Friday, December 21, 2007

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[IWS] BLS: COMPARING EMPLOYER-PROVIDED MEDICAL CARE BENEFITS for LOWER & HIGHER WAGE FULL-TIME WORKERS [19 December 2007]

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
________________________________________________________________________

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Compensation and Working Conditions Online
http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/home.htm


Comparing Employer-Provided Medical Care Benefits for Lower and Higher Wage Full-Time Workers [19 December 2007]
by Allan Beckmann,
http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/cm20071214ar01p1.htm
or
http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/print/cm20071214ar01p1.htm
[printer friendly version]

Abstract:
Higher wage workers are considerably more likely to have access to employer-provided medical plans and to participate in such plans when they are offered to them. Higher wage workers also pay a smaller portion of their health insurance premiums than do lower wage workers.

______________________________
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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] 10 STEPS to CITIZEN JOURNALISM ONLINE (Web-based Guide)

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
________________________________________________________________________

International Center for Journalists (ICJF)


10 Steps to Citizen Journalism Online
http://www.ijnet.org/Director.aspx?P=Training&ID=303003&LID=1


To start the MODULE, use the following URL
http://www.ijnet.org/interactive/blog_guide/1/module.html

or for full-text in PDF go to
http://www.ijnet.org/interactive/blog_guide/1/10_steps_english.pdf
[full-text, 13 pages]

[excerpt]
We all have news and stories to tell. But the Internet lets us tell our stories to the world.

If you want to tell something important to others, this guide will help you. It's a basic outline that will help you build the machinery that runs your blog: your words and images.

Other guides are technological. This guide tells you how to gather information and how to tell it -- and tell it accurately.

AND MUCH 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
****************************************


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[IWS] ILO: DISABILITY in WORLD OF WORK--ACTRESS MARLEE MATLIN INTERVIEW [21 December 2007]

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
________________________________________________________________________

ILO

Disability in the world of work - Interview with Actress Marlee Matlin [21 December 2007]
http://www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/Media_and_public_information/I-News/lang--en/WCMS_089903/index.htm

Actress Marlee Matlin often says that the only thing deaf people can't do is hear. With access to communication and the right tools, people with disabilities have shown themselves to be exemplary workers.

See also Video Messages
http://www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/Media_and_public_information/Broadcast_materials/B-rolls/lang--en/docName--WCMS_088113/index.htm
and
http://www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/Media_and_public_information/Broadcast_materials/Video_News_Release/lang--en/WCMS_088117/index.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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] Dublin Foundation+: MIGRANT HOUSING & INTEGRATION in EUROPE [20 December 2007]

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
________________________________________________________________________

European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Dublin Foundation)
and
European network of Cities for Local Integration Policies for Migrants' (CLIP)


Housing and integration of migrants in Europe [20 December 2007]
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/htmlfiles/ef0794.htm
or
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/pubdocs/2007/94/en/1/ef0794en.pdf
[full-text, 112 pages]

Author:
Bosswick, Wolfgang; Lüken-Klaßen, Doris; Heckmann, Friedrich

Summary:
Housing is a fundamental issue that affects the quality of life of citizens as well as being an important indicator of the degree of integration. Successful housing policies play an important role in shaping social policymaking at the local level, affecting the future integration of migrants and their descendants. This report, published jointly with the Council of Europe, presents successful practices and strategies from 20 cities participating in the first module of the European Network of Cities for Local Integration Policies for Migrants (CLIP).

Contents
Foreword iii
Introduction 1
Purpose of research project 1
Policy context 2
Research questions 3
CLIP network 4
Policy rationale to improve migrant integration 5
through local housing policies
1 ­ Challenges, policies and measures 9
Segregation 11
Measures of an explicit anti-segregation character 16
Measures of an implicit anti-segregation character 20
Access to housing 24
Affordability and housing supply 29
Measures regarding demand side 31
Measures regarding supply side 32
Mixed measures 34
Physical housing conditions 36
Urban renewal 38
Soft urban renewal 40
Local partnership and cooperation 42
Direct involvement of citizens 43
Housing and quality of social environment 46
Community relations 48
Housing and personal security 54
Empowerment measures 58
Housing and governance issues 62
2 ­ Quantitative overview of local policies and measures 71
Local policies 71
Measures implemented 72
3 ­ Conclusions and recommendations 75
Recommendations to European policymakers 77
Recommendations to EU Member States 79
Recommendations for local policymakers 85
References 97

