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Bush may be isolating himself at home and abroad...already? (Friday, 3/30/01)
Robin Pomeroy reports from Brussels on the firestorm of exasperation and criticism that seems to be building over much of the world now that the Bush administration has announced that it wants nothing to do with the 1997 global warming treaty. America's allies seem puzzled and annoyed, while polls show that Americans overwhelmingly favor aggressive action to stop or reverse climate changes, if possible, including about 2/3 of Republicans.

Politically, the President may be providing the Democrats a gift by appearing to be mostly president of the American oil industry. The past decade leads to suspicions that environmental contamination has reached all the way into the centers of government--that something may have gotten into the White House water supply.

While Clinton and Bush come from very different backgrounds and are very different in many ways--Clinton self-invented, gifted, greatly flawed, mercenary, shameless; Bush born on third base, apparently modest gifts, in part defined by a stunning lack of curiosity over most of his life which seems to have left him with limited perspective--they appear to share some attributes in common too.

As somebody has remarked, Clinton has retained at least one power he had during his presidency--the power to drive people nuts. Persons who feel like strangling the former president will have to get in line behind most major Democrats, given that he seemed to give them a final "flick of the finger" with the Rich pardon which many Democrats have feared could cost them their opportunity to regain control of the Congress in 2002 and possibly the presidency again in 2004. It might also have finished Senator Hillary Clinton's chances of becoming a serious presidential candidate.

But, now, suddenly, Bush may be turning it around for the Democrats. What is it with these people? Many American work sectors still seem to be at least half-filled with very high-quality people who are not only greatly informed and competent, but also highly principled and responsible. What seems to be the problem at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?

BIG cuts at Delphi (Friday, 3/30/01)
Delphi is the largest auto parts manufacturer in the world, but they're going to get quite a lot smaller. About 11,500 jobs will be cut. Incidentally, in case you've lost track, here are some of the big companies that have made job cuts recently, and it's quite a long list.

24-hour strike creates big snarl in London (Friday, 3/30/01)
Thousands of people who work for the London Underground went on strike for 24 hours, and Ben Webster of The Times says it's likely to be costly as well as inconvenient.

Oil workers' strike ends in Venezuela (Friday, 3/30/01)
Striking workers have not achieved their aims, though. Here's more from Alexandra Olson in Caracas.

Carpenters leave AFL-CIO (Friday, 3/30/01)
It appears that the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America union has decided to discontinue its affiliation with the big labor confederation. Leigh Strope reports from Washington on the reasons.

Court ruling may benefit ex-spouses (Friday, 3/30/01)
Gene Meyer tells how a partner in a previous marriage might benefit because of a new ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. It means that if your spouse dies, pension and insurance benefits could go to somebody else in some states.

House passes tax cut for married folks (Friday, 3/30/01)
Sixty-four Democrats joined the Republican majority in passing a $400 billion tax cut for married couples that is intended to provide a push for the President's big tax package.

More wealthy Americans paying no taxes (Friday, 3/30/01)
The number of wealthy Americans who have not been paying taxes has been on the rise, according to John McKinnon's report in today's Wall Street Journal.

Labor problems at Boeing (Friday, 3/30/01)
Office and technical workers at Boeing have acted against their union's advice and have rejected a contract offer from the company, but the vote was pretty close.

Americans cool on idea of privatizing part of Social Security (Friday, 3/30/01)
The stock market decline seems to have taken some of the wind out of the sails of people wanting to invest some Social Security funds in the stock market. Will Lester reports that a new poll shows that Americans are losing enthusiasm for the idea.

Viacom president Karmazin expects Hollywood writers' strike (Friday, 3/30/01)
Before long, many actors on Hollywood sound stages may open their mouths and find that they have nothing to say. Viacom's head expects that a writers' strike is likely.

The American economy almost stopped growing at the end of 2000 (Friday, 3/30/01)
Growth declined to an unimpressive one percent during the final quarter of the year, the slowest rate in five years. Some experts expect that the Fed will have make several more interest rate cuts fairly soon. A genuine recession--i.e., two consecutive quarters of negative growth--may be avoided, in part, because Americans are still spending, according to this report from the Christian Science Monitor's David Francis.

Delta's pilots reject arbitration (Friday, 3/30/01)
The pilots at Delta Airlines may be headed for a strike now, according to Dan Reed at the Fort Worth Star Telegram.

The Administration hasn't forgotten ergonomics (Friday, 3/30/01)
The Bush administration's Secretary of Labor says that, despite the turning around of the Clinton administration rule on the prevention of repetitive stress injuries, the new administration does intend to do something about the problem.

Why the national debt should not be paid off (Friday, 3/30/01)
Columnist Jerry Heaster makes a case against elimination of the national debt.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Global Climate Change (Friday, 3/30/01)
Here's the Global Climate Change site from the World Bank.

Strike comes to Venezuelan oil industry (Thursday, 3/29/01)
Last-minute efforts to avoid a strike of oil workers in Venezuela were unsuccessful, according to Alexandra Olson in Caracas. Ana Isabel Martinez reports that teachers in state schools also have gone on strike. In other economic news from South America, Kevin Gray writes from Buenos Aires that President Fernando De la Rua has been given broader powers to cope with that country's worst recession in a decade.

Bush II administration pulls out of treaty. Now what? (Thursday, 3/29/01)
The Administration's decision to abandon the idea of participating in the global-warming treaty may amount to abandoning a good deal of diplomatic work over the past decade, according to Brad Knickerbocker, and has many allies very upset. The President says that pushing ahead with the treaty might harm the American economy, which suggests to some experts that he still doesn't get it, while he says that he wants to work out an agreement based on "sound science."

Energy Department likes "polygraphs" too (Thursday, 3/29/01)
It should make citizens nervous if their government seems to be in the hands of superstitious people. In response to the big spy case, the FBI wants to administer the so-called "lie detector" to nearly everybody in sight. Similarly, the Department of Energy, in response to the Wen Ho Lee case, wants to "test" scientists at U.S. nuclear weapons laboratories, but a number of scientists are boycotting the procedure.

No wonder, because scientists tend to know something about the methods necessary for providing trustworthy answers to questions about nature. Research psychologists, who tend to know something about the methods necessary for answering questions about human nature, would like to see the "polygraph" go the way of phrenology, trial by ordeal, and other abusive and irrationally-based instruments of interrogation used during the Spanish inquisition and other dark periods of human history.

People who have never been to school or who have been chained to the water pipes in the basement all their lives might be forgiven for such naivete and gullibility. However, the fact that government officials, most of whom, according to rumor, at least, have had some education, can have so little genuine verifiable knowledge relevant to their work makes one wonder about the conditions under which real knowledge really makes a difference.

Welfare-to-work and the slowing economy (Thursday, 3/29/01)
Today's Washington Post examines the effect of an economic slump on the effort to move people from welfare dependency to self-sufficiency in the workplace. In the meantime, at least one state is trying to decide what to do about highly vulnerable people whose welfare benefits are about to run out.

Bush looks to tech's future and likes what he sees (Thursday, 3/29/01)
The President said yesterday that it would be a mistake to judge the future of America's technology sector and its impact on the overall economy from current stock troubles. He's right, of course. The market is simply adjusting to reality after a period of intemperate speculation and a high-stakes game of "chicken" during which stock buyers were assuming that they would be able to find a greater fool who would pay an even higher price unrelated to real values. This is what Alan Greenspan called "irrational exuberance" a few years ago, and he was concerned that it could lead to the kinds of problems that Japan has now.

House expected to vote on tax cut for married people today (Thursday, 3/29/01)
Donna Smith reports from Washington that the House of Representatives is expected to pass a "marriage penalty" bill today.

Companies such as Microsoft are finding it easier to hire technical help (Thursday, 3/29/01)
With so many dot-coms crashing and burning, the supply of technically-skilled workers isn't so tight as it was, and major companies don't have to compete with so many startups that promise overnight riches. Among others who are benefiting from the epidemic of dot-comas are people in need of rental office space. Incidentally, here's what students at Montreal's McGill University are saying about the get-rich fever that, for a time, seems to be spread via the Internet.

Unions not in favor of TWA buyout (Thursday, 3/29/01)
Three unions at American Airlines fear problems in absorbing TWA's workers into American. Here's more from Fort Worth.

Congratulations! You are among the last to ride the tube (Thursday, 3/29/01)
A woman has received recognition for being the one-billionth person to travel on London's Underground. The irony is that this event occurred only hours before the subway system was scheduled to be shut down by a 24-hour strike.

Help with elder care (Thursday, 3/29/01)
Many workers have dependent children. Others have dependent parents. Some have both. Much attention has been given to the child-care needs of parents who work, but, in an aging population, the number of workers who have similar needs for parents has been increasing. Kelly Greene writes in today's Wall Street Journal about new efforts to help. The Journal is available on the web, but, following a free introductory period, there is a subscription fee.

Seattle's economy slows, and this isn't displeasing everybody (Thursday, 3/29/01)
Sam Howe Verhovek reports that many people in Seattle seem to welcome a bit of a slowdown as an opportunity to catch their breath. While the overall American economy has been expanding for a decade, Seattle's economy has been expanding for almost two decades.

The possible repeal of "first hired, last fired" (Thursday, 3/29/01)
David Francis reports that if you were hired a long time ago, you may be about to leave. Seniority doesn't carry the weight it once did, and senior workers may be targeted by the people who are planning the layoffs.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Career Key (Thursday, 3/29/01)
Professor Lawrence Jones of North Carolina State University wants to help you make high-quality career decisions with The Career Key.

Helping the out-of-breath (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
President Bush, who not so long ago was running a sports franchise, has been trying to talk positive about the American economy, while, at the same time, continuing to make his case for a big tax cut. His impersonations of a contortionist are beginning to make some economists scratch their heads and wonder how much he really knows about economics and taxes, particularly given the rebound in consumer confidence and stock prices very recently (Warren Buffett says that stocks are still overvalued, though, so stay tuned). The American economy is like a strong long-distance runner who has become a bit winded, the President says. Vicki Allen reports that he's about to get what he wants from the House of Representatives, but things in the Senate aren't likely to be quite so easy. Noted writer Michael Kinsley implies that the President may be getting a bad rap from those who blame him for "talking down" the economy. Who's really paying attention and who's really being influenced, he wonders?

More tech companies to cut jobs (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
After various other companies, including Apple Computer, unsuccessfully tried to tap what has appeared to be a huge potential handheld computer market, Palm seems to have gotten it right and seems to be well-positioned to play a key role in the developing wireless revolution. Nonetheless, the slowing economy has slowed their sales, so they're cutting back by cutting jobs. Jim Fuquay reports that Nortel Networks will add 5,000 jobs to the 10,000 cuts they've already announced, and Minnesota-based ADC Telecommunications will cut as many as 4,000 additional jobs as well.

More non-tech companies to cut jobs (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
Mickey has survived, for now, but his employer will slice 4,000 jobs from its worldwide workforce, which will leave Disney with approximately 97 percent as many workers as it has had before the cuts. Also, for a growing number of people who make heavy use of the Internet, the conventional printed greeting card may be a product whose time has gone. For this reason, as well as the slowing economy generally, American Greetings is going through some bad times and will lay off 1,500 of its employees.

What it still takes for some employers to hire the people they need (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
The slowing of the American economy has reduced the urgency of the competition for workers in many regions and sectors, but some employers are still struggling to find and attract needed workers. Stephanie Armour of USA Today tells about some of the incentives that are being offered.

Strong possibility of an oil strike in Venezuela (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
Venezuela is a country that Americans often don't think of when they think of OPEC, but it is a member of the oil cartel. Oil production in the country could be shut down by a strike for a couple of days, and frantic efforts are being made to prevent it. Here's more from Fabiola Sanchez in Caracas.

Remember Florida? Here are more measurement controversies (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
WHAT we know depends entirely on HOW we know it. Methodology is basic. Use flawed methods, and you won't be able to trust your results, and, in the political world, that means those results will become an "ink blot" in which everybody will be able to see whatever they want.

Which presidential candidate got the most votes in Florida? We have no idea, and we don't believe that anyone else really does either. It's just that a lot of people merely BELIEVE that they know. The way America measures voter preferences is at least a century of two out of date and is incapable of determining what the genuine reality is.

Similarly, trying to conduct a census--which means counting EVERYBODY--in a society of approximately 280 million persons is highly likely to provide results that no one can really trust--if you know anything about research methodology, that is, and, if you don't, you may be willing to trust just about anything, depending on whether it's what you want to hear.

