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The Changing Face of America: Celina, Ohio & China

NPR's John Ydstie visits a town in Ohio that suffered the loss of a big employer two years ago. Huffy Bicycles shut down operations and hundreds lost their jobs. Many suffered and are resentful, but surprisingly, some people are doing better and seeking new careers or enjoying a new lifestyle. A measure of how personal change results from economic change -- as the bicycle maker now imports bike parts from China. (12:30) Next, NPR's Rob Gifford goes to the town in China where Huffy Bicycles are now made. The U.S. National Labor Committee accuses this plant of horrific working conditions, but Gifford finds happy workers. Although the wages paid here vastly undercut those that were paid to Huffy workers in Celina, Ohio, the salaries are above average for China.

Copyright 2000 NPR