IWS Documented News DAILY POSTINGS

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX-SEPTEMBER 2004 [29 October 2004]
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/eci.nr0.htm
or
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/eci.pdf
[full-text, 18 pages]
and
Supplemental Files Table of Contents
http://www.bls.gov/web/eci.supp.toc.htm

    Total compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.9 percent
 from June to September 2004, seasonally adjusted, the same as from March
 to June 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of
 Labor reported today.  Wage and salary costs increased 0.7 percent, while
 benefit costs rose 1.1 percent, the smallest increase in benefit costs in
 2004.  The Employment Cost Index (ECI), a component of the National
 Compensation Survey, measures quarterly changes in compensation costs,
 which include wages, salaries, and employer costs for employee benefits
 for nonfarm private and State and local government workers.

     Rises in benefit costs accounted for a little less than 40 percent of
 the increase in compensation costs for civilian workers from June to
 September 2004.  Among State and local government workers, benefit costs
 contributed 55 percent of compensation gains during the June-to-September
 period, with defined benefit retirement costs accounting for one-fourth of
 the gain in compensation costs.  Among private industry workers, benefit
 costs were about three-tenths of compensation gains during the quarter,
 comparable to the percent of total compensation costs contributed by
 benefits.

 Quarterly changes, seasonally adjusted

     Compensation costs for the private sector rose 0.9 percent from June
 to September 2004, after advancing 1.0 percent in the prior quarter.
 September gains were led by durable manufacturing industries and wholesale
 trade.  For State and local government workers, the increase of
 compensation costs moderated to 0.5 percent in September, compared with a
 gain of 1.1 percent for the quarter ended in June.  (See tables A and 1.)

     Benefit costs increases slowed to 1.1 percent for civilian workers
 (nonfarm private industry and State and local government) in the September
 2004 quarter, following a gain of 1.8 percent in the June 2004 quarter.
 Private sector benefit costs rose 1.0 percent for the September quarter,
 moderating from the 1.7 percent gain in the previous quarter.  Benefit
 costs for State and local governments increased 1.4 percent in the
 September quarter, following an increase of 1.9 percent in June 2004.

     While gains in wages and salaries for civilian workers increased 0.7
 percent during the September quarter, following a gain of 0.6 percent in
 June, the gains for private industry and State and local government
 workers varied.  Wages and salaries for private industry workers rose 0.9
 percent for the September quarter, following a more modest 0.6 percent
 gain during the prior period.  Wage and salary gains in wholesale
 trade led the increase, while the retail trade industry and service
 occupations had smaller gains.  The change in State and local government
 wages and salaries was 0.1 percent during the June-to-September period.

AND MUCH MORE...including TABLES....


_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

INCLUDE YOUR QUESTION

We are pleased to announce the launching of the third annual Cornell University Empire State Poll (ESP), conducted by the ILR Survey Research Institute (SRI).  It is the only annual statewide survey of its kind within New York State.  Modeled on successful state polls such as the Ohio Buckeye Poll, the Minnesota State Survey, Virginia Quality of life survey and the Wisconsin Badger Poll, the Empire State Poll is specifically designed to provide a wide-range of data on New York state residents, both upstate and downstate with available comparisons.

The 2005 ESP will be split into two separate surveys in order to accommodate the overwhelming interest in participating in the poll.  The first survey will focus on non-employment/non-labor issues such as community satisfaction and participation, economic perceptions, state and local governmental issues, trust in NYS institutions, and related economic, social, and political issues.  The second ESP survey will focus on employment and labor related topics and issues within New York State such as workforce development, job satisfaction, technology use, education and job training, and labor issues. 

Both surveys will be a general random sample of NYS households, targeting 800 NYS residents, 400 upstate and 400 downstate each.  As in previous iterations of the poll, Cornell researchers may include their own questions on the poll or commission specific over-samples at a very minimal cost.  To include your question, the charge is only $500, and all demographic variables that are collected are provided.

The next annual ESP (both workplace and non-workplace) will begin in February, 2005 with the deadline to participate December 22, 2004.  To participate or access previous years data or for more information, please contact Yasamin Miller, Director of SRI (yd17@cornell.edu), or Erik Nisbet (ecn1@cornell.edu), Project Manager for the Empire State Poll.

To view more information about the poll, please go to www.sri.cornell.edu.

