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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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reference department
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
JUN 10 1980
MAY 1980
VOLUME 103, NUMBER 5
KALAMAZOO PUBLIC UBRARV
Henry Lowenstern, Editor-in-Chief
Robert W. Fisher, Executive Editor
John F. Early and others
3
Double-digit inflation today and in 1973-74: a comparison
Energy, housing, and materials spurred the acceleration of prices in both periods;
how inflation slowed dramatically in 1975 points to factors to watch currently
Virginia L. Ward
21
Measuring wage relationships among selected occupations J
Occupational wage spreads, as measured by survey averages, do not mirror relationships
within individual companies; pay differentials are much smaller within establishments
H. Brand, C. Huffstutler
26
The paper and plastic bag industry: two productivity phases
In 1967-77, output per employee hour accelerated after a sluggish increase in 1954-66;
the rise was linked to improved technology and rapid growth in output as demand surged
reports
Daniel J. B. Mitchell
Jack E. Triplett
Edward S. Sekscenski
George Stamas
Francis W. Horvath
T. Roger Manley and others
Tadd Linsenmayer
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
31
33
36
39
43
46
50
Does the CPI exaggerate or undersWe inflation?
Does the CPI exaggerate or understate inflation? Some observations
Women’s share of moonlighting nearly doubles during 1969-79
Percent working long hours shows first post-recession decline
Tracking individual earnings mobility with the Current Population Survey
The extent of alcoholism among Air Force employees
U.S. rejoins ILO: agenda for 1980’s stresses human rights
DEPARTMENTS
2
31
36
43
50
52
54
58
65
Labor month in review
Communications
Special labor force reports— summaries
Research summaries
Foreign labor developments
Major agreements expiring next month
Developments in industrial relations
Book reviews
Current labor statistics
Labor M onth
In Review
KLEIN AWARD. The trustees of
the Lawrence R. Klein Fund selected
a single article to receive the 11th
annual Klein Award. The article,
“ The effect of dem ographic
changes on the Nation’s unemploy
ment rate,” appeared in the March
1979 Monthly Labor Review. Its
author, Paul O. Flaim, is chief of
the Division of Labor Force Studies
in the BLS Office of Current
Employment Analysis.
Runners-up among articles by
BLS authors were “ Young and
marginal: an overview of youth
employment,” by Norman Bowers,
October 1979, and “ The influence
of energy on industry output and
em ploym ent,” by Ronald E.
Kutscher, December 1979.
The trustees presented no award
this year to an author outside BLS.
Nevertheless, the trustees expressed
a d m ira tio n fo r T hom as A.
Kochan’s “ How American workers
view labor unions,” April 1979,
Graham L. Staines’ and Robert P.
Q u in n ’s “ A m erican w orkers
evaluate the quality of their jobs,”
January 1979, and Joseph H. Wex’s
and William S. McGee’s “ Unioniza
tion of court employees has raised
legal, practical questions,” August
1979. The Kochan and StainesQuinn articles were based on the
Quality of Employment Survey,
conducted by the Survey Research
Center of the U niversity of
Michigan for the U.S. Department
of Labor. The trustees also cited
several “ excellent” articles based on
papers commissioned by the Na
tional Commission on Employment
and Unemployment Statistics.
Flaim’s article separates cyclical in
fluences on the unemployment rate
from noncyclical factors such as
2
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
changes in the composition of the
labor force. Flaim finds that the
large increase in the proportion of
the labor force which resulted from
the maturing of the post-World War
II baby boom was one of the
demographic factors which exerted
upward pressure on the unemploy
ment rate over the past two decades.
Flaim estimates that from 0.6 to 1.0
percentage point of the increase in
the overall unemployment rate over
the 1957-77 period can be attributed
to the changing composition of the
labor force. The effect of the
d e m o g ra p h ic fa c to rs sh o u ld
dissipate gradually during the
1980’s, Flaim concludes.
Origin of the award. For more than
half a century, writing for the
Monthly Labor Review was its own
reward. Lawrence R. Klein changed
that when he retired as Review
editor in 1968. Instead of accepting
a retirement gift, he matched the
money collected for that purpose
and established a fund to reward
good writing and original research
in the Review.
Since 1969, fund trustees (in
cluding Klein) have presented
awards to authors of 19 Review ar
ticles on the basis of these criteria:
originality of ideas or method of
analysis, adherence to principles of
scientific inquiry, and good writing.
Awards, which initially carried cash
prizes of $100 each, are now $200.
Contributions to the Lawrence R.
Klein Award Fund are tax deducti
ble and may be sent to Ben Burdetsky, Secretary-Treasurer, Lawrence
R. Klein Award Fund, c/o School
of Government and Business Ad
ministration, The George Wash
ington University, Washington,
D.C. 20052.
□
The winners
Mollie Orshansky, a social insurance research analyst at the Social Security
Administration, won the first Lawrence R. Klein Award in 1970 for her article
explaining “How poverty is measured” in the February 1969 Monthly Labor
Review. Eighteen other BLS and outside authors have been honored since. Here
is the complete list of winners:
1970
1971
Mollie Orshansky
Hyman Kaitz
1976
Curtis Gilroy
Nicholas Ashford
1972
Janice N. Hedges
Denis Johnston
1977
Constance Sorrentino
Rita M. Maldonado
1973
Peter Henle
T. Aldrich Finegan
1978
William Deuterman
Harold Douty
1974
Robert W. Fisher
Jonathan Grossman
1979
Morris Newman
Fred Best
1975
John Early
Joseph Mire
1980
Paul O. Flaim
Double-digit inflation today
and in 1973-74: a comparison
Energy, housing, and materials spurred
the acceleration o f prices in both periods;
how inflation slowed dramatically in 1975
points to factors to watch currently
B y Jo h n F . E a r l y , C r a i g H o w e l l
and
A
ndrew
C lem
The decade just ended was marked by two distinct peri
ods of double-digit inflation, a combination unprece
dented in peacetime. The first price surge occurred in
1973-74, and the second began in 1978 and has contin
ued into 1980.
In this article, we describe the life cycle of the first
period and examine the first two stages of the current
inflation. We identify factors which generated and
sustained inflation rates in the neighborhood of 13 per
cent and reduced inflation to an average of about half
that rate for more than 2 years in the intervening peri
od. This comparison can provide a basis for a better un
derstanding of the current situation.
The two periods have a number of similarities, in
cluding:
• Rapid runups in prices for energy, especially
petroleum-based fuels, which occurred just as prices for
other items were approaching double-digit inflation;
• Early, sharp increases in food prices;
•Steep rises in home prices and mortgage interest
rates for at least 2 years after the housing market began
to soften;
•M ajor indirect effects from the increases in energy
prices within 3 to 6 months of the crude energy price
boosts;
• Rapid commodity inflation among crude and inter
mediate materials other than food and energy; and
•Significant declines in the value of the dollar in in-
John F. Early is Assistant Commissioner for Industrial Prices and
Price Indexes, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Craig Howell and Andrew
Clem are economists in the Division of Industrial Prices and Price In
dexes. The authors were assisted by William Thomas and James
Webbenhurst, economists in the same office.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
ternational markets, which further aggravated infla
tion.
Some of the differences between the two periods in
clude:
•The larger relative increases in the price of oil
imported from members of the Organization of Petro
leum Exporting Countries during the earlier period;
•The more protracted OPEC increases in the current
period;
•The greater role of shortages and worldwide com
modity inflation in the earlier period;
•The effect of speculation in the current period;
•The greater inflationary impact of energy costs on
retail food prices in the current period;
• The impact of an inflationary-expectations psycholo
gy on saving, debt, and prices in the current period;
and
•The delay in rapid price rises for natural gas until
relatively late in the earlier period.
We also discuss factors contributing to the slowdown
in price increases during 1974-75, including:
•The precipitous drop in business activity in late
1974;
•The substantial deceleration in prices of crude and
intermediate materials; and
•The cessation of major crude petroleum price in
creases and the completion of most indirect pass
through effects on prices of other goods and services.
As an analytical aid, we have identified four stages in
these two periods of inflation. The first is the low pla
teau. From January 1971 until May 1972, the Con
sumer Price Index increased at an annual rate of about
3
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Double-Digit Inflation
3.5 percent. During that time, the seasonally adjusted
3-month annual rate of change generally varied between
2 and 5 percent, partly as the result of the Government’s
comprehensive wage and price controls, which started
in August 1971.' A similar low plateau lasted from May
1975 until October 1977. During this time, prices were
rising at an average rate of about 6 percent; however,
there was somewhat greater volatility around this aver
age, reflecting, in part, wide swings in food prices. But
once again the variation was within a relatively narrow
range. (See chart 1.)
After both May 1972 and October 1977, prices began
to rise at generally increasing rates. This signaled the
beginning of the acceleration phase. In the earlier case,
it lasted 22 months, with price increases accelerating
from a 3-month annual rate of 2.6 percent to 14.3 per
cent; in the later case, it lasted 17 months, as prices ac
celerated from a 5.1-percent rate to 13 percent.
What can be characterized as high plateaus followed
the rapid accelerations. From March through October
1974, inflation averaged about 12.5 percent. For the 11
months ended in February 1980, inflation averaged about
14 percent. In both cases there were some changes
in the inflation rate during this high plateau phase, but,
by definition, a high plateau is not marked by a clear
4
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acceleration or deceleration. Because the current period
of double-digit inflation has not yet come to an end as
of this writing, there is some ambiguity in dating its
phases. It is not yet clear whether the 17.2-percent an
nual rate of advance in the All Items CPI for the 3
months ended in February 1980 represents a short-term
fluctuation within the high plateau stage or a resump
tion of acceleration.
Finally, the CPI began its deceleration phase in Octo
ber 1974. Over the next 7 months, inflation plummeted
from a rate of 14.2 percent to 4.4 percent.
A profile of the two periods
1973-74. An upturn in food prices in the spring of
1972 was directly responsible for th’e acceleration in the
All Items CPI, as prices for most other goods were sub
ject to the strict provisions of the Administration’s
Phase II price control program. (See table 1 and chart
2.) In May 1972, the CPI for food was rising at a
3-month annual rate of only 1.3 percent; but by the fol
lowing April it was climbing at a 25.4-percent rate.
Food price increases slowed considerably in mid-1973
when a 60-day price freeze was imposed, and surged
again after the freeze was lifted. Food price increases
Table 1.
Timing and magnitude of specific inflationary cycles of the Consumer Price Index and selected components
Timing of phase
Index
Acceleration
Length of phase (months)
Percent change over phase
High
plateau
High
plateau
Deceleration
Deceleration
Acceleration
Deceleration Acceleration
Start
End
Start
End
May 1972
Oct. 1977
Mar. 1974
Mar. 1979
Oct. 1974
( 1)
May 1975
(’ )
22
17
7
111
7
{ 1)
14.8
13.7
6.7
’ 11.5
4.2
(’ )
Food ..........................................................
May 1972
Jan. 1977
Sept. 1978
Apr. 1973
June 1978
Feb. 1979
Oct. 1973
June 1978
Feb. 1979
July 1974
Sept. 1978
Aug. 1979
11
17
5
6
0
0
9
3
6
11.3
15.3
5.6
9.2
7.0
1.6
3.1
Energy..............................................
Sept. 1973
July 1978
Mar. 1974
June 1979
Mar. 1974
Aug. 1979
Dec. 1974
( 2)
6
11
0
2
9
( 2)
25.7
24.3
Gasoline ..............................................
Sept. 1973
June 1978
Mar. 1974
June 1979
Mar. 1974
June 1979
Oct. 1974
( 2)
6
12
0
0
7
( 2)
36.8
36.3
1.1
( 2)
Fuel oil, coal, and bottled gas ................
Sept. 1973
July 1978
Jan. 1974
Aug. 1979
Jan. 1974
Aug. 1979
Mar. 1975
( 2)
4
13
0
0
14
( 2)
45.7
48.9
17.3
( 2)
Piped gas and electricity........................
July 1973
Nov. 1978
Mar. 1974
July 1979
( 3)
July 1979
( 3)
Jan. 1980
8
8
( 3)
0
( 3)
6
11.6
12.6
( 3)
( 3)
10.5
All items less food and energy......................
July 1973
Oct. 1977
Aug. 1974
( 4)
Oct. 1974
( 4)
July 1975
( 4)
13
428
2
( 4)
9
( 4)
10.2
423.7
2.0
( 4)
5.6
( 4)
Commodities less food and energy ........
Sept. 1973
Sept. 1977
Aug. 1974
( 4)
Oct. 1974
( 4)
July 1975
( 4>
11
429
2
( 4)
9
( 4)
8.9
420.1
2.3
( 4)
5.4
( 4)
Home purchase ............................
Mar. 1973
Nov. 1976
Feb. 1975
( 4)
Apr. 1975
( 4)
Apr. 1976
( 4)
23
439
2
( 4)
12
( 4)
17.8
441.5
2.9
( 4)
4.1
( 4)
Services less energy......................
Nov. 1972
Oct. 1977
July 1974
( 4)
Sept. 1974
( 4)
May 1975
( 4)
20
428
2
( 4)
8
( 4)
12.9
427.7
2.0
( 4)
5.4
( 4)
Nov. 1972
Oct. 1977
Oct. 1973
( 4)
Dec. 1974
( 4)
Sept. 1975
( 4)
11
428
14
( 4)
9
( 4)
10.1
454.7
16.3
( 4)
4.3
( 4)
All items ................................................
Home financing, taxes, and
insurance ..................................
' Computations are made as though the end of the All Items CPI high plateau phase were
February 1980. However, there is yet no evidence of any deceleration.
Energy price Increases at the beginning of 1980 may indicate the start of a new acceleration phase.
fluctuated widely thereafter, rising a total of 12.2 per
cent in 1974.
Energy prices boomed at the end of 1973 and the be
ginning of the next year. (See chart 3.) After rising at a
rate of only 2.3 percent in the third quarter of 1973, en
ergy prices soared at a 49.8-percent rate in the fourth
quarter and a 66.8-percent rate in the first 3 months of
1974. The index did not remain on a high plateau but
immediately began to slow down; by the summer of
1974, energy prices were no longer rising at a double
digit rate.
The CPI for all items other than food and energy
started its acceleration phase in the late summer of 1973
after the freeze on prices. Through the rest of 1973 and
into the spring of 1974, the Administration gradually
dismantled its comprehensive program to control prices
and wages. All remaining general price controls lapsed
as of April 30, 1974, as Congress did not renew the
President’s authority to impose such controls. By Octo
ber 1974, the CPI for nonfood nonenergy items was ad
vancing at an annual rate of 14.2 percent. Some
increases reflected the pass-through of sharply higher
costs for fuels and energy-intensive materials and thus
would have been allowed even under the former con
trols. Other advances reflected attempts by producers to
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7.3
7.1
( 2)
3Phase was not well defined.
4No evidence that the acceleration phase has ended for these indexes. For purposes of
computation, February 1980 was assumed to be the end of the acceleration phase
restore traditional profit margins and to recover costs
which could not be fully passed through under the rules
of the controls program.
The indexes for food, energy, and other items each
contributed roughly one-third of the total acceleration
in the All Items CPI from May 1972 through March
1974. (See table 2.) Food prices were the dominant fac
tor until mid-1973, when the acceleration in increases
for energy and other items became crucial. The high
plateau in the overall inflation rate during much of 1974
reflected a balance between slower rates for energy and
steeper rates for items other than food and energy, with
food prices climbing briskly throughout the period. The
deceleration of the CPI from October 1974 through
May 1975 showed the combined impact of food prices,
which moved from a 19.3-percent rate of increase to a
1.2-percent rate of decline, and other nonenergy prices,
which slowed from a rate of increase of 14.2 percent to
5.9 percent. Energy price increases had already deceler
ated to a rate of less than 5 percent by the time the CPI
started to slow down, but then moved back up to a
3-month rate of 10 percent by May 1975.
1978- 79. The acceleration of the All Items CPI after Oc
tober 1977 followed the trough of the previous recession
5
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Double-Digit Inflation
by about two and one-half years. As of October 1977,
the indexes for food, energy, and other items were all
rising at rates between 5 and 6 percent. By the time the
CPI had reached a high plateau in March 1979, energy
prices were surging at a 25.7-percent rate, food prices
were climbing at a 16-percent rate, and prices for other
items were increasing at a rate of just over 10 percent.
Food prices seemed to follow a pattern of their own
during the 1977-79 period and are thus more difficult
to integrate into the overall inflation picture. In each of
these three years, food prices climbed sharply early in
the year when unusually harsh winter weather damaged
crops and disrupted normal transportation and distribu
tion channels. Poor weather in the United States and in
many other major producing countries early in the year
also raised fears that summer and fall harvests would be
inadequate. Food price inflation eased later each year as
generally favorable growing conditions led to excellent
harvests for many crops.
During the acceleration phase of the current inflation,
the food index accounted for about one-fourth of the
acceleration in the All Items CPI, compared with onethird of the earlier acceleration. When the All Items in
flation rate was on a high plateau from early 1979 into
early 1980, food prices provided a major decelerating
pressure. Food prices were rising at a rate of 5.6 per
6
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
cent in February 1980, considerably less than the
16.0-percent rate registered in March 1979. A more
moderate winter in 1979-80 was an important factor in
preventing the bulge in food price increases that had
marked the previous three years.
As in the earlier period, energy prices did not begin
to accelerate until some time after the All Items CPI
had started to speed up. In the latter half of 1978, ener
gy prices rose at an annual rate of 10 percent; but by
mid-1979, energy prices were soaring at a rate of about
60 percent. Energy prices, like food prices, played a
somewhat smaller role during the acceleration phase of
the current inflation. But, unlike the earlier period, ener
gy prices did not slow down as dramatically as they
had speeded up; the energy CPI was still rising at a rate
of 19.2 percent in the final quarter of the year. Another
round of sharply higher prices for gasoline and home
heating oil resulted in a much higher rate of increase for
the energy index in the opening months of 1980, a situ
ation without parallel in 1973-74.
In the remainder of this article, we examine some of
the major factors that have helped to determine the
course of double-digit inflation through both periods —
the rapid rise in energy prices, the indirect effects of en
ergy price increases, inflation in manufacturing materi
als, the role of food prices, the behavior of prices of
Chart 3. Inflation rates for retail and producer prices of energy, 1972-801
Three-month change seasonally adjusted at annual rates for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (energy) and Producer Price Index
for finished energy goods.
other goods and services, capital equipment prices,
mortgage interest rates, and house prices. Based on that
discussion, our final section presents a detailed analysis
of the inflation picture as of early 1980, noting those
factors which are continuing to produce double-digit in
flation, as well as other influences which may eventually
slow inflation.
Energy prices explode
There were marked similarities in the timing of ener
gy price increases relative to the two inflationary cycles.
Sharp increases in world crude petroleum prices oc
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
curred on both occasions after inflation had already ap
proached double-digit rates for other reasons. Prices for
domestic crude oil also climbed sharply both times as
controls were relaxed to encourage greater energy inde
pendence by spurring production and conservation.
Prices for other forms of energy moved up sharply in
the wake of higher crude oil costs. The added impetus
of higher energy costs pushed the overall rate of infla
tion to its highest point.
The United States became increasingly dependent on
imported crude petroleum during the 1970’s. The ratio
of imports to total domestic consumption of crude oil
7
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Double-Digit Inflation
rose from 26 percent in 1973 to 45 percent in 1977. The
import ratio has since varied between 40 and 45 per
cent. As a result, the cost impacts of OPEC price
changes are now much greater than they were in 1973.
Crude oil. A similar sequence of events led to the rapid
advances for foreign and domestic crude petroleum
prices in both periods. The world-wide level of econom
ic activity was very high by 1973 as well as by 1978,
and demand for petroleum products intensified as a re
sult. Political upheaval in the Middle East led to partial
cutoffs of oil shipments both times. The outbreak of the
October 1973 Arab-Israeli war was followed by an em
bargo on some oil shipments by the Arab members of
OPEC, and the Iranian revolution during the winter of
1978-79 resulted in a stoppage of all oil shipments
from Iran. In each period, the tight supply of oil in the
world market made it easier for oil-exporting nations to
raise their prices to record levels. Already rapidly rising
prices for other goods may also have contributed to
both the desire and ability of petroleum-exporting
countries to raise their prices.
There were, however, substantial differences between
Table 2.
the two periods. The price increase in 1973 was uniform
for all OPEC members and was implemented at essen
tially one time. In 1979, by contrast, a number of in
creases were effected throughout the year, and the
disciplined OPEC price structure was broken; several
nations imposed varying surcharges in addition to the
official price or sold substantial amounts of their pro
duction in the higher-priced spot market.
Another important difference was that the change in
OPEC crude oil prices was greater in 1979 than in 1973
in terms of absolute differences of dollar prices, al
though the relative increase was larger in the earlier pe
riod. Between September 1973 and January 1974, the
benchmark price for OPEC crude oil (Saudi Arabia
light grade) rose by about $8 a barrel, an increase of
more than 260 percent. In comparison, the price of
Saudi light crude oil advanced $11.30 a barrel from De
cember 1978 to December 1979, an increase of 89 per
cent. But because of surcharges and frequent spot
market sales, the cost of oil actually imported into this
country rose more quickly than the benchmark prices in
1979.2
In the wake of the Arab oil export embargo in 1973
Contributions of selected Consumer Price Index components to overall inflation rate
Index
Reference cycle for All Items CPI . . . .
3-month seasonally
adjusted annual rate
Differenee
Deceleration
High plateau
Acceleration
Contributlon ’
3-month seasonally
adjusted annual rate
Difference
Contribution1
3-month seasonally
adjusted annual rate
Start
End
Start
End
Start
End
May 72
Oct. 77
Mar. 74
Mar. 79
Mar. 74
Mar. 79
Oct. 74
Feb. '802
Oct. 74
May 75
Differenee
Contribu
tion 1
All items ..........................................
2.6
5.1
14.3
13.0
11.7
7.9
11.7
7.9
14.3
13.0
14.2
17.2
-0.1
4.2
-0.1
4.2
14.2
4.4
-9.8
-9.8
Food ........................................
1.3
5.9
17.9
16.0
16.6
10.1
3.9
1.9
17.9
16.0
19.3
5.6
1.4
-10.4
.3
-1.9
19.3
-1.2
-20 5
-5.0
Energy......................................
2.5
5.9
66.8
25.7
64.3
198
4.1
1.8
668
25.7
3.5
60.0
-63.3
34.3
-4.4
2.9
3.5
10.0
6.5
.6
Gasoline ............................
.8
3.7
106.1
38.0
106.9
34.3
2.9
1.4
106.1
380
-9.6
95.4
-115.7
57.4
-3.4
2.4
-9.6
6.6
16.2
.5
Home heating oil ................
4.6
5.5
79.6
44.3
75.0
38.8
.5
.3
79.6
44.3
11.8
63.1
-67.8
18.8
-.6
.1
11.8
Ò
-11.8
-.1
Piped gas and electricity . . . .
4.1
6.3
30.4
13 9
26.3
7.6
.6
.3
30.4
13.9
15.3
18.4
-15.1
4.5
-.4
.2
15.3
11.8
-3.5
-.1
2.9
5.1
8.0
10.2
5.1
5.1
3.8
4.1
8.0
10.2
14.2
15.5
6.2
5.3
4.0
3.3
14.2
5.9
-8.3
-5.4
2.7
4.0
8.2
9.1
5.5
5.1
2.0
1.9
8.2
9.1
15.8
11.1
7.6
2.0
2.9
.7
15.8
6.0
-9.8
-3.4
Home purchase ..........
1.6
7.3
11.3
11.3
9.7
4.0
.6
.4
11.3
11.3
11.4
10.0
.1
-1.3
0
-.1
11.4
16.2
4.8
.3
Services less energy .. .
4.0
6.1
8.9
11.7
4.9
5.6
1.7
2.1
8.9
11.7
11.7
18.7
2.8
7.0
1.1
2.6
11.7
5.8
-5.9
-2.0
-2.1
8.9
8.7
28.8
10 8
19.9
.4
1.3
8.7
288
27.4
48.0
18.7
19.2
.8
1.4
27.4
3.0
-24.4
-1.1
All items less food and energy .. .
Commodities less food and
energy........................
Contracted mortgage
Interest cost ........
' Entries in this column show how much of the difference in the rate of change for the All
Items CPI during each phase was accounted for by the difference in the rate of change for the
CPI components shown.
8
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2Computations are made as though the end of the All Items CPI high plateau phase were
February 1980. However, there is yet no evidence of any deceleration.
and the stiff boost in world oil prices, the Federal Gov
ernment set higher prices for oil extracted from new
wells and for any additional oil pumped from old wells
in excess of the previous rate of production. Prices for
oil from wells with very low yields (stripper wells) were
completely decontrolled. As a result, the price of crude
petroleum produced in this country rose 60.3 percent
between August 1973 and February 1974.
In the spring of 1979, the Administration accelerated
the phased deregulation of domestic crude petroleum
prices, partly as a response to the changing world crude
oil market. Higher prices were allowed for oil from some
marginal lower tier (pre-1974) wells by reclassifying
them as upper tier wells to encourage increased produc
tion. In addition, the price of “heavy” crude oil, which
is difficult and expensive to extract, was decontrolled.
Prices for that portion of domestic production which is
not controlled tended to follow the continuing rise in the
world market price for crude oil; by the fall of 1979, this
share had climbed to more than 25 percent of all domes
tic output. These policy changes, plus the gradual lifting
of prices of conventional upper and lower tier oil, led to
sharp increases in the Producer Price Index for domestic
crude petroleum; this index rose 53.4 percent from May
1979 through February 1980.
Refined petroleum products. The rapid rises in crude pe
troleum prices during both periods of double-digit in
flation were quickly passed on by refiners and retailers to
consumers:
_______ Percent increase_______
Sept. 1 9 7 3 - Sept. 19 7 3 - Dec. 1978-
Commodity Index
Refined petroleum
products . . . . PPI
Gasoline........... PPI
CPI
Home heating
oil ...............
PPI
CPI
March 1974 Sept. 1974 Feb. 1980
56.2
85.2
85.1
49.9
36.8
73.6
40.4
84.1
75.3
68.4
52.2
101.2
66.2
85.6
79.2
During the first surge of inflation, price increases for
refined petroleum products were concentrated in the
first 6 months following the steep boost in foreign crude
oil prices in the autumn of 1973. In the current period,
prices for refined petroleum products have been rising
since December 1978, reflecting the series of increases in
both domestic and foreign crude oil prices.
In both periods, prices charged by petroleum refiners
advanced proportionately more than retail prices; how
ever, there was a smaller difference between the relative
increases at the primary market and retail levels in the
current period. Dealers’ margins have not climbed near
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ly as much as have the prices received by refiners. About
three-fourths of the retail price of gasoline went to pe
troleum refiners at the end of 1979, while refiners only
accounted for about half of the retail price before the
1973 energy crunch. Similarly, distributor margins for
fuel oil are now a much smaller proportion of the total
retail price than they were earlier. As a result, a given
percent increase in producer prices for petroleum prod
ucts now has a larger impact on consumer prices than
before.3
Other energy items. Both times, the rise in crude petro
leum prices increased demand for competing fuels, in
particular, natural gas. In 1973-74, natural gas sold in
interstate commerce was subject to strict control by the
Federal Government. Gas sold only in intrastate com
merce was subject to State regulation, which typically
permitted price increases to market levels, although with
some lag. As a result, natural gas prices did not begin to
rise sharply until the second half of 1974.
The PPI for natural gas rose 40.9 percent in 1979,
compared with a record increase of 49.6 percent over a
12-month span in 1974 and 1975. Unlike the earlier peri
od, the 1979 increases in natural gas prices roughly coin
cided with increases in crude petroleum prices.
The passage of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978
mandated the gradual decontrol of domestic interstate
natural gas prices. This act established a number of pric
ing categories for natural gas, based on the age of the
wells, well depth, and other factors. Consequently, pro
ducer prices for interstate natural gas soared 57.3 per
cent during 1979, while prices for natural gas sold
within the State of origin moved up 10.6 percent. (In
December 1979, intrastate gas prices still exceeded inter
state gas prices by 35 percent.) Prices of gas import
ed from Canada increased 58.8 percent in 1979, as the
National Energy Board of Canada tied its natural gas
export prices to the world market price of crude petro
leum.
Electricity rates for household, commercial, and in
dustrial consumers rose rapidly during both periods:
Electricity use
Household
Index
CPI
Percent increase
Sept. 1973Feb. 1979Sept. 1974
Feb. 1980
21.8
13.7
Commercial
PPI
26.5
18.4
Industrial
PPI
38.2
20.0
The slower rise in the current period may be
attributable in large part to three factors: smaller in
creases in residual fuel oil prices; less reliance by electric
utilities on residual fuel oil as a fuel; and all cost in
creases may not have been passed through yet to the
consumer.
9
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Double-Digit Inflation
Indirect energy effects
In addition to higher prices for processed energy
products, a rise in crude energy prices can produce two
indirect effects: Price increases in commodities for which
petroleum and natural gas are raw materials, and price
increases associated with energy consumption in the
production and distribution process.
Crude petroleum and natural gas are feedstocks for a
wide variety of chemicals which, in turn, are employed
in the manufacture of thousands of goods. Table 3 illus
trates some of the more significant impacts. The chemi
cals listed as petroleum-based are either primary ones
which are largely produced as part of the petroleum re
fining process (benzene and toluene), or are derived
from such chemicals. The exception is ethylene, which
also has a substantial amount derived from natural gas
liquids.
Natural gas liquids serve as the primary source for
another series of chemicals which are not, however, en
tirely independent of petroleum feedstocks. In addition,
the ammonia base for nitrogenous fertilizers is derived
from natural gas.
As effects of the 1973 OPEC oil price boosts were ap
Table 3.
pearing in prices for refined petroleum products, prices
for primary chemicals such as benzene and toluene were
also increasing, but at much more rapid rates. Prices for
the more highly processed chemicals such as styrene
monomer and acetone reached their maximum rates of
increase about 1 quarter after the peak for primary
chemicals and began to slow between 1 and 2 quarters
after the prices of primary chemicals. Reflecting its par
tial dependence on natural gas, prices for ethylene rose
more slowly than prices for other petroleum-based
chemicals in early 1974 but continued to rise rapidly
into 1975 as natural gas prices accelerated in the second
half of 1974. Prices for other natural-gas-related chemi
cals and nitrogenous fertilizers also rose more slowly
and for a longer time as the result of the different
timing in natural gas price changes.
During 1978 and 1979, there was less difference in
the timing of price changes for petroleum and natural
gas. As a result, prices for the two series of chemicals
demonstrated greater similarity in their timing. Never
theless, those with a substantial natural gas component
have registered smaller price rises. For both series of
chemicals, price increases during the current period
have not been as sharp; however, large increases are
Price changes in petroleum- and natural-gas-based materials, 1973-75 and 1978-80
Annualized percent change for 3 months ended —
Producer Price Indexes
Dec.
1973
Mar.
1974
June
1974
Sept.
1974
Dec.
1974
Mar.
1975
June
1975
Sept.
1978
Dec.
1978
Mar.
1979
June
1979
Sept.
1979
Dec.
1979
Feb.
1980
Refined petroleum
products ..................
88.8
215.4
57.9
24.4
-0.3
-2.5
16.3
4.0
23.3
35.2
80.0
106.1
44.5
74.9
Petroleum-based
chemicals ................
Benzene ..............
Toluene................
Ethylene ..............
Ortho-xylene ........
Styrene monomer ..
Acetone................
0
152.0
N.A.
N.A.
137.4
0
1066.3
992.4
439.4
1016.6
421.3
198.1
97.9
172.6
157.2
513.6
995.6
403.2
74.4
-5.4
84.4
281.2
105.9
128.6
-4.1
-10.5
35.4
-11.8
18.0
43.1
-22.0
-42.1
30.9
-53.6
-12.0
.6
-40.4
-41.5
37.7
-9.2
-19.9
-29.6
19.0
35.2
.4
2.0
-.6
2.6
55.5
90.1
0
0
20.4
5.0
130.9
160.9
7.9
57.5
83.5
11.4
180.8
124.2
24.7
274.4
272.7
23.4
98.0
28.2
97.6
116.4
123.0
65.6
1.2
18.4
53.0
.5
1.8
33.4
40.4
42.7
77.4
15.0
14.3
29.6
Natural g a s ..................
17.9
19.0
11.0
23.1
44.8
37.7
79.2
13.0
21.5
39.0
43.7
45.5
35.8
45.4
Natural-gas-liquidsbased chemicals . . . .
Formaldehyde . . . .
Vinyl chloride........
Methanol ..............
Methychloroform ..
0
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
30.6
67.1
15.2
17.4
146.9
277.6
158.0
101.3
42.5
112.6
243.9
130.0
44.5
2.3
142.4
57.3
40.7
132.9
128.8
10.7
2.1
8.5
21.0
19.3
0
6.2
-4.0
31.5
4.0
-.6
-2.1
.5
7.5
-.1
6.4
-4.9
18.5
30.2
16.9
5.2
30.4
63.9
22.5
38.6
30.8
42.8
95.8
-5.0
54.4
41.0
33.1
6.6
0
238.9
31.6
164.3
124.6
35.9
-3.2
-9.9
-8.9
6.4
11.1
13.6
37.4
44.8
Plastic resins................
Plastic construction
products ..................
Plastic film and sheeting .
6.2
145.8
107.7
128.6
28.8
-.9
-16.7
-4.1
6.4
22.0
37.7
40.4
24.5
20.8
3.4
9.5
26.8
33.6
104.5
102.3
40.6
53.3
4.0
20.3
-17.2
-4.9
-12.7
-11.4
9.1
1.2
-3.7
5.5
21.3
3.9
14.3
18.7
14.4
8.0
-14.2
17.0
3.8
3.8
Synthetic rubber ..........
Tires and tubes............
7.3
27.3
45.1
53.9
91.9
13.3
30.1
17.6
16.9
12.7
-2.4
6.9
-10.4
7.1
6.9
-7.7
15.5
21.4
10.9
19.9
28.0
11.7
38.7
24.6
11.1
16.5
32.4
29.3
Cellulosic fibers............
Noncellulosic fibers . . . .
.4
0
10.5
2.4
10.6
2.0
34.8
12.0
6.2
3.9
-9.1
-3.0
24.9
-14.2
5.5
.4
0
10.9
9.3
19.4
3.7
19.2
10.6
19.4
15.5
-.6
27.2
.3
4.2
6.5
58.6
89.1
40.1
13.2
-8.4
0
5.3
4.4
6.1
5.3
6.3
4.1
1.2
3.6
11.5
9.1
8.9
7.6
10.5
4.6
11.9
7.8
4.4
5.5
7.2
14.7
1.7
3.5
14.0
12.8
17.8
9.9
7.7
11.5
10.4
13.2
9.6
6.8
16.1
7.8
Nitrogenous fertilizers . . .
Pharmaceutical
materials..................
Prescription phar
maceuticals . . . .
Over-the-counter
pharmaceuticals .
N.A. Not available.
10
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
generally continuing for a much longer time.
Plastic resins are polymerizations of chemicals from
both the petroleum series (such as styrene monomer)
and the natural gas series (such as vinyl chloride). Dur
ing both periods, prices for plastic resins generally re
flected the increases in the corresponding raw materials
within one quarter. As much as one more quarter was
required before prices of plastic products made from the
resins reflected the maximum effect of the raw materials
price increases. As prices for petroleum-based chemicals
began to decline in late 1974 and the first half of 1975,
prices for plastic resins and plastic products also began
to fall. At the start of 1980, however, prices for plastic
products began to slow despite the fact that prices for
plastic resins and their constituent chemicals were con
tinuing to post rapid increases.
Both synthetic and natural rubbers are used in the
manufacture of tires. The doubling of natural rubber
prices in 1973 was the primary cause of the 27.3-percent
rate of advance in producer tire prices during the last
quarter of 1973. Synthetic rubber prices soared during
the first half of 1974 as the result of crude oil price in
creases. These price jumps for both kinds of rubber led
to a 53.9-percent annual rate of increase in producer
prices for tires during the first quarter of 1974. Retail
tire prices, in turn, rose at double-digit rates until late
1974, when the depressed auto market lowered new-car
demand for tires, and tire price rises slowed.
Price boosts for synthetic rubber were not as sharp in
the more recent period. They were once again com
pounded by large price increases for natural rubber,
which, however, were also smaller than before. Conse
quently, tire prices have risen more slowly. Although
demand for new automobiles dropped in late 1979,
overall consumer demand remained strong enough to
enable manufacturers to pass along increases in raw ma
terials prices.
Textiles and apparel. Cellulosic fibers are only slightly
dependent on petroleum feedstocks. Noncellulosic fibers,
on the other hand, are almost exclusively petroleumbased. In 1973-74, however, noncellulosic fibers showed
only modest increases, while cellulosic fiber prices
climbed at a double-digit rate. During the current peri
od, prices for noncellulosic fibers did exhibit some great
er impact from rising oil prices, although these increases
were well below those for other petroleum derivatives.
During both periods, textile prices were under cost
pressure not only from petroleum-based synthetic fibers
but also from rapid price jumps in raw cotton. Never
theless, during 1979 prices for finished fabrics rose only
3.1 percent, and prices for apparel (other than footwear)
were up only 4.4 percent at the manufacturers’ level
and 3.8 percent at retail. In 1974, textiles and apparel
prices also experienced less-than-average increases.
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Why prices for textiles and apparel should exhibit
such apparent resistance to cost pressures from raw ma
terials is a topic that deserves further research. A num
ber of factors, however, may contribute to this
phenomenon. The apparel industry is composed of a
large number of highly competitive firms, although
competition may often be reflected in product dif
ferentiation as well as in price. In addition, there is sub
stantial competition from imports. Demand may well be
fairly price elastic, because a substantial proportion of
clothing expenditures may be discretionary.
During 1974, prices for pharmaceutical materials ap
pear to have jumped sharply in response to price in
creases for basic organic chemicals, with a lag of one or
two quarters. Raw materials constitute only a small
fraction of the cost of pharmaceuticals, with research
and development costs being unusually important. As a
result, the effect of changes in raw material costs on
drug prices is somewhat muted. In 1974, price increases
for drugs occurred at about the same time as price
changes for pharmaceutical materials. As would be
expected from their higher proportion of research and
development costs, prescription drugs were affected less
than over-the-counter preparations.
The impact of manufacturing materials
In both periods of double-digit inflation, a major fac
tor was the sharp increases in prices of materials used
in manufacturing. This was particularly the case in
1974. The Producer Price Index for intermediate materi
als less food and energy advanced more than 25 percent
that year, while the increase in 1979 was just under 13
percent. Some of this difference may be attributed to
the larger indirect effects of energy prices in the earlier
period. Another factor was a substantially more rapid
climb in crude material prices during the earlier period
which began before the jump in crude petroleum prices.
Prices for crude nonfood materials less energy were
climbing at a rate in excess of 80 percent for the 6
months ended in September 1973, compared with a
peak rate of 32.5 percent for the 6 months ended in
March 1979. (See chart 4.)
Much of the inflation during 1973-74 had its origins
in a worldwide commodity price boom that began in
late 1972, which has had no counterpart in the more re
cent period. In addition, price controls kept prices for
many items artificially low, thereby contributing to
shortages of several materials. As controls were re
moved, industrial material prices rose unusually rapidly.
Reflecting the vigorous state of the world economy, as
well as the reduced value of the dollar in international
money markets, price increases accelerated sharply for a
broad range of basic materials, such as scrap metal, nat
ural rubber, inedible fats and oils, woodpulp, and
wastepaper.
11
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Double-Digit Inflation
The steel and nonferrous metals industries are two of
the heaviest consumers of energy in manufacturing, and
in both periods prices of their products were affected by
runups in energy prices. (See table 4.) Very strong de
mand and rapid increases in scrap metal prices also
contributed to price increases for metals.
Scrap metal prices are very sensitive to demand and
thus are a barometer of the demand for metals. Howev
er, as a major raw material in metal production, scrap
metal prices also represent a cost of manufacture. Dur
ing 1973, strong demand and material shortages drove
prices of primary and scrap metals up sharply. By the
12
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
first quarter of 1974, higher prices for fuels added to the
cost pressure. By the second quarter of 1974, demand
for nonferrous metals began to fall off, depressing prices
for nonferrous scrap; rising fuel costs continued to push
up primary nonferrous prices at annual rates in excess
of 50 percent. By the end of the third quarter, most fuel
costs had been passed through, and nonferrous metal
prices began to fall in response to declining demand.
In 1974, steel manufacturers also passed on higher
fuel costs during the first half. But steel demand re
mained strong most of the rest of the year, largely be
cause of heavy demand from capital equipment
Table 4.
Indirect effects of energy costs, 1973-1975 and 1978-80
Annualized percent change for 3 months ended —
Producer Price Indexes
Crude fuels (natural gas and coal) ........................
Intermediate energy goods....................................
Ferrous scrap ......................................................
Steel mill products................................................
Passenger c a rs ....................................................
Nonferrous scrap..................................................
Primary nonferrous refinery shapes........................
Nohferrous mill shapes..........................................
Nonferrous foundry shop products ........................
Railroad freight ....................................................
Capital equipment ................................................
Consumer goods excluding food and energy..........
Services excluding energy (CPI) ............................
Home finance, taxes, and insurance (CPI) ..............
Dec.
1973
Mar.
1974
June
1974
Sept.
1974
Dec.
1974
Mar.
1975
June
1975
Sept.
1978
Dec.
1978
Mar.
1979
June
1979
Sept.
1979
Dec.
1979
Feb.
1980
26.7
46.0
345.5
11.6
-2.7
124.5
86.0
71.0
N.A.
8.5
6.6
8.4
8.1
14.4
26.3
105.3
125.8
36.3
7.4
46.2
51.3
42.6
58.7
56.2
2.1
70.9
12.0
-11.2
56.1
45.9
51.1
27.7
75.6
55.1
14.6
-54.5
1.2
16.1
53.8
12.2
-62.2
10.8
17.6
-57.5
-14.9
-11.3
-10.3
9.1
-51.0
7.7
5.0
-47.1
-22.0
-12.8
30.2
6.9
-32.4
-4.2
3.1
-26.8
-17.3
-9.5
31.2
14.3
10.0
8.9
10.8
4.6
26.8
19.2
11.6
12.0
41.8
29.9
16.9
12.7
17.6
.8
19.6
14.2
10.1
19.1
0
13.0
5.6
8.0
8.5
20.6
5.4
2.3
6.3
7.2
11.3
-4.2
37.3
7.4
6.6
41.3
25.7
12.6
11.8
15.4
8.1
8.4
10.6
19.0
14.7
12.6
82.0
7.8
4.2
34.5
24.1
19.4
7.0
31.5
7.9
7.7
8.3
8.3
26.6
15.1
79.9
13.5
11.5
57.5
56.6
31.9
11.2
3.5
10.5
10.3
11.7
25.8
32.1
52.8
-6.4
8.9
10.2
30.4
29.0
8.4
45.7
6.0
9.4
7.9
11.7
22.0
32.4
71.1
-29.2
7.4
1.8
11.4
44.5
16.0
15.0
16.9
5.9
9.1
14.2
25.3
27.5
37.1
33.0
12.4
6.8
52.9
89.0
22.1
-1.0
33.9
9.4
10.5
17.1
38.1
33.9
55.8
-9.6
5.8
9.3
101.9
217.3
24.8
10.9
5.9
13.2
22.1
18.7
39.5
N.A. Not available.
manufacturers. Prices continued to rise into 1975 as a
result.
In 1978 and early 1979, strong demand for both fer
rous and nonferrous metals kept prices for metal scrap
rising rapidly, although not as spectacularly as in 1973.
Unlike the second half of 1974, however, the second
half of 1979 saw considerable slackening in demand for
steel. This reduction in demand, coupled with the im
pact of the Administration’s price guidelines, helped to
keep the rise in steel prices smaller than in the earlier
episode. Increased fuel costs undoubtedly contributed to
the continuing steel prices increases. Steel prices were
also affected by the Government’s “reference pricing
system” which placed a floor under imported steel
prices through the use of anti-dumping duties triggered
by a set of reference prices.
In contrast to 1974, nonferrous metal prices also have
continued to rise rapidly. The effects of increased energy
costs have been matched or exceeded by a number of
other factors that were not present in 1974. Speculative
demand drove prices for gold and silver up more than
200 and 600 percent over the 12 months ending in Jan
uary 1980. Speculation spilled over into other metals,
especially copper, which rose nearly 50 percent in the
same period. (Other commodities such as sugar, natural
rubber, and raw cotton were also affected by specula
tion.) Cobalt prices quadrupled during 1978 and 1979
because of political violence in Zaire, the world’s lead
ing producer.
The case of new cars. During both periods, new car
prices were pushed upwards by the direct and indirect
effects of the drop in the value of the dollar in interna
tional money markets. Prices of imported cars were
raised to offset the dollar’s decline; these increases in
turn allowed domestic producers to boost prices of
those models which were in high demand because they
were most competitive with imports in terms of size and
mileage. Both periods later witnessed a drop in demand
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for larger new automobiles in response to the un
certainties of gasoline supply and higher gasoline prices.
In the early months of both 1975 and 1980, manufac
turers established substantial rebate programs to stimu
late demand.
Price behavior of new cars each time, however, was
quite different. During the 12 months ending in Febru
ary 1975, new car prices rose 11.5 percent, compared
with 8.0 percent for the 12 months ending in February
1980. The earlier increase was larger, partly because, as
noted, steel prices rose more rapidly. Some of the
slower rise in the current period might also be attribut
ed to the Administration’s price guidelines. The slower
recent advance came in spite of the fact that demand
for new cars remained stronger than in 1975; auto pro
duction has remained well ahead of its 1975 levels. The
stronger demand currently may partly reflect the auto
mobile industry’s restructuring of its product line since
the mid-1970’s, improving gas mileage substantially on
existing car lines and introducing more small-car
models.
Distribution costs rise
Petroleum products, of course, are used heavily in the
distribution of goods, including transportation and the
operation of retail outlets. The intermediate energy
goods and crude fuel indexes in table 4 show the rising
costs from energy faced by the distribution process.
The railroad freight rate index illustrates the impact
of fuel cost changes on transportation charges. The reg
ulatory process usually permits some immediate relief to
carriers for fuel cost increases. However, the full impact
usually seems to come 3 to 6 months later.
The effects of fuel costs on the distribution process
are illustrated by the prices for food at home. (See chart
2.) Through the first part of 1976, the over-the-year per
cent change in that CPI component had mirrored
changes in the PPI for consumer food in a very regular
way: major changes in the two indexes occurred either
13
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Double-Digit Inflation
simultaneously or within a month or two of each other,
and prices received by food processors both accelerated
and slowed more quickly because retailers and whole
salers tended to absorb some of the increases and re
coup them on the down side. Retailers infrequently
evaluated and incorporated changes in overhead costs
into pricing decisions.
The energy price runup of 1974 changed all of that.
It took a couple of years for retailers to adjust. But,
since the beginning of 1976, food price increases over
12-month periods have usually been larger for the CPI
than for the PPI, both when food prices were accelerat
ing and when they were decelerating. While these data
do not readily yield an estimate of the price impact of
energy on the food distribution chain, they clearly sug
gest an increasing influence of energy on food prices
which dampens the effect of falling producer prices on
retail prices.
Increases other than food and energy
Substantial indirect energy effects on prices of con
sumer commodities other than food and energy began
to be reflected in the PPI during the first quarter of
1974. (See table 4 and chart 5.) As we have noted, the
end of price controls, strong demand, and worldwide
inflation in a number of basic materials also caused
manufacturers’ prices to accelerate through the second
quarter. As both energy prices and demand began to
slow in the second half of the year, increases in produc
er prices for finished goods other than food and energy
decelerated, reaching a 3-month annual rate of only 2.3
percent by the middle of 1975.
Retail prices for commodities other than food and en
ergy rose somewhat more slowly than at the producer
level, hit their peak about one quarter later, and decel
erated more slowly. Prices for consumer services other
than energy followed the same pattern with still smaller
increases and less pronounced deceleration.
Currently, retail and manufacturers’ prices for non
food commodities other than energy have moved even
more closely together. The major exception was in early
1980 when sharp PPI rises for fine jewelry and silver
flatware were not reflected as strongly in the CPI.
Prices for goods other than food and energy have risen
more slowly this time. On the other hand, their period
of rapid increases has been more protracted, and the in
direct impacts of the last two OPEC price increases
have not yet filtered through.
In addition, demand seems to have been fueled by a
psychology of inflationary expectations in which
consumers have made purchases out of fear that prices
will be still higher in the future. As a result, by recent
standards personal savings rates have reached new lows,
and consumer debt has hit new highs. Speculation in
basic materials has also served to extend the inflation
14
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ary period, and the final effects from that still have not
reached the consumer.
Unlike the earlier period, the index for nonenergy ser
vice prices has risen faster than commodity prices and
has continued to accelerate to rates higher than those
reached in 1974. This difference can be traced to the ef
fect of mortgage costs, which have accounted for about
half of the increase in this index. The record-high mort
gage interest rates in turn are the result of the
overheated economy and the elevated demand for
consumer credit to finance the inflation-induced de
mand, as well as significant steps taken by the Federal
Reserve Board to restrict credit. Because of the lag
from the time a house buyer contracts for a mortgage
until settlement, the maximum impact from the recent
runups in mortgage interest costs has not yet been re
flected in the CPI.
Capital equipment. Producer prices for capital equip
ment advanced at a much faster rate in the first round
of double-digit inflation. (See table 4 and chart 6.) After
rising 5.3 percent in 1973, this index jumped to a
14.3-percent rate in the first quarter of 1974 and rapidly
accelerated after the April 30 expiration of the price
controls program to a rate* of about 30 percent in the
third quarter. This index was still climbing at a 13-per
cent rate as late as the first quarter of 1975, at the bot
tom of the recession. In contrast, the rate of increase in
capital equipment prices peaked at a rate of no more
than 11 percent in early 1979 and rose 8.7 percent for
the year as a whole, only slightly more than the 8-percent increase registered in 1978.
The 1974-75 spurt in the capital equipment index
was in two ways a reflection of capacity shortages in
many materials-producing industries. On the one hand,
these shortages produced sharply increased demand for
many types of industrial equipment; on the other, they
drove up prices for the major materials used in the
manufacture of capital equipment.
The absence of a similar widespread capacity crunch
more recently helped to moderate capital equipment in
flation, as the rate of growth in the general economy
did not prove excessive compared to the Nation’s capi
tal stock. The relatively slow rate of recovery in capital
expenditures after the last recession had raised concerns
that the economy would soon be constrained by an in
adequate supply of investment goods. Rather than com
mit themselves to long-term capital projects which
might lead to excess capacity, many producers
attempted to prolong the useful life of existing plants
and equipment; one consequence was increased demand
for replacement parts and thus a rapid rate of inflation
in their prices.
Special factors contributed to changes in the rate of
inflation during the 1970’s for some types of capital
Chart 5.
Inflation rates for consumer goods, less food and energy, 1972-801
Percent change
20
Commodities less food and energy
-5
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
25
20
15
10
5
0
-5
^Three-month changes seasonally adjusted at annual rates for the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for commodities less food and energy, and the
Producer Price Index for finished consumer goods less food and energy.
equipment. The drive to make America less dependent
on foreign energy sources, for example, kept prices for
most kinds of capital associated with the energy explo
ration and production industries advancing rapidly from
1973 through the end of the decade, even during times
when prices of most other investment goods were rising
slowly. Prices for agricultural and construction machin
ery were somewhat sensitive to shifts in the level of
farmers’ income and construction activity. Prices for
machine tools rose at unusually steep rates during much
of the 1978-79 episode, in part because of intense de
mand from the motor vehicles industry generated by
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the need to produce downsized models with improved
fuel efficiency; heavy demand from the aerospace indus
try was another important influence.
In contrast, motor truck prices rose much less in the
current period, partly because demand for light trucks
and vans with relatively low gas mileage dropped great
ly in the wake of the steep rise in gasoline prices in
mid-1979. Demand for capital goods by electric utilities
was restrained as some expansion projects were post
poned or canceled; sharply higher electricity rates led to
increased consumer conservation efforts, thereby lower
ing the long-range projections of growth in electricity
15
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Double-Digit Inflation
demand, while some planned nuclear and conventional
power projects encountered environmental or political
objections.
The housing boom
Both periods of double-digit inflation witnessed a
boom in the market for residential real estate. Price in
dexes for both mortgage interest rates and home pur
chase started to accelerate around mid-1973, more than
a year after rising food prices had initiated the accelera
tion in the All Items CPI. From July 1973 through Oc
tober 1974, the CPI for mortgage interest rates moved
up 21.4 percent. Home purchase prices also started to
advance more rapidly in mid-1973 and continued to rise
at a steep rate for nearly 2 years; by May 1975, this in
dex was 21.9 percent higher than in July 1973. During
the current inflation, home purchase prices and mort
gage interest rates have again soared. Between Decem
ber 1977 and February 1980, the index for mortgage
interest rates increased 35.3 percent; the home purchase
index climbed 30.5 percent during the same span.
Rising construction material costs were an important
influence in the home price surge of 1973-74, but may
have been less crucial in the current period. In the year
ended September., 1974, the Producer Price Index for
construction materials and components advanced 23.6
percent. This steep rate partly reflected sharply higher
16
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prices for many kinds of energy-intensive construction
materials, such as structural steel, cement, flat glass,
structural clay products, and asphalt, as well as strong
demand from competing uses. During the more recent
period, the PPI for construction materials rose 11 per
cent in 1978, before slowing somewhat during 1979 as
the housing construction market weakened.
Demand for homes was extremely strong during most
of the 1970’s, partly because of a rapid growth in the
number of people in the age and income categories most
interested in buying a first home. The rate of residential
construction starts peaked in October 1972 at more
than 2.4 million units, as ample funds were available to
accomodate the intense demand. (See table 5.) But as
the general economic boom continued, tighter condi
tions began to prevail in the money markets. The result
ing record-high interest rates reduced the availability of
home mortgage financing. This was a major factor in
the virtual collapse of the homebuilding industry by late
1974 and early 1975, when construction of new private
housing units sank to less than one million. As housing
starts reached this depressed level after 2 years of de
cline, interest rates dropped quickly, and home pur
chase prices began to rise much more slowly.
The residential construction market recovered gradu
ally from its depressed level of early 1975, as mortgage
funds became generally available again. By 1978, the
annual rate of new private home construction exceeded
the 2-million unit mark in spite of the renewed climb in
interest rates. Although a marked drop in construction
activity was widely anticipated for 1979, the housing
market was able to maintain most of its vigor until late
in the year. The strength of the residential construction
market in the late 1970’s, in part, reflected several insti
tutional changes, combined with the development of an
inflationary psychology among many prospective home
buyers.
New regulations allowed savings institutions (tradi
tionally the primary source of mortgage financing) to is
sue money market certificates as of mid-1978, which
paid an interest rate approximately equal to that of sixmonth Treasury bills. This action allowed savings insti
tutions to compete more effectively for investment capi
tal. This prevented “disintermediation,” which had
often occurred late in a business expansion when rising
interest rates induced investors to purchase high-yield
certificates rather than deposit funds in savings and
loans, where interest rates were kept down by law. In
the past, disintermediation led to recessions in the
homebuilding industry, which helped to bring about
downturns in overall business activity.
The new high-interest securities issued by savings in
stitutions provided the financing which allowed the
housing construction industry to operate at higher than
expected levels during 1978 and much of 1979. By Feb
ruary 1980, however, mortgage interest rates were
climbing at a 3-month annual rate of 33.9 percent—re
flecting a series of credit-tightening moves by the Feder
al Reserve Board in early October. As a result, it was
no longer profitable for many thrift institutions to make
mortgage loans. The resulting cutoff or restrictions on
home purchase financing in many parts of the country
led to a drop in the rate of new home construction to
an annual rate of approximately 1.5 million units at the
beginning of 1980. As in 1973-74, home purchase
prices and interest rates continued to climb many
months after the rate of residential construction had be
gun to decline.
Another reason why the housing market maintained
its strength longer than had been generally expected
was that homes became more attractive as an invest
ment. Inflationary expectations led many people to shift
their assets from savings to home equity. From June
1978 through December 1979, the CPI for home pur
chase rose about 23 percent, compared with an advance
of about 18 percent for the All Items CPI. Because
home values were generally rising faster than the overall
inflation rate, home purchases were widely viewed as a
hedge against inflation. The consequent high demand
for houses served to push prices up further and rein
force the initial perception. This was one reason the ag
gregate personal savings rate fell to about 3.5 percent
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Table 5. Timing of selected business cycle indicators
and the Consumer Price Index
1978 -79
1973 -74
Lead time1
Lead time1
Business cycle indicator
Gross National Product, 1972
dollars............................
Personal income, 1972 dollars
Employees on nonagricultural
payrolls..........................
Industrial production index . . .
Capacity utilization..............
New orders for nondefense
capital goods, 1972 dollars
New housing starts..............
Ratio of deflated inventories
to sales, nonmanufacturing
and trade........................
Corporate bond yields ........
Ratio of consumer installment
credit to personal income
Index of four roughly
coincident Indicators........
