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September 1999

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U.S. won't bend in talks with China, Barshefsky says (Thursday, 9/30/99)
China wants membership in the World Trade Organization, and the U.S. wants China to be a member. However, the two countries haven't been able to agree on the terms, and the U.S. trade representative says the U.S. isn't prepared to make concessions in order to hurry things along. The WTO holds talks in a couple of months, and Doug Palmer says that agricultural officials from a number of nations have been getting together in advance of those meetings.

Slower growth in the U.S. (Thursday, 9/30/99)
Second quarter growth of the U.S. economy proceeded at its lowest rate in four years, according to the latest data from the United States Department of Commerce. Here's more from today's New York Times. Also, first-time jobless claims were up last week, in part because of the devastation left by Hurricane Floyd, and also because better weather in various parts of the country brought more people out to file.

Clinton wants poor countries to be able to start at the beginning (Thursday, 9/30/99)
Many of the world's poorest countries have been trying to climb out of deep hole because of crushing debt. The American president says the U.S. will forgive all debts owed to it by impoverished countries. He would like other rich nations to follow suit. Meanwhile, the President's plan to hire a hundred thousand new teachers has hit a snag in the U.S. Senate.

The vast army of child laborers (Thursday, 9/30/99)
UNICEF says there are at least 6.3 million workers in Bangladesh who are under the age of 14.

Settlement at DaimlerChrysler, settlement at GM, pressure at Ford (Thursday, 9/30/99)
The United Auto Workers managed to negotiate very favorable contracts at two big automakers. Now, it's Ford's turn, and the Washington Post's Warren Brown and Frank Swoboda says the company is backed into a corner.

Lean and/or mean? (Thursday, 9/30/99)
Lawrence Mead has some thoughts about a welfare system that surely is smaller than it used to be, but what about some of the other questions?

How that big mailing may affect Social Security reform (Thursday, 9/30/99)
Economic writer Robert Samuelson says this might not be the best time for the Social Security Administration to send that mailing to 125 million workers, if Social Security reform really is needed, that is. Incidentally, here's some of the latest economic data summarized by USA Today.

Job cuts at Alltel (Thursday, 9/30/99)
A telecommunications company plans to cut 350 jobs during 2000.

Canada's illegal immigration problem (Thursday, 9/30/99)
The U.S. isn't the only North American country to which large numbers of people are attracted. In the case of Canada, the smuggling of Chinese migrants into the country has become a growing problem which the Canadian government intends to address more aggressively, according to James Brooke who writes from British Columbia.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Resume Creators (Thursday, 9/30/99)
Need help with your resume? There have been a number of resume writing services in major metropolitan areas around the country for many years. An example is Resume Creators, which has been active in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for some time, and now offers its services to the world on-line.

UAW and GM make a deal (Wednesday, 9/29/99)
It's the latest in a round of auto industry contract settlements. This is a big one, affecting more then 200,000 workers.

Bradley tells how he would fix the great American health care coverage problem (Wednesday, 9/29/99)
The largest, most prosperous economy in human history so far hasn't been able to provide for the health insurance needs of more than 40 million Americans, which is more than the total populations of a majority of the world's countries. Early in his presidency, Bill Clinton proposed sweeping changes in the American healthcare system in order to provide universal coverage, but his plan alarmed a lot of people who were afraid that it would turn into an economic debacle. The whole things was so badly mishandled that it's taken several years for a major political figure to propose a solution that is anything other than incremental. Bill Bradley wants to be the next president, and he has a plan, which he proposed yesterday. Here are some details from Michael Miller who reports form Los Angeles.

What started out as a healthcare coverage crisis is beginning to look to many like a crisis in the quality of healthcare too. Many patients and physicians are dissatisfied with the increasing dominance of HMOs, which aren't all doing well either. For instance, the Boston Globe reports on layoffs at one Massachusetts HMO that has been trying to recover from its financial problems. Bill Bradley believes that the current strong American economy offers the best opportunity in a generation for fixing the healthcare system. Former Michigan State University political science professor George Will reflects on the implications of that strong economy and what we can count on for the future.

Agreement on an emergency farm assistance package may be getting nearer (Wednesday, 9/29/99)
Also, the size of the package seems to be increasing. Global farm product prices have been at their lowest in a generation which means that many American farmers lose money every time they take their products to market. Meanwhile, Russia, whose shrinking economy has resulted in extremely hard times for many Russian citizens, says it needs more food assistance. Russia's Gross Domestic Product has diminished by half since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Also, Russia's finance minister is saying that his country will need a restructuring of leftover Soviet-era debt if it is to have hope of meeting its economic growth targets.

IMF wants to do better in the fight to reduce poverty (Wednesday, 9/29/99)
The International Monetary Fund has had some outspoken critics for a variety of reasons. Some have been greatly dissatisfied with the impact of IMF policies on world poverty. However, those policies will change, according to the IMF's director. The international edition of Business Week examines the need to change the IMF. In the U.S., today's Washington Post editorializes about a Republican plan to stretch out payments to America's poor under the earned income tax credit.

Rights in conflict in the workplace (Wednesday, 9/29/99)
Columnist Kirstin Downey Grimsley responds to a correspondent who is uncomfortable with partisan religious practices at work.

Biz Week's Internet cover story (Wednesday, 9/29/99)
Business Week has a major report on the Internet and its impact on business. Many articles, all interesting and worth reading. Here's Business Week's Internet Age.

Russian banker expresses skepticism about laundering allegations (Wednesday, 9/29/99)
Viktor Gerashchenko is head of Russia's central bank, and he finds stories of the vast money laundering scheme involving New York banks to be "far-fetched." On the American side of the Atlantic, Timothy O'Brien and Lowell Bergman report for the New York Times that an old rivalry between American law enforcement agencies is delaying a final accounting of what happened.

Recovery and risk (Wednesday, 9/29/99)
The global economy is looking better, according to finance ministers from 182 countries, but it isn't time to exhale yet. Risks still abound, according to this report by Harry Dunphy from Washington. Meanwhile, Chinese officials are expressing fear that negotiations which are intended to lead to Chinese membership in the World Trade Organization are in danger of collapsing.

Lawsuit over breast-feeding (Wednesday, 9/29/99)
A woman is suing Fair's Garden Center in the Twin Cities. She says she was fired in June for requesting an opportunity to breast-feed her infant..

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: GradAdvantage (Wednesday, 9/29/99)
GradAdvantage enables you to apply to graduate or business schools on-line and comes from the Educational Testing Service.

Health care reform in California (Tuesday, 9/28/99)
A new package becomes law with Governor Gray Davis' signature, including the right for patients to sue their HMOs. Georgia and Texas already have such a provision. Amy Goldstein of the Washington Post reports on what's happening at the national level. For one thing, Congress is watching events in the states where, so far, there has not been a flood of lawsuits.

Ratification at DaimlerChrysler (Tuesday, 9/28/99)
A new four-year contract has been approved by the membership of the United Auto Workers at DaimlerChrysler. Seventy-five-thousand workers are affected.

The chips are no longer down (Tuesday, 9/28/99)
The international computer industry has been concerned about the aftermath of Taiwan's major earthquake, because a significant proportion of the world's computer chips are manufactured in that country. However, a number of key companies have announced that they expect their factories to resume production this week.

Economists say interest rates should go up (Tuesday, 9/28/99)
The Shadow Open Market Committee is a panel of private economists who have been known for their special concerns about inflation. They say that many foreign economies are recovering now, and this, combined with a continuing strong U.S. economy, makes America more vulnerable to inflation. They would like to see interest rates raised. One very important person who may be listening is Fed Head Greenspan who said yesterday what could be done to avoid or minimize financial crises in the future of the sort that have arisen during the past couple of years. Incidentally, the United Nations says in a new report that investment in developed economies has been running at record levels. Not so in the poorer economies, however.

Europe's "jobless recovery" (Tuesday, 9/28/99)
Early in the current U.S. expansion, the term "jobless recovery" was heard a lot. More recently, however, the American economy has been generating jobs at a furious rate. In Europe, it's a different story. The large European economies are doing better, but jobs are still scarce. Anne Swardson of the Washington Post has more on this story.

Malyasian prime minister still convinced he's right (Tuesday, 9/28/99)
Despite outspoken criticism from around the world, Malaysia has gone its own way in dealing with his version of the "Asian contagion." Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad insists that restrictions on foreign investment will not be lifted. Meanwhile, in Japan, fixed stock trade commissions are set to disappear as of Friday. The Japanese economy needs further stimulus, and it is hoped that some of the huge savings in private hands will move into the stock market once market forces drive the cost of transactions down. Stephanie Strom of the New York Times reports that the Japanese government denies that its policy toward its currency has changed. There has been widespread concern about how a strengthening yen will impact on the still-shaky recovery of the Japanese economy from the worst recession since the Second World War.

Are you a stay-at-home? (Tuesday, 9/28/99)
Many workers are taking a "stress day" now and then. Here are the results of a new survey.

Medical students going where the opportunities are (Tuesday, 9/28/99)
America is aging, and when the huge "baby boom" population moves into advanced years soon, there will be an enormous number of older people. One result: more medical students are interested in specializing in geriatrics.

Here's a vote for the minimum wage increase (Tuesday, 9/28/99)
It's the votes of people serving in the Congress that will count, but Boston Globe columnist Robert Jordan is willing to tell you what he thinks anyway. He's in favor of raising the minimum wage, he says, and he explains why.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Labour and Business History (Tuesday, 9/28/99)
Labour and Business History is a virtual library from the International Institute of Social History in the Netherlands.

Japan prepares to act on its yen (Monday, 9/27/99)
The Japanese yen's value has been rising, and this could threaten that country's still tentative recovery. The Bank of Japan seems ready to try to do something about it, according to David Sanger of the New York Times.

Ratification at Ford Canada (Monday, 9/27/99)
The Canadian Auto Workers have overwhelmingly approved a new three-year contract at Ford. Ratification also is expected at DaimlerChrysler in the U.S., and the CAW will focus its attentions on that company next in Canada. Keith Bradsher reports that agreement also appears to be near between the UAW and General Motors.

Negotiators make last-ditch effort on WTO membership for China (Monday, 9/27/99)
Adam Entous reports that, unless U.S. and Chinese negotiators can narrow their differences in talks beginning today, it may be all over for the rest of the year. Most observers expect China to be granted membership in the World Trade Organization eventually, but they may have to wait awhile.

Vice-President discovers corruption in the old Soviet system (Monday, 9/27/99)
Vice-President Gore says current high levels of corruption should be blamed on the former Communist regime, not on American policies in which he has played a role. Few in the West doubt that the Soviet system was corrupt, but Gore might have to look earlier in Russian history to find origins. Meanwhile, the New York Times' David Sanger reports that Russian officials don't like what U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers had to say about the need to audit Russia's records before additional IMF help can be forthcoming. Meanwhile, at the IMF's annual meeting, a new debt relief plan has been adopted which is intended to help many of the world's poorest nations, which, without help, are unlikely ever to be able to get out from under their huge debt load.

The makeup of the federal workforce (Monday, 9/27/99)
Here's an interesting summary of the characteristics of the many thousands of people who work for the U.S. federal government.

Weighing pros and cons on the likely minimum wage increase (Monday, 9/27/99)
The most poorly paid workers in America are likely to get a raise this year, despite arguments in Congress about whether it's really a good idea. The Washington Post offers some perspective on both sides of the issue.

Big Wall Street Journal special on global business (Monday, 9/27/99)
The Wall Street Journal has a special report on world business. Many articles, and, as usual, all worth reading. The Journal is available on the web, but requires a subscription fee once an initial trial period is completed.

The good economic news about women (Monday, 9/27/99)
Of the huge number of people in the world who must try to live on no more than a dollar per day, two-thirds are women. It is easy to recite equally bleak statistics having to do with discrimination, victimization, and more, but businessman Ronald Bosrock sees women as representing huge economic potential.

Another labor conflict in the airline industry (Monday, 9/27/99)
This time, the fuss is between Seattle-based Horizon Air and its pilots, and the conflict has gotten a little rude. Here are details from Kyung Song of the Seattle Times.

Nontraditional perks spice up the new economy (Monday, 9/27/99)
What could be more important than money? Well, quite a lot of things, apparently, because an increasing number of employers are finding that rewarding high levels of work performance with non-cash benefits seems to work fairly well.

Strike at Kaiser continues (Monday, 9/27/99)
Thousands of United Steelworkers have been on strike for more than a year at Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation. Nicholas Geranios tells about a protracted painful conflict that hasn't gotten a great deal of national attention.

What's happening to productivity? (Monday, 9/27/99)
Productivity took a sharp turn downward during the second quarter. This St. Paul Pioneer Press article attempts to explain what's going on and why productivity matters a lot.

On the persistence of ethnic discrimination (Monday, 9/27/99)
Nationally syndicated columnist Carol Kleiman examines the question of why there aren't more minority executives. Maytag's African American chief executive offers an explanation.