One man who does understand methods is Fed Head Alan Greenspan. He acknowledges that he doesn't really doesn't understand what's going on with the American economy, which is not to imply that other people really do. One of the reasons is that it may well be the case that some fundamental conditions have changed so that old assumptions and principles don't work any more. Also, though, Mr. Greenspan isn't satisfied with the quality of information that is available, because he isn't satisfied with the quality of the measures. In the new economy, it's harder to know what's going on, what's going to happen, and, so, what one should do.

Too much work, too little sleep (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
As we've reported numerous times during the past couple of years, Americans are working more hours, on average, which means that they have fewer available hours for other things, including family. Those who are trying to do it all are taking the extra hours from their sleep schedules. Ah, drive defensively out there.

Nearly four-fifths of students are underestimating the cost of their student loans (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
Andrew Clark reports from Washington on the results of a new survey that confirms what many persons who have been worrying about America's younger generation have been suspecting. Most students who take out loans to cover the cost of their higher education don't fully realize what they're getting into and what it's going to mean for their long-term financial future.

When virtual companies leave no traces, who sends out the W-2's? (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
People who worked last near for dot-coms that no longer exist may have difficulty filing their taxes this year. Here's an explanation from Susan Stellin.

Taking your laptop on an overseas business trip? Here's some advice (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
Actually, you may be interested in what James Derk has to say if you're planning domestic travel with your computer too.

Schroeder optimistic about Europe's future (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
The German Chancellor sees sold growth ahead for the European economy, and expects Germany to make a positive contribution to that growth.

Now the flirting starts (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
Seattle's loss will be somebody else's gain, and many communities will be winding up and making their pitch to Boeing. Bob Cox reports on Dallas' efforts.

Why corporations have very practical reasons for being concerned about harassment and discrimination suits (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
While some individuals will feel considerable pain in a $50 fine, it takes a good deal more to attract the attention of most big-time corporate directors. However, much attention has been drawn to recent lawsuits in which the awards have been great enough to impress nearly anybody.

If you're an African job-seeker, how do you get into Europe? (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
Many are finding that the most accessible doorway is located in Spain, according to today's Washington Post.

If you think you can wish "good riddance" to half the federal work force, you may want to think again (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
About fifty percent of federal workers are scheduled to retire during the next four years or so, and, despite all of the stereotypical thinking and political posturing about "government bureaucrats," there is a crisis on the horizon that you probably should care about.

Maybe not when; maybe if (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
Economics columnist Robert Samuelson wonders if Japan really CAN regain its former prosperity and economic influence, or whether its destined to play a much smaller role in the 21st century than most people assumed only a few years ago.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: TeleBright (Wednesday, 3/28/01)
TeleBright is one of the handy sites that enables you to search for the best deal on telephone service in your area by inserting your ZIP code or area code.

Another fracture in the Bush II administration? (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
President Abraham Lincoln, who had less than a year of formal education, had been part owner of a small store in New Salem, Illinois which failed while he was still in his 20's, leaving him deeply in debt for years. Later, he ran a two-person law office in Springfield. That was the grand total of his management experience by the time he was put in charge of the United States and the North's war effort during the most agonizing period of American history. Yet, most historians agree that he performed admirably and may be America's single greatest president.

George W. Bush, on the other hand, is the first American president with an MBA (from Harvard, no less) plus lots of business management experience. He seems to have organized his administration along corporate lines, delegating much, while remaining above day-to-day hassles as Chairman and CEO.

He seems to recognize his own limited experience as a political leader, and, as a consequence, has brought a number of highly experienced, very strong personalities into the Administration. Whether this is going to work will depend, in part, on the extent to which the role of president resembles that of a chief corporate executive. So far, there are mixed indicators. For instance, unless he can exercise both vision and control, America could end up with two foreign policies, one headed by Donald Rumsfeld and the other headed by Colin Powell.

Now, there is reason to believe that former Governor Christine Todd Whitman, who now heads the Environmental Protection Agency, and other members of the Administration aren't singing off the same page when it comes to environmental issues. Both major parties are made up of complex coalitions of people who ordinarily have little in common, so any president faces the task of pleasing a lot of supporters who may have contradictory interests. However, in the case of the environmental question, it would be nice if Bush and many other politicians did not suffer from so much scientific illiteracy.

Next? (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
Airspace over the United States may get less busy for a while. John Gallagher of the Detroit Free Press says that the pilots' strike at Comair, the second-largest regional airline in the U.S., might be only the first of several strikes that may either shut down or curtail airline operations. President Bush has expressed concern about how strikes might further impair a vulnerable economy, and has indicated that he would intervene in the conflict between Northwest Airlines and its pilots. However, he says that he will stay out of the strike at Comair, where, at the moment, no talks are scheduled.

High Court will take federal affirmative action case (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
In a case that is likely to have broad implications, the U.S. Supreme Court said that it will hear a challenge to the U.S. Transportation Department's affirmative action program. Meanwhile, a U.S. District Judge has ruled that the University of Michigan law school's admissions procedures are unconstitutional because race is used as a criterion in the selection of applicants. However, another judge ruled earlier that the university's undergraduate admissions program is constitutional, so, ultimately, the Supreme Court is likely to decide this issue as well, with broad implications for American higher education.

Cuts, cuts, cuts, but not all for the same reasons (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
Some of today's job cuts are in the U.S., while some aren't. Some are in hi-tech companies, such as Ericsson, Nokia, Conexant, and several chip makers, while some are in the transportation sector, such as Delphi, Ford in Ontario, and Kansas City Southern. Many current job cuts are occurring because of the slowdown of the American economy, but not necessarily all. For instance, Clothing manufacturer Haggar will close a Texas plant, idling 600 workers, and export many of its jobs to other countries, presumably in search of less expensive labor.

Airbus deal will result in 1,500 new jobs (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
An agreement between management and labor organizations clears the way for Airbus to create 1,500 new jobs in Germany.

American auto workers better prepared, suffering less (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
Keith Bradsher of the New York Times says that auto workers in the United States are doing better during this economic downturn than during most downturns past.

Job hopping rate declines (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
Kathy Chen writes in today's Wall Street Journal that the slowed American economy has also slowed the casualness with which Americans are hopping from one job to another.

Using one's break to help those who haven't gotten a break (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
Jodi Wilgoren writes about students who are spending their spring breaks in Florida, but not doing what you might expect. Meanwhile, Alexandra Marks of the Christian Science Monitor reports that mentoring organizations are having difficulty recruiting helpers who feel that they are short of available time.

When overseas experience doesn't work (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
Employers and workers who are sent on overseas assignments often have different interpretations, according to Bill Bergstrom. A result is that the consequences may not be what employers expect and their investment in the overseas experience might be lost. Frequently, the employee him/herself is lost to the company as well.

Argentine president given special powers (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
Laurence Norman reports from Buenos Aires that the Argentina's lower house of Congress has agreed to give President Fernando de la Rua part of what he has asked for to enable him to deal more effectively with the country's 33-month recession.

The rest of the world is still more influential than the U.S., writer says (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
America's economy is the largest in the world, and certainly influences the global economy. Nonetheless, Peter Grier writes that the U.S.'s problems alone can't pull the entire world into recession. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports that a new poll shows fairly widespread skepticism about the American economy and President Bush's plans for fixing things. Also, a slowing economy with large numbers of layoffs means an increase in the already huge number of uninsured. Here's how some members of Congress are preparing to help.

Nursing infants in the workplace (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
Only three states require employers to allow mothers to nurse their infants at work, even though 30 states have breast-feeding legislation of some kind. Here's more from columnist Diane Stafford of the Kansas City Star.

Boeing won't change its mind (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
It appears that Boeing's decision to move its corporate headquarters out of the Seattle area is a done deal and that nothing will make them reconsider.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Law and Economics of United States v. Microsoft (Tuesday, 3/27/01)
Here's information about New York University's upcoming seminar on The Law and Economics of United States v. Microsoft.

O'Neill to divest his Alcoa holdings (Monday, 3/26/01)
The new Secretary of the Treasury has decided that there could be at least an appearance of conflict of interest, given his approximately $90 million in Alcoa stock and his governmental position. So, he will put his money into index funds. It has been common practice for presidents and other high officials to put their money into blind trust. For instance, sometime ago, when some persons were claiming that the Reagans had accepted a large amount of money from friends to buy a house when they left the government, Nancy Reagan pointed out that it was a loan which was repaid with interest, not a gift. At the time, according to Mrs. Reagan, they didn't know how much money they had because all of their assets had been in trust during the time that Ronald Reagan was president. This was to insure that he could not know which of his presidential decisions might favorable influence his investments and which might diminish them. Incidentally, are there any key members of the current Administration who do NOT have tens of millions of dollars worth of assets?

O'Neill also has some advice for Japan (Monday, 3/26/01)
The Treasury Secretary says that Japan has to come to grips with the reality that, unlike his own, what might once have been genuine assets no longer exist, and they should write them off and move on by opening up their markets.

Strike at Comair (Monday, 3/26/01)
Pilots at Delta-owned regional carrier Comair have gone on strike. Workers at two Pepsi plants in the Kansas City area remain on strike after a month and have turned down the latest contract proposal from the company.

The tech revolution in entertainment (Monday, 3/26/01)
Hollywood film production already has been transformed by high-technology and is likely to undergo further revolutions. In fact, all across the huge American entertainment industry, which amuses not only Americans but also much of the rest of the world, technology is making most things different. Today's Wall Street Journal has a special section on these issues. Many articles, and, as always, all are worth reading.

Why many people are changing their minds about retiring right now, if they can (Monday, 3/26/01)
Christine Dugas of USA Today says that many persons are finding that the big decline in stock values has scrambled a lot of nest eggs.

"Farmaggedon" feared in Ireland (Monday, 3/26/01)
To the astonishment of many living Irish and what would be to the amazement of previous generations, Ireland's economy has been the envy of Europe recently. However, hi-tech has slumped, in part because of the slowing American economy. Now, in addition, there is concern about the economic implications of foot-and-mouth disease.

Longer commutes (Monday, 3/26/01)
Americans have been moving farther out to the sub-suburbs and beyond, meaning that it's taking them longer to drive and from work. Here's more from Genao Armas of the Fort Worth Star Telegram.

Preparation counts (Monday, 3/26/01)
Nearly 400,000 Americans have gotten the bad news during the past three months. Will you be one of the laid off sometime soon? Shannon Buggs passes on some advice from financial planners. Also, the Washington Post's Amy Joyce discusses the practical implications of using some time after your job disappears to take a break. Don't forget that, when you're in need of a job, finding a job is your full-time job.

The stereotype of the male lawyer is REALLY out of date (Monday, 3/26/01)
Given the law's cumulative nature and its relation to precedent, you might expect that change would come more slowly than in nearly any other field. However, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of women lawyers in the U.S. during recent years, and, as the New York Times reports,, a numerical majority of law students will soon be female.

Hangover by the Bay (Monday, 3/26/01)
A few months have made a very large difference in San Francisco where dot-comers used to live it up. Here's more from Evelyn Nieves.

New economic realities create tensions and modify family structures (Monday, 3/26/01)
A woman's place is in...well, it depends on who you ask. Japan's decade-long economic dreariness has greatly cut into household incomes, meaning that many women have been entering the workforce to help out or to become the principal rice-winner, according to MSNBC.

Yes, boss. No way, dear (Monday, 3/26/01)
While some people might thinks it's simply too much togetherness, Suzanne Monson reports that some marriage partners are able to be co-workers too, and get along successfully, even when one is the other's boss. At work, that is. Not necessarily at home.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: JobBoom (Monday, 3/26/01)
JobBoom appears to be one of Canada's busier jobs sites, and, of course, is available in both English and French, except that the career advice section is available only in French.

How to keep the EU going within a slowing global economic context (Sunday, 3/25/01)
European Union leaders have been in Stockholm discussing ways to make the EU economy continue creating jobs and also to increase the EU's competitiveness.

Congress about to encourage more retirement savings (Sunday, 3/25/01)
With bipartisan support, it appears that Americans soon will be able to contribute more to retirement plans.

Anxiety about jobs shifts at Boeing (Sunday, 3/25/01)
Kyung Song of the Seattle Times says that Boeing's stunning announcement this past week is leaving many workers expecting that their jobs won't just be relocated, but eliminated altogether. The company's decision to move its corporate headquarters out of Seattle may be only the beginning of an historic restructuring, according to them.

Hanssen case leads to FBI fishing expedition (Sunday, 3/25/01)
Five-hundred people working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation will be administered the "Polygraph" because of broader concerns following the arrest of spy Robert Hanssen. The fact that there really is no such thing as a "lie detector" should make citizens nervous about government officials who appear to have so little understanding of the methods necessary for achieving genuine verifiable knowledge of nature, including human nature. We've already commented on the issues relating to the FBI's action on the fourteenth of this month, so there is no reason to repeat ourselves.

