Judge blocks mailing of Social Security no-match letters
A federal judge in San Francisco issued an order temporarily blocking the Social Security Administration from sending letters to employers notifying them of a new Dept. of Homeland Security rule concerning alleged discrepancies between employee records and the SSA database. Currently, employers who receive "no-match" letters are not required to take any action. The new DHS rule would impose liability on employers based on failure to respond to a no-match letter. The court order came as a result of a lawsuit filed by several groups, including AFL-CIO, American Civil Liberties Union, Nat'l. Immigration Law Center and Central Labor Council of Alameda County. A hearing on the groups' request to permanently bar the implementation of the DHS rule is scheduled for Oct. 1. The groups charge that the rule violates the law and workers' rights and imposes burdensome obligations on employers who receive these letters.
Group issues whitefly warning
The Ad Hoc Whitefly Task Force issued a letter warning growers that this may be a challenging year for whitefly management. The Task Force said the success of this management effort has serious economic implications for U.S. agriculture. It also warned that insecticide misuse could result in resistant silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), including B-biotype populations. Q-biotype whitefly is already resistant to some common insecticides. Univ. of Fla. entomologist Lance Osborne said growers need to pay close attention to whiteflies this year -- and on crops other than just poinsettias.
'Green' house uses rooftop plants for cooling
The "envirohome" is considered the home of the future by Florida couple Mark Baker and Nonnie Chrystal, who are building the house in Indialantic. USA Today reports the house will contain green technology donated by 40 companies. Temperature control will be provided by native plants, including heliotrope and lemon bacopa, planted on sections of the roof. Recycled gray water and rainwater will irrigate the lawn. The couple plans to open the 6-bedroom, 5-bath home to the public in January to educate consumers and builders about its environmentally friendly features.
Watch for leaf spot on mums
Some garden mums may be more susceptible to bacterial leaf spot during warm, wet weather. The disease, caused by Pseudomonas cichorii, tends to be more of problem during periods of heavy rains or when overhead irrigation is used. Univ. of Mass. ext. floriculture specialist Tina Smith said key management strategies include starting with pathogen-free seed and cuttings, using resistant varieties, practicing good sanitation, avoiding overhead irrigation and not handling wet plants. Once plants are infected, it is best to rogue them.
Americans most productive, but work more hours
A new report by the United Nations Int'l. Labour Organization indicates that Americans work more hours per year than workers in most other nations with developed economies. Based on 2006 data, U.S. employees work an average 1,804 hours per week, compared with 1,407 hours for Norwegian and 1,564 for French workers. The report found the U.S. has increased its productivity growth over most other developed economies, with $63,885 of value added per person employed in 2006, followed by Ireland ($55,986), Luxembourg ($55,641), Belgium ($55,235) and France ($54,609). When measured as value added per hour worked, Norway has the highest labor productivity level ($37.99) followed by the U.S. ($35.63).
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