The US government's vise grip on trade with Eastern Europe is preventing the high-tech industry from grabbing a golden opportunity.

Work-related RSI (repetitive strain injury) is on the rise as the use of personal computers becomes increasingly standard in many fields. Associate reporter David Tuller reports that the billions of dollars in medical expenses, worker's comp and other costs now associated with RSI are of growing concern to labor unions, employers, legislators, medical authorities and the mainstream press.

While San Francisco is home to numerous sources of investigative reporting on national and international issues, the city"s mainstream media have been slow to undertake in-depth examination of complex local issues.

The 1988 renegotiation of the National Writers Union contract with Mother Jones magazine - noteworthy for its emphasis on non-traditional bargaining - resulted in an innovative agreement. Besides increased rates of payment, the new contract aims at restructuring the writer/editor relationship by awarding freelance writers some degree of creative control.