Ford shuts down operations because of Legionnaires' disease (Sunday, 3/25/01)
Two sections of an Ohio Ford assembly plant have been shut down because the bacterium causing Legionnaires' disease has been detected.

Signal-to-noise ratio (Sunday, 3/25/01)
Samuel Fromartz says that, in order to tell what's going on with the economy, it's necessary to tune into the messages behind all the static.

Personalizing the statistics (Sunday, 3/25/01)
Thousands of layoffs here, thousands there--it's easy to be numbed by the numbers and to forget that each one is a person with a story. Edward Eveld and Lisa Gutierrez have a few of those stories for you in today's Houston Chronicle.

Who has the scariest messages? (Sunday, 3/25/01)
Is it the President who has been talking down the U.S. economy, or publications such as Newsweek that have been reporting on and adding to what the Bush administration people have been saying? Here's more from today's Washington Post. Still, the reality is that, for whatever reasons, the American economy has been slumping, and David Sanger writes about how the slump is affecting the rest of the world in more direct ways now. Finally, can you understand economics without paying attention to its psychology? Probably not.

Why the end may not be in sight (Sunday, 3/25/01)
Former political science professor and syndicated columnist George Will examines the prospects for a second troublesome decade for Japan's economy.

Hispanic girls and education (Sunday, 3/25/01)
Too many Hispanic girls are dropping out of school, according to this report from today's New York Times.

Retaliation from Bush? (Sunday, 3/25/01)
Steven Greenhouse says that many leaders in American organized labor believes that the President has been retaliating against unions because they supported Gore's presidential candidacy.

Performance from day one (Sunday, 3/25/01)
Nationally syndicated Chicago Tribune columnist Carol Kleiman tells about why success on a new job now depends on your not expecting a lot of time to build up momentum at the beginning.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Canadian Journal of Economics (Sunday, 3/25/01)
The Canadian Journal of Economics is the journal of the Canadian Economics Association.

Uncertainty about the U.S. means uncertainty about the world (Saturday, 3/24/01)
Daniel Sternoff writes from New York that a global recession is seen more and more as a possibility now, and a principal reason may the greater degree of uncertainty about how long it will be before the huge American economy begins recovering from its current slowdown, although Japan's continuing difficulties are also making much of the rest of the world nervous. The U.S. and Japan together comprise more than 40 percent of the world economy. Germany has the third-largest national economy, but, as Ian Geoghegan reports from Stockholm, it is only part of the European Union which seems strong, according to EU leaders, and has a chance to become the strongest and most competitive economic force in the world for a while.

Boeing tries to reassure Seattle (Saturday, 3/24/01)
The big aerospace company is moving its headquarters out of Seattle after 85 years, but says that the core of its operations will remain in the area. However, some 757 assembly operations will be transferred to Wichita, Kansas. About 500 jobs will be affected.

An attempt to jump-start the Argentine economy (Saturday, 3/24/01)
Argentina's new economics minister has the support of Congress in moving an emergency economic package to quick implementation. Here are details from Clifford Krauss reporting from Buenos Aires.

Kraft to shut down chocolate factories in Brazil (Saturday, 3/24/01)
According to the Miami Herald, production is being moved elsewhere in the country. The shutdown of the two plants will result in the elimination of more than 2,000 jobs at those locations.

More violence at Daewoo (Saturday, 3/24/01)
Workers at the bankrupt South Korean automaker, angry because of announced layoffs, have clashed with riot police again. Demonstrators threw firebombs after police prevented them from gathering in Seoul's city center.

The growing roles of women in the new economy (Saturday, 3/24/01)
While women clearly have made progress in working their way up major corporation ladders, glass ceilings still seem to be in place. However, at the same time, more new small businesses are being started by women than by men, and, as Jent Fix of the Detroit Free Press reports, women have become a major force in the American organized labor movement.

Awards tomorrow, strike soon after? (Saturday, 3/24/01)
The biggest news in Hollywood today is the Academy Awards presentations tomorrow, but the increasingly likely prospect of the fantasy factories' wheels being brought to a halt because of a major strike is also much on minds in the world's film capital.

Deadline for seeking legal status (Saturday, 3/24/01)
Under a new law signed by former President Clinton, some illegal immigrants will be able to change their status to legal, but they must do so by the end of April, according to Suzanne Gamoa who reports from Washington.

Pilots resume negotiations with Comair (Saturday, 3/24/01)
Offhand, you might have difficulty thinking of an airline that is NOT in conflict with one or more of its unions. It's not just the big names like American and Northwest. Several regional airlines have been having labor difficulties as well. For instance, John Nolan reports that Comair is resuming talks with its pilots, but they're prepared to walk out if necessary.

Whoops! What to do about the tuition now? (Saturday, 3/24/01)
For investors with highly diversified portfolios who can sit tight for a while, there may not be a great deal to worry about in the long-run, because, overall, stock values over the long haul are about as secure as the long-term prospects of the United States, and that's pretty secure. However, for people who are just reaching retirement and have been counting on the value of their stocks, the current Wall Street slump is highly inconvenient. Others who may not be able to wait for values to recover are people who have been depending on their stocks to cover the cost of college tuition. Here's more from today's Washington Post.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Wall Street Research Net (Saturday, 3/24/01)
Wall Street Research Net can help you remain in daily contact with your investments.

Another tax cut proposed (Friday, 3/23/01)
This one would be a $60 billion cut effective this year in order to boost the economy and it may happen, given that it seems to have bipartisan support. It would be in addition to the President's original tax cut plan which is more "back-loaded" and doesn't appear likely to get through the Senate without modification.

Leading Indicators down (Friday, 3/23/01)
The Conference Board's Index of Leading Economic Indicators fell 0.2 percent last month, but still isn't forecasting a recession, says the Board's experts. Technically, a recession means two consecutive quarters of negative growth. The U.S. economy isn't there yet, and may not enter a recession at all before it starts growing at a faster rate again. Nonetheless, the American economy clearly has changed its mood, and the statistical indications are all around. Also, despite the tumbling stock market, by the end of the trading day yesterday, Wall Street wasn't technically in a bear market yet either, according to this report from Lorene Yue of the Detroit Free Press, but it wouldn't take much more. What is a "bear market?" The Fort Worth Star Telegram provides an explanation.

Canal workers sue U.S. (Friday, 3/23/01)
When the United States gave up control of the Panama Canal two years ago, it neglected to pay $1 billion in severance, social security, and other benefits for some of its employees, according to a suit filed in federal court in Miami.

Arbitration offered at Delta (Friday, 3/23/01)
Delta Airlines and its pilots have been negotiating for 18 months without success. Federal mediators are saying that binding arbitration may be the best solution. Meanwhile talks between Northwest Airlines and its mechanics may start up again soon, and flight attendants at American Airlines will be trying to make a deal with their employer on bringing TWA flight attendants into the company.

More big cuts (Friday, 3/23/01)
Charles Schwab intends to cut up to 3,400 jobs, Motorola has announced that another 4,000 jobs will go, and Kmart will offer an early retirement incentive to older workers at its corporate headquarters. Overall, though, as Jeannine Aversa reports, first-time jobless claims declined a bit last week.

Legionnaires contamination feared (Friday, 3/23/01)
The union representing hundreds of workers at Telstra want them tested after the bacterium was detected to two of the company's centers. Legionaires disease can be life-threatening.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: International Trade Administration (Friday, 3/23/01)
The International Trade Administration is a division of the United States Department of Commerce and will be of interest to Americans wishing to export their products or services.

Sleepless in Seattle (Thursday, 3/22/01)
Boeing spent most of the 20th century in Seattle, but it will spend nearly all of the 21st century someplace else. The Seattle community is reeling today from the announced loss yesterday of its crown-jewel employer. Boeing will move its headquarters out of the Pacific Northwest after 85 years. Thanks to Teresa Callies for our headline.

Bush to push his own "patients' bill of rights" bill (Thursday, 3/22/01)
The President isn't satisfied with any of the bills presently in Congress that would protect the rights of patients in their dealings with their HMOs, so he will soon describe the kind of legislation that he will be willing to sign.

One "poison pill" is rejected (Thursday, 3/22/01)
Some Republican opponents of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill have wanted a "paycheck protection plan" which would greatly reduce the power of organized labor as an influence in American politics, and, in effect, kill the reform bill. However, the Senate has voted 69-31 to reject the plan, keeping McCain-Feingold hopes alive.

Want a tough job? (Thursday, 3/22/01)
If you have masochistic tendencies, or if you simply feel insufficiently challenged in your present role, you might want to make yourself available to be the fourth Argentine economics minister during the past three months or so, in case Domingo Cavallo, like his immediate predecessor, decides to get out after a couple of weeks. Kevin Gray reports from Buenos Aires on how his job has been complicated by a strike of public workers.

What to do about a lot of big debts that can't be paid (Thursday, 3/22/01)
In Holland a few centuries back, it was the price of tulips. In the U.S. recently, it was the price of Internet company stock. In Japan a few years ago, it was the price of real estate, which managed to reach stratospheric levels before collapsing. Before that happened, though, a lot of loans were made by Japanese banks based on those inflated values. Now, what once appeared to be secured debt has become very unsecured indeed, and the banks themselves are threatened. Raising the world's second-largest economy from its decade-long slumber will require solving the debt problem, and two top officials are saying that the Japanese government will have a plan within six months.

Results worse than expected at 3Com (Thursday, 3/22/01)
3Com Corporation, citing a stunning third-quarter loss, will cut jobs as a consequence.

The new economy values flexibility, and that's okay with Australian workers (Thursday, 3/22/01)
Regimentation, paramilitary organization, and standardization tend to be far less functional in the new economy than in the old. A new survey in Australia finds that workers in that country would prefer something other than a regular nine-to-five schedule.

Afghans take flight in search for work (Thursday, 3/22/01)
In part because of an insane government during recent years, Afghanistan may be the least desirable place on earth to live, although there's still a lot of competition. However, as the Washington Post reports, natural disasters have added to the overall calamity, and many people are desperately searching for work elsewhere in order to survive.

Sweeney to mobilize forces in support of airline workers (Thursday, 3/22/01)
Key figures in American organized labor don't believe that the Bush II administration is a friend of American workers, and battle-lines are being drawn all over the map. For instance, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney says he will take the lead in encouraging the labor movement to support airline unions which the President has indicated he will prevent from striking, at least for a while, thus reducing their bargaining power.

Population implosion (Thursday, 3/22/01)
Which American state has a smaller population than before the Great Depression of the 1930s and has also been losing population faster than any other during recent years? New Census data show that the answer is North Dakota. Why is that? Is it because North Dakota is a horrible place to live? No, indeed. In fact, large numbers of people who would like to raise their families there are leaving involuntarily. It is because of the depression in American agriculture combined with North Dakota's dependence on its ag sector. Here's more from David Peterson in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Demand for H-1B visas subsides (Thursday, 3/22/01)
The slowing American economy has reduced the shortage of technical personnel, which has diminished the number of applications for tech worker visas, according to Michelle Kessler and Jon Swartz of USA Today.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: National Life/Work Centre (Thursday, 3/22/01)
The National Life/Work Centre is a non-profit Canadian corporation that develops strategic partnerships with organizations in both private and public sectors to assist Canadians of all ages in becoming self-reliant in the new economy. Their web site is available in both English and French.

To paraphrase Woody Allen, Mr. Greenspan may soon be placed UNDER a pedestal (Wednesday, 3/21/01)
During the long American boom, Alan Greenspan may have gotten more credit than he deserved. Now, he may be getting a bit too much of the blame. However, if the Fed was trying to boost the stock market by cutting interest rates yesterday, it didn't work. Wall Street wanted more, and Steve Liesman of the Wall Street Journal writes today that many economists are starting to see a prolongation of the current slump on the horizon. Some believe that the worst is yet to come, and, while "recession" has been whispered for a while, now it's being spoken right out loud in many places. Moreover, this Washington Post story says it's important to remember that the stock market isn't the economy and the Federal Reserve doesn't control either one. Also, things may be getting more complicated for the Bush II administration's tax-cut plans. The President says that the downturn means that the tax cut is needed, but what if it also means that the surplus, which the big tax cut seems to assume, may shrink or disappear?

What do you do if what you do doesn't produce the effects you expect? (Wednesday, 3/21/01)
Okay, all together now, repeat after us: "The term 'new economy' doesn't refer simply to Internet stocks, and the failure of Internet companies doesn't mean that the economy has gotten old again." Most fundamentally, the "new economy" is one which, for a variety of reasons, may not follow familiar rules. Our understanding of the economy and what we think we should do in order to influence it are guided by conventional economic theory, but it assumes a familiar set of conditions. What happens when those conditions change fundamentally? Robert Samuelson wonders about this too, and also wonders whether the monetary and fiscal treatments will cure anything this time.

