Ecuador has declared a state of emergency in response to a strike by tens of thousands of truckers and cab drivers.
The vast army of temps begins to assert itself (Tuesday, 7/6/99)
In workplaces all over America and elsewhere, there are persons working along side one another doing the same things for the same number of hours per week. However, some of these are "employees" with benefits, while others are not. Here's a Chicago Tribune story via the Salt Lake Tribune that describes the growing militancy of temps who aren't necessarily all that temporary and who are feeling that they're victims of discrimination. Expect their voices to be heard, given the work world's growing dependence on them in a tight labor market.
Japanese government less optimistic than business? (Tuesday, 7/6/99)
As we have reported, a new survey of top Japanese business leaders finds greater optimism about that country's economic future, but its trade minister says things still look grim. Meanwhile, a supplementary budget will be proposed to the Japanese parliament to help fight worsening unemployment.
Once everything's connected to everything else, watch out (Tuesday, 7/6/99)
The University of Texas' Gary Chapman writes about the great increase in vulnerability that is developing as the Internet develops and produces a system of enormous complexity than nobody really understands. Chapman writes this time for the Los Angeles Times.
Recruiters are showing up at the oddest places (Tuesday, 7/6/99)
Wherever skilled people gather, you may also find someone trying to recruit workers. Emory Thomas of MSNBC offers a recent California arts and wine festival as an example.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Computer Museum Timeline (Tuesday, 7/6/99)
In just a relatively few short years, computing technology has transformed the world and is the principal engine driving the development of a new global economy. If you'd like to track the development of this technology year by year, Boston's Computer Museum offers a timeline.
Clinton's "poverty tour" begins (Monday, 7/5/99)
Senator Paul Wellstone made a public tour of some of America's poorest regions sometime back, in order to call attention to some of the major weak spots in the surging American economy and, also at that time, possibly to bolster his own presidential chances. Wellstone eventually decided not to run for the presidency, but there is every reason to believe that, as the "conscience of the Senate," he remains committed to helping to find ways to help America's most poor. Bill Clinton isn't running for president either, but seems to share Wellstone's basic concerns. One difference is that a president can call more public and press attention to nearly anything than nearly anybody else, and Clinton is setting out on a four-day tour to do just that. Francis Clines of the New York Times tells about one of the places Clinton will visit: Appalachia.Presidents can get the attention of the opposing party too, particularly during an election year. Congressional Republicans, as well as Republican presidential candidates, need to appear to be as committed to helping the poor as the President seems to be. However, Republicans can be expected to take a traditionally Republican approach to pumping up impoverished communities: tax incentives. Speaking of cutting taxes, the Clinton Administration says that a big cut across the board would be a mistake at this particular time, despite the surplus. Vicki Allen writes that too much competition over what to do with the surplus could result in the return of deficits, and today's Washington Post says it's important to separate the realities from the illusions, and there are some illusions. Incidentally, among the tax cuts that Republicans would like to see is an end to the so-called "marriage penalty," and Minnesota's other Senator has moved to the center of that effort.
Bank of Japan finds more executive optimism (Monday, 7/5/99)
It appears that top executives at large Japanese companies have been spending less time moaning lately and are beginning to feel better about Japan's economic future. Here are some of the details from the new Bank of Japan "tankan" survey, first from the Japan Times, and, secondly, from Asahi Shimbun.
Talks run off the tracks (Monday, 7/5/99)
The largest rail unions in North American may be moving toward a head-on collision. Both want to represent train workers. Federal mediators are getting involved.
Re-entry problems (Monday, 7/5/99)
Amy Joyce writes about how the workplace has changed since you last experienced it, if you've been away for awhile.
More on what technical people need besides technical skills (Monday, 7/5/99)
Steve Bloom and Mark Allen write about the importance of "soft skills" in the new economy, and persons who are in most demand right now may not be the ones who are most likely to have them without special training.
It's gotten easier for an executive to get into trouble (Monday, 7/5/99)
Abraham McLaughlin reports that a new standard governing sexual conduct on the job seems to be developing, and it clearly applies to executives.
Suddenly, employers are looking for help in new places (Monday, 7/5/99)
A tight labor market is providing an array of good opportunities for many persons who are used to being left on the side-lines, including people with criminal records. Things haven't improved all that much for minority teenagers, though, according to the Bergen Record.