Annex 1: Research concept 99
Key analytical dimensions 99
Local conditions and their effects on migrant integration 100
Annex 2: CLIP European research group 107

______________________________
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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] Dublin Foundation: WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE & ROAD TRANSPORT SECTOR [19 December 2007]

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
________________________________________________________________________

European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Dublin Foundation)
COMPARATIVE STUDY


Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector [19 December 2007]
December 2007
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/eiro/studies/tn0704039s/index.htm
or
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/eiro/studies/tn0704039s/tn0704039s.htm
or
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/docs/eiro/tn0704039s/tn0704039s.pdf
[full-text, 47 pages]

This report explores the impact of the Working Time Directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector. It first gives an overview of the road transport sector across the European Union, looking at its employment structure and collective bargaining actors, processes and issues. The report then examines implementation of the directive in the different countries and its impact on key areas such as working time, rest breaks and night work, as well as those cases where derogations from the directive are permitted. Finally, it looks at a range of issues facing the road transport sector in the areas of recruitment and retention, pay, and health and safety.

The study was compiled on the basis of individual national reports submitted by the EIRO correspondents. The text of each of these national reports is available below. The reports have not been edited or approved by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The national reports were drawn up in response to a < http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/docs/eiro/tn0704039s/finalquestionnaireWTdirective.doc > questionnaire and should be read in conjunction with it.

CONTENTS
Introduction
Overview of the road transport sector
Social partners' roles and levels of collective bargaining
Implementation of the Working Time Directive
Main issues and problems
Commentary

______________________________
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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] BEA: PERSONAL INCOME AND OUTLAYS - NOVEMBER 2007 [21 December 2007]

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
________________________________________________________________________

PERSONAL INCOME AND OUTLAYS - NOVEMBER 2007 [21 December 2007]
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/pi/pinewsrelease.htm
or
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/pi/2007/pdf/pi1107.pdf
[full-text, 13 pages]
or
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/pi/2007/txt/pi1107tables.txt
[spreadsheet]
and
Highlights
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/pi/2007/pdf/pi1107_fax.pdf

ALSO Interactive Tables at
http://www.bea.gov/interactive.htm

Personal income increased $43.1 billion, or 0.4 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI)
increased $32.9 billion, or 0.3 percent, in November, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $110.6 billion, or 1.1 percent.  In October,
personal income increased $24.8 billion, or 0.2 percent, DPI increased $17.0 billion, or 0.2 percent,
and PCE increased $39.4 billion, or 0.4 percent, based on revised estimates.

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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS on ALCOHOLISM (R. Brinkley Smithers Institute for Alcohol-Related Workplace Studies)

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
________________________________________________________________________

R. Brinkley Smithers Institute for ALCOHOL-RELATED WORKPLACE STUDIES
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/smithers/



ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
Oral History INTERVIEWS
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/smithers/resources/oral_history.html

Click on the NEXT arrow to go to the interviews.

The battle against the disease of alcoholism has been lead by many courageous people, some known and some lesser known. Their voices can offer us unique and powerful guidance and most importantly, a deep understanding of what the battle against alcoholism is all about.

This oral history project is an effort to document these voices so we can learn from their experience and their convictions.

______________________________
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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] BLS: MASS LAYOFFS IN NOVEMBER 2007 [21 December 2007]

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
________________________________________________________________________

MASS LAYOFFS IN NOVEMBER 2007 [21 December 2007]
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/mmls.nr0.htm
or
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/mmls.pdf
[full-text, 11 pages]

In November, employers took 1,300 mass layoff actions, seasonally
adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits
during the month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department
of Labor reported today.  Each action involved at least 50 persons from a
single employer; the number of workers involved totaled 136,924, on a
seasonally adjusted basis.  The number of mass layoff events in November
decreased by 20 from the prior month, while the number of associated
initial claims rose by 5,144.  Over the month, 402 mass layoff events were
reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in
55,926 initial claims.  Compared with October, mass layoff activity in
manufacturing decreased by 22 events, and initial claims decreased by 367.
(See table 1.)

   From January through November 2007, the total number of events (seasonally
adjusted), at 13,734, and initial claims (seasonally adjusted), at 1,408,852,
were higher than in January-November 2006 when the totals were 12,627 and
1,328,251, respectively.