If you're lost in the Medicare maze, help is on the way (Monday, 9/27/99)
Quick--are there more persons without health coverage in the U.S. or more Medicare beneficiaries? According to the latest data, there are more than 40 million uninsured persons and 39 million persons eligible for Medicare. The former group might prefer to have the latter group's problems, but, nonetheless, finding your way through the growing confusion surrounding Medicare can be a daunting task. So much so, that the federal government is attempting to come to the rescue with a toll-free number (800-633-4227), a web site, and a handbook that will soon be in the mail.

The rising tide of irritation (Monday, 9/27/99)
The Guardian's Julia Hartley-Brewer writes about the growing number of people who are annoyed by a growing number of annoying things in the typical workplace. Her article comes to you today via the Arizona Republic.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: ISEEK (Monday, 9/27/99)
ISEEK stands for "Internet System for Education and Employment Knowledge." It intends to overcome some of the shortcomings of many employment and career sites on the Internet and comes to you from the University of Minnesota and various departments of Minnesota state government.

G7 sees new threats from Japan (Sunday, 9/26/99)
The world's second-largest economy has a great influence on nearly everything else, particularly the fragile economies of the Asian region. The world's largest industrial countries have been encouraging Japan to do more to stimulate its economy in order to boost growth, and the Japanese now seem to agree. Also, the yen has been strengthening considerably against other major world currencies, and this also poses a threat, according to G7 officials, who are debating the merits and demerits of intervention. Of course, Japan isn't the only thing on the minds of top officials. Martin Crutsinger reports that G7 nations are strongly urging Russia to do more to curb the corruption that is undermining that country's ability to crawl out of the economic abyss.

Hoffa says he's not interested in being vice-president (Sunday, 9/26/99)
The head of the Teamsters seems content to remain president of his troubled union. He declines possible invitations in advance to become Patrick Buchanan's running mate. Speaking of unions, Joel Kotkin reports in today's New York Times that Silicon Valley's temps may provide interesting organizing opportunities.

Your children may not be so concerned as you are (Sunday, 9/26/99)
Working parents seem to agonize more over how much time they're spending with their children than the children themselves, according to a new survey. Maggie Jackson says that many children aren't feeling ignored by their guilt-ridden parents.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: World Time (Sunday, 9/26/99)
In the new global economy, which is always "open," it can be handy to know, not only what time it is where you happen to be located, but also in a lot of other places. Here's CNN's World Time to help out.

Big protest demonstrations in Poland (Saturday, 9/25/99)
Poland's austerity measures are unpopular with a lot of farmers and union members. Tens of thousands have been marching in protest. Here are additional details from today's New York Times. Meanwhile, in the U.S., farmers are searching for alternative sources of income in an effort to survive low farm product prices.

UAW may be wrapping things up at GM as well as DaimlerChrysler (Saturday, 9/25/99)
The union's membership is voting today on the tentative agreement with DaimlerChrysler, and observers say a deal with General Motors may not be far behind. Elsewhere in the North American automotive industry, the Canadian Auto Workers new contract with Ford Canada provides for some extra time off for workers, and this may mean the need for additional hires.

Large numbers of additional textile jobs may be set to leave the U.S. (Saturday, 9/25/99)
The American Textile Manufacturers Institute says as many as 154,500 jobs in the U.S. textile industry could be lost as a consequence of China's entry into the WTO.

Critics say IMF isn't helping to relieve world poverty (Saturday, 9/25/99)
In fact, it's made things worse, according to those critical of the International Monetary Fund.

Beleagured drug retailer intends to cut jobs (Saturday, 9/25/99)
Rite Aid Corporation is being sued by the state of Florida, but it has other problems as well. Company spokespersons say that corporate restructuring will result in the cutting of 330 jobs.

Clouds gather on America's economic horizon (Saturday, 9/25/99)
The Toronto Star says that the American boom is beginning to look shaky, meaning, among other things, that Alan Greenspan will be faced with some tough decisions. For one thing, as John Berry of the Washington Post reports, experts are worrying about the effects of the exploding trade deficit.

The Social Security Administration wants to tell you where you stand (Saturday, 9/25/99)
If you're one of 125 million American workers, you can expect to receive a statement telling you what you've paid in to Social Security and what you can expect to get out of it.

College Board to hit the web (Saturday, 9/25/99)
Jodi Wilgoren of the New York Times writes about a familiar old-timer that will soon be on-line through a for-profit subsidiary.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: U. S. Economics Departments on the Internet (Saturday, 9/25/99)
How many U.S. college and university departments of economics have web sites? No one's entirely sure, but U. S. Economics Departments on the Internet lists more than 300 so far.

Tectonic plates also shake Taiwan's economy (Friday, 9/24/99)
Calvin Sims reports from Taipei that Taiwan's government expects destruction from the big earthquake there to slow economic growth and take years to repair. Much of the rest of the business world has been wondering about the effects of the quake on the supply of needed computer chips from Taiwan on which much of the global computer industry depends. Late word is that Apple's ability to deliver its new super-hot G4 desktop machines will not be affected.

Nissan says "no" to job-cut report (Friday, 9/24/99)
France's L'Expansion has reported that Nissan intends to cut 30,000 jobs in concert with Renault. Nissan says it ain't so.

Delta and its pilots agree on pay for flying new planes (Friday, 9/24/99)
Negotiations will continue toward the development of an overall contract, but this agreement establishes new pay levels for flying new models of planes. Here's more from today's New York Times.

Two issues hold up emergency assistance for farmers (Friday, 9/24/99)
The snags have to do with arguments about trading with Cuba and dairy issues.

On the distribution of wealth in the world (Friday, 9/24/99)
The combined assets of 400 Americans exceed the Gross Domestic Product of China, which, according to estimates, contains about one-fourth of the world's population of 6 billion breathing human beings. Here are some details from the new Forbes list of wealthy people, starting with gazillionaire Bill Gates of Microsoft. Actually, Billionaire Bill is estimated to have only about $85 billion now, down from $100 billion last April. Incidentally, if Microsoft is broken up by the Justice Department into a number of "Baby Bills," it won't necessarily do serious damage to Gates' net worth in the long-run. In fact, if recent history is any guide, Microsoft as several companies might soon have a greater total market cap than Microsoft as one company.

Bush wants military personnel to get a raise (Friday, 9/24/99)
The apparently likely Republican candidate for president next time thinks that people in the U.S. military should be paid better. For one thing, it could help the armed services in their recruiting and retention efforts within the context of a strong competing civilian job market.

Out of the frying pan into the fire? (Friday, 9/24/99)
Jim Lynskey writes in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune that reducing welfare isn't the same as reducing poverty, and the former doesn't seem to be resulting in the latter.

Kohler says it wasn't gender discrimination, but will pay anyway (Friday, 9/24/99)
A policy requiring employees to be at least 5 feet 4 inches tall amounts to keeping woman out of higher-paying jobs, says the government. Kohler will pay $886,500 to settle the discrimination suit. Meanwhile, in another bias case, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter has been ordered to turn over relevant files to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Affordable housing becoming more scarce for low-income people (Friday, 9/24/99)
Here's David Stout's article on the new report from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Applicants who don't get no respect from no boss no how (Friday, 9/24/99)
Columnist Diane Stafford says employers need to do a better job of acknowledging the humanity or even the existence of people who apply to them for jobs.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Career Guide for Grads (Friday, 9/24/99)
Career Guide for Grads is what it sounds like, and comes to you from the Kansas City Star.

Negotiators at GM pick up the pace (Thursday, 9/23/99)
Warren Brown of the Washington Post reports that there may be a settlement between GM and the UAW as early as this weekend.

Trying to make a deal on the minimum wage increase (Thursday, 9/23/99)
Democrats may get the increase if Republicans get some of what they want as part of the arrangement. A compromise is being worked out.

First-time jobless claims hit 25-year low (Thursday, 9/23/99)
It's the smallest number of people filling claims since the year Nixon resigned. Here's more on the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve reports that the American economy continues to grow.

More than 80,000 GTE workers eligible for stock options (Thursday, 9/23/99)
GTE is making 10 million shares available to its workers, according to this story from Reuters.

At least some Americans have been willing to help out at least some Russians (Thursday, 9/23/99)
However, it's not what many leaders in both countries have intended. Investigators are saying now that lots of American banks may have been involved in what could be the biggest money laundering project ever--the diversion of billions of funds from Russia.

Home work for people who aren't students (Thursday, 9/23/99)
Shannon Henry reports on the growing number of people who are taking advantage of hi-tech capabilities that allow work that used to be done only at the office to be done at home.

Silicon Valley problem-solvers may have unintended effects (Thursday, 9/23/99)
K.Oanh Ha writes in the San Jose Mercury News that hi-tech firms have been highly creative at solving their manpower problems. One unintended consequence is that they may be undermining their argument for letting more technically-skilled workers into the United States.

The population explosion has lost a little momentum (Thursday, 9/23/99)
According to demographers, the world will have 6 billion living human beings for the first time as of mid-October, which is six times as many as only about 150 years ago. However, the rate of increase has been decreasing.

The cost of being old is going up (Thursday, 9/23/99)
Many of America's elderly are going to be caught in a more severe health care cost squeeze, and soon. Here's more from Amy Goldstein.

The military's recruiting problems (Thursday, 9/23/99)
Greg Jaffe writes in today's Wall Street Journal that the U.S. military is also having difficulty attracting and holding the people it needs.

A billion falls short (Thursday, 9/23/99)
Billionaire Bill is committing $1 billion to help minority youth get ahead, or, at least, to start catching up. However, Courtland Millow writes about his ambivalence and why it won't be nearly enough to do the job.

Helping to relieve poverty by combating disease (Thursday, 9/23/99)
President Clinton has told the United Nations that the U.S. will support the development of vaccines to combat diseases that are preventing economic development throughout much of the world.

Number of uninsured working women on the increase (Thursday, 9/23/99)
Fewer working women have health insurance coverage because of changes in employer-sponsored plans.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Ideas of a University (Thursday, 9/23/99)
Scholars at the University of Northern British Columbia provide an overview of the history of the university from Classical Greece to the present with interesting speculations about the future, including some fundamental questions about what a university should be and what its purposes should be and who should decide these things. Here's The Ideas of a University.

Agreement at Ford Canada and US Airways in the United States (Wednesday, 9/22/99)
It appears that a strike has been averted at Ford Motor Company in Canada. Tentative agreement has been reached on a new three-year contract with the Canadian Auto Workers. A strike also seemed imminent at US Airways, but a new agreement with the Machinists affecting 7,000 employees has calmed a lot of nerves. However, in Fort Worth, the union representing flight attendants at American Airlines says negotiations won't start up again until October. A tentative agreement had been reached, but the union membership voted it down.

Minimum wage legislation blocked (Wednesday, 9/22/99)
Senate Republicans have thrown an obstacle in the path of Senator Edward Kennedy's bill to increase the federal minimum wage. Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans have increased the size of the emergency aid package to help many American farmers stay in business.

"Cash-balance" pensions attract the attention of Congress (Wednesday, 9/22/99)
Coralie Carlson reports on the hearing that's being held in the U.S. Senate in order to examine a new type of pension that favors younger workers over older ones. Hundreds of companies have been switching to the new system that older workers say will greatly reduce their retirement benefits. Among the more angry ones are those at IBM, and part of the fallout is a move by the Communications Workers of America to achieve recognition at IBM.

Some perspective on the transformation of China (Wednesday, 9/22/99)
China is the world's largest country and still claims to be a communist society. It's becoming increasingly difficult to locate the remains of Marxism, however. The international edition of Business Week reports on China's effort to move its economy from state domination to some peculiar form of capitalism that offers economic freedom without political freedom. Some observers in the West are betting that fundamental changes in China's economic system will eventually bring political changes as well. Meanwhile, Business Week takes a look at changes in Europe where reforms might result in an economic system more closely resembling that in the United States, according to the article's authors.

Not everybody's impressed with Russia's progress (Wednesday, 9/22/99)
The head of the IMF says he's pleased with how things have been going in Russia and has promised additional economic assistance. Meanwhile, the United States and the World Bank seem less impressed.

Workers say they have some bad news for Kathie Lee (Wednesday, 9/22/99)
American television personality Kathie Lee Gifford rents her name to a line of clothing sold in the United States. You may remember the uproar some time back when it was revealed that the clothing was produced under sweatshop conditions. Despite her assertions, a labor rights organization claims that sweatshop conditions persist where the clothing line is manufactured.

What does it cost to put a new jobs site on the web? (Wednesday, 9/22/99)
The Washington Post and its partners intend to spend $72 million on their new BrassRing site.

