Most regional job markets are humming
The Federal Reserve's report on regional economic conditions shows good news for job seekers in most areas of the country. Throughout the Midwest, companies are complaining about worker shortages, and employment agencies report wage hikes for a range of positions. Texas also reports a dearth of workers for many positions, with pay going up for jobs ranging from legal assistants to technical help.

Federal Workers Who Are Questioned Can Get Help from Union Reps
Federal employees have the right to get aid from a union representative when they are questioned by an agency inspector general, the Supreme Court has ruled. The case stemmed from an incident in which a NASA employee suspected of writing threatening letters was not allowed to get advice from a union rep during his questioning by an agency inspector general. The ruling held that an inspector general is part of agency management.

Hi-Tech Executive Women Earn Much Less than Men
The latest survey of Silicon Valley paychecks shows that women executives are far behind their male counterparts, with only one woman among the top 100 earners. The most highly compensated woman, Carolyn Ticknor of Hewlett-Packard, earned 3 percent of what the best-compensated man did. Advocates for women in technology say old stereotypes may still keep women out of top positions, but that women also have to become tougher negotiators of their compensation.

Worker Productivity: Too Much of a Good Thing May Be Bad, Says Fed
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has warned that recent increases in U.S. workers' productivity-a key ingredient of low inflation-can't last forever. High productivity has led to increasing pressure on employers to raise wages, economists say, which can lead to inflation. These analysts interpreted Greenspan's remarks to mean interest rates may be raised later this year in order to slow down the economy.