Trough to
Peak to
Trough to
acceleration deceleration acceleration
start
start
start
Date of
high value
preceding
Feb. 1980
-18
-18
-11
-12
-32
-28
(2)
Dec. 1979
-18
-18
-18
0
-4
-14
-30
-31
-32
(2)
Mar. 1979
First quarter
1979
-19
-28
-3
-24
-28
-32
Mar. 1979
Apr. 1978
-18
-4
-20
-1
-31
-10
-11
-8
-24
Sept. 1979
-18
-11
-31
Mar. 1979
( 2)
( 2)
1The number of months by which the trough or peak of the given business cycle indicator
leads (negative value) the start of acceleration or deceleration in the All Items CPI.
2These indicators were still rising at the time of the most recent available data.
by the end of 1979, compared with a personal savings
rate of about 8 percent at the previous business cycle
peak in late 1973.
The jump in food prices
Food prices played a greater role in the inflation of
1973-74. The CPI for food rose 20.1 percent in 1973
and 12.2 percent in 1974, compared with increases of
11.8 percent in 1978 and 10.2 percent in 1979. Retail
food prices generally rose more moderately in the inter
vening period. Sharp advances in food marketing costs
— particularly those most vulnerable to changes in ener
gy prices—were a major influence in both periods; food
processing and marketing currently account for about
two-thirds of retail food prices.
Both periods were characterized by the declining val
ue of the dollar on international exchange markets. The
real value of agricultural exports expanded more than
60 percent from 1972 through 1979, partly because of
the lower value of the dollar in international money
markets. As a result, the relative proportion of agricul
tural exports to total cash receipts for farm products in
creased over the decade; more than 25 percent of all
total cash receipts for farm products were accounted for
by exports in 1979, compared with a 15-percent share
in the early 1970’s.
Beef prices were highly volatile in both periods as
cattle owners initially attempted to liquidate herds that
were no longer profitable. Smaller cattle herds led to
higher beef prices, which encouraged consumers to shift
demand to less expensive substitutes, such as pork,
poultry, and cheese, resulting in higher prices for these
17
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Double-Digit Inflation
items. Price trends for beef tend to last longer than
trends for pork and processed poultry prices; because
the production cycle for cattle is longer, adjustments in
beef output to changing market conditions are slower.
In both cases, high cattle prices eventually induced
farmers to increase their cattle herds. In 1974, this pro
duced declines in beef prices. In the current period,
herd rebuilding has only recently begun.
Unfavorable weather conditions reduced grain sup
plies in several foreign producing countries in 1972 and
early 1973. Curtailed harvests in these countries, partic
ularly the Soviet Union, and scarce supplies of soybean
and Peruvian fish meal caused an upsurge in export de
mand for U.S. grains. From July 1972 to October 1973,
grain prices soared 137.8 percent and manufactured ani
mal feeds, 166.4 percent.
To alleviate the situation of tight supplies and in
creasing prices of grains and grain products in 1973 and
1974, changes were made in various Government farm
commodity programs in an effort to expand domestic
crop production and supplies. The Federal Government
liquidated virtually all of its stockpiles of major grains.
Direct export subsidies for all agricultural commodities
were terminated. Export restrictions were placed on
soybeans and cottonseeds in 1973.
Grain prices declined from late 1974 through
mid-1977, so that they were only half as high at the end
of this period as they were at the beginning. On bal
ance, there were favorable growing conditions in grainproducing countries. In 1976, domestic production of
both wheat and corn was at record levels. Carryover in
ventories of grains at the start of the 1976-77 growing
season were at the highest level in 20 years, re
flecting lower exports. Grain prices then rose for most
months from mid-1977 through the end of 1979, al
though at rates well below those of the first period. The
PPI for grains was more than 60 percent higher in De
cember 1979 than in August 1977. The Federal Govern
ment’s program of farmer-owned grain reserves and
increased construction of on-farm storage facilities per
mitted farmers to withhold corn and wheat from the
market and thus kept prices rising in spite of excellent
domestic harvests. Strong export demand was another
key influence.
Among other foods, retail prices for sugar and sweets
soared 130.9 percent from January 1973 to January
1975, as raw cane sugar prices quadrupled. The unusu
ally sharp increases were caused by several factors, such
as a poor harvest of European sugar beets, typhoon
damage to Philippine sugar cane crops, strong demand
in world markets, and the uncertainty of U.S. purchas
ing policies due to the expiration of U.S. sugar price
supports. Over the next 2 years, however, these prices
declined as output expanded in the face of buyer resis
tance. Prices for sugar and sweets turned up again in
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January 1977 and continued to rise through the rest of
the decade, although not nearly as rapidly as in the ear
lier price boom.
Retail roasted coffee prices more than tripled from
mid-1975 through mid-1977, reflecting first the effects of
the severe 1975 Brazilian freeze and, later, the effects of
production problems in Guatemala and Angola. This
index declined by one-third from mid-1977 through
mid-1979, as output gradually expanded and consumers
cut consumption in reaction against higher prices.
Prices turned up for the rest of 1979, partly because of
adverse weather in Brazil and political turmoil in Nica
ragua.
The current situation
It would be risky to develop any generalizations
about the way double-digit inflations end from a single
recent example. Nevertheless, it is the only comparable
case available. Noting the similarities and differences
between then and now will at least help to define the
situation as of early 1980 and point to the factors to be
watched in the coming months.
One of the major factors contributing to the rapid
deceleration of prices in 1974-75 was the severe reces
sion that accompanied it. The recession has been offi
cially designated as beginning in the fall of 1973 at
about the time that the Gross National Product, real
personal income, and capacity utilization turned down.
It remained mild, however, until late in 1974, after em
ployment, industrial production, and new orders for
nondefense capital goods all had begun to decline.
Prices began to decelerate only after the recession en
tered its most depressed months. (See table 5.)
Although a number of forecasters have been predict
ing a recession for some time, the evidence is still not
conclusive that one has begun. Industrial production,
new orders for nondefense capital goods, and capacity
utilization are all below first-quarter 1979 levels, and
real personal income declined during the first two
months of 1980. But the Gross National Product and
employment, the two most significant indicators of a re
cession, have not begun to decline.
A severe recession need not be the only way to bring
double-digit inflation down. Nevertheless, the single ex
ample of 1974-75 suggests that prices are slowed as the
result of declining demand only when the reduction is
substantial and prolonged. As of February 1980, little
price relief from this source could be expected in the
near future. The indicators in table 5 are those to watch
for signs of slowing demand pressure on prices. Even if
such relief were to come, it could well be partly or en
tirely offset by other factors.
One of the most important factors is the price of
crude petroleum. There was a sudden rise in imported
crude petroleum prices in late 1973-early 1974; by the
second quarter of 1974, energy prices at all stages of
processing were decelerating. Six months later, the sec
ondary effects on other products were sufficiently atten
uated to permit prices to begin slowing down as the
general recession intensified.
During 1979, the situation was quite different. Al
though the increases in OPEC oil quotations were
slower, OPEC raised its prices several times during the
year. In addition, domestic energy prices are now less
insulated from the world price of petroleum for a num
ber of reasons: imports constitute 45 percent of all
crude petroleum, compared with 26 percent in 1973;
prices of domestically produced crude petroleum have
been partially decontrolled and about one-fourth is now
sold at approximately the world price; and price con
trols on natural gas have been relaxed somewhat since
1974.
Unlike 1974, crude and intermediate energy prices ac
celerated for about one year and did not begin slowing
until October 1979. Even then, the slowdown, especially
for crude energy, has been only modest. Imported crude
petroleum prices are not included in this index, and the
two most recent OPEC price increases have not yet
been totally reflected in intermediate or finished prod
ucts. In addition, OPEC is now reviewing its prices
quarterly, and future actions cannot be anticipated. As
a result, if reduced demand should begin to exert a
slowing effect on prices during the early spring of 1980,
the offsetting pressure from the attempts to pass
through rising energy prices will be greater than they
were in 1974.
Currently, cost pressures from crude and intermediate
materials other than food and energy may be more
protracted. In 1973 and 1974, prices for crude nonfood
materials began to decelerate sharply 1 full year before
the All Items CPI started to slow down; prices of inter
mediate nonfood materials did so 2 months before the
CPI, with a very sharp deceleration thereafter. In 1979,
prices for crude nonfood materials except energy began
a deceleration in April, which would have been consis
tent with a slowdown for the CPI during the early
spring of 1980. Unfortunately, these prices accelerated
sharply beginning in October and had reached an annu
al rate exceeding 30 percent by February 1980.
The PPI for intermediate materials less food and en
ergy stopped accelerating in early 1979. Unlike the
rapid deceleration that occurred in 1974, prices in 1979
continued to rise at an annual rate of about 13 percent
for the remainder of the year. Although the increases
were only about half as fast as in 1974, they began to
accelerate further during the first 2 months of 1980,
even if the effects of gold and silver speculation are re
moved. However, to the extent that the acceleration in
both crude and intermediate materials may also be af
fected by speculation in commodities such as cotton,
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rubber, and copper, it could collapse very quickly if de
mand drops.
Food prices are already a more moderating influence
on the overall rate of inflation than was the case just
prior to the deceleration phase in 1974. Retail food
prices were 7.3 percent higher in February 1980 than 12
months earlier, while prices at the primary market level
were up less than 3 percent. In addition, carryover
supplies of most crops are extremely good, and cattle
herds, though small, are beginning to expand. Of
course, weather and foreign purchase plans can shift
suddenly and change the price picture.
The stringent credit-tightening measures announced
by the Federal Reserve Board in October 1979,
followed by even greater tightening in March, are much
more restrictive than any monetary actions in 1973-74.
Interest rates may have a number of different impacts
on overall price levels. On the one hand, higher interest
rates are a cost and push prices higher. On the other
hand, by discouraging debt-financed purchases they
dampen demand and exert a slowing effect on prices. In
this connection, rising interest rates during 1979 finally
stopped the growth of installment credit as a propor
tion of personal income in September. In 1974, a similar
drop in consumer credit preceded overall price decelera
tion by 8 months. If a comparable mechanism is present
now, reduced consumer borrowing should exert slowing
pressure on prices during the first half of 1980.
Interest rates on mortgages have a substantial impact
on the CPI. Rapid rises in mortgage interest rates dur
ing late 1979 and early 1980 are among the most signi
ficant causes of continuing high inflation. However, high
house prices and high interest rates have both had a de
pressing effect on the demand for housing. New housing
starts have been falling since April 1978. During the
earlier round of double-digit inflation, there was a twoyear lag between the initial decline in housing starts and
the deceleration of the CPI. A similar development this
time would place the decelerating effect of house prices
in the spring of 1980. In addition, a significant drop in
aggregate demand would reduce the demand for bor
rowed funds and bring down mortgage interest rates.
Finally, there is the matter of the pressure which ris
ing wages may have on prices, both from the demand
side and from the cost of production. When prices be
gan to decelerate after October 1974, hourly earnings
(as measured by the average hourly earnings index for
the total nonfarm sector) had increased 9.1 percent the
previous year. As of December 1979, hourly earnings
were 8.3 percent above their year-ago level. While these
data suggest that wage pressures are not as severe now
as they were during the earlier period, this proposition
can be accepted only with two cautions. First, the
higher 1974 rate (9.1 percent) was the result of a sud
den runup from 5.8 percent at the end of 1972, while
19
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Double-Digit Inflation
the current 8.3-percent rate is a continuation of the 7.58.5-percent range that has prevailed since 1975. Second,
the lower rate may conceal a large pent-up demand for
higher wages that may erupt later.
The cost of labor in the production process can be af
fected by two other factors as well: the cost of non wage
compensation and changes in productivity. The com
bined effects of wages, other compensation, and produc
tivity are reflected in the unit labor cost data. These data
show that because of more severe declines in productivi
ty, unit labor costs were also placing greater immediate
pressure on prices during 1974, increasing by 14.8 per
cent that year, compared with 11.1 percent in 1979.
In summary, we can make the following characteriza
tions about double-digit inflation in 1973-74 and today:
Energy prices were a major factor in both periods.
Currently, price increases have been much more
protracted, and both direct and indirect effects of
crude petroleum prices have not yet been fully felt by
the consumer. Future changes are heavily dependent
on OPEC pricing decisions.
Food prices led the acceleration both times but are
currently a moderating influence.
Manufacturing material prices rose much more
sharply in 1973-74. Although there were some indi
cations in 1979 that crude material prices had slowed,
speculation and strong demand renewed their rapid
increase.
Nonfood finished commodities other than energy had
substantial price increases in both periods as the re
sult of higher raw material and energy costs, coupled
with strong demand. Currently, cost pressures are
still being felt, and slackening in demand has been
too small to have had a major impact. Inflationary
expectations have buoyed demand, increasing
consumer debt and reducing the personal savings
rate.
Mortgage interest and house prices pushed inflation
up sharply in both periods. A decline in the housing
market beginning in late 1972 led to a slowing of
house price rises in 1975. The housing market has
been declining again since the spring of 1978. Mort
gage interest rates are currently being pushed to re
cord levels, partly as the result of Federal Reserve
credit-tightening actions.
□
FOOTNOTES
The dates we have chosen for each phase are those appropriate for
the Consumer Price Index for All Items for All Urban Consumers
(CPI-U). To help reduce the effects of “statistical noise” in the data,
annualized rates of change over 3-month spans are used throughout
our analysis, unless otherwise specified. Seasonally adjusted data have
been used for those time series exhibiting a pattern of stable
seasonality.
Through the first 9 months of 1979, the acquisition cost of
imported oil climbed 67.7 percent, compared with a rise of 41.7 per
cent in the benchmark price. As 1980 began, the benchmark price was
raised by an additional one-third retroactive to October 1979, and by
another 8.3 percent effective in January 1980. OPEC decided to re
view crude oil prices every 3 months in the future.
In both episodes, the Federal Government controlled gasoline
prices at all levels, whereas fuel oil prices were decontrolled in 1976.
\
20
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Measuring wage relationships
among selected occupations
Occupational wage spreads, as measured
by survey averages, do not mirror relationships
within individual firms; pay differentials
are much smaller within establishments
V irginia L. Ward
Reviewers of occupational wage relationships should
not be misled by averages derived from wage surveys.
An analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’
area wage surveys1 confirmed that nationwide relation
ships may have little or no similarity to those within in
dividual establishments.
Inter-establishment averages are the basic product of
the Bureau’s occupational wage surveys. However, these
averages tend to mask actual intra-establishment pay re
lationships. For example, in South Bend, Ind.,2 during
March 1976, average weekly earnings of class B secre
taries were $165.50 and of class D secretaries (the low
est level studied that year), $167.50. This inverse
relationship indicates that, in South Bend, establish
ments paying high wages employed proportionately
more class D secretaries and low-wage establishments
employed proportionately more class B secretaries.
In other instances, the published wage relationships
may seem more reasonable, although they do not reflect
those within sirigle establishments. National wage data
indicate that maintenance workers averaged almost
twice as much in hourly pay as janitors and that men in
office clerical occupations averaged more than their fe
male counterparts. But, when intra-establishment aver
ages are compared, these differences are smaller.
The analysis in this article is based on measures of
occupational wage relationships— pay relatives—which
Virginia L. Ward is an economist formerly with the Office of Wages
and Industrial Relations, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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reflect the pay practices and structures of employers.
Pay relatives express earnings for an occupation as a
percent of average earnings for a benchmark occupation
in the same establishment. Janitor (“janitor, porter,
cleaner”) is used as the benchmark here because the job
is widespread among establishments and is usually at or
near the bottom of the wage scale—a convenience when
analyzing pay relatives. The pay relatives were computed
by dividing an establishment’s average hourly earnings
for the occupation being compared by the average for
janitors.3The next step was to array the pay relatives for
establishments contributing to an occupational compar
ison (one pay relative per establishment, weighted by es
tablishment and area weights) and determine the median
of the array. The results are presented in table 1.
Occupations were not compared one to another (for
example, class A typists to class B typists). If they had
been, the results discussed in this article might be quite
different because the establishments included in the
comparisons would have been different.4 For example,
establishments employing janitors and class A typists
are not likely to be identical to those employing class A
and class B typists.
Intra-establishment patterns
Nationwide. Based on median establishment pay rela
tives, blue-collar occupations averaged more than the
janitorial occupation; a number of white-collar occupa
tions averaged less. (See table 1.) Top-level secretaries
were the highest paid clerical workers in 1976, averag21
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Measuring Wage Relationships
Table 1.
Intra-establishment wage relationships for selected occupations, by industry and region, 1976
[Janitorial pay =100]
Industry division
Occupation
Region
All Industries
Manufacturing
Nonmanu
facturing
145
131
120
110
100
109
101
134
123
113
104
93
102
95
162
142
131
123
109
121
106
149
133
118
109
100
110
101
161
143
129
121
113
122
114
129
120
111
101
91
99
89
153
134
122
109
100
111
100
98
90
93
84
108
98
99
88
112
100
93
83
98
87
118
102
105
89
86
110
86
98
112
97
95
83
81
106
82
95
128
108
111
94
89
120
89
105
119
101
105
92
86
109
85
100
128
110
121
100
97
118
95
106
109
95
100
78
78
103
81
90
115
99
105
88
87
113
86
99
118
108
111
100
125
113
111
109
123
117
121
97
116
107
101
106
98
102
105
109
95
101
114
118
94
99
108
109
105
97
100
91
118
106
104
96
120
106
99
87
108
99
127
112
101
124
109
102
130
117
98
138
112
112
146
120
109
123
110
93
124
107
229
190
160
219
175
146
251
218
177
226
190
149
272
232
210
198
170
147
247
190
160
190
160
136
176
151
122
215
182
146
192
168
142
234
184
145
167
145
119
189
174
134
139
125
111
130
118
105
155
133
118
141
126
109
164
136
120
127
116
99
145
125
112
155
132
113
96
152
131
112
87
168
148
119
115
155
131
116
84
168
144
116
112
145
123
109
88
158
129
110
96
160
148
134
125
157
143
127
123
178
162
142
154
155
139
119
127
179
160
146
142
147
141
125
117
174
147
130
131
136
140
128
139
134
132
128
130
128
110
135
152
143
119
130
138
124
138
134
127
128
129
128
109
135
151
130
118
167
163
160
145
144
146
138
131
131
115
182
129
135
137
124
136
132
130
128
134
130
109
139
153
134
117
147
153
143
148
144
138
133
139
135
114
140
165
156
122
128
134
125
133
129
125
128
125
127
109
132
144
136
120
143
144
136
141
141
136
126
126
128
110
147
167
171
12?
112
119
112
117
110
127
113
123
109
117
112
118
106
127
Northeast
South
North
Central
West
Office clerical
Secretaries:
Class A ............................................................................
Class B ............................................................................
Class C .............................................................................
Class D .............................................................................
Stenographers, general ............................................................
Stenographers, senior ..............................................................
Transcribing-machine typists......................................................
Typists:
Class A ............................................................................
Class B ............................................................................
Clerks:
Accounting, class A ..........................................................
Accounting, class B ..........................................................
File, class A ......................................................................
File, class B ......................................................................
File, class C ......................................................................
Payroll...............................................................................
Messengers ..........................................................................
Switchboard operator-receptionists ............................................
Bookkeeping-machine operators:
Class A ............................................................................
Class B ............................................................................
Billers, machine:
Billing machine..................................................................
Bookkeeping machine........................................................
Keypunch operators:
Class A ............................................................................
Class 8 ............................................................................
Tabulating machine operators:
Class A ............................................................................
Class B ............................................................................
Class C ............................................................................
Professional and technical
Computer systems analysts:
Class A ............................................................................
Class B ............................................................................
Class C ............................................................................
Computer programmers:
Class A ............................................................................
Class B ............................................................................
Class C ............................................................................
Computer operators:
Class A ......................................................................
Class B ....................................................................
Class C ............................................................
Drafters:
Class A ......................................................
Class B ..................................................
Class C ....................................................................
Drafter-tracers....................................................
Electronics technicians:
Class A ........................................................
Class B ..................................................................
Cass C ..........................................................
Registered industrial nurses ..........................................
Maintenance, toolroom, and powerplant
Maintenance carpenters............................................................
Maintenance electricians ..........................................................
Maintenance painters..............................................
Maintenance machinists ............................................................
Maintenance mechanics (machinery)........................................
Maintenance mechanics (motor vehicles)....................................
Maintenance pipefitters ............................................................
Maintenance sheet-metal workers..........................
Millwrights............................................................
Maintenance trades helpers ....................................
Machine-tool operators (toolroom)............................................
Tool and die makers ..........................................................
Stationary engineers ................................................................
Boiler tenders ....................................................................
Material movement and custodial
Truckdrivers:
Light truck ........................................................................
Medium tru ck....................................................................
22
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Table 1.
Continued — Intra-establishment wage relationships for selected occupations
[Janitorial pay=100]
Region
Industry division
Occupation
Heavy truck (trailer) ..........................................................
Heavy truck (other than trailer) ..........................................
Shipping clerks ........................................................................
Receiving clerks ......................................................................
Shipping and receiving clerks ....................................................
Warehousemen........................................................................
Order fillers..............................................................................
Shipping packers......................................................................
Material handling laborers ........................................................
Forklift operators......................................................................
Power-truck operators (other than forklift) ..................................
Guards....................................................................................
Watchmen................................................................................
All industries
Manufacturing
Nonmanu
facturing
123
122
116
116
119
114
108
105
103
109
109
105
102
120
117
116
113
117
112
107
105
103
108
108
104
101
135
136
119
125
123
123
111
105
104
121
111
106
105
ing 45 percent more than janitors. Messengers and en
try-level file clerks were the lowest paid, averaging 14
percent less than janitors. Seven of the 26 office clerical
occupations had pay relatives below 100.
Pay relatives for the 17 professional and technical oc
cupations varied with the duties and responsibilities.
Drafter-tracers who prepare simple drawings or copy
drawings by tracing had the lowest pay relative of the
group; systems analysts responsible for the most com
plex problems had the highest in the entire study.
Unlike the professional and technical group, pay rela
tives for 11 of the 14 maintenance, toolroom, and
powerplant occupations studied were clustered within a
comparatively narrow band— 128 to 143. These 11 spe
cialized occupations generally are found in large union
ized establishments and require a formal apprenticeship
or equivalent training and experience. Pay relatives for
tool and die makers were the highest and those for
maintenance trades helpers and boiler tenders were the
lowest. Pay relatives for material movement and custo
dial occupations (other than janitor) ranged from a low
of 102 for watchmen to 123 for trailer truckdrivers.
Industry. Pay relatives based on janitorial pay were gen
erally larger in nonmanufacturing than in manufactur
ing industries. For example, class A typists in non
manufacturing earned 8 percent more than janitors,
while their counterparts in manufacturing earned 7 per
cent less.
Among the nonmanufacturing industries, services held
the most favorable pay position for office clerical work
ers with pay relatives averaging 5 points above those in
all nonmanufacturing industries; wholesale trade was
lowest, averaging 9 points below nonmanufacturing.
Computer occupations’ pay relatives were about 35
points higher in retail trade, finance, and services than in
public utilities and wholesale trade. The lower relatives
were due to comparatively high wages for janitors, rath
er than low wages for computer personnel.5
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Northeast
South
North
Central
West
131
132
117
114
115
112
108
104
104
109
112
107
103
122
116
117
120
126
117
107
107
103
110
111
107
101
117
117
115
114
116
113
107
105
103
107
105
104
101
132
120
121
117
120
115
111
106
104
112
110
102
105
Pay relatives for the skilled trades were also higher in
nonmanufacturing. At least two elements contributed to
this relationship. First, many large department stores
pay skilled trades workers the local union rates for con
struction, even though the stores may not have a union
contract covering any of their workers. (Union con
struction rates are usually much higher than rates for
skilled trades in manufacturing or other nonmanu
facturing industries.) Second, average earnings of jani
tors are much lower in nonmanufacturing than in man
ufacturing, where their wage rates are more frequently
set by collective bargaining agreements.
Regional. Median establishment pay relatives in the
Northeast and West closely approximated the national
pattern for office, professional and technical, and skilled
plant occupations. However, pay relatives in the South
were as much as 43 percentage points higher than the
nationwide figures and those in the North Central re
gion were as much as 31 percentage points lower. The
less-skilled plant occupations generally followed the na
tional pattern in all regions.
The South has historically recorded higher pay rela
tives based on janitor pay than the other regions.6 This
pattern reflects the comparatively low wages of janitors
—not higher pay for other occupations in the South
(wage levels for almost all of the occupations studied
were lowest in the South). Conversely, the low pay rela
tives in the North Central region reflect comparatively
high wages for janitors. In fact, 16 of the 26 office cleri
cal occupations had pay relatives below the janitorial
base, compared with 8 below in the West, 7 in the
Northeast, and 2 in the South.
One explanation for the opposite pattern of wage re
lationships between the South and North Central re
gions may be the degree of labor-management agree
ment coverage. Three-fourths of the plantworkers in the
North Central region were covered by union agree
ments, compared with about two-fifths of those in the
23
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Measuring Wage Relationships
South; and about a tenth of the officeworkers were cov
ered in both regions. It appears that when janitors are
paid under labor-management agreements, they have a
more favorable wage relationship with blue- and whitecollar workers within the same establishment. This anal
ysis made no attempt to isolate the influence of union
ization on regional pay levels from other factors that
bear on wages. Differences in industrial composition of
regions should be taken into account when examining
reasons for differences in regional wage structures.
Inter- and intra-establishment differences
Inter-establishment and intra-establishment wage re
lationships for selected occupations are shown in table
2. Roughly two-fifths of the janitors in the study were
employed by janitorial services—a relatively low-paying
industry with few of the surveyed occupations. Conse
quently, data from these firms widened the inter-estab
lishment wage differentials by decreasing the average for
janitors (the benchmark job), while not affecting the
other job averages. The intra-establishment wage differ
entials were not strongly affected, because of the few
occupational comparisons that can be made within jani
torial firms and the method used in computing differen
tials.
The data for tool and die makers illustrate, to some
extent, the effect of janitorial services on the two types
of measures. The inter-establishment relative of 195 for
tool and die makers indicates they earned nearly twice
as much as janitors; in contrast, when comparisons are
made within establishments, the pay relative of 152 in
dicates only a 50-percent advantage. This situation is
not unique. For 6 of the 21 occupations shown, the in
ter-establishment differential is more than twice as large
as the intra-establishment differential.
Table 2. Inter- and intra-establishment wage relationships
for selected occupations, 1976
[Janitorial pay =100]
Occupation
Systems analysts, class A ..............
Systems analysts, class B ..............
Programmers, class A ..................
Tool and die makers......................
Electricians ..................................
Mechanics (motor vehicles)............
Programmers, class B ....................
Mechanics (machinery)..................
Truckdrivers, (all sizes)..................
Computer operators, class A ..........
Secretaries ..................................
Computer operators, class B ..........
Shipping and receiving clerks ........
Material handling laborers..............
Stenographers, senior....................
Accounting clerks, class B ..............
Bookkeeping —machine billers . . . .
Bookkeeping — machine operators,
class B ......................................
Messengers..................................
Typists, class B ............................
File clerks, class C ........................
24
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Inter-establishment
relationships
Intra-establishment
relationships
263
227
214
195
189
185
180
177
166
162
136
135
135
133
124
101
96
229
190
190
152
140
132
160
134
118
139
124
125
119
103
109
102
106
95
92
91
79
108
86
90
86
Two occupational groups averaged more, or less,
than janitors, depending upon the type of comparisons
being made. Using inter-establishment averages, book
keeping machine billers and class B bookkeeping ma
chine operators averaged 5 percent less than janitors;
using the intra-establishment averages, they averaged 6
to 8 percent more.
Changes in wage relationships
Most of the occupations included in this study were
also covered in 1962 and 1967. These earlier studies fo
cused on occupational data identified by sex and pro
vided separate estimates for manufacturing and non
manufacturing, but not for all industries combined. The
following tabulation shows wage relationships from the
three studies:7
Average wage
relationships
Manufacturing:
23 office clerical occupations
(w om en ).....................................
13 maintenance, toolroom, and
powerplant occupations (men)
13 material movement and eustodial occupations (men) . . . .
Nonmanufacturing:
23 office clerical occupations
(w om en ).....................................
10 maintenance, toolroom, and
powerplant occupations (men)
10 material movement and eustodial occupations (men) . . . .
1962
1967
1976
103
102
98
136
136
131
112
113
110
113
111
108
150
149
148
122
122
118
Wage differences between male janitors and other oc
cupational groups remained relatively stable from 1962
to 1967; since then, some wage compression has oc
curred. Several factors provide for some speculation as
to the difference in patterns between the two periods.
For example, wages, as measured by the Bureau’s Aver
age Hourly Earnings Index,8 advanced less than 4 per
cent a year from 1962 to 1967, but about 7 percent a
year from 1967 to 1976. Therefore, equal-sized centsper-hour adjustments within establishments (either gen
eral wage increases or cost-of-living escalators) had
more opportunity to cause compression during the lat
ter period. Additional factors include the increase in the
Federal minimum wage from $1.25 ah hour prior to
1967 to $2.30 an hour in 1976, and the exemption of
lower paid workers from the wage controls of the early
1970’s.
□
-------- FOOTNOTES--------1
Data in the 1976 study relate to 262 Standard Metropolitan Sta
tistical Areas of the United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), as
*
defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget through Febru
ary 1974. BLS surveys are conducted annually in a sample of 70 areas
selected to represent all of these areas. Establishments employing 50
workers or more are surveyed in six broad industry divisions: manu
facturing; transportation, communication and other public utilities;
wholesale trade; retail trade; finance, insurance and real estate; and se
lected services. See A r e a W age S u rveys, M e tr o p o lita n A reas, U n ite d
S ta te s a n d R e g io n a l S u m m a r ie s , 1976, Bulletin 1900-82 (Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 1979).
2See A re a W age S u rv e y, S o u th B en d , I n d ia n a , M etr o p o lita n A rea ,
M a rc h 1976, Bulletin 1900-5 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1976), p. 3.
3The establishments used in these computations were limited to
those with 100 workers or more, employing janitors, and reporting
data for workers in at least one of the other occupations studied.
Thus, the number of establishments involved varied somewhat by oc
cupation. Because the survey data used in this analysis are limited to
selected occupations, the more common approach of comparing occu
pational pay to the average for a broader group, such as all produc
tion workers or all office workers, was not possible.
4 An occupational pay matrix which directly compares occupations
with each other in an establishment was introduced into the A re a
W a g e S u r v e y bulletins in January 1979. For a discussion on pay ma
trix techniques see Mark S. Sieling, “Interpreting pay structures
through matrix application,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w , November 1979,
pp. 41-45.
5A table presenting additional data for nonmanufacturing indus
tries will be presented in the forthcoming A r e a W a g e S u rv e ys, M e tr o
p o lita n A rea s, U n ite d S ta te s a n d R e g io n a l S u m m a r ie s , 1 9 7 7 , Bulletin
1950-77 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1980).
6 See “Occupational Wage Relationships in Metropolitan Areas,
1961-62,” M o n th ly L a b o r R ev ie w , December 1963, p. 1426 and “Oc
cupational Wage Relationships in Metropolitan Areas,” M o n th ly L a
b o r R ev ie w , December 1968, p. 29.
A wage relationship was computed between male janitors and
individual occupations within each establishment. The median of these
wage relationships for each occupation was determined, and then av
eraged by occupational group. The average wage for male janitors
equals 100. Data were not combined for men and women in the two
earlier studies.
^
8See H a n d b o o k o f L a b o r S ta tistic s,
Labor Statistics, 1979), pp. 315-16.
1978,
Bulletin 2000 (Bureau of
The sharp rise in wages of black women
Twenty years ago the average black woman employed full
time was earning approximately half the wage rate of a simi
larly employed white woman. By 1975 almost complete ra
cial parity in female wages had been achieved. Although
this remarkable advance in the economic status of black
women has accelerated in the last few years, it has received
little serious analytical attention. In contrast, the significant
but smaller income gains of black males during the 1960’s
generated considerable research attempting to disentangle
possible sources of this improvement. Real wage changes
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of the magnitude observed for black females are so rare that
it seens unlikely conventional explanations will suffice.
—James P. Smith ,
“The Convergence to Racial Equality in
Women’s Wages,” in Cynthis B. Lloyd,
Emily S. Andrews, and Curtis L. Gilroy,
eds., W o m en in th e L a b o r M a r k e t
(New York, Columbia University
Press, 1979), p. 173.
25
The paper and plastic bag industry:
two distinct productivity phases
During 1967-77, output per employee hour
accelerated after a sluggish increase
during 1954-66; the rise was associated
with improved technology and rapid growth
in output as consumer dem and surged
H orst Brand
an d
Clyde H uffstutler
Productivity in the paper and plastic bag manufacturing
industry rose at an average annual rate of 2.9 percent
between 1954 and 1977—slightly exceeding the 2.7-per
cent rate for manufacturing as a whole for the same pe
riod.1 (See table 1.) The long-term productivity rise
resulted primarily from improved technologies, especial
ly in plastic bag production. Comparatively high output
rates were induced by expansion in consumer spending
on soft goods, the chief market for bags, helping to
maximize utilization of staff and equipment.
The long-term trend in the industry’s labor produc
tivity has been marked by two distinct phases. Between
1954 and 1967, gains in output per employee hour aver
aged 2.6 percent per year. From 1967 forward, the rate
of gain accelerated, rising to 3.4 percent a year. (For to
tal manufacturing, the comparable figures read 2.8 per
cent and 2.3 percent.) The acceleration was associated
with intensified and widely diffused mechanization of
work previously performed by hand. It was also indi
rectly linked with locational shifts of bag manufacturing
plants closer to important market areas than to South
ern paper mills. These shifts made reductions in job
classifications under union contracts possible, which in
the older plants still reflected dated manufacturing tech
nologies.2
Horst Brand and Clyde Huffstutler are economists in the Division of
Industry Productivity Studies, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
26
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Year-to-year movements varied considerably. In 6 out
of the 23 years examined, output per employee hour de
clined, as increases in employee hours exceeded in
creases in output. The years of decline were more than
offset by the 10 years when productivity advances ran
50 percent or more above the long-term trend rate. Out
put gains then were accompanied by relatively small
gains—and at times by losses—in employee hours.
Most of the years when output ran significantly
above its own long-term trend rate were characterized
by cyclical recoveries (for example, 1955, 1959, 1961,
1971, and 1976). The real value of consumer expendi
tures for soft goods rose strongly in such years. More
over, output showed no year-to-year declines during the
review period except for 1960, 1975, and 1977—also
the only years when real consumer spending on soft
goods rose weakly.
Output and demand: a long-term rise
The bag manufacturing industry converts paper into
grocery bags and sacks, multiwall sacks, and specialty
and wardrobe bags. It also converts plastic film into
specialty bags, such as those that enclose much com
mercially sold presliced bread, or household bags used
for sandwiches, refrigerator storage, or refuse. Further
more, the industry manufactures the glassine (wax pa
per) or plastic liners that form the moisture and flavor
barriers for foods packed in cartons (for example, dry
cereal); it also fabricates bags made of cellophane. The
industry, which refers to the containers it makes as
“flexible,” is part of the group of industries manufactur
ing containers and packaging from various materials,
accounting for approximately 11 percent by value of
shipments.
Output of the paper and plastic bag manufacturing
industry in 1977 ran 2^2 times higher than in 1954— the
first year for which adequate data for this study are
available. The long-term output rise—4.7 percent per
year between 1954 and 1977—considerably exceeded
that for real consumer expenditures on soft goods for
the period (2.8 percent). It also outpaced the expansion
of such major user industries as commerical bread and
bun bakeries (1.2 percent); for 1958-76, retail food
stores (2.3 percent) and eating and drinking places (3.2
percent).
Among reasons for the comparatively rapid growth
of bag manufacturing output has been the growth of su
permarkets and the associated spread in unitized pack
aging of merchandise prior to display on retailers’
shelves. This has meant that, in effect, given items are
packaged twice—in the sealed bag (or other container)
in which they are first enclosed for protection, and in
the bag (or wrap) in which they leave the store. The
unitizing of packages and the use of their surface as an
advertising medium has been a tendency since about
Table 1. Productivity and related indexes for the paper
and plastic bag industry, 1954-77
[1967=100]
Output per employee-hour
Year
Employee-hours
All em
ployees
Produc
tion
workers
Nonpro
duction
workers
Output
All em
ployees
Produc
tion
workers
Nonpro
duction
workers
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
73.0
76.5
73.5
74.8
76.4
80.0
80.9
70.5
74.0
72.1
73.5
75.8
79.9
80.2
86.2
90.0
80.1
81.3
79.2
80.8
84.1
52.4
57.3
58.1
60.9
63.4
69.0
67.4
71.8
74.9
79.1
81.4
83.0
86.2
83.3
74.3
77.4
80.6
82.9
83.6
86.4
84.0
60.8
63.7
72.5
74.9
80.1
85.4
80.1
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
86.1
88.4
92.3
91.7
96.3
95.8
100.0
105.5
103.5
100.4
84.9
87.2
91.6
91.4
96.6
95.6
100.0
104.9
104.1
99.0
91.3
93.7
95.4
92.8
94.8
96.7
100.0
107.9
101.1
106.5
71.0
73.9
83.7
86.9
91.5
98.9
100.0
110.4
111.7
114.0
82.5
83.6
90.7
94.8
95.0
103.2
100.0
104.6
107.9
113.6
83.6
84.7
91.4
95.1
94.7
103.4
100.0
105.2
107.3
115.1
77.8
78.9
87.7
93.6
96.5
102.3
100.0
102.3
110.5
107.0
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
114.2
117.8
125.1
131.8
133.6
135.0
130.2
113.2
118.1
126.0
129.7
135.4
135.6
132.1
118.3
115.9
120.7
141.8
126.7
131.9
122.3
122.4
123.3
132.7
145.1
131.1
142.7
133.8
107.2
104.7
106.1
110.1
98.1
105.7
102.8
108.1
104.4
105.3
111.9
96.8
105.2
101.3
103.5
106.4
109.9
102.3
103.5
108.2
109.4
Average annual rates of change (in percent)
1954 - 77 .
1973-77 .
2.9
1.0
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3.0
1.4
2.3
-.5
4.7
-.0
1.7
-1.0
1.6
-1.4
2.3
.5
1900. The advantages of pre-unitizing of packages by
the manufacturer of the item packaged have been en
hanced by steady improvements in packaging machinery
since World War II, and their integration in the manu
facturing process.3 During the period reviewed here,
unitizing prior to shelf display was spurred by the
spread of self-service in supermarkets, convenience
stores, hardware stores, and department and variety
stores. Self-service usually requires that the prepackaged
item be easily accessible, and that the package feature
descriptive information and graphics.
The industry’s output of specialty bags and liners—
which now consist preponderantly of plastic film4—
more than quadrupled between 1954 and 1977; they
accounted for more than half of total bag production in
1977, compared with one-third of a much smaller total
in 1954. Advances in the sealing speed, seal integrity,
and imprintability of plastic film greatly contributed to
the rapid growth in their use—exemplified by the bread
baking industry’s switch from wax paper wraps to plas
tic bags or wraps in the mid-1960’s.
Output of grocery bags and sacks, the mainstay of
the paper bag production segment of the industry, near
ly doubled over the period reviewed, with its share of
total industry output, close to one-quarter in 1977,
changing little. The demand for commercial-type bags
and glassine, as well as for plastic bags, has been
spurred by expanding carryout sales at restaurants ac
counting for 15 percent of their total sales in 1972.
Output of multiwall bags and shipping sacks rose by
40 percent over the period but dropped in relative im
portance, from two-fifths of the industry’s total produc
tion in 1954 to about one-quarter in 1977. Gains in
demand have been slowed by a shift in shipping meth
ods—from bags to bulk. For example, according to
Census and Bureau of Mines data, establishments man
ufacturing phosphate fertilizers reduced their consump
tion of multiwall bags by close to one-fifth between
1963 and 1972. Portland cement plants shipped 21 per
cent of their product in bags in 1958, but only 8 per
cent in 1975.
Employment pattern by phases. Employment in the bag
manufacturing industry, currently at 53,000 persons,
rose at an average annual rate of 1.8 percent between
1954 and 1977; hours at the plant rose by nearly the
same long-term rate (1.7 percent). The trend, however,
is distinguished by two phases. Until 1967, employment
increased an average of 2.4 percent a year, but from
then on, less than 1 percent. Hours at the plant rose in
tandem with employment during the former period, but,
like employment, they remained virtually unchanged
during the latter. This reflected an exceptionally sharp
cutback in hours (nearly 11 percent) in 1975. In 1977,
employment stood 43 percent above 1954 levels, but
27
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Productivity in the Bag Industry
ran significantly below the high it had reached for the
period as a whole in 1970— when it had moved to 60
percent above 1954 totals.
Nonproduction workers grew in relative importance
over the 23-year period. The average annual rate of in
crease in their number, 2.4 percent, was significantly
higher than that for production workers, 1.6 percent.
Currently, production workers account for 78 percent
of total industry employment (compared with 71 per
cent for manufacturing as a whole). In 1954, their share
was 83 percent. This rise in the proportion of non
production workers has in part been due to expanded
professional staff, because with the shift to plastic film,
research and testing personnel were increased by the
larger firms. Also, computer-run extruders have re
quired technical personnel over and above the normal
complement of engineers and quality control teams
needed in the plants.
Technological developments
The making of paper bags and of plastic bags differs
in important respects. The basic material for plastic
bags, that is, plastic film (usually polyethylene) is ex
truded from pelleted resins on the premises of the larger
bag manufacturing plants. In contrast, the stock for pa
per bags is delivered from paper mills (classified in the
paper and pulp industry). Improvements in extrusion
technology have been a significant factor of productivity
change in bag manufacturing. Improvements in the
making of the paper stock for bags, however, are not re
flected in the productivity measure discussed here.
The paper or plastic film roll is first imprinted ac
cording to customer specifications. The paper roll is fed
into the bag-making machine, where generally, it is pre
perforated, tubed, cut, bottomed, and glued. For
multiwall bags, the tubing and bottoming processes are
usually separate. Plastic bags are cut from rolls; they
are sealed by heating as they are cut. Paper bags are
stacked and bundled for shipment at the end of the
manufacturing process; plastic bags may be “wicketed,”
that is hung upon pins, ready for machine-filling by the
customer. They are then crated or cartoned for ship
ment.
Technological advances in all parts of the bag-mak
ing process have contributed to rising output speeds,
and hence declines in unit labor requirements. Over the
past 10 to 15 years, the number of standard grocery
bags produced by up-to-date equipment has roughly
doubled per shift. One factor here has been the installa
tion of so-called single-size bag-making machines in
place of multisize machines.5 Furthermore, the complet
ed bags are mechanically indexed (that is, counted),
stacked, and bundled— operations previously performed
manually.
Production of multiwall paper bags and sacks re
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mains somewhat more labor-intensive. Runs are more
limited than for standard bags, because they are deter
mined by customer specifications regarding size, thick
ness, type of bottoms, and type of closure. For some
uses, the sewing of the bag’s filling end is specified.
Multiwall bags, then, are produced for inventory to
only a limited extent, and machines must be reset after
each run. Nevertheless, machinery operates at speeds es
timated to be about one-fifth higher than a decade ago.6
Innovations have been modest but steady; for example,
gears are now bathed in oil; tubers and bottomers are
mechanically connected, so labor for the transfer has
been eliminated. Sewing apparatus is fed automatically
rather than manually as in the past.
Product changes
Certain changes in the product have helped boost
production speeds. For example, self-closing valves have
replaced a variety of closure systems, including sewing.
Such product changes have partly resulted from ad
vances in filling equipment, requiring high-speed closing
of bags.7
Some striking technological advances characterized
the manufacture of plastic bags during the period stud
ied. Machinery used today can produce up to 250 poly
ethylene bags per minute, roughly 4 times more than 2
decades ago.8One reason for the higher speeds has been
more rapid rates of sealing (or “welding”) of the bag’s
bottom. Also, the wicketing of bags has been automat
ed (although in some installations, manual labor is still
used), and this automation has raised hourly output by
as much as 60 percent.9
To attain high production speeds for plastic bags, dif
ficult problems other than the forming of the bag from
film have had to be tackled. These problems tend to re
tard the output capacity of advanced equipment. Some
larger companies maintain substantial research facilities
to deal with such matters, as the printability of plastic
films; less labor-intensive printing machinery; drying
speeds of ink; adhesion of liners; and seal integrity.
As mentioned, the larger plastic bag plants often ex
trude their own film from resin pellets. Extrusion in its
most advanced form is a completely automated process.
The pellets are melted electrically and, in the case of the
so-called cast extrusion process, which produces single
layer sheets, by the friction of the extruder screw. The
efficiency of the screw has come to be maximized by
means of screw designs derived from experience and
embodied in computer programs for screw geometry.10
The melted plastic is forced out through a slot die onto
a chill drum, where it forms into a sheet. The sheet’s
thickness is computer-scanned and -controlled. The
speed at which the rolls of plastic sheet become avail
able to the manufacturing processes depends in good
part on the chill drum’s heat absorption characteristics,
which remain a subject of concern to production engi
neers.11
Blown film extrusion, applied in the manufacture of
double-sheeted film for refuse bags and related
consumer uses, has also progressed technologically, par
ticularly in efficiently cooling the extruded film without
interfering with its speedy transfer to flattening rollers
and perforating and cutting processes. Futhermore, the
combining of different polymers offering various proper
ties in the final plastic film— for example, toughness,
moisture barrier, oxygen barrier—has spelled material
economies, and has also accelerated manufacturing pro
cesses.12
The plastic sheet, prior to being imprinted, is treated
by corona discharge so as to disturb its surface
electronically and render it imprintable. Paper used for
bags and sacks does not require pre-print treatment.
The absorbability of paper permits the use of waterbased inks, while plastic film requires more volatile, sol
vent inks. Heat to speed drying is nonetheless applied,
but to cut associated energy costs, research to dispense
with heating is underway.13 Innovations in printing ma
chinery, particularly in press speeds, and inking and
drying systems, have helped accelerate both paper and
plastic bag manufacturing processes. Printing units have
been produced in recent years that permit removal of
components (for example, the printing trolley) without
tools. Component removal facilitates preparation for the
next job, as well as cleanup and maintenance. Loading
and unloading at the wind and rewind end of the press
have been automated.14
The use of cellophane for bags and wraps has been
declining, and it is being replaced by plastic film (chief
ly polypropylene). Cellophane’s machinability (deter
mined by a material’s relative stiffness) and imprintability compare well with plastic film, but plastic film
features comparable characteristics in preserving flavor
and barring moisture. Plastic film has the advantage of
being cheaper than cellophane, and more energy-effi
cient in production.15The impact of the shift on unit la
bor requirements has probably been favorable, as the
older cellophane-producing equipment has been phased
out and advanced plastic film- and bag-producing
equipment has replaced it.
During 1954-76 capital expenditures in the bag man
ufacturing industry quadrupled, doubling during 1967—
76. The increase ran closely in line with that for manu
facturing as a whole. Capital expenditures per employ
ee, however, generally tended to lag the manufacturing
average. In 1976, for example, the industry averaged
$1,900 per employee on plant and equipment, or 81
percent of the $2,300-per-employee average for manu
facturing as a whole. Moreover, the ratio declined
somewhat from the early 1960’s. The decline reflected
the lessening importance of new (or expanded) plant
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construction by bag manufacturers, compared with fac
tory building in general. The industry rents a compara
tively high proportion of its plant space—the
equivalent of 75 percent of its spending on structures in
1975, as against 43 percent for all manufacturers. More
over, investment in new machinery and equipment has
accounted for a higher proportion of bag manufactur
ers’ total capital outlays than of all manufacturers’.
And machinery and equipment outlays per employee in
the industry were not less than 90 percent of the manu
facturing average between 1958 and 1975, and Came
close to, or exceeded it in 1972 and 1963.
Of the 583 establishments classified in the industry by
the Census of Manufactures for 1972, less than a quar
ter accounted for more than 70 percent of capital ex
penditures, employment, and value of shipments. More
than three-quarters of all establishments had fewer than
100 employees; 43 percent had fewer than 20, account
ing for but 4 percent of total industry employment and
value of shipments.16
Industry outlook
Continued gains in the labor productivity of the bag
manufacturing industry are likely, although perhaps at
somewhat lower rates than in the past 10 to 12 years.
To a degree, the gains will be linked to continued high
rates of output. While opportunities for packaging new
or existing products have for some time been fully
exploited, partial shifts away from such materials for
containers and packaging as metal (for metal cans);
glass (for glass containers); and paper (for paper car
tons), and to plastic film or plastic film constructions,
are likely to spur plastic bag manufacturing. Thus, for
example, retort pouches, constructed usually of film and
foil, are expected to make gradual inroads into the use
of metal cans used to market canned foods. Frozen
foods, currently packed mostly in paper cartons, may
also, in part, be replaced by foods sold in pouches. For
the present, the spread of pouches for food packaging is
impeded by consumer reluctance to accept them, and
by slow filling speeds.17
Machinery design improvements to attain higher out
put speeds will continue to be at a premium. It is
expected, for example, that high productivity chill rolls
on extruders will accelerate heat transfer, thus making
for stepped-up production of cast-extruded film. Analo
gous developments are anticipated for blown film extru
sion.18Printing is likely to become less labor intensive as
innovations in gravure and letterpress printing, as well
as in inking systems, already well diffused in the print
ing and publishing industry, are more widely applied in
bag manufacturing.19 In regard to paper bag manufac
turing, it seems likely that improved tear strength in the
materials used, and elimination of flaws, will continue
to reduce downtime.
□
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Productivity in the Bag Industry
FOOTNOTES
1The industry consists of establishments primarily engaged in man
ufacturing bags (other than textile bags) from purchased paper, cello
phane, acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, pliofilm, foil, and similar
sheet and foil materials. It is designated as No. 2643 in the Office of
Management and Budget’s S ta n d a r d I n d u s tr ia l C la ssifica tio n M a n u a l,
1972.
The average annual rates shown in the article and table are based
on the linear least square trend of the logarithms of the index num
bers. Extension of the indexes for future years will appear in the an
nual BLS publication, P r o d u c tiv ity I n d e x e s f o r S e le c te d In d u stries.
2 Interview with industry representatives. In one relocated plant, the
number of job classifications was fixed at seven, compared with 53 in
the older plant with closely similar operations.
3 T h e R o le o f P a c k a g in g in th e U .S. E co n o m y . Report to the Ameri
can Foundation for Management Research. Boston, Arthur D. Little,
1966. See also “Efficiency Marks Future of Bagmaking,” by M. B.
Novotny. P a p er, F ilm , a n d F o il C o n verter, November 1977, p. 68.
4 About 70 percent of specialty bag output consists of plastic film.
5Information from industry representatives.
6 Ibid.
7Ibid.
8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
-
10 “Cast film extruder,” P aper, F ilm , a n d F o il C o n verter, July 1977.
11 Harold F. Wrede, “Extrusion coating into the 21st century,” P a
p e r, F ilm , a n d F o il C o n verter, November 1977, p. 87 if. Also C. S.
Blethen, “Swedish chill roll improves efficiency,” P a p er, F ilm , a n d F o il
C o n verter, December 1977, p. 64 ff.
12 “Better output, control on blown film extrusion,” P aper, F ilm ,
a n d F o il C o n verter, June 1978, p. 66 ff; and A. M. Soutar, “Blown
film coextrusion equipment— investment considerations,” P a p er, F ilm ,
a n d F o il C o n verter, March 1979, p. 72 ff.
13 Information from industry representatives.
14 “Newest gravure press in town for extensible, flexible materials
plans to be the master,” P a p er, F ilm , a n d F o il C o n verter, June 1976, p.
32 ff.
15 “Cellophane— down but not out,” M o d e r n P a c k a g in g , May 1978,
p. 51 ff.
16Figures in this section based on Census data.
17 D. A. Heintz, “Marketing opportunities for RP’s,” P a p er, F ilm ,
a n d F o il C o n verter, March 1978, p. 66. Also, “USA resorts to the re
tort,” P a c k a g in g E n g in eer, January 1978, p. 40.
18Wrede, “Extrusion coating,” and “Better output.”
19Wrede, “Extrusion coating,” and “Better output.” Also, O u tlo o k
f o r T e c h n o lo g y a n d M a n p o w e r in P r in tin g a n d P u b lish in g , Bulletin
1774, Washington, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1973.
A P P E N D IX : M easurement techniques and limitations
The productivity indexes in this study measure the
change over time in industry output per unit of labor
input. They do not measure the specific contribution of
labor, but reflect the influence of many factors such as
technology, capital investment, and managerial skills, as
well as the skill and effort of the work force.
The output index is based on value of shipments
data, published by the Bureau of the Census. Detailed
data from the Census of Manufactures for 1954, 1958,
1963, 1967, and 1972 were used to derive benchmark
indexes, to which the annual indexes for intervening
30
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
years, based on the Annual Survey of Manufactures,
were adjusted. The value of shipments of the various
product classes was adjusted for price changes by ap
propriate Producer Price Indexes to derive a real output
measure. In turn, the product classes were combined
with employee-hour weights to derive the overall output
measure. Employment and employee-hour indexes were
derived from Bureau of the Census data. The number of
employees and employee-hours is considered homoge
neous and additive, and the pertinent measures thus do
not reflect changes in the qualitative aspects of labor.
Communications
Does the CPI exaggerate
or understate inflation?
D a n ie l J. B. M itc h ell
During periods of rapid inflation, the Consumer Price
Index (CPI) is closely scrutinized by press and public.
There is a natural tendency—when news is bad—to
blame the messenger. In particular, it is often charged
that the CPI is inherently upwardly biased1 and that,
therefore, it overstates the impact of inflation in reduc
ing real earnings. It is only a small step from that
charge to the conclusion that the CPI itself is inflation
ary because of its effect on indexed wages and incomes
and on the perception of inflation by nonindexed
groups.2
When the CPI is criticized for overstating the rate of
inflation, two problems are most often mentioned. First,
it is noted that the CPI has fixed weights and, thus,
does not account for substitution effects induced by
changes in relative prices. Second, it is said that the
CPI cannot adequately reflect quality improvements, in
novations, and new products. Such problems are inher
ent in index numbers, but there is no reason to assume
that other elements in the construction of the CPI do
not offset these biases. A third complaint during the re
cent period concerns the treatment of the housing sec
tor. Basically, house purchases are treated in the same
manner as other durable goods purchases in defining
the CPI. Because house prices have increased substan
tially relative to other prices, it might be assumed that
the inclusion of house prices had a substantial impact in
pushing up the overall index.3
Is it true that the CPI has only upward biases? Or
are there measurement and conceptual elements of the
index which push in the other direction? Critics of the
CPI have concentrated on the upward biases and have
ignored important counteracting effects. The house-price
Daniel J. B. Mitchell is director of the Institute of Industrial Rela
tions, University of California, Los Angeles, and professor at the
Graduate School of Management. Some of the results reported in this
note were developed when the author was a senior fellow of the
Brookings Institution. However, the views expressed do not necessari
ly reflect those of Brookings, its trustees, or staff.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
component of the CPI appears not to have reflected as
much inflation during 1968-78 as other indexes of
house prices. And the new car component— due to
“quality” adjustments—has not reflected the full in
crease in “expenditures per car” experienced by
consumers. In December 1978, the home-purchase
weight in the CPI for all urban consumers was slightly
more than 10 percent (9 percent for urban wage earners
and clerical workers) and the new car weight was just
under 4 percent. Thus, difficulties in measuring these
components can have a noticeable effect on reported in
flation rates.
H ouse prices
Although the rapid increase in house prices was one
of the most discussed economic phenomena of the
1970’s, the CPI home-purchase component reported an
annual increase of only 6.7 percent a year during 1968—
78. During the same period, the All-Items CPI rose at a
6.5-percent rate.4 Thus, while the CPI did report some
relative price increases in homes, the gain of 0.2 percent
a year is hardly remarkable and its moderate size would
surprise many home owners and buyers. Other indexes
of house prices show a more rapid annual rate of infla
tion, as shown in the following tabulation:5
Bureau of the Census new-house price
index (quality a d ju sted )..........................................
National Association of Realtors existinghouse price index (not quality ad ju sted ).............
FHA:
New home acquisition costs .............................
Existing home acquisition c o s t s ........................
8.5
9.5
7.6
7.5
The CPI home-purchase component is based on data
collected from the Federal Housing Administration
(FHA), which insures mortgages primarily of lower
priced housing. Unfortunately, dollar ceilings on mort
gages the FHA will insure tend to inhibit price in
creases observed from FHA data. The number of new
FHA-insured mortgages varies from year to year, but
generally declined during 1968-78. The fact that
unadjusted indexes of acquisition costs of FHA-insured
houses6 rose faster than the CPI’s home-purchase com
ponent may be due to quality adjustments included in
the CPI figure. But, if so, the quality adjustment is
greater than that made by the Census Bureau in its
new-house index.7
31
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Communications
In summary, the CPI home-purchase component rose
more slowly than other indexes of house prices. Because
the home-purchase component did not rise much faster
than the all-items index, it did not have a strong in
fluence in pulling up the measured rate of inflation dur
ing 1968-78. In fact, other measures of house prices
would have pushed up the CPI faster.
