Along with the merger came a number of internal restructurings, most importantly WPIS's transition from its Anglocentric date of April 6 (the start of the U.K. financial year) to the more universal Mayday (May 1). This is of special import considering the wide array of globe-wide activities planned this year for this most impactful of American holidays. While the decision to move WPIS to Mayday met with some accusations of nationalism, the fact that it is celebrated in every country except America helped to allay these.

We expect WPIS 2000 to be the strongest Phone In Sick Day yet. The 1999 U.K./USA Phone In Sick Day was held responsible for a "sickout" by U.K. police, and was featured on the BBC in England and in astrology columns in America; its 1998 predecessor was widely connected with an important "sickout" by British Airways employees and likewise received extensive press coverage.

World Phone In Sick Day highlights in productive ways the extent and depth of dissatisfaction with savage "new economy" realities. On the downside, it has already been appropriated by several commercial entities, with legal actions pending in the U.K.; however, unparalleled ease of participation and comprehension--it has been called "the one-liner of protest holidays"--complete the image of a real cultural winner... and on a global scale.