Wednesday, April 28, 2010

[IWS] NEW ZEALAND EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS PUBLICATIONS ONLINE

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
________________________________________________________________________

 

New Zealand Department of Labour

 

NEW ZEALAND EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS PUBLICATIONS

http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/publications/

The Department of Labour has a range of publications on employment relations, holidays and parental leave.

There are A5 booklets entitled:

There are A4 booklets entitled

Plus pamphlets about:

Our other publications include:

 



________________________________________________________________________

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

 

 


# posted by SBasefsky : 1:39 PM

[IWS] [NEW ZEALAND] LABOUR MARKET REPORTS

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
________________________________________________________________________

 

New Zealand Department of Labour

 

[NEW ZEALAND] LABOUR MARKET REPORTS

http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/lmr/index.asp

 

 

The Department of Labour produces a range of reports which focus on labour market statistics and trends in New Zealand. These reports can be catergorised into two main groups:

Statistical Labour Market Reports

 

These reports present and analyse the latest labour market statistics.



________________________________________________________________________

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

 

 


# posted by SBasefsky : 1:33 PM

[IWS] BLS: EARNINGS of HEALTHCARE WORKERS by LEVEL OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 2008 [21 April 2010]

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

http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/

 

Earnings of Healthcare Workers by Level of Duties and Responsibilities, 2008 [21 April 2010]

by Miguel Lugo

http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/cm20100415ar01p1.htm

or

http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/print/cm20100415ar01p1.htm

 

This article presents estimates of earnings for full-time civilian healthcare practitioner and technical and healthcare support occupations, and for specific occupations within these groups, by work level. The data show significant differences between average hourly earnings of the lowest and highest work levels within most healthcare occupations.



________________________________________________________________________

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

 

 


# posted by SBasefsky : 12:45 PM

[IWS] BLS: SUPPLEMENTAL PAY in the FINANCE & INSURANCE INDUSTRY [21 April 2010]

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

http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/

 

Supplemental Pay in the Finance and Insurance Industry [21 April 2010]

by John L. Bishow

http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/cm20100416ar01p1.htm

or

http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/print/cm20100416ar01p1.htm

 

This article examines the use of supplemental pay in the finance and insurance industry. Pay practices in this sector are currently of particular interest.



________________________________________________________________________

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

 

 


# posted by SBasefsky : 12:39 PM

[IWS] EIRO: ADDRESSING the GENDER GAP: GOVERNMENT & SOCIAL PARTNER ACTIONS [27 April 2010]

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)

European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO)

COMPARATIVE STUDY

 

Addressing the gender pay gap: Government and social partner actions [27 April 2010]

April 2010

http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/eiro/studies/tn0912018s/index.htm

or

http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/eiro/studies/tn0912018s/tn0912018s.htm

or

http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/docs/eiro/tn0912018s/tn0912018s.pdf

[full-text, 49 pages]

 

Wage differentials between men and women across Europe are a major policy concern for the European Commission and the social partners. This report provides an overview of national studies on the gender pay gap, and examines the policies and actions of governments and social actors to combat pay discrimination. The report first reviews quantitative and qualitative studies on the unadjusted and adjusted pay gap and examines the many factors cited to explain the wage differentials. Then it explores specific actions carried out by governments to reduce the gender pay gap, such as legislative measures, general recommendations, monitoring procedures and suppport for low-paid occupations. It also looks at joint initiatives and collective bargaining undertaken by the social partners, as well as highlighting successful good practice examples.

 

 

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 questionnaire and should be read in conjunction with it.

 

CONTENTS

Introduction

Policy background

European-level data

Adjusting the gender pay gap

National research findings

Main findings of quantitative and qualitative studies

Impact of economic crisis on gender pay gap

Government initiatives

Social partner initiatives

Women’s entrepreneurship initiatives

Good practice initiatives

Summary

Bibliography

Annex 1: Variables used for adjusting the gender pay gap in national studies

Annex 2: Country groups and codes



________________________________________________________________________

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

 

 


# posted by SBasefsky : 8:33 AM

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

[IWS] OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES & DEATHS AMONG YOUNGER WORKERS--UNITED STATES, 1998-2007 [23 April 2010]

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
________________________________________________________________________

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

April 23, 2010 / Vol. 59 / No. 15

 

Occupational Injuries and Deaths Among Younger Workers — United States, 1998–2007

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5915.pdf

[full-text, 28 pages]

 

Workers aged 15–24 years represent 14% of the U.S. labor force and are at highest risk for injury while on the job. To assess trends and help guide efforts to improve safety among younger workers, CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health analyzed data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System occupational supplement for the period 1998–2007. This report summarizes the results of that analysis.