Car prices
The new-cars component of the CPI increased at a
4.5-percent annual rate during 1968-78, significantly
slower than the all-items index (6.5 percent). Buyers of
new cars, however, may find this reported relative de
cline at variance with their personal experience. The
National Automobile Dealers Association’s index of ex
penditures per new car showed a 7.2-percent annual
gain.8The used-cars component of the CPI rose 6.6 per
cent a year, higher than the all-items average. Because
used cars are presumably substitutes for new cars, the
substantial divergence in inflation rates for new and
used cars is initially surprising.
The gap between the CPI index for new cars and the
National Automobile Dealers Association’s index of ex
penditures per new car is largely explained by various
“quality” adjustments applied to new car prices before
the CPI component is calculated. Much of the adjust
ment is due to the addition of mandatory safety and
pollution equipment. The fact that such devices had to
be required by law suggests that consumers value the
devices at less than their actual cost.9 There is also a
question as to whether the “downsizing” of new cars to
meet fuel economy standards should be considered a
quality deterioration, although it was not so treated in
computing the CPI new-cars component. Obviously, if
mandatory equipment had not been treated as a quality
improvement and downsizing had been treated as a
quality deterioration, the new-cars component of the
CPI would have risen faster than the 4.5-percent report
ed during 1968-78.
The following tabulation shows the possible effect on
the measured rate of inflation during 1968-78 if the
CPI had been computed differently:
Annual
increase
CPI, all items, substituting:
Expenditures per car index
(for CPI’s new-cars com p onent).....................
New-and existing-house price indexes
(for CPI’s home-purchase com ponent)...........
Combination of the two alternative indexes . . .
6.5
6.6
6.8
6.9
If the National Automobile Dealers Association’s ex
32
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It IS EVIDENT that not all the biases in the CPI push
the index upward. Some elements of measurement and
methodology have had the opposite effect. Although
there is no guarantee that the errors and biases of CPI
methodology will cancel out exactly, critics should
avoid concentrating only on particular problems of
measurement or concept in evaluating the overall CPI
as a measure of inflation.
□
--------- F O O T N O T E S ---------' For example, see “U.S. Inflation Index is Inflationary, Critics Con
tend,” L o s A n g e le s T im es, Dec. 27, 1979, Part III, pp. 12, 21.
2It has been estimated that 50 percent of the U.S. population re
ceives some indexed income, although only 15 percent of total income
is indexed. See Julius Shiskin, “A new role for economic indicators,”
M o n th ly L a b o r R ev ie w , November 1977, pp. 3 -5 .
3This note does not address the issue of whether housing consump
tion should be treated as it is under current CPI methodology or
whether— as some critics have suggested— as a flow. See Lawrence
E. DeMilner, “Statement before the U.S. House Budget Committee
Task Force on Inflation,” Dec. 14, 1979, for arguments in favor of a
flow concept.
4This statement refers to the CPI for urban wage earners and cleri
cal workers which was available throughout the period.
5The quality-adjusted index for new houses are from P r ic e I n d e x o f
N e w O n e -F a m ily H o u s e s S o ld , F o u rth Q u a r te r 1 9 7 8 (Bureau of the
Census, 1979), p. 3. This index is based on a standarized house sold
in 1978 and is adjusted for 10 important characteristics. The existinghouse price index is from E x is tin g H o m e S a le s (National Association
of Realtors, April 1979), p. 10.
6 Data on FHA-insured mortgages are from the 1 9 7 5 S ta tis tic a l
(U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
1978), tables 41-42; and from data supplied by H UD to the author.
7The quality adjustment applied to the Census Bureau’s new-house
price index subtracts only about 0.3 percentage points a year from the
unadjusted rate of new house inflation during 1968-78.
'Data on expenditures per new car are from N A D A D a ta f o r 1 9 7 9
(National Automobile Dealers Association, 1979), p. 5; or were sup
plied to the author by the association.
Y e a rb o o k
Alternative procedures
CPI, all items (a c tu a l)...............................................
penditures per car index had been substituted for the
new-cars component, the all-items index would have ris
en about 0.1 percent faster per year. If the Bureau of
the Census’ index of new house prices and the National
Association of Realtors’ index of existing house prices
were substituted for the home-purchase component, the
all-items index would have risen about 0.3 percent
faster per year.10The combination of the two alternative
indexes for new cars and houses would have raised the
all-items index by 0.4 percent a year.
9Some quality improvements stemmed from features which were
not legally mandated. For example, options such as power brakes,
power windows, and air conditioning have become more common in
recent years. See S ta tis tic a l A b s tr a c t o f th e U n ite d S ta tes, 1 9 7 9 (Bureau
of the Census, 1979), p. 649. Concerning mandated equipment, how
ever, there is an inconsistency in current methodology. The costs of
safety and anti-pollution equipment used in the factories producing
new cars are presumably reflected in car prices. Yet, no quality ad
justment is made for such devices. Thus, an anti-pollution device on
the factory smokestack is not viewed as an improvement in the quali
ty of cars produced in the factory. But a similar device on the car’s
tailpipe is considered a quality improvement.
10The alternative house-price component was computed as a
weighted average of the Census Bureau’s new-house price index and
the National Association of Realtors’ existing-house price index. The
weights on new and existing houses were 29 percent and 71 percent,
respectively. These were the proportions of new and existing house
sales- during 1972-73, the same period used in the most recent
weighting of the CPI. Data on existing house sales are from E x is tin g
H o m e S a le s (National Association of Realtors, April 1979), p. 4. Data
on new home sales are from N e w O n e -F a m ily H o u s e s S o ld a n d F o r
S a le (Bureau of the Census, November 1977 and February 1979), ta
ble I. To compute the effect of substituting the alternative indexes in
the CPI, an approximation was used. The CPI weights (all urban
consumers) for December 1978 were projected to earlier years by tak
ing account of price inflation in the various components of the index.
These weights will not be identical to those actually used to calculate
the CPI, but will give reasonable approximations.
Does the CPI exaggerate or understate
inflation? Some observations
Ja c k E. T riplett
Daniel Mitchell’s paper provides a timely reminder that
measurement errors in price indexes do not always re
sult in overstatement of inflation. This point seems to
have been overlooked in much recent public discussion
of the Consumer Price Index.
Many critics of the CPI cite unmeasured quality
change as a reason for assuming that the index over
states inflation.1However, research findings on this sub
ject are not entirely consistent with what many of the
CPI’s critics seem to believe. Some studies of quality
change in price indexes have pointed to possible down
ward errors in certain components of the indexes (in
cluding autos, rental housing, and some appliances); for
other components, researchers obtained the opposite re
sult.2
When a researcher produces a price index that differs
from one published by the BLS, that does not necessari
ly mean the BLS index is wrong. Examining alternative
data sources, computational methods, ways of handling
quality change, and so forth can be very useful in the
continuing and ongoing process of evaluation that a sta
tistical agency must pursue to assure that its output is
of the highest quality possible. But when these alterna
tive procedures give results different from those current
ly in use in the CPI (or in some other price index), the
evaluation has just begun. We must test the plausibility
of the alternative indexes against other known facts,
and against knowledge of the actual problems that arise
in price index construction. Only when the alternative
indexes “fit in” with other information can we have conJack E. Triplett is Assistant Commissioner, Office of Research and
Evaluation, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
fidence that the messages they give are not misleading.
House-price indexes
Mitchell points out that other measures of home
prices, particularly the Census Bureau’s index of the
prices of new homes, have risen faster than the CPI
home-purchase index. The discrepancy between the
Census and CPI series has widened as the pace of in
flation in home prices has accelerated over the past 3
years, so that the discrepancy is considerably larger for
recent years. The following shows percent changes in
the CPI’s home-purchase component and the Bureau of
the Census new-house prices index:
197319741975197619771978-
74
75
76
77
78
79
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
CPI
home purchase
Census
new home
price
Difference
7.5
12.3
5.1
6.6
9.6
13.4
9.4
10.0
8.4
12.3
14.1
13.8
-1.9
2.3
-3.3
-5.7
-4.5
- .4
The Census index is computed exclusively from prices
of newly constructed homes; the BLS home-purchase in
dex includes both new and existing homes. However, in
most parts of the country there seems little reason to
suppose that the upward trend of prices of previously
occupied homes has not kept up with prices of new
homes. What, then, can account for the difference be
tween the two indexes?
The two indexes differ in data bases, computational
methods, and in the way they handle quality change.
Data for the Census index come primarily from build
ers. The CPI home-purchase index is compiled from
data on home sales which involve mortgages insured by
the Federal Housing Administration or the Veterans
Administration. This is the only available data base
which meets CPI needs for a national index, and also
for 28 city indexes and 16 city size and regional indexes.
The data base does, however, have known problems.
The Census index is computed by hedonic methods3
which hold constant a set of 10 characteristics of hous
es, such as floor space, number of bathrooms, locational
factors, and so forth. The BLS index holds a somewhat
smaller set of factors constant, including size, age, and
geographic area. Both indexes are subject to potential
quality error for changes in characteristics which are
not held constant in the procedures used in their con
struction.
Little information about the statistical properties of
the Census index and its data base is currently avail
able. John Greenlees, in an as yet uncompleted BLS
study, has shown that quality change in the FH A -V A
sample creates a downward bias in some of the city
home-purchase indexes that make up the CPI.4 It is not
33
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Communications
yet certain whether this result will hold for all CPI city
indexes, but Greenlees’ preliminary finding provides in
sight for interpreting the CPI-Census house price com
parisons. If we have reason to suspect a downward
quality error in the CPI home-purchase index, it is in
deed reasonable to look to an independent index of
new-house prices for suggestions about the probable
magnitude of the problem.
The more rapid the inflation rate of homes, the more
rapidly do those prices “bump” against the FH A -V A
ceiling— thus, one might expect the problem with the
CPI data base to be more severe in rapid inflation (and,
conversely, to be rather more manageable at lower in
flation rates). Mitchell’s comparison of home-price in
dexes thus gives results that seem plausible. Though it
is too early to tell why the two indexes give similar re
sults for 1979 (both showing a nearly record rate of
inflation for home prices), when the FH A -V A ceiling is
raised, it tends to diminish the quality error in the BLS
series.
Rental-cost index
At least two research studies of rental price indexes
have suggested similar downward-bias problems. It has
long been known that the CPI rent measure has an in
herent “aging bias” because of unmeasured month-tomonth deterioration.
In 1972, Rafael Rom Weston5compared the CPI rent
index with an index based on decennial Census data,
which he adjusted for depreciation. For the 1960-70 in
terval, his quality-adjusted Census index (31.4 percent)
rose about 50 percent more than the CPI rent index
(20.0 percent). More recently, James Follain and
Stephen Malpezzi of the Urban Institute computed a
quality-adjusted index from the Annual Housing Survey
for the years 1974-76. This, too, showed greater rates
of increase than the CPI rent index:6
1974- 75 ...............
1975- 76 ...............
1974-76 ...........
CPI rent index
Urban Institute
rent index
5.5
JU
11.1
5.9
_C9
13.2
Many economists have substituted the CPI rent index
for the published CPI homeownership component, a
recomputation that results in a lower overall index.
Alternatively, others have preferred the Commerce De
partment’s Implicit Price Deflator for Personal Con
sumption Expenditures (PCE) on the same grounds: the
PCE uses the CPI rent index as a proxy for the cost of
homeownership. However, because of aging bias in the
rent index, such indexes probably understate infla
tion. This conclusion also applies to Experimental Index
X - l now published monthly by the BLS.7
34
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Car-price index
Mitchell’s discussion of automobile prices is less per
suasive. The CPI new-cars index is adjusted for quality
change using information from manufacturers, but com
parable quality adjustments are not applied to the usedcars index, which suffers also from an inadequate data
base. And an “expenditures per new car” series will
clearly rise when quality improvements are incorporated
into new cars, while a valid price index would not.
Thus, both alternative series probably have more severe
quality errors than does the CPI new-cars component.
Yet, his statement that “if mandatory equipment had
not been treated as a quality improvement . . . the newcar component of the CPI would have risen faster . . . ”
is certainly correct. And a number of previous studies
of the CPI new automobiles index suggest that measure
ment error, when it exists under present procedures,
might cause the index to rise somewhat too slowly—
though differences between research indexes and the
CPI are small, and the research indexes are also subject
to certain biases.8
Mitchell’s general point is correct: “Critics of the CPI
have concentrated on the upward biases . . . ” In the
process, they have overlooked evidence of bias in the
other direction. Price index measurement is, like all
forms of measurement, subject to error. No one really
knows the net effect of offsetting upward and down
ward quality errors in index components on the overall
CPI. Mitchell’s paper fits in with a wide body of re
search which, taken together, tells us we should not as
sume that improving the measurement will necessarily
lower the measured rate of inflation.
□
--------- F O O T N O T E S ---------' Mitchell also mentions another problem — that a fixed-weight
price index formula suffers from a “substitution bias” because it
makes no allowance for changes in consumption in response to rela
tive price changes. An article covering recent research on the substitu
tion bias question is in preparation and will appear in a future issue
of the M o n th ly L a b o r R ev ie w .
2A survey of published studies on quality error in price indexes is
contained in Jack E. Triplett, “The Measurement of Inflation: A Sur
vey of Research on the Accuracy of Price Indexes,” in Paul H. Earl,
ed., A n a ly s is o f I n fla tio n (Lexington, Mass., Lexington Books, 1975).
3This is a regression procedure for holding quality change constant
in the sample from which the price index is computed or (alternative
ly) for deriving adjustments for quality change that can be used with
in the framework of traditional price index formulas. A standard
reference is in Zvi Griliches, ed., P ric e I n d e x e s a n d Q u a lity C h a n g e:
S tu d ie s in N e w M e th o d s o f M e a s u r e m e n t (Cambridge, Mass., Harvard
University Press, 1971). See also Jack E. Triplett, T h e T h eo ry o f H e
d o n ic Q u a lity M e a s u r e m e n t a n d I ts U se in P r ic e I n d e x es, Staff Paper 6,
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1971).
‘ The demonstration of this is in Greenlees’ forthcoming paper.
Briefly, the more expensive and higher quality houses qualifying for
F H A -V A mortgages in one period will not qualify for them later be
cause of housing inflation. This creates a slow monthly deterioration
in average quality in the sample, which can cumulate over time to
yield an index which rises more slowly than the true rate of inflation
in home prices.
5 Rafael Rom Weston, “The Quality of Housing in the United
States, 1929-1970” Harvard University, 1972, Ph. D. dissertation.
6James R. Follain and Stephen Malpezzi, D is se c tin g H o u s in g V alu e
a n d R e n t: E s tim a te s o f H e d o n ic I n d e x e s f o r T h ir ty -N in e L a r g e S M S A ’s,
Report 249-17 (Washington, D.C., The Urban Institute, 1979), tables
20 and 21.
7See T h e C o n s u m e r P r ic e I n d e x , monthly press release of the Bu
reau of Labor Statistics.
8See Jack E. Triplett, “Automobiles and Hedonic Quality Measure
ment,” J o u r n a l o f P o litic a l E c o n o m y , May/June 1969, pp. 408-17;
Phoebus F. Dhrymes, “Price and Quality Changes in Consumer Capi
tal Goods: An Empirical Study,” in Zvi Griliches, ed., P r ic e I n d e x e s
a n d Q u a lity C h a n g e, pp. 88-149; Thomas F. Hogarty, “Price-Quality
Relations for Automobiles: A New Approach,” A p p lie d E co n o m ics,
Vol. 7, 1975, pp. 41-51; and Makota Ohta and Zvi Griliches, “Auto
mobile Prices Revisited: Extensions of the Hedonic Hypothesis,” in
Nester E. Terleckyj, ed., H o u s e h o ld P r o d u c tio n a n d C o n su m p tio n ,
Studies in Income and Wealth, Vol. 40, National Bureau of Economic
Research (New York, Columbia University Press, 1975), pp. 325-90.
Measures to cut costs and prices
What effect can we expect on the ongoing inflation rate
from one-time increases or reductions in prices or costs?
We can rely on cost changes to be reflected in prices. Be
yond that, the empirical evidence is unfailingly ambiguous.
The price shocks of the mid-1970’s affected wages, but not
proportionately. Consumer prices appear to have some per
sistent effect on wages, but it is modest once the effects of
lagged wages themselves are allowed for. On the basis of
the evidence, it appears that only a minor fraction of any
shock to prices would filter through into average wage
changes and thus have some multiplied effect. That still
makes measures to cut prices and costs worth pursuing
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
and their opposites worth avoiding. Even if only one-quar
ter of any price change influences wages, 1 percent re
moved from the CPI reduces wage inflation by about as
much as 1 percentage point more unemployment for 1
year.
— G e o r g e L. P e r r y
“Slowing the Wage-Price Spiral: The Macroeconomic View,”
in Arthur M. Okun and George L. Perry, eds., C u r in g C h ro n ic
I n fla tio n (Washington, The Brookings Institution, 1978), p. 55.
35
Special
Labor Force
Reports—Summaries
Women’s share of moonlighting
nearly doubles during 1969-79
Edw
ard
S. S e k s c e n s k i
Nearly 1 in 20 workers held more than one job during
the survey week in May 1979. Since May 1969, despite
some fluctuations, the number of “moonlighters” has
grown at about the same rate as the total work force;
by May 1979, about 4.7 million persons held more than
one job.1The most striking change in the moonlighting
work force during the decade is the proportion of wom
en in its ranks. About 3 of every 10 multiple jobholders
in May 1979 were women, nearly double the proportion
of 10 years earlier. (See table 1.)
Multiple jobholders are persons who were: wage or
salary workers with more than one employer, selfemployed but also held a wage and salary job, or un
paid family workers on their primary jobs but also held
wage and salary jobs.2The primary job is the one where
the greatest number of hours was worked.
Patterns by sex and race
In May 1969, about 658,000 women held more than
one job, representing 16 percent of all moonlighters. By
May 1979, moonlighting women numbered 1.4 million,
accounting for 30 percent. However, the number of men
with multiple jobs remained about 3.3 million. These
changes are consistent with the increased proportion of
women in the total work force, many of whom are the
primary earners in their families.3Further, the growth in
the number of multi-earner families may have dimin
ished the economic incentive for some husbands to hold
more than one job.
While the reported incidence of multiple jobholding
has long been lower for black than for white workers,
the difference has grown considerably in recent years.
The moonlighting rate for black men has dropped more
rapidly than that for white men. The rate for black
women has remained largely stationary, while that for
white women has risen sharply.
Between 1969 and 1979, the reported incidence of
Edward S. Sekscenski is an economist in the Office of Current Em
ployment Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
36
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
moonlighting among black men dropped from 6.1 to
3.8 percent, while the rate for white men declined from
7.0 to 6.1 percent. During the same period, the rate for
black women edged down, from 2.2 to 2.0 percent, but
the rate for white women increased from 2.3 to 3.7 per
cent. However, although black women were less likely
than white women to hold more than one job, they
were more likely to work full-time on at least one job.4
Industry and occupation
Groups of industries employing large proportions of
workers who also moonlighted during May 1979 includ
ed public administration, 7.6 percent, and agriculture
and services, 6.1 percent each. Within these groups, the
specific industries with the highest proportions of
moonlighters were State and local administration, 9.3
percent; education, 8.2 percent; and entertainment and
recreation, 7.3 percent. (See tables 2 and 3.)
About 15 percent of second jobs were in agriculture,
more than 4 times the percentage of primary jobs in the
industry. One-third of multiple jobholders, including
nearly two-fifths of the men, were self-employed in their
second jobs. The proportion of moonlighters working
their secondary jobs in services, 30 percent, was slightly
higher than that for single jobholders.
Among the major occupational groups, farmers and
farm managers, and professional and technical workers
reported the highest rates of moonlighting. Nearly 1 in
4 multiple jobholders in May 1979 was a professional
or technical worker, up from less than 1 in 5 in 1969.
Women in these occupations accounted for more than
60 percent of the increase. Particularly large increases in
moonlighting occurred among women teaching in pri
mary and secondary schools, and persons working in
health professions. The moonlighting rates for men in
these two professions, though more than twice that of
women in comparable jobs, were down by about one
percentage point each, from their 1969 levels. Another
occupational group with a high proportion of moon
lighting men was protective services, such as police who
also work as private guards. This rate, however, also
decreased during the decade, from slightly less than 17
percent to about 12 percent.
Occupational groups with lower than average rates of
multiple jobholding in May 1979, as well as 10 years
earlier, included factory operatives and clerical workers.
Table 1.
Persons holding two jobs or more and multiple jobholding rates, May 1969 to May 1979
[Numbers in thousands]
Total
employed
Year
1969 ....................
1970 ....................
1971....................
1972 ....................
1973 ....................
1974 ....................
1975 ....................
1976 ....................
1977 ....................
1978 ....................
1979 ....................
77,264
78,358
78,708
81,224
83,758
85,786
84,146
87,278
90,482
93,904
96,327
Two jobs in nonagricultural industries
Multiple jobholding rate1
All
multiple
jobholders
At least
one
job in
agriculture
Total
Two wage
and salary
jobs
Wage and
salary
and self
employed
Both sexes
Men
Women
White
4,008
4,048
4,035
3,770
4,262
3,889
3,918
3,948
4,558
4,493
4,724
939
943
851
831
987
848
890
819
922
905
871
3,069
3,105
3,184
2,939
3,275
3,041
3,028
3,129
3,637
3,587
3,852
2,326
2,356
2,288
2,066
2,410
2,169
2,131
2,191
2,515
2,513
2,650
743
749
896
873
865
872
897
938
1,122
1,074
1,203
5.2
5.2
5.1
4.6
5.1
4.5
4.7
4.5
5.0
4.8
4.9
6.9
7.0
6.7
6.0
6.6
5.8
5.8
5.8
6.2
5.8
5.9
2.3
2.2
2.6
2.4
2.7
2.6
2.9
2.6
3.4
3.3
3.5
5.3
5.3
5.3
4.8
5.1
4.6
4.8
4.7
5.3
5.0
5.1
Black2
4.5
4.4
3.8
3.7
.4.7
3.8
3.7
2.8
2.6
3.1
3.0
1Multiple jobholders as a percent of all employed persons.
2Starting with 1977, data are for black workers only. Data for prior years are for persons of black and other races except white, about 90 percent of whom are black.
Although differences exist in the responses given by
men and women, the distribution of reasons for work
ing more than one job has shown few year-to-year
changes since 1974, the first period for which compara
ble data are available.5About 29 percent of men and 34
percent of women stated “meeting regular expenses”
was the main reason for holding two or more jobs dur
ing the survey week. (See table 4.) In 1974, 33 percent
of men and 30 percent of women cited this as their
main reason. However, among black women, about half
of those with more than one job gave the need to meet
regular expenses as their principal reason for moonlightTable 2.
ing, both in 1974 and 1979.
A larger proportion of men than women in May 1979
said “saving for the future” was their main reason for
holding more than one job. More older workers than
young ones offered “enjoying the work” on their second
jobs as the main reason. More younger workers said it
was “paying off debts.” The proportion of women
working a second job “to get experience” increased in
almost every age group during 1974-79.
Marital status, historically, has been a factor in the
decision to moonlight. The highest rates were exhibited
by married men, especially those with two children or
Multiple jobholders by type of industry and class of worker, May 1978 and May 1979
[Numbers In thousands]
Multiple jobholders
Primary job
Total
employed
Number
Percent of
employed
Second job in agriculture
Second job in nonagricultural industries
Total
Wage or
salary
Selfemployed
Total
Wage or
salary
634
3,741
2,878
863
26
26
154
36
94
25
143
25
94
25
11
11
( 1)
( 2)
2,735
2,513
201
21
852
852
(2)
3,587
3,365
201
21
Selfemployed
MAY 1978
Total ................................................
93,904
4,493
4.8
752
118
Agriculture ..................................................
Wage and salary ..................................
Self-employed ......................................
Unpaid family........................................
3,392
1,441
1,627
323
204
70
106
28
6.0
4.9
6.5
8.6
50
34
13
3
24
8
13
3
Nonagriculture..............................................
Wage and salary ..................................
Self-employed ......................................
Unpaid family........................................
90,512
83,526
6,442
543
4,289
4,066
202
21
4.7
4.9
3.1
38
701
700
1
94
93
1
Total ................................................
96,327
4,724
4.9
725
145
580
3,999
2,993
1,006
Agriculture ..................................................
Wage and salary ..................................
Self-employed ......................................
Unpaid family........................................
3,315
1,455
1,592
332
203
78
108
16
6.1
5.4
7.1
5.0
57
42
14
1
27
12
14
1
30
30
(2)
146
37
94
16
137
28
94
16
9
9
( 1)
(2)
Nonagriculture..............................................
Wage and salary ..................................
Self-employed ......................................
Unpaid family........................................
93,012
85,662
6,841
509
4,521
4,307
206
8
4.9
5.0
3.0
1.5
668
660
8
0
118
110
8
0
550
550
0
(2)
3,852
3,647
198
8
2,855
2,650
198
8
997
997
0
(')
(2)
607
607
(’ )
( 1)
Í 2)
MAY 1979
1Self-employed persons with secondary businesses or farms, but no wage or salary jobs,
were not counted as multiple jobholders.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
n
(2)
2Persons whose primary jobs were as unpaid family workers were counted as multiple jobholders only if they also held a wage or salary job.
37
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Special Labor Force Reports— Summaries
Table 3.
Personal characteristics of persons with 2 jobs or more, May 1979
[Numbers in thousands]
Characteristic
Total
Men
Multiple jobholders
Multiple jobholders
Women
Multiple jobholders
Total
employed
Number
Percent
Total
employed
Number
Percent
Total
employed
Number
Percent
96,327
3,118
4,593
13,715
25,589
18,747
16,229
11,364
2,974
4,724
120
180
656
1,405
1,066
805
401
91
4.9
3.8
3.9
4.8
5.5
5.7
5.0
3.5
3.1
56,410
1,755
2,429
7,481
15,158
10,969
9,795
6,968
1,855
3,317
59
107
382
976
790
613
319
71
5.9
3.4
4.4
5.1
6.4
7.2
6.3
4.6
3.8
39,917
1,363
2,164
6,234
10,431
7,777
6,434
4,396
1,118
1,407
60
73
274
430
277
192
82
20
3.5
4.4
3.4
4.4
4.1
3.6
3.0
1.9
1.7
22,822
61,598
11,908
1,001
3,199
524
4.4
5.2
4.4
12,974
39,098
4,339
572
2,550
195
4.4
6.5
4.5
9,848
22,500
7,569
429
649
329
4.4
2.9
4.3
85,541
9,076
4,684
4,390
269
150
5.1
3.0
3.2
50,656
4,840
2,907
3,087
182
111
6.1
3.8
3.8
34,885
4,237
1,741
1,304
86
39
3.7
2.0
2.2
AGE
Total, 16 years and o v e r............................
16 and 17 years ..................................................
18 and 19 years ..................................................
20 to 24 years......................................................
25 to 34 years......................................................
35 to 44 years......................................................
45 to 54 years......................................................
55 to 64 years......................................................
65 years and o v e r................................................
MARITAL STATUS
Single...................................................................
Married, spouse present........................................
Other marital status..............................................
RACE AND ETHNICITY
White ..................................................................
Black ...................................................................
Hispanic origin......................................................
more. The lowest rates have been shown by married
women. However, in the 1969-79 period, rates for mar
ried men declined and those for married women in
creased by about one percentage point each. The rate
for widowed, divorced, and separated women rose from
3.5 to 4.3 percent. Single (never-married) women
showed an even larger increase in moonlighting during
the period, from 2.5 to 4.4 percent.
About two-thirds of multiple jobholders worked one
full-time and one part-time job. More than threefourths of such persons were men. Nearly half of wom
en moonlighters held two part-time jobs. The propor
tion of men holding two full-time jobs in May 1979 was
twice as high as for women:
Table 4.
Multiple jobholders
Both
sexes
Men
Women
Total [in th ou san d s].....................
Percent distribution .....................
One full-time, one part-time job
Two part-time j o b s ..................
Two full-time j o b s .....................
4,724
100
67
27
5
3,317
100
75
19
7
1,407
100
51
48
3
An average total of 52 hours was worked by moon
lighters during the survey week. Hours worked on sec
ondary jobs averaged 13; those worked by moon
lighting women averaged about 70 percent of those by
men. About 30 percent of moonlighters worked from 8
to 14 hours a week on their secondary jobs. About 52
percent worked either 1 to 7 hours or 15 to 21 hours.
Main reason for working at more than one job, by selected characteristics, May 1979
Sex, marital status, and race
Total ................................................
Total
(thousands)
Total
percent
Meet
regular
expenses
Pay
off
debts
Save
for
future
Get
exper
ience
Help
friend
or
relative
Buy
some
thing
special
Enjoy
the
work
Changed
job
Other
4,724
100.0
30.4
6.7
9.5
8.5
5.9
8.3
18.2
1.3
11.3
3,317
2,550
1,407
636
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
28.8
32.4
34.3
25.9
6.3
5.3
7.7
4.9
11.0
10.8
5.9
6.2
8.8
8.3
7.1
7.3
5.6
5.1
6.4
7.4
7.8
6.4
9.6
11.4
19.1
20.3
16.0
20.9
1.1
.7
1.9
2.5
11.5
10.8
11.1
13.4
3,087
1,304
100.0
100.0
28.4
33.4
6.0
7.3
10.9
6.0
8.9
7.4
5.8
6.6
7.7
9.8
19.5
17.0
1.1
1.8
11.6
10.9
230
103
100.0
100.0
33.2
46.6
11.2
12.6
12.6
4.9
6.3
2.9
3.1
4.9
9.0
6.8
13.0
3.9
.1
3.9
10.8
13.6
ALL RACES
Men, total ....................................................
Married, wife present ............................
Women, total................................................
Married, husband present .......... ........
WHITE
Men ............................................................
Women........................................................
BLACK AND OTHER1
Men ............................................................
Women........................................................
' Data on reasons for working at more than one job by race are tabulated for "black and
other," in contrast to black only. The black and other group includes those who identified them-
38
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
selves in the enumeration process to be other than white. At the time of the 1970 Census of
Population, 89 percent of the black and other population group were black.
Industries in which employees worked more than the
average number of hours on secondary jobs, in May
1979, included construction, 16 hours, and manufactur
ing, 15 hours.
Moonlighters worked a weekly median of 40 hours
on their primary jobs in May 1979, the same median as
single jobholders, and for both white and black work
ers. Moonlighters who were self-employed in agriculture
as a first job worked a median of 56 hours, the longest
of any occupation, while unpaid family workers aver
aged 35 hours of work on their first jobs.
□
--------- F O O T N O T E S ---------' This is an annual study based on data supplied by the May Cur
rent Population Survey.
2Also included as multiple jobholders are persons who had two
jobs during the survey week because they were changing jobs. This
group is very small— about one percent of all multiple jobholders in
May 1979. Persons employed only in private households (such as
housekeepers, launderers, gardeners, and babysitters) who worked for
two or more employers during the survey week were not counted as
multiple jobholders, because working for several employers is consid
ered an inherent characteristic of this type of work. Also excluded
were self-employed persons with additional farms or businesses and
persons with secondary jobs as unpaid family workers.
3See Beverly L. Johnson, “Marital and family characteristics of
workers, 1970-78,” M o n th ly L a b o r R ev ie w , April 1979, pp. 49-52;
and Janet L. Norwood and Elizabeth Waldman, “Women in the labor
force: some new data series,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Report
575, October 1979.
4 See Carol Leon and Robert W. Bednarzik, “A profile of women on
part-time schedules,” M o n th ly L a b o r R ev ie w , October 1978, pp. 3-12.
5The question asked is “What is the main reason that . . . worked
at more than one job?” That question was also asked in May 1969,
but only five reasons were tabulated at that time. Since May 1974,
eight reasons have been tabulated, thus, the earlier data are not strict
ly comparable with the 1974-79 tables.
Percent working long hours
shows first post-recession decline
G eorge
D.
St a m a s
From 1978 to 1979, the incidence of long hours among
full-time wage and salary workers dropped for the first
time since the 1974-75 recession. The 18.8 million em
ployees who put in workweeks of 41 hours or more in
May 1979 were about 26 percent of all full-time wage
and salary workers, down about 1 percentage point
from 1978. Of those who worked long hours, about 43
percent received premium pay, the same proportion as
in 1978 and well above the recessionary low of 1975.
(See table 1.)
These data were gathered through a supplement to
the Current Population Survey and relate to wage and
George D. Stamas is an economist in the Office of Current Employ
ment Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Table 1. Full-time wage and salary workers who worked
long weeks and those who received premium pay, May
1973-M a y 1979
[Numbers in thousands]
Year
1973...................
1974 ..................
1975 ..................
1976 ..................
1977 ..................
1978 ..................
1979 ..................
Worked 41 hours
or more1
Received premium pay
All
full-time
workers
Number
Percent of
full-time
workers
Number
Percent of those
who worked 41
hours or more
62,202
63,714
61,765
64,546
66,441
69,428
71,677
18,105
17,564
15,450
16,679
18,174
18,977
18,765
29.1
27.6
25.0
25.8
27.4
27.3
26.2
7,697
7,302
5,597
6,621
7,697
8,138
7,999
42.5
41.6
36.2
39.7
42.4
42.9
42.6
1Data are limited to wage and salary workers who worked at only one job.
salary workers with one job who worked 41 hours or
more during the week ending May 12, 1979.1They do
not include the 3.3 million multiple jobholders who
worked more than 40 hours, even if they passed the
40-hour mark on their principal job. Nor do they in
clude the 4 million self-employed who worked 41 hours
or more.
The Fair Labor Standards Act, passed by Congress
in 1938, mandated that premium pay of time and onehalf the regular wage be paid to qualifying nonsupervisory workers for hours worked in excess of 40
per week. Over the years, the act has been amended and
in 1979 its overtime provisions covered an estimated 53
million workers, 74 percent of all nonsupervisory work
ers, 59 percent of all civilian wage and salary workers.2
While the act sets the standard for most workers,
premium pay for overtime begins before 40 hours for
some workers. Public laws covering government con
tracts and Federal employment generally entitle workers
to premium pay for hours worked in excess of 8 per day
without regard to weekly hours. In addition, some col
lective bargaining agreements specify overtime after 35
hours a week or even less, after 8 or fewer hours a day
or on some other basis.3 Thus, the data on long hours
presented here include some workers who are not on
“overtime” despite exceeding 40 hours per week, while
they exclude others who worked overtime, although
their workweek was less than 40 hours.
U se of overtime
Even with the premiums for overtime specified in
laws and union contracts, employers still use overtime
hours to get out their product. Management uses over
time to cope with “disequilibrium phenomena,” such as
strikes, mechanical breakdowns, or bad weather. Also,
because the cost per hour of hiring, training, and pro
viding fringe benefits to addditional employees can ex
ceed the cost per hour of premium pay, management
sometimes orders overtime to meet increased demand,
particularly of a temporary or short-term nature. Some
39
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Special Labor Force Reports— Summaries
Table 2. Full-time wage and salary workers who worked
long weeks and those who received premium pay by
hours worked, May 1979
[Numbers in thousands]
Hours worked
Usual hours and premium pay
Worked 41 Worked 41 Worked 49 Worked 60
to 48
to 59
hours or
hours or
hours
more
more
hours
Total worked 41 hours or more........
Received premium p a y ............
Percent receiving premium pay .
18,765
7,999
42.6
8,687
4,748
54.7
6,249
2,357
37.7
3,829
894
23.3
Usually worked 41 hours or more .. .
Received premium p a y ............
Percent receiving premium pay .
12,895
4,152
32.2
4,630
1,979
42.7
4,859
1,485
30.6
3,404
687
20.2
Did not usually work 41 hours or more
Received premium p a y ............
Percent receiving premium pay .
5,871
3,847
65.5
4,055
2,768
68.3
1,390
872
62.7
424
206
48.6
NOTE:
Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.
economists think that rising fringe benefits have created
a “fringe barrier” to new hirings by diminishing the rel
ative cost of an overtime hour. They claim that the
time-and-a-half premium is no longer a very strong de
terrent to the use of overtime.4
However, a trend toward the increased use of over
time is not obvious in the general data presented here.
During May 1973-79, from 25 to 29 percent of full
time wage and salary workers put in more than 40
hours a week, and at least 36 percent of those on long
hours (and often about 42 percent) received premium
pay. One in 10 full-time wage and salary workers put in
more than 40 hours a week and received premium pay.
Of the 18.8 million workers on extended schedules
during the May 1979 reference week, 12.9 million were
reported as regularly working 41 hours or more. Only
one-third received premium pay, compared with twothirds of those who worked over 40 hours only occa
sionally. (See table 2.) Whether or not a person routine
ly worked long hours, the proportion earning premium
pay for extra hours decreased as the number of hours
worked increased.
More than three-fifths of the workers who routinely
worked long hours put in more than 48 hours and about
half spread the work over more than 5 days. In contrast,
only three-tenths of those who seldom worked long hours
worked more than 48 hours during the reference week.
Approximately 7.4 million workers in goods-producing industries and 11.4 million workers in service-pro
ducing industries put in weeks of 41 hours or more in
May 1979, nearly the same as the preceding year. Al
though about the same proportion of workers were on
long hours in goods production as in services (27.2 and
25.5 percent) workers in goods production were—as
was the case in previous years—twice as likely to re
ceive premium pay for long hours. (See table 3.) Within
the service-producing sector, however, the proportion of
workers who received premium pay for long hours
ranged up to 50 percent or more in transportation and
public utilities and Federal public administration. The
latter group includes the postal service, in which 78 per
cent of the employees on long hours received premiums.
Agriculture is the anomaly among the goods-producing industries, with 53 percent of the workers putting in
more than 40 hours but only 12 percent receiving a pre
mium. Farmworkers are exempt from overtime provi
sions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Table. 3 Full-time wage and salary workers who worked long weeks and those who received premium pay, by industrial
group, May 1973-M ay 1979
[In percent]
Received premium pay
Worked 41 hours or more
Industrial group
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
All industries....................................................
29.1
27.6
25.0
25.8
27.4
27.3
26.2
42.5
41.6
36.2
39.7
42.4
42.9
42.6
Goods producing........................................................
Agriculture..........................................................
Mining ................................................................
Construction........................................................
Manufacturing ....................................................
Durable goods ............................................
Nondurable goods........................................
30.0
54.6
38.4
23.0
30.1
31.3
28.3
27.7
54.7
41.7
21.8
27.3
28.7
25.1
23.4
55.9
36.6
20.9
21.5
20.6
22.8
26.6
56.8
34.1
21.4
25.7
25.3
26.4
28.6
53.1
34.5
23.9
28.0
28.7
27.1
28.0
47.4
40.9
22.3
27.7
28.6
26.2
27.2
52.6
34.8
21.2
26.9
27.8
25.4
63.9
7.9
65.8
56.6
69.9
73.7
63.4
60.5
10.4
64.8
53.1
66.7
70.3
60.4
53.7
11.6
57.5
52.2
59.9
62.6
56.1
60.4
13.4
57.4
52.6
67.3
69.5
64.1
62.0
10.9
64.5
55.9
68.4
70.4
65.2
61.1
14.0
65.6
55.1
66.7
70.0
60.9
61.5
12.2
65.0
54.9
68.0
71.0
62.5
Service producing ......................................................
Transportation ana public utilities..........................
Wholesale and retail trade....................................
Finance, insurance, and real estate ......................
Miscellaneous Services........................................
Professional1 ..............................................
Other2 ........................................................
Public administration............................................
Federa ........................................................
Postal ..................................................
Other Federal ......................................
State ..........................................................
Local ..........................................................
28.5
27.1
39.3
21.7
26.2
23.4
34.4
17.1
15.0
20.4
12.1
15.8
21.4
27.4
26.2
37.1
20.4
25.9
23.5
33.1
17.0
13.5
12.9
13.8
14.7
23.9
26.0
23.3
35.9
21.6
24.0
22.0
30.6
15.5
11.4
9.0
12.4
14.3
21.7
25.4
24.1
35.7
20.5
22.7
20.6
29.2
15.5
13.4
16.7
11.9
11.4
20.3
26.6
26.2
36.6
22.2
23.7
21.6
30.6
16.6
14.8
18.1
13.4
11.1
21.6
26.9
28.7
35.8
21.8
24.3
22.5
29.9
16.7
15.2
21.3
12.6
12.1
21.1
25.5
28.7
34.2
20.8
22.6
20.7
28.5
15.6
14.4
18.2
12.9
9.4
20.0
27.3
53.6
27.5
16.2
18.8
15.3
25.8
36.9
58.1
68.2
49.1
24.0
18.1
28.9
53.2
30.0
21.2
19.9
16.4
27.7
34.8
57.3
59.1
56.6
16.5
19.5
26.9
48.4
28.3
19.8
18.8
16.5
24.4
35.9
53.1
( 3)
46.6
11.2
30.3
26.6
44.1
28.5
18.4
19.0
16.4
24.6
37.5
58.8
76.4
48.0
17.9
23.2
29.6
51.1
31.0
19.3
22.0
18.5
29.8
36.2
53.0
78.3
38.4
18.9
25.5
31.3
49.8
32.0
21.3
24.0
20.4
32.0
43.4
58.7
80.8
43.3
31.0
32.7
30.3
49.9
31.8
20.5
21.6
18.2
29.0
40.9
52.4
78.4
37.4
42.5
30.1
11ncludes health, education, and welfare services.
2Includes forestry and fisheries, business and repair services, entertainment, personal ser-
40
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vices, and private household workers.
3Percent not shown where base Is less than 75,000.
Long hours in services down
The incidence of long hours in the goods-producing
industries was about the same as in the previous year,
but lower than in May 1977. However, it remained well
above the recessionary low of 1975. The proportion of
long hours used by employers in the service sector has
fallen to a level as low as anytime in the 7-year period.
This may be due partly to the gradual removal of the
Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime exemptions for
hotel, motel, and restaurant employees, which was com
pleted in January 1979. This does not necessarily indi
cate weakness of the economy. On the contrary,
employers—expecting strong demand for their goods or
services—may have been more likely than in recent
years to hire additional employees, rather than work
those on board overtime.
State and local public administration bucked the
trend of relatively little change in premium pay set by
other industries. In State and local government, the
proportion of workers on long hours receiving premium
pay has shown a substantial increase during 1973-79.
At the same time, the incidence of workers on long
hours in State public administration has been decreas
ing.
Although white-collar and blue-collar employees are
about equally apt to work long hours, the incidence of
premium pay is much lower for white- than blue-collar
workers. (See table 4.) Managers and administrators
were among the most likely of all workers to put in
long hours and the least likely to receive premium pay.
Clerical workers were among the least likely to work
long hours, but the proportion who received premium
Table 4. Full-time wage and salary workers who worked
41 hours or more a week and those who received
premium pay, by occupational group, May 1979
[Numbers in thousands]
May 1979
Number
Percent of
full-time
workers
Percent
received
premium pay
All occupations..............................
White collar..............................................
Professional and technical workers . . .
Managers and administrators..............
Sales workers ..................................
Clerical workers................................
18,765
9,691
3,199
3,643
1,212
1,638
26.2
26.2
26.4
44.0
34.2
12.6
42.6
23.8
21.0
11.9
14.7
62.5
Blue collar................................................
Skilled trades....................................
Operatives, except transport..............
Transport equipment operatives..........
Laborers, except farm ........................
7,325
3,286
2,140
1,195
704
27.2
30.1
22.2
40.4
20.7
70.9
67.0
84.7
56.2
71.6
Service workers........................................
Farm workers ..........................................
1,279
470
18.3
56.6
36.8
6.8
Production and nonsupervisory ’ ........
11,393
22.7
60.1
Occupational group
1 All occupations except professional and technical, managerial and administrative, private
household, and farmworkers.
NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.
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Table 5. Full-time wage and salary workers who worked
long weeks and percent who received premium pay, by
union status and occupation and industry group, May 1979
Occupational and industrial
group
Percent working
41 hours or more
Percent working 41
hours or more who
received premium pay
Union1
Other
Union1
Other
Occupation....................
20.0
28.9
69.1
34.6
White collar..............................
Blue collar................................
Service....................................
Farm........................................
16.7
22.8
15.5
(2)
28.7
31.0
19.4
58.6
37.7
85.5
53.4
(2)
21.7
61.9
31.8
6.1
Industry ........................
20.0
28.9
69.1
34.6
Goods producing ......................
Agriculture ........................
Mining ..............................
Construction......................
Manufacturing....................
Service producing ....................
Transportation, public
utilities ..........................
Trade................................
Miscellaneous services . . . .
Public administration ..........
20.9
( 2)
20.4
13.4
22.6
19.2
31.0
54.5
43.0
25.7
29.7
27.8
90.2
( 2)
(2)
80.7
91.4
49.3
50.0
11.8
57.4
47.0
56.4
25.6
25.5
22.3
16.6
14.4
32.5
36.0
24.0
16.5
70.7
76.7
16.2
58.4
30.6
27.7
22.4
28.8
1Member of a labor union or of an employee association similar to a union or working at a
job covered by a union or employee association contract.
2Percent not shown where base is less than 75,000.
pay was comparable to that among blue-collar workers.
Transport equipment operatives were about as likely as
managers and administrators to work long hours and
were the least probable of all blue-collar employees to
receive premium pay. A higher proportion of other op
eratives received premium pay than any other occupa
tion.
The proportion of white-collar workers on long hours
was lower in 1979 than in 1978, and had returned to a
level as low as in any May in the preceding 6 years. Al
though the work schedules of blue-collar workers tend
to be more cyclically sensitive (probably because the in
dustries where they concentrate are particularly sensi
tive to business cycles) the number and percent of bluecollar workers on long weeks were about the same in
May 1979 as 1 year earlier. About the same proportion
of blue-collar workers received premium pay for long
hours in 1979 as in 1973, while the proportion of whitecollar workers had risen slightly.
The proportion of service workers on long hours
dropped over the 1973-79 period, while the proportion
receiving premium pay, though off from the May 1978
level, rose considerably over the May 1973 rate, from
25.7 to 36.8 percent.
N egotiations by unions
Workers covered by union contracts make up threetenths of the full-time wage and salary workers.5 In
some cases, unions have negotiated shorter standard
hours and higher overtime premiums than provided by
law, as well as the right to a fair share of overtime and
the right of individual workers to refuse overtime. Table
41
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Special Labor Force Reports— Summaries
Table 6. Full-time wage and salary workers who worked
long weeks and those who received premium pay, by
selected characteristics, May 1979
[Numbers in thousands]
Worked 41 hours or
more
Number
Percent of
full-time
workers
Number
Percent of
those who
worked 41 hours
or more
14,778
420
1,994
10,666
1,696
13,761
1,017
2,283
32.7
24.5
31.6
34.4
27.6
34.2
20.7
25.8
6,191
244
1,127
4,254
565
5,642
549
1,063
41.9
58.1
56.5
39.9
33.3
41.0
54.0
46.6
11,300
1,195
3,674
11,105
34.5
33.2
23.5
37.6
4,585
543
2,674
3,518
40.6
45.4
72.8
31.7
3,986
134
701
2,708
443
3,616
371
944
15.0
11.0
15.1
15.6
13.6
15.9
9.6
15.1
1,807
78
408
1,163
159
1,621
186
408
45.3
58.2
58.2
42.9
35.9
44.8
50.1
43.2
2,059
985
711
3,276
14.2
17.1
11.3
16.2
947
453
354
1,453
46.0
46.0
49.8
44.4
Characteristic
M e n ..............................
16 to 19 years............
20 to 24 years............
25 to 54 years............
55 years and over . . . .
Race: White........................
Black and other ........
Marital status: Never married
Married, spouse
present. . . .
Other............
Union status: Union1 ..........
Other ............
Age:
Women..........................
16 to 19 years............
20 to 24 years............
25 to 54 years............
55 years and over . . . .
Race: White........................
Black and other ........
Marital status: Never married
Married, spouse
present. . . .
Other............
Union status: Union' ..........
Other ............
Age:
Received premium pay
1Data include workers who either are members of a labor union or of an employee asso
ciation similar to a union, or whose job is covered by a union or employee association con
tract.
NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual Items may not equal totals.
5 shows that the proportion of union workers on long
hours was only two-thirds that for nonunion workers,
while the proportion that received premium pay for
long hours was twice as large. This relation pervades
the major occupational and industrial groups, though
the relative differences between the union and nonunion
rates vary.
The frequency of long hours among women is only
half of that among men. (See table 6.) For those women
who did work long hours, their workweeks were short
relative to those of men; 58 percent of the men worked
more than 48 hours compared to 39 percent of the wom
en. A larger proportion of men than women regularly
work long hours, as well. Women, however, were slightly
more likely to receive premium pay than men. Married
men worked long hours more frequently than men who
were never married but with little difference from
widowed, separated, or divorced men. Among women,
long hours varied less with marital status.
Black workers were much less likely than white
workers to put in long workweeks. Among the full-time
wage and salary workers, 28 percent of whites and 16
percent of blacks worked long hours in May 1979.6
However, 53 percent of the black workers earned premi
um pay for their long hours, compared to 42 percent of
the white workers. Disproportionately small numbers of
42
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blacks work in professional, technical, or management
occupations, where long hours are more common and
premium pay less so. The differences in the incidence of
premium pay between black and white workers was
greater among men than women.
Individuals 25 to 54 years old had the highest inci
dence of long hours. However, the likelihood of receiv
ing premium pay declines in successively older age
categories, dropping from 58 percent for teenagers to 34
percent for persons 55 years and over. A factor in this
is that many older workers have taken supervisory posi
tions where premium pay provisions do not apply. Even
when the worker may have the choice of accepting pre
mium pay, the combination of higher income and pro
gressive income tax schedules may make older workers
more likely to take compensatory time off for long
hours rather than premium pay.
□
--------- F O O T N O T E S ---------1The Current Population Survey is a survey of households, number
ing 56,000 in May 1979, which is conducted for the Bureau of Labor
Statistics by the Bureau of the Census. A worker reported as receiving
premium pay is one who answered “yes” to the question: Did . . . get
a higher rate of pay, like time and a half or double time, for hours
. . . worked over 40? Data on premium pay are not available for the
3.3 million wage and salary workers who held two or more jobs total
ing 41 hours or more. For information on these workers, see Edward
S. Sekscenski, “Women’s share of moonlighting nearly doubles during
1969-79,” M o n th ly L a b o r R ev ie w , this issue.
Although the data presented here provide considerable information
on the number and characteristics of workers on extended schedules
and on their receipt of premium pay, they cannot measure with preci
sion the number of overtime hours. For data from employer payroll
records on overtime hours paid production workers in manufacturing,
see E m p lo y m e n t a n d E a rn in g s (Bureau of Labor Statistics) monthly,
table C -2 .
2M in im u m W a g e a n d M a x im u m H o u r s S ta n d a r d s U n d e r th e F a ir
L a b o r S ta n d a r d s A c t (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Stan
dards Administration, 1978) p. 62.
3Workers in firms holding government contracts are covered by the
Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act (Public Law 74-846, June 30,
1936) or the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (Public
Law 87-581, Aug. 13, 1962). The Federal Pay Act (U.S. Code, title
5, Ch. 61) applies to Federal workers. For more information on over
time provisions in union contracts see C h a r a c te r istic s o f M a jo r C o lle c
tiv e B a rg a in in g A g re e m e n ts , J u ly 1, 1976, Bulletin 1957 (Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 1979), pp. 43-58.
4 For various views on this point, Ronald G. Ehrenberg, T h e S h o rtR u n E m p lo y m e n t D ecisio n a n d O v e r tim e B eh a vio r, Ph.D. dissertation,
Northwestern University, 1970, or Joseph Garbarino, “Fringe Benefits
and Overtime as Barriers to Expanding Employment,” I n d u s tr ia l a n d
L a b o r R e la tio n s R ev ie w , April 1964, pp. 426-442, or Robert M. Mac
Donald, “The Fringe Barrier Hypothesis and Overtime Behavior,” I n
d u s tr ia l a n d L a b o r R e la tio n s R ev ie w , July 1966, pp. 562-569, and,
most recently, Arthur R. Schwartz, T h e E ffe c ts o f B e n e fits a n d O v er
tim e C o sts on th e S h o r t R u n C y c lic a l D e m a n d f o r L a b o r in th e A u to m o
b ile I n d u s tr y in M ich ig a n , Ph.D. dissertation, the University of
Michigan-Wayne State University, Ann Arbor, Michigan, January
1979.
5In this report, a union worker is defined as a member of a labor
union or employee association similar to a union or a worker whose
job is covered by a union or employee association contract.
6 “Black workers” refers to all workers who are not white. Accord
ing to the 1970 Census of Population, black people make up about 89
percent of the “black and other” population.
Research
Summaries
Tracking individual earnings mobility
with the Current Population Survey
F rancis W. H orvath
The earnings of individual workers, matched in two
consecutive May Current Population Surveys, increased
more over the year ended in May 1978 than did earn
ings averages for all wage and salary workers. While
median hourly earnings rose 7.0 percent between May
1977 and May 1978, the corresponding median level of
change across matched individuals was 9.1 percent.
However, this and other findings in this report must be
interpreted with caution due to several complications
inherent in the formation of the sample and other re
strictions outlined below.
The data in this report are based on unweighted sam
ple counts from a match of the Current Population
Surveys (CPS) of May 1977 and May 1978. The CPS is
a monthly cross-sectional sample which provides the
basic national data on employment and unemployment.
In May of each year, supplemental data have been col
lected on usual weekly earnings, usual hours worked
per week, as well as actual hourly earnings for those
employed during the sample period.1
While the CPS earnings data refer to only one period
covering the given reference week, it is possible to cre
ate a year-to-year longitudinal subsample by virtue of
the survey design. To minimize the reporting burden on
the respondents in the survey, as well as to improve the
reliability of estimates of change, households are rotated
in and out of the sample in a predetermined pattern.
Specifically, after a household address enters the sample
in a given month, it remains in the sample during the
next 3 months, is dropped for 8 months, and then re
turned for a final 4 months. This rotation system,
known as a “4 - 8 - 4 ”, provides for maximum overlaps
of 75 percent in the month-to-month estimates, and 50
percent in the year-to-year sample2 That is, the quesFrancis W. Horvath is an economist in the Office of Current Employ
ment Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Daniel Glazer of the same
office created the matched file discussed in this study.
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a
tions asked in May of one year will be asked (potential
ly) a second time of one-half the households in the sam
ple the following May.
Using those households common to both May
surveys, it is possible to obtain a subsample of persons
containing information on all the questions asked in
each survey. Thus, it becomes possible to track the
flows of individual persons from one labor force and
earnings status to another by comparing answers from
the two surveys.
Sample selectivity. The gap between the potential of the
theoretical match and that actually achieved is very
wide, however. Several biases are known to exist in the
matched data which should temper any conclusions
based on this source of data. Most significantly, it
should be noted that the possibility of a year-to-year
longitudinal match is a byproduct of the sample design.
The CPS is a survey of households— persons living in
those households are not the basic units of the sample
design. Thus, if a person were to move out of a sur
veyed household before the end of the sample period,
and a new occupant were to move in, the new resident
would be in the survey in all the subsequent survey
months. The one who leaves is not followed and, thus,
is “lost” to the sample. When the household address is
“matched” with its previous information, its occupants
will differ and, therefore, cannot be used in the longitu
dinal sample.
In the light of these considerations,* the matched sam
ple is not a random sample of the population, and
cannot be used appropriately by any statistical proce
dure (such as ordinary least squares) which treats it as
such.3 Every characteristic known to be positively asso
ciated with mobility will be disproportionately “lost” in
the matched sample. This includes characteristics such
as age, race, and sex.4 The matched sampling process
retains more of those persons who are older, white, and
more likely to be women. This is shown in table 1,
which displays the sample representation of the match
used in this report by several demographic characteris
tics.
The most striking feature shown by the data in table
1 is the systematic loss of young persons by the match
ing process. About 50 percent of the young persons 1643
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Research Summaries
24 years of age in May 1977 are not matched in the
next year. In addition, there appears to be a slightly
greater loss of blacks and others than whites, and a
slightly higher retention of women than men in the
matched sample.
In addition to the loss of movers, the matched sam
ple is incomplete for other reasons. Information is miss
ing for persons who died and there is no way of
separating them from those who moved. Response and
coding errors may also present a problem. If the re
spondent changes some answers on which the match is
keyed (such as race or age), he or she may not be treat
ed as a match. Any incorrectly recorded or coded infor
mation in either year can cause identical persons to be
rejected by the matching procedure.
Another problem with the sample is that the data are
not inflated to population estimates using the weights
assigned to persons in the CPS. In any month, the
weights used to inflate the raw sample counts are based
on the answers received in that particular sample
month. This implies that the two separate weights for
1977 and 1978 need not necessarily be equal. While
some average of the two weights could be defined, this
procedure would not have a reliable statistical founda
tion.
Wage change selectivity. Another layer of selectivity is
imposed on wage change comparisons by the restriction
that persons remain in the employed labor force for
both periods. Questions on usual weekly earnings and
actual hourly earnings are asked only of those persons
who were employed in the reference week, excluding the
self-employed and unpaid family workers. Obviously, to
compute any measure of change in average hourly earn
ings or usual weekly earnings, it is necessary to have
Table 1. Sample representation by selected demographic
characteristics
Total
In
match
Not in
match1
Match as
a percent
of total
potential
match
Total....................