Yasamin Miller, Director
Survey Research Institute - SRI
168 Ives Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
 * yd17@cornell.edu
( 607-255-0148
fax: 607-255-7118
_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Compensation and Working Conditions Online [27 October 2004]

Fatal Occupational Injuries Involving Helicopters, 1995-2002 (10/27/2004)
http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/sh20041022ar01p1.htm

Over the 8-year period from 1995 to 2002, 459 workers were killed on the job in helicopter-related incidents. Nearly half (47 percent) of those killed in such incidents worked in government, including 150 in the resident armed forces.


Chart: Industries with 10 or More Major Work Stoppages for the Period 1993-2003 (10/27/2004)
http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/cb20041022ch01.htm

_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

A Profile of the Working Poor, 2002 [27 October 2004]
U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
September 2004
Report 976
http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpswp2002.pdf
[full-text, 14 pages]

[excerpt]
In 2002, 34.6 million persons, or 12.1 percent of the population,
lived at or below the official poverty level—1.7 million
more than in 2001. Most of the poor were children, or
adults who did not participate in the labor force during the
year. Yet some 7.4 million were classified as the “working
poor,” about 560,000 higher than in 2001. The working poor
are those who spent at least 27 weeks in the labor force—
working or looking for work—but whose incomes fell below
the official poverty level. Of all persons who worked 27 weeks
or more, 5.3 percent were classified among the working poor
in 2002, up by 0.4 percentage point from the previous year.
The poverty rate for those who worked 27 weeks or more
increased from its recent low of 4.7 percent in 2000 to 5.3
percent in 2002; however, it was still below the series peak of
6.7 percent in 1993.
_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE R-2541

Tuesday, October 26, 2004 202/273-1991

NLRB CASE PRODUCTION IMPROVES IN FY 2004
http://www.nlrb.gov/nlrb/press/releases/r2541.htm
or
http://www.nlrb.gov/nlrb/press/releases/r2541.pdf

The National Labor Relations Board issued 576 decisions during fiscal year 2004, which ended September 30.  Of this total, 381 were unfair labor practice (C) cases, and 195 were representation (R) cases.  This marks an increase in the Boards case production for the second straight year.  In the previous fiscal year, the Board issued 543 decisions (387 C, 156 R), exceeding the 445 cases (288 C, 157 R) issued in FY 2002.

The Boards overall production for September was 115 (which includes 73 C cases and 42 R cases), a single-month total exceeded only twice in the past decade.  The inventory of pending C cases was reduced from 459 at the beginning of the fiscal year to 441 at the end of the fiscal year.  Total pending R cases dropped from 139 to 118.

In a statement, Chairman Robert J. Battista and Board Members Wilma B. Liebman, Peter C. Schaumber, Dennis P. Walsh, and Ronald Meisburg said:

We are pleased that case production is going in the right direction.  We took steps to focus on overage cases, facilitated the processing of new cases, and increased emphasis on case streamlining procedures.  At the same time we are mindful of the need to make even more progress in the coming year.  The progress we have made is due in large part to the outstanding efforts of our dedicated staffs.

Although the Board was successful in the foregoing respects, it was not fully successful in meeting its FY 2004 goal under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).  The Boards goal was to issue all C cases pending at the Board for over 18 months and all R cases pending over 12 months.  During FY 2004, the Board disposed of 127 GPRA C cases (leaving 207 pending), and 119 GPRA R cases (leaving 64 pending).  The Board was hampered in regard to meeting its FY 2004 GPRA goal by the fact that it was down to four Members for four months (August 2003 until January 2004).  The Board intends to do its utmost to fully achieve its GPRA goal for FY 2005.
_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

TIPS ARTICLE [From FreePint]
http://www.freepint.com/issues/281004.htm#tips

"European Industrial Relations Sources"

By Kay Renfrew


The sources in this article look at developments in industrial

relations in a European context, rather than providing sources on the

industrial relations situation in each Member State. By consulting

these sources, readers should be able to obtain an overview of the

main themes under discussion and areas of future research, and then to

focus in on those areas that are of particular interest to them.

_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

From the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)

Public Attitudes on the U.S. Health Care System: Findings From the Health Confidence Survey
by Ruth Helman, Mathew Greenwald & Associates, and Paul Fronstin, EBRI
http://www.ebri.org/EBRI.HCS04.pdf
[full-text, 24 pages]

 [excerpt]
This Issue Brief presents the findings from the 2004 Health Confidence Survey (HCS), which
focuses on Americans’ satisfaction with the health care system today and their confidence in the
system’s future. It examines Americans attitudes about employment-based health benefits, health
savings accounts (HSAs), and benefits in the work place. The Issue Brief also looks at long-term
trends in satisfaction and confidence in the health care system since the first HCS was conducted in
1998.