Argentina's NEW new economics minister (Wednesday, 3/21/01)
The previous one stayed on the job only two weeks, so Domingo Cavallo has been called out of retirement to occupy the position that he held during the early 1990s. The Argentine economy's on fire, and President Fernando de la Rœa believes that Mr. Cavallo should be fire chief.

Cuts at Oracle (Wednesday, 3/21/01)
Though not as well-known to the general public as Microsoft, Oracle is the second-largest software company in the world, and, like most other tech firms, is feeling the effects of a slowed economy. It plans to cut about 2 percent of its jobs, and the fact that this amounts to about 866 of them, gives a hint as to the corporation's size. Cuts are beginning to show up across the economy, not just the hi-tech sector. Emily Nelson reports in today's Wall Street Journal that Proctor & Gamble expects to cut somewhere between 10 and 20 percent of its workforce.

That tidal wave won't arrive until a few minutes later than we thought, but don't relax too much (Wednesday, 3/21/01)
Treasury Secretary O'Neill thinks that Congress shouldn't be distracted by the news that Social Security and Medicare will remain solvent a bit longer. New long-term solutions are still needed, and this is the time to work them out, according to the Secretary.

Forced arbitration (Wednesday, 3/21/01)
In a new ruling, the Supreme Court says that employers can compel workers to take job disputes to arbitration rather than to court. The Court's decision is expected to have broad implications across American workplaces.

Repetitive crashing sounds (Wednesday, 3/21/01)
Internet companies are continuing to fail at a high rate. About a dozen per week are shutting down.

Is that an American on the other end of the line? (Wednesday, 3/21/01)
The call center that is trying to help you may not be located where you think, and some people who sound like Americans may never have been out of India. Here's more from Mark Landler of the New York Times.

Not a shuffleboard club (Wednesday, 3/21/01)
AARP, despite sounding like an amphibian mating call, is one of the most politically influential organizations in the United States, and, because of the huge, aging baby boom generation, it's getting a lot bigger and a lot more influential. It's also changing.

Another good reason for not keeping personal information on your workplace PC (Wednesday, 3/21/01)
Mary Williams Walsh tells about people who suddenly lose access to their own data when their jobs are terminated. Better to have your own computer and keep it at home.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Relocation Tools (Wednesday, 3/21/01)
If you're planning to make a move, this collection of relocation tools from USA Today can help you compare salaries in different regions, estimate moving costs, and a good deal more.

It's a half-point, but more could come soon (Tuesday, 3/20/01)
The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates for the third time in 2001. The half-point reduction isn't quite what Wall Street wanted, though, and there has been much speculation during recent days about what the magnitude of the cut would be. However, the Fed has indicated that it's ready to cut more if necessary.

Are California's blinking lights sending a Morse code message to the rest of America...and the world? (Tuesday, 3/20/01)
There were blackouts around the biggest state yesterday, and more were expected today, given California's tight energy supplies. The President, who has been accused of "talking down" the economy in order to get his tax cut passed, may also be accused of trying to scare Americans about an impending national energy shortage in order to put pressure on Congress to help in the Administration's effort to tap energy resources in protected areas, notably Alaska. This may be particularly likely, given his recent turnarounds in relation to environmental policy, the fact that he and the Vice President have been oil executives, and the fact that much support for Bush's campaign came from energy companies.

A president's ability to lead, particularly into unfamiliar territory which people may not be enthusiastic about exploring, depends entirely on his credibility, which he will not want to squander. Still, America's appetite for energy has increased significantly during the historic economic expansion of the past ten years, and, as the President asserts, there are no "quick fixes" for what is likely to be a long-term problem with major economic implications.

However, it's much easier to offer solutions to PART of a complex problem than to the whole problem, and both politicians and environmentalists seem to be focusing on their favorite parts.

The Administration seems to be focusing pretty exclusively on efforts to increase supply. The only mention of environmental issues seemed to be the Energy Secretary's assertion that energy could be tapped in Alaska without endangering the immediate environment or wildlife in that region. There has been little mention of the larger issues having to do with global warming and whether the earth is becoming an alien planet. This is the elephant that's sitting in the middle of the table that everybody in the Administration is pretending isn't there. Bush seems sensitive to the political issues, immediate impact on the economy, and, of course, the desires of his political supporters who are expecting payback, but that seems to be about it.

Many self-proclaimed environmentalists, on the other hand, seem to pretend that the political and immediate economic issues can be ignored somehow, even though these are parts of the total reality as well.

Japan's current situation is similar. The political climate there prevents the government from taking the actions necessary to fix their economy, so they just continue to fumble along, while possibly allowing themselves to be caught in an accelerating downward spiral. Given the increasing rates of change in the new economy and the new world, among the key questions are whether, collectively, we will be able to determine our own fate, and what the role of democratic process can be, given the fact that democracies tend to require significant time to process and work things out. If the answer to either of these questions is "no," what then?

Turkey to get IMF help (Tuesday, 3/20/01)
Turkey's economy has been losing altitude fast, but an agreement with the International Monetary Fund may help. Ben Holland has details from Ankara.

He expects the economy to do better than he expects, or something like that (Tuesday, 3/20/01)
Does the President think that the American economy is doing well, or not? Depends when you ask him, apparently. Perhaps stung by accusations that he has been part of America's current economic problems, rather than part of their solution, Mr. Bush seemed to be playing a different tune yesterday, although maybe it was because Japan's prime minister was seated next to him. The two heads of state exchanged a little free and largely unsolicited advice on what the other should do to make things right in their respective countries, while back home, after trying various other things to awaken the Japanese economic giant, the Bank of Japan has decided to offer free money. Well, loans at no interest, that is. But, wait a minute. They tried that before, and it didn't work.

Argentina may not be ready for austerity either (Tuesday, 3/20/01)
The Japanese people don't seem to be prepared to bite any sort of bullet, and this has resulted in something resembling a revolving door on the prime minister's office in recent years. Argentina seems to have a similar problem, given a recession that has gone on for years, and the resignation of the new economic minister only two weeks after taking office. His austerity policies were not well-received. To the north, it remains to be seen whether Americans are prepared to curb their insatiable appetite for energy, and it remains to be seen whether there will be the political will in Washington necessary for supporting leadership in that direction.

Senator calls for a formal WTO-ILO connection (Tuesday, 3/20/01)
Senator Max Baucus of Montana would like to see a formal alliance between the World Trade Organization and the International Labor Organization, an agency of the United Nations. Here's more about the reasons from Doug Palmer in Washington.

Another 8,000 jobs are cut (Tuesday, 3/20/01)
Solectron Corporation of San Francisco manufactures electronic components for OEMs such as Sony, so it's not surprising that it has been affected by the tech-industry slump. Solectron will eliminate 8,000 jobs.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Career Development Process (Tuesday, 3/20/01)
Career Development Process is a site that organizes relevant Internet resources in relation to recommended stages of career development.

Is the Bush tax cut dead? (Monday, 3/19/01)
Some Senate Democrats are saying that Bush won't have the votes, so it's either a compromise alternative or nothing, but it's highly unlikely to be nothing. Eric Black writes that the President hasn't forgotten about Social Security, despite his silence about it recently. Still, according to a new reports, the heat seems to be off for a while. Neither Social Security nor Medicare is expected to go broke quite so soon as expected earlier. Here's more from USA Today.

Greenspan is getting both his right and left arms twisted (Monday, 3/19/01)
Both Congressional Republicans and Democrats are urging Fed Head Greenspan to cut interest rates again, and another cut is highly likely to come this week. The only question seems to be whether it will be a half-point or three-quarters of a point.

More cuts at Daewoo (Monday, 3/19/01)
Daewoo is South Korea's third-largest automaker, but the company is bankrupt and seeking purchase by General Motors. There have been violent protests because of domestic job cuts, and now the company plans to cut 6,500 jobs off-shore.

Ah, ah, ah...don't touch that 401(k) (Monday, 3/19/01)
Detroit Free Press columnist Susan Tompor says laid-off workers may be sorely tempted to cash in their 401(k)s, but they should think twice, and, then, a third and fourth time. Meanwhile, the stock market slump has come at a bad time for people who are scheduled to retire and aren't really prepared to stay the course. Here's more from today's Kansas City Star. It isn't just investor confidence that worries economists. Paul Wenske says drooping consumer confidence is also much on their minds.

Listen carefully, because the market may not be saying what you think you're hearing (Monday, 3/19/01)
Mark Davis says that isn't always telling you what a company's stock is worth. He thinks there is less than meets the eye. Meanwhile, Louis Uchitelle discusses what kind of interest rate cut will be enough to encourage stock buyers.

Japanese PM doesn't receive a big enthusiastic send-off (Monday, 3/19/01)
He's going to meet with President Bush, but the summit is seen as a waste of time by some Japanese opinion leaders. Economics is on the minds of most Japanese leaders, but what will the two heads of state talk about? David Sanger of the New York Times says that the lame-duck PM doesn't have much new to say, so the meeting is likely to be mostly ceremonial with relatively little talk about Japan's economic troubles and their implications for the American economy.

And you thought you were done with grades when you got out of college (Monday, 3/19/01)
Reed Abelson says that many employers are grading on a curve now too, and it's setting off a round of lawsuits.

Pittsburgh program seeks to ease the transition from welfare to work (Monday, 3/19/01)
The problem with throwing people off the high diving board and leaving them to sink or swim is that a lot of them don't have time to get the strokes right before they have to be fished out of the pool again. Francis Clines tells about how a safety net can help make the transition successful and permanent.

First stress carrier? (Monday, 3/19/01)
David Rosenbaum compares President Bush's role as non-cheerleader with his predecessors ways of "reporting the news."

Wanna job? Get an agent (Monday, 3/19/01)
Joshua Kurlantzick says that's really what temp firms are. How are they doing now that the economy has slowed? Business is off a bit, but expect part-time and contract workers to be a permanent feature of the new economy.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Point.com (Monday, 3/19/01)
Wireless telephone service has become a staple of contemporary business, but there are a lot of options from which to choose. Point.com can help you make comparisons.

Isn't the President a friend of business? (Sunday, 3/18/01)
Well, maybe more a friend of major business than small business, actually, because large corporations have provided more campaign support. Riva Atlas of the New York Times writes that, even though the new bankruptcy legislation which the President is almost certain to sign into law is aimed in large part at individuals who may be a bit too casual about walking away from unsecured debt, its effect on some small businesses could be devastating.

Bush: Be a bearer of good news (Sunday, 3/18/01)
It isn't necessarily that the President would discourage the Congress from emulating him, because, despite accusations from Democrats, he doesn't believe that he has been a cause of America's economic downturn and widespread public expectations of a recession. Nonetheless, as this Washington Post writer asserts, he seems to have given up some of his earlier optimistic tone. At any rate, Bush is urging the Congress to bring "good economic news" to the American people by passing his $1.6 trillion tax cut.

World's largest union coming to Germany (Sunday, 3/18/01)
Five unions are disbanding in order to become part of a new "super-union." Here's more from Burt Herman who reports from Berlin.

Murky Turkey (Sunday, 3/18/01)
The Bush II administration has reason to be concerned about Turkey's dismal economic situation at the moment. An unstable Turkey could destabilize the entire region.

More violence over Daewoo layoffs (Sunday, 3/18/01)
Bankrupt South Korean automaker Daewoo has the support of the government in its effort to cut costs by cutting jobs, thereby making itself more attractive to General Motors as a possible buyer. The company certainly doesn't have the support of a lot of its workers, though, and a new round of violent protests has been going on in Seoul.

Mysteries of the new economy (Sunday, 3/18/01)
Some seem to think that the term "new economy" refers only to doing business on the Internet, but it really means that most things are different and that the old rules may not apply as we have been led to expect. Richard Stevenson thinks it may be time to enroll in Econ 2001, except that nobody really knows how to teach it.

Work/life balance in Japan (Sunday, 3/18/01)
We've heard a lot during recent months about increasing concern with keeping one's work from throwing family life out of whack, but, as Yoshiko Kaku of Asahi Shimbun reports, a new survey shows that Japan's younger generation of men seems less married to the job in a society that is undergoing transformation as it attempts to adjust to membership in the new global economy. There are other changes in Japan too, including the impressive increase in home ownership among single women. Incidentally, Jeffrey Garten explains why American leaders in virtually all sectors have reason to be concerned with Japan's economic problems, because, when Japan is at risk, the U.S. is also at risk.