55,062
36,811
18,251
66.8
MEN
16 to 24 years ................
25 to 64 years ................
65 years and over ..........
5,966
16,491
3,266
2,886
11,590
2,500
3,080
4,901
766
48.4
69.7
76.5
WOMEN
16 to 24 ye ars................
25 to 64 ye ars................
65 years and over ..........
6,488
18,281
4,570
3,085
13,243
3,507
3,403
5,038
1,063
47.5
72.4
76.7
White m e n ......................
White women..................
22,899
25,776
15,302
17,554
7,597
8,222
66.8
68.1
Black and other men . . . .
Black and other women ..
2,824
3,523
1,674
2,241
1,150
1,282
59.3
63.2
Characteristic
1These persons were in rotation groups 1- 4 in May 1977, and therefore, in the potential
match, but were not surveyed again in May 1978.
44
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i
observations for both years. Because the wage change
sample is limited to employed persons who responded
to the questions in both years with dollar amounts, it is
even less representative of the population. At this level,
groups with high probabilities of leaving employment
are lost, as well as those who are unable or choose not
to answer the earnings questions in both reference peri
ods. For example, 59 percent of 2,824 black and other
men were matched in 1978, but only 19 percent were
employed in both years and provided sufficient informa
tion to compute a change in average hourly earnings.
Despite these caveats, the underlying earnings mobili
ty data are interesting in their own right. This data base
contains more observations than most special-purpose
longitudinal surveys and, thus, permits a range of dy
namic analysis.
Annual flows. Table 2 shows the employment status and
hourly earnings level for those reporting hourly pay in
May 1977 and May 1978. In addition to those in the
earnings match, the table includes the complete distri
bution for all persons in rotation groups 1-4 in May
1977 and those in rotation groups 5-8 in May 1978.
With the level of detail shown here, it is possible to
trace the changes in actual hourly earnings and labor
force categories within fairly small wage brackets over
the course of the 2-year period.
For example, reading across the row marked “$2.30,”
which was the minimum wage in the first year, 505
matched persons were employed and paid by the hour
again in May 1978; 107 worked at the new minimum
wage of $2.65; 32 of the 505 became the unemployed in
the second year and 101 dropped out of the labor force.
Three hundred and forty of those employed at the mini
mum wage in May 1977 could not be followed in May
1978.
Examination of the “unemployed” and “not in the la
bor force” categories crossed by previous year’s earn
ings yields some interesting findings. Persons leaving
employment and becoming unemployed tend to have
higher wages than those employed persons who leave
the labor force. Similarly, persons entering employment
who were unemployed in the first year seem to have
higher 1978 earnings levels than those who enter em
ployment from outside the labor force. It seems that
low-wage workers are more likely to move into and out
of the labor force than higher wage persons, who typi
cally are looking for work if not employed.
Several comments can be made about those not
responding to the earnings questions in both years. If
nonresponse is concentrated in particular demographic
or earnings groups, it could complicate wage change
comparisons. For example, 17 percent of black and oth
er men who respond to the actual hourly earnings ques
tions in the first year and should respond in the
Table 2.
Labor force status and actual hourly earnings of individuals, May 1977 and May 1978
[Unweighted sample counts from CPS longitudinal match]
Employed in May 1978
Characteristic
All in match . . . .
Employed in May 1977,
total ........................
Paid by the hour, ..
total1 ..............
$0.01 -2.29 . .
2.30 ..........
2.31 -3.99 . .
4.00-5.99 . .
6.00-7.99 . .
8.00-9.99 . .
10.00 and over
Not paid by hour2 .
Unemployed in May
1977 ......................
Not in labor force in May
1977 ......................
Not surveyed in May
19774 ....................
All
in
match
Paid by the hour
Total1
$.01 2.29
$2.30
$2.31 2.64
$2.65
$2.653.99
$4.005.99
$6.007.99
$8.009.99
$10.00
and
over
Total
36,811
21,155
9,289
256
53
228
703
2,300
1,982
1,365
630
304
11,866
945
14,711
21,184
18,963
8,028
184
30
159
462
1,837
1,823
1,312
609
291
10,935
462
1,759
10,778
9,475
506
505
3,136
2,046
1,375
438
251
11,709
8,322
369
372
2,656
1,892
1,306
413
230
10,641
6,584
298
298
2,131
1,502
1,088
326
174
1,444
149
103
14
25
26
14
7
3
132
24
22
66
2
1
1
372
65
107
171
2
1,544
48
99
1,215
60
9
1,105
527
2
238
35
4
27
90
2
293
1,495
9
10
388
896
49
7
3
328
37
332
616
21
5
207
6
31
243
194
8
82
1
2
1
22
56
137
53
1,738
71
74
525
390
218
87
56
9,197
312
25
32
111
50
28
12
12
150
841
112
101
369
104
41
13
9
918
5,361
354
340
2,112
1,102
580
141
94
5,417
1,159
578
379
11
1
13
49
133
76
24
12
6
199
205
376
1,094
6,379
14,468
1
1,614
882
61
22
56
192
330
83
29
9
7
732
278
12,576
10,374
5,133
210
23
158
585
1,491
1,118
591
244
132
5,241
857
5,400
11ncludes those paid by the hour but not reporting a dollar amount.
includes all those not paid by the hour, those not answering, and those not asked the question.
3There were 18,251 persons in rotation groups 1 - 4 in May 1977 who were not matched
second did not, compared with only 12 percent of the
white men in similar circumstances. Nonresponse in the
second year tends to rise slightly at higher 1977 earn
ings levels.
Earnings mobility. The most striking feature of the earn
ings change data is that, for those matched, the
percentage change in each measure of earnings is large.
The median percentage increase in earnings per hour for
individuals paid by the hour was 9.6 percent, usual
weekly earnings were up by 9.1 percent, and average
hourly earnings rose by 9.4 percent. By comparison,
from May 1977 to May 1978, median hourly earnings
for all wage and salary workers increased 7 percent.
The differences in the results between the matched
sample and the two individual May surveys may be re
lated to work experience. If labor force experience does
indeed produce higher earnings levels, those workers
common to both periods are most likely to have in
creased their level of experience by 1 year.5 This is not
true of the two separate earnings distributions. These
figures are based not only on those employed in both
periods, but also on the relationships between levels of
wages and flows of persons entering and leaving em
ployment. The differences between the aggregates and
the individual change measures might be more pro
nounced the greater the volume of employment turn
over in the group.
Table 3 describes the percent change in actual hourly
earnings, average hourly earnings, and usual weekly
earnnings by selected demographic characteristics. In
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Not in Not sur
Unem
labor veyed in
Not paid ployed in
force,
May
by
May 1978 May 1978 19783
hour2
with May 1978 information.
4There were 16,631 persons in rotation groups 5 -8 in May 1978 who could not be matched
with May 1977 information.
addition, the table lists the 1978 status of all persons
employed during May 1977, so that the various layers
of selectivity may be seen in perspective.
The percentage change in earnings for all three mea
sures tends to be highest for those groups with the
greatest flows out of employment. For example, while
young women age 16-24 employed and paid by the
hour in both periods increased their actual hourly earn
ings by 14.7 percent, the percentage of young women
employed in both periods was among the smallest, 78.6
percent. Among employed white men, 92.9 percent were
employed the following May, and those answering actu
al earnings questions in both surveys showed an in
crease of 9.2 percent. For white women, only 84.8
percent were employed again the following May, but
those answering both actual hourly earnings questions
had a slightly higher increase, 10.1 percent.
It should be noted that the groups with the highest
percentage changes in the earnings measures typically
begin from a low base. For example, persons earning
the minimum wage in both May 1977 and May 1978
moved from $2.30 an hour to $2.65. This small absolute
increase of 35 cents becomes a large relative increase of
15.2 percent when related to the $2.30 base.
Average hourly earnings (usual weekly earnings di
vided by usual hours worked) rose at about the same
rate as actual hourly earnings, Again, prime workingage men showed the smallest increases, and those
groups not strongly attached to the labor force showed
the largest changes. The representation of the sample
runs at about one-third of those surveyed in May of
45
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Research Summaries
Table 3.
Tracking individuals employed in May 1977 and May 1978
Men
Characteristic
Women
White
Black
and
other
Age
16-24
Age
25-64
Age 65
and
over
Total
White
Black
and
other
Age
16-24
Age
25-64
Age 65
and
over
Employed in May 1977 ....................................................
Not in match............................................................
In match..................................................................
31,962
10,778
21,184
17,026
5,601
11,425
1,726
675
1,051
3,771
2,013
1,758
14,771
4,135
10,162
684
128
556
11,654
3,968
7,686
1,556
534
1,022
3,255
1,735
1,520
9,594
2,681
6,913
361
86
275
Not in labor force In 1978 ..........................................
Unemployed in 1978 ................................................
Employed in 1978 ....................................................
Number reporting actual hourly earmings in both
years............................................................
Percent change in actual hourly earnings' ..........
Number with average hourly earnings in both
years............................................................
Percent change in average hourly earnings'........
Number reporting usual weekly earnings in both
years............................................................
Percent change in usual weekly earnings' ..........
1,759
462
18,963
589
224
10,612
67
34
950
193
84
1,481
307
168
9,687
156
6
394
1,001
170
6,515
102
34
886
252
74
1,194
774
127
6,012
77
3
195
5,137
9.6
2,616
9.2
274
10.9
625
15.0
2,215
8.6
50
7.9
1,979
10.1
268
9.4
480
14.7
1,716
9.3
51
7.0
11,516
9.4
6,081
8.9
579
8.6
1,038
8.6
5,576
15.7
122
8.3
4,293
10.1
616
9.7
901
14.0
3,901
9.4
107
10.2
11,571
9.1
6,106
8.5
585
8.5
9,663
18.0
5,600
7.8
125
3.6
4,256
10.2
624
8.9
855
16.7
3,917
9.2
108
2.4
'Data are median percent changes based on individuals in the respective percent change universe.
1977 for most groups, although somewhat lower for
very young and older workers.
Usual weekly earnings followed the same general pat
tern as actual and average hourly earnings. Percent
changes were highest for young men and women, both
groups which are likely to get “lost” in the matching
process. Usual weekly earnings were higher for white
women than white men, which may reflect, in part, a
greater increase in hours worked for women. Sample
followup was slightly more than one-third of those
employed in May 1977 for most groups.
□
--------- F O O T N O T E S ---------' See
W e e k ly a n d h o u rly e a rn in g s d a ta f r o m th e C u r r e n t P o p u la tio n
Special Labor Force Report 195 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1977), for a more complete discussion of this source of data. May
1978 was the last year in which these items were collected for the full
sample. Beginning in Odtober 1978, earnings questions were asked of
persons in the two outgoing rotation groups each month and will be
published quarterly. These new data will not be strictly comparable to
previous earnings information.
2See T h e C u r r e n t P o p u la tio n S u rv e y, D e sig n a n d M e th o d o lo g y , Tech
nical Paper No. 40 (Bureau of the Census, 1978), for a complete de
scription of the survey design.
3See G. S. Maddala, “Self Selectivity Problems in Econometric
Models,” in P. Krishniah, ed., A p p lic a tio n s o f S ta tis tic s (Amsterdam,
North Holland Publishing Co., 1977).
4The percentage of persons who change their household each year
in the United States has been relatively constant at about 20 percent
since the question of previous residence was first asked. However, mo
bility varies sharply by several demographic characteristics most nota
bly by age as shown below in the most recent 1-year mobility figures
from the March 1976 Current Population Survey:
3 0 -3 4
3 5 -4 4
4 5 -5 4
5 5 -6 4
65 and
. . .
. . .
.. .
. . .
over
B la c k ................................................................................
W h ite ................................................................................
M e n ..................................................................................
W om en.............................................................................
20.3
13.4
8.4
7.0
5.6
18.0
17.0
17.5
16.8
5
There are only two discrete observation points and the amount of
work experience between these two points cannot be determined.
The extent of alcoholism
among Air Force employees
S u rv e y,
P e r c e n t c h a n g e d h o u se h o ld s
in y e a r e n d e d M a r c h 1 9 7 6
T o t a l ......................................................................
Age groups:
15-19 .....................................................................
2 0 -2 4 .....................................................................
2 5 -2 9 ......................................................................
46
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17.1
16.1
38.0
32.6
T. Roger Manley , C harles W. Mc N ichols,
and
M ichael J. Stahl
An extensive survey of Air Force civilian employees re
veals that almost 7 percent are problem drinkers.1But a
conservative classification scheme as well as voluntary
participation in the 1978 survey, the first of its type
among Federal employees, suggests that the number of
problem drinkers may be substantially understated.
We administered questionaires to 13,146 U.S. Air
Force civilian employees during October-November
1978, of which 9,939 responded. The results showed
that 6.9 percent of these respondents experienced some
T. Roger Manley is a professor of management and organizational
psychology and Director of the Center for Government Studies at the
Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida. Charles W.
McNichols is an associate professor of management at the Air Force
Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Mi
chael J. Stahl is an associate professor of management at Clemson
University, Clemson, South Carolina.
impairment of their job performance because of drink
ing. The overall toll on productivity due to missed days,
working at lower levels of efficiency, and irregular hours
was computed to be .359 day per person during 1978.
Table 2. Workers reporting alcohol-related
consequences during year
[In percent]
Consequence1
Never
Received disciplinary action................................
Received lower performance rating ....................
Illness kept me from work for a week or more . . .
Hospitalized for 2 or more d ays..........................
Visited a physician two or more times..................
Had an accident causing self-injury ....................
Had an accident causing injury/property damage .
Spouse left because of drinking..........................
Spouse threatened to leave but did not................
Arrested for drunken driving................................
Arrested for non-driving offense..........................
Spent time in ja il................................................
Got into fight(s)..................................................
98.4
98.2
97.4
97.9
97.7
97.4
97.1
98.5
87.4
94.4
93.0
95.8
93.9
The results
Table 1 presents a summary of responses to survey
items used to establish physical dependence on alcohol.
To ensure that respondents understood the wording of
the symptom describing tremors (“shakes”)* two dif
ferently worded items were used. A positive response to
either or both was counted as one symptom of physical
dependence. According to our criteria, 1.1 percent of the
respondents were physically dependent upon alcohol.
The 13 serious consequences related to drinking, as
shown in table 2, cover an individual’s worklife, physi
cal health, and social/family life. They suggest that
family life might be the part of the individual’s life
which is most severely or frequently affected, or both.
In computing lost working time associated with alco
hol consumption, one quarter of a day lost was counted
for each reported instance of working at a lower level of
performance, being “high” at work, or arriving late or
leaving early. It is of interest to note that 11 percent of
the employees worked at a lower level of performance
because of drinking; 5.5 percent missed at least 1 entire
day; 5 percent arrived late or left early; and 6 percent
were “high” at work on at least one occasion. We con
servatively estimated that an average of .359 days per
employee was lost last year because of drinking. (See ta
ble 3.)
Our figures show that 20 percent of the respondents
abstained from using alcohol during the preceding year,
52 percent consumed up to 1 ounce of ethanol (pure al
cohol) per day, 8 percent consumed between 1 and 2
ounces per day, 6 percent consumed between 2 and 5
ounces per day, and 1 percent reported consuming over
5 ounces of pure alcohol per day.2
Psychological dependence
In addition to symptoms of physical dependence, the
survey contained six questions which were found to
0.8
0.8
1.3
1.7
1.9
1.8
2.2
0.7
7.8
4.4
5.6
3.4
4.1
0.8
1.0
1.3
0.4
0.4
0.8
0.7
0.8
4.8
1.1
1.4
0.8
2.0
1All incidents were specified as caused by or related to alcohol consumption and occur
ring during the past year.
provide an effective overall measure of psychological de
pendence.
By using factor analysis, we determined that the six
questions measured a single underlying phenomenon
(accounting for 62 percent of the variance in the re
sponses) and could be summed with unit weights to
provide a single overall measure of psychological depen
dence. Scores ranged from the lowest possible, 6, to the
highest possible, 30. The mean score for all respondents
was 8.33, with a standard deviation of 3.32. The mean
score for respondents classified as physically dependent
was 14.38, and 12.05 for those classified as adversely af
fected.
We conducted a number of tests to compare the psy
chological dependence scores of respondents according
to various parameters. We found that respondents who
scored high on psychological dependence were more
likely to report more symptoms of physical dependence
than other employees; more adversive effects related to
drinking; higher scores on an intoxication index; more
days lost from work because of drinking; and, higher
consumption of alcohol. These and other findings sug
gest that psychological dependence, as measured by the
six survey items, can be an effective discriminator for al
cohol-related problems.
Work and alcohol-related problems
Table 1. Workers reporting symptoms of alcohol
dependence during year
[In percent]
Symptom
Never
Has happened,
but not in
past year
1-11 days
per year
One or more days
per month
Tremors (“ shakes") .
Tremors (morning
shakes) ..............
Morning drinking . . . .
Memory loss
(blackouts)..........
Loss of control........
92.1
4.0
2.7
1.2
91.5
93.2
3.8
3.2
3.6
2.3
1.1
1.3
86.5
91.3
7.9
4.0
4.5
4.5
1.1
1.1
NOTE: Item wording for all symptoms was specified as being related to drinking.
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Happened, Happened once
or more in
but not in
past year
past year
Although some notice has been taken of alcohol
problems vis-a-vis job satisfaction and work involve
ment or leisure activities, the literature remains some
what sparse and inconclusive. However, the little that
can be found suggests that individuals with drinking
problems tend to be somewhat compulsive about their
work and uncomfortable with leisure time.3
Nevertheless, our study of alcohol-related variables
and variables dealing with work suggests that individu
als with drinking problems may not be so compulsive
about their work, nor do they enjoy it.
47
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Research Summaries
Executive stress as a cause of alcoholism and various
other stress-related diseases have recently received a
good bit of attention in the press.4 Examination of stress
scores (the sum of responses to a six-item measure of
overall stress) and alcohol-related variables, such as ad
verse consequences, suggests individuals with low and
high stress scores are more apt to report having experi
enced adverse consequences than are respondents who
report some moderate level of stress. Interestingly, these
data seem to support theory in preventive medicine as
well as the observations of stress management special
ists.5
Alcoholism and alcohol-related problems were elevat
ed to a status requiring official notice and concern by
Federal agencies with the passage of the Comprehensive
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment,
and Rehabilitation Act of 1970. This law directed that
the Civil Service Commission and the Secretary of
Health, Education, and Welfare make certain that all
Federal agencies and departments develop and maintain
appropriate prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation
programs and services for Federal employees. Similar
legislation has been passed by a number of State legisla
tures.
As highlighted by a 1977 GAO report6 and later by
the HEW Secretary, alcoholism and problems associat
ed with alcohol deserve national concern.7 Although
some dimensions of the problem have been estimated
and can be found in sources such as the HEW report to
the Congress, until now virtually no scientifically
designed epidemiological research has been conducted
among public sector employees. Some indication of the
belatedness of public sector employer interest in this
area can be gained by noting that of the 2,400 U.S. em
ployers with occupational alcoholism programs in 1977,
only 400 were in the public sector, and most of these
were of relatively recent vintage.
Sample randomly selected
Our survey sample was randomly selected and strati
fied by grade. Questionnaires were administered in two
Table 3.
drinking
Workers reporting lost working time due to
[In percent]
Item
Missed an entire workday..................
Worked at lower level of performance
than normal2 ................................
Arrived late or left early ....................
Was “high” at work ..........................
Days lo s t..........................................
Occurrences
resulting in
3 lost days
or more
Estimated
days lost
per person1
5.5
1.9
.161 days
11.4
5.0
6.0
-
5.1
2.2
1.9
4.3
.118
.047
.066
.359
Any
occurrence
10ne occurrence counted as the loss of 25 percent of a workday.
2Counted only to the extent that days “ high on duty” exceeds days of "lower perfor
mance than normal” for that person (to avoid possible double counting).
48
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ways: respondents were requested to report to a central
location to fill out the survey instrument, or they were
mailed a questionnaire at their work locations. Comple
tion of the questionnaire was voluntary and all respon
dents were guaranteed anonymity. Instructions ac
companying the survey emphasized that the researchers
from the Air Force Institute of Technology would be
the only individuals who would have access to decoded
answer sheets.
Of the 9,939 Air Force employees responding, 3,098
did so by mail and 6,841 in groups. The response rates
were: overall, 75.6 percent; group-administered, 78.4
percent; and mail-administered, 70.2 percent. We do not
know what proportion of nonrespondents to mailadministered surveys actually received questionnaires.
Of the 21.6 percent nonrespondents to group adminis
tration, 1.7 percent refused to participate. The remain
ing 19.9 percent were notified, but did not show up at
the scheduled time.
We emphasize the 24.4-percent nonresponse rate be
cause we consider it critical. As suggested by other re
searchers, we recognize that a disproportionate number
of individuals with drinking problems were probably
among the 3,207 nonrespondents. As a result, we con
sider the data to represent a “lower-bound” or overly
optimistic assessment of the extent to which alcoholism
and alcohol-related problems exist among Air Force
employees.8
The typical respondent was a 43-year-old white male
who was married, had two dependents, was a high
school graduate, and whose supervisor was also a civil
ian. Thirty-six percent of the respondents were women
(average age 35 years) and 25 percent, minority group
members. The distribution of respondents according to
standard organizational and personal variables closely
matched those of the overall Air Force civilian work
force. Overseas employees, because of ground rules
established to protect respondent anonymity, were un
derrepresented.
The questionnaire
In constructing the questionnaire,9 we attempt to fo
cus on two aspects of alcohol-related problems:
addiction/physical dependence upon alcohol and serious
consequences associated with the consumption of it. Re
spondents who placed themselves in the first (and more
serious) category we call alcohol dependent. Respon
dents who report having experienced one or more seri
ous consequences we call adversely affected. More
formal definitions are:
Alcohol dependent: An individual who exhibits observable,
chronic behavioral problems which imply physical depen
dence on alcohol or physical impairment akin to depen
dence.
Adversely ' affected: An individual who experiences one or
more serious consequences, whose average daily intake of
alcohol is at a “high risk” level (that is, a volume at which
damage to the liver can be presumed to occur), or who
loses 3 or more work days because of drinking.
In performing the calculus to identify respondents to
be placed in each category, we relied on self-reports of
having experienced two or more of four physical depen
dence symptoms at least once a month over the past 12
months to establish alcohol dependence. A respondent
who was adversely affected experienced one of 13 seri
ous consequences at least once during the past year;
consumed 5 or more ounces of pure alcohol daily; or
missed at least three working days.
Survey items measuring alcohol consumption includ
ed consideration of the type of beverages consumed
during the past 30 days, the frequency of drinking dur
ing the past 30 days and the past year, and the volume
of alcohol consumed during the past 30 days and the
past year. Items measuring productivity loss (days lost
from work) included consideration of time lost because
an individual was sick, “high” on the job, hung over,
absent, or arrived late or left work early.
Also included in the 109-item questionnaire were
measures of psychological dependence, stress/tension,
work involvement, and job satisfaction. In addition, we
included standard demographic variables which had
been identified as meaningful in other alcoholism stud
ies.
We believe that our data mark the first time that a
large-scale research effort has been conducted on the
subject of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems
among Federal employees.
The often used approximation of 6 percent of the
Federal employee work force having drinking problems
is clearly ultra-conservative. Although we made use of
self-reports (which notoriously understate quantity and
symptomatic reports) and a version of the very conser
vative Rand classification scheme, almost 7 percent of
the population was still identified as having significant
drinking problems. The data also clearly show that mis
use of alcohol costs the employer in terms of absentee
ism, lowered efficiency, employee sick time, and on-thejob accidents which cause injuries and damage proper
ty. Alcohol costs the individual in terms of illness, im
paired functioning, decreased personal control, and
strained interpersonal relations. The fact that marriages
and families suffer is also clearly indicated by the data.
Correlated with problem drinking are decreased job sat
isfaction and work involvement, and increased stress
and psychological dependence.
In many respects, employee alcoholism and alcoholrelated problems have been like the weather: “Everyone
talks about it but. . .” A law dealing with alcoholism
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among Federal employees has been in effect for almost
a decade, and recent research suggests that alcoholism
among women and teenagers is gaining in intensity; yet
little organizational energy and resources are devoted to
efforts to solve the problem, which costs so dearly in
human suffering and lost productivity.
While there can be no doubt that the medical model
of alcoholism as a disease holds for the alcoholic who is
physically dependent on alcohol, it is also true that for
many, alcoholism results from a progressive sequence of
events (often easily observable by members of the fami
ly, friends, supervisors, and by the potential alcoholics
themselves). Identification and treatment programs, if
they are programs in more than name, can identify indi
viduals with problems and offer treatment to potential
alcoholics on a voluntary basis. For relatively modest
investments in occupational alcoholism programs, orga
nizations can realize significant returns on previous in
vestments in their human resources. These returns
equate to higher productivity, a heightened quality of
life, and responsible organizational citizenship.
[—j
------- FOOTNOTES------' The research described in this report was initiated at the request
of the U.S. Air Force Director of Civilian Personnel who, in
attempting to comply with the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism Act of 1970, determined that a scientifically designed re
search effort was needed to estimate the prevalence of alcohol-related
problems and the consequences of those problems among USAF civil
ian employees.
2Note that 5 ounces of alcohol would be the equivalent of 12.5
one-ounce shots of 80 proof whiskey or 8.3 twelve-ounce cans of 5
percent beer.
3C. Berg and J. Neulinger, “Alcoholic’s Perception of Leisure,”
Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 36:1196-1207, September 1974.
4 “Executive Stress May Not Be All Bad,” Business Week, April
1979, pp. 96-103.
5“Executive Stress.” Also, see H. Selye, The Stress of Life (New
York: McGraw-Hill, 1956, p. 87). Selye has studied the effects of
physiological stress for several decades and has postulated a model of
the individual’s response to stress which appears to be supported by
these data.
6 “Most Agency Programs for Employees with Alcohol-Related
Problems Still Ineffective,” U.S. General Accounting Office, Washing
ton D.C., HRD-77-75, September 1977.
7Third Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health
from the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, National Clear
inghouse for Alcohol Information, Rockville, Maryland.
8J. M. Polich and B. R. Orvis, Prevalence of Alcoholism and Alcohol
Abuse in the Air Force, Rand Corporation, Santa Monica, California,
1979, in press.
9 H. A. Mulford, “Iowa Alcoholic Intake Schedule, Model 4,” The
University of Iowa College of Medicine, Alcohol Studies Division.
Also see, D. Cahalan, Problem Drinkers (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass,
Inc., 1979), and D. Cahalan and R. Room, Problem Drinking Among
American Men (New Haven, College and University Press, 1974), and
J. M. Polich and B. R. Orvis, Alcohol Problems: Patterns and Preva
lence in the U.S. Air Force, Project Rand Report R-2308-AF, Rand
Corporation, Santa Monica, June 1979.
49
Foreign Labor
Developments
U.S. rejoins ILO: the agenda
for 1980’s stresses human rights
T a d d L in s e n m a y e r
The 66th session of the International Labor Conference
will convene in Geneva, Switzerland early next month.
An official tripartite U.S. delegation will participate in
this annual International Labor Organization gathering
for the first time since 1977,1 when the United States
withdrew from that organization. The conference will
take up a number of crucial labor issues involving
working conditions and human rights, issues that are
likely to represent a major part of the work of the ILO
during the 1980’s.
U .S. withdrawal
The historical relationship of the United States with
the ILO has been marked by periods of warm support
followed by disillusionment.
Although Samuel Gompers chaired the committee
that drafted the original ILO charter in 1919 (as part of
the Treaty of Versailles), the United States did not join
the organization until 1934. During World War II,
when the League of Nations withered, the United States
strongly supported the ILO’s continued existence and
hosted the historic 1944 conference that adopted the
Declaration of Philadelphia, setting forth the organiza
tion’s principles and purposes.
The 1970’s, however, saw U.S. support for the ILO
decay and eventually break over a number of serious is
sues.
Beginning in 1970, the U.S. Congress voted to with
hold its contribution to the ILO budget (25 percent of
the total), citing its concern with growing Soviet influ
ence and the nonobservance of fundamental ILO princi
ples and procedures. U.S. funds were restored in 1973,
but the resumption of U.S. support was followed short
ly by even sharper U.S. complaints about misdirected
ILO activities.
In 1975, following a decision by the ILO conference
to grant observer status to the Palestine Liberation Or
ganization, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger formally
Tadd Linsenmayer is Assistant Director, Office of International Orga
nizations and Technical Assistance, Bureau of International Labor
Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor.
50
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notified the ILO’s Director General that the United
States would withdraw from the organization in 1977
unless progress was made on the following four issues
of major U.S. concern:
1. Erosion of tripartism. U.S. concern was triggered by ef
forts of some ILO members to impose restrictions on the
independence of worker and employer delegates to ILO
meetings.
2. Selective concern for human rights. Although ILO ma
chinery for investigating violations of ILO human rights
standards worked well in most cases, one group of
countries—principally the Communist states of Eastern Eu
rope—successfully used political influence to gain relative
immunity from the application of that machinery.
3. Violation o f due process. The ILO’s human rights machin
ery protects the rights of accused governments by requiring
an objective investigation of the facts. But in some cases,
this due process right was ignored by conference partici
pants who adopted politically inspired condemnatory reso
lutions.
4. Politicization of ILO meetings. In far too many cases,
delegates to ILO meetings introduced political issues which
were totally extraneous to the work of the ILO and which
detracted from the organization’s legitimate responsibilities.
Because the ILO failed, in the U.S. view, to make sat
isfactory progress on these issues in the intervening 2
years, President Carter ordered U.S. withdrawal from
the ILO in November 1977.
Recent progress
Following U.S. withdrawal, a majority of ILO dele
gates— governments, workers, and employers— success
fully joined together to promote a number of important
reforms. The 1979 conference, for example, adopted a
new procedure permitting voting by secret ballot to
protect the independence of worker and employer dele
gates.2 In November 1978, the ILO Governing Body
censured Czechoslovakia for violating ILO standards
concerning discrimination in employment. More recent
ly, the Governing Body has initiated investigations into
alleged violations of trade union rights in the Soviet
Union and Poland.
The principle of due process was strengthened by the
decision of the 1978 Conference to reject a proposal to
extend the life of a 1974 resolution criticizing Israel
without benefit of any investigation. A special working
party of the ILO is currently giving serious consider
ation to a new procedure to screen out future resolu
tions violating due process principles. Finally, the level
of debate in ILO meetings on extraneous political issues
has significantly diminished.
A special U.S. Cabinet-level committee on the ILO—
chaired by Secretary of Labor Ray Marshall and in
cluding Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, the Secretary of
Commerce (Juanita Kreps, Philip Klutznick), National
Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, the A FL-CIO
President (George Meany, Lane Kirkland), and Dr. Da
vid Grove, President of the U.S. Council of the Interna
tional Chamber of Commerce—carefully examined
these and other developments during the summer of
1979. The committee concluded that although not all of
the issues of concern to the United States had been ful
ly resolved, the ILO had made significant progress.
Moreover, the committee agreed that continued prog
ress in reaching the fundamental goals of the ILO was
now more likely if the United States resumed active
membership.
As a result of this review, the committee unanimously
recommended to the President that the United States
rejoin the ILO. Acting on this recommendation, Presi
dent Carter announced the U.S. return, effective Febru
ary 18, 1980.
1980 conference issues
The significance of the U.S. return can be measured
by, among other things, its potential contribution to
ILO technical programs, starting with an active U.S.
presence during the June 1980 conference. That confer
ence will consider the issues that will underlie the major
ILO programs during the 1980’s.
The conference has four major technical issues on its
agenda: older workers; equal opportunities and equal
treatment for men and women workers; safety and
health in the working environment; and promotion of
collective bargaining.
Significantly, all four issues involve aspects of human
rights. For older workers and women, job discrimina
tion continues to represent a serious concern. Some ob
servers also feel that certain early ILO conventions,
designed initially to protect women workers, resulted
instead in promoting a system of discriminatory labor
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standards, which actually limited the employment op
portunities of women workers.
The question of occupational safety and health also
involves serious moral and human rights aspects. The
ILO constitution and other international accords recog
nize that workers must be protected on the job as a
matter of right, not privilege. Moreover, an increasing
number of governments and worker organizations are
expressing concern that countries which refuse to ade
quately protect workers’ health may be reaping—at
workers’ expense— an unwarranted competitive advan
tage over countries which provide adequate worker pro
tection.
Collective bargaining remains an important and
recognized human right, one which is all too frequently
compromised in the name of economic development.
Other important issues will also be considered by the
1980 conference. The committee which supervises the
application of ratified ILO labor standards, for example,
will consider whether to modify or, as some govern
ments have proposed, eliminate entirely the so-called
“special list” and “special paragraphs.” These devices
allow the conference to highlight flagrant violations of
workers’ human rights. The majority of delegates will
likely favor retention of these important tools.
A committee on structure will consider proposals to
modify the organization of the ILO, including the size
and composition of the Governing Body. Another com
mittee will examine any resolutions submitted by con
ference delegates.
The results of this conference will provide important
indications of the ability of the ILO to tackle those seri
ous technical issues for which it has a unique compe
tence. A successful conference could well mark the
start, after the troubled 1970’s, of a new decade of
achievement for the ILO.
□
------ F O O T N O T E S ------' Delegations to ILO conferences include independent representa
tion from governments, as well as worker and employer organizations.
2See “Highlights of the 1979 ILO conference,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e
view, October 1979, pp. 65-67.
51
M ajor Agreements
Expiring Next M onth
This list of collective bargaining agreements expiring in June is based on contracts on file in the Bu
reau’s Office of Wages and Industrial Relations. The list includes agreements covering 1,000 workers
or more.
E m p lo y e r a n d lo c a tio n
I n d u s tr y
A c m e M a r k e ts , In c . ( P e n n s y l v a n i a ) ................................................................
A llis -C h a lm e rs C o rp . ( P e n n s y l v a n i a ) ......................................................................
A lu m in u m C o . o f A m e ric a ( I n te r s t a te ) ...................................................
A s s o c ia te d B u ild in g C o n tr a c to r s o f N o r th e r n O h io , In c . ( O h i o ) ......................
A s s o c ia te d G e n e ra l C o n tr a c to r s o f A m e ric a , I n c ............................................
A la s k a C h a p te r , 2 a g re e m e n ts .............................................................................
C a lifo rn ia C h a p t e r ......................................................................................
C a lif o r n ia C h a p t e r .............................................................................................
C a lif o r n ia -N o r th e r n C h a p te r s , 4 a g r e e m e n t s ......................................................
S an D ie g o C h a p te r , 2 a g re e m e n ts (C a lifo rn ia )
................................................
S o u th e r n C a lifo rn ia C h a p te r s , 4 a g re e m e n ts ( C a lifo rn ia )
R e ta il tr a d e ......................................
M a c h in e r y ..........................................
P r im a r y m e t a l s ................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
N u m b er of
U n io n 1
w o rk ers
F o o d a n d C o m m e rc ia l W o r k e r s .............
M a c h in is ts .........................................................
C a r p e n te r s
C a r p e n te r s
.........................................................
.........................................................
O p e r a tin g E n g i n e e r s ......................................
P lu m b e r s .............................................................
C a r p e n te r s ; L a b o re rs ; P la s te r e r s a n d
C e m e n t M a s o n s ; a n d T e a m s te r s ( I n d .)
B u ild in g a n d C o n s tr u c tio n T ra d e s
C o u n c il
C a r p e n te r s ; O p e r a tin g E n g in e e rs :
L a b o re rs ; a n d T e a m s te r s ( I n d .)
1,9 0 0
1,1 0 0
1,300
1,5 0 0
1,500
1,800
1 4 ,0 0 0
2 5 ,0 0 0
4 4 ,0 0 0
7 ,4 0 0
..........................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
A u to m o b ile D e a le rs I n d u s tr ia l R e la tio n s A s s o c ia tio n o f N e w Y o r k , In c . .
A v c o C o r p ., A e r o s tr u c tu r e s D iv is io n (N a s h v ille , T e n n . ) ......................................
A v c o C o r p ., L y c o m in g D i v i s i o n ...................................................................................
R e ta il T r a d e ......................................
T r a n s p o r t a tio n e q u ip m e n t . . . .
T r a n s p o r t a tio n e q u ip m e n t . . . .
M a c h in is ts .........................................................
A u to W o r k e r s ( I n d . ) ......................................
1,0 0 0
1,6 5 0
1,6 0 0
B o ise C a s c a d e C o r p . ( R u m f o r d , M e .)
................................... ...................................
6 6 ,5 0 0
P a p e r ......................................................
P a p e rw o rk e rs
...................................................
1,3 0 0
C a r r ie r C o r p . E llio tt C o . D iv is io n , S h o p A g r e e m e n t (J e a n n e tte , P a .) . . . .
C e la n e s e C o r p ., 2 a g re e m e n ts ( I n t e r s t a t e ) ......................................................................
C la r k E q u ip m e n t C o . (B u c h a n a n , M i c h . ) ......................................................................
C o m b u s tio n E n g in e e rin g , In c . ( C h a tta n o o g a , T e n n .) .............................................
C o n s o lid a te d E d is o n C o . o f N e w Y o rk , In c . (N e w Y o r k , N . Y . ) ......................
C o n tin e n ta l G r o u p , In c . (H o d g e , P e n n .) ...................................................
C o n tr a c ti n g P la s te r s A s s o c ia tio n o f S o u th e r n C a lifo rn ia , In c . ( C a lifo rn ia ) .
C P I I n te r n a tio n a l, I n c ., C o m P r o d u c ts ( I n te r s t a te ) ................................................
M a c h in e r y ..........................................
C h e m i c a l s .............................................
T r a n s p o r t a tio n e q u ip m e n t
F a b r ic a te d m e ta l p r o d u c t s . . .
U tilitie s ................................................
S te e lw o rk e rs ......................................................
T e x tile W o r k e r s ................................................
A u to W o r k e r s ( I n d . ) ......................................
B o i l e r m a k e r s ......................................................
U tility W o r k e r s ................................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
F o o d p r o d u c t s ................................
P la s te r e r s a n d C e m e n t M a s o n s ................
O il, C h e m ic a l a n d A to m ic W o r k e r s . .
1,1 0 0
3 ,5 0 0
1,400
2 ,9 0 0
1 7 ,7 0 0
1,0 5 0
1,400
2 ,3 0 0
E a s te r n N e w Y o rk C o n s tr u c tio n E m p lo y e rs , I n c ., 2 a g r e e m e n ts (N e w Y o rk )
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
L a b o r e r s ; a n d C a r p e n te r s
......................
P a p e r ......................................................
P a p e rw o rk e rs
H o te l E m p lo y e r s A s s o c ia tio n o f S an F r a n c is c o ( C a l i f o r n i a ) ................................
H o t e l s ...................................................
H o te l a n d R e s ta u r a n t E m p lo y e e s; a n d
S erv ic e E m p lo y e e s
I r o n W o r k e r E m p lo y e rs o f C a lifo rn ia a n d N e v a d a (C a lifo rn ia a n d N e v a d a )
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
I r o n W o rk e rs
...................................................
8 ,5 0 0
J. I. C a s e C o . ( I n t e r s t a t e ) ......................................................................................
M a c h in e ry
A u to W o r k e r s ( I n d . ) ......................................
6 ,5 0 0
K e n n e c o tt C o o p e r C o r p ., U ta h C o p p e r D iv is io n ( U t a h ) ...................................
P r im a r y m e ta ls
S te e lw o rk e rs
......................................................
2 ,4 0 0
L e a g u e o f V o lu n ta r y H o s p ita ls a n d H o m e s o f N e w Y o r k (N e w Y o r k , N .Y .)
H o s p i t a l s .............................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
R e ta il, W h o le s a le , a n d D e p a r tm e n t
S to re
P a in te r s ................................................................
3 7 ,0 0 0
L o s A n g e le s C o u n ty P a in tin g a n d D e c o r a tin g C o n tr a c to r s (C a lifo rn ia ) . . .
M a g n a v o x C o . o f T e n n e s se e (G re e n e v ille , T e n n . ) ......................................................
M a s te r L o c k C o . (M ilw a u k e e , W is.) .............................................................
M a y ta g C o . ( I o w a ) ...................................................................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
F a b r ic a te d m e ta l p r o d u c t s . . .
E le c tric a l p r o d u c t s ..........................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
P r in tin g a n d p u b lis h in g .............
A u to W o r k e r s ( I n d . ) ......................................
P lu m b e r s .............................................................
G r a p h ic A r t s ......................................................
1,6 0 0
1,1 5 0
2 ,2 5 0
2 ,0 0 0
8 ,1 0 0
N a tio n a l A irlin e s , C le ric a l ( I n t e r s t a t e ) 2 ................................................................
N o r th w e s t A irlin e s , I n c ., P ilo ts ( I n t e r s t a t e ) 2 ..........................................................
N o r th e r n C a lifo rn ia H o m e B u ild e rs C o n fe re n c e , M a s te r A g re e m e n t
( C a lifo rn ia )
A ir t r a n s p o r t a t i o n ..........................
A ir t r a n s p o r t a t i o n ..........................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
A ir L in e P i l o t s ...................................................
A ir L in e P i l o t s ...................................................
C a r p e n te r s ..........................................................
4 ,3 0 0
1,5 0 0
4 0 ,0 0 0
N o r th w e s t C o n tr a c to r s ’ A s s o c ia tio n , In c . (T o le d o , O h i o ) ................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
L a b o r e r s ................................................................
1 ,2 0 0
O h io E d is o n C o . ( I n te r s t a te )
U tilitie s
U tility W o r k e r s ................................................
1,9 5 0
G e o rg ia -P a c ific C o rp . C r o s s e tt D iv is io n -P a p e r ( C r o s s e tt, A r k .)
M e c h a n ic a l C o n tr a c to r s C o u n c il o f C e n tr a l C a lifo rn ia ( C a l i f o r n i a ) ................
M e tr o p o l ita n L ith o g r a p h e r s A s s o c ia tio n , In c . ( I n t e r s t a t e ) ...................................
......................................................................................
S ee f o o tn o te s a t e n d o f ta b le .
52
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
.........................................
................................
................................................
..........................
4 ,6 5 0
...................................................
1,7 0 0
E le c tric a l W o r k e r s ( I U E )
..........................
2 0 ,0 0 0
6 ,0 0 0
Continued— Major Agreements Expiring Next Month
U n io n 1
Ind u stry
E m p lo y er and lo c a tio n
N u m b er o f
w ork ers
T r a n s p o r t a tio n e q u ip m e n t . . . .
T r a n s p o r t a tio n e q u ip m e n t . . . .
E le c tric a l W o rk e rs ( IB E W ) ......................
M e ta l T r a d e s C o u n c il ...................................
1,600
19,700
P a i n t e r s ...................................................................
P a i n t e r s ...................................................................
P a i n t e r s ...................................................................
P a i n t e r s ...................................................................
P a i n t e r s ...................................................................
P l u m b e r s ................................................................
2 ,0 0 0
(S a n F r a n c is c o , C a l i f . ) ......................................................................................................
(S o u th e r n C a l i f o r n i a ) ........................................................................................................
P lu m b in g - H e a tin g & P ip in g I n d u s tr y C o u n c il ( C a l i f o r n i a ) ...................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
R e lia n c e E le c tric C o . ( O h i o ) ...................................................................................................
R u s h - P r e s b y te r ia n -S t. L u k e s M e d ic a l C e n te r ( C h ic a g o , 1 1 1 .)................................
E le c tric a l p r o d u c t s ..........................
H o s p i t a l ................................................
E le c tric a l W o rk e rs ( I U E ) .............................
P ro fe s s io n a l a n d T e c h n ic a l E m p lo y e e s;
S erv ic e E m p lo y e e s; a n d T e a m s te r s
( I n d .)
S h e e t M e ta l H e a tin g a n d A ir C o n d itio n in g C o n tr a c to r s ( C a l i f o r n i a ) .............
S o u th e r n C a lifo rn ia D ry w a ll F in is h e rs ( C a l if o r n ia ) 3 ................................................
S o u th e r n C a lifo rn ia G e n e r a l C o n tr a c to r s ( C a lif o r n ia ) 3 ..........................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
C o n s t r u c t i o n ......................................
S h e e t M e ta l W o r k e r s ......................................
P a i n t e r s ...................................................................
P la s te r e r s a n d C e m e n t M a s o n s ................
1,250
1,800
3,500
T e c u m s e h P r o d u c ts C o ., L a u s o n E n g in e D iv is io n (N e w H o ls te in , W is.) . . .
T e le d y n e C o n tin e n ta l M o to r s , G e n e ra l P r o d u c ts D iv is io n (M u s k e g o n ,
M a c h i n e r y .............................................
M a c h i n e r y .............................................
M a c h i n i s t s .............................................................
A u to W o rk e rs ( I n d . ) ......................................
2 ,0 0 0
P r im a r y m e ta ls ................................
A ir t r a n s p o r t a ti o n .........................
A llie d I n d u s tr ia l W o r k e r s ..........................
R a ilw a y C l e r k s ...................................................
P a c ific C o a s t S h ip b u ild e rs A s s o c ia tio n ( I n t e r s t a t e ) ...................................................
P a c ific C o a s t S h ip b u ild in g & R e p a ir, 2 a g re e m e n ts ( I n t e r s t a t e ) 3 ......................
P a in tin g a n d D e c o r a tin g C o n tr a c to r s A s s o c ia tio n :
C e n tr a l C o a s t C o u n tie s , In c ., a n d 1 o th e r (C a lifo rn ia ) ................................
( M a s s a c h u s e tts ) ...................................................................................................................
O re g o n C o u n c il & 2 o th e r A s s o c ia tio n s (O re g o n a n d W a s h in g to n ) . . .
1,500
3,000
1,500
3,600
10,000
1,300
1,000
1,400
M ic h .)
W a g n e r C a s tin g s C o . ( D e c a tu r , 1 1 1 .)...................................................................................
W e s te rn A irlin e s , C le ric a l ( I n t e r s t a t e ) 2 .............................................................................
G o v ern m en t a c tiv ity
O a k la n d -A la m e d a C o n tr a C o s ta T r a n s it D is tr ic t ..........................
O a k la n d M u n ic ip a l E m p lo y e e s ................................................................
C o n n e c tic u t: N e w H a v e n B o a rd o f E d u c a t i o n ..........................................................
M a r y la n d : B a ltim o re W h ite C o lla r C l a s s i f i e d .............................................................
T r a n s p o r t a t i o n ...................................
M u lti d e p a r t m e n t .............................
E d u c a t i o n .............................................
M u lti d e p a r t m e n t .............................
M o n tg o m e r y C o u n ty B o a rd o f E d u c a t i o n ..........................................
M o n tg o m e r y C o u n ty B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n , S u p p o r tin g S erv ice
E d u c a t i o n .............................................
E d u c a t i o n .............................................
B o s to n M u n ic ip a l E m p lo y e e s .........................................................
D e p a r tm e n t o f M e n ta l H e a l t h .........................................................
M u ltid e p a r tm e n t .............................
S o c ia l S e r v i c e s ...................................
C a lifo rn ia :
M a s s a c h u s e tts :
D e tr o i t D e p a r tm e n t o f T r a n s p o r t a tio n , E q u ip m e n t D iv is io n . .
D e tr o it M u n ic ip a l E m p lo y e e s ...................................................................
T r a n s p o r t a t i o n ...................................
M u ltid e p a r tm e n t .............................
C o lle g e o f M e d ic in e a n d D e n t i s t r y ......................................................
H u d s o n C o u n ty M u n ic ip a l E m p lo y e e s .............................................
L a n e C o u n ty M u n ic ip a l E m p l o y e e s ............................................................
E d u c a t i o n .............................................
M u ltid e p a r tm e n t .............................
M u lti d e p a r t m e n t .............................
P o r tla n d M u n ic ip a l E m p l o y e e s ......................................................................
P e n n s y lv a n ia : T e m p le U n iv e rs ity , F a c u l t y ...................................................................
M u ltid e p a r tm e n t .............................
E d u c a t i o n .............................................
W isc o n sin :
E d u c a t i o n .............................................
M ic h ig a n :
N e w J e rs e y :
O re g o n :
M ilw a u k e e B o a rd o f S c h o o l D ir e c to r s
................................................
'Affiliated with A F L -C IO except where noted as independent (Ind.).
2Industry area (group of companies signing same contract).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1,000
3,800
E m p lo y e e o r g a n iz a tio n 1
A m a lg a m a te d T r a n s i t ...................................
S erv ic e E m p lo y e e s ..........................................
T e a c h e rs ................................................................
C la ss ifie d M u n ic ip a l E m p lo y e e s A s s o c ia tio n o f B a ltim o re C ity , In c . ( I n d .)
N a tio n a l E d u c a tio n A s s o c ia tio n ( I n d .)
M o n tg o m e r y C o u n ty C o u n c il o f S u p p o r tin g S e rv ic e s E m p lo y e e s , In c.
( I n d .)
S erv ic e E m p lo y e e s .........................................
A m e ric a n F e d e r a tio n o f S ta te , C o u n ty
a n d M u n ic ip a l E m p lo y e e s; a n d
S erv ic e E m p lo y e e s
A m a lg a m a te d T r a n s i t ...................................
A m e ric a n F e d e r a tio n o f S ta te , C o u n ty
a n d M u n ic ip a l E m p lo y e e s
T e a m s te r s ( I n d . ) ................................................
T e a m s te r s ( I n d . ) ................................................
A m e ric a n F e d e r a tio n o f S ta te , C o u n ty
a n d M u n ic ip a l E m p lo y e e s
D is tr ic t C o u n c il o f T r a d e U n io n s . . . .
A m e ric a n A s s o c ia tio n o f U n iv e rs ity
P ro fe s s o rs ( I n d .)
S e rv ic e E m p lo y e e s ..........................................
1,850
2 ,1 0 0
1,350
5,800
5,000
6 ,0 0 0
3,700
15,000
1,350
8 ,000
2,250
1,750
1,000
1,800
1,500
1,100
3Information is from newspaper reports.
53
Developments in
Industrial Relations
Administration announces new anti-inflation plan
President Carter on March 14 announced a new anti
inflation program that he said would restore “disci
pline” to both Government and American consumers
without imposing mandatory wage and price controls.
He accepted the Pay Advisory Committee’s recommen
dation that annual pay increases fall within a 7.5- to
9.5-percent range. (See Monthly Labor Review, March
1980, pp. 55-56.) The President also indicated that he
will ask the Congress to increase the staff of the Coun
cil on Wage and Price Stability to permit closer moni
toring of wage increases and to require smaller firms
with annual sales of $100 million or more to report
quarterly price actions to the council. (Presently, only
firms with annual sales of $250 million or more are re
quired to report.)
The new plan stressed budgetary restraints, calling
for spending cuts of $18 billion during fiscal 1981
(which begins October 1, 1980) as well as cuts in the
current fiscal year. The reduction will be achieved by
deferring, reducing, or canceling most of the new or
expanded programs included in the budget for fiscal
1981, submitted to the Congress on January 28; cutting
expenditures for personnel operations and maintenance
in Government; and reducing Federal civilian jobs by
more than 20,000 by October 1980.
Other aspects of the plan involved the use of credit,
with the President and the Federal Reserve Board mov
ing to restrict unsecured loans by consumers and bankto-bank loans, and energy, with the President imposing
a conservation fee of about 10 cents a gallon on gaso
line refined from imported petroleum.
Productivity, a long-term factor in inflation, has
slowed sharply in the past 10 years and actually de
clined in 1979. To counter this development, the Presi
dent said that he was asking his Commission on an
Agenda for the 1980’s for “recommendations for revi
talizing our economy.”
The proposal to cut the Federal budget drew an im
mediate objection from A FL-C IO President Lane
Kirkland, who contended that the burden would fall
“Developments in Industrial Relations” is prepared by George Ruben
and other members of the staff of the Division of Trends in Employee
Compensation, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is largely based on in
formation from secondary sources.
54
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
&
a
û
most heavily on those already suffering most from infla
tion. Kirkland maintained that the new policies will do
nothing to attack the “direct causes of inflation— the
escalating costs of energy, housing, food, and medical
care and the incredibly high interest rates that have a
critical impact on all sectors of the economy.”
Coal Commission issues final report
The final report of the President’s Commission on
Coal calls on the United Mine Workers and the Bitumi
nous Coal Operators’ Association to immediately begin
negotiating on renewal of the coal contract which ex
pires in March 1981. Both sides said they were pleased
with the commission’s final report which offers mea
sures for improving labor-management relations, reduc
ing U.S. dependence on oil, and for dealing with the
continuing problem of coal-mine safety and the living
conditions of miners.
Recalling that the last five contract settlements in the
industry have been preceded by strikes, the commission
attributed the strained labor-management relations in
the industry to internal factors, such as dissension
among leaders of the union and an influx of young, in
experienced workers. On the management side, the com
mission said that the BCOA’s unity had been broken by
a growing diversity of interest between underground
and surface mining firms and between the traditional
operators and some of the newer producers.
However, the commission concluded this portion of
its report on an optimistic note, saying that the young
supervisors and workers in the industry are maturing
and gaining experience in mining— wildcat strikes have
declined and that productivity appears to be improving
— and citing the growing realization by labor and man
agement of their mutual role in attaining a healthy, sta
ble industry.
In addition to calling for an early start on collective
bargaining, the commission also recommended that the
union’s leaders continue their efforts to stop wildcat
strikes and “stranger picketing” and that the growing
body of arbitration awards regarding these activities be
respected; that labor and management continue their ef
forts to improve productivity, and that they expand
training in this area, as well as in job safety, grievance
handling, and labor-management relations; and that the
parties establish a joint committee, headed by a neutral
person, for continuing action on issues of mutual con
cern.
The commission presented statistics showing that
coal mining is the most hazardous major occupation
and made four recommendations; (1) that labor and
management accept the principle that there is no place
in the industry for firms and employees who are not
prepared to observe safe mining practices; (2) that the
Mine Safety and Health Administration increase its in
spection and enforcement activities in mines the com
mission finds to have accident and fatality rates
consistently and substantially above national averages;
(3) that the National Academy of Science, in coopera
tion with all interested parties, conduct an investigation
of the factors that distinguish safe mines from unsafe
mines; and (4) that the BCOA and the UMW continue
the joint task force on safety that had been established
in cooperation with the commission.
The commission found that miners’ living conditions
have improved in the last generation to the point of be
ing “more closely in line with mainstream America.”
However, the commission advocated three actions to
counter problems resulting from expansion of the indus
try: that coal companies and other large landholders in
areas lacking adequate housing make available parcels
of land for new housing; that coal companies retain
part of their working capital in local lending institutions
committed to improving local housing; and that region
al government subdivisions, in cooperation with mine
owners and employees, identify and obtain public sector
funding to spur the building of homes, roads, and utili
ties, and that the power of eminent domain be used to
acquire land otherwise not available for housing.
The increasing price of petroleum, military develop
ments that threaten the security of world supplies of pe
troleum, and doubts about public acceptance of nuclear
power caused the commission to broaden its inquiry be
yond the original mandate “to report on ways to
improve labor-management relations.” Under this
broadened mandate, the commission presented princi
ples it said must govern the Nation’s efforts to meet the
energy shortage. Specific recommendations that con
formed with the principles included: use of coal to re
place oil and natural gas in generating electricity and in
industrial boilers; use of natural gas to replace oil in
home and commercial heating and in industrial uses
where coal is impractical; and reserving oil primarily for
petrochemical products and transportations uses.
The President’s Commission on Coal was established
in 1978. It was chaired by John D. Rockefeller IV,
Governor of West Virginia. Other members were Jesse
F. Core, Adjunct Professor of Mining Engineering,
Pennsylvania State University; Marvin Friedman, Vice
President, Ruttenberg, Friedman, Kilgallon, Gutchess
and Associates, Inc., Washington, D.C.; W. Dewey
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Presley, Director and Chairman of the Executive Com
mittee, First International Bancshares, Inc., Dallas,
Tex.; and W. Willard Wirtz, Wirtz and Lapointe, Wash
ington, D.C.
In a related development in the industry, members of
the BCOA ratified structural changes that will put the
largest operators in control of the coming negotiations
with the UMW. The change in bargaining approach
was expected to induce U.S. Steel Corp. to withdraw its
threat to leave the BCOA. The change also resulted in
the return of Consolidation Coal Co., the Nation’s sec
ond largest producer, which had quit the BCOA in
May 1979 because it believed there was excessive dis
unity in the ranks of the operators— particularly the
smaller ones—during the 1978 bargaining.
Under the restructuring, the executives of the nine
largest companies are in charge of the bargaining, with
the three-member bargaining team to consist of repre
sentatives of U.S. Steel and the largest producers, Pea
body Coal Co. and Consolidation Coal Co. The
smaller companies opposed the restructuring, but their
proposal to temper the change drew only 22 percent of
the votes.
Firestone to close six plants
The problems of the tire manufacturing industry were
reflected in Firestone Tire and Rubber Co.’s announce
ment that it plans to close six plants. Company chair
man and chief executive officer Richard A. Riley said
the closings were necessary “to meet changing market
conditions” and would eliminate “unneeded capacity
that has been used mainly for the production of bias-ply
tires.”