Business Week offers new coverage of business on the Internet (Wednesday, 9/22/99)
It's called e.biz 25 and comes to you from one of the world's premier business publications. Incidentally, Newsweek also ran a major cover story last week on how the Internet is changing everything.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Families and Work Institute (Wednesday, 9/22/99)
Work has been changing and so have families. Families and Work Institute is a private "think-tank" that does research and also advises business, government, and other institutions on the development of "mutually supportive connections among workplaces, families, and communities."

Deadline approaches at Ford in Canada (Tuesday, 9/21/99)
Settlement may be near, but information about how well negotiations are going has been limited. Meanwhile, flight attendants at American Airlines were are not only dissatisfied with the proposed contract that was presented to them for ratification recently, which they voted down, but they're dissatisfied with their negotiators too, so they're making a change. Elsewhere in the airline industry, a breakthrough for women: A woman has been appointed to head flight operations at Continental Airlines. It's a first in the industry.

The response from North Korea (Tuesday, 9/21/99
What may still be the most regimented society on earth as well as a finalist in the "most irrational regime" sweepstakes seems pleased with the U.S. decision to relax economic sanctions a bit, but would like to see it go further.

Cuts at United Technologies (Tuesday, 9/21/99)
Hamilton Sundstrand is owned by United Technologies, so cuts at the one amounts to cuts at the other. Fifteen-hundred jobs are scheduled to be eliminated, which will amount to more than 8 percent of Hamilton Sundstrand's workforce. Meanwhile, layoffs are scheduled at Michelin, and more than 1,000 workers have been protesting. About 7,500 jobs are scheduled to go.

Caught between a rock and really hard rock (Tuesday, 9/21/99
Would you want to continue pouring water into a container that is leaking in all directions? Maybe, if the alternative to continuing is even less attractive. The White House is telling Congress that there is little attractive alternative to continuing U.S. support of Russia, but the recently appointed Secretary of Treasury Lawrence Summers thinks extreme care is indicated. Meanwhile, Carol Giacomo reports that Russia's foreign minister has indicated that his government is greatly concerned about corruption in his country. Incidentally, if you're assuming that the corruption is a product of recent post-Soviet turbulence, think again. It's gone on for centuries.

Aid to farmers likely to have a higher price tag (Tuesday, 9/21/99)
Charles Abbott reports that negotiators are likely to settle on a larger aid package than the $7.6 billion originally expected.

The economic argument for an increase in the minimum wage (Tuesday, 9/21/99
Robert Kuttner writes in today's Washington Post about why another increase in the federal minimum wage may not cost jobs, as many conservatives claim.

Why some believe that the SAT needs fixing (Tuesday, 9/21/99)
Richard Kahlenberg says that standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test originally were intended to make access to college more fair, but it hasn't entirely turned out that way, according to him. So, how about a "strivers" measure?

Japanese government workers to have their pay cut (Tuesday, 9/21/99
It's the first pay cut for civil servants in Japan since the Second World War. Here's more from Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun.

For inexperienced teachers, help may be only a keystroke away (Tuesday, 9/21/99)
For newcomers to a profession, mentors can provide valuable advice and guidance, and, in fact, there is plentiful research showing how important a mentor can be for well-being of your career in many lines of work. Now, Kay Miller writes that teachers are finding mentors on the Internet.

Is "1984" arriving 15 years late? (Tuesday, 9/21/99)
Widely available software makes it possible for your boss to monitor your every keystroke. The privacy concerns are considerable, and, among those bothered by the possibilities are leaders of the ACLU.

Among lots of good economic numbers, here's one bad one (Tuesday, 9/21/99
The trade deficit reached the $25.2 billion mark in July, and it has economists worried. Americans are the world's spendthrifts, ordinarily preferring to spend rather than save, but during a period of high employment, they're spending even more at a time when the U.S. is the market everyone else wants to sell to.

When work that doesn't pay can pay off anyway (Tuesday, 9/21/99
Scott Carlson writes that lawyers do pro bono work for a variety of reasons, some altruistic, some practical.

A novel twist on worker bonuses (Tuesday, 9/21/99)
October 9 may be a very good day for the 40,000 people who work for IKEA, and those working on the retail floor have a special reason for wanting to maximize sales that day. Here's an explanation form the Los Angeles Times' Nancy Rivera.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Learning to Lead (Tuesday, 9/21/99)
Learning to Lead is a special report on graduate business education and comes to you from the Kansas City Star.

Schroeder's party hit hard in yesterday's election too (Monday, 9/20/99)
If the German chancellor has had any doubts about the popularity of his austerity program, yesterday's defeat in Saxony might help clarify things for him. William Drozdiak of the Washington Post provides details of the fifth straight loss for Schroeder's Social Democrats.

New labor contract at the U.S. Postal Service (Monday, 9/20/99)
It's a new two-year contract covering nearly a quarter of a million letter carriers, but the deal was imposed by an arbitration panel.

Fifty-fifty chance of averting a strike at Ford in Canada (Monday, 9/20/99)
Negotiations appear to be going fairly well between the Canadian Auto Workers and Ford of Canada. Chances of a strike seem to be diminishing, according to spokespersons.

Russian prime minister doesn't believe media reports of laundering (Monday, 9/20/99)
Prime Minister Putin says that reports of a massive money-laundering project have not been confirmed.

Communism continues to run out of gas (Monday, 9/20/99)
It may be difficult to believe that at about the time that Nikita Khrushchev said to the West, "We will bury you," presumably meaning through the agency of political and economic competition, not with nuclear weapons, there was still some ambiguity about which of the world's two major systems would prevail. The 1930's in the United States and elsewhere caused many to doubt capitalism's viability, and, following the Second World War, there was a period during which Western economies and those in the Soviet block were developing at somewhat similar rates, leaving ultimate victory in the contest somewhat open to question. Eventually, though, it became fairly clear that collectivist economies, through lack of a renewal mechanism, tend to run down once initial enthusiasm begins to wane. China, which has not had a tradition of personal political freedom, has been trying to hold on to centralized regimentation, fearing a return of the chaos and fragmentation that dominated during much of the first part of the century, while attempting to decentralize and open up its economy. Paul Ecker reports from Beijing that the Chinese government is trying to do something about its massive and massively inefficient state-owned industries before they take their last breath. An irony might be that a country that the founder of modern China might not recognize is about to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that day in 1949 when Mao announced to the world that "China has stood up." Stay tuned.

Job vs. career (Monday, 9/20/99)
A career isn't just a way to make a living. It's an expression of who you are and why you're on the earth, or, at least, that's what many people would like it to be. Columnist Amy Joyce has some suggestions for making the transition from a job to a genuine career path.

Compulsive company starters (Monday, 9/20/99)
Sarah Schafer examines an interesting breed of business person: the compulsive entrepreneur who just keeps doing it and doing it. Most people like to keep doing what they're good at it, it seems, but it can bewilder others who are preoccupied with simply trying to achieve some degree of economic security.

Britains no longer asking "Who won the war?" (Monday, 9/20/99)
For years, that's what many in Britain were asking, because, while Germany's economy was surging, Britain's had stagnated with average living standards stuck about where they had been shortly after the big war had ended. Now, however, the tables are turned. T. R. Reid reports from London on the boom that Britain is enjoying.

Want to become a doctor? Are you sure? (Monday, 9/20/99)
By the time you complete your training, you may have difficulty finding work. In fact, many communities already are oversupplied with physicians, but, despite some drop in med school enrollments very recently, freshly minted doctors just keep coming. Incidentally, the U.S. has far more lawyers than it used to have too, but not all of them are working as lawyers. Legal training can be useful preparation for a variety of roles in both private and public-sector organizations, so it's easier for a law school graduate to transfer his/her training to other roles than it is for physicians.

How new is the new economy, really? (Monday, 9/20/99)
Several professional economists seem to agree that, while there have been some significant changes recently, the fundamental rules of the game have not been repealed. For instance, if you're expecting that there will be no more recessions, prepare to be surprised.

One person who doesn't like Senate Bill 625 (Monday, 9/20/99)
That's the bill that, should it become law, would make significant changes to bankruptcy in the United States. Ronald Lundquist doesn't think the changes are necessary, and he doesn't think they would be fair either.

An alternative to traveling with several hundred (or thousand) miles of electrical cord dragging behind you (Monday, 9/20/99)
USA Today's Salina Khan tells where business travelers can plug in their laptops while out on the road.

Fitting in as a pipefitter (Monday, 9/20/99)
The first woman to become a licensed pipefitter in Minnesota tells her story in a new book. And, oh yes, she's African American too. How can she be angry when she's laughing so hard?

Passing the torch to today's generation (Monday, 9/20/99)
Neil Howe and William Strauss provide some reassurance for nervous elders. You may be surprised. Given the way today's kids are, the future may be in good hands, but don't expect it to be too familiar. As poet Paul Vallery has said, "The future isn't what it used to be."

A leading occupational hazard that may surprise you (Monday, 9/20/99)
It's hearing loss. Here's more from a report from the National Campaign for Hearing Health..

Employer-sponsored health insurance covers fewer workers (Monday, 9/20/99)
The primary reason for the trend is the great increase in part-time workers who usually aren't eligible for health coverage through their employers.

Romancing job-seekers at San Jose's WorkWorld (Monday, 9/20/99)
The San Francisco Chronicle's David Lazarus tells how hi-tech startups are trying to attract workers. Gimmicks are not necessarily taboo, he indicates.

The Monitor interviews Tom Peters (Monday, 9/20/99)
Tom Peters, one of the most influential business authors and consultants of recent years, has some thoughts about the future and shares them with Sara Steindorf of the Christian Science Monitor. Also in the Monitor today, France continues to work toward a reduction in its work week, David Langer says that Social Security doesn't NEED fixing, which may come as a surprise to most experts, and Sara Steindorf provides an overview of salaries during the 1990s in the United States.

Why flexibility matters to some workers more than most things (Monday, 9/20/99)
Patrice Hill of the Washington Times discusses the priorities of working mothers and how some employers are trying to accommodate them. .

How small business is doing in the United States (Monday, 9/20/99)
The American economy is strong, and small business has been enjoying some good times too, according to the Detroit Free Press. Also from the Freep today, some suggested web sites for college students concerned about their finances.

The joys of phoning it in (Monday, 9/20/99)
In the new information economy, some work can be done almost anywhere, so why commute to the office? Andrew Backover of the Denver Post tells how teleworkers like the way they're doing their work.

Please fill out this form...at the computer (Monday, 9/20/99)
The paper job application form may not be long for this world, or, at least, for the new work world. The Arizona Republic's Dawn Gilbertson tells how hi-tech is coming to the job application process. Incidentally, is there any good reason that the form has to be filled out in the store?

Layoffs still a common feature of a robust economy (Monday, 9/20/99)
In the old economy, layoffs were a sign of recession. However, as Brian Tumulty reports, the American economy's cooking, but we have major layoffs anyway. Old assumptions and expectations no longer apply, to a point. Of course, while there's lots of employment and jobs are relatively plentiful in many communities, not all of them pay well enough to support a family, let along pursue the American dream. The concept of "living wage" hasn't yet supplanted "minimum wage" in the thinking of most Americans, but it seems to be gaining some ground.

How's Mr. Hoffa doing? (Monday, 9/20/99)
George Bush is running for president, Richard Daley is mayor of Chicago, and James Hoffa is running the Teamsters. The more things change, the more they remain the same. Incidentally, how are things going for the younger Hoffa now that he's captured leadership of one of America's most troubled unions? Steven Greenhouse of the New York Times says he faces some challenges, and not just in keeping organized crime out of his union.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Futurework: Trends and Challenges for Work in the 21st Century (Monday, 9/20/99)
Not to be confused with the well-known on-line discussion group, Futurework: Trends and Challenges for Work in the 21st Century is a major report on work from the United States Department of Labor.

Factory explosion in Thailand (Sunday, 9/19/99)
An explosion in a fruit processing factory in northern Thailand has killed at least 20 persons and injured at least 100 more.

Schroeder likely to receive another strong message from voters today (Sunday, 9/19/99)
Clifford Coonan reports that the vote in Saxony today isn't likely to cheer the German Chancellor all that much. Omar Sacirbey writes from Dresden for the Christian Science Monitor on how Schroeder's policies are being tested. Germany has the largest economy in Europe and the third-largest in the world, but the costs of reunification plus the cost of a generous but perhaps anachronistic social safety net at a time when the country is attempting to make a full transition from the old economy to the new have depleted its resources. Making painful cutbacks is highly unpopular with many voters, however.

A possible turnaround in Japan, but will it stick? (Sunday, 9/19/99)
Japan has just recently begun to emerge from its most severe recession since the devastation of World War II. The Japanese economy is growing again, although modestly, and as Sharon Moshavi of the Boston Globe writes, there are signs that things eally are getting better. Still, the Japanese are nervous about the future.

Glickman promises that farmers' claims will be expedited (Sunday, 9/19/99)
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture says that emergency aid will be distributed faster this time.

