Challenges on the labor front are illuminated on page 22 of this issue.

FORBES: Question One

"On the labor front, we're very far from what is needed, " said Marc Touati, head of economic research at Assya, a Paris-based investment company.

WSJ: French Unions, Firms Weigh Flexibility Plan

All was not quiet on the labor front last year.

WSJ: Year of the Oops: 2011 Was Spent in Reverse

On the economic front, the Labor Department said the number of Americans filing first time unemployment benefits ticked up by 10, 000 to a seasonally adjusted 372, 000, while economists were expecting 360, 000 claims.

FORBES: Daily Wrap

Labor issues do seem to be front and center this election season.

FORBES: Fears Of A Union Renaissance

The Rock of Vegas free summer concert series also kicks off this weekend at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas, and runs every Saturday night thru Labor Day with performances by Vince Neil of Motley Crue, Poison front-man Brett Michaels, and Dee Snider of Twisted Sister.

CNN: Seven great Memorial Day getaways

Foxconn has been in front of most other factories with wage increases to make sure it doesn't face labor shortages as it ramps up production for products, like the iPhone 5, that are critical to the success of its customers.

WSJ: Factory Riot at Hon Hai Foxconn Reflects New Labor Attitudes in China

New GOP presidential front-runner Newt Gingrich has gotten into some hot water lately over his comment that child labor laws should be amended or even repealed to allow kids to earn money in school by cleaning bathrooms or working in the cafeteria.

FORBES: Newt's Right: Put the Kids to Work