   The national unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in November, unchanged from
the prior month and up from November 2006 (4.5 percent).  Total nonfarm pay-
roll employment increased by 94,000 in November 2007 and by 1.5 million from
a year earlier.

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                  
****************************************


Thursday, December 20, 2007

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[IWS] BLS: Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) - Information for Respondents [20 December 2007]

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
________________________________________________________________________

Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) - Information for Respondents [20 December 2007]
http://www.bls.gov/respondents/iif/home.htm


Welcome to the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses respondent's website. This website is your source for information that will help you to complete and submit your response to the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. You have been selected to participate in this mandatory survey to help us to obtain a complete and accurate representation of work-related injuries and illnesses in America's work places.

On this website, you can get help to complete your survey form, additional information about the survey, and results from the < http://www.bls.gov/iif> most recently published survey. If you cannot find the information you need or answers to your questions about the SOII, please contact us. The SOII is a cooperative effort between the US Department of Labor and agencies in participating States.

Your participation makes a difference. < http://www.bls.gov/respondents/iif/important.htm> See why the SOII is important to you.

Contacts/Help
   * < http://www.bls.gov/respondents/iif/contact.htm>
Download Forms
   * < http://www.bls.gov/respondents/iif/forms.htm>
Instructions
   * < http://www.bls.gov/respondents/iif/instructions.htm>
Recordkeeping from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
   * < http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/index.html>
Frequently Asked Questions
   * < http://www.bls.gov/respondents/iif/faqs.htm>

   * SOII Data Tables
Industry incidence rates and counts
       * < http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshsum.htm>

Case and demographic characteristics
       * < http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcdnew.htm>


Still can't find what you are looking for? Have a suggestion? Send < http://apache/cgi-bin/forms/iif?/respondents/iif/home.htm> questions or comments about SOII Respondent site content by email.

______________________________
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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] BLS: EMPLOYMENT & EARNINGS ONLINE ONLY [20 December 2007]

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 & Earnings Online [20 December 2007]
http://www.bls.gov/opub/ee/home.htm

This new web-only publication, Employment & Earnings Online, has replaced the monthly print publication, Employment & Earnings (E&E). The April 2007 issue was the final one to be issued on paper -- in addition, this issue was the first one completely available in PDF format.  The May 2007 issue is also available now and subsequent ones will be added to the BLS website soon.

You may notice that there are some differences between the print publication and the web-only publication; some of the content that had appeared in the print publication is now available through links to material on the BLS website. The web-only publication contains a link to the Employment Situation news release instead of including the text of it. In addition, a webpage at < http://www.bls.gov/opub/ee/links.htm>  features a set of helpful links for readers of Employment & Earnings Online.

2007 Employment & Earnings Online

May 2007
   * < http://www.bls.gov/opub/ee/empearn200705.pdf>
[full-text, 282 pages]

April 2007
   * < http://www.bls.gov/opub/ee/empearn200704.pdf>
[full-text, 253 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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] Brookings: BETTER WORKERS FOR BETTER JOBS: IMPROVING WORKER ADVANCEMENT IN THE LOW-WAGE MARKET [December 2007]

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
________________________________________________________________________

Brookings Institution
The Hamilton Project

Better Workers for Better Jobs: Improving Worker Advancement in the Low-Wage Labor Market [December 2007]
Harry J. Holzer, Georgetown University
http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2007/12_labormarket_holzer.aspx
or
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2007/12_labormarket_holzer/12_labormarket_holzer.pdf
[full-text,40 pages]

Abstract
This paper proposes a new federal funding stream to identify, expand, and replicate the
most successful state and local initiatives designed to spur the advancement of low-wage
workers in the United States. In the Worker Advancement Grants for Employment in
States (WAGES) program, the federal government would offer up to $5 billion annually
in matching funds for increases in state, local, and private expenditures on worker
advancement initiatives. To gain funding, states would have to develop local advancement
"systems," which would provide career-oriented education and training to youth,
working poor adults and "hard-to-employ" workers. Partnerships would be developed
between local training providers (like community colleges), employer associations, and
intermediaries. Additional financial supports for the working poor—including child care,
transportation, and stipends for working students—would have to be funded as well.
Initially, the WAGES program would require states to compete for federal grants, which
would ultimately be renewable. The program would generate a "learning system" in which
states would have an incentive to innovate and use information from other initiatives. The
federal government would provide substantial technical assistance and oversight. Performance
measurement and rigorous evaluation would be required for program renewal;
states achieving substantial worker advancement would be awarded major bonuses and
more rapid renewal of funding.