What poverty means in the new economy (Sunday, 9/19/99)
Michelle Singletary writes in today's Washington Post about the current debate over whether the increasing gap between haves and have nots is real or important, given the current context.

Health care costs for federal employees to go up (Sunday, 9/19/99)
Premiums will rise substantially for the third year in a row. Here are details from Stephen Barr in Washington.

Where the minimum wage increase stands at this point (Sunday, 9/19/99)
Democrats in Congress are about to initiate a full-court press in an effort to get a new minimum wage increase through before adjournment, and Republicans seem to want the whole issue behind them quickly as well.

Why people have second jobs (Sunday, 9/19/99)
St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Amy Lindgren provides a not-so-surprising explanation and says that about 1 in 10 Minnesota workers are "moonlighters." Meanwhile, nationally syndicated columnist Carol Kleiman passes on some thoughts about the importance of non-technical career skills.

Employer help with child-care (Sunday, 9/19/99)
In a tight labor market, employers are having to offer various perks in order to attract and hold the workers they need. One is help with child-care, and this can take a variety of forms. As Amy Gage reports, some provide the service on site, but this isn't typical.

"Merit pay" comes to another major American school district (Sunday, 9/19/99)
As we've reported earlier in the month, Denver teachers have agreed to a new contract that ties pay to performance. Now, a similar provision has been adopted in the Minneapolis school district. Here's more from Duchesne Paul Drew and Anne O'Connor of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

The productivity benefits of high-technology (Sunday, 9/19/99)
For years, American companies invested heavily in computer gear without any discernible increases in productivity across the American economy overall. However, this seemed to be more of a people problem than a technology problem. During recent years, it appears that we've learned more about how to get the most out of hi-tech gear, and, in some sectors, at least, productivity gains have been substantial. Mike Meyers writes about an example in one of the world's oldest industries.

Raise your hand if you think you're overpaid (Sunday, 9/19/99)
A new survey conducted by Lutheran Brotherhood finds that a majority of workers feel they are paid about right. Incidentally, even if your pay doesn't increase next year, your taxes may, all because of an AMT glitch in the tax code. Curt Anderson has an explanation.

Six billion and counting (Sunday, 9/19/99)
Barbara Crossette reports that the experts are saying that the world will officially reach the 6 billion population mark on October 12. That's about six times as many living human beings as there were around the year 1840, meaning that in the past 150 years, the world has accumulated five times as many people as it took all of human history to accumulate up until the 1840s. Still, it's useful to put things in perspective. For one thing, the rate of increase has been slowing in recent years. Incidentally, population growth has been greatest in the poor countries, many of which have built up huge debts. Richard Stevenson the New York Times says that there is broad agreement that rich countries should help poor countries with their debts, but it isn't clear who should pay.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Tutor 2U Economics (Sunday, 9/19/99)
Tutor 2U Economics can introduce you to the field of economics and offers resources for both students and teachers in the field. It comes from Newcastle Royal Grammar School in Newcastle, England.

Will a relaxation of sanctions help tame the beast? (Saturday, 9/18/99)
The North Korean government hasn't let famine and other catastrophes stand in the way of its missile development program which could eventually result in the ability to delivery nuclear bombs to Hawaii and Alaska. The U.S. government has decided to offer a deal: Don't test your long-range missiles, and we'll make things easier for you economically. Of course, if tests continue, the deal's off, say U.S. officials.

What's next for North American auto workers? (Saturday, 9/18/99)
Now that the UAW has struck a deal with DaimlerChrylser, attention is shifting to General Motors, although, as Keith Bradsher of the New York Times reports, all is not well at Ford. In fact, the Canadian Auto Workers are threatening to strike.

New jobs coming to Leipzig (Saturday, 9/18/99)
Leipzig is located in what was once East Germany. It's now part of a reunified Germany, but like most of the eastern region of the country, is still struggling economically. Leipzig will welcome the jobs that will come to the city when Porsche opens its new plant for the production of sports utility vehicles.

Settlement in Atlantic City (Saturday, 9/18/99)
Gamblers can safely return to the tables in Atlantic City, New Jersey now. Actually, the tables are no more safe than they've ever been, but, at least, the Casinos are likely to be operating a full strength and open for business now that a three-day strike of casino workers has ended.

Russians waiting for some good news may have to wait a little longer (Saturday, 9/18/99)
There have been slight signs of improvement in Russia's seriously afflicted economy recently, but the latest numbers on inflation won't settle anybody's stomach, particularly people on fixed incomes. It appears that the inflation rate will be about 40 percent for the year, rather than the 30 percent previously projected and hoped for.

What it will take to narrow the "know vs. know not" gap (Saturday, 9/18/99)
Assistant Secretary of Commerce Larry Irving says that access to the Internet is only part of it, and praises the world's wealthiest man for his recent initiatives.

An argument over diversity training for child-care workers (Saturday, 9/18/99)
Sheila Oehrlein is a professional in the field and takes exception to remarks made by a Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist.

TVA workers to be rewarded (Saturday, 9/18/99)
The Tennessee Valley Authority has met financial, safety and customer service goals, and, to show its appreciation to its workers, the TVA will distribute $12.3 million in bonuses.

More on the what, how, and why of AT&T's planned job cuts (Saturday, 9/18/99)
The Internet is changing everything, and, if you have doubts, just look at AT&T's shift of emphasis. They're cutting jobs in the long-distance area in order to strengthen their presence on the hi-tech frontier where vast numbers of settlers are digging in.

Ethnic loyalty (Saturday, 9/18/99)
Minority-owned firms tend to hire within their own ethnic groups, according to a new study commissioned by the Los Angeles Times.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Library of Congress (Saturday, 9/18/99)
We can safely recommend the Library of Congress to those with a special interest in issues relating to life and work in the revolutionary new world economy, because the Library has the world's largest collection of works on virtually all topics. Entrepreneurs in the new economy may be particularly interested in their Copyright Office.

Proposed contract turned down at American Airlines (Friday, 9/17/99)
No ratification by flight attendants. Negotiators will have to go back to the table, but new talks aren't scheduled yet.

Discrimination persists (Friday, 9/17/99)
A study from the Urban Institute finds persistent discrimination against minorities in housing. Blacks and Hispanics with the same financial status and credit histories as whites are less likely to get housing loans.

Wal-Mart obtains restraining order to prevent distribution of leaflets by unions (Friday, 9/17/99)
A company spokesman says that union activists have gone too far.

Fraudulent claims holding up payments to black farmers (Friday, 9/17/99)
African American farmers filed a discrimination suit against the United States Department of Agriculture. A settlement says that persons discriminated against will be paid $375 million dollars. However, the checks aren't yet in the mail, and it's because some individuals who have never been farmers have filed false claims that have to be tracked down, according to USDA officials.

Politics collides with economic realities in Germany (Friday, 9/17/99)
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder insists that his country must cut spending in order to get its increasingly serious financial situation in order. However, his austerity measures are not politically popular in a society used to generous government services. Recent elections have demonstrated just how little many voters think of the Chancellor's policies, creating a serious political situation for Schroeder and his party. Meanwhile, an economist is running for president of Argentina, but he's a very long shot, according to Clifford Krauss writing in the New York Times.

Among Indonesia's many problems... (Friday, 9/17/99)
A major scandal involving corruption in Indonesia's banking system threatens IMF assistance, and government officials blast their auditors.

Greenspan on Y2K (Friday, 9/17/99)
The Chairman of the Federal Reserve says some economic glitches can be expected at the end of the year when some computers get confused about what century we're in, but he doesn't expect an apocalyptic situation.

Big tech and training conference (Friday, 9/17/99)
TechKnowledge '99 draws 2,000 people interested in the application of high-technology to training.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Embassy of the Russian Federation (Friday, 9/17/99)
Russia has been in the news more than usual lately because of its economic crises, its political turmoil, and recent terrorist explosions. If you like to travel or do business in Russia, you might want to stop by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, D.C. first, or drop in right here on the web.

Agreement at DaimlerChrysler (Thursday, 9/16/99)
Negotiations between the UAW and DaimlerChrysler were beginning to resemble Zeno's paradoxes, but perseverance has paid off. Justin Hyde reports from Auburn Hills, Michigan that tentative agreement has been reached on a new national contract.

Fourth explosion in Russia within two weeks (Thursday, 9/16/99)
Russia has been rocked by terrorist explosions with great loss of life. We discussed the relationship between Russian economics and politics and also offered a hypothetical explanation for what may be happening on September 13.

Money for workers made ill at Paducah plant (Thursday, 9/16/99)
The Clinton administration wants to compensate thousands of workers who have become ill as a consequence of radiation exposure over many years. Here are more details from Joby Warrick of the Washington Post.

Thousands strike at Atlantic City Casinos (Thursday, 9/16/99)
Unionized workers object to plans for hiring non-union subcontractors.

President receives Republican tax cut bill (Thursday, 9/16/99)
If signed into law, the bill would cut taxes by $792 billion dollars. What are the chances that President Clinton will sign it? Slightly less than the chance of a forest fire in Antarctica. We're entering that season before a major election when both major parties are likely to be more interested in having a good campaign issue than in compromising on substantive legislation. Congressional Republicans have known all along that chances of Clinton signing the big tax cut bill are essentially nonexistent, but, once he vetoes it, they'll be able to say to voters, "Don't blame us--we tried." However, it does appear that the White House and the Republican-controlled Congress may get together on a big aid package intending to help save American farmers.

Spy sues spy agency (Thursday, 9/16/99)
The Central Intelligence Agency appears to be the object of a discrimination suit. Tabassum Zakaria has more from Washington.

Job cuts in the Twin Cities, and elsewhere (Thursday, 9/16/99)
Fewer workers at the St. Paul Companies St. Paul headquarters will lose their jobs than originally announced. Across town, Honeywell officials are also saying that fewer jobs will be cut than originally expected because of Honeywell's planned merger with AlliedSignal. Meanwhile, on the east coast, a subsidiary of United Technologies expects to make major cuts. Hamilton Sundstrand intends to eliminate 1,700 jobs.

Retirement calculators often paint too grim a picture (Thursday, 9/16/99)
Nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn says that retirement calculators often overestimate what you will need to maintain your accustomed standard of living during retirement, and she explains why.

Skills vs. talents (Thursday, 9/16/99)
Amy Gage explains the difference and explains why you might better concentrate on marketing the latter, but first, you have to recognize what you have to offer.

Jobless claims down last week (Thursday, 9/16/99)
Here's news about the latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: F.A. Hayek (Thursday, 9/16/99)
F.A. Hayek won the Nobel Prize in economics in 1974. Here are a lot of quotations from him, as well as a lot of quotations about him.

Talks continue past deadline at DaimlerChrysler (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
Auto industry contracts expired at midnight, and some unauthorized strikes began popping up around the country. Negotiators worked into the night, though, and agreement appears near between DaimlerChrysler and the UAW. Meanwhile, Presidential candidate Bill Bradley is in Detroit trying to charm organized labor with Y2E in mind. That's "Year 2000 Election."

Retirement suit settled at IBM (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
The company that used to be known as one of the best places to work and also for never, that is NEVER laying off workers has been doing that for a long time now, like most other American-based corporations. IBM has been in the news a lot lately because of a change in its retirement program to which many former employees have objected. In fact, they filed suit against Big Blue. Tim Whitmire reports that a settlement has been reached. The company will pay the plaintiffs $15.5 million.

Why many Iranians are thinking more about economics than ideology (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
Afshin Molavi writes in today's Washington Post about Iran's sleepy economy and what will be required to raise it from its slumber.

More biz school regulation required in South Africa, according to education minister (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
Suddenly, there are a lot of opportunities for earning an MBA degree in South Africa, but they're not all created equal, according to Education Minister Kader Asmal. Many programs originating outside the country are suspect, he says.

Big cuts at Seagate (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
Seagate has been making computer disk drives for a long time and still makes more of them than anybody else. Recently, though, they've been under a lot of pressure from competitors and have decided that they will try to get along with only 90 percent as many workers as usual. Anthony Effinger reports that Seagate is cutting 8.000 jobs. Also, acquisitions and restructuring at AT&T are likely to cost jobs in the company's long-distance operations, but many of the displaced individuals may find jobs in other divisions, according to AT&T executives.

Keynesian Marxists (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
The Chinese government believes that its country's economy needs further stimulus, so they're planning to crank up deficit spending.

Where oh where is all that IMF money? (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
Despite various denials from top Russian government officials, a former prosecutor says that funds from the International Monetary Fund that were intended to help Russia get on its economic feet went to other uses by some of the wrong persons. Speaking of the IMF, a new report says that IMF member nations should share in the blame for the financial crises that have swept across much of the world during the past two years or so. It's frequently the case that IMF advice for heading off problems is ignored, writes Harry Dunphy.

Another lawsuit over W. W. II slavery, but in a different part of the world (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
This time, Japanese companies are being sued by 500 American ex-POWs.

