Money matters 2/23

More singles among jobless

February 24, 2003

Something you don't often hear about in the government's monthly unemployment rolls is marital status.

In the current economic downturn, about 62 percent of the roughly 1.85 million Americans who have been unemployed more than six months are single, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., based on a review of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Chicago-based firm theorizes that a surge in the number of single mothers and widowed seniors entering the work market since the last recession 11 years ago is responsible for the rise in unemployed singles.

Other factors include companies looking for more experienced workers, who tend to be older and married; continued hiring discrimination against gays and lesbians and companies seeking those with more specialized skills, which come with age.

Campbell recalls mislabeled soup

Campbell Soup Co. has recalled a day's production of cream of mushroom soup after cans were found to contain New England clam chowder, which could pose a danger to people allergic to shellfish, the company said.

It was not clear how many cans were affected, but Campbell said it was "a small quantity."

The cans labeled "Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom" bear the date code "AUG 2004 08292" and "CU B8EL," followed by four numbers representing military time.

Company recalls novelty lighters

Young's J.K. Inc. has recalled about 500 novelty cigarette lighters.

The lighters do not have child-resistant mechanisms, as required by federal law.

The refillable, dolphin-shaped cigarette lighters are butane gas-fueled and made of metal.

There are three models involved in the recall. One of the lighters features a dolphin with a large ball and is labeled "1988.8 Young's Wholes 14.9." Another lighter features a single dolphin and is labeled "00005011 $14.00 EA." The last model features two dolphins and a ball and has no label.

Consumers should stop using the lighters and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, contact Young's J.K. collect at 1-503-998-9801.

Drill battery chargers recalled

Robert Bosch Tool Corp. has recalled about 2 million Skil Warrior drill battery chargers.

The transformer inside the charger can overheat. If this occurs, the charger housing can melt and deform, possibly igniting flammable materials near or on the charger.

The drills are black with red trim. The recall includes 9.6-volt, 12-volt, 14.4-volt and 18-volt chargers.

The chargers were included with tool model numbers 2375, 2380, 2475, 2480, 2482, 2580, 25582 and 2882. Chargers also were sold separately with model numbers 92950, 92970, 92980 and 92990 with part number 2610995852.

Consumers should unplug the charger immediately. Replacement drills and chargers will be provided at no cost. For more information, contact Robert Bosch Tool Corp. at 1-800-661-5398 or go to the Skil Web site at www.Skil.com.

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