Another Firestone official said that the domestic in
dustry has been running at only 65 to 75 percent of ca
pacity and projected demand is slowing. Among the
reasons for lower production are increased use of radial
tires, which wear longer than bias-ply tires; decreased
driving due to increasing fuel costs; elimination of spare
tires on some cars; and increased imports.
United Rubber Workers president Peter Bommarito
said that he was shocked that the company would take
“such drastic action” without first asking the union for
help in keeping the plants open. Bommarito declared
that the U.S. automobile manufacturers had aggravated
the tire industry’s problems by failing to produce fuelefficient cars, thus losing sales to foreign companies. He
indicated that the union would initiate immediate dis
cussions with Firestone on ways to keep the plants
open. Under the union’s 1979 contracts, tire manufac
turers are required to give the union 6 months’ notice of
plant closings.
According to a Firestone official, the severance pay,
pension, and other costs of the shutdowns will total
55
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Developments in Industrial Relations
about $82 million, but will be partly offset by $33 mil
lion from the sale of inventories. The company reported
a loss of $13.8 million for the 3 months ended January
31, compared with a profit of $34.8 million for the same
period a year earlier.
The plants involved are in Salinas and Los Angeles,
Calif., Dayton, Barbeton, and Akron, Ohio, and Pottstown, Pa. A total of 7,265 active employees will be af
fected, in addition to the 1,575 already on layoff.
According to the union, this will bring to 19,200 the
number of jobs lost in the industry since 1975. In Janu
ary, Uniroyal, Inc., announced plans to close two of its
five plants, which is expected to result in a loss of 3,300
jobs. In 1979, Mansfield Tire and Rubber Co. declared
bankruptcy.
In a separate announcement, Firestone offered its
69,500 employees and retirees $100 if they buy a new
domestic automobile in April. The company said such
purchases will aid the automobile and rubber industries,
as well as the general economy.
Large oil refineries negotiate pattern contract
The round of bargaining in petroleum refining moved
rapidly towards a close, as the first of the major compa
nies settled with the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Work
ers, ending an 11-week strike and setting a pattern for
bargaining in the industry. The two similar accords
were with Gulf Oil Corp. and Cities Service Co. The
union had settled earlier with some small refineries on
the package it had been seeking, but the major compa
nies had balked at some demands. (See Monthly Labor
Review, April 1980, p. 63.)
Gulf and Cities Service agreed to new 2-year con
tracts, while the earlier settlements provided for wage
and benefit improvements during the final year of the
existing 2-year contracts. Bargaining at all companies
was conducted under reopening provisions of the ex
isting contracts, negotiated in 1979.
The 1980 Gulf settlement provided for a wage in
crease of 5 percent plus 52 cents an hour, effective im
mediately, and a 10.5-percent increase in January 1981.
The immediate increase included the 5-percent deferred
raise already scheduled for that date under the 1979 set
tlement.
Under the Gulf settlement, the company’s monthly
payment to the health-care plan will be increased by
$18.50 for family coverage and by $6 for single employ
ees, effective immediately, and by $18 and $6 in January
1981. This will bring Gulf’s obligation to $120.50
monthly for family coverage and $47 for single employ
ees. However, employees will be required to pay any in
crease in the premium in excess of Gulf’s obligation. A
dental plan also was established, with Gulf paying
$15.50 a month for family coverage and $4 for
56
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
single coverage. The agreement also provided for a sixth
week of paid vacation after 30 years of service.
Union president Robert Goss expressed “disappoint
ment” that the oil workers had not won the companypaid health-care plan they had been seeking, but, “We
just can’t compete with the raw power of the multina
tional companies.” One factor that definitely strength
ened the companies’ bargaining position is that the re
fineries are highly automated and can be operated by
management employees during a walkout.
N ew contracts for glass container workers
Owens-Illinois, Inc., and the Glass Bottle Blowers ne
gotiated 3-year contracts that set a pattern for several
other companies in the glass container industry. The
bargaining round involved a total of 77,000 workers, in
cluding 12,000 at Owens-Illinois, the largest firm.
The three separate, but essentially identical, OwensIllinois accords covered production and related workers
at 17 plants in the East, production and related em
ployees at seven Western plants, and automatic machine
operators at all plants. The agreements provide for a
68-cent general wage increase on the April 1 termina
tion date of existing contracts and 55 cents on April 1
of 1981 and 1982. In addition, the increment between
job grades was increased by an amount ranging from 10
cents an hour for employees in the lowest pay grade to
no change for those in the highest grade. Production
and maintenance workers in the Eastern plants received
additional 2-, 1-, and 1-cent general increases on the re
spective dates to reduce a wage differential with the oth
er employees. Other wage terms at all plants include an
escalator clause that provides for adjustments in April
of 1981 and 1982 if the Consumer Price Index rises
more than 9 percent during the preceding 12 months.
Adjustments will be at the rate of 1 cent for each
0.5-point increase in the index.
Shift differentials were increased by 3 cents an hour,
to 20 cents for the afternoon shift and 24 cents for the
night shift. Vacation pay was increased for employees
with 22 to 25 years of service and all employees will re
ceive an additional paid holiday. The monthly pension
rate for each year of service was increased by $3 for em
ployees in the lowest pay grades and by $2 for those in
the highest, bringing the range to $14-$ 16. The benefit
rate also was increased to a minimum $9 for current re
tirees, which affected employees who had retired before
1971 at $6.25 or $7 rates.
Life insurance coverage was increased by $3,000,
bringing the new range to $13,000-$15,000, varying by
job grade. The weekly sickness and accident benefit was
increased by $30; and the maximum lifetime orthodon
tic benefit was increased to $1,000 per individual (for
merly $750).
The companies that have settled on terms similar to
Owens-Illinois include Brockway Glass Co., Thatcher
Glass Manufacturing Co., Kerr Glass Manufacturing
Co., Midland Glass Co., and Anchor Hocking Glass
Corp.
Sugar companies settle
The International Longshoremen’s and Warehouse
men’s Union and 12 Hawaiian sugar companies agreed
to 2-year contracts that provided for February 1, 1980,
and 1981 wage increases ranging from 55 cents an hour
for employees in the lowest pay grade to 75 cents for
those in the highest. After the 1981 increases, rates will
range from $6.09 to $8,625 an hour. The same increase
will apply at two “distressed” plantations that also set
tled— Maunakea Sugar Co. and Holo Coast Processing
Co.— but will be accomplished in four steps instead of
two.
Other provisions at all 14 plantations include a 10th
annual paid holiday; increases in shift premiums; in
dustrywide standardization of some job classifications;
and an optional family-enrollment dental plan to re
place the current plan that covers children only.
Eastern’s flight attendants get new contract
Eastern Airlines and the Transport Workers negotiat
ed a 3-year contract for flight attendants that provides
for a 6-percent pay increase retroactive to April 1979,
2.5 percent retroactive to October 1979, 4 percent in
May and December 1980, 5 percent in July 1981, and 6
percent in January 1982. The 5,500 employees also will
receive automatic wage escalator adjustments in Janu
ary of 1981 and 1982 of $1 a month for each 0.3-point
movement in the Consumer Price Index. “Over-waterpay” was increased to $1.50 an hour (formerly $1.05),
the “away-from-base” allowance was increased to $1.25
an hour (formerly 90 cents), and a pay step was added
for employees with 13 years of service.
The minimum pension rate was increased to $24 a
month for each year of service, and there is a provision
for returning the contributions employees made before
the plan became fully company-financed in 1977.
Eastern’s variable earnings plan was continued. Un
der this plan, which was established in 1977 for the
flight attendants and certain other employees, 3.5 per
cent of wages is withheld from paychecks but is
returned to employees at yearend if the company’s an
nual profit amounts to 2 percent of sales. If the profit is
more than 2 percent, employees receive the full 3.5 per
cent and an additional amount up to 3.5 percent. If the
profit is less than 2 percent, employees receive part of
the withheld amount.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
H oneyw ell em ployees reopen contract, get raises
About 8,700 Honeywell, Inc. employees in Minneap
olis, Minn., were covered by a 2-year settlement with
Local 1145 of the Teamsters. The new contract, negoti
ated under a reopening provision, was effective immedi
ately, superseding the final year of the existing 3-year
agreement.
The settlement provided for wage increases of 13 per
cent immediately and 11 percent in February 1981.
There was no provision for a wage escalator clause.
Company officials said they agreed to the relatively
large set wage increases—rather than smaller increases
and an escalator clause—because an escalator clause
makes it more difficult to predict labor costs. Vice Pres
ident Charles Brown said that a wage escalator clause
that provides for cents-per-hour pay adjustments tends
to be less beneficial to skilled employees because it re
duces their percentage pay differential over less skilled
workers.
The vacation schedule was increased by one day in
the year in which employees attain 2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 16,
and 22 years of service, and the maximum was in
creased to 30 days after 30 years, formerly 25 days after
24 years. There also were some improvements in insur
ance benefits. The separate 4-year pension contract pro
vided for raising the benefit rate for future retirees to
$18 a month for each year of credited service (formerly
$12). Benefit rates for current retirees were increased to
$14 (formerly $12), or to $12 (formerly $7-$10),
depending on the date of retirement.
M inority attorneys at Justice charge bias
Attorneys employed by the U.S. Department of Jus
tice filed an administrative complaint charging that the
agency discriminates against minorities in hiring, train
ing, and promotion. The formal complaint was filed by
leaders of the group, the Racial and Ethnic Minority
Attorneys Caucus, on behalf of about 150 attorneys af
ter unsuccessful negotiations on the issue. The attorneys
make up about 8 percent of all attorneys within the six
units of the agency covered by the complaint.
Specifically, the complaint asserted that the units
failed to hire or promote members of minority groups
in adequate numbers; denied them equal access to train
ing and the most interesting cases; and evaluated job
performance in a manner that resulted in a dispropor
tionate share of pay awards going to nonminority attor
neys.
The 2 years of negotiations prior to the filing
reportedly were not successful because the leaders of the
caucus had been seeking remedies beyond those in the
agency’s affirmative action plan.
□
57
Book Reviews
The unemployed tell their story
Not Working: An Oral History o f the Unemployed. By
Harry Maurer. New York, Holt, Rinehart and
Winston, 1980. 297 pp. $12.95.
Not Working is an important book about unemploy
ment in American society. Unlike the typical book on
the subject, it focuses on people rather than statistics. It
is about unemployed executives and clerks, engineers
and auto workers, college professors and high school
dropouts. In his oral history of unemployment, Harry
Maurer has done for the unemployed what Studs Terkel
did for the employed. And he has done it well.
In 1976, Maurer spent several months traveling
around the United States interviewing the unemployed.
This book is the fruit of that effort and many of his
more than four dozen portraits of the unemployed are
not easily forgotten. A gifted interviewer, Maurer man
aged to get a wide spectrum of America’s jobless to
talk freely and frankly about themselves and what it’s
like to be jobless in a work-oriented society.
The book vividly illustrates that unemployment does
not just hit blacks or those without skills or education.
Even for those who seem to have “made it,” employ
ment security is often tenuous. Nor does education
alone guarantee a place in today’s job market. Some of
the most memorable interviews are with “high level” or
‘^professional” workers.
There is, for example, Grace Keaton, fired without
warning from a high-level job in a New York publish
ing house after 12 years of service. No one will hire her
for a high-level job—nor will they consider her for a
lower level job.
There is particularly good coverage of the plight of
the middle-aged jobless professional, a problem that re
ceives less than its share of public concern. Take Martin
Penn, a 57-year-old scholar with a Ph. D. in anthropol
ogy, the victim of a layoff from a prestigious think-tank
beset with shrinking government contracts. Lowering
his sights after years of futile search for an appropriate
job, and almost prepared to deny he has a Ph. D., Penn
wonders what’s wrong with the country when a person
has to be ashamed of having an education.
Well-educated young people often find no demand for
their labor or are forced into unskilled jobs. Kristen Ja
cobs, a recent and disillusioned liberal arts graduate of
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
the University of Michigan, competes with 300 other
applicants for a $3.60-an-hour job.
The author paints just as clear a picture of what it’s
like for those who have always been on the bottom of
the job ladder. Minority youths are not dismal statis
tics. They appear as people who are being assaulted and
destroyed by unemployment— or by the low wages and
unsteady jobs that may be available from time to time.
Some ghetto teenagers interviewed by Maurer are re
ceiving training. But the problems are shown to persist
beyond the teens. Maurer’s young adult minority job
less scarcely fit the stereotype of the jobless and poor as
lazy. Ken Dutton, a 21-year-old black veteran in Seat
tle, Wash., camps out from 10 p.m. in the desperate
hope that he will be one of the lucky few to be
interviewed by Alcoa the next morning. Micky
Eldridge, a 23-year-old black man in the South— out of
work for a year—survives by collecting discarded coke
bottles and selling them for 5 cents apiece. Eddie
Varga, a 24-year-old Los Angeles Chicano—graduate
of a 2-year technical college— lives on unemployment
insurance and hopes for the miracle of a $3-an-hour
job. While Willie Hawkins, a 23-year-old Birmingham
black with hypertension, receives a call from an auto
company for a same-day interview for a once-in-a-lifetime chance at a decent-paying job. In a frantic attempt
to bring his blood pressure down quickly enough to
pass the physical, he donates blood and takes large
doses of Epsom salts just prior to the interview.
Maurer’s people are real, with all the strengths and
frailties of human beings. He has not canonized them,
nor masked their shortcomings. Some are not eligible
for unemployment benefits; others are too humiliated to
take unemployment benefits; still others take them to
survive, despite injured pride; some take them as a form
of revenge; and a few abuse the system. For another
few, all middle class, unemployment brings positive
benefits. A teacher laid off during the New York fiscal
crisis, for example, realizes that she had become a pris
oner of a detested job. For her, being fired becomes a
form of freedom.
This book also points to other problems. For in
talking about not working, the jobless are also talking
about working. The extent to which alienation and pur
poselessness exist in the workplace is hotly disputed.
But among those in Not Working, it is commonplace.
The book also provides very useful insights into sub
tle aspects of the labor market, especially the secondary
labor market. Like Elliot Liebow’s Tally, we hear about
the secondary labor market from those forced to spend
their lives in it.
“ In Unemployment in History, John A. Garraty claims
that, unlike the jobless of previous eras, today’s unem
ployed are not plagued by psychological torment and
feelings of self-blame. But Harry Maurer finds the op
posite to be true. “What astonished me—more than
any other discovery in the course of writing this book—
was the degree to which unemployed people blame
themselves.” Even those made jobless by mass layoffs
and other events clearly beyond their control tended to
blame themselves. Unemployment, it turns out, means
for many people psychological devastation, feelings of
worthlessness, leisure turned to emptiness. Maurer’s
findings are consistent with the more structured re
search of Robert McKersie of Cornell University, who
studied job loss among laid-off New York State civil
servants, and M. Harvey Brenner’s well-known study of
the social costs of unemployment for the Joint Econom
ic Committee.
If self-torment and guilt are as prevalent among all of
the unemployed as among Maurer’s group, the often
observed lack of political protests by the jobless be
comes more comprehensible. Self-blame effectively depoliticizes the victims of unemployment. The author feels
that the jobless would do better to shift their attention
to those who so willingly and unconcernedly want to
_]flcrease unemployment.
There is, of course, no way of knowing just how
representative Maurer’s interviewees are of all the un
employed. He met the jobless in a variety of ways:
some through organizational contacts; others directly in
unemployment offices. Only a minority of the latter
agreed to be interviewed. Were those who declined to
be interviewed full of more self-blame than the others?
Or less? Were they better off? Or worse off? Social sci
entists who want the answers to those questions will
have to pick up where Maurer left off.
Some of Maurer’s unemployed were hard hit by the
last recession. In 1976, unemployment still averaged 7.7
percent. Though many ultimately may have found jobs,
their scars are apt to remain. As Jim Hughes, a jobless
Indiana Republican expressed it, “I’m always gonna
look back on this and say, ‘Hey, I’ve been through it.
I know what it’s like.’ It’s been rough. Human damage,
you might say.”
The unemployed deserve better. And there are still
six million official jobless. So Harry Maurer’s humanis
tic book should be of interest not only to economists,
psychologists, sociologists, and others in the academic
world but should be read by all who are concerned with
current talk of increasing unemployment as a weapon
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
against inflation. The Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employ
ment and Balanced Growth Act (Public Law 95-523)
declares among other things that it is the continuing
policy and responsibility of the Federal Government to
“promote full employment.” The act also recognizes the
problem of inflation but, based on considerable evi
dence, it rejects the idea of an inevitable inverse rela
tionship between unemployment and inflation. Thus, it
aims to reduce inflation while pursuing full employ
ment. By showing what unemployment does to those
forced to bear its costs, Not Working may help to focus
national attention on the need to implement that law
with vigor.
— H elen G insburg
Associate Professor
Department of Economics
Brooklyn College—City University of New York
Working less and enjoying it more
Job Sharing: A New Pattern for Quality o f Work and
Life. By Gretl S. Meier. Kalamazoo, Mich., W. E.
Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, 1979.
187 pp. $4.50.
Job sharing (commonly defined as two workers or
more sharing one full-time job) is designed to increase
both the number and quality of part-time jobs. This
new type of schedule is part of a trend toward more
flexible work arrangements. It responds specifically,
however, to two recent phenomena. One is the increas
ing reluctance of many workers to work below their
skill level in exchange for shorter hours. The second is a
slowdown in the long-term growth in the supply of tra
ditional part-time jobs.
Gretl S. Meier’s excellent book covers recent ex
periences and trends in job sharing. It examines differ
ent types of arrangements, the advantages, disadvan
tages, and problems of job sharing for both employees
and employers, and emerging issues. Her own survey of
about 240 job sharers and more than 80 lengthy inter
views with job sharers and their supervisors furnish the
basic materials for the book.
To fulfill the author’s criteria for job sharing, the
sharing must be voluntary, involve the deliberate con
version of a full-time position, and provide fringe bene
fits (although not all the arrangements described meet
the second and third requirements). Some sharers work
in close partnership— pooling resources and sharing de
cisions and responsibility for the whole job; others work
more or less independently. In some instances, job shar
ers are husband and wife; in others they never meet,
communicating by phone or note only. The many varia59
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Book Reviews
tions on the general theme have given rise to such spe
cial terms as split, paired, twinned, and tandem jobs.
(Work-sharing, which is undertaken to avoid layoffs, is
an altogether different phenomenon.)
Sharing a full-time job does provide some sharers
with more highly skilled work than would most tradi
tional part-time jobs. The survey group includes, for ex
ample, managers, teachers, counselors, researchers, and
physicians. (However, in the large majority of cases the
combined earnings of both partners did not exceed the
ceiling on which the salary of one worker would be
taxed under social security.) Most job sharers surveyed
received such fringe benefits as vacations, holidays, and
sick leave, prorated in many cases on the basis of hours.
Health benefits varied widely, with some sharers receiv
ing full coverage and others excluded.
The greatest reward perceived by job sharers is the
opportunity to balance worklife with the rest of life.
“Work is central in the lives of job sharers, but not the
sole criterion for identity.”
Meier acknowledges that at present job sharers repre
sent an “infinitesimal proportion of all jobholders” and
that “until a larger, more varied pool . . . exists, it will
be difficult to assess the benefits as well as the costs of
the new arrangements—either to the organization or
the individuals.” She urges, however, that choices in
implementing new work schedules not rest solely on
narrow cost-benefit calculations, but take into account
the relation of work to the totality of life. Whatever the
outcome for this particular work schedule, recent in
creases in the number of both working couples and sin
gle-parent families and growing concerns for
employment opportunities for handicapped workers
make the upgrading of part-time work options an im
portant objective.
—Janice N eipert H edges
Office of Current Employment Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Q uick introduction to our way of life
Vietnamese Americans: Patterns of Resettlement and So
cioeconomic Adaptation in the U.S. By Darrel
Montero. Boulder, Colo., Westview Press, 1979.
218 pp., bibliography. $17.50.
Refugee movements are by their very nature sudden,
disruptive, often traumatic events. As such, receiving
countries typically face a complex task in successfully
resettling large numbers of homeless people without
some strain on the domestic social fabric. Seldom is
there adequate time or resources to gather detailed in
60
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
formation on the newcomers’ backgrounds, initial ad
justment difficulties on arrival, and subsequent socio
economic progress, despite the potential value of such
information for better accommodating future refugees.
In the last 5 years, more than 170,000 Indochinese
have fled to the United States, the largest single refugee
group to enter this country in such a brief period. Nev
ertheless, the U.S. Department of Health, Education,
and Welfare has managed to produce a rich longitudinal
data source on them, and this volume, by Darrel Mon
tero, gives a valuable first look at its main findings. In a
book addressed primarily to immigration specialists,
Montero sets himself two objectives: first, to provide a
systematic description and analysis of the survey’s
methodology and central results; then, to construct a
model which integrates these results with existing
knowledge on the resettlement and employment pat
terns of earlier immigrants.
The book opens with a chapter on Vietnam, briefly
scanning its history from the 10th century B.C. to the
U.S. defeat in April 1975. One cannot help thinking
that the author’s desire to deepen our understanding of
the refugees’ backgrounds, motivations, and expecta
tions would have been better served had he focused on
the evolution and operation of social, educational, and
labor market structures, particularly in the urban areas
whence most refugees came. Instead, he presents a
largely political survey of premodern Vietnam, devoting
a single page to the two decades since the mid-1950’s
which most shaped the refugees’ lives.
In the following chapter, however, Montero gives a
lucid description of the resettlement process in the Unit
ed States and initial adjustment problems. After an
abrupt, ill-prepared departure, the refugee family was
taken to a relocation center at Camp Pendleton, Calif.,
or 1 of 3 other military bases. To minimize the financial
burden on war-weary taxpayers, the Federal Inter
agency Task Force in charge of resettlement adopted a
policy of moving its charges out of the camps quickly
and scattering them across the country in the care of
sponsoring groups and families. This practice isolated
the new arrivals from their countrymen and impeded
the formation of the sort of indigenous ethnic communi
ties which new immigrant groups have traditionally re
lied on for social, economic, and emotional support.
But, Montero argues, the relocation centers and
private sponsors helped acclimate the Vietnamese and
prepared them for eventual self-sufficiency. Food, shel
ter, medical care, English language courses, and voca
tional training were freely supplied in the camps and the
subsequent sponsorships provided not only economic se
curity, but closer contact with American society and
culture and assistance in locating employment. The refu
gees’ demographic characteristics count as additional
advantages. Drawing on Immigration and Naturaliza-
tion Service data, the author notes that most refugees
are young (nine-tenths under age 45), well educated,
from relatively affluent urban families, and among their
homeland’s social and occupational elite.
How have they fared in the American labor market?
To trace the refugees’ socioeconomic adaptation, Montero presents the salient findings of five waves of nation
al survey interviews conducted under the auspices of the
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare between
July 1975 and August 1977. The profile which emerges
is one of “substantial progress” in which “the Vietnam
ese are moving steadily toward economic self-suf
ficiency.” Employment rates are high for both men and
women, more than 80 percent are working full time by
Survey V, and income has steadily risen to a median an
nual level of $9,600 in 1977.
At the same time, however, the refugees have suffered
marked downward occupational mobility. One-third of
household heads were professional workers in Vietnam,
but fewer than 1 in 5 could find similar employment in
the United States. Former managers and administrators
encountered even greater difficulties. This pattern is in
striking accord with that found for other immigrant
groups in recent studies by Chiswick, North, and the
reviewer.
To place the Vietnamese experience in a wider
sociohistorical context, the author concludes by advanc
ing what he dubs a model of “Spontaneous Internation
al Migration.” Comparisons are drawn between the
route taken by earlier Japanese and Chinese immigrants
—from their homelands, to ethnic enclaves, thence to
ward assimilation—and the ongoing movement of the
Vietnamese. Aided by their “anticipatory socialization”
among American troops and employers in Vietnam as
well as further preparation in the camps and sponsor
ships, the refugees will, it is predicted, have less need
for ethnic concentrations and assimilate more rapidly
than other immigrants. This is less a genuine theoretical
model than a rough descriptive outline. Furthermore,
comparisons with other refugee groups, like the Cubans
who also had considerable premigration contact with
Americans but remain concentrated in ethnic enclaves,
would seem more relevant.
Nonetheless, Vietnamese Americans serves a clear
need for more precise panel data on recent immigrant
cohorts; in fact, more than half of its pages consist of
statistical tables. Until the Department of Health, Edu
cation, and Welfare gives researchers access to the sur
vey’s original data tapes, this book will be a unique
source of detailed information for immigration scholars.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
— G regory D e F reitas
Assistant Professor
School of Labor and Industrial Relations
Michigan State University
Publications received
Agriculture and natural resources
Burk, Monroe, “Economists and Ecologists: Dialogue of the
Deaf,” Business, College of Business Administration,
Georgia State University, January-February 1980, pp.
47-52.
Duncan, Marvin and Ann Laing, “Western Water Resources:
Coming Problems and the Policy Alternatives,” Economic
Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, February
1980, pp. 14-22.
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McKinnon, James E., “The Federal Water Pollution Control
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ment o f Imported Oil with Coal. Washington, 1980, 66
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Economic and social statistics
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Force, Appendix Vol. 1. Washington, 1979, 667 pp. Stock
No. 052-003-00700-2. $7.50, Superintendent of Docu
ments, Washington 20402.
Tanzi, Vito, “Inflationary Expectations, Economic Activity,
Taxes, and Interest Rates,” The American Economic Re
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Economic growth and development
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paper.
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Across the Board, March 1980, pp. 11-16.
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January 1980, Together with the Annual Report of the
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61
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Book Reviews
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Health and safety
Goldberg, Lawrence G. and Warren Greenberg, “The Com
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Industrial relations
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Industry and government organization
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Labor force
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en,” The Journal of Industrial Relations, September 1979,
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Great Britain, Department of Employment, “The long-term
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the Australian Labour Market,” The Journal of Industrial
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tion, 1979, 228 pp. $14.95. Distributed in the United
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Employee Ownership in Plant Shutdowns: Prospects for
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Institute for Employment Research, 1979, 219 pp. $6,
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Management and organization theory
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Organizational Unconscious,” Personnel Journal, March
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Alpander, Guvenc G., “Training First-Line Supervisors to
Criticize Constructively,” Personnel Journal, March 1980,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
ture,” Academy of Management Review, January 1980,
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Personnel Departments,” Personnel, January-February
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“Early Warning Signals—Growing Discontent Among
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Ethics . . . Poll of Top Managers Stresses Education and
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Dalton, Dan R. and others, “Organization Structure and Per
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Delamontagne, Robert P. and James B. Weitzul, “Perfor
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Gakenbach, Jayne I. and Stephen M. Auerbach, “On-the-Job
Sex Discrimination,” Business, College of Business Ad
ministration, Georgia State University, January-February
1980, pp. 24-30.
Hill, Alfred W., “How Organizational Philosophy Influences
Management Development,” Personnel Journal, February
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Hutchins, David, “QC Circles: An Introduction,” Industrial
and Commercial Training, January 1980, pp. 8-15.
Kets de Vries, Manfred F. R., “Organizational Stress: A Call
for Management Action,” Sloan Management Review,
Fall 1979, pp. 3-14.
Kikoski, John F., “Communication: Understanding It, Im
proving It,” Personnel Journal, February 1980, pp. 126—
31.
Lynch, JoAn, “Reaching Troubled Workers Earlier,” The Ca
nadian Personnel and Industrial Relations Journal, Janu
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Michaels, D. Trevor, “Seven Questions That Will Improve
Your Managerial Hiring Decisions,” Personnel Journal,
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Nigro, Lloyd G. and Carl J. Bellone, “Participative Manage
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Managers,” MSU Business Topics, Winter 1980, pp. 2328.
Pati, Gopal C. and Edward F. Hilton, Jr., “A Comprehensive
Model for a Handicapped Affirmative Action Program ”
Personnel Journal, February 1980, pp. 99-108.
Sasser, W. Earl, Jr. and Frank S. Leonard, “Let First-Level
Supervisors Do Their Job,” Harvard Business Review,
March-April 1980, pp. 113-21.
Sauser, William L, Jr., “Evaluating Employee Performance:
Needs, Problems and Possible Solutions,” Public Person
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“SMR Forum: The Corporation in the Public Policy Process
—A View Toward the 1980s,” by James E. Post; “Pri63
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 •
B ook R enew s
vate Managers and Public Myths—Public Managers and
Private Myths,” by James W. Driscoll, Gary L. Cowger
and Robert J. Egan,” S lo a n M a n a g e m e n t R eview , Fall
1979, pp. 45-57.
Stead, Bette A., “The National Secretarial Shortage: A Man
agement Concern,” M S U B u sin ess Topics, Winter 1980,
pp. 43-47.
Tanaka, Hiroshi, “The Japanese Method of Preparing Today's
Graduate to Become Tomorrow’s Manager,” P erso n n el
J o u rn al, February 1980, pp. 109-12.
Terborg, James R., George S. Howard, Scott E. Maxwell,
“Evaluating Planned Organizational Change: A Method
for Assessing Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Change,” A c a d e
m y o f M a n a g e m e n t R eview , January 1980, pp. 109-21.
Wren, Daniel A., “Scientific Management in the U.S.S.R.,
with Particular Reference to the Contribution of Walter
N. Polakov,” A c a d e m y o f M a n a g e m e n t R eview , January
1980, pp. 1-11.
Monetary and fiscal policy
Greenwald, Carol S., “Tight Money Won’t Work,” H a r v a r d
B u sin ess R eview , March-April 1980, pp. 122-29.
Murphy, J. Carter, T he I n te rn a tio n a l M o n e ta r y S y ste m : B e
y o n d th e F irst S ta g e o f R efo rm . Washington, American
Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, 1979, 276
pp. (AEI Studies, 259.) $6.75, paper.
Rhoades, Stephen A., “The Competitive Effects of Interstate
Banking,” F e d e r a l R eserve B u lletin , January 1980, pp. 1-
Washington, 1980, 233 pp.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, A C e n tu r y o f C h an ge in B o s
ton
F a m ily
C o n su m p tio n
P attern s.
By Denis M.
McSweeney. Boston, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau
of Labor Statistics, New England Regional Office, 1979,
44 pp. (Regional Report 79-5.)
th e C oalfields.
Productivity and technological change
Glaser, Edward M., “Productivity Gains Through Worklife
Improvement,” P ersonn el, January-February 1980, pp.
71-77.
Hekman, John S., “The Future of High Technology Industry
in New England: A Case Study of Computers,” N e w E n
g la n d E c o n o m ic R eview , Federal Reserve Bank of Boston,
January-February 1980, pp. 5-17.
“Modern Technology: Problem or Opportunity?” D a ed a lu s,
Journal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences,
Winter 1980, pp. 1-190.
Moore, Michael L., “Productivity Improvement in Govern
ment: The Effects of Departmental vs. Occupational
Bargaining Unit Structures,” J o u r n a l o f C o llective N e g o ti
a tio n s in th e P u b lic S ector, Vol. 8, No. 4, 1979, pp. 319—
32.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, P ro d u c tiv ity I n d e x e s f o r S e
le c te d In d u stries, 1 9 7 9 E d itio n . Washington, 1979, 190
pp. (Bulletin 2054.) Stock No. 029-001-02429-1. $5.50,
Superintendent of Documents, Washington 20402.
8.
Wilkins, Maurice G., Jr., “Financial Flexibility in the 1980s,”
H a r v a r d B u sin ess R eview , March-April 1980, pp. 10305.
Prices and living conditions
Able, Stephen L., “Inflation Uncertainty, Investment Spend
ing, and Fiscal Policy,” E c o n o m ic R eview , Federal Re
serve Bank of Kansas City, February 1980, pp. 3-13.
Bodie, Zvi, “Hedging Against Inflation,” S lo a n M a n a g e m e n t
R eview , Fall 1979, pp. 15-24.
Braithwait, Steven D., “The Substitution Bias of the Laspeyeres Price Index,” An Analysis Using Estimated Costof-Living Indexes,” T he A m e r ic a n E c o n o m ic R eview ,
March 1980, pp. 64-77.
Curtin, Richard T., “Buying Attitudes Decline,” E c o n o m ic
O u tlo o k USA, Winter 1980, pp. 17-19.
International Labor Organization, H o u se h o ld I n c o m e a n d E x
p e n d itu r e S ta tistics, 1 9 6 8 - 1 9 7 6 , N o. 3. Geneva, Interna
tional Labor Organization, 1979, 489 pp. Distributed in
the United States by the Washington Branch of ILO.
Mullineaux, Donald J., “Inflation Expectations and Money
Growth in the United States,” T he A m e ric a n E c o n o m ic
R eview , March 1980, pp. 149-61.
Myers, Peter, “Keeping Up With Inflation the Canadian
Way,” A cro ss th e B oard, March 1980, pp. 33-39.
Sachs, Jeffrey, “The Changing Cyclical Behavior of Wages and
Prices: 1890-1976,” T h e A m e r ic a n E c o n o m ic R eview ,
March 1980, pp. 78-90.
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M in er: A R e p o r t on C o m m u n ity a n d L iv in g C o n d itio n s in
64
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Social institutions and social change
Berk, Sarah Fenstermaker, ed., W om en a n d H o u se h o ld L a b o r.
Beverly Hills, Calif., Sage Publications, 1980, 295 pp.
(Sage Yearbooks in Women’s Policy Studies, Vol. 5.) $20,
cloth; $9.95, paper.
Schroeder, Richard C., T he P o litics o f D ru gs: A n A m e r ic a n D i
lem m a . 2d ed. Washington, Congressional Quarterly,
Inc., 1980, 190 pp. $6.95, paper.
Wages and compensation
Bartel, Ann P., “Earnings Growth on the Job and Between
Jobs,” E c o n o m ic In q u iry, January 1980, pp. 123-37.
Brennan, E. James, “The Problem with Salary Ranges (and a
Realistic Solution),” P erso n n el Jou rn al, March 1980, pp.
187-91.
FitzGibbon, Geoff, “Flexible Working Hours: The Canadian
Experience,” T he C a n a d ia n P erso n n el a n d I n d u s tr ia l R e
la tio n s Jou rn al, January 1980, pp. 29-33.
National Commission on Unemployment Compensation, B a sic
S tru c tu re o f a F e d e r a l-S ta te U n e m p lo y m e n t In su ra n c e P ro
g r a m a n d R e la te d S u p p o rtin g P rovision s: R esp o n ses to th e
N a tio n a l C o m m issio n on U n e m p lo y m e n t C om pen sa tio n .
Arlington, Va., National Commission on Unemployment
Compensation, 1979, 497 pp.
Petersen, Donald J., “Flexitime in the United States: The Les
sons of Experience,” P ersonn el, January-February 1980,
pp. 21-31.
Sachs, Jeffrey D., “Wages, Profits, and Macroeconomic Ad
justment: A Comparative Study,” B ro o k in g s P a p ers on
E c o n o m ic A c tiv ity, 2, 1979, pp. 269-332.
Current
Labor Statistics
N otes on Current Labor S tatistics
.....................................................................................................................................
Schedule of release dates for major B LS statistical series
...........................................................................
Employment data from household survey. Definitions and notes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
.............................................................
Employment status of noninstitutional population, selected years, 1950-79 ................................................................
Employment status by sex, age, and race, seasonally adjusted ........................................................................................
Selected employment indicators, seasonally adjusted ........................................................................................................
Selected unemployment indicators, seasonally adjusted .....................................................................................................
Unemployment rates, by sex and age, seasonally a d ju ste d ................................................................................................
Unemployed persons, by reason for unemployment, seasonally adjusted .....................................................................
Duration of unemployment, seasonally adjusted ..................................................................................
Employment, hours, and earnings data from establishment surveys. Definitions and notes
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Employment by industry, 1950-79 ........................................................................................................................................
Employment by State ................................................................................................................................................................
Employment by industry division and major manufacturing group ................................................................................
Employment by industry division and major manufacturing group, seasonally adjusted ........................................
Labor turnover rates in manufacturing, 1977 to date ........................................................................................................
Labor turnover rates in manufacturing, by major industry group ...................................................................................
Hours and earnings, by industry division, 1948-79 ...........................................................................................................
Weekly hours, by industry division and major manufacturing g r o u p .............................................................................
Weekly hours, by industry division and major manufacturing group, seasonally adjusted .....................................
Hourly earnings, by industry division and major manufacturing group ........................................................................
Hourly Earnings Index, by industry division ........................................................................................................................
Weekly earnings, by industry division and major manufacturing group ........................................................................
Gross and spendable weekly earnings in current and 1967 dollars, 1960 to date ........................................................
Unemployment insurance data. Definitions and notes
21. Unemployment insurance and employment service operations
........................................................................................
........................................................................................
Price data. Definitions and notes
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
..........................................................................................................................................
Consumer Price Indexes, 1967-79
Consumer Price Index, U.S. city average, general summary and selected items ...........................................................
Consumer Price Index, cross classification of region and population size class ...........................................................
Consumer Price Index, selected areas .....................................................................................................................................
Producer Price Indexes, by stage of processing ...................................................................................................................
Producer Price Indexes, by commodity grouping ................................................................................................................
Producer Price Indexes, for special commodity groupings ................................................................................................
Producer Price Indexes, by durability of product ................................................................................................................
Price indexes for the output of selected SIC industries .....................................................................................................
Productivity data. D efinitions and notes
31.
32.
33.
34.
........................................................................................................................
Indexes of productivity and related data, 1950-79
Annual percent change in productivity and related data, 1969-79 ................................................................................
Indexes of productivity, hourly compensation, and unit costs ........................................................................................
Percent change in productivity, hourly compensation, and unit costs ...........................................................................
Labor-management data. D efinitions and notes
........................................................................................................
35. Wage and benefit settlements in major collective bargaining units ................................................................................
36. Effective wage rate adjustments going into effect in major collective bargaining units .............................................
37. Work stoppages, 1947 to date ................................................................................................................................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
66
66
67
67
68
69
70
71
71
71
72
73
73
74
75
76
76
77
78
79
80
80
81
82
83
83
84
85
85
91
92
93
94
96
96
96
99
99
100
100
101
102
102
102
103
65
NOTES ON CURRENT LABOR STATISTICS
This section of the R e view presents the principal statistical se
ries collected and calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A brief introduction to each group of tables provides defi
nitions, notes on the data, sources, and other material usually
found in footnotes.
Readers who need additional information are invited to
consult the BLS regional offices listed on the inside front cov
er of this issue of the R eview . Some general notes applicable to
several series are given below.
Seasonal adjustment. Certain monthly and quarterly data are adjusted
to eliminate the effect of such factors as climatic conditions, industry
production schedules, opening and closing of schools, holiday buying
periods, and vacation practices, which might otherwise mask short
term movements of the statistical series. Tables containing these data
are identified as “seasonally adjusted.” Seasonal effects are estimated
on the basis of past experience. When new seasonal factors are com
puted each year, revisions may affect seasonally adjusted data for sev
eral preceding years. For a technical discussion of the method used to
make seasonal adjustments, see “Appendix A. The BLS Seasonal Fac
tor Method,” BLS Handbook of Methods for Surveys and Studies, Bul
letin 1910 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1976), pp. 272-78, and X -ll
Variant of the Census Method II Seasonal Adjustment Program, Techni
cal Paper No. 15 (Bureau of the Census, 1967). Seasonally adjusted la
bor force data in tables 2 - 7 were last revised in the February 1980 is
sue of the Review to reflect the preceding year’s experience. Beginning
in January 1980, the BLS introduced two major modifications in the
seasonal adjustment methodology for labor force data. First, the data
are being seasonally adjusted with a new procedure called X - l l /
ARIMA, which was developed at Statistics Canada as an extension of
the standard X -ll method. A detailed description of the procedure
appears in The X -ll ARIMA Seasonal Adjustment Method by Estela
Bee Dagum (Statistics Canada Catalogue No. 12-564E, September
1979).
The second change is that seasonal factors are now being calculated
for use during the first 6 months of the year, rather than for the entire
year, and then are calculated at mid-year for the July-December peri
od. Revisions of historical data continue to be made only at the end of
each calendar year. Annual revision of the seasonally adjusted payroll
data in tables 11, 13, 16, and 18 was last introduced in the November
1979 issue of the Review. New seasonal factors for productivity data in
tables 33 and 34 are usually introduced in the September issue. Sea
sonally adjusted indexes and percent changes from month to month
and from quarter to quarter are published for numerous Consumer
and Producer Price Index series. However, seasonally adjusted indexes
are not published for the U.S. average All Items CPI. Only seasonally
adjusted percent changes are available for this series.
Adjustments for price changes. Some data are adjusted to eliminate
the effect of changes in price. These adjustments are made by dividing
current dollar values by the Consumer Price Index or the appropriate
component of the index, then multiplying by 100. For example, given
a current hourly wage rate of $3 and a current price index number of
150, where 1967 = 100, the hourly rate expressed in 1967 dollars is
$2 ($3/150 X 100 = $2). The resulting values are described as
“real,” “constant,” or “ 1967” dollars.
Availability of information. Data that supplement the tables in this
section are published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in a variety of
sources. Press releases provide the latest statistical information
published by the Bureau; the major recurring releases are published
according to the schedule given below. The Handbook of Labor Statis
tics 1978, Bulletin 2000, provides more detailed data and greater his
torical coverage for most of the statistical series presented in the
Monthly Labor Review. More information from the household and es
tablishment surveys is provided in Employment and Earnings, a
monthly publication of the Bureau, and in two comprehensive data
books issued annually— Employment and Earnings, United States and
Employment and Earnings, States and Areas. More detailed informa
tion on wages and other aspects of collective bargaining appears in
the monthly periodical, Current Wage Developments. More detailed
price information is published each month in the periodicals, the CPI
Detailed Report and Producer Prices and Price Indexes.
Symbols
p = preliminary. To improve the timeliness of some series,
preliminary figures are issued based on representative
but incomplete returns.
r = revised. Generally this revision reflects the availability
of later data but may also reflect other adjustments,
n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.
Schedule of release dates for major BLS statistical series
Title and frequency
Release
Period
Release
Period
MLR table
(monthly except where indicated)
date
covered
date
covered
number
May 2
May 9
May 23
May 23
April
April
April
April
June 6
June 6
June 24
June 24
May
May
May
May
1-11
26-30
22-25
14-20
May 28
May 28
May 30
1st quarter
April
April
June 30
June 30
May
May
31 -34
37
12-13
Employment situation............................................................
Producer Price Indexes..........................................................
Consumer Price Index ..........................................................
Rea: earnings .....................................................................
Productivity and costs (quarterly):
Nonfinandal corporations ...................................................
Work stoppages...................................................................
Labor turnover in manufacturing .............................................
66
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EMPLOYMENT DATA FROM THE HOUSEHOLD SURVEY
E m p l o y m e n t d a t a in this section are obtained from the
Current Population Survey, a program of personal interviews
conducted monthly by the Bureau of the Census for the Bureau
of Labor Statistics. The sample consists of about 65,000
households beginning in January 1980, selected to represent the
U.S. population 16 years of age and older. Households are
interviewed on a rotating basis, so that three-fourths of the
sample is the same for any 2 consecutive months.
Definitions
Employed persons are (1) those who worked for pay any time
during the week which includes the 12th day of the month or who
worked unpaid for 15 hours or more in a family-operated enterprise
and (2) those who were temporarily absent from their regular jobs
because of illness, vacation, industrial dispute, or similar reasons. A
person working at more than one job is counted only in the job at
which he or she worked the greatest number of hours.
Unemployed persons are those who did not work during the survey
week, but were available for work except for temporary illness and
had looked for jobs within the preceding 4 weeks. Persons who did
not look for work because they were on layoff or waiting to start new
jobs within the next 30 days are also counted among the unemployed.
The unemployment rate represents the number unemployed as a
percent of the civilian labor force.
The civilian labor force consists of all employed or unemployed
persons in the civilian noninstitutional population; the total labor
force includes military personnel. Persons not in the labor force are
1.
those not classified as employed or unemployed; this group includes
persons retired, those engaged in their own housework, those not
working while attending school, those unable to work because of
longterm illness, those discouraged from seeking work because of
personal or job market factors, and those who are voluntarily idle.
The noninstitutional population comprises all persons 16 years of age
and older who are not inmates of penal or mental institutions,
sanitariums, or homes for the aged, infirm, or needy.
Full-time workers are those employed at least 35 hours a week;
part-time workers are those who work fewer hours. Workers on parttime schedules for economic reasons (such as slack work, terminating
or starting a job during the week, material shortages, or inability to
find full-time work) are amQng those counted as being on full-time
status, under the assumption that they would be working full time if
conditions permitted. The survey classifies unemployed persons in
full-time or part-time status by their reported preferences for full-time
or part-time work.
Notes on the data
From time to time, and especially after a decennial census,
adjustments are made in the Current Population Survey figures to
correct for estimating errors during the preceding years. These
adjustments affect the comparability of historical data presented in
table 1. A description of these adjustments and their effect on the
various data series appear in the Explanatory Notes of E m p lo y m e n t
a n d E a rn in g s.
Data in tables 2 - 7 are seasonally adjusted, based on the seasonal
experience through December 1979.
Employment status of the noninstitutional population, 16 years and over, selected years, 1950-79
[Numbers in thousands]
Total labor force
Civilian labor force
Total non
Year
Employed
institutional
population
Number
Percent of
population
Total
Unemployed
Nonagri-
Total
Agriculture
cultural
Not in
Percent of
Number
Industries
labor force
labor
force
1950
1955
1960
1964
1965
.............................................
...............................................
......................................................
.............................
......................................................
106,645
112,732
119,759
127,224
129,236
63,858
68,072
72,142
75,830
77,178
59.9
60.4
60.2
59.6
59.7
62,208
65,023
69,628
73,091
74,455
58,918
62,170
65,778
69,305
71,088
7,160
6,450
5,458
4,523
4,361
51,758
55,722
60,318
64,782
66,726
3,288
2,852
3,852
3,786
3,366
5.3
4.4
5.5
5.2
4.5
42,787
44,660
47,617
51,394
52,058
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
.............................................
......................................................
.....................................................
......................................................
.......................................................
131,180
133,319
135,562
137,841
140,182
78,893
80,793
82,272
84,240
85,903
60.1
60.6
60.7
61.1
61.3
75,770
77,347
78,737
80,734
82,715
72,895
74,372
75,920
77,902
78,627
3,979
3,844
3,817
3,606
3,462
68,915
70,527
72,103
74,296
75,165
2,875
2,975
2,817
2,832
4,088
3.8
3.8
3.6
3.5
4.9
52,288
52,527
53,291
53,602
54,280
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
.................................................
......................................................
...................................................
.................................
......................................................
142,596
145,775
148,263
150,827
153,449
86,929
88,991
91,040
93,240
94,793
61.0
61.0
61.4
61.8
61.8
84,113
86,542
88,714
91,011
92,613
79,120
81,702
84,409
83,935
84,783
3,387
3,472
3,452
3,492
3,380
75,732
78,230
80,957
82,443
81,403
4,993
4,840
4,304
5,076
7,830
5.9
5.6
4.9
5.6
8.5
55,666
56,785
57,222
57,587
58,655
1976
1977
1978
1979
.....................................................
......................................................
......................................................
......................................................
156,048
158,559
161,058
163,620
96,917
99,534
102,537
104,996
62.1
62.8
63.7
64.2
94,773
97,401
100,420
102,908
87,485
90,546
94,373
96,945
3,297
3,244
3,342
3,297
84,188
87,302
91,031
93,648
7,288
6,855
6,047
5,963
7.7
7.0
6.0
5.8
59,130
59,025
58,521
58,623
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67
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 •
2.
C u r r e n t L a b o r S t a t is ti c s : H o u s e h o l d D a t a
Employment status by sex, age, and race, seasonally adjusted
[Numbers in thousands]
1979
Annual average
1980
Employment status
1978
1979
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
161,058
102,537
158,941
100,420
94,373
3,342
91,031
6,047
6.0
58,521
163,620
104,996
161,532
102,908
96,945
3,297
93,648
5,963
5.8
58,623
162,909
104,595
160,819
102,505
96,623
3,320
93,303
5,882
5.7
58,314
163,008
104,280
160,926
102,198
96,254
3,215
93,039
5,944
5.8
58,728
163,260
104,476
161,182
102,398
96,495
3,246
93,249
5,903
5.8
58,784
163,469
104,552
161,393
102,476
96,652
3,243
93,409
5,824
5.7
58,917
163,685
105,475
161,604
103,093
97,184
3,267
93,917
5,909
5.7
58,511
163,891
105,218
161,801
103,128
97,004
3,315
93,689
6,124
5.9
58,673
164,106
105,586
162,013
103,494
97,504
3,364
94,140
5,990
5.8
58,519
164,468
105,688
162,375
103,595
97,474
3,294
94,180
6,121
5.9
58,780
164,682
105,744
162,589
103,652
97,608
3,385
94,223
6,044
5.8
58,937
164,898
106,088
162,809
103,999
97,912
3,359
94,553
6,087
5.9
58,810
67,006
53,464
51,212
2,361
48,852
2,252
4.2
13,541
68,293
54,486
52,264
2,350
49,913
2,223
4.1
13,807
67,939
54,315
52,151
2,350
49,801
2,164
4.0
13,624
67,997
54,239
52,049
2,295
49,754
2,190
4.0
13,758
68,123
54,288
52,158
2,301
49,857
2,130
3.9
13,835
68,227
54,370
52,201
2,305
49,896
2,169
4.0
13,857
68,319
54,579
52,325
2,327
49,998
2,254
4,1
13,740
68,417
54,597
52,311
2,375
49,936
2,286
4.2
13,820
68,522
54,735
52,453
2,377
50,076
2,282
4.2
13,787
68,697
54,760
52,443
2,371
50,072
2,317
4.2
13,937
68,804
54,709
52,374
2,438
49,936
2,335
4.3
14,095
75,489
37,416
35,180
586
34,593
2,236
6.0
38,073
76,860
38,910
36,698
591
36,107
2,213
5.7
37,949
76,476
38,574
36,362
595
35,767
2,212
5.7
37,902
76,532
38,415
36,216
572
35,644
2,199
5.7
38,117
76,670
38,619
36,411
577
35,834
2,208
5.7
38,051
76,784
38,653
36,457
583
35,874
2,196
5.7
38,131
76,897
39,033
36,873
585
36,288
2,160
5.5
37,864
77,006
39,304
37,000
600
36,400
2,304
5.9
37,702
77,124
39,239
37,075
628
36,447
2,164
5.5
37,885
77,308
39,362
37,112
572
36,540
2,250
5.7
37,946
16,447
9,540
7,981
395
7,586
1,559
16.3
6,907
16,379
9,512
7,984
356
7,628
1,528
16.1
6,867
16,404
9,616
8,110
375
7,735
1,506
15.7
6,788
16,397
9,544
7,989
348
7,641
1,555
16.3
6,853
16,389
9,491
7,926
368
7,558
1,565
16.5
6,898
16,381
9,453
7,994
355
7,639
1,459
15.4
6,928
16,387
9,481
7,986
355
7,631
1,495
15.8
6,906
16,377
9,227
7,693
340
7,353
1,534
16.6
7,150
16,367
9,520
7,976
359
7,617
1,544
16.2
6,847
139,580
88,456
83,836
4,620
5.2
51,124
141,614
90,602
86,025
4,577
5.1
51,011
141,063
90,260
85,754
4,506
5.0
50,648
141,123
89,996
85,497
4,499
5.0
51,200
141,331
90,120
85,632
4,488
5.0
51,313
141,492
90,215
85,775
4,440
4.9
51,213
141,661
90,659
86,120
4,539
5.0
51,107
141,822
90,759
85,976
4,783
5.3
51,161
19,361
11,964
10,537
1,427
11.9
7,397
19,918
12,306
10,920
1,386
11.3
7,612
19,755
12,238
10,860
1,378
11.3
7,504
19,802
12,191
10,767
1,424
11.7
7,627
19,850
12,219
10,816
1,403
11.5
7,674
19,901
12,260
10,887
1,373
11.2
7,629
19,943
12,386
11,023
1,363
11.0
7,579
19,979
12,343
10,982
1,361
11.0
7,639
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
165,101
106,310
163,020
104,229
97,804
3,270
94,534
6,425
6.2
58,791
165,298
106,346
163,211
104,260
97,953
3,326
94,626
6,307
6.0
58,951
165,506
106,184
163,416
104,094
97,656
3,358
94,298
6,438
6.2
59,322
68,940
54,781
52,478
2,427
50,051
2,303
4.2
14,159
69,047
54,855
52,279
2,387
49,892
2,577
4.7
14,192
69,140
55,038
52,531
2,435
50,096
2,507
4.6
14,102
69,238
54,996
52,300
2,394
49,906
2,696
4.9
14,242
77,426
39,445
37,248
612
36,636
2,197
5.6
37,981
77,542
39,659
37,402
582
36,820
2,257
5.7
37,883
77,656
39,878
37,574
540
37,034
2,304
5.8
37,778
77,766
39,857
37,604
567
37,037
2,254
5.7
37,909
77,876
39,751
37,496
582
36,914
2,255
5.7
38,125
16,370
9,473
7,919
351
7,568
1,554
16.4
6,897
16,360
9,498
7,986
335
7,651
1,512
15.9
6,862
16,326
9,559
8,032
350
7,682
1,527
16.0
6,767
16,317
9,497
7,952
344
7,608
1,545
16.3
6,820
16,305
9,365
7,818
325
7,493
1,547
16.5
6,940
16,302
9,346
7,859
381
7,478
1,487
15.9
6,956
141,981
91,082
86,425
4,657
5.1
50,900
142,296
91,147
86,454
4,693
5.1
51,149
142,461
91,242
86,571
4,671
5.1
51,219
142,645
91,579
86,894
4,685
5.1
51,066
142,806 142,951
91,852 91,977
86,895 87,081
4,957
4,896
5.4
5.3
50,954 50,975
143,115
91,821
86,822
4,999
5.4
51,294
20,032
12,404
11,063
1,341
10.8
7,264
20,079
12,512
11,076
1,436
11.5
7,567
20,128
12,391
11,044
1,347
10.9
7,737
20,163
12,432
11,024
1,408
11.3
7,731
TOTAL
Total nonlnstitutional population1 ........................
Total labor force ...................................
Civilian noninstitutional population1 ....................
Civilian labor force .............................
Employed ...................................
Agriculture ...........................
Nonagricultural industries .......
Unemployed ...............................
Unemployment rate ......................
Not in labor force ...............................
Men, 20 years and over
Civilian noninstitutional population1 ....................
Civilian labor force ..................................
Employed ........................................
Agriculture .................................
Nonagricultural industries ..............
Unemployed ....................................
Unemployment rate ...........................
Not in labor force ....................................
Women, 20 years and over
Civilian noninstitutional population1 ....................
Civilian labor force ..................................
Employed ........................................
Agriculture .................................
Nonagricultural industries ..............
Unemployed ....................................
Unemployment rate ......................
Not in labor force ....................................
Both sexes, 16 -1 9 years
Civilian noninstitutional population1 ....................
Civilian labor force ..................................
Employed ........................................
Agriculture .................................
Nonagricultural industries ..............
Unemployed ....................................
Unemployment rate ...........................
Not in labor force ....................................
White
Civilian noninstitutional population1 ....................
Civilian labor force ..................................
Employed ........................................
Unemployed ....................................
Unemployment rate ...........................
Not in labor force ....................................
Black and other
Civilian noninstitutional population1 ....................
Civilian labor force ...................................
Employed ........................................
Unemployed ....................................
Unemployment rate ...........................
Not in labor force ....................................
1As in table 1, population figures are not seasonally adjusted.
NOTE: The monthly data in this table have been revised to reflect seasonal experience through 1979.
68
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20,214
12,453
10,979
1,474
11.8
7,761
20,261
12,362
10,937
1,424
11.5
7,899
20,301
12,266
10,823
1,443
11.8
8,035
3.