Blair tells British unions it's time to change their ways (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
The British Prime Minister tells organized labor it's time to move away from an "us vs. them" mindset and recognize that business and labor are all riding on the same ship. In the future, labor will have to collaborate with management, rather than seeing it as a mortal adversary.

What infertility has to do with job security (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
Columnist Kirstin Downey Grimsley tells a correspondent who was fired that she may not have a case.

Should you trust your cab driver's judgment if he has a Ph.D.? (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
A new study at Berkeley has followed the careers of a sample of Ph.D's over the ten years since they received their degrees. Many say that their universities have been remiss in providing help finding employment. It seems that there has been evidence for many years that many higher education institutions have been ignoring market realities and continuing to urge young people to go deeply into debt in order to accumulate degrees from which the economy and the individuals themselves may or may not be able to benefit.

In fact, it may be time to conduct a zero-based examination of the concept of "academic degree" and its significance or lack of significance for the 21st century and beyond. At the very least, universities seem obligated not to mislead young people into thinking that so-called "credentials" qualify them for entitlements of some kind. Many of history's most successful doers, as well as thinkers, haven't gone through the conventional academic rut at all in order to experience an official laying on of hands. The fundamental question seems to be, "Do I really know anything and can I really do anything?" If the answer to that question is "yes," for whatever reason and by whatever means, there don't seem to be any other important questions. If the answer is "no," there don't seem to be any other important questions either. Universities have a vested economic interest in selling degrees, though, and the greatest benefits from the process may accrue to them.

What?! Your company doesn't provide you with a private jet? (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
Joe Sharkey of the New York Times discusses a perk that most workers will never see except from the ground.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Benefits Link (Wednesday, 9/15/99)
Benefits Link may offer as much as you'll ever want to know about employee benefit plans, but if you're an employer, it's probably not possible to know too much.

Is the French economy about to catch fire? (Tuesday, 9/14/99)
France has been the "sick man" of Western European economies for quite a while, but, as Angela Doland reports, that may be changing.

Slave labor suits dismissed (Tuesday, 9/14/99)
An American judge has dismissed four lawsuits against Germany companies accused of using slaves during the Nazi era. Here's more from the Jeruselum Post.

Inflation nearly drops off the radar screen in Britain (Tuesday, 9/14/99)
Inflation has hit a 36-year low in Britain. Last month's annualized 1.1 percent rate contrasts greatly with that from August 1975 when inflation was running at an annual rate of 26.9 percent.

Agreements seem near between the UAW and two auto companies (Tuesday, 9/14/99)
Robyn Meredith reports in today's New York Times that negotiations appear to be going very well between the United Auto Workers and two of the big auto companies in the U.S., DaimlerChrysler and General Motors Corporation. New contracts may be on the immediate horizon. However, Justin Hyde writes in the Fort Worth Star Telegram that he isn't so sure.

What's the deal with the China deal? (Tuesday, 9/14/99)
Benjamin Kang Lim reports from Beijing that Chinese officials expect closure on the agreement that would provide the world's largest country with membership in the World Trade Organization, and Charles Hutzler says that both Clinton and Jiang have given the go-ahead. However, David Sanger of the New York Times isn't sure China really wants an agreement.

For one thing, Russia isn't lost...quite yet (Tuesday, 9/14/99)
Some in the U.S. are asking, "Who lost Russia," and Richard Cohen says "Nobody." It isn't lost. Moreover, it isn't America's to lose. Russia's future is mostly in its own hands.

Motorcycle maker sued for laying off workers with no notice (Tuesday, 9/14/99)
Excelsior-Henderson is the object of a lawsuit alleging that the company violated federal law when it laid off 97 workers recently.

Another thing for American farmers to worry about (Tuesday, 9/14/99)
Quite a lot of people aren't interested in designer genes when it comes to food, and many Midwestern farmers are caught in the middle of a growing controversy over hi-tech food.

More labor news in the airline industry (Tuesday, 9/14/99)
This time it's commuter carrier American Eagle. Flight attendants believe that they're about to come out on the short end of a merger where their pay is concerned.

Layoffs in paradise (Tuesday, 9/14/99)
Pacific Century Financial Corporation owns Hawaii's largest bank, and is cutting more than a thousand jobs. Here's an article from the The Nando Times which wonders if all the layoffs that are going on in a strong economy represent a paradox? In the old economy, it might be unexpected, but not so much in the new where turbulence and change are among the principal defining characteristics. Incidentally, Hawaii has been one of the fairly dim spots in a bright American economy.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: CBS MarketWatch Investor's Primer (Tuesday, 9/14/99)
If you're new to investing, or, even if you're not, CBS MarketWatch Investor's Primer is worth a look. It's a VERY rich and informative site.

Another explosion in Russia with great loss of life (Monday, 9/13/99)
A bomb explosion has destroyed an apartment complex and killed dozens of people in Moscow. It's the third explosion in less than two weeks. Prime Minister Putin is calling it a terrorist act, and President Yeltsin is urging calm, while both American and Russian officials are restating their commitment to fight terrorism, while undoubtedly becoming more and more nervous off the record.

What's going on in Russia? We don't know either, but it seems more than coincidental that the three explosions have come at about the same time that increased attention has been drawn to the widespread corruption that has hampered efforts to rejuvenate the post-Soviet Russian economy, which has diminished to about half its previous size during the 1990s, throwing vast numbers of Russians into deep poverty. The Russian experiment with democracy and a market economy hangs by a slim thread, and President Yeltsin, who has been supported by the United States all along, is among the least popular of world leaders in his homeland.

Moreover, evidence seems to be mounting that large numbers of top government officials may be personally involved in the financial corruption that has further weakened the country. This can only diminish further the credibility of a quasi-democratic government among citizens who are suffering greatly and inclined to look back to the days of authoritarian government as a time of security and relative prosperity.

Who's being blamed for the terrorism, and who's really behind it? Has anyone seen Vladimir Zhirinovsky lately, who, in 1995, is supposed to have said, "The Russian people have become the most humiliated nation on the planet. I will raise Russia from her knees."

Students of 20th century history can't be blamed for remembering similar statements made by Adolf Hitler during the chaos of the late Weimar Republic. Also, recall that the Nazis quickly consolidated their dictatorial powers following the burning of the Reichstag, which the Nazis blamed on the Communists. Historians generally believe that the Nazis burned the Reichstag to the ground themselves in order to convince Germans of the need for strong authoritarian government to combat the presumed threat of anarchy. A key difference between Germany then and Russia now is that whoever ends up controlling Russia during the years ahead will also control thousands of Soviet-era nuclear missiles.

Meanwhile, Michel Camdessus explains why so many world leaders have become emotionally involved in Russia's economic problems, which, we might add, cannot be separated from their political problems, as we have been implying. Syndicated columnist and former Nixon-era speech writer William Safire says Americans should relax. Come on, stop chewing on your knuckles and chill a bit.

Schroeder accepts the bad news but acts undeterred (Monday, 9/13/99)
The results in German regional elections turned out to be about as unpleasant for Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder as he and others were expecting. He says that his government's austerity program will continue, though, because it's what Germany needs in order to remain competitive in the new world economy. Here are more details from Roger Cohen of the New York Times

APEC agrees to accelerate the removal of trade barriers (Monday, 9/13/99)
Chris Johnson reports on the move by Asian-Pacific nations to give free trade another boost. President Clinton has made clear that he supports free trade world wide, but, as Mark Magnier of the Los Angeles Times writes, he thinks the global economy should include a built-in safety net.

Job cuts at Crane and Toshiba (Monday, 9/13/99)
Crane intends to cut about 450 jobs, while Toshiba appears ready to cut loose more than 10 times as many.

Reality check for those with short memories (Monday, 9/13/99)
Terence O'Hara says that many persons may have difficulty remembering how bad the job market has been in the past and probably will be sometime again. For the moment, though, it's a seller's market for workers in the United States. For example, and it's just one of a great many examples, if you're an attorney, careful that you don't become trampled by folks eager to hire you. However, Gary Chapman emphasizes that there are alternative points of view on how the U.S. economy is really doing and that these should be part of the national debate during the 2000 presidential campaign. Things are great, say some, but only for some Americans, say others. Speaking of debates, Robin Toner of the New York Times writes that arguments about Medicare and other assistance for the elderly is focusing on women, because there are far more of them than men during the late years.

Senator tells attendees at Farm Aid what many want to hear (Monday, 9/13/99)
Country music genius Willie Nelson believes that the current free-for-all is killing American agriculture and finishing off the family farm in the United States. For years, he's tried his best to call attention to the plight of the American farmer and also raise funds to help in his Farm Aid concerts. This time, one of the U.S. Senators from Minnesota, Paul Wellstone, was in attendance and made a crowd-pleasing speech saying that he will try to slow down agribusiness mergers and acquisitions. Meanwhile, politicians of similar overall ideology are trying to get the federal minimum wage raised, and one major American newspaper agrees that it's time.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: U.S. Census Bureau on Poverty (Monday, 9/13/99)
If you're interested in the topic of poverty as it applies to the richest country in world history during the best economic times in a generation, the United States Census Bureau may have some things to tell you.

Schroeder's austerity program not popular with many German voters (Sunday, 9/12/99)
Voting today may bring unwelcome results to Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and his party because of government spending cuts. Douglas Busvine has details on regional elections in Germany.

China may be on the threshold of WTO membership (Sunday, 9/12/99)
After time out for displaying the appropriate, or inappropriate, level of resentment over the U.S. bombing of its embassy in Belgrade, processes that are likely to lead to China's membership in the World Trade Organization are in high gear again. Adam Entous writes about the hard job that Charlene Barshefsky has as President Clinton's chief trade negotiator, who just has to try to satisfy everybody, that's all. James Flanigan tells why you should care about whether China gets into the WTO, and President Clinton tries to convince the American Republican-led Congress that Chinese membership is a good idea. However, if, despite economic arguments about the benefits of free trade, the whole thing sounds a bit to anarchistic, laissez-faire, or "wild-west" to you, President Clinton hastens to add that open markets need a "human face."

The struggle for the soul of Mother Russia (Sunday, 9/12/99)
President Clinton fears that the threat that corruption poses for Russian society is fundamental and would like to see that country's leadership confront and deal with the problem.

The rising tide has been lifting all ships, but... (Sunday, 9/12/99)
There is still the question of whether gains made by persons toward the bottom of America's economic ladder will survive the current expansion. And, anyway, even though those on the bottom have been helped by the good economic times in the United States, the gap between haves and have nots seems to be increasing. Here's more from Tim Smart, Stephanie Stoughton, and Peter Behr of the Washington Post

Careful, don't snag your toe on that loophole (Sunday, 9/12/99)
Highly regarded nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn says there are some traps for the unwary in long-term care insurance. There is a dirty game afoot, she warns.

Boomers and their employers won't be singing "All or nothing at all" (Sunday, 9/12/99)
Albert Crenshaw writes that, even though many boomers may not be able to afford to retire, a gradual phasing out may be an option. An increasing number of employers would like to hang on to some of them for a while.

A generous boss (Sunday, 9/12/99)
It certainly beats a turkey at Christmas. Bob Thompson is selling his company and giving $128 million of the proceeds to his employees. Some will become instant millionaires.

Coping in Arkansas (Sunday, 9/12/99)
Levi Strauss and Arrow Automotive packed up and left Morrilton, Arkansas, leaving a lot of people unemployed. But, as Suzi Parker reports, Morrilton has not curled up and died. Instead, it has been taking its future into its own hands. Other rural and small town communities that are being left behind in the transition from the old economy to the new might want to pay attention.

The growing shortage of nurses (Sunday, 9/12/99)
Some communities have a surplus of physicians, but the nurse shortage is spreading across the country. How come? Ellen Lahr and Diane Lewis of the Boston Globe explain the increasingly sick situation.

Ah, ah, ah...don't touch that 401(k) (Sunday, 9/12/99)
If you've been changing jobs frequently, you may be tempted to cash out your 401(k), but that's a bad idea. The Chicago Tribune's Kathy Bergen passes on some thoughts from experts on what it takes to retire.

Will your work be the death of you? (Sunday, 9/12/99)
Julie Danis takes a workaholism test and discusses the new book by Diane Fassel, Working Ourselves to Death.

New head of U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is former basketball pro turned business pro (Sunday, 9/12/99)
Jane Larson writes in the Arizona Republic about how Ray Arvizu learned about the importance of economics.

Some Q&As (Sunday, 9/12/99)
Juliet Brudney suggests some resources for an older correspondent who is looking for a job, Michelle Cottel advises a person who is concerned about sexism, Carol Kleiman a 40-hour work week isn't unreasonable, even for seasonal work, and the Seattle Times advises a correspondent to become familiar in advance with what references are saying.