______________________________
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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] Brookings: EMPLOYMENT-BASED TAX CREDITS FOR LOW-SKILLED WORKERS [December 2007]

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
________________________________________________________________________

Brookings Institution
The Hamilton Project


Employment-Based Tax Credits for Low-Skilled Workers [December 2007]
John Karl Scholz, University of Wisconsin
http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2007/12_taxcredit_scholz.aspx
or
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2007/12_taxcredit_scholz/12_taxcredit_scholz.pdf
[full-text, 36 pages]

Abstract
Families in low-income communities face three interrelated problems: unemployment
rates are high, incarceration rates of low-skilled men are high, and a large fraction of
children in low-income communities are being raised in single-parent households. To
address these interrelated problems, I propose a two-part policy designed to increase the
return to work. The first part of my proposal is an expanded earned income tax credit
that would apply to low-income, childless taxpayers. The second part of my proposal is a
targeted wage subsidy for low-wage workers who live in certain economically depressed
areas, whereby the federal government would pay subsidies of 50 percent of the difference
between the worker�s market wage and a target wage of $11.30 per hour. The premise
for adopting these policies is straightforward: increasing the return to work for childless
low-skilled workers will lower unemployment rates and achieve the dual social benefits of
reducing incarceration rates and increasing marriage rates, thus reducing the number of
children being raised in single-parent households. The proposal would redistribute $10.4
billion to poor, working individuals. Based on empirical estimates from the literature,
I expect employment to increase by 850,000 jobs and crime to fall by over one million
incidents. Conservative estimates of the social cost of crime indicate that the social benefit
from reduced crime could cover 8 percent or more of the cost of the proposal. Many estimates
of the cost of crime would claim much larger cost saving. The proposal would also
increase marriage and improve the environments in which poor children are raised.
______________________________
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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] Brookings: A HAND UP: A STRATEGY TO REWARD WORK, EXPAND OPPORTUNITY, & REDUCE POVERTY [December 2007]

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
________________________________________________________________________

Brookings Institution
The Hamilton Project

A Hand Up: A Strategy to Reward Work, Expand Opportunity, and Reduce Poverty [December 2007]
Jason E. Bordoff, Jason Furman, and Paige L. Shevlin
http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2007/12_rewardwork_furman.aspx
or
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2007/12_rewardwork_furman/12_rewardwork_furman.pdf
[full-text, 36 pages]

Abstract
Poverty remains a pressing problem in the United States. Many of the 36 million Americans in poverty are working,
but full-time work at the minimum wage does not provide enough income to escape poverty. This paper offers
a three-part strategy to reduce poverty and strengthen growth across the income spectrum. First, the most effective
antipoverty policy is to help people find a job that pays enough to support a family. This paper�s principal focus is on
programs to reward and facilitate work. Second, a broader set of policies is necessary to prepare people to succeed,
by investing in human capital and other critical needs. Finally, public policies should provide a more robust safety
net and a set of social insurance policies to help people rebound if they do experience economic hardship, and reduce
the likelihood of their falling below a certain economic level at any point. Together, these policies can raise the living
standards of struggling families and allow everyone to share in our nation�s prosperity.

______________________________
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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] Brookings: NEW HOPE: FULLFILLING AMERICA'S PROMISE to "MAKE WORK PAY"

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
________________________________________________________________________

Brookings Institution
The Hamilton Project

New Hope: Fulfilling America's Promise to "Make Work Pay"
Hans Bos, Berkeley Policy Associates
Greg J. Duncan. Northwestern University
Lisa A. Gennetian, Brookings Institution
Heather D. Hill, Taubman Center for Public Policy, Brown University
http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2007/12_work_gennetian.aspx
or
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2007/12_work_gennetian/12_work_gennetian.pdf
[full-text, 36 pages]


Abstract
Despite the political rhetoric of "making work pay," in 2005 some 3.7 million households
included a full-time worker and yet lived in poverty. Our paper makes the case for
a national program offering the kind of work supports that were part of the New Hope
program, a policy experiment that operated for three years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in
the mid- to late-1990s. New Hope was created by a coalition of community activists and
business leaders. It provided a set of work supports for full-time workers—parents and
nonparents, men and women—that would lift them out of poverty, ensure that they had
access to quality child care and health insurance and, if needed, provide a temporary community
service job to help get them on their feet.