What's so funny about leaving Treasury? (Monday, 7/5/99)
Has former Treasury Secretary Rubin really been kidnapped by the Japanese? No, but they may wish they had the benefit of his services. Laurence McQuillan reports that it was all for laughs as part of an effort to give a widely regarded successful Secretary of the Treasury a friendly send-off.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: DiscoverME (Monday, 7/5/99)
There's plenty of evidence that job performance and satisfaction, and, ultimately, perhaps even a society's productivity, largely are determined by the quality of the match between worker, job, job context, and so on. Traditionally, only a few of the relevant factors have been emphasized when attempting to match job candidates with positions. Some of these seem clearly relevant (e.g., skills), while others may or may not be (e.g., academic credentials). Do personality and temperament make a difference? There is good evidence that they certainly do. Different personalities make a better match with certain jobs than others, but the research needed for supporting practical decisions in this area can be mind-boggling. DiscoverME is a firm that attempts to match people to jobs in terms of personality. Have they done the necessary research? Do their measurement instruments have demonstrably high levels of statistical reliability and validity? We have no idea, but we do know that these are important questions.
Patients showing strong signs of life (Sunday, 7/4/99)
It's been about two years since the "Asian contagion" began in Thailand and swept across many Asian economies. People throughout the region have gone through a lot. In some areas, economic hard times have made the Great Depression of the 1930s in the United States seem like a temporary inconvenience. Persons who had moved themselves out of poverty into a vigorous middle-class during the boom years have slipped back into poverty again. Unemployment has been high in many countries, and the economic problems have resulted in social and political unrest in several. Are the bad times near an end? Thomas Wagner reports that experts are encouraged by the strong recovery of stock markets and currencies in many areas, but say that it would be premature to declare full recovery.
Some opinions of Clinton's Medicare plan (Sunday, 7/4/99)
Writing in the New York Times, Michael Weinstein says that Clinton's plan for fixing Medicare represents a good first step, which Robin Toner says seems modest now, compared to past, much more ambitious plans.
Labor shortages, inflation fears, and the Fed (Sunday, 7/4/99)
Louis Uchitelle says that, during times past, debate about inflation centered on many shortages, but now there is only one: the labor shortage. Nonetheless, the Federal Reserve isn't turning on the flashing red lights and sirens.
Economic summit in South Africa (Sunday, 7/4/99)
Leaders are gathering in Durban, South Africa for a regional economic summit. Among the things to be discussed include the possibility for the establishment of a free-trade zone in the region. South Africa's President Mbeki will open the conference which will also include other heads of state.
Part-time at 40 hours+ (Sunday, 7/4/99)
There are a lot of part-time workers, but many may be mislabeled, according to Michelle Cottle in her answer to a correspondent who is returning from maternity leave. It's one of the adjustments to the realities of the new economy that employers and employees alike are still trying to work out. Meanwhile, Fred Brock writes that "retired" may not really mean retired for many people either. Maybe we need a NewWork glossary now that so many words don't seem to mean what they used to.
Family connections complicate movement off welfare (Sunday, 7/4/99)
Jason DeParle of the New York Times thinks that policy makers have been underestimating powerful family bonds as they's been thinking through how to move millions of persons from welfare to work.
More on the European employment crisis (Sunday, 7/4/99)
Reginald Dale writes in the Paris-based International Herald Tribune about the intractable European jobs problem and what needs to be done, in his view.
What IT employers and employees seem to agree on (Sunday, 7/4/99)
Tech professionals need more training in business, and they want it too, according to an analyst at the Meta Group. And, oh yes--they also agree that any shortage of tech workers now is nothing like what we will see in a few years. By 2005, expect as many as 1.2 million unfilled technical jobs in the United States.
Guess who thinks she's over-paid? (Sunday, 7/4/99)
Britain's Elizabeth II has been receiving too much money over the past decade because of an inflation adjustment that hasn't been reflecting current realities. She is asking that her pay be frozen so that it doesn't happen again. Queen Elizabeth is one of the wealthiest individuals in the world with assets that amount to several billion pounds.
Who's the poorest of them all? (Sunday, 7/4/99)
Many of America's poor may or may not seem poor by world standards, but they certainly provide a stunning contrast with the majority of Americans. June Preston reports that President Clinton will be visiting some of the most poor in the American South. Carey Gillam reports that he will also visit South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Native Americans remain the most disadvantaged demographic group in the United States. Overall, the have vs. have-not gap in the U.S. is greater than in other industrialized countries.