See Press Release
2004 Health Confidence Survey:
Americans Cut Savings To Pay Rising Health Bills; Fear Future Cost, Access Problems
http://www.ebri.org/prrel/pr678.pdf

WASHINGTON—Americans’ satisfaction with the quality of medical care they personally have
received remained stable this year, but there is growing dissatisfaction with the health care
system as a whole and concerns are growing among Americans about their ability to afford
quality health care in the future, according to the 2004 Health Confidence Survey (HCS) released
today. Many Americans say they are dipping into savings accounts and reducing retirement
savings to pay for rising health care costs.
AND MORE....

_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

From LLRX.com

Researching Labor Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution In Employment [24 October 2004]
By Suzanne Thorpe and Laura J. Cooper
http://www.llrx.com/features/adr.htm

This guide by Suzanne Thorpe and Laura J. Cooper identifies comprehensive bibliographies that discuss arbitration and other means of employment dispute resolution in unionized and nonunionized settings; texts that dispute resolution practitioners consider to be essential reference tools; sources that contain arbitration awards; sources that provide information about alternative dispute resolution professionals, and texts of procedure and ethics rules. In addition, texts, periodicals, and websites that offer additional commentary on arbitration, mediation, and other types of employment dispute resolution are identified.

Table of Contents
I. Introduction II. Bibliographies III. Major Texts
A. Alternative Dispute Resolution of Employment Disputes
B. Arbitration Under Collective Bargaining Agreements
C. Arbitration of Common Law and Statutory Disputes
D. Mediation of Workplace Disputes
E. Arbitration Awards
IV. Information About Dispute Resolution Professionals V. Procedural and Ethical Rules VI. Other Resources on Workplace Dispute Resolution
A. Books
B. Periodicals
C. Websites
D. Databases of Resources
_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Labour markets in the EU: an economic analysis of recent performance and prospects [26 October 2004]
http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/publications/european_economy/2004/ee604ch3_en.pdf
[full-text, 44 pages]

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ................5
2. LISBON AT MID-TERM: AN OVERVIEW .....................................................................6
2.1 Labour market performance since 2000 .................................................................... 6
2.2 Employment and labour productivity: reconsidering the potential trade-off ....................... 10
3. THE DETERMINANTS OF LABOUR MARKET PERFORMANCE ..................................16
3.1 Determinants of overall performance .......................................................................... 16
3.2 Employment and participation in specific groups ....................................................... 23
1. LABOUR MARKET REFORM IN THE EU: PRIORITIES AND PROGRESS ........................31
4.1 What is required to meet the Lisbon targets? ............................................................... 31
4.2 Priorities for and progress with labour market reforms in the EU-15 ............................ 33
4.3 Labour markets in the enlarged EU ........................................................................ 38
2. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS 39
REFERENCES ............................41

The above comes from

The EU Economy 2004 [26 October 2004]
http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/publications/european_economy/the_eu_economy_review2004_en.htm
or
http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/publications/european_economy/2004/ee604fullreport_en.pdf
[full-text, 285 pages]

The EU Economy 2004 Review presents the assessment of recent and prospective developments in the economy of the European Union as well as an examination of a number of economic issues which are of particular importance for economic policy. This document is an integral element of the Commission's ongoing surveillance of economic developments and policies in the Member States, the euro area and the EU.



_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

The following guide is provided by the Catherwood Library at the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, Cornell University. It attempts to increase the transparency of resources used by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (U.S. Government Agency) by making the URLs visible.

INDIA: Current Guide to BUSINESS and the WORKPLACE
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/library/subjectGuides/india.html

_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

OECD Policy Brief:

Economic Survey of TURKEY, 2004
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/47/33821199.pdf
[full-text, 8 pages]

For additional information, see-
http://www.oecd.org/document/44/0,2340,en_2649_201185_33804140_1_1_1_1,00.html
_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Babies and Bosses: OECD Recommendations to Help Families Balance Work and Family Life [available 28 October 2004]
http://www.oecd.org/document/13/0,2340,en_2649_201185_33844621_1_1_1_1,00.html

25/10/2004 - Juggling work and family commitments is a major challenge for both parents and governments. Families looking for a work-life balance are deciding whether to have children, when, how many, and who looks after them and whether to work full- or part-time. Governments potentially can promote family-friendly policies for numerous reasons: reduce poverty and promote child development and family well-being, underpin economic growth, and bolster pension systems.