A random-assignment evaluation of New Hope showed that the program reduced poverty,
increased employment and, perhaps most importantly, boosted the achievement and positive
behavior of children. We estimate that a scaled-up New Hope program would cost
roughly $3,300 per participant per year and that, with reasonable assumptions regarding
the valuation of child impacts, would yield benefits well in excess of costs.
Evidence from other states and two Canadian provinces suggest that New Hope could be
implemented by states. Given the different ways in which states would likely implement
the New Hope model to fit their unique needs and delivery systems, we propose a fiveyear
demonstration and evaluation in five states.
______________________________
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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] CALIFORNIA EMPLOYER HEALTH BENEFITS SURVEY [December 2007]

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
________________________________________________________________________

California Health Care Foundation


California Employer Health Benefits Survey [December 2007]
http://www.chcf.org/documents/insurance/EmployerBenefitSurvey07.pdf
[full-text, 46 pages]


Press Release
Market Overview

California Employer Health Benefits Survey 2007
National Opinion Research Center
http://www.chcf.org/topics/healthinsurance/index.cfm?itemID=133543

December 2007

Employer-sponsored coverage is the leading source of health insurance coverage in the state and in the nation. Changes in offering rates among employers, increases in premiums for the various health plans offered, and employee cost sharing all have major implications for the level and quality of health insurance provided to Californians.

This annual survey shows how premiums and benefit design has changed over time. Key findings include:

   * Premiums increased 8.3% in California in 2007, outpacing a 6.1% rise in premiums nationally. Since 2002, premiums in California have increased 86.3% compared to 78.5% nationally.
   * The 8.3% increase in the cost of employer-based health insurance was more than double the California inflation rate of 3.4%. Since 2002, premiums in California have increased 86.3% compared to a 19.5% increase in consumer prices.
   * While HMO premium increases generally outpaced PPO premium increases, HMO monthly premiums were much less costly than PPO monthly premiums.
   * The percentage of covered workers enrolled in a high-deductible health plan with a savings option increased from 2% to 4% from 2006 to 2007.

[Thanks to Gary Price at Resourceshelf.com for the tip].
______________________________
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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] Census: STATISTICAL ABSTRACT OF THE UNITED STATES 2008 [20 December 2007]

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
________________________________________________________________________

Census


Statistical Abstract of the United States 2008 [20 December 2007]
http://www.census.gov/prod/www/statistical-abstract.html
or
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

Press Release 20 December 2007
Demand for Digital Skyrockets, Says U.S. Census Bureau
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/miscellaneous/011095.html

     Factory sales of MP3 players will rise from $424 million in 2003 to nearly $6 billion in 2007, according to projected sales. Additionally, sales of digital television sets and monitors for the same period are estimated to increase from $8.7 billion to $26.3 billion.

     The transition in consumer electronics from analog to digital format is just one of the many changes taking place in American life that can be tracked in the U.S. Census Bureau's < http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/> Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008. Published since 1878, it is the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on everything from the number of public school teachers to hotel accommodations, from online shipping to marital status.

     Products are not the only things going digital; the process for acquiring them is as well. Of the $3.7 trillion in retail sales in 2005, $93 billion (2.5 percent) were recorded as e-commerce sales (Table 1019).

     In 2005, electronic shopping and mail-order houses accounted for 70 percent ($65 billion) of e-commerce sales, most notably from computer hardware (14 percent), clothing (12 percent), and drugs and beauty aids (10 percent). Motor vehicle and parts dealers made up another 18 percent of e-commerce sales (Table 1019 and 1020).

     Between 2004 and 2005, Internet publishing and broadcasting operating revenue increased by 19 percent. Revenue from online advertising space increased by 29 percent (Table 1116). Meanwhile, the number of daily newspapers continued to decline, from 1,611 in 1990 to 1,437 in 2006. Circulation fell from 62.3 million subscribers to 52.3 million (Table 1102).

     The 127th Statistical Abstract has 64 new tables. Although emphasis in this compendium is primarily given to national data, many tables present data for regions and individual states, and a smaller number for metropolitan areas and cities.