The prejudice against temp workers seems to be diminishing (Sunday, 9/12/99)
Columnist Amy Lindgren says you are less likely to be treated like an outcast now if you're a temporary worker.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Law Jobs (Sunday, 9/12/99)
In addition to the large number of "kitchen sink" job sites on the Internet, there are an increasing number of sites dedicated to particular professions or other job seekers with special needs or interests. Law Jobs can help you find work as an attorney, if you really ARE an attorney, of course.

Merit pay approved by Denver teachers (Saturday, 9/11/99)
A new three-year contract will link teacher pay to student performance. Supporters of merit pay in education expect that this experimental pilot program could represent the beginning of a nationwide trend, although, traditionally, there has been great resistance from teachers' unions. The Denver plan earned overwhelming support from teachers because it will involve teachers in every stage of its development, rather than being under the full control of administrators, in effect, giving teachers more administrative power in the district.

Chirac wants some privatization of French pensions (Saturday, 9/11/99)
France's president and prime minister are of two minds on the issue of pension reform in France. President Chirac would like private pension funds to be allowed. The state-run system is creaking under its own weight, but top leaders in the government, as well as influential leaders outside the government, disagree as to what should be done about it.

WTO talks back on track (Saturday, 9/11/99)
Bombing another nation's embassy can tend to reduce warm feelings and make negotiations somewhat more difficult. However, after the U.S. destroyed China's embassy in Belgrade, China became unwilling to talk about World Trade Organization membership, which it seeks, because of its apparent unwillingness to accept the idea that the bombing was a mistake, rather than deliberate somehow. It may be difficult for outside observers to see how the United States could benefit from deliberately bombing China's embassy. In fact, China's attitude may have had something to do with American allegations at about that time that China had been stealing American nuclear secrets, so at least part of their anger following the bombing might have been at least slightly disingenuous. Nonetheless, formal negotiations on China's possible membership in the WTO are resuming, and the American Secretary of Commerce says things could happen fast from now on. China could be in the WTO by November, he says.

Another round in the Gore-Bradley healthcare contest (Saturday, 9/11/99)
Sensing that widespread voter discontent over healthcare issues provides an opportunity for Democrats, both major aspirants for the Democratic presidential nomination have been offering their plans and making their respective promises in recent days. This time, as Tony Munroe reports, Vice-President Gore is emphasizing long-term care in New Hampshire, where polls show former Senator Bradley pulling essentially even with the Vice-President. Meanwhile, the New York Times' Steven Greenhouse reports that Gore hasn't been able to secure undivided support from large, powerful industrial unions so far. Among those highly influential unions is the United Auto Workers, which seems to be making major progress in this year's negotiations. The idea of guaranteed jobs for life is getting a lot of attention.

Plugging holes in the EU (Saturday, 9/11/99)
Recent forecasts indicate that the European Union is heading for some good times. Now, finance ministers are getting together to see if they can come to some consensus on how to plug tax loopholes so that government will get its share of increased prosperity.

Healthcare company folds (Saturday, 9/11/99)
The closing of Optimun Home Health has resulted in the loss of 700 jobs as well as a frantic effort to find service for more than 1,700 older persons. Here's that story from Alex Pham of the Boston Globe.

Engineers at Boeing may connect with AFL-CIO (Saturday, 9/11/99)
The Seattle Times' Kyung Song that Boeing's technical workers feel that an affiliation with the big labor federation could give it additional clout and help recruit members outside the Seattle area.

More painful fallout from Eaton's failure (Saturday, 9/11/99)
The Toronto Star reports that former Eaton's workers with disabilities have had their benefits cut off. Also in Canada, the latest employment statistics have surprised and puzzled economists who expected job growth in August, instead of job losses. In the United States, employment statistics have also surprised experts lately, but for other reasons. Initial jobless claims dipped more than expected in the most recent tabulations as the American job market remains strong. For instance, California has its lowest unemployment rate in a decade.

Economist Lotterman thinks government price supports a bad idea (Saturday, 9/11/99)
The St. Paul Pioneer Press' new economics columnist disagrees with at least two U.S. Senators over what should be done to save family farms in America.

Notice something new around the office? (Saturday, 9/11/99)
It's advanced technology, but it isn't your computer. Vending machines have gone hi-tech. Here's more from Karren Mills.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Jones International University (Saturday, 9/11/99)
Jones International University offers Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in business communication geared to the needs of the new economy. However, this fact is not what makes JIU different from hundreds of other institutions. Jones has no conventional campus. It exists in cyberspace, and both degree programs are completed entirely on-line. Moreover, unlike other experimental on-line schools, Jones International University has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the same agency that accredits conventional colleges and universities throughout a large portion of the United States. During the late pre-Internet era, Jones was widely known for distributing higher educational courses via television throughout much of the world.

Pilots mobilize in effort to prevent hostile takeover (Friday, 9/10/99)
Onex Corporation would like to take over Air Canada, but its pilots don't like the idea and are planning a buyout of their own. Here's more from Lisa Write and Les Whittington of the Toronto Star.

Bradley offers to go Gore one better (Friday, 9/10/99)
Presidential candidate Al Gore has said that he would provide health coverage for all American children if he is elected president. His main rival for the Democratic nomination, Bill Bradley, says he will fix the entire healthcare system. Approximately 43 million Americans lack healthcare coverage, approximately 11 million of them children.

Fed workers to get a raise (Friday, 9/10/99)
People who work for the federal government are likely to get an increase in pay soon. This would include civil service workers, the president, and possibly members of Congress besides.

French farmers protest, but in fewer numbers than expected (Friday, 9/10/99)
Among the things that French farmers have in common with American farmers and others around the world are low farm product prices. However, farmers in France resent high taxes too. A planned demonstration turned out to be somewhat muted, though.

APEC talks end with plan for the future (Friday, 9/10/99)
Chris Johnson reports that representatives of economies in the Asian region seem in agreement that the next round of talks should aim for the development of a comprehensive package of trade agreements.

Reebok workers sent walking (Friday, 9/10/99)
The athletic shoe business has been in a slump lately, and Reebok is cutting back. Hundreds of jobs around the world will be eliminated. There are layoffs at Michelin in France too, and the French government is expressing annoyance.

Unemployment claims weren't expected to go down this time (Friday, 9/10/99)
Jeannine Aversa reports that economists are surprised by the latest Labor Department numbers and concerned as well. Why concerned? While many Americans may have forgotten when the plague of inflation last ravaged the American economy, professional economists have longer memories for such things.

Big sting in Miami (Friday, 9/10/99)
Airport workers in Miami have been arrested and charged with being part of a major smuggling ring.

Broker boot camps? (Friday, 9/10/99)
Rebecca Buckman reports in the Wall Street Journal on a new approach to training.

What to do once all those boomer execs move on? (Friday, 9/10/99)
The current edition of Business Week contains a major cover story on how corporations will cope with the retirement of an army of baby boomer executives. Look for "Brain Drain" in the magazine's print edition as well as on-line.

New program at Aetna means to return afflicted workers to the job faster (Friday, 9/10/99)
It's an "early warning system." Here's more from Donna Tommelleo.

Insurance for garment workers when their employers go out of business (Friday, 9/10/99)
The Los Angeles Times reports that a new bill would guarantee garment workers' pay if it should become law.

The high costs of depression (Friday, 9/10/99)
America has an epidemic of clinical depression, as well as low-grade depression, sometimes referred to as "dysthymia," which, while not necessarily disabling, can take the fun out of life and work and also diminish job performance. Altogether, as Usha Lee McFarling reports, mood disorders cost the American economy about $44 billion per year. Incidentally, the level of public understanding of psychological and psychiatric disorders is not very impressive at this point, nor do many political leaders seem to have much of a clue. It's as if, during an age of modern chemistry, most people were to believe that the basic elements are earth, fire, water, and air. If polls are any guide, most of what most Americans believe about psychiatric disorder is simply flat-out wrong.

Marx wouldn't want to be blamed for contemporary China (Friday, 9/10/99)
There is little doubt that China remains a totalitarian dictatorship, but it's difficult to see how it qualifies as a "Communist" or Marxist country anymore, despite the name of its ruling party. China has been shutting down or privatizing its bloated, inefficient state-owned enterprises and throwing enormous numbers of people out of work in the process. Charles Hutzler reports that things will get worse for a lot more people as China attempts to meet qualifying criteria for membership in the World Trade Organization. Presently, China has more unemployed persons than a majority of the world's countries have total population.

Full-time employed, but still homeless? (Friday, 9/10/99)
If you are among the working poor, you may find it difficult to make ends meet, particularly given high rents in many communities, including the Twin Cities and Los Angeles.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: PovertyNet (Friday, 9/10/99)
PovertyNet comes from the World Bank and is a rich collection of resources for persons seeking to understand poverty and work toward its alleviation.

Has the Russian prez been touched by corruption? (Thursday, 9/9/99)
Financially, Russia has been leaking in all directions, making it much harder for the country to get on its economic feet than might otherwise be the case. Now, reports have been circulating that President Yeltsin might not have been a complete bystander, but he denies any involvement.

Clinton under oath again (Thursday, 9/9/99)
This time, he's testifying in an investigation of his Secretary of Labor.

Fed officer worried about inflation (Thursday, 9/9/99)
Caren Bohan reports from Philadelphia that Federal Reserve Governor Laurence Meyer is concerned that a growing labor shortage could set off a round of inflation in the American economy. The latest Labor Department data may give him even more to worry about. First-time jobless claims were down last week. Overall, the American economy continues its strength, and Jeannine Aversa says that things are likely to look even better after modifications are made to the way the Gross Domestic Product is measured. However, Martin Olav Sabo, writing in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, says that increasing inequality in a hot economy is something that should concern everybody and something with which the U.S. must eventually deal. Meanwhile, how's the world economy doing? Fairly well, according to the International Monetary Fund. It seems to be recovering from its ailments, but still isn't particularly robust . Japan is showing some good numbers again, according to this report from Kathryn Tolbert of the Washington Post. The worst recession in that country since World War II may be over, although growth so far is modest.

Physicians sue in California (Thursday, 9/9/99)
A group of California doctors is suing eight HMOs to recover $75 million in unpaid bills. Speaking of HMOs, the elderly in rural regions of the country are having difficulty finding them.

Who's using? (Thursday, 9/9/99)
Maybe your co-workers. Laura Meckler writes about a new study that finds that most Americans using drugs in 1997 were employed full-time.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The RAND Journal of Economics (Thursday, 9/9/99)
The RAND Corporation was founded after the Second World War by the legendary Herman Kahn and was the prototype for the modern private "think tank." Much later, Kahn founded The Hudson Institute which continues to be a leader in relation to issues having to do with economics and the future. However, RAND is involved with economics too. Here's the The RAND Journal of Economics.

Ford to pay millions to settle harassment case (Wednesday, 9/8/99)
A lawsuit alleging sexual and racial harassment at two Ford plants in the Chicago area has been settled, with Ford agreeing to pay $7.5 million. Speaking of Ford, Tom Van Alphen and Vanessa Lu of the Toronto Star report that the Canadian Auto Workers will focus its negotiation efforts on Ford Motor Company this year. We've already reported that the United Auto Workers in the U.S. has decided to target GM and DaimlerChrysler A.G this year, rather than Ford.

If elected, Gore will provide health coverage for all U.S. children, he says (Wednesday, 9/8/99)
More than 40 million Americans lack health insurance coverage, and 11 million of them are children. Presidential candidate Al Gore will find a way to cover all American children if he is elected president, according to a speech he delivered at Los Angeles' Children's Hospital.

Stress' bottom line (Wednesday, 9/8/99)
Work-related stress isn't just unpleasant; it's costly as well. In fact, as Natalia Williams of the Toronto Star reports, the costs add up to billions of dollars.

Lost in Tokyo (Wednesday, 9/8/99)
If your cab driver seems to be taking the long way to your destination, it's not necessarily because of an effort to run up the meter. It may simply be that your driver isn't used to being a driver and really doesn't know where he's going. In Japan's worst recession since World War II, a lot of people have been laid off from other jobs and are now trying to find their way in another occupation...literally.

What it's like to find a job when you don't speak the language (Wednesday, 9/8/99)
Say you've grown up and lived most of your life in Springfield, Illinois. Suddenly, you're plopped down in Bangkok and have to find a job, speaking not a single word of Thai. St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Amy Lindgren says that's what it's like for a lot of recent immigrants in America.

Want to chat with your boss? Take the initiative (Wednesday, 9/8/99)
Nationally syndicated columnist Carol Kleiman says it's not presumptuous to invite your supervisor to lunch if you'd like an opportunity to talk shop in a relaxed setting.

"Living wage" resurrected (Wednesday, 9/8/99)
A "living wage" proposal failed in Maryland's Montgomery County, but will now be offered in Prince George's County. It's not what it sounds like, according to editorial writers at the Washington Post and should fail a second time.