Why executives are worried about casual workplace dress (Sunday, 3/18/01)
Well, it depends upon who you ask, but a traditional paramilitary corporate organization that its reflected in standardization, including the wearing of "uniforms," has power implications for those who want to feel as though they're really running things. Here's more from Jim Steinberg of the The Fresno Bee. Trouble is, a paramilitary organization was more functional in the old economy than it is in the new.

It appears that there are half again as many illegals in the U.S. as previously thought (Sunday, 3/18/01)
New Census data indicate that the number of persons in the United States illegally may be closer to 9 million than 6 million.

What the law won't be requiring, some businesses are doing anyway (Sunday, 3/18/01)
Today's Washington Post reports on what many employers are doing to help prevent repetitive motion injuries on the job.

Why is Europe squandering a major opportunity? (Sunday, 3/18/01)
David Ignagius writes that this is the year that Europe should be taking the lead, given the economic problems experienced by Japan, and, to a much lesser extent so far, by the United States. But, not so, he says.

How much SMALLER will the world's population be at the end of the 21st century? (Sunday, 3/18/01)
The 20th century has been one of tremendous increases in world population, but it appears that this century will be quite different. For instance, fertility has declined in at least 83 countries to the point that populations are not replacing themselves.

Plentiful cheap little freebies, but a scarcity of job offers (Sunday, 3/18/01)
Jim Yardley reports on the changed climate at spring job fairs attended by soon-to-graduate college students.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Black Collegian (Sunday, 3/18/01)
The Black Collegian is where many students and professionals obtain information relating to career opportunities.

The economy appears to be growing...a little (Saturday, 3/17/01)
Final results on 2001's first quarter won't be available for awhile yet, because it will be nearly two more weeks before the quarter ends. However, the latest economic reports indicate that the American economy continues to grow, ever so slightly, but that the manufacturing sector clearly is in recession. Jeannine Aversa reports from Washington that the safe bet seems to be that the Fed will make further interest rate cuts soon and be rather aggressive about it.

Whom new bankruptcy legislation will benefit (Saturday, 3/17/01)
Editorial writers at the New York Times think that the timing for a revised federal bankruptcy code could be better, and suspect that the President will sign the bill that both houses of Congress have passed, in part, to pay back some major campaign contributors, an explanation that some critics are using for Bush's recent environmental backtracking, as well. Long-time print and broadcast commentator Daniel Schorr reminds us that Bush is a Harvard MBA, but that it may really mean that he is "master of a business administration." People who make large financial contributions to political campaigns almost always expect something in return. It may be that the principal difference between what Bush has been doing lately and what Clinton did with many of his pardons is that there appears to be no possibility that there is anything illegal about Bush's actions, which, of course, is not a minor difference.

Bush and Mori will meet and form a joint consultative body (Saturday, 3/17/01)
The interests of the world's two largest economies are closely linked, so their leaders intend to try to coordinate their strategies, and will seek advice on what to do. Here's more from Isabel Reynolds in Tokyo. Everybody knows that the American economy affects the entire world, but, as James Flanigan writes, so does Japan's economy, both directly and by influencing the American economy.

New problems for Xerox (Saturday, 3/17/01)
Xerox Corporation has been a fixture of American life for a long time, and has made key contributions to the development of the hi-tech revolution. Recently, though, it has been struggling to regain its footing and insure its survival. Now, according to some employees, it hasn't been a good place to work for reasons other than it's generally not fun to work in a company that is in danger of declining or going out of business. Some members of its sales staff have filed a discrimination suit against the company.

There are far too many potatoes (Saturday, 3/17/01)
Through much of the 1990's, the agricultural sector seemed disconnected from the booming American economy, and remains in something resembling a depression. For instance, many potato farmers who believe that their business is a bad business to be in probably won't be in it much longer. Here's more from David Barboza in Idaho Falls.

Here's one woman who is pleased with the Australian government's record (Saturday, 3/17/01)
Senator Amanda Vanstone believes that the Howard government has been the most female-friendly in Australian history. But, then, she isn't a disinterested observer. She's been assisting the PM on women's issues.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: American Industrial Hygiene Association (Saturday, 3/17/01)
The American Industrial Hygiene Association isn't just about encouraging people to wash their hands before returning to work. Well, that, but also just about anything that may help prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, or support the well-being of workers or members of the surrounding community.

Bush wouldn't mind something other than the $1.6 billion tax cut (Friday, 3/16/01)
He might be happy if it were larger, that is. Also, he would like more of it up-front so that it could have a more immediate effect on the slumping American economy. Meanwhile, Congressional Democrats are claiming that one reason for the slump is the President himself. He's been "talking down" the economy by encouraging consumers, investors, and others to dampen their confidence, they say. The effect might be similar to that apparently produced by a very popular (now, not necessarily then) Democratic President Carter, who spoke about America's "national malaise," which a lot of people may not have realized they were part of until he brought it up and they started to think about it. Ronald Reagan, on the other hand, whatever his private thoughts about the state the country was in when he took office, became the national cheerleader with the intention of influencing the national mood in positive ways, rather than simply describing it, and thereby influencing it in negative ways. Is President Bush really naive about these kinds of things, or is he simply interested in using the nation's present economic condition as an instrument for bringing about structural changes that will result in a redirection of power away from Washington?

Bush's change of direction may jeopardize global warming agreement (Friday, 3/16/01)
Most scientists seem to believe that if President Bush and a lot of other politicians really had any understanding at all of science, they would get a lot less sleep and might even do things differently in their work. During the recent presidential campaign, because he was running against a candidate who has written a book on environmental issues, the President apparently felt that he had to talk an environmentalist's talk in order to satisfy a public that seems increasingly concerned that the earth may be turning into a different kind of planet. Now that he's decided to change his mind on the curtailing of power plant carbon dioxide emissions, there is growing concern that an international global warming agreement might be a casualty, and that could make everybody a casualty. The Minneapolis Star Tribune's editorial writers seem to agree that Bush should have taken a few more science courses in college. Did he take any? Did he skip class a lot?

Compaq to become more compact (Friday, 3/16/01)
Compaq Computer Corporation will cut 5,000 jobs in order to adjust to lowered market demand for its products plus a PC price war that is also affecting more upscale business markets upon which Compaq depends. When the tech sectors slumps in a new economy largely driven by technology, the effects tend to radiate in all directions. Technology companies certainly aren't producing all the layoffs. For instance, even though people have to eat, whether anyone is buying computers or not, Heinz will lock the doors on two of its plants and cut 1,900 jobs.

What New Zealand's low unemployment numbers may not mean (Friday, 3/16/01)
New Zealand has its lowest unemployment rate in a dozen years, but economist Linda Wannan-Edgar recommends caution when interpreting it, because it may not mean what many assume. For one thing, the measure is sensitive to people who move in and out of the official workforce. Her comments originally were reported in the New Zealand Herald, but come to you via New Zealand's highly influential The Jobs Letter. Incidentally, the problem of distinguishing between people who are officially "unemployed," as opposed to "not in the labor force," has influenced employment data in the United States as well. People who give up and no longer search for work because they've become convinced that they have no chance of finding it may not be considered "unemployed" anymore.

Japan's economy goes into a stall (Friday, 3/16/01)
When that happens to an airplane, it means that something has to be done fast in order to prevent a disastrous loss of altitude. The Japanese government acknowledged today that recovery from the worst recession since the devastation of World War II seems to have taken a breather. Meanwhile, the American economy is in far better condition, in part, because it enjoyed its longest expansion ever during the 1990s when Japan's once-surging economy was sputtering. Still, there is growing concern that a recession in the U.S. could combine with Japan's troubles plus slowed growth in Europe, in part because of demographic trends, to bring the entire world into a difficult and painful period. To put things in perspective, Japan's economy is more than twice as large as all of the other economies in Asia, and, even though Americans are still extremely well-off by global standards, the loss of stock wealth in the U.S. during the past six months has been much greater than the total gross domestic product of the entire continent of Africa. Also, as the American economy has lost some of its shine, many people are beginning to feel that Alan Greenspan may not really be so bright that you have to shield your eyes. Economic difficulties seem to be popping up all over, though. For instance, Guy Rolnik reports that problems aren't limited to Israel's tech sector.

If you're planning to declare bankruptcy, better do it quick (Friday, 3/16/01)
A new federal bankruptcy law is almost sure to go into effect soon. Yesterday, the U.S. Senate followed earlier action by the House and voted to pass a bankruptcy reform bill that is very similar to the House version. The President has indicated that he will sign it into law. Incidentally, the vote in the Senate was 83 to 15, so it's not something that can be attributed only to the Republicans, because there are only 50 Republican Senators. Here's more from Philip Shenon of the New York Times, as well as an analysis from Riva Atlas of how the new law will affect small business.

Is the clock turning back in rural America? (Friday, 3/16/01)
New Census data show an emptying out of many rural areas during the 1990s as more people abandon a depressed agricultural sector and head for the cities and suburbs.

Okay, let's look at this again (Friday, 3/16/01)
The new edition of Business Week contains a major cover story on rethinking the Internet. Appropriately, perhaps, the report is available on the Internet, but there is a subscription fee.

Can Hollywood producers do without scripts? (Friday, 3/16/01)
Probably not, but they may get an opportunity to try. Lynn Elber reports from America's big film factory town on the prospects of a writers' strike.

Ethnic profiling in the insurance industry (Friday, 3/16/01)
Connie Mabin reports in the Fort Worth Star Telegram that state officials have calculated that the insurance industry in Texas has been overcharging minorities to the tune of more than a billion dollars, and several state lawmakers say they're going to insist that the money be returned to its rightful owners.

The biggest U.S. city has gotten even bigger (Friday, 3/16/01)
New York City has more than 8 million inhabitants for the first time, according to new Census data, and the increase has been mostly a consequence of Asian and Hispanic immigration. The African American population in the city has been holding steady, while Euro-Americans make up a smaller proportion of city population than before. But, of course, that's the trend nationally too, because Euro-Americans are on their way to becoming one of several minorities, not the "permanent" majority much longer. Also, immigration is changing the entire country, much as it did during the period from the late 1880s on into the 1920s when the ancestors of many native-born Americans first came to the U.S.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Kids Money Cents (Friday, 3/16/01)
Kids Money Cents is intended to help children between the ages of 8 and 14 learn about money with the help of cartoon characters, trivial questions, games, and calculators.

Investors chased by a bear? (Thursday, 3/15/01)
Buyers appear to be scattering for whatever reason. The rapidly weakening stock market in the United States, plus what has been happening in the world's second-largest economy, are making some people worry more about the chances of a global recession.

The turmoil in Japan (Thursday, 3/15/01)
The Japanese government is trying to turn down the stress level a bit by asserting that the country's economy is in sound shape, despite the fact that deflation appears to be taking hold while a political power struggle is going on, suggesting that there may be some disagreement about the nation's economy and what should be done within the government itself. Governmental efforts to reassure may have helped calm the stock market a bit, but the yen is at a 20-month low against the American dollar and Japanese banks, many of which may be near bankruptcy, have been put on "negative review" by a major agency. The Japanese government is setting up a task force to deal with what many who are not obligated to make happy talk regard as a growing emergency.

Mixed signals? (Thursday, 3/15/01)
According to this Washington Post article, President Bush seems to be saying contradictory things about the American economy, and this can be risky, because high government officials tend to influence things when they think they're only describing them, as Japan's finance minister learned recently. Alan Greenspan has been aware of this for a long time and often says things that are deliberately ambiguous, leaving people scratching their heads rather than rushing to take ill-considered action. Bush continues to insist that his proposed tax cut would give the economy a needed push, even though a relatively small part of it would be immediate, with most of it coming later when there may or may not be need for a stimulus and there may or may not be a surplus. Arshad Mohammed of the Washington Post reports that many economists agree that the President risks making things worse by talking about how much the economy needs help. Finally, Ken Moritsugu says what seems to be turning into a bear market could threaten Bush's tax cut plans by eliminating the surplus.

Hey, guys--look what's been happening while you've been asleep (Thursday, 3/15/01)
Jeff Madrick says that the new economy isn't just about stocks and he's about equally impressed with both the Democrats and the Republicans at the moment. That is, he thinks both parties have their heads...well, in the sand.

Census shows familiar picture of the balance between the sexes (Thursday, 3/15/01)
More males are born, but simply being male is a health hazard at any age, particularly during maturity. At any particular time, there are more females in American society, and this is particularly pronounced during the later years. Given that the population is aging, on the average, the gap between males and females seems to be widening. There were nearly 8 million more women than men in the U.S. last year, according to the latest Census data. Even though women are in the majority in the U.S., and America is a democracy, males continue to dominate in many areas of American life. For instance, Kalpana Srinivasan writes about a new study from the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania showing that there are still few women at top echelons in media companies.