Selected employment indicators, seasonally adjusted
[In thousands]
Annual average
1979
1980
Selected categories
1978
1979
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
94,373
55,491
38,882
38,688
21,881
96,945
56,499
40,446
39,090
22,724
96,623
56,449
40,174
39,193
22,605
96,254
56,294
39,960
38,910
22,376
96,495
56,372
40,123
39,045
22,547
96,652
56,477
40,175
39,079
22,664
97,184
56,570
40,614
39,176
22,908
97,004
56,408
40,596
39,180
22,869
97,504
56,714
40,790
39,198
22,937
97,474
56,629
40,845
39,124
22,919
97,608
56,580
41,028
38,845
22,940
97,912
56,734
41,178
38,924
23,027
97,804
56,486
41,318
38,749
23,111
97,953
56,732
41,221
38,955
23,178
97,656
56,601
41,051
38,745
23,202
47,205
14,245
49,342
15,050
48,996
15,012
49,061
15,091
49,136
15,100
49,192
15,010
49,536
15,057
49,663
15,068
49,816
15,141
49,738
15,057
49,912
15,131
49,911
15,272
50,313
15,337
50,448
15,444
50,302
15,397
10,105
5,951
16,904
31,531
12,386
10,875
3,541
4,729
12,839
2,798
10,516
6,163
17,613
32,066
12,880
10,909
3,612
4,665
12,834
2,703
10,392
6,055
17,537
32,041
12,792
10,991
3,569
4,689
12,847
2,774
10,398
6,084
17,488
31,705
12,703
10,770
3,564
4,668
12,907
2,659
10,427
6,101
17,508
31,904
12,820
10,755
3,644
4,685
12,772
2,628
10,534
6,103
17,545
31,992
12,944
10,804
3,605
4,639
12,805
2,679
10,612
6,163
17,704
32,051
12,876
10,884
3,627
4,664
12,766
2,678
10,698
6,145
17,752
31,849
12,761
10,909
3,604
4,575
12,621
2,707
10,659
6,181
17,835
32,209
12,993
10,964
3,617
4,635
12,859
2,722
10,639
6,261
17,781
32,205
13,001
10,967
3,593
4,644
12,937
2,695
10,617
6,362
17,802
32,110
12,925
10,963
3,628
4,594
12,899
2,718
10,535
6,346
17,758
32,302
13,041
11,042
3,635
4,584
12,970
2,694
10,608
6,452
17,915
31,882
12,814
10,678
3,616
4,774
12,979
2,660
10,971
6,185
17,848
31,754
12,728
10,661
3,571
4,795
13,080
2,764
10,755
6,113
18,037
31,670
12,767
10,579
3,558
4,767
12,981
2,733
1,419
1,607
316
1,413
1,580
304
1,415
1,583
314
1,379
1,553
291
1,424
1,519
283
1,423
1,539
291
1,419
1,558
291
1,384
1,614
310
1,399
1,642
325
1,381
1,602
313
1,475
1,622
310
1,451
1,596
310
1,428
1,554
293
1,417
1,648
283
1,449
1,600
300
84,253
15,289
68,966
1,363
67,603
6,305
472
86,540
15,369
71,171
1,240
69,931
6,652
455
86,439
15,281
71,158
1,262
69,896
6,542
446
86,105
15,359
70,746
1,172
69,574
6,463
465
86,232
15,616
70,616
1,195
69,421
6,608
460
86,309
15,318
70,991
1,235
69,756
6,629
474
86,454
15,393
71,061
1,219
69,842
6,752
519
86,421
15,279
71,142
1,211
69,931
6,689
450
86,912
15,407
71,505
1,313
70,192
6,731
449
86,982
15,423
71,559
1,261
70,298
6,812
430
87,020
15,358
71,662
1,211
70,451
6,781
417
87,384
15,397
71,987
1,228
70,759
6,737
409
87,578
15,414
72,163
1,132
71,031
6,752
379
87,419
15,540
71,879
1,178
70,702
6,899
397
87,221
15,622
71,599
1,115
70,484
6,825
376
85,693
70,543
3,216
1,249
1,967
11,934
88,133
72,647
3,281
1,325
1,956
12,205
87,847
72,529
3,211
1,254
1,957
12,107
86,608
71,659
3,279
1,287
1,992
11,670
87,785
72,496
3,283
1,273
2,010
12,006
87,749
72,243
3,284
1,322
1,962
12,222
88,769
72,915
3,274
1,334
1,940
12,580
88,855
73,053
3,298
1,401
1,897
12,504
88,723
73,159
3,167
1,273
1,894
12,397
88,638
73,204
3,315
1,354
1,961
12,119
88,617
72,997
3,392
1,413
1,979
12,228
89,180
73,137
3,519
1,491
2,028
12,524
89,454
73,223
3,513
1,549
1,964
12,718
88,985
73,110
3,406
1,380
2,026
12,469
88,585
72,749
3,418
1,463
1,955
12,418
CHARACTERISTIC
Total employed, 16 years and over ....................
Men ......................................................
Women...................................................
Married men, spouse present ......................
Married women, spouse present..................
OCCUPATION
White-collar workers........................................
Professional and technical .........................
Managers and administrators, except
farm ...................................................
Salesworkers............................................
Clerical workers........................................
Blue-collar workers..........................................
Craft and kindred workers .........................
Operatives, except transport........................
Transport equipment operatives ..................
Nonfarm laborers......................................
Service workers.............................................
Farmworkers .................................................
MAJOR INDUSTRY AND CLASS
OF WORKER
Agriculture:
Wage and salary workers...........................
Self-employed workers...............................
Unpaid family workers ...............................
Nonagricultural Industries:
Wage and salary workers...........................
Government ......................................
Private industries.................................
Private households ........................
Other industries ...........................
Self-employed workers...............................
Unpaid family workers ...............................
PERSONS AT W O R K 1
Nonagricultural industries .................................
Full-time schedules ..................................
Part time for economic reasons....................
Usually work full time....... ....................
Usually work part time.........................
Part time for noneconomic reasons..............
'Excludes persons "with a job but not at work" during the survey period for such reasons as
vacation, illness, or industrial disputes.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
NOTE: The monthly data In this table have been revised to reflect seasonal experience through 1979.
69
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Household Data
4.
Selected unemployment indicators, seasonally adjusted
[Unemployment rates]
1979
Annual average
1980
Selected categories
1978
1979
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Total, 16 years and over..................................
Men, 20 years and over.............................
Women, 20 years and over ........................
Both sexes, 16-19 years .........................
6.0
4.2
6.0
16.3
5.8
4.1
5.7
16.1
5.7
4.0
5.7
15.7
5.8
4.0
5.7
16.3
5.8
3.9
5.7
16.5
5.7
4.0
5.7
15.4
5.7
4.1
5.5
15.8
5.9
4.2
5.9
16.6
5.8
4.2
5.5
16.2
5.9
4.2
5.7
16.4
5.8
4.3
5.6
15.9
5.9
4.2
5.7
16.0
6.2
4.7
5.8
16.3
6.0
4.6
5.7
16.5
6.2
4.9
5.7
15.9
White, total.............................................
Men, 20 years and over ......................
Women, 20 years and over..................
Both sexes, 16-19 years ....................
5.2
3.7
5.2
13.9
5.1
3.6
5.0
13.9
5.0
3.4
5.0
13.6
5.0
3.5
5.0
13.9
5.0
3.4
5.0
14.2
4.9
3.5
4.9
13.2
5.0
3.6
4.8
13.8
5.3
3.7
5.2
14.8
5.1
3.7
4.8
14.3
5.1
3.7
5.0
14.1
5.1
. 3.7
4.9
13.9
5.1
3.7
5.0
13.9
5.4
4.1
5.1
14.0
5.3
4.0
5.2
13.8
5.4
4.4
4.9
13.8
Black and other, total.................................
Men, 20 years and over ......................
Women, 20 years and over ..................
Both sexes, 16-19 years ....................
11.9
8.6
10.6
36.3
11.3
8.4
10.1
33.5
11.3
8.7
10.0
31.5
11.7
8.6
10.5
34.3
11.5
8.4
10.0
36.1
11.2
8.1
10.4
33.5
11.0
8.4
10.0
31.5
11.0
8.1
10.3
32.6
10.8
8.0
9.8
32.3
11.5
8.6
10.2
35.1
10.9
8.4
9.5
32.8
11.3
8.6
10.0
34.3
11.8
9.6
10.0
34.6
11.5
9.2
9.0
37.9
11.8
9.3
10.5
33.0
Married men, spouse present......................
Married women, spouse present..................
Women who head families.........................
Full-time workers......................................
Part-time workers ....................................
Unemployed 15 weeks and over..................
Labor force time lost1 ...............................
2.8
5.5
8.5
5.5
9.0
1.4
6.5
2.7
5.1
8.3
5.3
8.7
1.2
6.3
2.6
5.2
8.2
5.2
9.0
1.3
6.2
2.7
5.2
8.3
5.3
8.7
1.2
6.4
2.5
5.2
8.6
5.2
9.3
1.2
6.3
2.7
5.1
9.0
5.2
8.6
1.1
6.3
2.8
4.9
8.1
5.3
8.3
1.0
6.4
2.9
5.3
7.9
5.4
8.8
1.1
6.4
2.9
4.8
7.7
5.3
8.4
1.1
6.2
2.9
5.2
8.4
5.4
8.9
1.2
6.4
2.9
4.8
8.4
5.4
8.3
1.1
6.4
2.8
5.0
8.4
5.4
8.5
1.2
6.4
3.4
5.2
9.2
5.7
8.7
1.3
6.7
3.1
5.4
8.5
5.6
8.9
1.2
6.6
3.4
5.3
8.7
5.8
8.3
1.3
6.8
3.5
2.6
3.3
2.4
3.3
2.2
3.3
2.3
3.2
2.1
3.4
2.5
3.3
2.5
3.5
2.5
3.3
2.4
3.4
2.7
3.2
2.4
3.3
2.3
3.4
2.2
3.4
2.3
3.3
2.3
2.1
4.1
4.9
6.9
4.6
8.1
5.2
10.7
7.4
3.8
2.1
3.9
4.6
6.9
4.5
8.4
5.4
10.8
7.1
3.8
2.1
4.1
4.8
6.6
4.5
7.8
5.2
10.2
7.3
3.3
2.3
4.0
4.5
6.9
4.4
8.5
5.9
10.6
7.3
3.4
2.2
4.0
4.5
6.8
4.2
8.2
5.4
11.1
7.2
3.6
2.1
4.4
4.6
6.6
4.3
7.7
5.7
10.6
7.2
3.2
2.0
3.5
4.5
6.8
4.4
8.3
5.1
11.0
7.1
4.2
2.3
4.0
4.9
7.3
4.7
8.9
6.2
11.3
7.1
3.9
2.2
3.8
4.5
7.1
4.3
9.0
6.1
11.0
6.7
4.1
2.2
3.8
4.7
7.2
4.6
9.1
5.6
10.7
6.8
4.3
1.9
3.7
4.4
7.5
4.9
9.0
5.2
12.2
6.6
4.5
2.0
3.8
4.6
7.2
4.4
9.0
5.0
12.2
6.6
4.3
1.9
4.4
4.8
8.0
4.9
9.9
6.9
123
6.9
4.4
2.2
4.5
4.7
7.7
4.8
9.2
6.7
12.0
6.9
3.9
2.4
4.0
4.5
8.0
5.4
9.3
6.6
130
7.1
4.0
5.9
10.6
5.5
4.9
6.3
3.7
6.9
5.1
3.9
8.8
5.7
10.2
5.5
5.0
6.4
3.7
6.5
4.9
3.7
9.1
5.6
10.1
5.2
4.4
6.4
3.9
6.3
4.8
4.1
8.0
5.7
10.5
5.3
4.7
6.3
3.0
6.6
4.8
3.7
8.7
5.7
10.0
5.4
4.4
6.9
3.6
6.4
4.9
3.6
9.3
5.6
10.0
5.4
4.9
6.3
3.1
6.7
4.7
3.6
7.8
5.7
10.0
5.7
5.4
6.2
3.8
6.3
4.9
3.6
9.7
6.0
10.1
5.9
5.4
6.8
3.7
6.5
5.2
3.7
9.9
5.8
9.6
6.0
5.3
7.1
4.0
6.4
4.7
3.3
10.0
5.9
9.9
6.0
5.5
6.8
3.8
6.4
4.9
4.0
9.9
5.8
10.2
5.9
5.6
6.3
4.2
6.5
4.6
3.6
10.1
5.8
10.3
5.9
5.5
6.4
4.1
6.4
4.7
3.6
9.4
6.2
10.8
6.7
6.7
6.8
4.4
6.6
4.6
3.8
10.3
6.0
10.5
6.4
6.3
6.7
4.4
6.4
4.6
4.0
9.2
6.2
13.0
6.5
6.4
6.7
3.8
6.3
4.9
4.2
10.2
CHARACTERISTIC
OCCUPATION
White-collar workers ......................................
Professional and technical ......................
Managers and administrators, except
farm ...................................................
Salesworkers ..........................................
Clerical workers ......................................
Blue-collar workers ........................................
Craft and kindred workers .........................
Operatives, except transport ......................
Transport equipment operatives ..................
Nonfarm laborers ....................................
Service workers.............................................
Farmworkers.................................................
INDUSTRY
Nonagricultural private wage and salary workers2
Construction ............................................
Manufacturing..........................................
Durable goods ..................................
Nondurable goods...............................
Transportation and public utilities ................
Wholesale and retail trade.........................
Finance and service industries ....................
Government workers ......................................
Agricultural wage and salary workers ................
' Aggregate hours lost by the unemployed and persons on part time for economic reasons as a
percent of potentially available labor force hours.
2Includes mining, not shown separately.
70
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
NOTE: The monthly data in this table have been revised to reflect seasonal experience through
1979.
5.
Unemployment rates, by sex and age, seasonally adjusted
Annual average
1979
Sex and age
1980
1978
1979
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept
O ct
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Total, 16 years and over...................................
16 to 19 years ........................................
16 to 17 years ...................................
18 to 19 years ...................................
20 to 24 years ........................................
25 years and over....................................
25 to 54 years ...................................
55 years and over...............................
6.0
16.3
19.3
14.2
9.5
4.0
4.2
3.2
5.8
16.1
18.1
14.6
9.0
3.9
4.1
3.0
5.7
15.7
18.5
13.5
8.8
3.9
4.1
3.1
5.8
16.3
18.7
14.3
8.6
4.0
4.2
3.1
5.8
16.5
18.9
15.0
8.9
3.9
4.0
3.1
5.7
15.4
17.5
14.4
8.9
3.9
4.1
2.9
5.7
15.8
17.3
14.5
9.1
3.9
4.0
3.2
5.9
16.6
18.5
15.4
9.3
4.0
4.2
3.1
5.8
16.2
16.9
15.6
9.2
3.9
4.1
2.9
5.9
16.4
18.4
15.0
9.6
4.0
4.2
3.0
5.8
15.9
17.3
14.7
8.8
4.0
4.3
2.7
5.9
16.0
18.0
14.5
9.8
3.8
4.1
2.7
6.2
16.3
19.0
14.0
10.1
4.2
4.4
3.5
6.0
16.5
18.7
15.1
9.5
4.1
4.5
2.8
6.2
15.9
17.4
14.7
9.7
4.4
4.7
2.8
Men, 16 years and over.............................
16 to 19 years ...................................
16 to 17 years.............................
18 to 19 years.............................
20 to 24 years ...................................
25 years and over...............................
25 to 54 years.............................
55 years and over ........................
5.2
15.7
19.2
13.2
9.1
3.3
3.4
3.1
5.1
15.8
17.9
14.2
8.6
3.3
3.4
2.9
5.0
15.8
18.9
13.6
8.3
3.2
3.3
2.8
5.1
16.0
17.9
14.1
8.0
3.3
3.3
3.0
5.0
16.1
18.9
14.0
8.2
3.1
3.2
2.8
4.9
14.5
16.8
14.0
8.3
3.2
3.2
3.1
5.1
15.4
16.1
14.8
8.8
3.3
3.4
3.3
5.2
16.3
18.0
15.1
8.8
3.4
3.5
3.1
5.2
16.1
16.7
15.3
8.8
3.3
3.6
2.8
5.2
15.7
17.1
14.4
9.5
3.4
3.5
2.8
5.2
15.8
17.8
14.0
8.4
3.5
3.8
2.6
5.2
15.6
17.9
13.6
9.4
3.2
3.4
2.6
5.7
16.2
19.0
13.9
10.4
3.7
3.8
3.5
5.5
15.6
18.0
14.1
9.9
3.6
3.8
2.6
5.7
14.8
15.9
14.0
10.4
3.9
4.2
2.7
Women, 16 years and over ........................
16 to 19 years ...................................
16 to 17 years.............................
18 to 19 years.............................
20 to 24 years ...................................
25 years and over...............................
25 to 54 years.............................
55 years and over ........................
7.2
17.0
19.5
15.3
10.1
5.1
5.4
3.3
6.8
16.4
18.3
15.0
9.6
4.8
5.2
3.2
6.8
15.5
18.0
13.3
9.5
4.9
5.3
3.6
6.9
16.6
19.6
14.5
9.4
4.9
5.3
3.2
6.9
16.9
18.8
16.0
9.7
4.9
5.2
3.6
6.8
16.5
18.3
14.9
9.7
4.8
5.2
2.8
6.6
16.2
18.6
14.2
9.4
4.7
5.0
3.1
7.0
17.0
19.0
15.7
9.8
4.9
5.3
3.2
6.6
16.4
17.2
15.9
9.6
4.6
5.0
2.9
6.9
17.2
19.8
15.6
9.7
4.9
5.2
3.4
6.6
16.1
16.7
15.5
9.3
4.7
5.0
2.9
6.8
16.4
18.0
15.5
10.2
4.7
5.1
2.9
6.8
16.3
19.1
14.2
9.8
4.9
5.2
3.4
6.8
17.6
19.5
16.2
9.1
4.9
5.4
3.0
6.8
17.3
19.2
15.6
9.0
5.0
5.5
2.9
6.
Unemployed persons, by reason for unemployment, seasonally adjusted
[Numbers in thousands]
1979
Reason for unemployment
1980
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
S ep t
O ct
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
2,457
791
1,666
864
1,766
808
2,520
839
1,681
847
1,778
800
2,356
725
1,631
940
1,767
824
2,449
816
1,633
857
1,753
781
2,526
797
1,729
846
1,762
726
2,680
915
1,765
875
1,788
745
2,632
855
1,777
825
1,760
801
2,731
929
1,802
835
, 1,762
804
2,729
987
1,742
845
1,698
736
2,728
944
1,784
800
1,771
858
2,988
1,019
1,969
779
1,797
811
2,907
1,031
1,876
813
1,784
827
3,047
1,129
1,918
788
1,803
805
100.0
41.7
13.4
28.3
14.7
30.0
13.7
100 0
42.4
14.1
28.3
14.2
29.9
13.5
100.0
40.0
12.3
27.7
16.0
30.0
14.0
100.0
41.9
14.0
28.0
14.7
30.0
13.4
100.0
43.1
13.6
29.5
14.4
30.1
12.4
100.0
44.0
15.0
29.0
14.4
29.4
12.2
100.0
43.7
14.2
29.5
13.7
29.2
13.3
100.0
44.5
15.2
29.4
13.6
28.7
13.1
100.0
45.4
16.4
29.0
14.1
28.3
12.3
100.0
44.3
15.3
29.0
13.0
28.8
13.9
100.0
46.9
16.0
30.9
12.2
28.2
12.7
100.0
45.9
16.3
29.6
12.8
28.2
13.1
100.0
47.3
17.5
29.8
12.2
28.0
12.5
2.4
.8
1.7
.8
2.5
.8
1.7
.8
2.3
.9
1.7
.8
2.4
.8
1.7
.8
2.5
.8
1.7
.7
2.6
.8
1.7
.7
2.5
.8
1.7
.8
2.6
.8
1.7
.8
2.6
.8
1.6
.7
2.6
.8
1.7
.8
2.9
.7
1.7
.8
2.8
.8
1.7
.8
2.9
.8
1.7
.8
NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED
Lost last job ..........................................................
On layoff ..........................................
Other job losers ...................................................
Left ast jo b .......................................................
Reentered labor force ...............................
Seeking first job ....................................
PERCENT DISTRIBUTION
Total unemployed .........................
Job losers...................................
On layoff ...................................................
Other job losers ....................................
Job leavers..........................................
Reentrants ...............................
New entrants..................................
UNEMPLOYED AS A PERCENT OF
THE CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE
Job losers............................................
Job leavers.......................................................
Reentrants .....................................................
New entrants.....................................................
7.
Duration of unemployment, seasonally adjusted
[Numbers in thousands]
Annual average
1979
W eeks of unemployment
Less than 5 weeks..........................................
5 to 14 weeks............................................
15 weeks and over ........................................
15 to 26 weeks........................................
27 weeks and over ..................................
Average (mean) duration, in weeks ....................
1978
1979
2,793
1,875
1,379
746
633
11.9
2,869
1,892
1,202
684
518
10.8
1980
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
S ep t
O ct
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
2,769
1,860
1,291
729
562
11.8
2,876
1,884
1,223
687
536
11.0
2,823
1,919
1,212
705
507
10.9
2,880
1,808
1,152
656
496
10.5
2,820
1,934
1,067
615
452
10.1
3,168
1,738
1,185
658
527
10.7
2,778
2,035
1,152
644
508
10.7
2,955
1,963
1,195
678
517
10.5
2,919
1,869
1,191
660
531
10.6
2,916
1,966
1,230
711
519
10.5
3,184
1,907
1,334
795
539
10.5
2,995
2,081
1,286
790
496
10.7
2,995
2,169
1,363
776
587
11.0
NOTE: The monthly data in these tables have been revised to reflect seasonal experience through 1979.
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71
EMPLOYMENT, HOURS, AND EARNINGS DATA FROM ESTABLISHMENT SURVEYS
E m p l o y m e n t , h o u r s , a n d e a r n i n g s d a t a in this section are
compiled from payroll records reported monthly on a volun
tary basis to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and its cooperat
ing State agencies by 162,000 establishments representing all
industries except agriculture. In most industries, the sampling
probabilities are based on the size of the establishment; most
large establishments are therefore in the sample. (An estab
lishment is not necessarily a firm; it may be a branch plant,
for example, or warehouse.) Self-employed persons and others
not on a regular civilian payroll are outside the scope of the
survey because they are excluded from establishment records.
This largely accounts for the difference in employment figures
between the household and establishment surveys.
L a b o r t u r n o v e r d a t a in this section are compiled from per
sonnel records reported monthly on a voluntary basis to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics and its cooperating State agencies.
A sample of 40,000 establishments represents all industries in
the manufacturing and mining sectors of the economy.
Bureau of Labor Statistics computes spendable earnings from gross
weekly earnings for only two illustrative cases: (1) a worker with no
dependents and (2) a married worker with three dependents.
Hours represent the average weekly hours of production or
nonsupervisory workers for which pay was received and are different
from standard or scheduled hours. Overtime hours represent the por
tion of gross average weekly hours which were in excess of regular
hours and for which overtime premiums were paid.
Labor turnover is the movement of all wage and salary workers
from one employment status to another. Accession rates indicate the
average number of persons added to a payroll in a given period per
100 employees; separation rates indicate the average number dropped
from a payroll per 100 employees. Although month-to-month changes
in employment can be calculated from the labor turnover data, the re
sults are not comparable with employment data from the employment
and payroll survey. The labor turnover survey measures changes dur
ing the calendar month while the employment and payroll survey
measures changes from midmonth to midmonth.
Notes on the data
Definitions
Employed persons are all persons who received pay (including holi
day and sick pay) for any part of the payroll period including the
12th of the month. Persons holding more than one job (about 5 per
cent of all persons in the labor force) are counted in each establish
ment which reports them.
Production workers in manufacturing include blue-collar worker
supervisors and all nonsupervisory workers closely associated with
production operations. Those workers mentioned in tables 14-20 in
clude production workers in manufacturing and mining; construction
workers in construction; and nonsupervisory workers in transporta
tion and public utilities, in wholesale and retail trade, in finance, in
surance, and real estate, and in service industries. These groups
account for about four-fifths of the total employment on private
nonagricultural payrolls.
Earnings are the payments production or nonsupervisory workers
receive during the survey period, including premium pay for overtime
or late-shift work but excluding irregular bonuses and other special
payments. Real earnings are earnings adjusted to eliminate the effects
of price change. The Hourly Earnings Index is calculated from aver
age hourly earnings data adjusted to exclude the effects of two types
of changes that are unrelated to underlying wage-rate developments:
fluctuations in overtime premiums in manufacturing (the only sector
for which overtime data are available) and the effects of changes and
seasonal factors in the proportion of workers in high-wage and lowwage industries. Spendable earnings are earnings from which estimat
ed social security and Federal income taxes have been deducted. The
72
«
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Establishment data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics are
periodically adjusted to comprehensive counts of employment (called
“benchmarks”). The latest complete adjustment was made with the re
lease of September 1979 data, published in the November 1979 issue of
the Review. Consequently, data published in the Review prior to that
issue are not necessarily comparable to current data. Complete compa
rable historical unadjusted and seasonally adjusted data are published
in a Supplement to Employment and Earnings (unadjusted data from
April 1977 through June 1979 and seasonally adjusted data from Jan
uary 1974 through June 1979) and in Employment and Earnings, Unit
ed States, 1909-78, BLS Bulletin 1312-11 (for prior periods).
Data on recalls were shown for the first time in tables 12 and 13 in
the January 1978 issue of the Review. For a detailed discussion of the
recalls series, along with historical data, see “New Series on Recalls
from the Labor Turnover Survey,” Employment and Earnings, Decem
ber 1977, pp. 10-19.
A comprehensive discussion of the differences between household
and establishment data on employment appears in Gloria P. Green,
“Comparing employment estimates from household and payroll sur
veys,” Monthly Labor Review, December 1969, pp. 9-2 0 . See also
BLS Handbook of Methods for Surveys and Studies, Bulletin 1910 (Bu
reau of Labor Statistics, 1976).
The formulas used to construct the spendable average weekly earn
ings series reflect the latest provisions of the Federal income tax and
social security tax laws. For the spendable average weekly earnings
formulas for the years 1978-80, see Employment and Earnings,
March 1980, pp. 10-11. Real earnings data are adjusted using the
Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
(CPI-W).
8.
Employment by industry, 1950-79
[Nonagricultural payroll data, in thousands]
Total
Mining
Construc
tion
Manufac
turing
Trans
Whole
portation
sale
and
and
public
retail
utilities
trade
Retail
trade
trade
45,197
901
2,364
15,241
4,034
9,386
2,635
6,751
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
47,819
48,793
50,202
48,990
50,641
929
898
866
791
792
2,637
2,659
2,646
2,839
16,393
16,632
17,549
16,314
16,882
4,226
4,248
4,290
4,084
4,141
9,742
10,004
10,247
10,235
10,535
2,727
2,812
2,854
2,867
2,926
7,015
7,192
7,393
7.368
7,610
1956
1957
1958
1959'
1960
52,369
52,853
51,324
53,268
54,189
822
828
751
732
712
3,039
2,962
2,817
3,004
2,926
17,243
17,174
15,945
16,675
16,796
4,244
4,241
3,976
4,011
4,004
10,858
10,750
11,127
11,391
3,018
3,028
2,980
3,082
3,143
7,840
7,858
7,770
8,045
8,248
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965 .
53,999
55,549
56,653
58,283
60,765
672
650
635
634
632
2,859
2,948
3,010
3.097
3,232
16,326
16,853
16,995
17,274
18,062
3.903
3,906
3.903
3,951
4,036
11,337
11,566
11,778
12,160
12,716
3,133
3,198
3,248
3,337
3,466
8,204
8.368
8,530
8,823
9,250
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
.
.
63,901
65,803
67,897
70,384
70,880
627
613
606
619
623
3,317
3,248
3,350
3.575
3,588
19,214
19,447
19,781
20,167
19,367
4,158
4,268
4,318
4,442
4,515
13,245
13.606
14,099
14,705
15,040
3,597
3,689
3,779
3,907
3,993
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
.
.
.
.
.
71,214
73,675
76,790
78,265
76,945
609
628
642
697
752
3,704
3,889
4.097
4,020
3,525
18,623
19,151
20,154
20,077
18,323
4,476
4.541
4,656
4,725
4.542
15,352
15,949
16.607
16,987
17,060
1976
1977
1978
1979
.
.
.
.
79,382
82,423
86,446
89,482
779
813
851
957
3.576
3,851
4,271
4,644
18,997
19,682
20,476
20,972
4,582
4,713
4,927
5,154
17,755
18,516
19,499
20,137
.
.
10,886
insur
ance,
Services
Federal
and real
estate
1950
2,668
Government
Finance,
Wholesale
State
and local
1,888
5,357
6,026
1,928
4,098
1,956
2,035
2,298
5,547
5,699
5,835
5,969
6,240
6,389
6,609
6,645
6,751
6,914
2,302
2,420
2,305
2,188
2,187
4,087
4,188
4,340
4,563
4,727
2,389
2,438
2,481
2,549
2,629
6.497
6,708
6,765
7,087
7,378
7,278
7,616
7,839
8,083
8,353
2,209
2,217
2,191
2,233
2,270
5,069
5,399
5,648
5,850
6,083
2,688
2,754
2,830
2,911
2,977
7,620
7,982
8,277
8,660
9,036
8,594
8,890
9,225
9,596
10,074
2,279
2,340
2,358
2,348
2,378
6,868
9,648
9,917
10,320
10,798
11,047
3,058
3,185
3,337
3,512
3,645
9.498
10,045
10,567
11,169
11,548
10,784
11,391
11,839
12,195
12,554
2,564
2,719
2,737
2,758
2,731
8,220
4,001
4,113
4,277
4,433
4,415
11,351
11,836
12,329
12,554
12,645
3,772
3,908
4,046
4,148
4,165
11,797
12,276
12,857
13,441
13,892
12,881
13,334
13,732
14,170
14,686
2,696
2,684
2,663
2,724
2,748
10,185
10,649
11,068
11,446
11,937
4,546
4,708
4,957
5,170
13,209
13,808
14,542
14,966
4,271
4,467
4,727
4,963
14,551
15,303
16,220
17,043
14,871
15,079
15,476
15,612
2,733
2,727
2,753
2,773
12,138
12,352
12,723
12,839
2,111
2,200
6,315
6,550
7,248
7,696
8,672
9,102
9,437
9,823
'Data include Alaska and Hawaii beginning in 1959.
9.
Employment by State
[Nonagricultural payroll data, in thousands]
Feb. 1979
Jan. 1980
Feb. 1980 p
Alabama ...........
Alaska ..............
Arizona ............
Arkansas ...........
California...........
1.339.9
155.1
957.8
727.0
9.412.2
1.362.2
158 0
995.2
744.9
9.726.2
1,366.3
159.5
1,001.7
746.2
9,728.2
Montana.............................
Nebraska................................
Nevada .............................
New Hampshire' ....................
New Jersey' ....................
Colorado ...........
Connecticut' .......
Delaware............
District of Columbia
Florida................
1.178.9
1.363.2
247.0
602.5
3.339.2
1.232.7
1.401.2
252.4
611.5
3,4989
1,237.1
1,397.7
255.3
611.9
3,525.7
New Mexico........................
New York.......................
North Carolina ......................
North Dakota .......................
Ohio ...............................
Georgia..............
Hawaii................
Idaho..................
Illinois ................
Indiana................
2.080.2
392.2
324.4
4,859.3
2.206.9
2,123.4
403.5
331.4
4.674.8
2.207.8
2,132.4
407.6
329.1
4,684.7
2,195.4
Iowa ..................
Kansas ..............
Kentucky.............
Louisiana.............
Maine ................
1.101.5
920.1
1.207.8
1,476.2
397.5
1,118.6
947.7
1.229.8
1.511.8
406.7
Maryland............
Massachusetts1 ...
Michigan .............
Minnesota1 .........
Mississippi ...........
Missouri..............
1.572.8
2,525.7
3.620.6
1,702.1
820.3
1,942.0
1.599.2
2.609.3
3,506.1
1,762.0
835.9
1.961.4
State
Feb. 1979
268.5
606.6
365.1
Jan. 1980
Feb. 1980
2,940.6
277.8
616.9
388.6
375.0
3,002.0
2,995,4
445.9
7,010.5
2,326.4
230.4
4,391.6
462.9
7,086.8
2,395.2
240.2
4,413.1
466.2
7,104.3
2,391.1
239,4
4,402.6
Oklahoma ...........................
Oregon ......................................
Pennsylvania .............................
Rhode Island ..................................
South Carolina .........................
1,049.8
1,011.7
4,694.5
391.0
1,149.1
1,104.3
1,042.7
4,779.1
391.7
1,184.1
1,107.6
1,047.9
4,752.2
390.5
1,186.8
1,117.7
943.2
1,216.8
1,508.3
407.7
South Dakota.............................
Tennessee.............. ..............
Texas ......................................
Utah .................................
Vermont...............................
230.1
1,734.7
5,447.5
532.8
192.7
234.0
1,777.6
5,711.1
560.7
199.2
234.1
1,775.9
5,711.2
563.0
200.9
1,600.4
2,614.3
3,495.5
1,766.2
835.2
1,959.7
Virginia....................................
Washington' ..................................
West Virginia .............................
Wisconsin...........................
Wyoming ....................................
2,028.7
2,097.2
1,589.0
633.6
1,950.3
206.9
2,086.4
621.3
1,892.1
187.2
276.8
617.7
391.1
629.3
1,956.6
208.1
' Revised series; not strictly comparable with previously published data.
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73
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Establishment Data
10.
Employment by industry division and major manufacturing group
[Nonagricultural payroll data, in thousands]
1980
1979
Annual average
Industry division and group
1978
1979
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
S ep t
O ct
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb."
M ar.p
...................................................................
86,446
89,482
88,207
88,820
89,671
90,541
89,618
89,673
90,211
90,678
90,902
91,009
89,285
89,346
89,774
........................................................................
851
957
926
932
944
968
976
986
980
982
984
984
982
977
991
4,976
4,879
4,711
4,350
4,260
4,301
TOTAL
MINING
.......................................................
4,271
4,644
4,226
4,413
4,662
4,881
4,993
5,048
4,984
MANUFACTURING .....................................................
20,476
14,714
20,972
15,010
20,887
14,993
20,907
15,002
20,988
15,061
21,234
15,240
20,965
14,946
20,996
14,960
21,192
15,172
21,094
15,082
20,966
14,954
20,902
14,891
20,699
14,674
20,645
14,608
20,667
14,641
Production workers ..................................
12,246
8,786
12,690
9,053
12,664
9,081
12,697
9,105
12,739
9,129
12,877
9,223
12,712
9,031
12,598
8,907
12,805
9,116
12,737
9,058
12,661
8,983
12,649
8,971
12,525
8,825
12,515
8,808
12,532
8,827
Lumber and wood products ........................
Furniture and fixtures.................................
Stone, clay, and glass products ..................
Primary metal industries.............................
Fabricated metal products .........................
Machinery, except electrical.......................
Electric and electronic equipment ................
Transportation equipment...........................
Instruments and related products ................
Miscellaneous manufacturing ......................
752.4
491.1
698.0
1,212.7
1,673.4
2,319.2
1,999.5
1,991.7
653.5
454.0
758.4
487.3
710.8
1,243.9
1,727.2
2,462.5
2,108.7
2,048.3
690.4
452.4
745.5
491.8
697.2
1,251.1
1,719.8
2,459.5
2,082.6
2,083.9
683.2
449.0
748.8
487.8
706.6
1,259.0
1,723.7
2,468.0
2,086.1
2,082.2
686.5
448.0
763.8
483.9
718.6
1,258.6
1,727.8
2,463.6
2,095.2
2,091.8
686.5
448.9
783.2
484.2
733.1
1,274.3
1,749.0
2,491.2
2,128.2
2,077.9
698.8
457.4
776.8
475.5
727.1
1,260.7
1,715.7
2,485.1
2,111.7
2,027.7
692.9
438.6
780.0
483.5
728.2
1,244.5
1,716.1
2,467.1
2,089.5
1,933.2
695.3
460.6
776.3
485.3
723.6
1,244.3
1,735.3
2,496.4
2,136.1
2,051.0
692.7
463.8
771.3
487.6
721.0
1,225.1
1,738.3
2,447.2
2,143.7
2,040.9
695.4
466.9
748.9
488.7
712.9
1,216.7
1,738.2
2,440.9
2,146.3
2,009.7
695.9
462.8
729.2
4869
699.6
1,204.4
1,730.4
2,455.8
2,153.1
2,043.4
699.8
446.4
709.2
484.4
680.8
1,201.6
1,703.8
2,522.5
2,144,5
1,943.6
698.9
435.9
706.8
480,1
677.7
1,199.1
1,705.9
2,522.8
2,139.2
1,946.0
700.6
437.2
702.7
480.7
681.9
1,196.9
1,708.9
2,526.9
2,139.5
1,947.8
704.6
442.2
Production workers ..................................
8,230
5,928
8,283
5,957
8,223
5,912
8,210
5,897
8,249
5,932
8,357
6,017
8,253
5,915
8,398
6,053
8,387
6,056
8,357
6,024
8,305
5,971
8,253
5,920
8,174
5,849
8,130
5,800
8,135
5,814
Food and kindred products.........................
Tobacco manufactures .............................
Textile mill products..................................
Apparel and other textile products ..............
Paper and allied products .........................
Printing and publishing...............................
Chemicals and allied products ....................
Petroleum and coal products ......................
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products
Leather and leather products ......................
1,721.2
69.6
900.2
1,332.5
700.9
1,193.1
1,096.3
208.7
751.9
255.6
1,716.3
66.2
891.9
1,313.1
714.1
1,242.9
1,112.7
213.8
767.5
243.8
1,666.9
64.4
894.4
1,326.6
708.8
1,229.5
1,103.9
208.3
774.4
245.7
1,657.3
62.5
890.4
1,323.7
710.8
1,231.0
1,106.7
210.8
772.0
245.1
1,669.6
61.9
892.5
1,327.5
712.7
1,234.7
1,110.9
212.9
777.0
249.2
1,716.6
62.1
900.4
1,333.1
724.6
1,243.4
1,126.6
216.8
779.4
253.7
1,737.8
62.1
875.5
1,278.7
719.6
1,245.8
1,123.0
218 0
767.4
224.7
1,810.0
69.0
890.4
1,308.9
723.3
1,245.4
1,121.2
218.3
765.8
245.8
1,814.1
72.2
888.9
1,309.1
718.5
1,246.1
1,114.9
218.1
762.0
243.1
1,766.8
71.9
889.8
1,317.0
717.7
1,254.5
1,115.0
218.1
762.6
243.1
1,725.0
64.8
893.9
1,306.2
715.9
1,265.6
1,115.2
217.2
757.6
243.2
1,695.9
66.7
893.5
1,292.0
714.0
1,272.0
1,115.6
214.9
747.5
240.7
1,650.5
65.1
8874
1,284.4
711.8
1,269.5
1,113.9
213.1
742.2
236.1
1,636.4
63.3
887.7
1,306.8
710.1
1,274.0
1,114.3
162.3
737.4
237.8
1,623.9
60.6
889.9
1,317.3
7101
1,277.4
1,117.1
161.7
738.4
238.1
4,927
5,154
5,060
4,989
5,125
5,231
5,200
5,210
5,242
5,244
5,255
5,254
5,149
5,124
5,140
20,222
20,118
20,137
20,260
20,314
20,580
20,932
20,224
20,050
20,112
CONSTRUCTION
Production workers ..................................
Durable goods
.......................................................
Nondurable goods
................................................
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES
.
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL T R A D E ........................
19,499
20,137
19,690
19,957
20,119
WHOLESALE TRADE ................................................
4,957
5,170
5,098
5,112
5,146
5,211
5,208
5,211
5,206
5,235
5,251
5,234
5,211
5,212
5,226
14,845
14,973
15,011
14,910
14,926
15,054
15,079
15,329
15,698
15,013
14,838
14,886
14,542
14,966
14,592
4,727
4,963
4,870
4,900
4,936
5,003
5,032
5,053
5,002
5,013
5,029
5,041
5,040
5,044
5,060
...................................................................
16,220
17,043
16,749
16,897
17,039
17,239
17,314
17,312
17,225
17,292
17,281
17,270
17,111
17,277
17,456
GOVERNMENT ............................................................
15,476
2,753
12,723
15,612
2,773
12,839
15,799
2,740
13,059
15,825
2,750
13,075
15,858
2,773
13,085
15,763
2,824
12,939
15,020
2,838
12,182
14,931
2,844
12,087
15,326
2,751
12,575
15,763
2,756
13,007
15,928
2,760
13,168
15,915
2,770
13,145
15,730
2,763
12,967
15,969
2,803
13,166
16,047
2,805
13,242
RETAIL T R A D E ............................................................
FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL ESTATE
SERVICES
Federal...................................................
State and local ........................................
74
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11.
Employment by industry division and major manufacturing group, seasonally adjusted
[Nonagricultural payroll data, in thousands]
1979
1980
Industry division and group
Mar.
Apr.
May
89,039
89,036
940
940
.........................................
4,614
M A N U F A C T U R IN G ......................................
TOTAL .........................................
MINING
CONSTRUCTION
Production workers.............................
Durable goods
Production workers....................
Lumber and wood products ..............
Furniture and fixtures.............................
Stone, clay, and glass products ......................
Primary metal industries.................................
Fabricated metal products ................
Machinery, except electrical.........................
Electric and electronic equipment....................
Transportation equipment.......................
Instruments and related products ................
Miscellaneous manufacturing .........................
Nondurable goods
Production workers...........................
Food and kindred products....................
Tobacco manufactures ...........................
Textile mill products....................
Apparel and other textile products ....................
Paper and allied products ......................
Printing and publishing...............................
Chemicals and allied products ......................
Petroleum and coal products.............
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products .............
Leather and leather products ......................
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE
WHOLESALE TRADE
RETAIL TRADE
FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL ESTATE
............
J
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
O ct
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
F eb.p
M ar.p
89,398
89,626
89,713
89,762
89,803
89,982
90,100
90,241
90,652
90,774
90,634
944
949
956
968
973
979
983
991
1,000
1,000
1,006
4,559
4,648
4,662
4,688
4,674
4,671
4,694
4,714
4,783
4,893
4,830
4,695
21,073
15,153
21,066
15,134
21,059
15,112
21,063
15,096
21,079
15,090
20,957
14,956
20,949
14,957
20,899
14,894
20,836
14,829
20,881
14,865
20,890
14,848
20,889
14,821
20,848
14,792
12,751
9,158
12,752
9,146
12,739
9,119
12,760
9,123
12,786
9,124
12,714
9,044
12,737
9,066
12,650
8,972
12,587
8,908
12,615
8,931
12,601
8,894
12,648
8,923
12,616
8,900
769
493
718
1,259
1,732
2,450
2,093
2,094
685
458
761
490
714
1,260
1,732
2,466
2,101
2,084
689
455
762
487
715
1,254
1,730
2,471
2,106
2,077
688
449
757
485
715
1,257
1,737
2,484
2,124
2,057
693
451
753
488
711
1,256
1,730
2,500
2,131
2,073
694
450
752
484
710
1,245
1,714
2,492
2,092
2,079
695
451
758
480
708
1,236
1,716
2,496
2,117
2,086
692
448
760
482
709
1,226
1,723
2,455
2,125
2,025
696
449
751
483
704
1,223
1,726
2,438
2,125
1,994
694
449
740
483
706
1,208
1,725
2,444
2,140
2,019
698
452
737
484
708
1,208
1,712
2,512
2,149
1,938
700
453
736
481
709
1,210
1,723
2,513
2,148
1 976
702
450
724
482
702
1204
1,721
2,517
2,150
1 958
707
451
8,322
5,995
8,314
5,988
8,320
5,993
8,303
5,973
8,293
5,966
8,243
5,912
8,212
5,891
8,249
5,922
8,249
5,921
8,266
5,934
8,289
5,954
8,241
5,898
8,232
5,892
1,736
69
897
1,324
716
1,232
1,108
213
780
247
1,728
69
892
1,325
717
1,234
1,111
213
781
244
1,725
70
893
1,324
714
1,236
1,114
213
784
247
1,720
69
892
1,312
715
1,242
1,119
212
775
247
1,707
68
892
1,324
718
1,250
1,116
212
777
229
1,696
64
886
1,302
717
1,247
1,111
213
764
243
1,691
65
884
1,294
714
1,245
1,110
215
751
243
1,707
65
887
1,299
715
1,252
1,113
217
751
243
1,710
60
889
1,292
714
1,262
1,114
217
749
242
1,715
62
893
1,297
713
1,263
1,119
217
745
242
1,707
64
891
1,309
718
1,273
1,123
219
745
240
1,706
65
890
1,313
717
1278
1,122
167
743
240
1 692
65
893
1 315
717
1 280
1 122
165
744
239
5,116
5,024
5,130
5,190
5,169
5,194
5,180
5,218
5,229
5,223
5,212
5,191
5,197
20,054
20,088
20,129
20,116
20,122
20,126
20,169
20,243
20,308
20,254
20,428
20,530
20,499
5,134
5,138
5,156
5,180
5,182
5,185
5,190
5,209
5,235
5,218
5,248
5,265
5,263
14,920
14,950
14,973
14,936
14,940
14,941
14,979
15,034
15,073
15,036
15,180
15,265
15,236
4,899
4,915
4,936
4,958
4,972
5,003
4,997
5,018
5,039
5,056
5,081
5,085
5,091
SERVICES
16,833
16,880
16,954
17,051
17,092
17,141
17,191
17,257
17,298
17,357
17,442
17,505
17,544
GOVERNMENT
15,510
2,757
12,753
15,564
2,758
12,806
15,598
2,770
12,828
15,637
2,788
12,849
15,635
2,785
12,850
15,699
2,813
12,886
15,673
2,762
12,911
15,674
2,770
12,904
15,693
2,771
12,922
15,696
2,771
12,925
15,706
2,791
12,915
15,744
2,823
12,921
15,754
2,822
12,932
Federal...............................
State and local ................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
75
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Establishment Data
12.
Labor turnover rates in manufacturing, 1977 to date
[Per 100 employees)
Year
Annual
average
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
3.7
3.8
4.0
3.8
3.7
3.2
3.4
” 3.2
4.0
3.8
3.8
3.8
4.0
3.9
4.6
4.7
4.7
2.7
2.9
2.9
3.5
3.6
3.6
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
4.3
4.4
4.3
5.3
5.4
4.9
4.6
4.9
4.4
3.9
4.3
4.1
3.1
3.3
2.9
2.4
2.4
2.2
3.0
3.3
3.1
4.0
4.2
3.7
3.5
3.9
3.4
3.0
3.5
3.1
2.2
2.6
2.2
1.6
1.7
1.5
.9
.8
.9
1.0
.9
.9
.8
.7
.8
.6
.6
.7
.6
.5
.5
.6
.5
.5
4.3
4.1
4.3
5.1
5.3
5.7
4.9
4.8
4.7
3.8
4.1
4.2
3.4
3.5
3.8
3.4
3.4
3.5
1.9
2.1
2.0
3.1
3.5
3.3
2.8
3.1
2.7
1.9
2.3
2.1
1.5
1.7
1.6
1.2
1.3
1.1
1.5
1.0
1.4
1.0
.8
1.3
1.1
.8
1.1
1.1
.9
1.2
1.1
1.0
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.7
Total accessions
1977
1978
1979
1980
..........................................
..........................................
.........................................
..........................................
4.0
4.1
3.9
4.9
4.9
4.8
New hires
1977
1978
1979
1980
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
2.2
2.5
2.8
2.4
2.8
3.1
2.9
2.1
2.2
2.5
” 2.1
2.6
2.7
2.8
3.7
3.9
3.8
Recalls
1977
1978
1979
1980
1.2
1.0
.9
1.1
.9
.7
.7
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
1.1
.8
.7
1.3
.7
.7
” .9
.8
.7
.7
.8
.8
.8
.9
.8
.7
Total separations
1977
1978
1979
1980
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
3.8
3.9
4.0
3.9
3.6
3.8
4.1
3.4
3.1
3.2
” 3.5
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.4
3.6
3.6
3.5
3.7
3.8
3.5
3.8
3.9
1977
1978
1979
1980
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
1.8
2.1
2.0
1.4
1.5
1.8
1.6
1.3
1.4
1.6
” 1.4
1.6
1.8
1.9
1.7
2.0
2.0
1.9
2.1
2.1
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
1.1
.9
1.1
1.7
1.2
1.1
1.6
1.4
.9
.8
” .12
1.0
.9
.8
.9
.8
.9
.8
.7
.7
Quits
1.9
2.2
2.1
Layoffs
1977
1978
1979
1980
13.
.8
.7
.8
Labor turnover rates in manufacturing, by major industry group
[Per 100 employees]
Separation rates
Accession rates
MANUFACTURING .........................................
Seasonally adjusted.............
Durable goods
Lumber and wood products.........
Furniture and fixtures ................
Stone, clay, and glass products ...
Primary metal industries .............
Fabricated metal products...........
Machinery, except electrical.........
Electric and electronic equipment . .
Transportation equipment ...........
Instruments and related products ..
Miscellaneous manufacturing.......
Nondurable g o o d s ..................................
Food and kindred products .........
Tobacco manufacturers..............
Textile mill products ..................
Apparel and other products.........
Paper and allied products ...........
Printing and publishing................
Chemicals and allied products . . . .
Petroleum and coal products.......
Rubber and miscellaneous
plastics products....................
Leather and leather products.......
76
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Layoffs
Quits
Total
Recalls
New hires
Total
Major industry group
Feb.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Jan.
Feb.
1979
1980
1980”
1979
1980
1980”
1979
1980
1980”
1979
1980
1980”
1979
1980
1980”
1979
1980
1980”
3.4
4.2
3.8
4.1
3.2
3.9
2.5
3.3
2.4
2.9
2.1
2.8
0.7
1.1
0.9
3.2
4.0
4.1
4.2
3.5
4.2
1.6
2.2
1.6
2.0
1.4
1.9
0.8
.9
1.6
1.3
1.2
1.3
3.2
4.6
4.2
3.6
2.5
3.5
2.7
3.1
3.2
2.7
5.1
3.5
4.7
4.6
3.6
3.1
4.0
2.9
3.1
3.3
2.9
5.8
3.0
4.7
3.9
3.3
2.1
3.4
2.4
2.9
2.9
2.9
4.3
2.4
3.6
3.7
2.3
1.7
2.8
2.3
2.3
2.0
2.2
3.4
2.1
2.9
3.6
1.9
1.2
2.5
2.1
2.1
1.5
2.3
3.1
1.9
2.8
3.1
1.8
.9
2.2
1.8
2.0
1.4
2.5
2.5
.6
.8
.4
1.1
.5
.5
.2
.4
.8
.2
1.6
1.0
1.6
.7
1.6
1.6
1.2
.5
.5
1.4
.3
2.4
.8
1.7
.7
1.4
.9
1.0
.4
.5
1.0
.3
1.7
2.9
5.3
4.6
3.5
2.2
3.4
2.2
2.8
2.5
2.3
4.1
3.9
5.9
5.0
4.8
3.2
4.3
2.8
3.4
4.8
2.5
6.1
3.2
5.7
4.0
3.9
2.5
3.7
2.4
2.8
3.3
2.6
4.6
1.4
2.7
2.7
1.4
.7
1.7
1.1
1.4
1.0
1.3
2.0
1.4
2.4
2.5
1.4
.7
1.6
1.2
1.4
.9
1.4
2.0
1.2
2.2
2.2
1.2
.6
1.41.0
1.2
.8
1.4
1.6
.7
1.5
.8
1.2
.5
.9
.3
.5
.7
.3
1.2
1.7
2.6
1.4
2.6
1.6
1.8
.8
1.0
3.0
.4
3.1
1.2
2.6
.8
1.9
1.1
1.4
.6
.7
1.6
.4
2.0
3.6
4.4
1.8
3.9
4.9
2.2
3.1
1.6
1.9
4.2
4.8
3.5
4.5
6.8
2.7
3.4
1.6
1.9
3.6
4.3
1.7
3.9
5.6
2.1
3.0
1.6
1.7
2.6
2.9
.9
2.9
3.2
1.5
2.5
1.2
1.5
2.8
2.9
1.4
3.5
4.0
1.5
2.8
1.2
1.5
2.5
2.5
.7
3.0
3.7
1.4
2.5
1.2
1.3
.8
1.4
.4
.5
1.4
.5
.4
.3
.2
1.2
1.6
1.7
.7
2.6
1.0
.5
.3
.2
.9
1.5
.9
.6
1.7
.6
.4
.3
.3
3.6
4.9
4.2
3.8
4.9
2.4
2.7
1.5
1.8
4.3
5.9
4.0
4.4
5.8
2.7
3.3
1.6
2.2
3.9
5.2
4.7
4.0
5.1
2.5
3.0
1.5
1.9
1.9
2.4
.5
2.4
2.5
1.0
1.7
.6
.5
2.0
2.4
.9
2.5
2.9
1.0
1.9
.7
.7
1.8
2.0
.7
2.3
2.7
.8
1.8
.6
.7
1.0
1.7
2.6
.5
1.6
.7
5
.3
.4
1.5
2.6
2.3
.8
2.0
.9
.8
.3
.6
1.3
2.4
3.3
.7
1.5
1.0
.6
.4
.3
4.2
5.2
4.8
6.9
3.7
6.0
3.3
3.6
3.1
4.4
2.4
4.0
.5
1.3
1.5
2.3
1.0
1.6
4.0
6.0
5.4
7.1
4.5
6.1
2.2
3.2
2.1
3.3
1.8
3.0
.7
1.7
2.1
2.7
1.6
2.1
14.
Hours and earnings, by industry division, 1948-79
[Gross averages, production or nonsupervisory workers on nonagricultural payrolls]
Year
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
weekly
weekly
hourly
weekly
weekly
hourly
weekly
weekly
hourly
weekly
weekly
hourly
earnings
hours
earnings
earnings
hours
earnings
earnings
hours
earnings
earnings
hours
earnings
Total private
1948 ................
1949 ................
1950 ................
Mining
Construction
Average
Manufacturing
$49.00
50.24
53.13
40.0
39.4
39.8
$1,225
1.275
1.335
$65.56
62.33
67.16
39.4
36.3
37.9
$1,664
1.717
1.772
$65.27
67.56
69.68
381
37.7
37.4
$1,713
1.792
1.863
$53.12
53.88
58.32
40.0
39.1
40.5
$1,328
1.378
1.440
................
................
................
................
................
57.86
60.65
63.76
64.52
67.72
39.9
39.9
39.6
39.1
39.6
1.45
1.52
1.61
1.65
1.71
74.11
77.59
83.03
82.60
89.54
38.4
38.6
38.8
38.6
40.7
1.93
2.01
2.14
2.14
2.20
76.96
82.86
86.41
88.91
90.90
38.1
38.9
37.9
37.2
37.1
2.02
2.13
2.28
2.39
2.45
63.34
66.75
70.47
70.49
75.30
40.6
40.7
40.5
39.6
40.7
1.56
1.64
1.74
1.78
1.85
1956 ................
1957 ................
1958 ................
1959’ ..............
1960 ................
70.74
73.33
75.08
78.78
80.67
39.3
38.8
385
39.0
38.6
1.80
1.89
1.95
2.02
2.09
95.06
98.25
96.08
103.68
105.04
40.8
40.1
38.9
40.5
40.4
2.33
2.45
2.47
2.56
2.60
96.38
100.27
103.78
108.41
112.67
37.5
37.0
36.8
37.0
36.7
2.57
2.71
282
2.93
3.07
78.78
81.19
82.32
88.26
89.72
40.4
39.8
39.2
40.3
39.7
1.95
2.04
2.10
2.19
2.26
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
................
................
................
................
................
82.60
85.91
88.46
91.33
95.45
38.6
38.7
38.8
38.7
38.8
2.14
2.22
2.28
2.36
2.46
106.92
110.70
114.40
117.74
123.52
40.5
41.0
41.6
41.9
42.3
2.64
2.70
2.75
2.81
2.92
118.08
122.47
127.19
132.06
138.38
36.9
37.0
37.3
37.2
37.4
3.20
3.31
3.41
3.55
3.70
92.34
96.56
99.23
102.97
107.53
39.8
40.4
40.5
40.7
41.2
2.32
2.39
2.45
2.53
2.61
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
................
................
................
................
................
9882
101.84
107.73
114.61
119.83
38.6
38.0
37.8
37.7
37.1
2.56
2.68
2.85
3.04
3.23
130.24
135.89
142.71
154.80
164.40
42.7
42.6
42.6
43.0
42.7
3.05
3.19
3.35
3.60
3.85
146.26
154.95
164.49
181.54
195.45
37.6
37.7
37.3
37.9
37.3
3.89
4.11
4.41
4.79
5.24
112.19
114.49
122.51
129.51
133.33
41.4
40.6
40.7
40.6
398
2.71
2.82
3.01
3.19
3.35
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
................
................
................
................
................
127.31
136.90
145.39
154.76
163.53
36.9
37.0
36.9
36.5
36.1
3.45
3.70
3.94
4.24
4.53
172.14
189.14 201.40
219.14
24931
42,4
42.6
42.4
41.9
41.9
4.06
4.44
4.75
5.23
5.95
211.67
221.19
235.89
249.25
266.08
37.2
36.5
36.8
36.6
36.4
5.69
6.06
6.41
6.81
7.31
142.44
154.71
166.46
176.80
190.79
399
40.5
40.7
40.0
39.5
3.57
3.82
4.09
4.42
4.83
1976
1977
1978
1979
................
................
................
................
175.45
189.00
203.70
219.91
36.1
36.0
35.8
35.7
4.86
5.25
5.69
6.16
273.90
301.20
332.11
364.64
42.4
43.4
43.3
43.0
6.46
6.94
7.67
8.48
283.73
295.65
318.32
341.69
36.8
36.5
36.8
36.9
7.71
8.10
8.65
9.26
209.32
228.90
249.27
268.94
40.1
40.3
40.4
40.2
5.22
5.68
6.17
6.69
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
Transportation and public
Finance, insurance, and
wnoiesaie ana retail trade
utilities
1948 ................
1949 ................
1950 ................
