The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously last week in Walters vs. Metropolitan Educational Enterprises that part-time employees and workers on leave must be counted when determining whether a company has the minimum of 15 workers required for exposure to suits under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. . . .A bill that would permit privately managed pension funds for private-sector employees passed France's lower house of Parliament last week. The bill now faces a second round of deliberations Jan. 30 (BI, Jan. 13). . . .The Pennsylvania Insurance Department last week approved a 25% reduction in workers compensation rates, effective Feb. 1 for new and renewal policies. The cut was made possible by 1996 workers comp reforms (BI, June 24, 1996). . . .Chase Manhattan Bank and insurance broker Various Markets Inc. of Royal Oak, Mich., have settled litigation over an abortive property program covering Chase's mortgagee interest in U.S. Virgin Islands real estate. The confidential settlement involves no payment by VMI or its president, Mark W. Dupuis, court records say. . . .A federal judge in San Diego has dismissed civil racketeering charges against Samuel B. Love, Marvin Lewis and five others over their alleged roles in managing the defunct First Assurance & Casualty Co. Ltd. However, the judge let stand a claim by First Assurance's bankruptcy trustee that First Assurance assets were fraudulently conveyed to International Casualty & Surety Co. Ltd. of New Zealand, an alleged First Assurance successor managed by Mr. Love and Mr. Lewis (BI, Jan. 6). . . .Morgan Stanley & Co. said it did not racially discriminate and that it took thorough and effective actions after two African-American employees said they were subjected to racist jokes sent via company e-mail. The employees are suing the investment bank for roughly $30 million each and are seeking class-action status. . . .The National Assn. of Securities Dealers, which is looking for a new president and chief executive officer, has shown interest in Frank G. Zarb, chairman and CEO of Alexander & Alexander Services Inc., but no formal offer has been made. . . .John C. Etling, 61, recently retired vice chairman of reinsurance holding company General Re Corp., died Jan. 11.