Summit on global agriculture (Sunday, 7/4/99)
What will agriculture be like in the new century? Liz Fedor reports that 700 people from around the world are attending an international conference on 21st century agriculture in Minneapolis.
Strike called off at Alitalia (Sunday, 7/4/99)
Flight crews and air-traffic controllers in Italy had been planning to walk off the job, but have changed their minds, at least for the moment. Here's more about the reasons.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: RadWorking.com (Sunday, 7/4/99)
RadWorking.com is another example of the growing number of career and job sites for specialized populations. In this case, the site is for professionals in the field of radiology, and it's free.
It's official: Summers is in (Saturday, 7/3/99)
As expected, the United States Senate quickly confirmed Lawrence Summers as Secretary of Treasury yesterday, and he has already been sworn in.
Stepashin expresses optimism (Saturday, 7/3/99)
Russia's democratic and free-market institutions are still in the process of forming (or not forming), so there are still a lot of holes into which money can disappear. Previous aid hasn't produced the results that were hoped for, and, in fact, much earlier funding intended to help Russia's economy get on its feet quickly vanished, probably ending up in Swiss bank accounts. Needless to say, International Monetary Fund officials have been skeptical of sending more where that went and have insisted on various reforms before writing additional checks or establishing additional lines of credit. However, Russian Prime Minister Stepashin feels that things have been put in place and that the IMF will approve the $4.5 billion that Russia sorely needs.
Clinton to visit areas left behind (Saturday, 7/3/99)
America contains many communities that contrast greatly with the country's overall economic well-being. President Clinton intends to call attention to the gross income disparities in the U.S. by visiting some of the most impoverished areas this month, including South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
How the tight labor market is helping those on the bottom (Saturday, 7/3/99)
Here's something different: Even the unskilled and poorly educated are benefiting from America's strong job market this time. Here's more from John Berry of the Washington Post.
Where the entrepreneurs are (Saturday, 7/3/99)
In Japan, you'll find a lot of them in Kyoto, mostly known until now as that country's highly traditional cultural capital. Michael Zielenziger is in Kyoto and has more about some of the people who are trying to do different things differently in order to make a full transition into the new world economy. However, the strain of transition is too much for many people. Joseph Coleman writes from Tokyo that the suicide rate in Japan reached an all-time high in 1998. It is widely believed that Japan's economic hard times have had quite a lot to do with it.
McDonald's workers may decertify their union (Saturday, 7/3/99)
Workers at the only unionized McDonald's restaurant in North America have voted to decide whether to keep their union. Results will be known in a few days.
Dads also try to balance career and family (Saturday, 7/3/99)
Much has been written about the dilemma faced by so many working mothers, but it also applies to a great many fathers. Here are some tips for keeping things in balance, as well as several suggested books on the topic. Also, columnist Amy Gage has some thoughts of her own about the "daddy trap." Finally, along somewhat related lines, Jane Applegate examines work-family conflicts for those who operate their own businesses and the strains that many marriages must endure, often unsuccessfully.
Silicon prairie also short of tech workers (Saturday, 7/3/99)
"Silicon Valley" refers geographically to the area between San Francisco and San Jose, which contains thousands of hi-tech companies. It's also shorthand for America's hi-tech industry overall, which is scattered throughout the country. For instance, Minnesota has its share of hi-tech companies, and, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, it is also experiencing its share of tech worker shortages. What to do?
Tentative agreement at American Airlines, but not a done deal (Saturday, 7/3/99)
Ratification is not assured, according to Dan Reed of the Fort Worth Star Telegram. Some of the 21,000 flight attendants at American are displeased with the proposed six-year deal. Ballots will be mailed to union members soon. Stay tuned.
High unemployment among the blind, and the computer mouse is regarded as one of the reasons (Saturday, 7/3/99)
For many, the mouse is a convenient input device, but not for the blind. Today's New York Times examines a 70 percent unemployment rate in a hot information economy, as well as some of the reasons.
The problems of the contingent labor force (Saturday, 7/3/99)
Nearly 33 million Americans have "non-standard" jobs, meaning that they are temps, contract workers, part-time workers, and so on. For employers, these people provide much labor flexibility, which is valued in the new economy. For the workers, though, there can be significant disadvantages, and an increasing number of people are becoming concerned, as the Christian Science Monitor reports.
Toledo's proposed "living wage" ordinance is stirring passions (Saturday, 7/3/99)
Vanessa Gezari of the Toledo Blade reports on some strong feelings expressed on both sides of Toledo's "living wage" issue.