Services
real estate
$40.80
42.93
44.55
40.4
40.5
405
$1 010
1.060
1 100
$45 48
47 63
50 52
37 9
37 8
37 7
$1 200
1 260
1 340
................
................
................
................
................
47.79
49 20
51.35
53.33
55.16
40 5
40 0
39 5
39 5
39 4
1 18
1 23
1 30
1.35
1 40
54 67
57 08
59 57
62 04
63 92
37 7
37 8
37 7
37 6
37 6
1 45
1 51
1 58
165
1 70
1956 ................
1957 ................
1958 ................
19591 ..............
1960 ................
57 48
59.60
61.76
64.41
66.01
39 1
38 7
38 6
38.8
38 6
147
1.54
1 60
1.66
1.71
65 68
67 53
70.12
72.74
75 14
36 9
36 7
37 1
37 3
37 2
1 78
1 84
1 89
1 95
2 02
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
................
.............. :
................
................
................
$118.78
125.14
41.1
41.3
$2.89
3.03
67.41
69.91
72.01
74.66
76.91
38 3
38.2
38 1
37.9
37.7
1 76
183
1 89
1.97
2.04
77 12
80 94
84 38
85.79
88.91
36 9
37 3
37 5
37.3
37.2
2 09
2 17
2 25
2.30
2.39
$70.03
73.60
36.1
35.9
$1.94
2.05
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
................
................
................
................
................
128.13
130.82
138.85
147.74
155.93
41.2
40.5
40.6
40.7
40.5
3.11
3.23
3.42
3.63
3.85
79.39
82.35
87.00
91.39
96.02
37.1
36.6
36.1
35.7
35.3
2.14
2.25
2.41
2.56
2.72
92.13
95.72
101.75
108.70
112.67
37.3
37.1
37.0
37.1
36.7
2.47
2.58
2.75
2.93
3.07
77.04
80.38
83.97
90.57
96.66
35.5
35.1
34.7
34.7
34.4
2.17
2.29
2.42
2.61
2.81
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
................
................
................
................
................
168.82
187.86
203.31
217.48
233 44
40.1
40.4
40.5
40.2
39.7
4.21
4.65
5.02
5.41
5.88
101.09
106.45
111.76
119.02
126.45
35.1
34.9
34.6
34.2
33.9
2.88
3.05
3.23
3.48
3.73
117.85
122.98
129.20
137.61
148.19
36.6
36.6
36.6
36.5
36.5
3.22
3.36
3.53
3.77
4.06
103.06
110.85
117.29
126.00
134.67
33.9
33.9
33.8
33.6
33.5
3.04
3.27
3.47
3.75
4.02
1976
1977
1978
1979
................
................
................
................
256.71
278.90
302.80
326.38
39.8
39.9
40.0
39.9
6.45
6.99
7.57
8.18
133.79
142.52
153.64
164.96
33.7
33.3
32.9
32.6
3.97
4.28
4.67
5.06
155.43
165.26
178.36
191.66
36.4
36.4
36.4
36.3
4.27
4.54
4.90
5.28
143.52
153.45
163.67
175.27
33.3
33.0
32.8
32.7
4.31
4.65
4.99
5.36
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1Data include Alaska and Hawaii beginning in 1959.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
77
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Establishment Data
15.
Weekly hours, by industry division and major manufacturing group
[Gross averages, production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls]
Annual Average
1979
1980
Industry division and group
1978
1979
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
F eb.p
M ar.p
35.8
35.7
35.7
35.1
35.5
35.9
36.0
36.0
358
357
35.6
359
35.1
35.1
35.2
43.3
43.0
42.9
42.6
428
43.3
41.7
43.1
43.5
43.7
43.7
43.9
43.4
43.0
43.4
C O N S TR U C TIO N ..........................................................
36.8
36.9
37.0
35.5
37.2
37.9
37.7
38.0
37.9
37.6
36.5
37.1
35.1
356
35.5
MANUFACTURING
40.4
3.6
40.2
3.3
40.6
3.6
389
2.5
40.1
3.3
40.4
3.4
39.9
3.2
40.0
3.3
40.3
3.6
40.3
3.4
40.4
3.4
40.9
3.4
39.8
3.0
39.7
2.9
39.8
3.0
Overtime hours..................................
41.1
3.8
40.8
3.5
41.4
3.9
39.3
2.6
40.8
3.6
41.0
3.6
40.4
3.4
40.4
3.4
40.8
3.6
40.8
3.5
408
3.5
41.6
3.5
40.3
3.1
40.2
3.0
40.3
3.1
Lumber and wood products ........................
Furniture and fixtures .................................
Stone, clay, and glass products....................
Primary metal industries.............................
Fabricated metal products .........................
39.8
39.3
41.6
41.8
41.0
39.5
38.6
41.5
41.4
40.8
39.7
39.0
41.8
41.9
41.3
39.1
37.5
41.1
41.7
38.8
39.6
38.2
41.9
41.4
40.7
40.2
38.8
42.1
41.6
41.0
39.4
38.0
41.5
41.3
40.3
39.9
38.6
41.7
40.8
40.5
40.1
39.0
41.7
41.3
40.8
39.8
39.3
41.7
40.9
41.0
38.8
39.2
41.7
40.7
41.0
39.2
39.9
41.8
40,9
41.9
381
384
40,1
40.7
40.6
38.3
38.2
40.0
40.5
40.4
381
38.2
40.4
40.6
40.6
Machinery except electrical.........................
Electric and electronic equipment ................
Transportation equipment...........................
Instruments and related products ................
Miscellaneous manufacturing ......................
42.0
40.3
42.2
40.9
38.8
41.8
40.3
41.2
40.8
38.9
42.6
40.7
42.3
41.3
39.2
40.3
38.8
37.9
40.0
37.6
41.7
40.2
41.6
40.8
38.5
42.0
40.5
41.3
40.7
39.0
41.2
39.6
40.9
40.3
38.7
41.3
39.7
40.5
40.3
38.9
41.9
40.5
40.7
40.7
39.3
41.6
40.3
41.3
40.8
39.3
41.9
40.9
40.8
41.4
39.6
42.8
41.3
42.6
41.6
39.7
41.5
40.2
40.1
41.0
39.1
41,5
40.1
399
40.8
38.7
41.5
40.2
40.0
40.8
38.8
Overtime hours..................................
39.4
3.2
39.3
3.1
39.3
3.1
38.2
2.5
39.1
2.9
39.4
3.0
39.2
3.0
39.4
3.2
39.6
3.5
39.4
3.2
396
3.3
39.9
3.2
39.0
2.9
389
2.8
389
2.8
Food and kindred products.........................
Tobacco manufactures...............................
Textile mill products..................................
Apparel and other textile products................
Paper and allied products...........................
39.7
38.1
40.4
35.6
42.9
39.9
38.0
40.3
35.2
42.6
39.6
38.1
40,4
35.4
42.6
39.0
37.6
38.6
33.9
41.6
39.6
38.9
40.1
35.1
42.4
39.8
39.0
40.6
35.6
42.8
40.1
36.1
39.9
35.4
42.5
40.3
37.6
40.3
35.6
42.6
40.6
39.1
408
35.4
42.7
40.0
38.8
408
35.5
42.6
40.2
39.0
41.3
35.6
429
40.3
39.5
41.5
35.9
43.5
395
37.4
40.9
35.2
42.6
39.1
37.0
40.8
35.4
42.3
39.0
37.7
40.7
35.4
42.4
Printing and publishing ...............................
Chemicals and allied products......................
Petroleum and coal products ..............
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products
Leather and leather products ......................
37.6
41.9
43.6
40.9
37.1
37.5
41.8
43.8
40.5
36.5
37.7
41.9
43.8
41.4
359
36.8
41.9
43.9
39.4
35.3
37.3
41.8
43.7
40.5
36.4
37.4
41.8
43.4
40.7
37.1
37.4
41.7
44.1
40.2
36.9
37.9
41.8
43.6
40.0
36.6
37.9
41.8
44.7
40.5
36.8
37.5
41.7
44.1
40.5
36.5
37.9
42.1
44.8
40.3
36.8
38.1
42.2
43.4
40.7
37.3
37.2
41.7
36.1
40.3
36.7
37.0
41.6
39.6
39.9
36.9
37.3
41.8
38.8
40.1
36.3
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES . . . .
40.0
39.9
39.8
39.0
39.6
40.0
40.0
40.3
39.9
39.9
40.2
40.0
39.5
39.7
39.8
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE
32.9
32.6
32.4
32.5
32.4
32.9
33.3
33.2
32.7
32.5
32.4
32.9
31.9
31.9
32.0
TOTAL PRIVATE
M IN IN G ..........................................................................
Overtime hours..................................
Durable goods
Nondurable goods
WHOLESALE TRADE
38.8
388
38.9
38.6
38.9
39.0
39.0
38.9
38.8
38.9
389
39.1
38.5
38.4
38.5
RETAIL TRADE
31.0
30.7
30.3
30.6
30.4
31.0
31.5
31.4
30.7
30.4
30.4
31.0
29.8
298
300
ESTATE ......................................................................
364
36.3
36.3
36.4
36.1
36.2
36.4
36.2
363
36.3
36.4
36.4
36.3
36.3
36.4
S E R V IC E S ......................................................................
32.8
32.7
32.6
32.5
32.5
32.9
33.3
33.2
32.7
32.6
32.6
32.8
32.5
325
326
FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL
78
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
16.
Weekly hours, by industry division and major manufacturing group, seasonally adjusted
[Gross averages, production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls]
1979
1980
Industry division and group
Mar.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
F eb.”
M ar.'1
.......................................................
35.9
35.3
35.7
35.6
35.6
35.6
35.7
35.6
35.7
35.7
35.7
35.5
35.4
...............................................................................
43.1
42.9
42.8
43.0
41.6
43.2
43.1
43.1
43.2
43.9
44.4
43.5
43.6
TOTAL PRIVATE
MINING
Apr.
..............................................................
37.1
35.5
37.1
37.2
36.8
37.2
37.5
36.6
36.8
37.1
37.6
36.8
35.6
Overtime hours........................................
40.6
3.7
39.1
2.7
40.2
3.5
40.1
3.4
40.2
3.3
40.1
3.2
40.2
3.2
40.2
3.2
40.1
3.3
40.2
3.2
40.3
3.2
40.0
3.1
39.8
3-1
Overtime hours........................................
41.4
4.0
39.5
2.7
40.9
3.8
40.7
3.6
40.7
3.5
40.7
3.3
40.7
3.3
40.8
3.3
40.6
3.4
40.7
c3.2
40.8
c3.2
40.5
3.1
40.3
3.1
Lumber and wood products .............................
Furniture and fixtures......................................
Stone, clay, and glass products .......................
Primary metal industries..................................
Fabricated metal products ...............................
40.0
39.1
42.0
42.0
41.3
39.1
38.1
41.2
41.8
39.1
39.4
38.5
41.7
41.4
40.7
394
38.5
41.6
41.2
40.7
39.3
38.4
41.4
41.3
40.8
39.5
38.3
41.3
41.0
40.6
39.7
38.6
41.5
41.0
40.7
39.4
38.8
41.3
41.1
40.9
38.9
38.9
41.5
40.7
40.7
39.0
39.0
41.6
40.6
41.0
39.5
39.0
41.3
40.8
40.9
38.9
38.9
40.9
40.6
40.8
38.4
38.3
40.6
40.7
40.6
Machinery, except electrical.............................
Electric and electronic equipment......................
Transportation equipment................................
Instruments and related products ......................
Miscellaneous manufacturing ...........................
42.4
40.7
42.3
41.2
39.0
40.5
39.0
379
40.3
37.6
42.0
40.4
41.5
40.8
38.6
42.0
40.3
40.8
40.6
38.9
41.9
40.2
40.9
40.7
39.3
41.6
39.8
41.7
40.5
39.1
41.9
40.3
40.6
40.6
39.1
41.6
40.3
41.3
40.7
39.1
41.6
40.6
40.6
41.0
39.1
41.6
40.5
41.0
40.8
39.2
41.7
40.4
41.0
41.5
39.5
41.5
40.3
40.4
41.0
39.1
41.3
40.2
40.0
40.7
38.6
Overtime hours........................................
39.4
3.3
38.6
2.7
39.2
3.0
39.2
3.0
39.2
3.0
39.2
3.0
39.3
3.1
39.3
3.0
39.4
3.2
39.4
3.1
39.5
3.1
39.3
3.0
39.0
3.0
Food and kindred products...............................
Tobacco manufactures ..................................
Textile mill products........................................
Apparel and other textile products ....................
Paper and allied products ..............................
40.0
38.0
40.3
35.4
42.8
39.6
376
38.8
34.2
41.8
39.8
38.9
40.0
35.2
42.6
39.8
37.6
40.1
35.2
42.5
39.8
38.5
40.1
35.5
42.5
39.7
38.0
40.1
35.3
42.6
40.0
38.6
40.6
35.3
42.4
39.9
38.3
40.8
35.3
42.6
40.0
37.8
41.1
35.3
42.7
39.9
38.8
41.0
35.6
42.9
40.0
38.5
41.7
35.9
42.8
39.7
37.8
41.1
35.9
42.8
39.4
37.6
40.6
35.4
42.6
Printing and publishing....................................
Chemicals and allied products .........................
Petroleum and coal products ...........................
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products.......
Leather and leather products ...........................
37.7
41.9
44.0
41.3
36.3
37.1
41.7
43.9
39.7
35.6
37.4
41.9
43.7
40.9
36.1
37.4
41.7
43.3
40.7
36.4
37.5
41.9
436
40.6
36.6
37.7
42.0
43.7
40.2
36.5
37.5
41.7
44.1
40.3
37.0
37.4
41.7
43.7
40.3
36.5
37.6
41.9
44.4
40.0
36.7
37.4
41.7
43.5
39.9
36.9
37.8
42.0
36.6
40.6
37.2
37.4
41.9
40.4
39.9
37.4
37.3
41.8
39.0
40.0
36.7
CONSTRUCTION
MANUFACTURING
Durable goods
Nondurable goods
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES
40.0
39.2
39.8
39.8
39.7
39.9
39.9
39.9
40.2
39.8
39.9
39.8
40.0
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE
32.7
328
32.6
32.6
32.6
32.5
32.6
32.6
32.7
32.6
32.5
32.3
32.4
WHOLESALE TRADE
39.0
38.7
39.0
38.8
38.8
38.7
38.7
38.8
38.9
38.9
38.8
38.7
38.6
RETAIL TRADE
307
30.9
306
30.6
306
30.5
30.7
30.6
307
30.6
30.5
30.3
30.4
36.4
36.5
36.1
36.2
363
36.1
36.4
36.2
36.5
36.4
36.2
36.3
36.5
32.8
32.7
32.7
32.7
32.8
32.7
32.7
32.6
32.7
32.9
32.7
32.7
32.8
FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL
ESTATE
SERVICES
..............................................................
c=corrected.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
79
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Establishment Data
17.
Hourly earnings, by industry division and major manufacturing group
[Gross averages, production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls]
Annual average
1979
1980
Industry division and group
TOTAL PRIVATE
1978
1979
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
$5.69
$6.16
$6.02
$6.03
$6.09
$6.12
$6.16
$6.19
$6.31
$6.32
$6.35
$6.39
$6.42
F eb .p
M ar.p
$6.46
$6.50
M IN IN G ...................................................................................
7.67
8.48
8.27
8.54
8.45
8.49
8.52
8.48
8.57
8.57
8.70
8.73
8.85
8.92
9.01
CONSTRUCTION
8.65
9.26
8.97
9.02
9.14
9.13
9.24
9.32
9.51
9.49
9.50
9.57
9.47
9.62
9.64
MANUFACTURING
6.17
6.69
6.56
6.54
6.63
6.66
6.71
6.69
6.80
6.82
6.86
6.97
6.96
6.99
7.05
Durable goods
Lumber and wood products .........................
Furniture and fixtures..................................
Stone, clay, and glass products ....................
Primary metal industries...............................
Fabricated metal products ...........................
6.58
5.60
4.68
6.32
8.20
6.34
7.12
6.08
5.06
6.84
8.97
6.82
6.99
5.84
4.95
6.64
8.75
6.72
6.95
5.90
4.94
6.73
8.92
6.62
7.07
5.97
4.97
6.78
8.83
6.77
7.11
6.16
5.05
685
8.91
6.81
7.15
6.23
5.04
6.89
9.04
6.80
7.12
6.23
5.10
6.90
9.10
6.83
7.24
6.32
5.18
6.98
9.16
6.93
7.25
6.24
5.20
7.00
9.10
6.96
7.29
6.23
5.23
7.07
9.26
6.99
7.41
6.25
5.27
7.10
9.28
7.12
7.39
6.22
5.27
7.05
930
7.06
7.45
6.33
5.33
7.13
943
7.12
7.53
6.36
5.37
7.26
9.51
7.19
Machinery, except electrical.........................
Electric and electronic equipment ..................
Transportation equipment.............................
Instruments and related products ..................
Miscellaneous manufacturing .......................
6.77
5.82
7.91
5.71
4,69
7.33
6.31
8.53
6.17
5.04
7.19
6.16
8.42
6.04
4.95
7.10
6.11
8.26
6.03
4.96
7.25
6.21
8.56
6.11
5.00
7.34
6.25
8.53
6.11
4.99
7.35
6.27
8.55
6.16
5.03
7.35
6.36
8.44
6.14
5.04
7.48
6.46
8.59
6.21
5.07
7.45
6.48
8.67
6.32
5.12
7.51
6.51
868
6.39
5.15
7.65
6.64
8.90
6.49
5.22
7.67
6.67
8.78
6.57
5.31
7.71
6.71
8.85
6.58
5.33
7.77
6.75
9.02
6.64
5.37
Food and kindred products...........................
Tobacco manufactures................................
Textile mill products....................................
Apparel and other textile products ................
Paper and allied products.............................
5.53
5.80
6.13
4.30
3.94
6.52
6.00
6.27
6.69
4.66
4.24
7.12
5.85
6.12
6.64
4.52
4.19
6.88
5.90
6.19
6.80
4.48
4.19
6.92
5.91
6.22
6.83
4.52
4.20
6.96
5.94
6.22
6.82
4.54
4.21
7.05
6.03
6.28
6.83
4.65
4.23
7.17
6.04
6.28
6.59
4.77
4.21
7.22
6.11
6.33
6.54
4.82
4.28
7.32
6.14
6.36
6.43
4.83
4.32
7.34
6.21
6.51
7.01
4.86
4.32
7.42
6.26
6.56
7.04
4.87
439
7.48
6.28
6.62
7.13
4.90
4.45
7.48
6.27
6.64
7.32
4.90
4.46
7.50
6.30
6.66
7.56
4.91
4.51
7.53
Printing and publishing................................
Chemicals and allied products ......................
Petroleum and coal products .......................
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products .. .
Leather and leather products .......................
6.50
7.01
8.63
5.52
389
6.91
7.59
9.37
5.96
4.23
6.77
7.36
9.31
5.86
4.17
6.72
7.50
9.44
5.82
4.18
6.83
7.47
9.39
5.90
4.18
6.88
7.53
9.32
5.91
4.19
6.90
7.60
9.39
5.95
4.19
6.94
7.65
9.35
5.94
4.22
7.04
7.73
9.51
6.03
4.29
7.06
7.82
9.49
6.12
4.31
7.09
7.87
9.57
6.14
4.34
7.17
7.91
9.49
6.21
4.36
7.20
7.96
9.48
6.25
4.46
7.26
799
9.21
6.26
4.48
7.30
8.05
9.11
6.31
4.51
Nondurable goods
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES
7.57
8.18
7.90
7.88
7.94
8.03
8.23
8.32
8.45
8.45
8.52
8.55
8.56
8.60
8.62
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE
4.67
5.06
4.98
5.00
5.00
5.02
5.05
5.06
5.13
5.15
5.18
5.18
5.34
5.36
5.38
WHOLESALE TRADE
5.88
6.39
6.23
6.30
6.29
6.34
6.39
6.41
6.51
6.51
6.57
668
6.72
6.74
6.80
RETAIL TRADE
4.20
4.53
4.47
4.49
4,49
4.50
4.51
4.52
4.58
4.59
4.62
4.61
4.78
4.78
4.80
ESTATE
4.90
5.28
5.16
5.23
5.22
5.22
5.29
5.29
5.38
5.37
5.42
5.49
5.55
560
5.68
SERVICES
4.99
5.36
5.26
5.29
5.27
5.27
5.29
5.30
5.45
5.48
5.54
5.60
5.65
5.69
5.72
FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL
18.
Hourly Earnings Index for production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls, by industry division
[Seasonally adjusted data: 1967 = 100]
1979
1980
Feb. 1980
Industry
Mar.
TOTAL PRIVATE (in current dollars)
Mining......................................
Construction .............................
Manufacturing ...........................
Transportation and public utilities ...
Wholesale and retail trade ...........
Finance, insurance, and real estate
Services ..................................
TOTAL PRIVATE (in constant dollars)
1Not available.
80
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
F eb.p
M ar.p
Mar. 1979
to
to
Mar. 1980
Mar. 1980
225.2
226,8
227.5
229.0
230.9
232.2
234.3
234.9
237.3
239.5
240.5
242.5
245.0
1.0
8.8
256.1
216.5
2287
243.1
219.4
204.8
223.3
264.1
218.1
231.0
241.7
220.9
207.5
2250
262.7
220.4
232.3
243.7
221.0
207.0
224.3
264.9
266.9
220.4
222.1
2354
233.9
246.4 ■ 251.3
222.6
223.8
208.0
210.8
225.7
227.0
265.6
223.1
236.9
252.6
225.4
211.5
2284
266.1
224.4
238.7
255.6
227.0
214.4
231.5
268.0
224.0
240.0
255.8
227.4
213.1
232.3
271.6
225.8
242 1
258.9
229.5
216.2
234.7
273.2
227.6
244.3
260.7
231.3
2185
237.7
274.0
225.1
245.3
261.2
234.7
218.6
238.0
276.2
230.0
248.0
263.0
235.4
220.7
239.7
279.9
231.2
2502
265.7
237.62258
242.1
1.3
.5
.9
1.0
.9
2.3
1.0
9.3
6.8
9.4
9.3
' 8.3
10.3
107.3
107.0
106.3
105.8
105.1
104.9
104.1
104.1
103 8
102.8
102.2
(’ )
(’ )
(’ )
105.6
8.4
19.
Weekly earnings, by industry division and major manufacturing group
[Gross averages, production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls]
Annual average
1979
1980
Industry division and group
1978
1979
Mar.
$203.70 $219.91
$214.91
332.11
364.64
354.78
..........................................................
318.32
341.69
M A N U F A C T U R IN G .......................................................
249.27
268 94
Lumber and wood products .......................
Furniture and fixtures .................................
Stone, clay, and glass products....................
Primary metal industries.............................
Fabricated metal products .........................
270.44
222.88
183.92
262.91
342.76
259.94
290.50
240.16
195.32
283.86
371.36
278.26
Machinery except electrical.........................
Electric and electronic equipment ................
Transportation equipment ...........................
Instruments and related products ................
Miscellaneous manufacturing ......................
284.34
234.55
333.80
233.54
181.97
TOTAL P R IV A T E .............................................
Apr.
May
June
$211.65 $216.20 $219.71
346.03
348.35
354.16
360 43
269.06
267.73
267.60
274.04
28846
236.41
189.85
284.08
365.56
275.54
291.51
247.63
195.94
288.39
370.66
279.21
288.86
245.46
191.52
285.94
373.35
274.04
287.65
248.58
196.86
287.73
371.28
276.62
295.39
253.43
202.02
291.07
378.31
282.74
286.13
237.07
313.05
241.20
186.50
302.33
249.64
356.10
249.29
192.50
308.28
253.13
352.29
248.68
194.61
302.82
248.29
349.70
248.25
194.66
303.56
252.49
341.82
247.44
196.06
229.91
242.35
252.98
182.61
148.33
293.09
225.38
241.41
255.68
172.93
142.04
287.87
231.08
246.31
265.69
181.25
147.42
295.10
234.04
247.56
265.98
184.32
149.88
302.74
236.38
251.83
246.56
185.54
149.74
304.73
259.13
317.26
410.41
255.23
308.38
407.78
247.30
314.25
414.42
254.76
312.25
410.34
257.31
314.75
404.49
225.77
144.32
241.38
154.40
242.60
149.70
229.31
147.55
238.95
152.15
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES
302.80
326.38
314.42
307.32
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE
153.64
164.96
161.35
162.50
WHOLESALE TRADE ..................................................
228.14
24793
242.35
RETAIL T R A D E ..............................................................
130.20
139.07
FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL ESTATE
178.36
163.67
Durable goods
Nondurable goods
Food and kindred products.........................
Tobacco manufactures...............................
Textile mill products..................................
Apparel and other textile products................
Paper and allied products...........................
Printing and publishing ...............................
Chemicals and allied products......................
Petroleum and coal products ......................
Rubber and miscellaneous
plastics products....................................
Leather and leather products ......................
SERVICES
.. ..
.....................................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
331.89
320.21
340.01
266.34
254.41
265.86
289.39
231.85
193.05
277.55
366.63
277.54
273.14
230.69
185.25
276.60
371.96
256.86
306.39
254.29
351.44
251.74
196.06
306.29
250.71
356.17
249.45
194.04
217.88
230.26
233.55
173.72
140.26
279.71
235.80
250.17
254.22
187.80
149.25
303.31
244.40
293.72
376.27
Oct.
Nov.
$221.76 $222.84 $225.90 $225.62 $22606
372.80
CONSTRUCTION
367.62
Sept.
365.49
..........................................................................
361.66
Aug.
355.28
MINING
363.80
July
374.51
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.»
M ar.p
$229.40 $225.34 $226.75 $228.80
380.19
383.25
384.09
383.56
391.03
356.82
346.75
355.05
274.85
277.14
285.07
332.40
342.47
342.22
277.01
277.50
280.59
295 80
248.35
204.36
291.90
372.19
285.36
297.43
241.72
205.02
294.82
376.88
286.59
308.26
245.00
210.27
296.78
379.55
298.33
297.82
236.98
202.37
282.71
378.51
286.64
299.49
242.44
203.61
285.20
381.92
287.65
303.46
242.32
205.13
293.30
386.11
291.91
313.41
261.63
349.61
252.75
199.25
309.92
261.14
358.07
257.86
201.22
314.67
266.26
354.14
264.55
203.94
327.42
274.23
379.14
269.98
207.23
318.31
268.13
352.08
269.37
207.62
319.97
269.07
353.12
268.46
206.27
322.46
271.35
360.80
270.91
208.36
237.98
253.08
247.78
192.23
149.88
307.57
241.96
257.00
255.71
196.66
151.51
312.56
241.92
254.40
249.48
197.06
153.36
312.68
245.92
261.70
273.39
200.72
153.79
318.32
249.77
264.37
278.08
202.11
157.60
325.38
244.92
261.49
266.66
200.41
156.64
318.65
243.90
259.62
270.84
199.92
157.88
317.25
245.07
259.74
285.01
199.84
159.65
319.27
258.06
316.92
414.10
263.03
319.77
407.66
266.82
32311
425.10
264.75
326.09
418.51
268.71
331.33
428.74
273.18
333.80
411.87
267.84
331.93
342.23
268.62
332.38
364.72
272.29
336.49
353.47
240.54
155.45
239.19
154.61
237.60
154.45
244.22
157.87
247.86
157.32
247.44
159.71
252.75
162.63
251.88
163.68
249.77
165.31
253.03
163.71
314.42
321.20
329.20
335.30
162.00
165.16
168.17
167.99
337.16
337.16
342.50
342.00
338.12
341.42
343.08
167.75
167.38
167.83
170.42
170.35
170.98
172.16
243.18
244.68
247.26
249.21
249.35
252.59
253.24
255.57
261.19
258.72
258.82
261.80
135.44
137.39
136.50
139.50
142.07
141.93
140.61
139.54
140.45
142.91
142.44
142.44
144.00
191.66
187.31
190.37
188.44
188.96
192.56
191.50
195.29
194.93
197.29
199.84
201.47
203.28
206.75
175.27
171.48
171.93
171.28
173.38
176.16
175.96
178.22
178.65
180.60
183.68
183.63
184.93
186.47
81
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Establishment Data
20.
Gross and spendable weekly earnings, in current and 1967 dollars, 1960 to date
[Averages for production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls]
Manufacturing workers
Private nonagricultural workers
Gross average
Year and month
weekly earnings
Spendable average weekly earnings
Gross average
Worker with no
Married worker with
dependents
3 dependents
weekly earnings
Spendable average weekly earnings
Worker with no
dependents
Married worker with
3 dependents
Current
1967
Current
1967
Current
1967
Current
1967
Current
1967
Current
1967
dollars
dollars
dollars
dollars
dollars
dollars
dollars
dollars
dollars
dollars
dollars
dollars
$80.67
$90.95
$65.59
$73.95
$72.96
$82.25
$89.72
$101.15
$72.57
$81.82
$80.11
$90.32
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
......................................
......................................
......................................
......................................
......................................
82.60
85.91
88.46
91.33
95.45
92.19
94.82
96.47
98.31
101.01
67.08
69.56
71.05
75.04
79.32
74.87
76.78
77.48
80.78
83.94
74.48
76.99
78.56
82.57
86.63
83.13
84.98
85.67
88.88
91.67
92.34
96.56
99.23
102.97
107.53
103.06
106.58
108.21
110.84
113.79
74.60
77.86
79.51
84.40
89 08
83.26
85 94
86.71
90.85
94.26
82.18
85.53
87.25
92.18
96.78
91.72
94.40
95.15
99.22
102.41
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
......................................
......................................
......................................
......................................
......................................
98.82
101.84
107.73
114.61
119.83
101.67
101.84
103.39
104.38
103.04
81.29
83.38
86.71
90.96
96.21
83.63
83.38
83.21
82.84
82.73
88.66
90.86
95.28
99.99
104.90
91.21
90.86
91.44
91.07
90.20
112.19
114.49
122.51
129.51
133.33
115.42
114.49
117.57
117.95
114.64
91.45
92.97
97.70
101.90
106.32
94.08
92.97
93.76
92.81
91.42
99.33
100.93
106.75
111.44
115.58
102.19
100.93
102.45
101.49
99.38
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
......................................
......................................
......................................
......................................
......................................
127.31
136.90
145.39
154.76
163.53
104.95
109.26
109.23
104.78
101.45
103.80
112.19
117.51
124.37
132.49
85.57
89.54
88.29
84.20
82.19
112.43
121.68
127.38
134.61
145.65
92.69
97.11
95.70
91.14
90.35
142.44
154.71
166.46
176.80
190.79
117.43
123.47
125.06
119.70
118.36
114.97
125.34
132.57
140.19
151.61
94.78
100.03
99.60
94.92
94.05
124.24
135.57
143.50
151.56
166.29
102.42
108.20
107.81
102.61
103.16
1976
1977
1978
1979
......................................
......................................
......................................
......................................
175.45
189.00
203.70
219.91
102.90
104.13
104.30
101.02
143.30
155.19
165.39
178.00
84.05
85.50
84.69
81.76
155.87
169.93
180.71
194.82
91.42
93.63
92.53
89.49
209.32
228.90
249.27
268.94
122.77
126.12
127.63
123.54
167.83
183.80
197.40
212.43
98.43
101.27
101.08
97.58
181.32
200.06
214.87
232.07
106.35
110.23
110.02
106.60
1979: March...........................
214.91
102.68
174.35
83.30
190.93
91.22
266.34
127.25
210.65
10065
230.10
109.94
April .............................
May .............................
June .............................
211.65
216.20
219.71
99.93
100.89
101.30
171.98
175.29
177.85
81.20
81.80
82.00
188.39
191.93
194.67
88.95
89.56
89.75
254.41
265.86
269.06
120.12
124.06
124.05
202.32
210.04
212.51
95.52
98.14
97.98
221.05
229.74
232.17
104.37
107.20
107.04
July...............................
August .........................
September ....................
221.76
222.84
225.90
101.08
100.60
100.98
179.35
180.13
182.36
81.75
81.32
81.52
196.26
197.11
199.42
89.45
88.99
89.15
267.73
267.60
274.04
122.03
120.81
122.50
211.61
211.52
215.89
96.45
95.49
96.51
231.16
231.06
235.94
105.36
104.32
105.47
October.........................
November......................
December......................
225.62
226.06
229.40
100.01
99.32
99.74
182.16
182.48
184.84
80.74
80.18
80.37
199.21
199.54
202.08
88.30
87.67
87 86
274.85
277.14
285.07
121.83
121.77
123.94
216 44
217.99
223.38
95.94
95.78
97.12
236.56
238.30
244.31
104.86
104.70
106.22
1980: January.........................
February11.....................
March p .........................
225.34
226.75
228.80
96.59
95.88
(’ )
181.96
182.98
184.42
77.99
77.37
(’ )
199.00
200.07
201.62
85.30
84.60
(’ )
277.01
277.50
280.59
118.74
117.34
217.91
218.24
220.34
9340
92.28
( ')
238.20
238.57
240.91
102.10
100 88
<’ )
1960 ......................................
'Not available.
NOTE: The earnings expressed in 1967 dollars have been adjusted for changes in price level
as measured by the Bureau's Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.
82
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
V)
These series are described in “The Spendable Earnings Series: A Technical Note on its Cal
culation, " Employment and Earnings and Monthly Report on the Labor Force, February 1969, pp.
6-13. See also "Spendable Earnings Formulas, 1978-80, "Employment and Earnings, March 1980,
pp. 10-11.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DATA
U n e m p l o y m e n t i n s u r a n c e d a t a are compiled monthly by
the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. De
partment of Labor from records of State and Federal unem
ployment insurance claims filed and benefits paid. Railroad
unemployment insurance data are prepared by the U.S. Rail
road Retirement Board.
ployed. Persons not covered by unemployment insurance (about onethird of the labor force) and those who have exhausted or not yet
earned benefit rights are excluded from the scope of the survey. Ini
tial claims are notices filed by persons in unemployment insurance
programs to indicate they are out of work and wish to begin receiv
ing compensation. A claimant who continued to be unemployed a
full week is then counted in the insured unemployment figure. The
rate of insured unemployment expresses the number of insured unem
ployed as a percent of the average insured employment in a
12-month period.
Definitions
An application for benefits is filed by a railroad worker at the be
ginning of his first period of unemployment in a benefit year; no ap
plication is required for subsequent periods in the same year. Num
ber of payments are payments made in 14-day registration periods.
The average amount of benefit payment is an average for all com
pensable periods, not adjusted for recovery of overpayments or set
tlement of underpayments. However, total benefits paid have been
adjusted.
Data for all programs represent an unduplicated count of insured
unemployment under the State, Ex-Servicemen, and UCFE programs,
and the Railroad Insurance Act.
Under both State and Federal unemployment insurance programs
for civilian employees, insured workers must report the completion of
at least 1 week of unemployment before they are defined as unem
21.
Unemployment Insurance and employment service operations
[All items except average benefits amounts are in thousands]
1979
1980
Item
Feb.
All programs:
Insured unemployment....................
Mar.
3,209
Apr.
2,921
May
2,610
June
July
2,230
2,119
2,429
Aug.
Sept.
2,377
2,164
Oct.
2,236
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
2,559
3,047
3,740
3,730
State unemployment insurance
program:'
Insured unemployment (average
weekly volume) .........................
Rate of insured unemployment.........
Weeks of unemployment
compensated .............................
Average weekly benefit amount
for total unemployment................
Total benefits paid .........................
Unemployment compensation for exservicemen:3
Initial claims' .................................
Insured unemployment (average
weekly volume) .........................
Weeks of unemployment
compensated .............................
Total benefits paid .........................
Unemployment compensation for
Federal civilian employees:4
Initial claims..................................
Insured unemployment (average
weekly volume) .........................
Weeks of unemployment
compensated .............................
Total benefits paid .........................
Railroad unemployment insurance:
Applications..................................
Insured unemployment (average
weekly volume) .........................
Number of payments ......................
Average amount of benefit
payment....................................
Total benefits paid .........................
Employment service:5
New applications and renewals.........
Nonfarm placements ......................
1,576
1,396
1,589
1,309
1,400
1,978
1,545
1,219
1,641
1,827
2,263
2,835
3,053
4.0
2,750
3.6
2,440
3.1
2,078
2.6
1,991
2.5
2,300
2.8
2,245
2.7
2,024
2.4
2,057
2.4
2,384
2.8
2,864
3.4
3,537
4.1
10,762
11,105
8,956
8,442
7,197
7,889
8,830
6,993
7,638
8,107
9,171
13,766
$90.31
$915,146
$90.28
$975,641
$89.25
$777,699
$88.37
$725,229
$87.25
$610,269
$86.40
$665,687
$88.56
$767,025
$89.07
$606,095
$90.59
$673,965
$92.39
$728,370
$94.54
$843,869
$95.42
$1,281,495
21
21
20
20
24
28
28
23
26
24
24
25
53
52
48
45
45
51
52
52
52
54
56
60
219
$20,489
241
$22,794
207
$19,617
214
$20,440
193
$18,623
216
$20,965
234
$23,861
211
$19,634
236
$23,325
232
$23,093
233
$23,093
299
$29,615
13
18
15
15
19
58
t
13
12
12
12
13
16
13
35
33
27
24
23
2.5
25
25
28
29
31
34
133
$12,256
143
$13,168
112
$10,345
106
$9,330
91
$8,341
96
$8,802
107
$9,829
91
$8,453
109
$10,093
118
$11,063
118
$11,047
150
$14,099
32
6
5
3
3
9
15
8
13
11
10
11
22
7
24
50
23
23
18
40
10
29
8
19
11
20
12
26
21
32
18
51
20
36
19
41
40
80
39
71
$200.54
$9,871
$204.72
$10,538
$195.55
$7,276
$177.39
$5,681
$183.13
$3,314
$190.10
$3,699
$195.61
$3,767
$189.08
$5,747
$189.61
$8,003
$183.38
$6,462
$197.22
$8,085
$199.01
$14,967
$208.73
$14,573
8,059
1,991
9,180
2,291
10,452
2,616
11,907
3,051
13,186
3,482
14,479
3,935
15,525
4,349
'Initial claims and State insured unemployment include data under the program for Puerto Rican
sugarcane workers.
2Includes interstate claims for the Virgin Islands. Excludes transition claims under State programs.
3Excludes data on claims and payments made jointly with other programs.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3,518
4.1
4Includes the Virgin Islands. Excludes data on claims and payments made jointly with State programs.
5Cumulative total for fiscal year (October 1- September 30).
NOTE: Data for Puerto Rico included. Dashes indicate data not available.
83
PRICE DATA
P r i c e d a t a are gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
from retail and primary markets in the United States. Price
indexes are given in relation to a base period (1967 = 100,
unless otherwise noted).
Definitions
The Consumer Price Index is a monthly statistical measure of the
average change in prices in a fixed market basket of goods and ser
vices. Effective with the January 1978 index, the Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics began publishing CPI’s for two groups of the population. One
index, a new CPI for All Urban Consumers, covers 80 percent of the
total noninstitutional population; and the other index, a revised CPI
for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, covers about half the
new index population. The All Urban Consumers index includes, in
addition to wage earners and clerical workers, professional, manageri
al, and technical workers, the self-employed, short-term workers, the
unemployed, retirees, and others not in the labor force.
The CPI is based on prices of food, clothing, shelter, fuel, drugs,
transportation fares, doctor’s and dentist’s fees, and other goods and
services that people buy for day-to-day living. The quantity and quali
ty of these items is kept essentially unchanged between major revi
sions so that only price changes will be measured. Prices are collected
from over 18,000 tenants, 24,000 retail establishments, and 18,000
housing units for property taxes in 85 urban areas across the country.
All taxes directly associated with the purchase and use of items are
included in the index. Because the CPI’s are based on the expendi
tures of two population groups in 1972-73, they may not accurately
reflect the experience of individual families and single persons with
different buying habits.
Though the CPI is often called the “Cost-of-Living Index,” it mea
sures only price change, which is just one of several important factors
affecting living costs. Area indexes do not measure differences in the
level of prices among cities. They only measure the average change in
prices for each area since the base period.
Producer Price Indexes measure average changes in prices received
in primary markets of the United States by producers of commodities
in all stages of processing. The sample used for calculating these in
dexes contains about 2,800 commodities and about 10,000 quotations
per month selected to represent the movement of prices of all com
modities produced in the manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, fishing,
mining, gas and electricity, and public utilities sectors. The universe
includes all commodities produced or imported for sale in commercial
transactions in primary markets in the United States.
Producer Price Indexes can be organized by stage of processing or
by commodity. The stage of processing structure organizes products
by degree of fabrication (that is, finished goods, intermediate or
semifinished goods, and crude materials). The commodity structure
organizes products by similarity of end-use or material composition.
To the extent possible, prices used in calculating Producer Price In
dexes apply to the first significant commercial transaction in the Unit
ed States, from the production or central marketing point. Price data
are generally collected monthly, primarily by mail questionnaire.
84
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Most prices are obtained directly from producing companies on a vol
untary and confidential basis. Prices generally are reported for the
Tuesday of the week containing the 13th day of the month.
In calculating Producer Price Indexes, price changes for the vari
ous commodities are averaged together with implicit quantity weights
representing their importance in the total net selling value of all com
modities as of 1972. The detailed data are aggregated to obtain in
dexes for stage of processing groupings, commodity groupings, dura
bility of product groupings, and a number of special composite
groupings.
Price indexes for the output of selected SIC industries measure av
erage price changes in commodities produced by particular industries,
as defined in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual 1972
(Washington, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, 1972). These
indexes are derived from several price series, combined to match the
economic activity of the specified industry and weighted by the value
of shipments in the industry. They use data from comprehensive in
dustrial censuses conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census and the
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Notes on the data
Beginning with the May 1978 issue of the Review, regional CPI’s
cross classified by population size, were introduced. These indexes will
enable users in local areas for which an index is not published to get a
better approximation of the CPI for their area by using the appropri
ate population size class measure for their region. The cross-classified
indexes will be published bimonthly. (See table 24.)
For further details about the new and the revised indexes and a
comparison of various aspects of these indexes with the old unrevised
CPI, see Facts About the Revised Consumer Price Index, a pamphlet in
the Consumer Price Index Revision 1978 series. See also The
Consumer Price Index: Concepts and Content Over the Years. Report
517, revised edition (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 1978).
For interarea comparisons of living costs at three hypothetical stan
dards of living, see the family budget data published in the Handbook
of Labor Statistics, 1977, Bulletin 1966 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1977), tables 122-133. Additional data and analysis on price changes
are provided in the CPI Detailed Report and Producer Prices and Price
Indexes, both monthly publications of the Bureau.
As of January 1976, the Wholesale Price Index (as it was then
called) incorporated a revised weighting structure reflecting 1972 val
ues of shipments. From January 1967 through December 1975, 1963
values of shipments were used as weights.
For a discussion of the general method of computing consumer,
producer, and industry price indexes, see BLS Handbook of Methods
for Surveys and Studies, Bulletin 1910 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1976), chapters 13-15. See also John F. Early, “Improving the mea
surement of producer price change,” Monthly Labor Review, April
1978, pp. 7 -1 5 . For industry prices, see also Bennett R. Moss, “In
dustry and Sector Price Indexes,” Monthly Labor Review, August
1965, pp. 974-82.
22.
Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, annual averages and changes, 1967-79
[1967 = 100]
Food and
All items
Year
Index
Percent
change
Index
Apparel and
Housing
beverages
Percent
change
Index
Transportation
upkeep
Percent
change
Index
Percent
change
Percent
Index
change
Percent
Index
Other goods
Entertainment
Medical care
change
Index
and services
Percent
change
Percent
Index
change
1967
1968
1969
1970
................
................
................
................
100.0
104.2
109.8
116.3
4.2
5.4
5.9
100.0
103.6
108.8
114.7
3.6
5.0
5.4
100.0
104.0
110.4
118.2
4.0
6.2
7.1
100.0
105.4
111.5
116.1
5.4
5.8
4.1
100.0
103.2
107.2
112.7
3.2
3.9
5.1
100.0
106.1
113.4
120.6
6.1
6.9
6.3
100.0
105.7
111.0
116.7
5.7
5.0
5.1
100.0
105.2
110.4
116.8
5.2
4.9
5.8
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
................
................
................
................
................
121.3
125.3
133.1
147.7
161.2
4.3
3.3
6.2
11.0
9.1
118.3
123.2
139.5
158.7
172.1
3.1
4.1
13.2
13.8
8.4
123.4
128.1
133.7
148.8
164.5
4.4
3.8
4.4
11.3
10.6
119.8
122.3
126.8
136.2
142.3
3.2
2.1
3.7
7.4
4.5
118.6
119.9
123.8
137.7
150.6
5.2
1.1
3.3
11.2
9.4
128.4
132.5
137.7
150.5
168.6
6.5
3.2
3.9
9.3
12.0
122.9
126.5
130.0
139.8
152.2
5.3
2.9
2.8
7.5
8.9
122.4
127.5
132.5
142.0
153.9
4.8
4.2
3.9
7.2
8.4
1976
1977
1978
1979
................
................
................
................
170.5
181.5
195.3
217.7
5.8
6.5
7.6
11.5
177.4
188.0
206.2
228.7
3.1
6.0
9.7
10.9
174.6
186.5
202.6
227.5
6.1
6.8
8.6
12.3
147.6
154.2
159.5
166.4
3.7
4.5
3.4
4.3
165.5
177.2
185.8
212.8
9.9
7.1
4.9
14.5
184.7
202.4
219.4
240.1
9.5
9.6
8.4
9.4
159.8
167.7
176.2
187.6
5.0
4.9
5.1
6.5
162.7
172.2
183.2
196.3
5.7
5.8
6.4
7.2
23. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers and revised CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers,
U.S. city average— general summary and groups, subgroups, and selected items
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (revised)
All Urban Consumers
General summary
1979
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
1979
1980
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
1980
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
All it e m s .......................................................................................................
207.1
223.4
225.4
227.5
229.9
233.2
236.4
207.1
223.7
225.6
227.6
230.0
233.3
236.5
Food and beverages ..............................................................
Housing................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep...............................................................
Transportation.......................................................................
Medical care .........................................................................
Entertainment .......................................................................
Other goods and services........................................................
222.4
215.6
161.4
195.6
232.6
183.2
191.9
231.0
234.6
169.8
221.4
243.7
191.1
201.7
232.1
237.7
171.0
222.7
245.9
192.0
202.3
233.1
240.8
171.7
224.9
248.0
192.8
202.9
235.5
243.6
172.2
227.7
250.7
193.4
204.0
237.5
247.3
171.0
233.5
253.9
195.3
206.3
238.6
250.5
171.9
239.6
257.9
197.8
208.1
222.6
215.4
161.6
196.1
232.1
182.4
191.9
231.2
234.5
169.3
222.4
244.7
190.2
200.6
232.3
237.7
170.8
223.4
247.2
191.4
201.4
233.1
240.7
171.3
225.7
249.1
192.0
202.0
235.7
243.6
171.4
228.3
251.7
192.3
203.0
237.8
247.3
169.8
234.1
254.9
193.9
206.0
239.0
250.5
171.5
240.2
258.7
196.2
207.7
Commodities.........................................................................
Commodities less food and beverages .................................
Nondurables less food and beverages...............................
Durables.....................................................................
198.3
184.8
184.2
183.6
214.1
203.3
213.2
194.5
215.6
204.9
214.9
196.0
217.4
206.9
216.6
198.4
219.4
208.8
219.0
199.8
222.4
212.0
224.6
201.3
225.2
215.5
231.8
202.1
198.5
184.7
184.7
183.2
214.4
203.5
214.8
193.5
215.8
205.0
216.6
194.8
217.4
206.9
218.1
196.9
219.4
208.7
220.5
198.2
222.3
212.0
226.3
199.6
225.3
215.7
234.1
200.3
Services ..............................................................................
Rent, residential............................................................
Household services less rent ..........................................
Transportation services...................................................
Medical care services.....................................................
Other se'vices..............................................................
223.3
171.0
251.0
205.5
250.4
193.6
240.7
179.0
276.7
216.6
262.8
204.7
243.6
181.4
280.7
218.5
265.3
205.7
246.2
182.1
284.6
221.5
267.6
206.5
249.3
182.9
289.2
224.2
270.7
207.1
253.1
184.1
295.1
226.8
274.4
209.0
256.8
185.6
300.2
229.6
279.0
211.1
223.2
170.9
251.4
206.1
249.6
193.9
241.0
178.9
278.2
216.8
263.8
204.9
244.0
181.2
282.3
218.6
266.8
206.4
246.7
181.9
286.3
221.5
268.8
207.3
249.6
182.7
291.1
224.0
271.8
207.4
253.6
183.9
297.2
226.6
275.6
209.3
257.3
185.5
302.4
229.3
279.8
211.4
All items less food .................................................................
All items less mortgage interest costs ........................................
Commodities less food............................................................
Nondurables less food ............................................................
Nondurables less food and apparel...........................................
Nondurables .........................................................................
Services less rent .................................................................
Services less medical care.......................................................
Domestically produced farm foods ............................................
Selected beef cuts.................................................................
Energy ..............................................................................
All items less energy ..............................................................
All items less food and energy ........................................
Commodities less food and energy................................
Energy commodities ...................................................
Services less energy...................................................
201.8
202.3
183.7
182.2
196.2
204.0
232.9
219.0
218.5
244.8
235.0
205.2
198.8
178.7
231.1
222.0
219.6
216.7
201.8
209.6
232.7
223.1
252.1
236.7
223.7
255.3
304.3
217.3
211.5
188.2
325.3
238.4
221.8
218.3
203.4
211.3
234.8
224.5
255.1
239.6
224.1
257.3
307.5
219.2
213.6
189.6
329.0
241.3
224.1
219.8
205.4
212.9
236.8
225.8
258.2
242.3
224.5
256.5
307.8
221.4
216.1
191.4
332.5
244,6
226.4
221.7
207.2
215.2
240.1
228.2
261.6
245.3
227.5
263.2
313.7
223.6
218.1
192.6
340.0
247.6
229.9
224.3
210.4
220.5
248.6
232.0
266.1
249.2
229.2
265.7
327.9
225.9
220.6
193.7
361.5
251.6
233.5
227.1
213.8
227.3
258.2
236.3
270.2
252.7
229.1
267.2
344.6
228.0
222.8
194.9
385.0
255.2
201.6
202.5
183.6
182.7
196.5
204.5
2329
219.0
218.6
246.9
235.3
205.3
198.5
178.5
231.5
221.9
219.8
217.2
202.0
211.0
234.2
223.9
252.6
236.9
223.6
258.0
307.0
217.0
211.0
187.5
326.5
238.7
222.0
218.7
203.5
212.9
236.3
225.3
255.7
239.9
224.0
259.1
310.2
218.8
213.0
188.7
330.2
241.7
224.2
220.1
205.4
214.4
238.2
226.5
258.8
242.6
224.4
259.2
310.7
221.0
215.4
190.4
333.8
245.1
226.4
222.0
207.1
216.7
241.5
229.0
262.1
245.5
227.5
265.2
317.0
223.0
217.3
191.4
341.5
248.0
230.0
224.7
210.3
222.1
250.2
232.9
266.7
249.5
229.0
268.1
331.5
225.3
219.6
192.4
362.8
252.2
233.7
227.6
214.0
229.4
260.1
237.4
270.8
253.1
229.2
270.3
348.7
227.3
221.8
193.5
386.4
255.7
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar, 1967 = $1 ..................
$0,483
$0,448
$0,444
$0,440
$0,435
$0,429
$0,423
$0,483
$0,447
$0,443
$0,439
$0,435
$0,429
$0,423
Special Indexes:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
85
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Consumer Prices
23.
Continued— Consumer Price Index — U.S. city average
[1967=100 unless otherwise specified]
All Urban Consumers
General summary
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (revised)
1979
1980
1979
1980
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
2224
231.0
232.1
233.1
235.5
237.5
238.6
222.6
231.2
232.3
233.1
235.7
237.8
239.0
......................................................................................................................
228.2
237.1
238.2
239.1
241.7
243.8
244.9
228.5
237.3
238.3
239.1
241.8
244.0
2452
Food at home ..............................................................................
Cereals and bakery products.....................................................
Cereals and cereal products (12/77 = 100)...........................
Flour and prepared flour mixes (12/77 = 100)..................
Cereal (12/77 = 100) .................................................
Rice, pasta, and cornmeal (12/77 = 100) .......................
Bakery products (12/77 = 100) ..........................................
White bread...............................................................
Other breads (12/77 = 100) ........................................
Fresh biscuits, rolls, and muffins (12/77 = 100)................
Fresh cakes and cupcakes (12/77 = 100) ......................
Cookies (12/77 = 100) ...............................................
Crackers and bread and cracker products (12/77 = 100) ,.
Fresh sweetrolls, coffeecake, and donuts (12/77 = 100) ...
Frozen and refrigerated bakery products
and fresh pies, tarts, and turnovers (12/77 = 100) .........
228.0
212.2
113.2
114.0
113.3
112.4
112.0
185.8
111.9
112.9
109.8
112.4
111.3
110.4
234.7
225.6
120.0
123.4
118.8
118.6
119.2
200.7
119.6
119.0
116.7
115.9
114.8
118.8
235.4
227.0
120.8
124.0
119.2
120.4
119.9
202.5
120.5
119.4
117.6
116.6
115.0
118.9
236.0
228.7
121.1
122.8
119.7
121.6
121.0
204.5
121.3
121.2
119.4
117.1
114.5
119.9
238.7
231.6
122.9
123.8
122.8
122.2
122.4
207.4
123.3
123.1
120.3
117.8
116.2
121.5
240.6
234.2
125.0
125.7
123.7
126.4
123.5
208.6
123.8
124.8
121.7
119.7
117.5
122.2
241.3
236.8
125.8
125.7
124.9
127.4
125.1
210.7
124.6
126.2
122.8
122.8
119.9
123.8
2279
212.9
113.6
115.1
113.6
112.2
112.4
185.7
113.5
112.9
110.6
113.5
110.6
112.4
234.2
226.6
120.6
125.1
118.7
119.1
119.7
200.5
122.5
118.6
116.8
117.8
114.9
121.6
234.8
227.9
121.4
125.0
119.3
1208
120.3
2023
123.8
118.7
118.1
118.3
115.0
120.7
235.4
229.7
122.1
124.6
119.9
122.7
121.3
203.9
124.2
120.8
119.1
118.4
116.1
121.9
238.3
232.3
123.8
125.1
122.9
123.9
122.7
206.6
126.0
122.3
120.1
119.6
116.3
123.4
240.1
234.7
126.1
126.9
124.2
127.9
123.6
207.4
126.9
123.1
120.8
121.5
118.4
124.1
241.1
2374
127.2
127.3
125.5
129.2
125.1
209.7
127.5
124,3
122.2
124 0
121.0
125.4
112.6
121.7
122.5
123.7
124.8
125.7
127.2
111.0
118.6
118.8
120.8
121.4
122.5
123.8
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs.....................................................
Meats, poultry, and fish......................................................
Veats .......................................................................
Beef and veal..........................................................
Ground beef other than canned ...............................
Chuck roast ........................................................
Round roast ........................................................
Rojnc steak ........................................................
S.rlom steak ........................................................
Other beef and veal (12/77 = 100) .........................
Pork.......................................................................
Bacon .................................................................
Pork chops ..........................................................
Ham other than canned (12/77 = 100)......................
Sausage ..............................................................
Canned ham........................................................
Other pork (12/77 = 100)......................................
Other meats............................................................
Frankfurters ........................................................
Bologna, liverwurst, and salami (12/77 = 100) ...........
Other lunchmeats (12/77 = 100).............................
Lamb and organ meats (12/77 = 100)......................
Poultry .....................................................................
Fresh whole chicken .............................................
Fresh and frozen chicken parts (12/77 = 100) ...........
Other poultry (12/77 = 100) ..................................
Fish and seafood ........................................................
Canned fish and seafood (12/77 = 100)....................
Fresh and frozen fish and seafood (12/77 = 100).......
Eggs...................................................................