Transit strike averted in Philadelphia (Thursday, 3/15/01)
Talks have broken down for the moment, but Philadelphia transit workers have decided not to strike right away anyway.

Unemployment rate among the blind unnecessarily high (Thursday, 3/15/01)
Columnist Diane Stafford tells the story of one woman who seems to demonstrate that many sightless persons could be productive workers if arbitrary barriers were not placed in their paths.

New grads finding less opportunity in Israel (Thursday, 3/15/01)
Ruth Sinai reports that the unemployment rate for newly-minted degree holders has been on the increase in Israel. Meanwhile, in the United States, a slowing economy hasn't cut into the overall unemployment rate too much yet, but the supply of ex-convicts seems to exceed demand at the moment. As Peter Kilborn reports from New Orleans, large numbers of Americans are coming out of the prisons hoping to gain membership in the workforce, and this is because, starting a few years ago, Americans seemed to believe that there is some reason that the United States should have a larger proportion of its citizens incarcerated than any other country in the world. More going in means more coming out when sentences are completed.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Global Volunteers (Thursday, 3/15/01)
Volunteer work IS work, after all, and the new economy needs people whose principal motivation is to serve and contribute, as well as people whose principal motivation is to gain financial rewards. Here are some stories from people who have served throughout the world as part of the Global Volunteers organization, including our own Teresa Callies, editor of WITNE.

The net worth of Americans shrinks (Wednesday, 3/14/01)
The net worth of American households declined by 2 percent last year, the first such yearly decline since the Federal Reserve started its measure after World War II.

British unemployment down; German inflation up (Wednesday, 3/14/01)
Unemployment in Britain hits its lowest level in February in a quarter century, while inflation in Germany was at its highest level in six years last month.

The President might act to delay other airline strikes as well (Wednesday, 3/14/01)
President Bush has intervened in the case of Northwest Airlines and its mechanics, who might otherwise have started a strike this week. However, strikes could result at other airlines as well, and the Administration is saying that executive action might be taken elsewhere because of the American economy's vulnerability at the moment. Incidentally, the union representing Northwest's mechanics has rejected a company offer, to the puzzlement of some of the union membership, and, because of the rejection, Northwest officials are saying that the offer is no longer on the table.

Diversity, yes, but not really a "melting pot" (Wednesday, 3/14/01)
Analysis of the most recent Census data continues, and while the American population has become far more diverse, Laurent Belsie of the Christian Science Monitor reports that communities haven't increased their integration. For one thing, ethnicity supports individual identity to a great extent, and people tend to cluster with those with whom they share key attributes in common. However, the traditional confusion of "race" with ethnicity, culture, social class, and, of course cause with consequence, continues throughout much of American society.

More on the "fallacy of composition?" (Wednesday, 3/14/01)
Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Samuelson talked a great deal about the tendency to assume that what is true of the part is also true of the whole. In most cases, for a family or a business, getting rid of debt is a good thing. Does it mean that it's always a good thing for the federal government? Well, maybe, but, then, maybe not. Columnist Jerry Heaster thinks it could be a mistake. Interestingly, though, at one time it was the "liberals" who were making this kind of argument; now it seems to be the "conservatives." So, what does it mean to be either "liberal" or "conservative," and are there any consistent or permanent definitional criteria?

Detecting imaginary flaws in careers (Wednesday, 3/14/01)
The FBI makes heavy use of the so-called "Polygraph" (which simply means "multiple graphical records") and recent internal spy cases have made them want to "test" everybody in sight, including employees whose careers can be damaged as a result. Anyone who is willing to believe the results of the so-called "lie-detector" has to be tremendously naive about the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and human cognitive functions. There really is no such thing as a lie detector, which is to say that there is no machine capable of detecting lies. There are good reasons why polygraph results are not admissible as evidence in most American courts. When it appears to work, it's either random (flip a coin each day, saying "heads, it rains; tails, it doesn't," and you'll be right a good share of the time), or because of something resembling the placebo effect. That is, law enforcement agencies often use it to get confessions from people who BELIEVE that it works. At any rate, we might all wish that our government officials, including several recent presidents, were less naive and gullible about a lot of things.

Why the bankruptcy bill could make things worse (Wednesday, 3/14/01)
Economics writer Robert Samuelson is afraid that a new law restricting bankruptcies could worsen the downturn. Here's more on that bankruptcy reform bill from Philip Shenon of the New York Times. The Toronto Star's David Crane discusses what might be called "faith-based monetary policy" and why it may or may not work to fix an economy that may or may not be heading for recession.

Bush won't order pink slips from the government printing office (Wednesday, 3/14/01)
The President wants the federal government to employer fewer people, but he favors the use of attrition as the means for achieving leaner employment levels.

When the workers are the owners, things don't necessarily turn out okay (Wednesday, 3/14/01)
Laurence Zuckerman of the New York Times examines the case of what may be a failed experiment at United Airlines.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Quicken on Taxes (Wednesday, 3/14/01)
Tax day in the U.S. for most people will be a month from tomorrow. Quicken, a leading producer of personal finance software, offers help and advice on its tax page.

Dwindling confidence (Tuesday, 3/13/01)
Recent measures of consumer confidence have shown a slump, and yesterday's sharp stock drop shows relatively little confidence on the part of investors as well. The on-again, off-again talk about recession is on again. Here's more from the Los Angeles Times.

Gloom darkens in Japan (Tuesday, 3/13/01)
Yuri Kageyama writes from Tokyo about the possibility of a major crisis in Japan. Political leadership appears to be in disarray, the country's stock market hit its lowest point in 16 years, and, as we reported yesterday, deflation appears to be setting in and taking hold. Stephanie Strom of the New York Times is in Tokyo too and reports that an economic growth rate of only 0.8 percent during last year's final quarter isn't cheering up anyone.

Opponents of the Bush II tax cut begin to focus on Medicare (Tuesday, 3/13/01)
The Congressional Democratic leadership is claiming that if the President gets his tax cut, it will be at the expense of Medicare.

Hazardous work (Tuesday, 3/13/01)
Six are dead as a result of a U.S. Navy training accident yesterday in Kuwait. Also, three workers died in Amoco Polymers plant explosions in Augusta, Georgia very early this morning.

Job cuts at Motorola (Tuesday, 3/13/01)
Cellular phone sales have declined, so Motorola, which is the world's second-largest producer of cell phones, has to cut back. The company announced that it will slice another 7,000 jobs in that part of the company.

Northwest's mechanics picket White House (Tuesday, 3/13/01)
An executive order has diminished the bargaining power of mechanics at Northwest Airlines, at least for the moment. A strike had been authorized by the mechanics union and could be starting about now, but the President has delayed it, at least until May. This has pleased the airline, but has not pleased the mechanics, some of whom marched in protest at the White House yesterday.

Texas is the second-largest state (Tuesday, 3/13/01)
Is that in terms of area or population? Well, both. The new Census data show that Texas now contains more people than any state except California, which pushes long-time number 2 New York to third place.

Minnesota-based Center could become national prototype, writer says (Tuesday, 3/13/01)
Leonard Inskip of the Minneapolis Star Tribune has considerable enthusiasm for the Center for True Economic Progress, and so have quite a number of other people, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

Welcome to Harvard, President Summers (Tuesday, 3/13/01)
Student protesters provided a noisy and not entirely friendly welcome for the former Secretary of Treasury who will head Harvard University. They want a more open selection process and higher pay for some people who work for the university.

How to hang on to the workers you really need (Tuesday, 3/13/01)
As the American economy slows, labor shortages have diminished somewhat overall, but there is still considerable competition for highly-skilled, highly-desirable employees, so retention is still much on the minds of many employers. Susan Vaughn tells how to keep key workers thinking that the greenest grass is on your side of the fence.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: CEO Express (Tuesday, 3/13/01)
CEO Express is a portal created by a CEO for other business leaders. It zeros in on finding the kinds of information that executives are likely to be interested in.

Slight growth in Japan (Monday, 3/12/01)
Technically, Japan's economy is not in recession, but there isn't much to celebrate either. The Japanese economy grew ever so little during 2000's fourth quarter, but a vigorous recovery from a frustrating and painful decade still eludes the world's third-largest economy. Stephanie Strom reports from Tokyo on some of the reasons. One is deflation, which is beginning to compound.

What are taxes for? (Monday, 3/12/01)
To raise revenue for necessary government services, of course, but are there also other functions? Steven Pearlstein suggests the use of taxes to narrow the widening income gap. A governmental role in the redistribution of income and wealth is not a new idea, of course, but it's one that annoys conservatives no less now than during earlier times. It's an ongoing argument. On the one hand, it can be argued that this sort of governmental intervention interferes with the natural order of things and usually does more harm than good. On the other hand, history teaches that tremendous disparities of wealth in a society eventually lead to social and political upheaval. Of course, government-supported programs can be an indirect way of redistributing income as well, and conservatives have not been enthusiastic about those either. In fact, the Bush II administration would like to cut funding for many (called "holding down spending"), but, as Richard Stevenson of the New York Times reports, that isn't necessarily a done deal.

Tech drives the new economy, and Asian markets can drive tech, according to India's PM (Monday, 3/12/01)
Half the world's population is located in Asia, and there is growing demand for hi-tech products throughout the region. India's Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee says that Asia can be the solution for the slowing tech sectors in the major economies on which much of the world depends. His is an additional perspective on an increasingly interdependent global economy.

Diversity of many kinds (Monday, 3/12/01)
Not only is America on its way to becoming a nation of minorities, the traditional boundaries separating the various ethnic categories are blurring too. New Census data shows a tremendous increase in the number of "multiracial" children, compared to the adult population.

Such traditional categorizing of people is something that happens mostly just in our heads in the first place. Despite the centuries during which people have been tremendously naive about superficial appearances, the human genome project and other modern genetics research shows that "race" is not a viable biological concept, but simply a "social construct." That is, if you look at a person's DNA, you can't tell what "race" he or she is, so you may as well just think in terms of individuals rather than categories or "types" of people. Individuals are real; categories are abstract concepts.

For instance, many Americans think of Secretary of State Colin Powell as "African-American," but he says this is not correct. Instead, his ancestry is African-Caribbean-Native American-Scots-Irish. Maybe it's best to simply think of him as "Colin Powell," period.

Speaking of diversity, Marsha King and Sherry Stripling of the Seattle Times say that the American workplace has become more diverse too, not only ethnically, but with respect to the generations reflecting old-economy and new-economy values, among other things.

Northwest and its mechanics keep talking, but... (Monday, 3/12/01)
President Bush's move to block a strike by Northwest Airlines mechanics until at least mid-May takes some of the pressure off the airline in negotiations, but they will have to reach a deal sooner or later. Talks continued over the weekend with tentative agreement on some issues, but not yet on others.

Surprise! We've known that you are going, but we've kept it secret (Monday, 3/12/01)
Jim Gallagher of the Evansville Courier & Press tells about people who are given no warning that they are about to be laid off, when that wouldn't be necessary. Also, is there anything you can do if your former boss gives you a bad reference? Newsday's Carrier Mason-Draffen tells a correspondent that there may be. Your old boss is legally entitled to say things that are true, but, still, a defamation suit may be a possibility.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Occupational Outlook Handbook (Monday, 3/12/01)
Here's the latest edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the United States Department of Labor. It provides detailed information about most occupations you'll be able to think of, including their training requirements, expected salaries, and anticipated market demand.

What's real and what's imaginary about the American economy? (Sunday, 3/11/01)
We've talked and written much about how increased ambiguity, uncertainty, and risk seem to characterize the new economy and the new century overall. That is, in a dynamic system, the complexity of which has been increasing geometrically and qualitatively, it's becoming more difficult to tell what's going on, what's going to happen, and what one should do. So, how's the American economy doing now? How will it be doing in the future? What should be done about whatever it is we think it needs? How can we tell? Glenn Somerville writes that some people seem less gloomy about the economy's present state and future prospects, and Barbara Hagenbaugh reports that at least one Federal Reserve official believes that the pessimism has been overdone all along, given the condition of the fundamentals. Finally, Pierre Belec writes about another very prominent Fed official and whether he's been chasing phantoms, first inflation, which may or may not have been a real threat, and now recession, which may or may not be a real threat.

A change of direction on immigration (Sunday, 3/11/01)
South Africa needs skilled workers. The Financial Mail's Ferial Haffajee and Ethel Hazelhurst report in a cover story on what the government is doing to try to encourage immigration when it means that people bring sophisticated skills with them.