Here's a guy who works more than one job (Wednesday, 9/8/99)
You need to be flexible in the new economy, and that may mean working multiple jobs. Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura knows what it takes and has offered himself as an example to students in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Incidentally, the guv is scheduled to speak to students of government at Harvard University.

Big suit filed over 401(k) issue (Wednesday, 9/8/99)
Workers at First Union Corporation are suing their employer for $300 million.

Delta begins negotiations with its pilots (Wednesday, 9/8/99)
Scott Thurston of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says that negotiations are likely to be long and hard. Also in the Journal-Constitution, Ernest Holsendolph reports that Southern Company is hoping to hire 3,000 mostly technical employees.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Economics Resources for University and College Teaching (Wednesday, 9/8/99)
Economics Resources for University and College Teaching is just what it says it is, and may be of considerable value to you if you teach economics.

Settlement in Detroit (Tuesday, 9/7/99)
Detroit's teachers have been out on strike since the beginning of the school year, but it appears that an agreement has been reached. Here's more from Robyn Meredith of the New York Times. Meanwhile, schools in some Boston suburbs may find it difficult to operate normally too, but not because of striking teachers. In this case, it's striking school bus drivers.

What to do if you're looking down the barrel of a gun at work (Tuesday, 9/7/99)
Retail workers can be at special risk, and Sherwood Ross passes on some expert advice in case you ever find yourself in this kind of situation.

Labor's greatest hits (Tuesday, 9/7/99)
Frank Swoboda of the Washington Post writes about a top 10 list compiled by historians interested in organized labor's greatest 20th century triumphs. Here at the end of the century, AFL-CIO President Sweeney says there's a resurgence of interest in union membership among young workers who don't feel well-served by an otherwise strong economy. So, given the way things are for them presently, how will things be when the economy's not so strong?

Why all isn't grim in Russia (Tuesday, 9/7/99)
Entrepreneurs are alive and well in some regions, and they're also being encouraged in some cases. Here's more from Jim Boy in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Hi-tech's attractions for new MBAs (Tuesday, 9/7/99)
Newsday's Susan Port reports that more freshly-minted biz grads are being drawn to high-technology companies than in years past.

If you like having an unlisted phone number, you might like unlisted email too (Tuesday, 9/7/99)
Email may be too easy and convenient. An increasing number of workers are receiving too many messages and don't have time to sift through them. A solution may be to keep your email address mostly secret.

Why you should care about the "gap," even if you're on the comfortable side of it (Tuesday, 9/7/99)
Tom Teepen of the Cox News Service says there will come a day of reckoning for everybody because of the growing concentration of wealth in fewer and fewer hands. Is history any guide to what we can expect? Meanwhile, Britain is trying to encourage persons on the dole to enter the world of work instead by making work more attractive through the use of a tax credit. Across the Atlantic to the west, a group of Washington attorneys are donating their services to the elderly and poor. Among the "have nots" in the U.S. are millions of people who have not health coverage. The Vice-President, who would like his boss' job, has a plan for the uninsured.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Graduate Study in Psychology (Tuesday, 9/7/99)
A Ph.D. candidate in New York state offers advice and guidance if you would like to get into graduate study in psychology.

Labor Day in the United States (Monday, 9/6/99)
Labor Day has been a holiday in the U.S. for more than a century. It had its beginnings in the period of 19th century industrialization that, in only a few short years, transformed America from a nation of rural and small town folks to a nation with multitudes of industrial workers. Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune says if the issues of the late 19th century seem archaic, you may want to look closely at the apparently increasing gap between "haves" and "have nots" in the new economy. One of America's great "national newspapers," the Washington Post, also has some editorial thoughts about this day and its relevance at the end of the 20th century. Also, Norman Zierold of the Post tests your knowledge of the holiday and the labor movement. Here's what Alexis Herman, United States Secretary of Labor, has to say about this day.

One sure sign of labor's relevance is the extent to which politicians are interested. Tom Hamburger reports that the president of the AFL-CIO says that organized labor will take a very active role in political campaigns from now on, including the 2000 presidential contest, while the two leading candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination are marching in Labor Day parades today, hoping to have labor's support for their candidacies.

Incidentally, Vice-President Gore has been seen as the front-runner for the nomination, but polls show that former Senator Bradley has pulled even with him in New Hampshire. Yesterday, the Vice-President blasted Republican "paycheck protection" plans as a union-busting effort, and also said that labor and management need to share power.

Incidentally, AFL-CIO President Sweeney counters the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's claim that workers should be supporting the Republican tax cut by saying that it won't do much to help working families. The New York Times' Steven Greenhouse tells about a renewal of the relationship between religious leaders and organized labor, and Royale Da offers the example of the AFL-CIO's secretary-treasurer speaking yesterday at a Catholic church in Minneapolis. Finally, the St. Paul Pioneer Press thinks that there has been a shortage of labor news coverage as Labor Day has drawn near.

Lifetime employment at GM? (Monday, 9/6/99)
The United Auto Workers and General Motors are negotiating, and it appears that GM is offering guaranteed lifetime employment for some workers.

Wadda day to be on strike (Monday, 9/6/99)
There are plenty of labor disputes going on around the country, but Tom Coyne reports from Detroit that the big teachers' strike there could end today.

What's the worst job you can think of? (Monday, 9/6/99)
It may be in the eye of the beholder to some extent, as Richard Chin reports. Persons familiar with research on "cognitive dissonance" may see an example of it in this story. Other things equal--i.e., "nuisance variables" controlled--people tend to come to feel better about things they suffer for, pay a lot for, or can't do anything about.

More about those workaholic Americans (Monday, 9/6/99)
Stephanie Nebehay has additional details on that International Labor Organization study that finds Americans working more hours and enjoying higher levels of productivity, but possibly at the risk of burn-out. The ILO is an agency of the United Nations, but has been around a lot longer than the UN itself. Speaking of all those hard workers, St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Amy Gage has some Labor Day thoughts about balancing work with the rest of your life, and H.J. Cummins of the Minneapolis Star Tribune tells about how many families are increasingly drawn to the idea of part-time work. Consider the "four-thirds solution" if you're away at work so much that you have to post plenty of pictures of yourself around the house so that your children will recognize you during those rare times when you return.

Administration accused of letting up on dangerous work settings (Monday, 9/6/99)
A new study to be released today alleges that the Clinton Administration hasn't been sufficiently aggressive in enforcing workplace safety regulations.

Not a good time to lack skills (Monday, 9/6/99)
The new economy rewards the ability to DO something and most of the things it needs done and is willing to pay well for require considerable skill and training. While America seems half-filled with people with multiple university degrees who aren't able to actually do all that much, averages can be meaningful, and persons with no post-secondary education tend to be at a disadvantage in the new economy. However, Leslie Gevirtz reports that two things that can help are union membership and, yes, being married. These continue to provide economic advantages overall and in the long-run, despite all the talk about organized labor's decline since mid-century, the "marriage penalty," and so on.

Incidentally, as Rick Nelson, who is NOT a rock & roll singer, so far as we know, reports, some people are resisting changes and continuing to work in traditional roles. In fact, one of the defining characteristics of the new economy is diversity of all kinds. Just about anything you can think of is happening someplace.

Lock up your children; Congress is coming back to town (Monday, 9/6/99)
Among the Americans who have more than a casual curiosity about what Congress will do when it returns to work tomorrow are American farmers. Charles Abbott says that there will almost certainly be an increase in the size of the aid package to try to help farmers stay in business. It's a matter of considerable controversy, though.

Should market demand determine your career choice? (Monday, 9/6/99)
Experts says it's important to keep the big picture in focus and to follow your heart to some extent. Many people apparently are resisting the lure of a hot hi-tech market, given that America has been turning out fewer technical graduates during recent years overall. Still, for many, the attractions are simply too great, and plans are being changed. It remains to be seen how many persons who enter technical professions will become dissatisfied with their choices and make a career change later. Mary Deibel reports that it isn't just the young who are attracted to a blazingly hot technical job market. Many elders are becoming un-retired too.

Is hi-tech organized labor's friend or foe? (Monday, 9/6/99)
Deborah Zabarenko says that unions are using the Internet, rather than being used or abused by it as many seem to expect.

Tens of millions of Chinese to get a raise (Monday, 9/6/99)
The 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of China is approaching, and, even though Mao might not recognize his country or consider it to be particularly Marxist at this point, it does remain a totalitarian state. However, Erik Eckholm reports from Beijing that 84 million persons are about to receive salary increases, as well as improvements in pensions and welfare payments.

If you're twice the person you used to be, you might want to cut back a bit and please your employer at the same time (Monday, 9/6/99)
Milt Freudenheim of the New York Times reports that employers concerned with rising healthcare costs and the risks of obesity would like to reduce the total tonnage of their workforces, but it's a sensitive issue.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: A NaniNet (Monday, 9/6/99)
If you're looking for a nanny or if you're looking for work as a nanny, A NaniNet may be able to help. It is a leading nanny placement and referral service.

Working like hell in America (Sunday, 9/5/99)
The Boston Globe's Joe Lauria reports that Americans work more hours than people in any of the other industrialized nations. This probably contributes to the current American economic boom, but as Steven Greenhouse writes, many Americans are also feeling that their tanks are almost empty. Incidentally, if you're interested in knowing what Americans are earning and how your earnings compare, the New York Times' Louis Uchitelle and Karl Russell may be able to cast some light on a dark subject that many people don't talk about too much. A lot of Americans might rather tell you about their sex lives than about how much money they make.

What to do if you feel as though you're working on the dark side of the moon (Sunday, 9/5/99)
Alice Bredin reports on what people who work at home are doing to combat the feelings of loneliness and isolation.

European Union to loan money to Turkey (Sunday, 9/5/99)
The recent earthquake in Turkey resulted in tremendous loss of life as well as great structural devastation. Rebuilding will cost a lot of money in an economy that was already struggling before the tectonic plates shifted, and the EU will help with a US$637.3 million loan.

The gap gets larger, or not (Sunday, 9/5/99)
Michiyo Yamada of Reuters reports on a new study that finds a widening income gap in the U.S., but James Flanigan of the Los Angeles Times quotes other data that says it ain't really so.

"Affluenza" hits the U.S. (Sunday, 9/5/99)
More on the recent flurry of interest in the psychology of money and how Americans are feeling guilty about having either too much or too little.

Freedom in the eye of the beholder (Sunday, 9/5/99)
A few years ago, as a greater degree of personal freedom was hitting post-Soviet Russia, a common remark among those suffering from that country's economic struggles went something like, "Yeah...freedom to starve." Bob von Sternberg says that many American farmers are now calling the "Freedom to Farm" act of 1996 "Freedom to fail," as thousands of farmers appear to be on their way out of business this year. Worth Wren of the Fort Worth Star Telegram says the new law, which was intended to cut costs, among other things, has turned out to be far more costly than the programs it replaced. Here are more thoughts from Des Moines, Iowa on whether we're seeing the end of the family farm in America. Incidentally, speaking of Russia, Jim Boyd says that all is not necessarily as grim as you might suppose. There is reason for hope in old mother Russia, he says.

More about surveillance on the job (Sunday, 9/5/99)
Hi-tech is making it possible to eliminate privacy on the job, and possibly every place else as well. The Baltimore Sun's Michael Stroh writes about how your every keystroke may be monitored at work.

College debt two ways (Sunday, 9/5/99)
The huge and aging American baby boom generation is in debt because of its childrens' college costs, but is also building more college debt of its own. James Schembari has more about boomers who fear going bust because of heavy student loans.

"Noncompete" contracts spread during a period of worker mobility (Sunday, 9/5/99)
For many years, noncompete contracts have been common in the commercial media. If a radio or television station spends a lot of money helping a personality become recognizable, they don't like to see that person take that notoriety across town to a competitor. As a consequence, radio and TV talent contracts commonly specify that the individual cannot go to work for a competitor in the same market for at least a year. Nancy Rivera Brooks reports that such contracts are becoming more common in other fields of endeavor as employers try to hang on to the workers they have. However, a lot of workers are fighting noncompete clauses in court.

Employment testing is a growth industry (Sunday, 9/5/99)
Employers have a lot of options when it comes to employment testing, as Michelle Cottle reports. We might add that misunderstanding and misuse of tests is a common condition. Standarized testing is a highly technical enterprise that, like heart surgery, should be left to the senior professionals specifically trained for doing it right and for drawing conclusions appropriate to the results.

Serendipity in the new economy (Sunday, 9/5/99)
You can never tell when a job opportunity may pop up, or where. Lawrence van Gelder has some interesting stories to tell.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The WORK Place (Sunday, 9/5/99)
The WORK Place is a starting point if you're interested in finding information of all types relating to work and the job-search process. The WORK Place comes from Canada.