Who will provide the service in a service economy? (Saturday, 7/3/99)
Much has been said in recent years about how the U.S. has been shifting from a manufacturing economy to a service economy. However, the "service worker" category is a broad and heterogeneous one. It includes heart surgeons as well as waiters, and their circumstances could hardly be more different. A Detroit Free Press columnist is concerned about growing shortages on the lower end of the service scale as the number of affluent people who want others to do things for them increases.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Journalist's Guide to Economic Terms (Saturday, 7/3/99)
Economists have a language of their own that includes special terms as well as some familiar terms used in special ways. FACSNET offers various services to journalists, including its Journalist's Guide to Economic Terms. However, you do not have to be a journalist in order to study this glossary, which includes more than 200 key economic concepts.
American cross-currents (Friday, 7/2/99)
One of the increasingly familiar characteristics of the new economy is that nearly everything you can imagine is going on someplace. Trends aren't simple or all in one direction, and some seem to contradict one another. For example, during June in the United States, unemployment went up, but new job creation was hot.
Clinton wants to deal (Friday, 7/2/99)
Congressional leaders are about to receive an invitation from President Clinton to come to the White House to talk about Medicare and tax cuts. Now that the war in Kosovo is over, the President is doing his best to shift attention to his domestic agenda as he sprints to the finish line in his presidency. Among other things, this brilliantly talented but greatly flawed man seems to want to move the sex scandals and his impeachment to at least the second paragraph of his obituary.
Age discrimination at Woolworth? (Friday, 7/2/99)
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a discrimination suit against the big retailer yesterday, alleging that hundreds of older workers were illegally replaced by younger ones.
Vietnam and the U.S. continue negotiations (Friday, 7/2/99)
Not so many years ago, Vietnam and the United States were shooting at each other. Now, they're negotiating a trade agreement which could be completed by the end of this year.
The cost of getting sick is going up for many elderly Americans (Friday, 7/2/99)
Amy Goldstein and David Hilzenrath of the Washington Post report that millions of Americans who belong to HMOs will be charged more for service and hundreds of thousands will be dropped from managed care plans altogether. Here's more from Robert Pear of the New York Times. Have a nice day. Speaking of getting old, nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn says it's getting a bit easier to make an accurate guess about how much money you will need to retire, because retirement calculators are getting more accurate.
Low-tech, but still a shortage (Friday, 7/2/99)
Among the folks there don't seem to be enough of are lifeguards. Thomas Lee reports for the Minneapolis Star Tribune on how things are at some of Minnesota's celebrated 14,000 lakes. Yes, the "land of 10,000 lakes" thing is a significant understatement.
Commerce report sidesteps scarcity controversy (Friday, 7/2/99)
The American hi-tech industry claims that there is a severe and growing shortage of persons with hi-tech skills, but critics say the industry is mostly interested in importing personnel who may be willing to work for less. The recent report from the Commerce Department on hi-tech in the American economy does not take a clear stand on whether there is a current shortage, but does say that the U.S. require an additional 1.3 million hi-tech workers by the year 2000. The Washington Post reported the story yesterday. Meanwhile, federal and state government officials are looking into allegations of multiple violations involving immigrant workers in Silicon Valley.
Many strangers may be about to learn a lot more about you than you may care to share (Friday, 7/2/99)
Whoops--gotta pay attention. A provision slipped into a large financial institutions bill in the House of Representatives would give others easy access to your medical records.
Bank merger to result in 5,500 layoffs (Friday, 7/2/99)
The bringing together of Bankers Trust with Deutsche Bank will mean slicing thousands of jobs, mostly in New York and London. Alan Greenspan is a banker too, albeit a somewhat different kind, but his job doesn't seem to be in jeopardy. He'll probably be able to keep it if he wants it, but, in a Business Week interview, President Clinton says he doesn't know whether the Chairman of the Federal Reserve is interested in staying past the end of his present term.
Who ARE those people? (Friday, 7/2/99)
Atlantic Richfield says plaintiffs in a class-action suit never worked for them.
An ambivalent celebration in Canada (Friday, 7/2/99)
Anthony DePalma of the New York Times writes about how it is to have such a huge, noisy neighbor. Former Prime Minister Trudeau once remarked that it's like sleeping with an elephant. It's a problem, even if it's a very friendly elephant.
