The job displacement rate for blacks converged to that for whites from 1982 to 1993. Over the same period, the rate for workers in white-collar occupations, in which blacks were underrepresented, rose, and that of blue-collar workers, in which blacks were overrepresented, fell. (Author/JOW)

Surveys completed by a random sample of 1,884 blue-collar unionized workers showed that perceived role enhancement opportunities (more task complexity and autonomy) were positively related to attitudes associated with promotion opportunities (commitment, work involvement, career opportunity satisfaction). This was especially true for workers with…

Pennsylvania electronics manufacturers responding to a survey (93 of 250) identified the most important skills for new workers as following directions and mastery of basic electronics. Least important were leadership, creativity, and written communication. Firm size was not a significant variable. (SK)

A literature review found that definitions of participation and participation rates in worksite health promotion programs vary dramatically. Men and blue-collar workers were less likely to participate. To improve participation, programs should involve management and labor representatives, use multiple communication channels, and target subgroups…

A study involved analysis of reading levels of occupational materials in a paper mill, a survey of employees' basic skill needs, and Test of Adult Basic Education scores for 196 workers. Materials were too difficult for one-third to read; however, many workers did not acknowledge they lacked reading skills necessary for their job tasks. (SK)

A phenomenological study examined the meaning 11 women attributed to life and work experiences that influenced their choice of nontraditional majors. Most returned to school because of triggering events, were interested in their chosen field and opportunities for career development, and desired independence. (Contains 29 references.) (SK)

Discusses how for-profit colleges are adapting to the decline in the high-technology job market by offering programs to train "old economy" workers in skilled trades. (EV)

Industrial workers who perceive work as their central life interest (CLI) also describe themselves as having a higher level of decisiveness, initiative, and supervisory ability than workers with other CLI orientations. This is one result found in this study which investigates the relationship between personality and CLI. (Author/HMV)

A 74-item attitude questionnaire was administered in six companies to 101 black and 87 white male blue-collar employees holding similar jobs in the same company. Differences between the two ethnic groups were not marked, both in terms of job satisfaction and in other respects. (Author)

A study of the type and frequency of speeches given by blue collar workers. (CH)

Article investigated the serious question of whether the leadership of the Democratic Party, as currently reformed, is able to accommodate the blue-collar ethnic. (Editor/RK)

Project supported in part by grants from the U.S. Rehabilitation Services Administration (RD-1453) and the National Institute of Mental Health (5 ROL MH 14890-04).

To help minority group Americans become integrated into our industrial system, organizations need information on differences in job attitudes of white and black male employees, particularly how they perceive and react to supervisors. A pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of the questionnaire method for the target sample and illuminated the…

It is suggested that although counselors tend to direct services to the middle class, they do so most forcibly toward the white collar middle class. The blue collar worker is typically not included in consideration of the delivery of services to alienated sub-cultures. There are numerous and different demands placed on the blue collar worker in…

There are many blue-collar workers who aspire to work in the white-collar world. Work histories of employed adults from an industrial area of Baltimore who were classified as Realistic (based on the Holland Vocational Preference Inventory) show most adults are apparently unable to move out of this classification. (Author)