An OECD series Babies and Bosses reviews policies in OECD countries to support parents in their choices of work and childcare options and recommends a range of measures to improve results. After two reports covering Australia, Denmark and the Netherlands, and Austria, Japan and Ireland, a third report in the series has just been published covering New Zealand, Portugal, and Switzerland. A fourth issue on Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom is being prepared for publication in 2005.

AND MORE....
_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

NY STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DECLINES TO LOWEST LEVEL IN 3 YEARS [21 October 2004]
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/agency/pressrel/pruistat.htm

       New York States unemployment rate, after seasonal adjustment, was 5.5 percent in September 2004, down from 5.6 percent in August, the State Labor Department reported today. This decreased rate, the states lowest since October 2001, was accompanied by a 19,000 increase in the states labor force.  The nations unemployment rate in September was 5.4 percent, unchanged from August.  In New York City, the unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 6.9 percent in September 2004, well below the September 2003 rate of 8.5 percent.

      The state's seasonally adjusted private sector job count decreased in September by 5,500, or 0.1 percent, to 6,975,600.  Nationally, the number of private sector jobs increased by 0.1 percent over the same period.

AND MORE...including TABLES....
_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Employment in New York State Newsletter - September 2004 [21 October 2004]
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/labor_market/LMI_business/newsletr/current/index.htm
or
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/pdf/enys0904.pdf
[full-text, 4 pages]

_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

EEOC OBTAINS $1.29 MILLION JURY VERDICT AGAINST DUPONT FOR DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION [25 October 2004]
http://www.eeoc.gov/press/10-25-04.html

NEW ORLEANS - In a major legal victory for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a jury in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has awarded a former veteran employee of E.I. DuPont De Nemours & Co. (DuPont) $1.29 million in an employment discrimination case filed by the EEOC under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). DuPont, based in Wilmington, Delware, is an international science and chemical company operating in 70 countries with 55,000 employees worldwide and annual revenue of more than $20 billion.

Following a two and one-half day trial in EEOC v. E. I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co. (Civil Action No. 03-1605), the jury awarded plaintiff Laura Barrios $1 million in punitive damages, $200,000 in front pay and $91,000 in back pay. Testifying that she was made to feel like half a person and humiliated and embarrassed, Ms. Barrios, an 18-year employee of Dupont prior to her termination and forced placement on disability retirement, said: "All I wanted was to do my job."

EEOC's lawsuit, filed in June 2003, asserted that DuPont violated the ADA when it illegally required Ms. Barrios, who has severe physical impairments, to take a functional capacity exam (FCE) which was neither job-related nor consistent with business necessity. Moreover, the five to six hour test caused Ms. Barrios severe physical and emotional harm.

The FCE tested her performance of rigorous physical tasks such as climbing, standing for hours on end, lifting more than 20 pounds, straight leg lifts, and overhead work. Although Ms. Barrios passed the test - which indicated that she could adequately perform the essential functions of her position - DuPont used the test results as a pretext to (falsely) declare her as a direct threat to herself and others because DuPont ostensibly believed Ms. Barrios could not safely evacuate the plant in case of an emergency. DuPont then forced Ms. Barrios onto short term disability leave and then total permanent disability retirement which terminated her employment.

AND MORE....

_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________


COUNTY EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES:  FIRST QUARTER 2004 [26 October 2004]
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cewqtr.nr0.htm
or
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf
[full-text, 23 pages]

   In March 2004, Prince William County, Va., had the largest over-the-
year percentage increase in employment among the largest counties in the
U.S., according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.  Prince William County ex-
perienced an over-the-year employment gain of 8.0 percent, compared with
national job growth of 0.8 percent.  New York County, N.Y., had the largest
over-the-year gain in average weekly wages in the first quarter of 2004,
with an increase of 13.6 percent.  The U.S. average weekly wage increased
by 3.8 percent over the same time span.

   Of the 317 largest counties in the United States, 161 had over-the-year
percentage growth in employment above the national average in March 2004,
and 144 experienced changes below the national average.  Average weekly
wages grew faster than the national average in 103 of the largest U.S.
counties, while the percent change in average weekly wages was below the
national average in 203 counties.

   The employment and average weekly wage data by county are compiled
under the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program, also
known as the ES-202 program.  The data are derived from reports submitted
by every employer subject to unemployment insurance (UI) laws.  The 8.4
million employer reports cover 127.8 million full- and part-time workers.
The attached tables and charts contain data for the nation and for the 317
U.S. counties with employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2003.  In addi-
tion, data for San Juan, Puerto Rico, are provided, but not used in cal-
culating U.S. averages, or in the analysis in the text.  (See Technical
Note.)  March 2004 employment and 2004 first-quarter average weekly wages
for all states are provided in table 4 of this release.  Data for all
states, MSAs, counties, and the nation through the fourth quarter of 2003
are available on the BLS Web site at http://www.bls.gov/cew/. Preliminary
data for the first quarter of 2004 and revised data for 2003 will be
available in October on the BLS Web site.