Japanese finance minister wishes he hadn't said what he said (Sunday, 3/11/01)
Stress levels are high within the Japanese government and change may be in the wind. Despite governmental efforts to get it going, the Japanese economy continues its obstinacy, and when Finance Minister Miyazawa said that the nation's finances were near collapse the other day, it didn't make things better. Now, he's apologizing for his remark, but he may not have changed his mind about the realities. Meanwhile, Asahi Shimbun reports that 70 percent of Tokyo's homeless have been victims of layoffs in a struggling Japanese economy.

Evidence of recession at the retail level (Sunday, 3/11/01)
Frank Walker reports in today's Sydney Morning Herald on the vanishing consumer in Australia's retail stores.

Secret government? (Sunday, 3/11/01)
Any nation gives up a bit of its sovereignty each time it enters into a treaty, just as individuals give up some independence whenever they sign a contract. However, Anthony DePalma there is much that is both powerful and secret going on within NAFTA, according to some of its critics.

Summers set to get Harvard's top job (Sunday, 3/11/01)
Former Labor Secretary Lawrence Summers appears to become the next president of Harvard University.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: CareerBookstore (Sunday, 3/11/01)
CareerBookstore is an online bookseller specializing in career-related books.

Bush blocks Northwest mechanics' strike (Saturday, 3/10/01)
Mechanics at Northwest Airlines will not be able to strike until sometime in May, following the Presidential action. Here's more from Laurence Zuckerman of the New York Times. Dan Reed of the Fort Worth Star Telegram says it amounts to a message to unions that the Administration won't allow cascading strikes throughout the industry to harm the American economy, but critics say Bush's action is mostly about protecting the interests of the companies at the expense of the unions and their bargaining power, given his apparent anti-union attitudes and his desire to benefit his political supporters. Still, as Alexandra Marks of the Christian Science Monitor reports, labor strike throughout the airline industry could result in stoppages at a number of carriers at the same time which would amount to tossing sand into the economy's gears during a vulnerable time.

Big job cuts at Cisco (Saturday, 3/10/01)
Cisco Systems produces a lot of the electronic "plumbing" that makes the Internet work. Their decision to cut as many as 8,000 jobs is taken as a sign of broad-based sluggishness in the American economy.

Bush didn't need to compromise in the House, but may have to do so in the Senate (Saturday, 3/10/01)
The President was delighted with the way his tax cut plan sailed through the House of Representatives, but that vote's principal value to the Administration might be symbolic. Senate passage is likely to require compromise, and Senate Republicans can see possibilities along that line. Here's more from Frank Bruni and Richard Stevenson reporting from Washington.

What's really new about the new economy (Saturday, 3/10/01)
Some fundamental things have changed, but it may not be entirely clear what they are yet. Paul Van Slambrouck of the Christian Science Monitor examines the dot-com shakeout and what it all means. For one thing, it may mean that commercial use of the Internet is most viable when combined with business in other venues, rather than as a way of replacing conventional enterprise. The Bloomberg and the Martha Stewart organizations are two examples of companies which have been very successful in leveraging information across multiple venues, including the Internet, while benefiting from cross-promotion, and so on. For instance, Martha Stewart combines a successful television program with a successful magazine with a successful web site with corporate alliances such as the one with Kmart. Also, research indicates that hi-tech's most important impact on the economy so far has not been because of Internet companies, but because of the more efficient and powerful use of technology throughout the economy which is driving productivity increases and increasing overall living standards.

Can the Japanese government keep propping up the Japanese economy? (Saturday, 3/10/01)
Japan's finance minister says that public finances are very near collapsing.

O'Neill's first rocky days (Saturday, 3/10/01)
The new Secretary of the Treasury has been under fire for various reasons, including his decision to maintain control of about $90 million in stock options from Alcoa, rather than putting his holdings in blind trust, which is what government officials typically do in order to avoid conflicts of interest.

Columnist says good riddance to the ergonomics rule (Saturday, 3/10/01)
Jerry Heaster of the Kansas City Star believes that the Clinton administration ergonomics rule that is being turned back by the Bush II administration would hot have benefited workers. Instead, it would have hurt them, he says. However, other observers feel that it won't make much difference, one way or the other, and Hal Mattern of the Arizona Republic says that repetitive stress injuries have been on the decline anyway.

The opposite of meritocracy (Saturday, 3/10/01)
Who gets to attend the fancy, expensive private colleges? Family wealth has a lot to do with it, according to this Washington Post article. Is the centuries-old assumption that the rich are inherently superior, intellectually and otherwise, getting to be a little tired?

Micro loans in the Philippines (Saturday, 3/10/01)
Michael Bociurkiw reports for MSNBC on how some people are making money by loaning money in very small amounts to the poorest of poor women for whom a small loan can make all the difference in becoming a successful entrepreneur.

More analyses of Census data (Saturday, 3/10/01)
A far larger proportion of the American population is of Asian origin now than ten years ago, according to new Census data.

Bankruptcy bill wouldn't make it harder for everybody (Saturday, 3/10/01)
The Washington Post reports that there is a provision in the bill that would benefit about 300 wealthy Americans.

Job production exceeds expectations (Saturday, 3/10/01)
Layoffs fill the news, but the American economy continues to be a powerful job-creation machine, according to Louis Uchitelle of the New York Times. Some analysts are relaxing a bit and worrying less about recession now.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (Saturday, 3/10/01)
The Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence is located in Mobile, Alabama and offers help in identifying opportunities, raising capital, and doing necessary market research.

Bush tax cut surges through the House (Friday, 3/9/01)
A mostly party-line vote in the House of Representatives passed the Bush tax cut bill, and, as Thomas Ferraro writes, so much for bipartisanship. Passage won't be so easy in the Senate, though, as five Republican Senators join a half-dozen Democrats in insisting on an automatic trigger in the final legislation that would halt the cuts if the surplus disappears. Observers are saying that the bill, as urged by the President, doesn't have the votes to pass in the Senate, so, unless some Senators change their minds, expect modifications.

The Dakotas have been put on the front page during the past 24 hours or so. The President celebrated his first big Congressional victory in North Dakota, and he is carrying his battle for passage in the Senate into South Dakota, claiming that lower-income Americans would receive the largest share of the cut if he were to get his way. Democrats, by and large, tend to disagree.

Incidentally, the Dakotas are two states in which a president or a presidential candidate might never appear again if the Electoral College were abolished, given that the total population of both states combined is less than a large number of American cities. Also, if Senators were apportioned according to population, California would have more than 30 times as many of them as North Dakota.

Intel to cut 5,000 jobs (Friday, 3/9/01)
Intel intends to cut about 6 percent of its workforce, but will attempt to do so through attrition.

More on the increasingly diverse American population (Friday, 3/9/01)
For years, there has been much argument about whether the U.S. is really a "melting pot," or more like a "salad" with a lot of parts mixed, but not blending or becoming more like each other. USA Today exams the most recent Census data and finds increasing diversity, at least, as the U.S. moves in the direction of becoming a nation of minorities sometime later in the century when Euro-Americans will be a minority too.

Fewer jobless claims last week, but unemployment held steady in February (Friday, 3/9/01)
Four-thousand fewer Americans filed for first-time jobless benefits last week, but the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2 percent during the month of February.

Workers who aren't reimbursed when traveling on business (Friday, 3/9/01)
L. M. Sixel reports that Union Pacific Railroad engineers are on their own when traveling on business. Their employer doesn't pay for hotel rooms, so many sleep wherever they can.

There may be little time left for bankruptcy as we have known it (Friday, 3/9/01)
Legislation to make it harder to walk away from debts is moving through the Congress, so many people are being advised to file now. Here's more from Riva Atlas in the New York Times. Also in the Times today, Seven Greenhouse reports that the United Farm Workers and the world's largest strawberry grower have signed a labor contract.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: The Leslie Brock Center for the Study of Colonial Currency (Friday, 3/9/01)
If your interests tend to be fairly specialized, and among these is an interest in the currencies of Colonial America, Leslie Brock may be a kindred spirit. Here's his Center for the Study of Colonial Currency.

Australia heading for recession? (Thursday, 3/8/01)
Australia's economy has had a good decade, but now is slumping, according to Josh Gordon and Louise Dodson who report from Canberra for Melbourne's The Age. Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, the Federal Reserve finds some good signs of growth in the American economy. Also, the Japanese government points to new data that they say means that their country's economy has not gone back into recession, at least technically.

Some evidence that the Bush II administration may be able to get something done after all (Thursday, 3/8/01)
Some persons, perhaps including those indulging wishful thinking, have been assuming that a divided Congress means that it will be difficult for George W. Bush's administration to pass legislation. Well, maybe not. With stunning speed, a bill turning back a Clinton administration ergonomics safety rule has zipped through both houses of Congress and is on its way to the White House where it is sure to be signed by the President.

Bush would like to see his tax cut legislation move through with similar velocity, but several key Republicans have been joining many Democrats in expressing concern about a tax cut that assumes a surplus and will not automatically shut down if the surplus disappears. The President is trying to convince Americans to try his tax cut package; they'll like it, he says.

Congressional Republicans ARE likely to get new bankruptcy legislation making it harder for individuals to walk away from debts, though. Marcy Gordon reports that the Senate has decided not to allow special exceptions for persons whose financial problems arise from catastrophic medical bills.

Incidentally, with respect to repetitive stress injuries, while the Clinton administration rule, regarded as unworkable and far too costly by most business leaders, will be gone, it's unlikely to be the last that we will hear about the issues. Large numbers of people in the new economy must make the same kinds of movements hundreds of thousands of times for which the human body does not seem well-suited and which people have not had to make over most of the tens of thousands of years of the experience of Homo Sapiens Sapiens on this planet. Incidentally, as Nancy Cleeland of the Los Angeles Times reports, not all work making people vulnerable to repetitive stress injuries is done in hi-tech jobs, and many workers remain quiet about their injuries because of fear.

Employer to subsidize HIV medication costs (Thursday, 3/8/01)
De Beers, in its Botswana operations, will help employees pay the cost of HIV drugs. Twenty percent of adults in that country are infected. AIDS has been ravaging much of the African continent. Because of an accident of history, many Americans tend to associated AIDS with the homosexual population, although it is by no means confined to gays in the U.S. Throughout most of the world, the virus is spread mostly through heterosexual contact, although, because it is transmitted through an exchange of body fluids, it moves through populations by non-sexual means as well, such as through contaminated blood.

Epidemiologists are saying that AIDS may become history's worst pandemic, which, considering the "black death" that devastated Europe during the mid-14th century, is saying quite a lot. It took European populations several hundred years to recover from the effects of the plague, which spread across the continent without resistance because of no understanding at the time of its cause or means of transmission. AIDS is fairly well-understood, but there is no cure, although medications seem able to slow its development and may also help HIV infected persons avoid or delay the development of full-blown AIDS. However, these medications are very expensive. Even the World Bank has become involved in trying to slow the spread of the disease because so many persons are dying from it in some regions as to counteract economic development efforts. A real solution to the problem may have to come from genetic engineering and the human genome project, but that is not on the immediate horizon.

Women still underrepresented at the top (Thursday, 3/8/01)
Women make up an increasing proportion of the world's workforce, but, according to a new report from the International Labor Organization, men still occupy most key higher-level positions. Here's more from Naomi Koppel reporting from Geneva.

The reasons for South Africa's skills shortage (Thursday, 3/8/01)
More people are leaving South Africa than coming in, at least officially. As this Financial Mail article reports, the emigrants contain a disproportionately large number of educated professionals.

Another "public opinion" report (Thursday, 3/8/01)
Today's Wall Street Journal contains the paper's latest special report on American opinion on politics, economics, and values. Also, in today's Journal, Greg Ip reports that the slowing American economy has resulted in a lessening of the shortage of skilled labor.

Coping with diversity in the workplace (Thursday, 3/8/01)
Some kinds of diversity shouldn't be difficult to cope with, but languages differences, and so on, can make things difficult for a time. Still, these are obstacles that employers and employees alike can work together to get around, not barriers to success at work. Kimberly Hayes Taylor tells about a recent get-together of employers who shared their experiences about how to help workers from many backgrounds become competent, valued employees.

EEOC rules in favor of fired Morgan Stanley Dean Witter employee (Thursday, 3/8/01)
Allison Schieffelin claimed that she was a victim of gender bias, so Morgan Stanley Dean Witter fired her, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission agrees that it was an act of retaliation.

The bearers of bad news can also use some empathy (Thursday, 3/8/01)
Columnist Diane Stafford says that it isn't just the people who are being laid off that are stressed out about it. Put yourself in the place of the person on the other side of the desk.

