Christopher Lydon reports that Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) is requesting the creation of a Boston Employment Commission in order to boost the number of Boston residents working in Boston jobs. Lydon notes that the Flynn administration would like the Boston work force to be 10% female, 25% minority and 50% Boston residents. Lydon's report includes footage from an interview with Flynn about employment in Boston. Lydon reports that Flynn's proposed ordinance would change the demographics of the work force in the public and private sectors. Lydon notes that unions are opposed to Flynn's proposal. Lydon's report includes footage from an interview with James Kelly (Boston City Council). Kelly says that sanctions will be imposed unfairly on the construction industry. Lydon's report also includes footage from interviews with Mel King (candidate for US Representative) and Thomas Menino (Boston City Council). King says that sanctions are necessary to enforce the proposal. Menino says that some industries are hiring more Boston residents already. Lydon notes that critics believe that compliance with the ordinance would cost jobs. Lydon's report is accompanied by interviews with construction workers and white-collar workers about the proposed ordinance. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Minister Don Mohammad speaks out against drug traffic in Roxbury. Drug traffic in Roxbury housing development

Christy George reports that Jesse Jackson (African American political leader) came to Boston to support the strike by employees of New England Telephone. George's report includes footage of Jackson addressing the strikers at City Hall Plaza. George reports that management and employees cannot agree on who should pay for workers' health benefits. George interviews Peter Cronin (spokesman, New England Telephone). Cronin says that the union agreed to share health care costs in 1986. George reports that employees accuse management of staging a "take-back." George's report includes footage of Jan Pierce (Communication Workers of America) at the rally on City Hall Plaza. Pierce rips up a phone bill and urges the workers not to pay their bills until the strike is over. George notes that the union is asking customers to stall payment on their phone bills until the strike is over. George reports that national unions are backing the Nynex strikers. George's report includes footage of striking workers outside of the New England Telephone building. The strikers urge a woman not to pay her phone bill.

Carmen Fields reports that Richard Taylor (Secretary of Transportation and Construction) will preside over the Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Construction Project in Boston. Fields notes that Taylor is one of the few African American Republicans in Massachusetts. Fields interviews Taylor. Taylor talks about his reasons for being a Republican and his career in business. Taylor talks about his commitment to affirmative action and his plans to encourage participation by women and minorities in the Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Project. Taylor says that he has always pushed for fair and equitable opportunities for minority businesses. Fields notes that Taylor says that his appointment signals a commitment to affirmative action on the part of William Weld (Governor of Massachusetts). Fields' report is accompanied by footage of Graylan Ellis-Hagler and unemployed construction workers at a press conference at a construction site in Roxbury. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Alexandra Marks interviews businessmen Derek Jeter and William Singleton on the challenges faced by minority businesses in Boston. African American entrepreneurs

Carolyn Sawyer reports that a group of unemployed laborers are picketing the construction site of the new Post Office in Dudley Square in Roxbury. Sawyer notes that the picketers are demanding that fifty percent of the laborers on the site be residents of the Roxbury community. Sawyer's report includes footage from a press conference held by the picketers at the site. Graylan Ellis-Hagler (Church of the United Community) says that the men will not go away with 'crumbs.' Picketers Ivan Singleton, James Gun, and Ron Nelson also speak out at the press conference. Sawyer reports that Stephen Coyle (Boston Redevelopment Authority) is trying to mediate the dispute. Coyle says that the community is legitimately concerned about the high rate of unemployment among residents. Coyle adds that he expects similar protests during upcoming construction projects. Sawyer reviews the agreement concerning minority participation in the construction project. Sawyer's report is accompanied by footage of the construction site.

Gail Harris and Meg Vaillancourt host a Ten O'Clock News broadcast. Harris reads the headlines. Eileen Jones reports that Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) has announced to the Boston School Committee that $1.2 million must be cut from the school budget. Jones notes that school administrators and staff will be affected by the cuts. Jones adds that the Boston School Committee has voted in favor of appointing a school official to oversee negotiations with the school bus drivers' union, with the goal of signing a contract before the beginning of school. Jones' report includes footage of Jim Barrett (President, Bus Drivers Union) and footage of Wilson and school committee members at a school committee meeting. Harris reports that Grace Romero (Boston School Committee) has been indicted for violating state election laws. The report includes footage of Romero speaking to the media. Vaillancourt reports on opposition by the Boston Police Detectives Union to a decision by Francis 'Mickey' Roache (Commissioner, Boston Police Department) to reassign thirty detectives to street patrol duty. Vaillancourt's report includes footage from interviews with Michael Muse (attorney, Boston Police Detectives Union) and Dan Mahoney (President, Boston Police Detectives Union). James Robbins reports that the Reverend Allan Boesak (South African anti-apartheid leader) was detained by South African security forces after giving a speech at Capetown University. Robbins notes that Boesak had planned to lead a march on Pollsmoor Prison the next day. Vaillancourt reports that the US State Department has lodged a protest concerning the arrest of Boesak. Vaillancourt's report is accompanied by footage of Charles Redman (Spokesman for the US State Department) at a press conference. Tug Yourgrau interviews Janet Levine (South African journalist) about Nelson Mandela (jailed ANC leader). Levine talks about Mandela's arrest, his leadership, his opposition to apartheid and his wife, Winnie Mandela. The interview is accompanied by still photographs and footage of Nelson and Winnie Mandela. Vaillancourt reports on an army coup in Nigeria. Her report is accompanied by footage of Muhammadu Buhari (leader of Nigeria) delivering a speech. Harris reports that British Airways has grounded several jets due to possible engine problems. Her report is accompanied by footage of an exploded jet on a runway in Manchester, England. Vaillancourt reports that the Pentagon has cancelled the production of an airgun designed to hit Soviet helicopters because it did not work properly. Her report is accompanied by shots of military weaponry and footage of Casper Weinberger (US Secretary of Defense) at a press conference. Harris reports on a decline in the US poverty rate and on a fine imposed on Crocker National Bank in San Francisco for a failure to report currency transactions. Vaillancourt reports on the racketeering trial of Gennaro Angiulo (alleged Mafia boss). The report is accompanied by court drawings of the trial. Groundbreaking ceremony for Roxbury Community College campus; Gail Harris interviews Brunetta WolfmanHarris reports on the ground-breaking ceremony for Roxbury Community College. The report includes footage of Bruce Bolling (Boston City Council) speaking at the ceremony. Harris interviews in-studio guest Brunetta Wolfman (President, Roxbury Community College) about the college. Wolfman talks about the new campus and the need to provide education and training to urban populations. Wolfman talks about a divide between the educated and uneducated populations in Massachusetts.