Large County Employment

   The national employment total in March 2004 was 127.8 million, which
was 0.8 percent higher than in March 2003.  The 317 U.S. counties with
75,000 or more employees accounted for 70.6 percent of total U.S. covered
employment and 77.4 percent of total wages.  These 317 counties had a net
job gain of 680,700 over the year, comprising 64 percent of the U.S. net
over-the-year employment increase from March 2003.  The largest gains in
employment from March 2003 to March 2004 were recorded in the counties of
Orange, Calif. (49,900), Clark, Nev. (40,000), Maricopa, Ariz. (39,500),
Los Angeles, Calif. (29,500), and Riverside, Calif. (29,000).  (See
table A.)

AND MORE...including TABLES....


_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

TOWERS PERRIN
LEGISLATIVE TRACKING CHART---HUMAN RESOURCES Updated 21 October 2004
http://www.towersperrin.com/hrservices/webcache/towers/United_States/publications/Periodicals/Leg_Tracking_Charts/2004_10_21/LTC_HR_2004_10_21.pdf
_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies                 Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations          Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor                  Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016                      Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

From Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU)

Court Rules that Central States Documents Will See the Light of Day

Victory for Pension Movement and Teamster Rights
http://www.tdu.org/Pension/PensionBooksWin/pensionbookswin.html

Round one in the fight to get the truth about the benefit cuts imposed a year ago by the big Teamster Central States Pension Fund goes to working and retired Teamsters.  On October 21, federal judge James Moran ordered that the quarterly reports from the funds Special Counsel, including actuarial reports, be opened up to members.

The decision came in response to legal action filed in July by Teamsters Tommy Burke of North Carolina Local 391, Mike Brady of Toledo Local 20, and Brent Lindberg of Minnesota Local 638, who are represented by attorney Paul Alan Levy.

Tommy Burke, a leader of the Central States Pension Improvement Committee (CSPIC), explained the purpose behind the legal action. We want our pension trustees to be accountable to members and retirees. We want to see the truth about the state of our pension fund, and what the trustees have been doing in the past few years. Most of all, we want the financial information that will let us hire an independent expert to review the situation, and report to Teamsters. We hope this decision will let us do that.

The pension movement's goals are to restore pension benefits and retiree health care that have been slashed, and eliminate unfair restrictions that prevent retirees from working to supplement their pension.  The Union and Employer Trustees of the $18 billion fund made draconian cuts in members benefits in November 2003.

In response, thousands of Teamsters organized a pension movement, fighting back with petitions, rallies, motions at union meetings, two lawsuits, and built a network of Teamsters united to win justice. The issue is a hot one within the union, and has made Teamster president James Hoffa unpopular in the Central and Southern Regions of the union, which include 40% of the union membership.

Judge Moran, while granting the members motion, did not grant all of it. He ordered that quarterly reports from the funds Special Counsel dating from August 5, 2003, and into the future, be made public.  Teamsters may need earlier documents, however, to investigate what the Fund trustees were doing or not doing to safeguard the pension fund and protect pension benefits, and whether they acted to cover up their mistakes. That issue remains to be dealt with.

Judge Moran ordered that the documents be made public in the coming weeks. At this time we do not know if there will be an appeal of his decision by the Union and Employer Trustees of the Fund, who have fought to keep this information from Teamsters and retirees.

It's only round one. But its a great victory for Teamster members who want their Union Trustees and their pension fund to be accountable to the rightful owners working and retired Teamsters.

Judge Moran's decision is found at-
http://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/RACER2/index.html
Look for -
Case No.     Filing date   Doc #  Nature of Suite  Plaintiffs   Defendants   Judge
1:78-cv-342 10/21/2004 778 790 - Other Labor Litigation   Reich    Fitzsimmons  Judge Moran

Paul Alan Levy's brief presenting the case for Teamster members is available at <http://www.citizen.org/documents/DisclosureMemo.pdf>

_____________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                 *
Director, IWS News Bureau               *
Institute for Workplace Studies *
Cornell/ILR School                      *
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor            *
New York, NY 10016                      *
                                        *
Telephone: (607) 255-2703               *
Fax: (607) 255-9641                     *
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                *
****************************************