Get set for more changes (Friday, 7/2/99)
Huge changes have occurred in the United States during recent years, as America has made the transition from a national to part of a global information economy. Leslie Wayne says even more change is coming, as Depression-era laws are being re-written.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Pursuing an I/O Psychology Career (Friday, 7/2/99)
Paul Spector of the University of South Florida is an industrial-organizational psychologist, teacher, and textbook author, and he has some advice for you if you would like to become an I/O psychologist.
The cost of renting money is going up (Thursday, 7/1/99)
As expected, the American Federal Reserve increased a key interest rate by a quarter percent. It may be the last increase for quite a while, though.
Former ILO official examines European job crisis (Thursday, 7/1/99)
Some European countries have been experiencing record or near-record unemployment levels for sometime, while other countries in the region have been doing quite well in the area of job creation. What can be done about the job crisis that afflicts some of Europe's largest economies? Hedva Sarfati, former Director, Industrial Relations and Labour Administration Department, International Labour Office in Geneva, offers a proposal in her new book, Flexibilite et creation d'emplois: un defi pour le dialogue social en Europe, published in Paris by L'Harmattan. Along similar lines, she has written a NewWork Guest Commentary for us to pass along to you: The European job crisis and the role of labour market flexibility and social dialogue.
Suddenly, from out of almost nowhere, the Internet is helping to drive the American economy, writer says (Thursday, 7/1/99)
Only about four years ago, most Americans had never heard of the Internet. Now, according to Leslie Hel of the Los Angeles Times, it's a major factor in America's productivity increases and overall economic surge.
Reinventing the American workforce (Thursday, 7/1/99)
Richard Riley, United States Secretary of Education, offered his view of the new Commerce Department technology report during a news conference in Washington yesterday, saying that America will need a lot more technical workers and must produce its own, not rely on immigrants.Research from the University of California shows just how dependent the presently strong American economy has become on highly skilled persons from other countries, particularly China, Taiwan and India. Despite the tremendous demand for technically skilled personnel and the fact that workers in technical fields earn far more, on average, than workers in general, American universities have been graduating fewer people in technical fields during recent years.
One problem is that American young people seem to buy into the negative "geek" or "nerd" stereotype and seem to think that having hi-tech skills is somehow uncool. Peter Behr of the Washington Post reports that the U.S. Department of Commerce will try to change some young minds through an ambitious advertising campaign. It's all an example of how loony public attitudes can become.
We're reminded of a similar situation years ago when George Bush Sr. was running for president and polls were showing that many Americans thought that he was a "wimp." Major national news magazines even did cover stories on "the wimp factor." The reality was that George Bush had less resemblance to a "wimp" than anyone should be able to imagine. He was born into a wealthy New England family, but chose to make his own way beginning early. He was an extremely young fighter pilot during World War II who saw major action, including being shot down. He went into the Texas oil business, beginning by throwing his gear in the back of his pickup truck. Later, he was head of the CIA and Ambassador to the United Nations before becoming Vice-President.
Wimp? Nerd? Geek? American young people need a reality check on what hi-tech experts are really like.
Many Sri Lankan doctors begin returning to work (Thursday, 7/1/99)
They've been on strike for seventeen days, but the atmosphere has been changed by an offer from President Chandrika Kumaratunga to meet with them.
First-time jobless claims down last week in the U.S. (Thursday, 7/1/99)
Nancy Waitz reports the latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Clinton campaigning (Thursday, 7/1/99)
Not for election this time, but to stir up public support for his plan for fixing the Medicare system. Here's more from Laurence McQuillan of Reuters. Meanwhile, Michael Weinstein of the New York Times compares the President's plan with another in Congress.
More work days lost to back pain (Thursday, 7/1/99)
New research reported in the American Journal of Public Health says that back problems, many resulting from work-related injuries, are the leading cause of lost work days and worker's compensation claims.
Whoops! Russia didn't quite tell the IMF the truth (Thursday, 7/1/99)
David Hoffman writes than an audit has turned up evidence that Russia misreported currency reserves to the International Monetary Fund in 1996.
Columnist reflects on being a working parent (Thursday, 7/1/99)
She's changed her mind about being able to have it all, do it all. All choices have consequences, she says, and tradeoffs are inevitable.
Today's NewWork News Web Tip: International Disability News Ticker (Thursday, 7/1/99)
The International Disability News Ticker provides news from around the world of special interest to students and professionals in the field of disability.
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