________________________________________________________________________

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

 

 


# posted by SBasefsky : 11:57 AM

[IWS] CRS: "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL:" THE LAW & MILITARY POLICY ON SAME-SEX BEHAVIOR [25 March 2010]

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
________________________________________________________________________

 

Congressional Research Service (CRS)

 

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell:” The Law and Military Policy on Same-Sex Behavior

David F. Burrelli, Specialist in Military Manpower Policy

March 25, 2010

http://opencrs.com/document/R40782/2010-03-25/download/1013/

[full-text, 19 pages]

 

Summary

In 1993, new laws and regulations pertaining to homosexuality and U.S. military service came

into effect reflecting a compromise in policy. This compromise, colloquially referred to as “don’t

ask, don’t tell,” holds that the presence in the armed forces of persons who demonstrate a

propensity or intent to engage in same-sex acts would create an unacceptable risk to the high

standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion which are the essence of

military capability. Under this policy, but not the law, service members are not to be asked about

nor allowed to discuss their “same-sex orientation.” The law itself does not prevent service

members from being asked about their sexuality. This compromise notwithstanding, the issue has

remained politically contentious.

 

Prior to the 1993 compromise, the number of individuals discharged for homosexuality was

generally declining. Since that time, the number of discharges for same-sex conduct has generally

increased until 2001. However, analysis of these data shows no statistically significant difference

in discharge rates for these two periods.

 

In recent years, several Members of Congress have expressed interest in amending “don’t ask,

don’t tell.” At least two bills would repeal the law and replace it with a policy of

nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation—H.R. 1283 and S. 3065—have been

introduced in the 111th Congress.

 

On March 25, 2010, Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced changes in the

department’s enforcement of the 1993 law. Under these changes, Secretary Gates said only a

general or flag officer would have the authority to separate someone who had engaged in

homosexual conduct, that information provided by a third party must be given under oath, and

that the information given to certain individuals—lawyers, pyschotherapist, clergy, and domestic

abuse counselors, for example—cannot be used in support of discharge proceedings.

 

For more information, see CRS Report R40795, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: A Legal Analysis, by

Jody Feder.

 

Contents

Recent Developments..................................................................................................................1

Background and Analysis ............................................................................................................1

Discharge Statistics .....................................................................................................................7

Recent Legislation ....................................................................................................................13

Tables

Table 1. Homosexual Conduct Administrative Separation Discharge Statistics...........................12

Appendixes

Appendix. 10 USC ยง654 ...........................................................................................................14

 

Contacts

Author Contact Information ......................................................................................................16



________________________________________________________________________

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

 

 


# posted by SBasefsky : 11:46 AM

[IWS] CRS: THE U.S.-SINGAPORE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: EFFECTS AFTER FIVE YEARS [26 March 2010]

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
________________________________________________________________________

 

Congressional Research Service (CRS)

 

The U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement: Effects After Five Years

Dick K. Nanto, Specialist in Industry and Trade

March 26, 2010

http://opencrs.com/document/RL34315/2010-03-26/download/1013/

[full-text, 21 pages]

 

Summary

The U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA) (P.L. 108-78) went into effect on January 1,

2004. This report provides an overview of the major trade and economic effects of the FTA over

the three years ending in 2006. It also includes detailed information on key provisions of the

agreement and legislative action.

 

The U.S.-Singapore FTA has taken on new importance in trade policy because the United States

is engaged in negotiations to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The TPP negotiations are

the first major market-opening initiative of the Obama Administration. On December 14, 2009,

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk notified Congress of the intent to enter into the TPP

negotiations. The objective is to shape a high-standard, broad-based regional free trade agreement

with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. The first

round of negotiations began March 15, 2010, in Sydney, Australia.

 

The U.S.-Singapore FTA has provided greater access for U.S. companies, has been instrumental

in increasing bilateral trade, and has provided reassurance to Singaporeans of U.S. interest in the

country. As a city-state, Singapore operates as an entrepot with essentially free trade. Under the

FTA, concessions dealt mainly with providing greater access for American service providers and

with strengthening the business environment in areas such as the protection of intellectual

property rights and access to government procurement.