Information, please (Thursday, 3/8/01)
Employers say they are concerned about the quality of health care that their employees receive, but that they don't get much information about it.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Hong Kong: Census and Statistics Department (Thursday, 3/8/01)
Those interested in doing business in Hong Kong will find a good deal of economic and demographic information on this Census and Statistics site.

Senate moves quickly to head off new ergonomic policy (Wednesday, 3/7/01)
The U.S. Senate has voted to turn back a new policy relating to repetitive stress injuries from the late days of the Clinton administration. The House is expected to follow closely and vote on the measure Wednesday, and Kathy Chen writes in today's Wall Street Journal that the move has gained a lot of momentum because President Bush supports it and says he will sign the bill.

Canada also cuts interest rates (Wednesday, 3/7/01)
Timothy Pritchard reports from Toronto that the Canadian government is worried about fallout from the slowing of the huge American economy across its border. The Bank of Canada has decided to cut its benchmark bank rate by a half percent in order to help keep its economy going.

Turkey will want help (Wednesday, 3/7/01)
Turkey's new economic minister is indicating that he will seek outside help in order to restore his country's economic well-being which has been under siege lately.

Greenspan's faith in productivity (Wednesday, 3/7/01)
The Chairman of the Federal Reserve believes that the American economy is learning more and more about using its resources efficiently, particularly hi-tech, and this should mean increasing productivity over the years ahead. The current slump should be only temporary, he believes. Here's more from George Hager of USA Today. Incidentally, according to Bloomberg News, productivity in the American economy grew at a rate of 2.2 percent during the 4th quarter of 2000.

A virtual tie for largest American minority group (Wednesday, 3/7/01)
Hispanics in the United States are about as numerous as African Americans, according to new Census data. Incidentally, the Secretary of Commerce has announced that statistical tweaking will not be allowed and that results of the 2000 Census will stand as they are. He is not convinced that statistical adjustments will result in a more accurate count. However, it is also thought that such adjustments, even if they were to result in greater accuracy, would be politically disadvantageous to the Republicans.

Layoffs at a major Silicon Valley newspaper (Wednesday, 3/7/01)
The San Jose Mercury News intends to cut 1,700 workers. Seth Sutel reports from New York City that American newspapers in general appear to be entering a difficult period. They depend on advertising, which tends to wither when the economy slows. However, newspapers have been facing challenges during recent years because of structural changes in the media universe as well. Not only are there network, cable, and local television news services, but there are also news magazines and Internet news sources to contend with.

German bank cuts jobs (Wednesday, 3/7/01)
HypoVereinsbank intends to slice 800 workers from its payroll. Here are more details from Frankfurt.

Communist country has new kind of five-year plan (Wednesday, 3/7/01)
Communist countries used to make a lot of big plans when their economies were almost entirely centralized. The world's most populous country is also one of the last remaining Communist states, but might not be recognizable to Marx or even Mao. China's new five-year plan intends to do more to unleash the power of the market, among other things.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: New Wave (Wednesday, 3/7/01)
New Wave is a career site for scientists and comes to you from the United Kingdom.

Republicans will attempt to roll back repetitive stress injury rule (Tuesday, 3/6/01)
A Republican president and a Republican-controlled Congress may try to turn back a number of policies implemented during the Clinton administration, but they're moving right ahead on a Clinton regulation covering repetitive stress injuries that business leaders regard as far too costly and unworkable.

Daewoo plans to reopen main plant, but... (Tuesday, 3/6/01)
The bankrupt South Korean automaker has been trying to cut costs and make itself more attractive to a potential buyer by laying off workers, but not without a good deal of resistance. A labor group has vowed that they will not allow the plant to be reopened.

Hoffa leads rally against NAFTA decision (Tuesday, 3/6/01)
New NAFTA trade rules will allow Mexican trucks unrestricted use of American trucking routes, and Teamsters President James Hoffa doesn't like it. He's not the only one, and he has the support of some key people whom you might not expect.

Bush's ambitious plans for Medicare (Tuesday, 3/6/01)
The President would like to do in about a year what many experts have said would take several years, at best. He wants to fix Medicare, and fast..

Disagreement with father over "voodoo" (Tuesday, 3/6/01)
The Bush II administration seems to have a different attitude toward President Reagan's economic approach than the Bush I administration. George W's father, George Herbert Walker Bush, once referred to Reagan policies as "voodoo economics" and may now wish he hadn't.

What Chinese and American farmers have in common (Tuesday, 3/6/01)
While Chinese agriculture is highly traditional and unmechanized, American agriculture has achieved very high levels of productivity through the heavy use of technology. What farmers in both countries have in common, though, is having to remain on the sidelines as their overall economies develop. Elaine Kurtenbach reports from Beijing that the Chinese government says that it is committed to helping the country's agricultural sector.

More airline labor strife (Tuesday, 3/6/01)
Qantas Airways maintenance workers have conducted a 24-hour strike in Sidney to protest possible layoffs. In the U.S., several airlines have been in conflict with various unions, including Northwest Airlines, whose mechanics recently voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. Meanwhile, flight attendants at United Airlines have prevailed in the courts now that the Supreme Court has said that it will not review their case.

Third month of 100,000-plus job cuts (Tuesday, 3/6/01)
More than 100,000 jobs were cut during the month of February, but, as Glen Fest of the Fort Worth Star Telegram reports, February was still a better month than January.

Shifting demographics drive marketing changes (Tuesday, 3/6/01)
Aging boomers are different from previous older generations, as Jim Barlow reports, and companies that market to older Americans are having to make some alterations.

Correspondent wants guidance on how to conduct an exit interview (Tuesday, 3/6/01)
Victoria Henderson suggests the Society for Human Resource Management as a good resource. Her Sacramento Bee Q&A column also address other issues.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Business History Review (Tuesday, 3/6/01)
Business History Review is a journal from Harvard, and its site archives abstracts from previous editions.

Will Washington follow the states on tax cuts? (Monday, 3/5/01)
President Bush has been cranking up his well-known charm with the hope that enough Congressional Democrats will be persuaded to help him get the huge tax cut he still wants, despite the fact that many states are backing off tax cuts now that the slowing economy is influencing state revenues Here's more from David Westphal in Washington. The President believes that a big federal tax cut, retroactive to the first of the year, is exactly what the sagging economy needs to get it back up on its feet and flexing its muscles.

Mixed messages (Monday, 3/5/01)
Several economic reports were released last week, but they provide a somewhat confused picture of where the American economy is now and where it's going, according to Lisi de Bourbon. For instance, despite continuing fears of at least the possibility of recession, as Jeannine Aversa reports, incomes and consumer spending were up during January. Layoffs continue, but, as Leigh Strope writes, economists recommend taking a close look at ALL of the data, because things may not be entirely as they first appear. According to the Washington Post, the D.C. region is an example of an area in which most laid off workers quickly find new jobs.

Japan's problems continue (Monday, 3/5/01)
The unemployment rate in Japan continues near its record high, and, as this Toronto Star story reports, that's not the only indicator of continuing sluggishness in Japan's once "miraculous" economy. During the ten-year period that the American economy has been in the longest expansion in its history, the Japanese economy has been either in recession or struggling to build momentum again, and the struggle continues.

New economic minister in Argentina (Monday, 3/5/01)
Ricardo Lopez Murphy is the new head of Argentina's economic ministry. Mr. Murphy is an economist trained in the United States, and Wall Street likes him.

Strike authorized at Northwest (Monday, 3/5/01)
Northwest Airlines' mechanics have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, but, company officials say that it cannot come until May, at the earliest. The company has a new CEO, incidentally, which might possibly influence the climate of negotiations. Northwest's previous head has left the airline industry in order to go run Burger King, which has been having its own problems. In most hands-on small businesses, a person who has been running a hardware store, for instance, probably won't decide to become a printer and dairy farmer overnight. In major business, though, there is a school of thought that says it isn't necessary to "stick to one's knitting." Business is business, according to this view, but that remains to be seen. At any rate, for many months, the news has been filled with stories about labor conflicts at various airlines. As an example, Pat Lopes Harris tells about rumblings at Southwest. There are labor problems brewing elsewhere too. Rick Lyman and Jim Rutenberg say that strikes are already beginning in Hollywood, and Cecil Angel of the Detroit Free Press says that thousands of grocery workers could be on strike very soon.

Schroeder says there has been progress on labor reform (Monday, 3/5/01)
Germany has been known for having some of the most conformable labor conditions in the world, but the German Chancellor feels that reforms are necessary if the world's second-largest economy is to maintain its position in the new global information economy. Government and labor officials have been meeting with encouraging results, according to the Chancellor, although no agreement has been finalized.

The Internet and the Vietnamese economy (Monday, 3/5/01)
There is a price war going on in Vietnam. Matt Richtel reports from Hanoi on free-market competition in action among Vietnam's Internet cafes. Vietnam is one of a handful of remaining Communist states, incidentally, but there, as in China, Marx might not recognize some of the things that are going on.

Strings attached (Monday, 3/5/01)
The Wall Street Journal's Matt Murray tells why agreeing to special conditions as part of your severance package may not be all that unfair or undesirable.

Why the earned income credit confuses even the experts (Monday, 3/5/01)
Millions of working poor depend on it, but it is seen by many as encouraging errors as well as fraud. Mark Schwanhausser explains in today's Detroit Free Press. Speaking of tax issues, here's one Washington Post writer's list of common myths about the repeal of the estate tax, and why some of the very rich seem to be among those spreading them. Many of the working poor were welfare recipients a few years ago, and, as Peter Kilborn reports in today's New York Times, a recession could knock many of them off their feet just as they're beginning to stand on their own.

Use it or lose it? (Monday, 3/5/01)
A new study finds that people over 65 who are no longer working are far more likely to end up in nursing homes than those who keep on keeping on. If, even after learning about this, you insist on retiring anyway, Scott Burns explains why you might want to consider Mexico.

Techies clinging to floating debris? (Monday, 3/5/01)
John Cook of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports on how survivers of the "tech wreck" are doing.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: A Bell Tolls (Monday, 3/5/01)
Telephone service of all kinds can be a major cost of doing business. A Bell Tolls can help you sort out the various plans and rates.

Greenspan displays no irrational exuberance (Thursday, 3/1/01)
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told Congress yesterday that the American economy still isn't running on all its cylinders, and it will be a while yet before it revs up again. It's not all bad news, though, because, even though indications are that consumers are cautious, they're still spending. Those who were hoping for another interest rate cut immediately will have to live with their disappointment for a while, although another cut could come within about three weeks when the Fed's Board of Governors have their regular meeting. Among the disappointed are many investors, apparently, and there are even rumors that bears being seen prowling Wall Street, but it could just be the imagination of people under stress.

Congress received the Bush II budget yesterday (Thursday, 3/1/01)
If the President gets his way, $1.96 trillion will pay the bills during federal fiscal year 2002. Arshad Mohammed reports from Washington on the Administration's budget that was delivered to Congress yesterday.

Big layoffs at WorldCom (Thursday, 3/1/01)
WorldCom, Inc. will cut about 7 percent of its global workforce, which amounts to about 6,000 jobs. Also, Arizona-based Microchip Technology plans to cut 400 jobs, and Circuit City, the electronics retailer, plans to lay off 300 workers.

Job losses not a problem in the Big City (Thursday, 3/1/01)
There is daily news of layoffs across the United States, but, as Leslie Eaton reports, New York City has been bucking the trend. So far, so good.

Another work stress hazard (Thursday, 3/1/01)
University of Melbourne researchers find that work stress during late pregnancy may jeopardize the health of the woman and her unborn child by raising her blood pressure. Details will be published in the March edition of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Slave labor in China (Thursday, 3/1/01)
A Chinese company has been convicted in an American court of forcing prison inmates to manufacture office supplies. It's the first conviction of its kind, and here's more from William Rashbaum of the New York Times. Meanwhile, an MIT student has had an opportunity to make his accusations against Nike's use of sweatshop labor on national television.

Amazon.com denies rumors (Thursday, 3/1/01)
Rumors have been flying around that Amazon.com is about to declare bankruptcy, but company officials are denying them as vigorously as they can.

Reich examines work-life balance (Thursday, 3/1/01)
A former Secretary of Labor has had first-hand experience of how a job can be all-consuming and suck the oxygen out of family life. He's even written a book about it, and Tracy Seipel reviews it in the San Jose Mercury News. Here's a look at Robert Reich's The Future of Success.

The power of language (Thursday, 3/1/01)
Columnist Diane Stafford writes that a Wharton professor finds that the "B" word may help you get what you want.

Today's NewWork News Web Tip: Managing Your Money (Thursday, 3/1/01)
Managing Your Money is an ongoing special section on personal finance from the Houston Chronicle.

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