Thousands of United Auto Workers walked off the job at General Motors plants around the country Monday in the first nationwide strike against the U.S. auto industry since 1976. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said that job security was the top unresolved issue. GM spokesman Dan Flores said the automaker was disappointed in the UAW’s decision to call a national strike.

BEN BERNANKE

Education is the best investment, not only for workers but also for the economy in a time of competitive strain, the FederalReserve chairman said Monday. Economists have long recognized that the skills of the work force are a source of economic growth, he said. Although the United States has been a leader in education, it also has long grappled with challenges, he said.