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Union democracy has tended to result in prolabor contracts in the American labor movement. However, many rank-and-file movements attempting to transform staff-led unions into democratic ones have experienced failure. The author examines some of the reasons why insurgent democracy movements are often unable to institute lasting democratic structures and militant reforms in the building trades, through an in-depth analysis of a failed rebellion in New York City’s painters’ union from 1947 to 1973. In contrast to recent literature that explains success and failure by emphasizing the traits of the general membership and the tactics of insurgent reformers, the author argues that fuller attention should be given to the union characteristics that generate staff power. In particular, the author shows that job allocation through the hiring hall is one means by which a corrupt staff can discipline an insurgent membership. The author also shows that when these conditions are undermined through contestation, staff-employer collusion can continue to make discipline through job allocation possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the terrorist attacks against the United States in which four planes were hijacked, the Pentagon damaged, and the World Trade Center destroyed, on September 11, 2001. Details and chronology of the events; Estimated number of casualties; Response of U.S. President George W. Bush, who called the attacks an act of war and pledged retaliation; Response of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries.

Discusses the Alan Guttmacher Institute report on the factors which force women to have more children than they wish. Decreasing family size due to the urbanization of society and the education of women; Women's lack of access to effective contraceptives or voluntary sterilization services; Need for women to be given more power in the family and in society. INSET: UN conference on women..

States that New York City has adopted regulations that pave the way for long-term detention of tuberculosis patients who do not complete treatment on their own. Details of the new policy; Reaction of civil libertarians, AIDS organizations and patient advocacy groups.