     Other highlights include:

     Motor vehicle safety
   * In 2004, New York state had the lowest death rate caused by motor vehicle accidents, with 8.2 per 100,000; Mississippi had twice the national rate with 31.5 per 100,000 (Table 114).

     Prescription drugs
   * In 1995, $72 billion was spent on retail prescription drug sales. The amount spent in 2006 increased to $250 billion (Table 130).

     Cosmetic surgery
   * Almost 11.5 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2006, with women accounting for almost 92 percent of the procedures (Table 161).

     Schoolteachers
   * Of public schoolteachers who left teaching after the 2003-04 school year, 31 percent did so to retire and 25 percent to pursue a position other than that of a K-12 teacher (Table 244).

     Elected officials
   * Since 1970, the number of black elected officials at all levels of government has risen from 1,469 to 9,430 in 2002. Since 1985, the number of Hispanic elected officials has risen from 3,147 to 4,932 in 2006 (Tables 402 and 403).

     Volunteerism
   * In 2006, 61 million people volunteered (27 percent of the population) an average of 52 hours per year (Table 568).

     International travel
   * International passengers arriving and departing from U.S. airports on nonstop commercial international flights increased 6.1 percent from 2004 to 2005 (Table 1242).

     Consumer expenditures
   * In 2005, consumer expenditures averaged $46,409 per household with $5,931 for food, $426 for alcohol, $15,167 for housing, $8,344 for transportation and $2,664 for health care (Table 662).

     Serving as the official federal summary of statistics, the Statistical Abstract of the United States is derived from many sources, both government and private. Sources of data include the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and other federal agencies and private organizations. Statistics in this edition are generally for the most recent year or period available by the summer of 2007.

     The 2008 Statistical Abstract may be obtained by calling the U.S. Government Printing Office at 202-512-1800 (ISBN No. 978-0-16-079581-7, $35 for the soft cover edition; and No. 978-0-16-079584-8, $39 for the hard cover edition << http://bookstore.gpo.gov/>).

     It also may be obtained by calling the National Technical Information Service at 800-553-6847 (PB2008965801, $35 for the softbound edition; and PB2008965301, $39 for the hardbound edition << http://www.ntis.gov/>http://www.ntis.gov/>).

     A CD-ROM version of the book will be available later.

Every edition of the Statistical Abstract, dating from 1878, is available in PDF or zip files on the Census Bureau's Web site at
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/past_years.html


- X -
______________________________
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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] BEA: COUNTY ESTIMATES of COMPENSATION BY INDUSTRY 2004 - 2006 [20 December 2007]

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 Estimates of Compensation by Industry, 2004­2006 [20 December 2007]
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/comp/2007/comp1207.htm
or
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/comp/2007/pdf/comp1207.pdf
or
INTERACTIVE TABLES
http://www.bea.gov/regional/reis/


WASHINGTON DC, DECEMBER 20, 2007 ­ Today, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released county estimates of compensation by industry for 2004­2006. The estimates for 2004­2005 have been revised to incorporate newly available source data; the estimates for 2006 are released for the first time.

Compensation­the sum of wage and salary disbursements and supplements to wages and salaries­is a key statistic in the personal income account. The estimates of compensation by industry cover 114 industries for 3,111 counties. In addition to the county estimates, BEA is releasing compensation by industry for metropolitan areas, metropolitan divisions, micropolitan areas, combined statistical areas, and BEA economic areas. Table CA06, Compensation of Employees by Industry, for all areas for 1998­2006 can be accessed interactively at < http://www.bea.gov/bea/regional/reis>

Tables presenting the comprehensive measure of personal income for local areas­including CA05, Personal Income by Major Source and Earnings by Industry­will be released April 24, 2008.

______________________________
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                  
****************************************


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[IWS] OECD: JOBS for YOUTH: KOREA [20 December 2007]

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

Jobs for Youth: Korea [20 December 2007]

This is the latest report in a series launched by the OECD in some sixteen countries.
The report can be purchased in paper or electronic form through the OECD's < http://www.oecd.org/library> Online Bookshop. Subscribers and readers at subscribing institutions can access the online version via < http://www.sourceOECD.org> SourceOECD.

