by Wayne Grytting

Borders bookstore chain has been bothered of late by union activity. As a result, Anne Kubek of their Human Resources Dept. prepared a manual on "Union Awareness Training for Borders Managers." As a public service, someone has been kind enough to post the whole text on the internet. Of particular value is a section entitled "Recognizing the Early Signs of Union Activity," a concern we all share. Here are a few of the warning signals:

1. "Employees gather in small groups of twos and threes and immediately halt their conversations when managers approach."

2. "Employees start gathering to talk in areas that are off the beaten path."

3. "Employees who are not normally seen talking to one another begin associating more regularly. Strange alliances begin to form."

4. "New vocabulary may creep into employees conversations. Union terms such as seniority, grievance, bumping, job security, job posting, etc. may appear in conversations."

5. "Managers start getting an inordinate amount of critical and probing questions concerning policies and/or benefits. "

Keep vigilant. You never know where the virus of critical thought will strike next. (http://www.netaxs.com /~alexis/)

Microsoft has been under criticism for exploiting temporary workers by hiring them for what really are long term positions and then keeping them on for years at the lower temp wages. Recognizing the problem, Microsoft has announced a new policy they believe will help clarify to "contingent " employees their true status. From now on, temporary employees will simply leave their jobs for a month after a year's employment, as a reminder that they are temporary or contingent. Is this just a way to skirt around Washington state labor laws? No. Microsoft has an even loftier goal. Sharon Decker, director of contingent staffing, is quoted as saying "The change is intended to strengthen temps' relationships with the employment agencies that are their employers of record." It's about time someone recognized the deep need of temps to bond with their employment agencies. (Seattle Times 6/24/98)

Congratulations to Washington State Senator Patty Murray (Dem.) for winning this year's U.S. Chamber of Commerce "Spirit of Enterprise" Award. Senator Murray won this prestigious honor because of the overall improvement in her voting record from 14 percent support of Chamber of Commerce concerns in her first year in office to a 70 percent business-friendly voting record. Sen. Murray has worked hard pushing NAFTA and supporting bills to reduce shareholder rights and to ease pesky restrictions by the Food and Drug Administration. As a result, her PAC donations from corporations has risen from 16% to 52% of her investment portfolio. But has this been a mere election year conversion? Sen. Murray answers "No." Instead, she is summarized as saying, its because "Congress and the business community are emphasizing the economic issues she has long embraced: international trade." Thank heavens that Boeing finally came around on the trade issue. (Seattle Times 7/7/98)

Are you interested in "Backpacking Chevy Van Style" or do you even understand the concept? If not you need to catch the latest ad from Chevrolet's RV department. Since the literary style of the ad's text far exceeds my meager abilities to reproduce it, let me just quote it at length: "Years ago, you used to go backpacking to smell the flowers, watch the sunset and just get away from it all. A sleeping bag and a mess kit were all you needed. Well now that you are used to life's luxuries, it takes more." Just imagine being out in nature without a TV and dishwasher? Or a cell phone? And when you "backpack" Chevy Van style, you can, because of its powerful Vortec engine or optional 6.5 liter Turbocharged Diesel V8, "count on years of communing with nature in reliable ruggedness." You might try revving the engine for an even fuller "communion with nature."

In 1997, six of the top eight finishers in Colorado's Bolder Boulder Marathon were from Kenya. But corporate sponsors immediately spotted a problem with this result. The Kenyan runners were "marketing liabilities." So to insure more Americans finished among the leaders, race officials passed a new rule limiting the number of runners from Kenya, or any other foreign country, to three. But its the justification for this change, presented by race director Bill Reef, that earns particular merit. "We hope to level the playing field," said Mr. Reef in what is believed to be the first time American athletes have received protection from a nation with an average income worth less than two pairs of Nike's. Then Mr. Reed enunciated what could become the sports world's own Monroe Doctrine, "Its our country, our event, our money. American sponsors want American winners, or at least Americans among the top finishers." To "level the playing field" even more, sponsors have promised to double the prize money for our athlete's finishing in the top five. (NYT 4/16)

One of Coca Cola's major advertising agencies, McCann-Erickson, has sent a memo to magazines to help them in their job of providing a positive environment for Coke ads. Christine Maggiore, their print media buyer, advises publishers on how they can place the company's ads in locations "consistent with each brand's marketing strategy/positioning." And what is the best kind of magazine content on neighboring pages? Ms. Maggiore has the answer. "We believe that positive and upbeat editorial provides a compatible environment in which to communicate the brand's message." Ever willing to be helpful, she then goes on to list the subjects Coca-Cola considers to be "inappropriate." As expected, articles discussing politics, environmental issues, "sex related issues," and drugs head the list. But there are also some surprising categories to be axed. Not only do articles on health and food fail the test, but the whole category of hard news takes a dive. (3/6 Memo in Matador Records Newsletter)