Oct 27 Watch Labor's 'Bulldog' Trumka Challenged by Dwindling Ranks, Public Perception As AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka works to protect organized labor from the excesses of big business, he faces dwindling ranks, splits among union groups, and diminished public support. Paul Solman reports. Continue watching
Oct 19 Retraining Workers Sounds Great. But For What Jobs? Question: Why does nobody discuss the fact that all the working and many middle class jobs have gone to China and the rest of Asia? Retrain workers — great — but retrain them for what? Paul Solman: You know… Continue reading
Aug 28 Would Shortening the Workweek Stimulate the Economy? Question: Why doesn’t the federal government stimulate the economy by reducing the length of the workweek (the number of hours after which employees receive time-and-a-half pay)? Employers would respond by spreading the work load, which means more hiring and fewer… Continue reading
Jul 05 Reader Response: The Uncounted Unemployed Paul Solman: A provocative response, via the PBS Ombudsman, to Thursday’s story about undercounting unemployment. The emailer said it was okay if her name was posted. I assume that means it’s okay to… Continue reading
Jun 12 Could the Government Limit the Number of Layoffs a Profitable Company Could Make? By Business Desk Question: Obama and Geithner said they would act aggressively to fix the economy. So, why hasn’t the administration limited the number of employees that profitable companies may lay off? That could help significantly by keeping the unemployment rate down, partially… Continue reading
Jun 05 Job Losses Slow, but Unemployment Hits 9.4% By Admin, PBS News Hour Unemployment jumped to a 25-year high in May, according to new Labor Department numbers, but the rate of job losses slowed with 345,000 jobs lost last month, down from 504,000 in April. Continue reading
Jun 05 What's Your Take on the New Unemployment Numbers? Question: What’s your take on the new unemployment numbers? Paul Solman: First Friday: That time of the month again. Time for the official unemployment number, that is. Today’s is being trumpeted as yet another “green shoot.” A net job loss… Continue reading
May 01 Is the Auto Crisis Just a Lack of Demand? Question: I don’t understand the auto industry crisis. I infer that it is because we’re in a recession, and not many people are buying cars. Is that all of it, or is there something more? Paul Solman: Are you talking… Continue reading
Apr 17 Why Doesn't the Yuan Trade Like Other Currencies? Question: Why don’t we let the yuan trade like other currencies? Even now, the yuan has an 20 percent or higher edge on other currencies because of the existing rules. Paul Solman: Now, now, Maya, as my dad used to… Continue reading
Apr 02 How Does the Student Loan Landscape Look? Question: With the way things are right now, how does it look in the future for taking out student loans? For instance, if I take out a student loan in the next two years, how much is that going to… Continue reading