Press Release
Korea "could do more" to enhance job prospects for its young generation, says the OECD
http://www.oecd.org/document/22/0,3343,en_2649_201185_39807382_1_1_1_1,00.html


20/12/2007 - Labour market outcomes for young people in Korea deteriorated in the aftermath of the financial crisis of the late 1990s. Though the government has introduced a wide range of measures since the early 2000s, much remains to be done to restore the dynamism of the youth labour market, according to a new OECD report.

The report, Jobs for Youth: Korea, notes that the youth unemployment rate is still below the OECD average of 14.7%. But from 6-8% before the financial crisis it has risen to exceed 10% since 2003. The employment rate of young people remains relatively low, at 27% in 2006, compared with the OECD average of 43% (< http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/6/40/39808834.pdf>see table). The low employment rate is partly due to Korea's relatively high level of participation in tertiary education.

The proportion of young people who are neither in employment nor in education or training (NEET) is close to the OECD average for the age group 15-24, but for the age group 15-29 this NEET rate is 17%, considerably above the OECD average. The high NEET rate among older youth reflects both late entry to the labour market due to mandatory military service and nearly-universal participation in tertiary education and high non-employment among tertiary graduates.

At the same time, many young workers are often trapped in so called "non regular" jobs, i.e. jobs of short duration which offer limited career prospects. Over 33% of workers aged 15-29 had a non-regular contract in 2006. Furthermore, a growing number of young graduates do not find jobs corresponding to the skills they have acquired in education (an issue of so called "over education").

These problems reflect several factors. First, the rapid expansion of tertiary education has led to increasing mismatches between the skills provided by the education system and the requirements of the labour market. Second, there are demand-side obstacles to youth employment. Employment regulations (e.g. the gap in employment protection between regular and non-regular workers) may have aggravated labour market duality, thereby making it difficult for workers employed on non-regular contracts, youth in particular, to move to regular employment. Third, non employed youth (particularly those with lower educational attainment) do not receive adequate support when seeking a job, despite recent efforts by the government to change the situation.

Overall, the education system and labour market regulatory framework, which served Korea very well for several decades, need to be further modernised in view of the rapidly changing requirements of today's more complex, globalising Korean economy.

To tackle these issues, the OECD report makes a number of recommendations:
   * Strengthen the links between university and the world of work. While universities and colleges have launched various initiatives to improve their connections with labour markets, more systematic efforts to enhance these linkages are needed. One option would be to encourage universities and colleges to expand internships and other types of work-experience spells and to include them in the curriculum. Another approach is to make part of government funding of universities and colleges conditional on the labour market outcomes of their graduates. For the latter option to work, it would have to be complemented by an institutional set-up which permits effective monitoring of students' labour market outcomes.
   * Provide career guidance services to all students to ensure that their decisions on courses of study are based on informed and guided choices. Given virtually universal participation in tertiary education in Korea and the associated mismatch problems in the labour market, it is extremely important to provide good-quality career information and guidance to secondary students. Promisingly, the government announced in 2006 a five year plan to promote lifelong career development, which includes measures to provide students at all levels with work experience opportunities and career-related information. It is essential to implement this plan in a systematic way.
   * Pursue more comprehensive reform of employment protection legislation. To address increasing labour market dualism and to enhance job prospects for young people, it is necessary to reduce the gap in employment protection between regular and non-regular workers while at the same time reinforcing overall workers' security in the labour market. In this regard, the recent labour law reform is a promising first step. However, more reforms are needed in such areas as the time-consuming dismissal settlement system and collective dismissal procedures. In the longer term, Korea should consider developing an appropriate form of "flexicurity", i.e. a model that combines flexible contractual arrangements with an adequate level of income security and effective active labour market policies.
   * Give more priority in youth labour market policies to the NEET group of young people and streamline existing programmes for youth. The design of youth employment policies will need to change in order to cover all youth who are neither in education nor in employment, not only the unemployed, and to give greater attention to the problems of less-educated youth. Meanwhile, there are many small programmes for youth run by various government authorities. This makes it more difficult for young people to orient themselves among the multiple options, and increases the difficulties of programme monitoring and evaluation. Streamlining of these programmes following a wide-ranging evaluation of their organisation and impacts would be a cost effective approach.
   * Continue efforts to strengthen the public employment service and make it more pertinent to the needs of young job-seekers. Notwithstanding the government's recent investments in the public employment service (PES), so far only a limited number of youth are using PES services. The PES should boost its market share, facilitate young people's access to its services and extend its career guidance and job assistance services to all youth in need.

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