Labor Day weekend begins (Saturday, 9/4/99)
Vice-President Gore speaks to a labor group and attempts to make his position clear on the labor movement. His chief rival for the Democratic president nomination, Bill Bradley, has already done so. Also, as the big American labor holiday approaches, Justin Hyde writes about the increased demands of workers, and, along the same lines, USA Today reports that the organized labor movement has become increasingly bold during recent years after years of setbacks. Peter Steinfels of the New York Times writes that the Roman Catholic Church, which traditionally has supported the right of workers to organize, is now facing such efforts in their own work organizations.

Why Wall Street is relaxing (Saturday, 9/4/99)
Unemployment in the United States descended again to a 4.2 percent rate in August, which is the lowest point in nearly three decades. However, new jobs were created at a somewhat lower rate than expected, although, as Sylvia Nasar of the New York Times reports, it's still a pretty hot job market. Nonetheless, investors seem pleased, because it's widely believed that the latest numbers mean that the Federal Reserve will not raise interest rates again very soon. Here's more on that story from Caren Bohan of Reuters and John Berry of the Washington Post.

UAW focuses (Saturday, 9/4/99)
The United Auto Workers have targeted GM and DaimlerChrysler A.G. in their latest negotiations, leaving Ford Motor Company on the back burner for a while.

Money for college prep (Saturday, 9/4/99)
President Clinton has released $120 million to help students and their families get ready for college and also pay the freight once they arrive on campus.

Big lawsuit over radiation exposure (Saturday, 9/4/99)
Workers at a Department of Energy uranium plant are suing government contractors for $10 billion.

Regional work culture differences (Saturday, 9/4/99)
Shelley Donald Coolidge says that the U.S. hasn't been a "melting pot," so far as work is concerned. Workplace customs vary across the country.

Was Malaysia right? (Saturday, 9/4/99)
When the Asian contagion hit Malaysia, it went its own way by imposing financial controls that annoyed many in the West, and many were saying that it was an ill-advised policy that wouldn't work. However, as Mark Landler reports from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia seems embarked on a robust recovery now.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: An Introduction to Investment Theory (Saturday, 9/4/99)
Professor William Goetzmann of Yale University's School of Management has written a helpful book on investment and finance, and it's all available on the web. Here's An Introduction to Investment Theory.

Will Detroit enforce state law in teachers' strike? (Friday, 9/3/99)
Michigan law says the Detroit teachers' strike is illegal, but, so far, city officials haven't seemed in a hurry to enforce the law. Rumblings to that effect are being heard now, however.

Job growth slows in the U.S. (Friday, 9/3/99)
New jobs were still being created in the American economy during August, but not at the furious rate to which many have become accustomed. Riccardo Davis reports in the Arizona Republic that Arizona is an example of what has been happening across the larger economy. Nationally, productivity has slipped a bit too, while labor costs have increased, according to this report from the Boston Globe. Still, indicators from the Labor Department and elsewhere show that the American economy continues to cook. John Berry of the Washington Post reports on growing nervousness that the Fed may raise interest rates again next month.

U.S. decides not to decide right now (Friday, 9/3/99)
The Administration has decided to hold off on the decision as to whether or not to approve further loans to Russia until things get a bit clearer on what really happened to previous money. There's no doubt that Russia has been looted on a grand scale, but there is some disagreement or confusion as to what money it was that managed to find its way out of the country and into the wrong pockets. The Bank of New York's role in one of the more spectacular money laundering schemes ever is becoming clearer, and Seth Sutel reports that a second bank official has been fired because of the mess. Jim Hoagland of the Washington Post has some thoughts about the political fallout, both in Moscow and Washington, from the current corruption scandal.

Slippery footing predominates in Asian economies (Friday, 9/3/99)
Things have improved for many of the economies which have suffered greatly from the "Asian flu" during the past couple of years, but Dean Visser says that they're not home free yet.

Taking the old economy apart and putting the pieces away (Friday, 9/3/99)
Here's Howard French's New York Times on the ongoing process of trying to move the South Korean economy from the old era to the new, and those who have been supported by the old structure aren't feeling comfortable about it. In relating news, Samuel Len writes that state-owned KEPCO is being privatized.

Motorcycle company moves to a lower gear (Friday, 9/3/99)
Nearly half the workforce at Excelsior-Henderson will be cut. Meanwhile, Telecom Italia plans to hang up on 13,000 workers in a major restructuring move.

Coca-Cola bottler sued for discrimination (Friday, 9/3/99)
A pilot from Columbia doesn't like the conditions under which he was fired.

Citizens in Washington state have cause for concerns about insurance coverage (Friday, 9/3/99)
Warren King and Kim Barker of the Seattle Times report that ore insurance carriers are bailing out of the business of offering coverage to individuals.

Clarifying "cash-balance" pensions (Friday, 9/3/99)
Older workers have reason not to like the current trend, and the IRS says they may be illegal because of discrimination, but they may still represent the wave of the future. Paul Lim of the Los Angeles Times offers some clarification of the benefits and issues having to do with cash-balance pensions.

School makes a difference (Friday, 9/3/99)
Employers seem to understand that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Thus, young people who have tended to blow off high school may have a similar orientation to work. Anjetta McQueen says employers are wanting to see those transcripts.

First "marriage penalty," now "singles penalty" (Friday, 9/3/99)
Huh? Nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn explains, and, if you're single, pay attention.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: National Ad Search (Friday, 9/3/99)
National Ad Search gives you access to thousands of job-related ads from dozens of major U.S. newspapers, all in one place.

Emphatic ratification at Boeing (Thursday, 9/2/99)
Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has voted to accept a new three-year contract at Boeing. Here are more details from Laurence Zuckerman of the New York Times.

Clinton administration tries to look closely at Russia (Thursday, 9/2/99)
Some people, including political opponents, are critical of White House involvement in urging that large amounts of money be sent to Russia in an effort to jump-start the Russian economy, given the money laundering investigation that is going on. The Clinton administration would like to see evidence that money already sent has not been lost, and it would like greater safeguards in place for the future. Still, the Administration isn't calling for a halt to IMF loan payments, thinking that efforts to stabilize the Russian economy are essential in order to promote future political stability in the country. In Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Khristenko is trying to reassure the United States and others that money that has already slipped down the hole of corruption is not money that came from outside the country in an effort to strengthen the Russian economy. The Clinton administration and many others would like to believe him. Investigators are saying that Russian organized crime may have placed "moles" in Western banks to facilitate the money laundering process, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

End of strike in Columbia (Thursday, 9/2/99)
Organized labor has agreed to end a two-day general strike in Columbia which has been troubled with escalating political violence. Elsewhere in Latin America, Mexico's president says that his countrymen can expect the Mexican economy to be performing well when he leaves office next year, and the New York Times' Michael Weinstein says Ecuador seems to be getting more than its share of attention and wonders why.

How's that again? One-night stands aren't a security risk? (Thursday, 9/2/99)
Workers at American nuclear weapons laboratories have to report any romantic relationships with foreigners, unless they're "one-nights stands."

How immigrants contribute to persistent poverty in the United States (Thursday, 9/2/99)
Despite Silicon Valley's efforts to get more highly skilled foreigners into the U.S. in order to work in high-paying technical jobs, the great majority of immigrants are at the other end of the economic scale, and a new study indicates that they are having a significant impact on the level of poverty in the U.S.

Worse than expected (Thursday, 9/2/99)
New data indicate that as many as 8 percent of Minnesota farmers could go out of business this year. Things aren't much better in a lot of other places. Country star Willie Nelson, who has been behind the raising of millions of dollars for farmers in his "Farm Aid" shows for several years, apparently had a heated argument with Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura Tuesday over what should be done about the farm crisis.

An economic argument can be made for allowing industries that are no longer economically viable to die, thinking, for instance, that society is probably better off that buggy whip manufacturing plants have not been kept on life support all these years. But, is agriculture fundamentally different? Do we really want the industry that supplies our food to die? Also, what if farming is inherently unprofitable in the long-run, as some economists claim? What should society do for the benefit, not only of farmers, but of us all?

Med school enrollments down again (Thursday, 9/2/99)
Once upon a time, there was a shortage of physicians in the United States, but that time seems long past. Now, many communities and many medical specialties suffer a glut, although some rural and small town communities are still desperately trying to find a doctor to serve them. Nonetheless, as Randal Archibold reports, fewer young people are choosing medicine as a career.

Retiring, but not really (Thursday, 9/2/99)
A new study finds that a lot of older Americans want to continue doing some work once they have retired from their main jobs.

Productivity slows a bit (Thursday, 9/2/99)
Productivity has been increasing for a while, but has slowed somewhat recently, according to new data from the United States Department of Labor.

Hi-tech's gain is science's loss (Thursday, 9/2/99)
Interest in science has slipped among American college and university students, and a near-obsession with computers may have something to do with it. It's difficult to think of a more volatile situation than a society that emphasizes powerful means while de-emphasizing verifiable knowledge about the world generally.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Atlantic Monthly on Poverty (Thursday, 9/2/99)
Atlantic Monthly magazine has run a lot of articles dealing with poverty over the years. Here are some that were published between 1971 and 1998.

Public workers strike in Michigan and Israel (Wednesday, 9/1/99)
Robyn Meredith of the New York Times reports that a lot of people in a heavily unionized town are empathizing with the vast army of more than 170,000 Detroit teachers who stayed home on the first day of school. In Israel, many local services have been shut down with the walkout of 100,000 workers. Here's more on that story from Jenny Badner and Aryeh Dean Cohen of the Jeruselum Post. In Seattle, a waterfront strike has been suspended by the Teamsters, while, across town, members of the Machinists vote today on whether to ratify a new contract with Boeing. The current contract expires at the end of the day. In Texas, many people are holding their breath, wondering what will happen now that American Airlines has completed the process of integrating recently acquired Reno Air despite no agreement with pilots who don't like the way the integration process is being handled. It has to do with relative pay levels for current American pilots and those coming in with Reno.

New pension plan may be illegal, according to the IRS (Wednesday, 9/1/99)
It may illegally discriminate against middle-aged workers, according to a decision from the Internal Revenue Service that was leaked to the press Tuesday. The Los Angeles Times broke the story.

Young workers disenchanted (Wednesday, 9/1/99)
A study conducted by the AFL-CIO finds that young American workers easily become cynical about the benefits of a hot American economy, and, as Steven Greenhouse reports, organized labor sees an opportunity in all this. Speaking of the young, columnist Amy Lindgren has some advice for those who are struggling with the choice of a college major.

Some good places to work if you're a mother (Wednesday, 9/1/99)
Working Mother magazine has just released its latest list of the best companies for mothers to work. Here's the story from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and here's the new top 100 list.

On worker shortages in Virginia, Arizona, and a lot of other places (Wednesday, 9/1/99)
Peter Behr reports on the shortage of technical workers in the Old Dominion and what one panel studying the problem is recommending as a partial solution. Meanwhile, Jane Larson writes about a survey conducted by the Arizona Republic that attempts to get to the bottom of a debate going on about why small business is having so much difficulty finding qualified workers. Some say the problem would mostly disappear if small operators would offer higher wages.

Big Brother in the workplace (Wednesday, 9/1/99)
How closely are you being watched? Columnist Kirstin Downey Grimsley says micromonitoring in the workplace is becoming more common, given available technologies, and it can be counterproductive. Who ever said that one SHOULD do everything that one CAN do?

What if you're prohibited from using your native language on the job? (Wednesday, 9/1/99)
That apparently happened at a plant in Batavia, Illinois, and now several workers and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have filed lawsuits.

Russia's problems and American politics (Wednesday, 9/1/99)
For years, the Clinton administration has been behind a policy of major economic assistance for Russia with the hope that it would result in a viable market economy in that country which, in turn, could help the process of democratization and increased political stability. So far, Russian politics seems about as scary as usual, and the Russian economy is a disaster, in part because a lot of the money sent in to help has ended up in unintended pockets. Jane Perlez of the New York Times says that the White House is being asked some hard questions, and Al Gore's presidential ambitions could also be affected. In an interview with USA Today, Treasury Secretary Summers defends efforts to provide Russia with economic assistance, although new safeguards will be necessary. Meanwhile, Russia is hoping that IMF loan payments will not be held up because of nervousness about possibly throwing good money after bad.

Job cuts in Fort Worth and Chicago (Wednesday, 9/1/99)
Sabre Group Holdings cuts 329 jobs, while 1,375 jobs disappear at BP Amoco Co.

One segment of the L.A. film industry is thriving, but the Chamber of Commerce doesn't talk about it much (Wednesday, 9/1/99)
A significant amount of Hollywood's mainstream film production work has moved away, along with a lot of jobs. Jeffrey Gettleman reports that a lot of films are produced in the nearby San Fernando Valley, but they're not the kind you would want to take your grandmother or children to see.

Would you care to move to the other side of the counter, please? (Wednesday, 9/1/99)
Some retailers are trying to turn customers into employees .

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Economists with Web Pages (Wednesday, 9/1/99)
Is your favorite economist on the web? John Irons' Economists with Web Pages lists a few zillion so that you can find out.

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