 

In 2009, the United States ran a $6.6 billion surplus in its balance of merchandise trade with

Singapore, up from $1.4 billion in 2003, but down from the $12.0 billion in 2008. U.S. exports of

goods to Singapore surged from $16.6 billion in 2003 to a peak of $27.9 billion in 2008 before

declining to $22.3 billion in 2009. Even with this rapid increase in U.S. exports to Singapore, the

U.S. share of Singapore’s imports has declined from 16% in 2003 to 12% in 2009. The main

reason for this is that Singapore’s overall trade is booming. Still, Singapore imports more from

the United States ($28.5 billion) than from China ($26.0 billion).The U.S. balance of trade in

services with Singapore declined from a surplus of $4.0 billion in 2001 to $1.2 billion 2005 but

has risen to $4.2 billion in 2008. A significant increase has been in income from U.S. direct

investments in Singapore. U.S. access to the Singaporean market for multinational corporations

seems to have been enhanced considerably under the FTA. U.S. income from assets in Singapore

rose from $6.7 billion in 2003 to $21.1 billion by 2008.

 

On the U.S. import side (Singapore’s exports), a noteworthy development is that U.S. imports of

pharmaceuticals from Singapore have risen from $0.09 billion in 2003 to $3.0 billion in 2007

before declining to $2.0 billion in 2008. Singapore has developed as a regional center for

multinational pharmaceutical companies. This apparently was partly triggered by provisions in

the FTA that required Singapore to strengthen its intellectual property protection.

 

Negotiations for the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement were launched under the Clinton

Administration in December 2000. The FTA became the fifth such agreement the United States

has signed and the first with an Asian country. This report will be updated as circumstances

warrant.

 

Contents

Trade in Goods...........................................................................................................................3

Trade and Market Access in Services...........................................................................................7

Financial Services .................................................................................................................8

Legal Services.......................................................................................................................9

Electronic Commerce..................................................................................................................9

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Protection.............................................................................10

Investments..............................................................................................................................10

U.S. Imports from Singapore..................................................................................................... 11

Balance of Trade by Sectors ......................................................................................................14

Labor Issues.............................................................................................................................15

Environmental Issues ................................................................................................................16

Cargo Security ..........................................................................................................................17

Other Effects............................................................................................................................17

 

Figures

Figure 1. U.S. Merchandise Exports to, Imports from, and Trade Balance with Singapore ...........3

Figure 2. Leading U.S. Exports to Singapore by Category ...........................................................4

Figure 3. U.S. Balance of Merchandise Trade with FTA Partner Countries...................................6

Figure 4. U.S. Balance of Trade with Singapore in Services and Its Components .........................8

Figure 5. Average Annual Growth Rates in Top 40 U.S. Imports from Singapore Pre- and Post-FTA ..........12

Figure 6. Singapore’s Exports of Pharmaceutical Products by Origin.........................................14

Figure 7. U.S.-Singapore Balance of Trade by Major Surplus and Deficit Sectors, 2009 ............15

 

Tables

Table 1. Singapore’s Import Market Shares by Import Source......................................................5

Contacts

Author Contact Information ......................................................................................................18



________________________________________________________________________

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

 

 


# posted by SBasefsky : 11:40 AM

[IWS] CRS: THE U.S. MOTOR VEHICLE INDUSTRY: CONFRONTING A NEW DYNAMIC IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY [26 March 2010]

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
________________________________________________________________________

 

Congressional Research Service (CRS)

 

The U.S. Motor Vehicle Industry: Confronting a New Dynamic in the Global Economy

Bill Canis, Specialist in Industrial Organization and Business

Brent D. Yacobucci, Specialist in Energy and Environmental Policy

March 26, 2010

http://opencrs.com/document/R41154/2010-03-26/download/1013/

[full-text, 72 pages]

 

Summary

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the 2009 crisis in the U.S. auto industry and its

prospects for regaining domestic and global competitiveness. It also analyzes business and policy

issues arising from the unprecedented restructurings that occurred within the industry. The

starting point for this analysis is June-July 2009, with General Motors Company (GM or new

GM) and Chrysler Group LLC (or new Chrysler) incorporated as new companies, having

selectively acquired many, but not all, assets from their predecessor companies.

 

The year 2009 was marked by recession and a crisis in global credit markets; the bankruptcy of

General Motors Corporation and Chrysler LLC; the incorporation of successor companies under

the auspices of the U.S. Treasury; hundreds of parts supplier bankruptcies; plant closings and

worker buyouts; the cash-for-clunkers program; and increasing production and sales at year’s end.

