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Report on the American orkforce Workforce
U.S. Department of Labor Elaine L. Chao, Secretary 2001

Preface
his is the Department of Labor’s fifth Report on the American Workforce. Previous editions appeared in 1994, 1995, 1997, and 1999. Each volume has provided a broad context for analyzing the issues faced by the Department of Labor, as it delivers on its mandate to prepare the American workforce for new and better jobs and to ensure the adequacy and competitiveness of America’s workplaces. In this volume, the Report traces the broad outlines of the economy in the 20th century, its impact on the American worker, and the evolution of the statistical tools needed by policymakers, workers, employers, and researchers, as they embark on a new century. The Report’s outline and context is presented in the opening message from Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. An introductory essay outlines the economic, technological, social, and business developments of the just-completed century. The three chapters explore, in turn, demographic change and demographic statistics, the evolution of compensation and compensation reporting, and economic structure and economic classification. A compendium of statistical tables completes the book. Katharine G. Abraham, Commissioner for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, established the strategic direction for this series of reports. Deborah Klein and Richard M. Devens provided overall direction for this year’s volume. Information in this report is available to sensory-impaired individuals on request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200. Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339. This material is in the public domain and may be reproduced without further permission. Appropriate citation is requested.

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Acknowledgments

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he introductory essay outlines the progress of the American worker over the course of the 20th century. This piece also suggests the degree to which our understanding of the workforce, as result of refined...