This report also examines the relative successes of the Ford Motor Company and the increasing

presence of foreign-owned original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), foreign-owned parts

manufacturers, competition from imported vehicles, and a serious buildup of global overcapacity

that potentially threatens the recovery of the major U.S. domestic producers. This report, which

establishes a context for examining the industry and analyzes a unique but highly specific period

in the U.S. automobile industry’s history, will not be updated.

 

Contents

Introduction ...............................................................................................................................1

Global Chaos as Credit Markets Tighten ...............................................................................1

State of the Economy: Auto Production and Sales Outlook ..........................................................2

Industry Hits Bottom in 2009 ................................................................................................4

Motor Vehicle Production................................................................................................4

Motor Vehicle Sales ........................................................................................................5

Supply Chain Shakeout .........................................................................................................8

Automobile Unions Continue to Shrink...............................................................................10

GM and Chrysler: Rescue and Rebirth ......................................................................................15

The Shape of New GM and New Chrysler...........................................................................16

Government and UAW VEBA Trustee Ownership of GM and Chrysler .........................17

Assets and Liabilities Left in Bankruptcy ......................................................................21

Creditor Fallout.............................................................................................................23

Controversy over the Size of Dealer Networks ..............................................................25

New Management and New Directions..........................................................................27

Ford Motor Company: A Different Path.....................................................................................32

Ford Strengthens Capital Base and Market Share.................................................................32

New Designs Yield Top Performers...............................................................................33

Forms of Federal Support..........................................................................................................34

Shape of Federal Support ....................................................................................................34

Auto Task Force’s Exit Strategy ..........................................................................................38

Foreign-Owned Automakers Adjust and Expand........................................................................41

Global Auto Markets: Prospects for the Detroit Three..........................................................43

The Toyota Standard ...........................................................................................................50

Worldwide Overcapacity: Will It Affect the U.S. Vehicle Market? .......................................53

New Environmental Standards: Will They Remake the Auto Industry? ......................................55

Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Standards: Opportunities and Challenges.....................55

Cap-and-Trade Legislation: Net Cost or Net Benefit to Automakers?...................................58

Advanced Technology: Competitive Game Changer? ................................................................59

Electric Vehicles Promise Remake of the Industry ...............................................................59

Other Research and Development Directions.......................................................................60

Congressional Actions.........................................................................................................61

 

Figures

Figure 1. Geography of North American Auto Production............................................................3

Figure 2. New General Motors’ Ownership Structure Following Bankruptcy .............................20

Figure 3. New Chrysler’s Ownership Structure Following Bankruptcy ......................................20

Figure 4. Capacity Utilization in the U.S. Motor Vehicle Sector, 1972-2009 ..............................54

Figure 5. Estimated Cumulative Incremental Cost Through MY2016 for

Selected Manufacturers Under the Proposed Rule...................................................................56

Figure 6. Estimated Per-Vehicle Incremental Costs Through MY2016 for Selected

Manufacturers Under the Proposed Rule ................................................................................57

Figure D-1. Many Suppliers for Every Vehicle ..........................................................................67

 

Tables

Table 1. U.S. Auto Production Declines.......................................................................................4

Table 2. U.S. Motor Vehicle Sales, 2008 and 2009.......................................................................7

Table 3. Initial VEBA Payments by the Detroit 3.......................................................................15

Table 4. Auto Companies Before and After Bankruptcy.............................................................17

Table 5. GM and Chrysler Boards of Directors ..........................................................................28

Table 6. Federal Auto Industry Financing Program....................................................................35

Table 7. U.S. Motor Vehicle Sales by Manufacturer, 1988 vs. 2008 ...........................................42

Table 8. New Cars Registered in Japan: Top Five Brands in 2009 ..............................................46

Table 9. Top Foreign Brands Sold In Japan, 2009 ......................................................................47

Table A-1. North American Vehicle Assembly Plants.................................................................63

Table B-1. Who Owns What......................................................................................................65

Table C-1. Top 10 Sales Under “Cash for Clunkers”..................................................................66

 

Appendixes

Appendix A. Locations of North American Auto Manufacturing................................................63

Appendix B. The Global Automakers ........................................................................................65

Appendix C. Top U.S. “Cash for Clunkers” Sales ......................................................................66

Appendix D. Many Suppliers for Every Vehicle ........................................................................67

Contacts

Author Contact Information ......................................................................................................68



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# posted by SBasefsky : 11:35 AM

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