232.3
236.6
238.6
243.4
255.5
259.1
220.9
224.8
226.1
137.3
232.3
227.2
224.6
106.8
282.2
236.6
131.2
229.6
2268
126.3
119.4
124.3
185.8
185.3
118.6
122.5
293.0
107.9
113.8
182.1
231.0
236.0
238.1
254.2
261.4
261.0
229.2
239.2
251.0
145.6
206.5
194.0
198.1
95.2
258.4
216.6
117.4
240.2
235.9
133.2
121.6
135.6
174.8
169.9
111.8
119.2
309.7
113.9
120.4
170.7
230.3
235.9
238.6
256,2
263.4
263.3
230.3
242.2
250.4
147.1
204.3
190.5
195.1
94.8
257.6
218.2
115.2
240.7
236.8
134.2
120.3
137.7
170.3
159.7
110.1
120.3
311.5
115.2
120.7
161.3
230.2
235.2
237.4
255.5
264.2
263.1
229.1
241.9
247.0
146.3
201.0
186.3
188.8
95.9
254.5
214.8
112.9
242.0
2389
133.4
121.6
138.3
171.6
166.7
110.8
115.9
312.2
116.8
120.1
170.1
235.5
239.8
242.3
262.2
271.2
268.1
238.1
247.5
250.8
150.2
205.0
193.6
187.8
102.5
256.5
218.9
112.6
243.0
2393
134.4
121.5
140.0
176.2
175.2
112.3
116.9
312.6
117.1
120.2
185.9
238.0
243.0
244.1
264.6
271.4
274.7
241.9
249.8
250.9
151.8
2064
194.5
192.1
99.1
256.6
220.8
116.2
243.2
2390
134.1
121.2
141.6
187.8
191.1
120.7
119.3
316.7
118.5
121.9
178.2
2362
242.6
244.1
266.2
273.3
277.7
244.5
252.3
251.1
152.2
202.8
190.1
189.7
95.7
255.1
219.5
114.3
244.7
242.7
135.6
120.7
142.4
182.6
183.6
116.8
118.8
320.4
120.3
123.0
157.2
232.2
236.4
238.3
245.3
255.9
267.9
222.7
2243
226.0
138.0
231.9
229.1
226.7
105.6
278.9
235.7
130.4
226.4
224.7
123.8
117.0
124.8
184.3
181.9
119.0
121.9
290.8
107.3
112.9
182.4
230.5
235.4
237.7
256.4
263.5
267.9
231.0
2357
253.9
146.6
206.1
195.6
196.1
94.3
2584
215.3
117.5
236.6
236.1
129.5
119.0
136.9
172.8
1658
110.9
119.8
304.4
113.5
117.5
170.5
229.7
235.3
238.1
257.5
265.8
268,3
233.0
239.4
249.6
147.0
204.7
194.4
194.9
94.0
258.1
215.8
115.1
238.0
237.7
130.7
118.8
138.8
168.3
157.7
108.4
119.8
306.5
114.5
118.1
160.3
230.0
235.0
2373
257.7
266.0
273.1
232.7
239.7
247.4
146.6
201.5
188.7
188.1
95.4
255.8
214.6
112.7
2385
237.2
130.4
119.5
139.8
170.1
163.3
110.7
116.0
307.5
116.0
117.8
169.6
235.1
239.2
241.8
263,7
273.0
274.2
240.5
246.2
253.5
149.9
205.6
195.8
189.1
100.9
258.3
219.1
112.7
239.5
238.7
130.8
119.4
141.7
173.9
169.8
111.8
117.4
309.1
116.5
118.5
186.6
237 5
242.5
243.7
266.7
272.7
283.6
245.1
249.4
253.5
151.9
206.8
195.3
194.8
96.5
260.3
219.3
116.2
239 3
239.5
130.5
118.7
142.5
184.3
183.8
118.7
120.1
315.4
118.4
121.2
177.0
236.4
242.8
244.3
2689
276.2
288.7
245.8
250.5
253.0
152 8
204.1
193.8
191.0
95.2
257.0
218.9
114.6
240.9
242.1
132.3
118.6
143.4
118.1
178.9
117.0
119.4
317.9
119.7
122.0
156 7
Dairy Products .................................................................
Fresh milk and cream (12/77 = 100) .............................
Fresh whole milk......................................................
Other fresh milk and cream (12/77 = 100) ..................
Processed dairy products (12/77 = 100).........................
Butter.....................................................................
Cheese (12/77 = 100).............................................
Ice cream and related products (12/77 = 100)..............
Other dairy products (12/77 = 100) ...........................
200.6
113.5
186.0
113.2
113.2
193.3
113.9
112.7
110.2
211.3
119.0
195.4
118.1
120.1
209.9
120.1
120.1
115.5
213.3
120.3
197.6
119.2
120.9
213.3
121.0
120.4
116.4
216.0
121.9
200.4
120.6
122.3
214.4
122.7
121,4
117.8
216.9
122.7
201.2
122.0
1225
214.0
122.6
122 6
117.9
218.4
1232
202.3
122.1
123 8
216.9
123.5
124.0
119.8
219.5
123.7
203.2
122.7
124.5
218.3
124.2
124.6
120.9
201.1
113.7
186.3
113.3
113.6
194.6
113.8
113.7
110.6
212.0
119.5
195.6
119.3
120.5
212.3
120.2
120.7
115.6
214.0
120.4
197.4
119.8
121.7
216.6
121.1
121.9
116.9
2163
121.8
199.7
121.1
123.0
217.1
122.5
123.4
118.2
217.4
122 6
200.9
122.2
123.3
2166
122.7
124.3
118.3
218.9
123.2
201 8
122.8
124.5
219.8
123.6
125.6
120.4
2198
123.6
202.7
123.0
125.1
2209
124.4
125.6
121.3
Fruits and vegetables ........................................................
Fresh fruits and vegetables...........................................
Fresh fruits..............................................................
Apples ...............................................................
Bananas ..............................................................
Oranges ..............................................................
Other fresh fruits (12/77 = 100) .............................
Fresh vegetables .....................................................
Potatoes ...............................................................
Lettuce...............................................................
Tomatoes ............................................................
Other fresh vegetables (12/77 = 100) ......................
226.5
232.7
217.5
212.9
188.4
254.3
109.6
246.9
194.8
341.2
195.0
137.7
231.8
234.7
271.6
244.7
210.3
312.3
147.1
2003
199.3
219.6
178.5
109.5
232.0
235.5
260.4
212.7
2066
306.7
143.9
212.2
191.1
262.9
194.4
114.0
229.5
230.1
242.7
207.2
209.0
293.9
127.5
218.4
195.7
244.2
2253
119.1
230.2
230.1
234.9
221 8
225.2
2567
121.1
225.7
2070
227.5
227.9
128.0
229.8
227.2
2336
230.4
221.9
2362
122.5
221.2
2038
197.6
216.7
132.0
228.3
223.1
235.8
239.6
238.5
231.1
121.4
211.2
203.3
198.7
184.9
125.1
225.4
231.9
215.2
209.4
188.1
245.1
109.9
247.0
197.8
341.6
199.0
136.4
229.6
232.9
271.2
243.1
208.4
291,8
152.3
198.4
193.4
2229
179.2
108.0
230.2
2336
2606
2129
199.7
2903
149.7
209.4
183.8
2642
194.1
112.5
226.7
2267
238.3
207.7
206.5
283.3
125.7
216.4
191.7
239.0
225.4
118.9
228.3
228.5
233.3
220.2
2220
249.5
121.6
224.2
199.6
231.3
224.8
128.1
227.2
224.9
232.7
230.1
219.5
231.3
122.7
217.9
200.9
193.2
213.2
130.5
225.9
220.6
234.7
237.6
234.6
2284
121.3
207.9
199.8
191.7
184.3
123.9
Processed fruits and vegetables ....................................
Processed fruits (12/77 = 100)..................................
Frozen fruit and fruit juices (12/77 = 100) ................
Fruit juices and other than frozen (12/77 = 100).........
Canned and dried fruits (12/77 = 100)......................
Processed vegetables (12/77 = 100) .........................
Frozen vegetables (12/77 = 100) ...........................
221.6
115.5
114.0
112.8
119.7
107,2
107.3
2306
120.6
116.3
119.3
125.5
111.2
109 8
230.1
120.4
116.3
119.8
124,6
110.9
110.2
231.0
121.2
116.6
122.1
124.2
110.9
110.2
232.3
121.8
116.8
123.6
124.2
111.7
110.6
234.7
122.9
117.2
125.1
125.3
113.0
111.9
236.2
1234
117.6
126.0
125.5
114.0
113.0
220.0
115.3
113.8
113.0
118.9
106.4
106.7
2279
119.8
114.9
119.7
123.9
109.9
109.4
228.3
120.3
115.2
120.7
124.0
109.8
110.2
228.6
121.1
115.7
122.4
124.0
109.4
109 6
230.0
121.3
115.9
123.4
123.5
110.5
110.8
231.8
122.4
116.5
124.5
124.8
111.2
111.4
2339
123.6
117.8
126.3
125.3
112.2
111.7
Food
86
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
23.
Continued— Consumer Price Index— U.S. city average
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (revised)
All Urban Consumers
General summary
1980
1979
1979
1980
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Fruits and vegetables —Continued
Cut corn and canned beans except lima (12/77=100) ...
Other canned and dried vegetables (12/77=100)...........
Other foods at home...............................................................
Sugar and sweets...................................................................
Candy and chewing gum (12/77=100) ................................
Sugar and artificial sweeteners (12/77=100)....................
Other Sweets (12/77=100) ..........................................
Fats and oils (12/77=100) .................................................
Margarine .................................................................
Nondairy substitutes and peanut butter (12/77 = 100) .........
Other fats, oils, and salad dressings (12/77-100) ............
Nonalcoholic beverages ....................................................
Cola drinks, excluding diet cola......................................
Carbonated drinks, including diet cola (12/77=100)...........
Roasted coffee ..........................................................
Freeze dried and instant coffee......................................
Other noncarbonated drinks (12/77=100).......................
Other prepared foods ........................................................
Canned and packaged soup (12/77-100).......................
Frozen prepared foods (12/77=100)...............................
Snacks (12/77=100)..................................................
Seasonings, olives, pickles, and relish (12/77=100)...........
Other condiments (12/77=100) ....................................
Miscellaneous prepared foods (12/77=100) ....................
Other canned and packaged prepared foods (12/77=100) ..
111.0
105.3
261.9
270.2
113.5
114.3
109.4
219.2
235.2
109.1
113.2
347.8
233.6
113.3
357.5
335.0
112.1
201.8
108.8
113.2
110.9
113.6
110.4
112.2
112.4
114.7
110.1
276.0
282.0
119.7
115.9
115.3
231.5
245.5
114.6
120.6
367.7
242.7
117.9
425.9
359.9
114.0
212.6
113.1
123.1
118.4
117.4
115.9
116.8
116.7
113.6
109.9
278.0
283.1
119.9
119.0
115.9
231.9
244.4
115.1
121.1
372.1
246.4
118.5
432.4
366.5
114.8
213.4
113.4
123.1
119.6
118.8
115.8
117.2
116.7
113.4
110.0
279.6
283.2
120.1
116.2
116.4
232.3
246.2
115.1
121.0
374.3
247.5
118.4
438.1
370.2
115.7
215.3
114.3
124.5
120.4
118.9
116.8
119.0
117.7
114.4
110.9
281.1
284.6
120.1
117.2
117.5
233.0
247.7
115.7
121.1
375.4
247.2
118.7
440.7
374.3
116.3
217.4
115.9
125.6
121.3
120.1
119.5
118.9
118.6
114.5
112.9
283.5
289.8
121.3
122.2
118.7
233.9
248.3
115.3
121.9
378.5
249.5
119.9
4432
378.2
116.8
218.8
116.5
126.0
121.8
121.4
120.8
119.6
119.4
115.2
113.9
288.0
297.5
122.4
131.5
119.5
235.9
247.9
116.4
123.6
384.5
255.9
122.3
439.6
382.2
118.3
221.8
118.1
126.6
123.4
123.6
123.7
120.7
121.2
110.2
104.3
261.5
270.2
113.8
114.5
108.2
219.8
235.2
109.1
113.8
347.0
230.7
111.9
357.4
335.3
111.5
201.9
108.9
112.9
111.9
113.0
110.8
112.0
111.7
112.6
108.7
274.7
281.2
119.3
116.4
114.0
230.7
242.8
114.5
120.4
365.0
240.1
115.7
418.2
358.9
112.7
212.4
113.3
121.1
119.0
116.3
117.5
116.3
116.7
111.9
108.5
276.5
282.2
119.6
116.9
114.8
231.9
244.9
114.6
121.0
368.2
242.0
116.1
424.4
365.3
113.5
213.4
113.3
122.0
120.6
117.6
117.0
116.7
116.9
111.8
108.1
278.3
281.9
119.8
116.2
114.6
232.8
246.7
115.0
121.3
370.7
243.6
115.6
430.8
369.3
114.8
215.7
114.8
122.9
121.7
118.2
118.5
118.6
118.0
113.0
109.1
279.9
284.1
119.9
117.6
116.6
233.7
247.8
115.8
121.5
372.3
243.4
116.4
435.3
372.9
115.5
217.2
116.3
123.9
122.2
119.0
120.2
118.7
118.6
112.7
110.4
282.6
289.6
121.2
122.7
117.5
234.9
248.8
116.1
122.3
375.6
246.5
116.4
440.1
376.8
116.2
219.1
116.8
125.1
122.8
121.1
121.4
119.7
119.5
11.3.4
111.9
287.3
297.1
122.2
131.6
118.5
236.5
247.9
117.2
123.8
383.0
253.6
120.2
436.8
380.4
117.5
221.7
117.9
125.5
124.7
123.1
124.6
120.5
120.3
Food away from home...................................................................
Lunch (12/77=100) ...............................................................
Dinner (12/77=100) ...............................................................
Other meals and snacks (12/77=100)........................................
233.4
113.9
113.1
112.3
247.6
120.7
120.3
118.6
249.6
121.3
121.6
119.5
251.3
122.3
122.4
120.2
253.4
123.3
123.4
121.4
256.1
124.6
124.8
122.5
258.3
125.9
125.8
123.2
234.3
114.2
113.2
113.3
249.3
121.7
120.9
119.9
251.3
122.2
122.4
120.5
252.7
123.2
123.0
120.9
255.1
124.0
124.2
122.5
258.0
125.7
125.6
123.7
260.1
126.7
126.8
124.4
Alcoholic beverages
167.7
174.2
176.0
177.4
178.0
179.3
180.4
167.7
174.9
176.9
178.0
178.7
179.7
181.1
Alcoholic beverages at home (12/77=100)........................................
Beer and a le..........................................................................
Whiskey ...............................................................................
Wine.....................................................................................
Other alcoholic beverages (12/77=100)......................................
Alcoholic beverages away from home (12/77=100).............................
108.9
163.6
124.5
188.7
104.5
111.6
113.3
172.3
129.0
195.2
105.5
115.1
114.6
175.1
129.4
198.0
105.9
115.9
115.6
176.9
130.7
198.1
107.0
116.4
116.0
177.8
130.8
199.1
106.9
116.8
116.8
179.0
131.6
201.6
107.1
118.0
117.4
179.9
132.6
202.5
107.3
119.2
109.6
164.0
125.9
190.9
103.6
108.8
114.3
171.8
130.4
2Ò2.7
105.3
113.4
115.7
175.2
131.0
202.5
105.9
114.2
116.5
176.9
131.9
201.5
106.2
114.9
117.0
177.6
132.0
204.0
106.4
115.2
117.6
178.8
132.9
203.8
106,4
115.9
118.3
179.9
133.8
206.1
106.7
117.6
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Continued
Food — Continued
Food at home —Continued
H O U S IN G ...........................................................................................................
2156
234.6
237.7
240.8
243.6
247.3
250.5
215.4
234.5
237.7
240.7
243.6
247.3
250.5
Shelter
225.9
247.4
251.5
255.9
259.4
264.0
267.2
226.2
248.2
252.4
256.9
260.4
265.1
268.3
Rent, 'es dental............................................................................
171.0
179.0
181.4
182.1
1829
184.1
185.6
170.9
178.9
181.2
181.9
182.7
183.9
185.5
Other rental costs ........................................................................
Lodging while out of town..........................................................
Tenants’ insurance (12/77=100) ...............................................
224.8
235.1
106.3
239.3
251.8
113.7
241.6
254.2
114.1
243.1
256.2
114.6
2449
258.4
115.1
251.1
267.0
116.2
255.7
272.8
117.8
224.7
234.3
106.6
238.6
249.9
114.1
241.3
253.0
114.7
242.6
254.6
115.0
244.4
256.9
115.5
251.1
266.1
116.8
255.6
271.6
118.5
Homeownership............................................................................
Home purchase......................................................................
Financing, taxes, and insurance .................................................
Property insurance ............................................................
Property taxes .................................................................
Contracted mortgage interest cost........................................
Mortgage interest rates.................................................
Maintenance and repairs ..........................................................
Maintenance and repair services .........................................
Maintenance and repair commodities ....................................
Paint and wallpaper, supplies, tools, and
equipment (12/77=100) ...........................................
Lumber, awnings, glass, and masonry (12/77=100)...........
Plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling
supplies (12/77=100)...............................................
Miscellaneous supplies and equipment (12/77=100) .........
2456
2109
283.5
297.4
1808
338.1
157.6
245.9
265.7
199.9
271.9
229.8
323.0
316.7
184.7
396.7
169.7
262.5
284.4
211.5
276.7
233.4
330.5
319.9
185.1
408.1
172.0
264.7
287.0
212.5
282.4
237.3
340.1
320.8
185.1
423.1
175.4
266.4
288.8
214.0
286.9
239.9
348.3
323.1
186.0
435.3
178.3
268.3
2904
216.6
2925
242.1
359.8
327.7
186.7
452.8
183.7
270.6
293.2
217.6
2963
243.0
367.7
333.7
188.2
464.0
187.5
273.7
297.1
218.9
246.2
210.8
285.0
2976
182.3
338.1
157.7
245.7
265.8
200.4
273.3
230.0
325.6
3185
186.1
397.1
169.7
263.4
287.2
210.8
278.3
233.6
333.5
321.9
186.5
408.8
172.0
265.3
289.4
211.9
284.1
237.7
343.5
322.6
186.6
424.2
175.6
266.5
290.3
213.6
288.7
240.2
351.6
324.5
187 4
436.1
178.4
268.9
292.8
215.8
2946
242.3
363.4
328.8
188.2
453.7
1838
271.9
295.9
2184
298.4
243.0
371.6
335.2
189.9
465.0
187.8
274.4
299.3
219.5
110.3
108.9
117.0
115.2
117.4
116.0
118.8
115.5
121.6
115.4
122.5
115.9
123.5
115.8
111.3
109.5
116.1
115.7
116.6
116.2
118.1
117.2
120.3
118.1
122.2
118.6
122.3
119.3
105.7
107.9
111.9
112.9
112.8
113.3
113.4
113.8
114.7
114.3
114.7
115.4
115.3
116.4
106.0
106.1
112.6
111.2
113.8
111.9
114.0
112.2
114.5
112.3
117.0
113.2
117.9
114.5
Fuel and other utilities
223.3
251.2
252.9
252.0
255.1
258.6
263.8
223.5
251.7
253.4
252.4
255.7
259.2
264.4
Fuels .........................................................................................
Fuel oil, coal, and bottled gas....................................................
Fuel oil............................................................................
Other fuels (6/78 = 100) ..................................................
Gas (piped) and electricity ........................................................
Electricity........................................................................
Jtility (piped) gas .............................................................
259.3
326.1
330.4
99.5
241.2
205.7
284.1
306.6
461.6
482.5
114.4
270.1
230.6
317.5
310.3
470.8
491 2
1185
272.5
228.7
329.1
307.0
477.4
4972
121.7
267.3
221.5
328.9
311.8
488.0
507.3
126.0
270.8
224.7
332.6
318.0
514.0
534.4
132.7
273.0
226.6
335.1
327.1
539.1
561.9
136.6
278.8
2338
336.8
259.3
326.4
3307
99.6
241.0
205.9
2830
306.6
462.5
483 3
114.6
269.9
231.1
3158
310.1
471.7
491.9
118.8
272.2
228.8
327.4
306.9
478.2
497.7
122.2
267.1
221.5
327.8
311.8
489.0
508.1
126.6
270.7
224.9
331.1
318.1
515.1
534.9
133.7
273.0
226.8
333.8
327.0
540.3
562.5
137.9
278.5
2339
335.4
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
87
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Consumer Prices
23.
Continued— Consumer Price Index— U.S. city average
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
All Urban Consumers
General summary
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (revised)
1979
1980
1979
1980
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Other utilities and public services ......................................................
Telephone services ...................................................................
Local charges (12/77 = 100) ....................... .......................
Interstate toll calls (12/77 = 100) ..........................................
Intrastate toll calls (12/77 = 100) ..........................................
Water and sewerage maintenance ...............................................
159.0
132.2
100.5
98.4
100.7
240.6
159.8
132.4
100.4
98.4
101.4
245.3
158.8
131.2
98.7
98.4
101.7
245.6
161.0
133.3
101.8
98.4
101.5
247.1
161.9
134.3
103.2
984
101.5
247.2
161.5
133.4
102.6
97.7
100.8
250.0
161.3
132.8
102.7
97.4
98.8
252.3
159.1
132.3
100.6
98.5
100.6
241.1
159.8
132.4
100.5
98.4
101.3
245.5
158.9
131.3
98.8
98.4
101.5
245.8
160.9
133.3
101.8
98.4
101.3
247.2
161.8
134.2
103.2
98.4
101.3
247.3
161.5
133.4
102.6
97.7
100.6
250.5
161.4
132.8
102.7
97.5
98.7
253.0
HOUSING — Continued
Fuel and other utilities — Continued
Household furnishings and operations
186.0
192.2
193.3
195.1
195.8
196.9
199.0
184.8
190.6
191.7
193.2
193.9
194.9
196.8
Housefurnishings ............................................................................
Textile housefurnishings..............................................................
Household linens (12/77 = 100) ...........................................
Curtains, drapes, slipcovers, and sewing materials (12/77 = 100) .
Furniture and bedding ...............................................................
Bedroom furniture (12/77 = 100) ..........................................
Sofas (12/77 = 100) ..........................................................
Living room chairs and tables (12/77 = 100) ...........................
Other furniture (12/77 = 100)...............................................
Appliances including TV and sound equipment................................
Television and sound equipment (12/77 - 100) .......................
Television ..........................................................
Sound equipment (12/77 = 100) ....................................
Household appliances..........................................................
Refrigerators and home freezer........................................
Laundry equipment (12/77 = 100) ..................................
Other household appliances (12/77 = 100).......................
Stoves, dishwashers, vacuums, and sewing
machines (12/77 = 100) ..........................................
Office machines, small electric appliances,
and air conditioners (12/77 = 100).............................
Other household equipment (12/77 = 100)....................................
Floor and window coverings, infants’ laundry
cleaning and outdoor equipment (12/77 = 100) ....................
Clocks, lamps, and decor items (12/77 = 100) .......................
Tableware, serving pieces, and nonelectric
kitchenware (12/77 = 100) ...............................................
Lawn equipment, power tools, and other hardware (12/77 = 100) ,
160.0
169.2
103.1
108.0
172.1
108.8
103.8
102.9
110.5
134.5
103.7
102.9
105.5
153.4
151.3
107.7
108.3
164.1
175.3
106.7
112.0
178.3
114.8
107.1
105.1
113.9
136.2
104.7
102.9
107.5
155.8
154.1
110.9
109.1
165.2
177.8
107.7
114.2
180.0
116.4
107.3
106.2
115.0
136.9
104.9
103.4
107.4
156.9
155.3
112.1
109.8
166.6
178.9
108.8
114.4
182.2
117.7
107.9
107.7
116.8
137.5
105.0
103.6
107.4
158.2
156.0
113.1
110.8
166.9
178.6
108.3
114.6
182.8
118.3
108.2
108.1
117.1
137.5
105.3
103.6
107.8
157.9
156.7
113.6
109.9
167.6
176.7
105.4
115.1
184.0
119.1
108.2
108.9
118.1
137.8
105.3
103.7
107.8
158.5
156.7
114.1
110.5
169.3
182.9
110.1
118.2
185.2
120.5
108.5
110.0
118.3
138.3
105.4
103.7
108.1
159.4
156.5
115.0
111.3
159.4
170.4
103.4
109.5
171.5
107 8
103.8
103.8
109.7
134.0
103.0
101.6
105.2
153.1
154.3
107.1
107.1
163.5
174.9
106.3
112.2
178.5
113.0
108.6
106.7
114.2
135.7
104.4
101.9
107.4
155.2
156.5
111.2
107.2
164.4
177.2
107.4
114.1
180.3
114.8
109.6
107.5
114.7
135.7
104.1
102.0
106.9
155.6
157.9
111.3
107.2
165.5
178.4
108.3
114.5
182.1
115.9
111.7
108.6
115.3
136.2
104.4
102.4
107.1
156.2
158.1
112.2
107.6
165.9
177.3
107.2
114.4
182.7
116.0
111.6
109.2
115.9
136.9
104.8
102.2
108.0
157.1
159.0
112.8
108.2
166.5
175.3
106.0
113.2
183.6
116.8
110.6
109.4
117.8
137.2
104.9
102.2
108.2
157.7
159.4
113.8
108.6
167.9
181.2
109.8
116.6
184.3
117.5
110.3
111.2
117.5
137.8
104.9
102.3
108.2
158.8
159.7
114.7
109.5
109,1
108.6
109.0
109.7
108.6
110.0
110.8
108.2
107.7
106.9
107.1
108.1
109.2
110.5
107.5
107.9
109.7
110.9
110.7
111.2
112.1
112.4
111.4
113.0
111.1
114.6
112.0
115.9
105.8
107.3
106.8
110.3
107.6
110.8
108.2
111.6
108.3
111.8
107.8
113.3
108.4
114.4
107.3
104.1
111.1
108.0
109.8
108.6
111.1
110.0
111.7
110.1
113.1
111.6
114.5
112.7
103.1
104.9
105.8
107.0
105.5
107.1
107.7
108.2
107.4
107.3
108.9
109.4
109.4
109.8
111.8
105.8
114.7
107.6
115.4
108.5
116.8
109.0
117.2
110.3
119.9
110.6
121.4
111.7
109.9
107.9
114.5
109.5
114.7
111.0
115.2
111.1
115.2
112.5
117.3
113.0
118.9
114.2
Housekeeping supplies........................................................
Soaps and detergents .............................................................
Other laundry and cleaning products (12/77 = 100) ........................
Cleansing and toilet tissue, paper towels and napkins (12/77 = 100) ..
Stationery, stationery supplies, and gift wrap (12/77 = 100) .............
Miscellaneous household products (12/77 = 100)..............
Lawn and garden supplies (12/77 = 100).........................
216.9
210.0
108.1
114.1
106.1
109.7
107.3
224.1
215.1
112.3
116,4
109.9
113.3
112.7
224.8
217.9
113.7
117.2
109.5
114.3
110.0
228.3
220.6
114.1
119.2
111.3
115.6
113.8
229.2
221.2
114.7
120.5
111.9
116.9
112.5
231.1
224.1
116.1
120.6
111.6
117.7
114.4
2350
2289
117.2
121.2
112.7
119.4
119.4
216.3
208.4
108.1
114.1
105.4
108.2
108.2
2226
214.5
112.4
117.1
108.3
111.6
109.9
223.9
216.3
113.5
117.9
108.6
112.7
108.8
226.7
218.2
113.7
119.6
109.2
114.1
113.2
227.2
219.7
114.5
120.9
109.3
114.7
109.9
228.8
222.2
115.6
121.8
109.0
115.0
111.3
232.8
2265
117.1
123.4
112.3
116.6
113.3
Housekeeping services...................................................
Postage .............................................................
Moving, storage, freight, household laundry, and
drycleaning services (12/77 = 100) .........................
Appliance and furniture repair (12/77 = 100) ......................
241.4
257.3
253.4
257.3
254.6
257.3
256.6
257.3
258.1
257.3
260.0
257.3
261.6
257.3
240.5
257.2
252.1
257.2
253.9
257.2
255.9
257.2
257.5
257.2
259.2
257.2
261.1
257.2
110.7
107.0
118.1
111.7
118.8
112.3
120.4
112.9
121.2
113.4
122.9
114.0
124.2
114.7
111.6
106.2
118.6
111.1
119.7
112.1
121.2
112.9
122.3
113.4
123.3
114.4
124.6
115.5
APPAREL AND UPKEEP
161.4
169.8
171.0
171.7
172.2
171.0
171.9
161.6
169.3
170.8
171.3
171.4
169.8
171.5
Apparel commodities
156.3
164.2
165.2
165.9
166.1
164.3
165.1
156.7
163.9
165.3
165.7
165.7
163.6
165.2
154.1
156.7
99.2
96.3
94.0
105.3
102.2
98.0
99.7
92.5
105.2
103.2
147.7
99.0
161.0
160.5
98.1
103 6
86.6
94.6
92.8
92.0
161.5
162.7
102.7
100.0
96.5
110.6
107.2
99.0
104.8
102.7
109.4
104.5
155.9
103.9
174.1
171.1
99.8
106.2
96.7
102.4
102.8
100.3
162.3
164.2
103.5
101.6
97.8
109.9
108.5
99.5
106.3
103.9
110.8
106.5
155.5
103.4
173.9
167.2
99.6
106.6
97.1
103.6
102.8
102.5
162.9
165.4
104.3
101.2
98.1
112.4
109.7
100.5
106.6
103.2
111.5
107.4
155.1
103.0
173.3
164.3
99.2
108.1
95.2
103.9
102.2
103.6
163.0
165.4
104.3
100.9
98.0
112.3
110.5
100.4
106.6
102.4
111.9
107.8
154.6
102.8
170.0
165.3
98.6
108.2
95.8
102 8
100.3
102.6
161.1
162.8
102.6
98.8
95.5
112.2
108.6
98.2
105.6
99.3
111.5
108.2
151.5
100.8
166.4
161.3
96.1
108.6
91.0
100.5
97.5
99.9
161.8
162.7
102.3
98.2
93.6
112.7
109.3
97.7
106.3
99.9
110.9
109.5
151.1
100.8
163.1
160.6
97.1
110.2
88.2
98.9
95.7
98.2
154.7
157.6
100.2
95.5
97.8
104.1
102.6
100.4
99.0
91.3
105.2
102.7
147.7
99.4
163.5
158.6
96.7
104.1
91.5
93.4
90.9
91.8
161.2
163.2
103.2
98.3
99.1
108.6
107.1
102.5
103.9
102.0
108.8
103.5
154.4
103.0
175.7
158.5
100.4
107.4
98.1
101.1
98.5
102.1
162.4
164.4
103.8
99.1
99.5
109.1
108.3
102.8
105.3
103.8
110,1
104.7
154.8
103.3
174.1
159.1
100.4
107.9
999
101.5
97.9
103.5
162.7
165.3
104.5
98.7
99.7
110.0
109.4
104.0
105.6
103.4
109.7
105.8
154.5
103.0
172.4
156.8
100.7
108.9
97.5
101.7
97.5
104.3
162.6
165.0
104.2
96.8
99.1
109.9
111.5
103.4
105.8
103.1
110.2
106.2
153.5
102.3
167.9
155.7
99.5
109.3
98.1
101.4
97.7
102.9
160.2
162.4
102.3
94.9
95.6
109.3
108.3
102.2
104.7
99.8
109.7
106.6
149.9
100.1
165.0
150.0
97.1
109.1
94.0
97.9
91.9
99.8
161.9
162.9
102.4
94.4
92.2
111.1
109.4
102.2
105.9
101.9
109.5
107.7
151.3
101.4
162.4
151.2
992
110.6
96.8
97.3
92.6
98.1
102.2
105.7
106.7
107.2
107.3
106.7
105.6
' 100.5
103.5
103.9
104.2
104.4
104.4
103.5
Apparel commodities less footwear.........................
Men’s and boys’ ...............................................
Men’s (12/77 = 100) .............................................
Suits, sport coats, and jackets (12/77 = 100) ..............
Coats and jackets (12/77 = 100)....................
Furnishings and special clothing (12/77 = 100) ..............
Shirts (12/77 = 100) ...........................................
Dungarees, jeans, and trousers (12/77 = 100) ................
Boys’ (12/77 = 100) ...................................................
Coats, jackets, sweaters, and shirts (12/77 = 100) ............
Furnishings (12/77 = 100).........................................
Suits, trousers, sport coats, and jackets (12/77 = 100) .......
Women’s and girls’ .............................................
Women’s (12/77 = 100)...........................................
Coats and jackets .........................................
Dresses ........................................................
Separates and sportswear (12/77 = 100).......................
Underwear, nightwear, and hosiery (12/77 = 100)..............
Suits (12/77 = 100)......................................
Girls (12/77 = 100) ......................................
Coats, jackets, dresses, and suits (12/77 = 100)................
Separates and sportswear (12/77 = 100) .........................
Underwear, nightwear, hosiery, and
accessories (12/77 = 100)..........................................
88
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
23.
Continued— Consumer Price Index— U.S. city average
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (revised)
All Urban Consumers
General summary
1979
1980
1979
1980
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Apparel commodities less footwear—Continued
Infants' and toddlers’ ...............................................................
Othe' apparel commodities ......................................................
Sewing materials and notions (12/77 - 100) .........................
Jewelry and luggage (12/77 - 100) ....................................
213.7
164.8
100.6
109.2
223.4
172.6
102.3
115.6
224.8
175.5
102.2
118.3
226.3
177.8
100.8
121.0
227.1
180.9
102.4
123.1
224.9
184.4
103.2
126.1
226.6
191.4
106.3
131.2
214.6
167.5
100.2
112.0
226.0
174.9
100.4
118.9
228.7
178.7
100.8
122.3
228.7
179.8
99.7
123.8
230.5
182.9
100.8
126.2
229.1
185.5
101.2
128.4
232.7
191.8
105.7
132.3
Footwear.....................................................................................
Men's (12/77 - 100) ..............................................................
Boys' and girls' (12/77 = 100) .................................................
Womens’ (12/77 = 100)..........................................................
168.9
106.8
106.6
104.5
180.1
115.0
111.6
112.0
182.6
116.7
113.0
113.5
183.8
117.7
114.0
113.9
184.3
117.3
115.8
113.8
183.7
117.8
117.3
111.6
184.6
118.3
117.9
112.1
167.8
106.7
105.8
103.4
179.4
116.3
111.6
109.6
181.9
118.0
113.0
111.1
183.2
119.1
114.5
111.2
183.8
119.4
114.7
111.8
183.3
119.3
116.9
109.4
183.9
119.4
118.0
109.5
Apparel services ................................................................................................
197.3
114.6
108.6
210.2
123.6
113.0
212.5
125.2
114,0
214.2
126.3
114.7
216.6
127.1
117.0
220.7
129.3
119.6
222.9
130.6
120.7
196.8
114.2
108.9
208.7
123.2
112.3
210.8
124.7
112.9
212.0
125.7
113.3
213.4
126.6
113.7
216.9
129.0
115.1
219.8
130.6
116.9
APPAREI. AND UPKEEP
Apparel commodities
Continued
Continued
Laundry and drycleaning other than coin operated (12/77 = 100)...........
Other apparel services (12/77 - 100) .............................................
TRANSPORTATION
195.6
221.4
222.7
224.9
227.7
233.5
239.6
196.1
222.4
223.4
225.7
228.3
234.1
240.2
P r iv a t e ...................................................................................................................
195.5
222.0
223.1
225.0
227.5
233.5
239.8
195.9
222.7
223.7
225.7
228.2
234.1
240.4
New cars ...................................................................................
Used cars ...................................................................................
Gasol ne .....................................................................................
Automobl e maintenance and repair...................................................
Body work (12/77 - 100)........................................................
Automobile drive train, brake, and miscellaneous
mechanical repair (12/77 = 100) ...........................................
Maintenance and servicing (12/77 = 100) ..................................
Poweir plant repair (12/77 - 100) .............................................
Other private transportation ............................................................
Othe' private transportation commodities ....................................
Motor oil, coolant, and other products (12/77 = 100) ..............
Automobile parts and equipment (12/77 - 100)......................
Tires ........................................................................
Other parts and equipment (12/77 = 100) ......................
Othe- private transportation services...........................................
Automobile insurance ........................................................
Automobile finance charges (12/77 = 100) ...........................
Automobile rental, registration, and other fees (12/77 = 100) ...
State registration ........................................................
Drivers’ license (12/77 = 100) ......................................
Vehicle inspection (12/77 = 100) ..................................
Other vehicle related fees (12/77 - 100) .......................
162.3
193.4
213.0
233.9
112.0
166.1
202.9
301.0
247.1
119.4
167.5
199.9
303.8
249.1
120.6
170.6
198.4
306.9
250.8
121.6
171.7
198.2
313.9
252.6
123.3
173.9
197.2
334.6
255.1
125.0
175.3
195.3
357.6
258.2
126.5
162.0
193.4
213.4
234.3
112.9
165.9
202.9
302.3
247.5
119.2
167.4
199.9
305.2
249.4
120.4
170.9
198.4
308.3
251.1
121.7
171.7
198.3
315.6
253.4
123.1
174.1
197.2
335.9
256.2
124.3
175.4
195.3
359.0
259.2
126.1
112.1
110.8
110.5
192.5
167.9
106.2
108.9
150.0
109.6
200.9
222.2
112.1
105.1
143.9
104.5
112.0
109.8
118.1
116.9
116.7
201.7
177.7
114.4
114.9
156.4
119.1
210.1
233.5
117.7
107.8
144.0
104.5
114.6
116.1
119.4
117.5
117.8
203.7
182.0
115.9
117.9
160.7
121.8
211.4
233.8
120.4
107.9
144.0
104.5
114.6
116.4
120.1
118.4
118.5
205.5
183.4
117.4
118.7
161.5
123.0
213.4
233.9
124.6
108.3
144.1
104.5
115.6
117.1
120.6
119.2
119.2
207.5
185.6
118.1
120.3
163.8
124.4
215.3
235.3
127.2
108.5
144.1
104.5
117.5
117.6
121.8
120.2
120.4
209.8
188.4
120.9
121.9
165.8
126.6
217.6
237.1
129.9
109.1
144.2
104.7
117.5
1188
123.2
121.3
122.5
212.6
191.2
123.9
123.5
168.5
127.3
220.4
240.2
132.1
109.8
145.2
104.8
119.0
119.6
112.9
110.1
111.0
193.1
170.2
106.8
110.5
152.1
111.4
201.1
222.2
111.3
105.5
143.7
104.3
112.8
112.3
119.0
116.8
117.0
202.3
178.7
114.5
115.7
158.1
118.6
210.6
233.5
117.0
108.4
143.9
104.3
115.5
120.3
120.2
117.3
118.0
204.0
181.6
115.9
117.6
161.1
120.0
211.9
2337
119.4
108.6
143.9
104.2
115.5
120.8
120.8
118.2
118.6
206.3
183.9
118.1
119.0
163.0
121.5
214.3
233.9
124.1
108.9
144.0
104.2
116.5
121.3
121.8
119.3
119.6
208.4
186.4
119.3
120.6
165.7
122.4
216.3
235.2
126.5
109.2
144.0
104.2
118.3
122.2
123.6
120.4
120.9
210.6
188.0
122.4
121.4
166.3
124.0
218.7
236.8
129.4
109.8
144.1
104.5
118.3
123 8
124.8
121.3
123.1
213.6
191.7
124.0
123.9
170.6
125.0
221.5
239.7
131.3
110.9
145.3
104.5
119.7
125.4
P u b lic .....................................................................................................................
190.7
205.2
209.1
216.5
223.0
226.8
229.5
191.4
204.1
207.3
214.0
219.1
221.9
223.9
Arl ne fare...................................................................................
Intercity bus fare ..........................................................................
Intracity mass transit .....................................................................
Taxi fare .....................................................................................
Intercity train fare..........................................................................
191.3
246.4
186.4
208.9
192.8
214.1
268.0
190.5
228.5
221.0
220.6
276.0
191.3
233.6
221.1
232.1
279.8
195.6
237.0
231.0
245.5
282.2
196.4
238.5
236.3
251.1
284.7
198.5
243.1
237.2
255.4
288.5
199.7
244.0
237.2
190.8
246.5
186.2
213.2
192.7
214.2
268.0
190.2
233.9
221.3
220.7
275.5
191.0
238.7
221.4
232.4
279.9
195.1
242.4
232.1
245.8
282.3
195.7
243.9
236.6
251.0
284.8
196.7
248.9
237.1
255.2
288.2
197.6
249.3
237.0
258.7
MEDICAL CARE ..................................................................................................
232.6
243.7
245.9
248.0
250.7
253.9
257.9
232.1
244.7
247.2
249.1
251.7
254.9
Medical care c o m m o d itie s...............................................................................
150.1
155.8
156.6
157.8
159.2
160.5
162.1
150.7
156.7
157.4
158.5
159.9
161.0
162.7
Prescription drugs .........................................................................
Anti-infective drugs (12/77 = 100).............................................
Tranquillizers and sedatives (12/77 = 100)..................................
Circulatories and diuretics (12/77 = 100)....................................
Hormones, diabetic drugs, biologicals, and
prescription and supplies (12/77 = 100) ..................................
Pain and symptom control drugs (12/77 = 100) ...........................
Supplements, cough and cold preparations, and
respiratory agents (12/77 = 100)...........................................
138.4
109.1
112.2
106.1
143.5
113.1
114.9
109.3
144.5
113.5
115.8
109.7
145.5
113.9
117.1
111.0
146.4
114.6
118.4
111.4
147.9
115.8
119.9
112.4
149.8
117.2
121.3
113.4
139.1
110.5
112.1
106.9
144.4
114.1
115.0
110.0
145.2
114.8
115.6
110.6
146.2
115.5
116.9
111.6
147.4
116.8
118.3
112.3
148.8
118.2
119.7
113.0
150.7
119.8
121.0
114.2
114.9
110.0
120.9
114.8
122.5
115.6
123.2
116.8
123.8
117.8
126.0
118.8
128.7
119.7
114.7
110.3
120.8
116.0
122.2
116.3
122.6
117.5
123.1
118.2
124.8
119.0
127.8
120.1
107.4
110.9
111.3
111.9
112.1
112.6
113.7
108.4
112.2
112.6
112.8
113.7
114.2
115.2
Nonprescription drugs and medical supplies (12/77 = 100) ..................
Eyeglasses (12/77 = 100) ......................................................
Internal and respiratory over-the-counter drugs .............................
Nonprescription medical equipment and supplies (12/77 = 100).......
107.8
105.1
166.2
107.2
112.0
109.2
173.0
110.8
112.5
110.2
173.7
111.0
113.4
110.9
175.4
111.8
114.6
110.9
177.9
113.1
115.3
111.5
179.1
113.8
116.3
112.9
180.4
114.6
108.3
105.5
167.3
107.4
112.8
109.3
174.7
111.2
113.2
110.0
175.2
111.8
114.0
110.4
176.6
112.7
115.1
110.5
178.5
114.2
115.6
111.4
179.0
115.0
116.6
112.6
180.8
115.6
......................................................................................
250.4
262.8
265.3
267.6
270.7
274.4
279.0
249.6
263.8
266.8
268.8
271.8
275.6
279.8
Professional services .....................................................................
Phys oans' services.................................................................
Dental services.......................................................................
Other professional services (12/77 - 100)..................................
220.7
236.3
209.4
108.8
230.3
248.4
217.2
112.4
231.6
249.7
218.5
112.7
233.0
250.8
220.7
112.8
235.9
252.5
224.5
115.1
238.9
256.0
227.4
116.6
242.9
260.2
231.5
118.1
220.9
236.2
210.9
107.6
233.1
251.5
220.7
111.7
234.9
254.4
221.2
112.1
235.9
255.5
222.7
112.2
238.3
256.5
226.1
114.8
241.7
260.3
229.5
115.9
245.5
264.1
233.4
117.4
Other medical care services............................................................
Hospital and other medical services (12/77 = 100)........................
Hospital room...................................................................
Other hospital and medical care services ...............................
286.4
114.0
359.3
113.0
302.0
119.6
376.4
118.8
306.2
121.3
380.2
120.8
309.5
122.6
385.1
122.0
312.8
123.8
389.4
122.9
317.4
125.6
395.3
124.7
322.7
127.8
403.4
126.5
284.5
113.3
3568
112.3
301.3
118.9
374.1
118.0
305.9
120.5
379.4
119.5
309.3
121.8
383.6
120.8
313.0
123.2
388.7
122.1
317.3
124.9
393.9
123.8
322.1
126.8
398.8
125.9
Medical care services
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
89
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Consumer Prices
23.
Continued— Consumer Price Index— U.S. city average
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
All Urban Consumers
General summary
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (revised)
1980
1979
1980
1979
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
E N TE R TA IN M E N T................................................................................................
183.2
191.1
192.0
192.8
193.4
195.3
197.8
182.4
190.2
Entertainment commodities
184.0
192.0
193.1
194.0
195.2
197.6
200.4
182.6
Reading materials (12/77 = 100).....................................................
Newspapers ......................... .................................................
Magazines, periodicals, and books (12/77 = 100).........................
107.1
208.3
108.5
111.9
214.5
115.0
113.8
217.7
117.2
114.5
222.4
116.0
115.1
223.5
116.8
1167
226.8
118.1
117.4
227.7
119.2
Sporting goods and equipment (12/77 = 100)....................................
Sport vehicles (12/77 = 100) ...................................................
Indoor and warm weather sport equipment (12/77 = 100)..............
Bicycles ................................................................................
Other sporting goods and equipment (12/77 = 100) ......................
105.8
106.2
104.0
155.6
104.4
111.3
111.7
107.8
167.1
110.3
112.2
112.9
107.5
167.1
111.0
113.8
106.1
165.6
109.3
111.2
111.5
107.5
167.1
110.0
Toys, hobbies and other entertainment (12/77 = 100) .........................
Toys, hobbies and music equipment (12/77 = 100)........................
Photographic supplies and equipment (12/77 = 100)......................
Pet supplies and expense (12/77 = 100) ....................................
106.4
107.2
105.7
105.4
110.4
110.4
108.9
111.6
110.8
110.7
109.4
112.1
111.2
110.5
109.9
113.5
112.1
111.2
1097
115.5
Entertainment services
182.4
190.2
190.8
191.5
Fees for participant sports (12/77 = 100)..........................................
Admissions (12/77 = 100)..............................................................
Other entertainment services (12/77 = 100)......................................
107.3
111.4
105.8
113.0
115.2
109.4
113.2
115.7
110.0
113.8
116.1
110.0
Nov.
Dec.
191.4
192.0
r 192.3
193.9
196.2
189.9
1907
191.3
192.4
194.2
196.9
106.8
208.0
108.3
111.4
214.2
114.8
113.3
217.4
117.2
114.2
222.2
115.8
114.8
223.3
116.6
116.2
2264
117.8
117.0
227.3
118.9
103.9
103.9
102.2
154.9
103.8
107.5
106.1
167.4
110.2
107.7
105.8
106.3
167.0
111.3
108.6
104.7
164.7
108.5
106.7
104.6
106.0
166.9
109.8
106.9
107.6
170.5
111.8
115.9
117.4
108.3
174,5
112.4
106.4
170.5
111.9
110.8
109,1
107.8
174.9
112.6
113.2
112.1
110.8
116.8
115.1
114.1
114.1
117.6
106.0
105.7
105.6
106.9
110.4
109.6
108.8
112.9
111.0
110.1
109.3
113.9
111.2
109.8
109.6
114.6
111.8
109.9
110.1
116.1
112.6
110.9
111.2
116.7
114.3
112.3
114.2
117.9
191.1
192.5
194.5
183.1
191.8
193.5
194.3
' 193.0
194.4
196.0
113.8
116.6
108.6
114.6
117.9
109.1
116.0
118.3
111.4
107.3
111.5
106.3
113.4
116.3
110.9
114.9
116.8
111.4
115.2
117.3
112.0
' 115.0
117.8
109.0
115.6
119.4
109.3
116.3
1197
111.8
203.0
2060
207.7
Jan.
Feb.
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES
191.9
201.7
202.3
202.9
204.0
206.3
208 1
191.9
200.6
201.4
202.0
Tobacco products
185.2
190.9
191.3
191.5
192.1
1967
198.1
185.4
190.9
191.2
191.4
192.1
197.1
198.3
Cigarettes....................................................................................
Other tobacco products and smoking accessories (12/77 = 100)...........
187.9
107.9
193.6
112.2
193.8
113.0
194.0
112.8
194.7
113.2
199.7
113.9
200.9
115.6
188.2
107.4
193.7
111.0
193.9
112.3
194,1
112.4
194.8
1127
200.3
113.4
201 3
114,8
Personal care
190.4
199.0
199.8
200.9
203.0
204.2
206.5
190.4
198.4
199.4
200.5
202.3
204.4
2066
Toilet goods and personal care appliances..........................................
Products for the hair, hairpieces and wigs (12/77 = 100)................
Dental and shaving products (12/77 = 100).................................
Cosmetics, bath and nail preparations, manicure
and eye makeup implements (12/77 = 100) .............................
Other toilet goods and small personal care appliances (12/77 = 100)
184.2
107.2
109.0
191.4
111.6
114.3
192.5
111.9
114.1
193.1
112.2
115.6
195.8
113.0
117.3
196.4
114.2
117.8
198.6
116.1
118.6
1847
1057
108.6
191.0
110.6
112.5
191.6
111.1
112.7
192.4
111.4
113.9
194.5
112.4
1147
196.2
114.0
115.3
198.3
114.9
116.8
105.7
106.7
110.4
108.6
110.7
110.9
111.4
109.9
113.0
112.1
112.9
112.1
114.2
112.9
106.5
108.9
110.6
110.3
110.1
111.7
110.2
112.3
112.1
113.1
112.9
114,0
114.0
115.6
Personal care services..............................................................
Beauty parlor services for women.............................................
Haircuts and other barber shop services for men (12/77 = 100) ...
196.4
198.3
109.2
206.4
207.7
115.5
207.0
208.3
115.9
208.5
210.3
116.1
210.0
212.1
116.8
211.6
213.3
118.1
214.2
216.1
119.3
196.3
198.9
108.4
205.8
207.4
114.7
207.3
209.1
115.4
2086
210.2
116.3
210.2
212.0
117.1
212.7
214.2
118.8
215.0
216.6
120.0
Personal and educational expenses
207.8
223.3
224,0
224.2
224.6
226.3
228.0
208.2
223.5
224.2
224.4
224.8
226.2
227.8
School books and supplies........................................................
Personal and educational services...................................................
Tuition and other school fees ........................................
College tuition (12/77 = 100) .............................................
Elementary and high school tuition (12/77 = 100) ..................
Personal expenses (12/77 = 100).............................................
191.2
212.1
108.5
108.7
107.5
109.9
201.5
228.6
117.7
116.9
120.9
115.1
202.3
229.4
118.1
117.3
120.9
115.8
202.3
229.6
118.1
117.3
120.9
116.3
202.5
229.9
118.1
117.3
120.9
117.3
206.0
231.4
118.3
117.6
120.9
120.1
206.5
2333
118.5
117,8
120.9
124.4
193.7
212.1
108.4
108.7
107.4
110.0
205.0
2284
117.9
116.8
120.7
114.4
205.8
229.0
118.2
117.3
1207
114.9
205.9
229.3
118.2
117.3
120.7
115.5
206.0
2297
118.2
117.3
120.7
116.3
2098
2306
118.4
117.6
1207
117.7
210.4
2325
118.6
117.8
120.7
121.4
211.3
254.0
203i8
260.6
297.1
2835
219.3
276.6
299.8
288.9
220.7
278.7
302.9
296.0
220.5
2806
309.7
302.1
223.5
282.2
329.9
310.5
225.0
284.7
352.5
316.7
227.9
287.6
211.7
253.9
204.1
2602
298.3
283.1
219.5
277.8
301.2
228.5
220.7
279.9
304.3
295.8
220.3
281.3
311.4
301.6
223.0
283.4
331 3
310.0
224.4
286.0
353.8
3162
2272
288.7
Special Indexes:
Gasoline, motor oil, coolant and other products .................................
Insurance and finance ...........................................
Utilities and public transportation......................................................
Housekeeping and home maintenance services ...............................
90
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
24. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Cross classification of region and population size class by expenditure
category and commodity and service group
[December 1977 = 100]
Size class A
Size class B
(1.25 million or more)
(385,000-1.250 million)
Size class D
Size class C
(75,000
385,000)
(75,000 or less)
Category and group
1979
Oct.
1980
Dec.
Feb.
1979
Oct.
1979
1980
Dec.
Feb.
Oct.
1980
1980
1979
Dec.
Feb.
Oct.
Dec.
Feb.
Northeast
EXPENDITURE CATEGORY
All items ..................................................................................................
Food and beverages ............................................................................
Hous ng ............................................................................................
Appa-e and upkeep ............................................................................
Transportation.....................................................................................
Medical care.......................................................................................
Entertainment .....................................................................................
Other goods and services .....................................................................
117.3
119.2
117.9
107.7
121.1
115.4
111.4
111.7
119.0
120.6
119.8
108.9
123.7
117.3
111.5
112.7
122.1
122.1
122.9
109.5
129.9
120.6
114.4
114.4
120.2
119.6
121.3
109.2
125.0
118.5
113.6
114.1
122.2
121.9
123.7
109.0
127.6
120.0
113.5
114.3
125.6
124.3
126.7
107.1
135.0
121.6
115.7
116.5
123.0
121.9
127.7
107.8
124.9
117.0
110.0
115.6
125.7
123.2
132.1
108.5
127.0
118.9
109.8
116.3
129.1
126.0
135.5
107.3
133.1
121.3
112.2
119.2
119.2
119.4
119.9
108.3
124.5
116.3
114.1
112.5
121.8
121.2
123.2
109.8
127.3
119.0
115.1
113.1
124.2
123.4
124.8
106.8
133.5
121.4
118.9
114.8
118.6
118.3
115.6
120.5
120.4
117.2
124.1
125.3
119.5
121.8
122.8
117.8
123.7
124.6
119.9
127.5
129.1
122.5
122.8
123.2
123.3
125.1
126.0
126.6
128.5
129.7
129.9
120.0
120.4
117.9
122.5
123.2
120.7
125.6
126.6
122.2
COMMODITY AND SERVICE GROUP
Commodities............................................................................................
Commodities less food and beverages .....................................................
Services ..................................................................................................
North Central
EXPENDITURE CATEGORY
All items ..................................................................................................
Food and beverages ............................................................................
Housing ............................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep ............................................................................
Transportation.....................................................................................
Medical care.......................................................................................
Entertainment .....................................................................................
Other goods and services .....................................................................
123.2
121.2
128.7
105.3
125.0
115.9
112.6
112.5
126.3
123.2
133.1
105.6
127.9
119.6
113.9
113.6
129.6
124.9
136.7
105.2
133.5
123.2
116.9
115.4
122.3
119.2
125.7
109.9
125.2
118.6
110.7
117.8
124.6
120.2
129.3
110.9
127.5
119.3
111.0
117.7
127.2
122.6
131.5
107.1
133.4
122.2
111.5
119.4
121.9
121.6
124.5
107.4
126.0
117.5
112.7
112.3
123.7
123.4
125.9
109.0
129.1
119.7
114.4
114.0
126.4
124.8
127.6
109.0
135.8
124.5
116.2
115.5
122.0
122.8
124.0
110.0
124.3
119.1
112.7
115.7
123.0
124.8
123.6
111.9
127.3
121.8
113.8
116.1
125.8
126.9
125.9
110.4
132.6
126.8
115.9
119.1
122.5
123.0
124.3
125.4
126.4
127.7
128.1
129.6
131.8
120.8
121.5
124.7
122.5
123.5
128.0
124.5
125.2
131.6
121.7
121.7
122.2
123.5
123.6
124.1
125.9
126.4
127.1
121.1
120.4
123.3
122.5
121.6
123.8
124.3
123.1
128.2
COMMODITY AND SERVICE GROUP
Commodities............................................................................................
Commodities less food and beverages .....................................................
Services ..................................................................................................
South
EXPENDITURE CATEGORY
All items ..................................................................................................
Food and beverages ............................................................................
Housing ............................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep ............................................................................
Transportation.....................................................................................
Medical care.......................................................................................
Entertainment .....................................................................................
Othe' goods and services .....................................................................
120.7
122.2
122.0
111.2
124.2
116.0
109.4
114.4
123.1
123.5
125.0
112.3
127.6
117.7
109.5
115.8
127.1
125.0
129.1
112.5
135.7
119.7
114.5
118.5
122.4
121.3
125.8
110.8
124.5
116.9
113.2
114.0
124.6
122.9
128.4
110.3
127.8
118.3
113.9
115.1
128.0
124.4
131.9
109.6
134.7
121.6
115.4
117.7
122.1
122.1
125.9
106,4
123.2
117.6
113.6
114.2
124.3
123.9
128.4
105.7
126.4
120.7
113.8
115.5
127.9
126.0
131.8
105.5
133.7
124.8
115.9
117.5
120.6
121.0
121.6
103.9
124.4
122.5
117.1
117.3
122.5
122.5
123.9
104.8
126.3
124.9
119.4
118.3
125.9
124.0
127.7
100.9
133.1
129.0
121.6
121.5
120.5
119.8
121.0
122.6
122.2
123.8
126.7
127.5
127.7
121.2
121.2
124.3
123.1
123.2
126.8
125.9
126.6
131.1
120.7
120.1
124,2
122.7
122.2
126.7
126.4
126.5
130.2
120.2
119.9
121.1
121.9
121.6
123.5
124.7
125.0
127.7
COMMODITY AND SERVICE GROUP
Commodities............................................................................................
Commodities less food and beverages ....................................................
Services ..................................................................................................
West
EXPENDITURE CATEGORY
All items ..................................................................................................
Food and beverages ............................................................................
Housing ............................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep ............................................................................
Transportation.....................................................................................
Medical care.......................................................................................
Entertainment .....................................................................................
Other goods and services .....................................................................
120.8
121.2
121.2
107.9
127.2
119.8
109.3
115.2
124.8
123.4
127.0
110.0
129.9
121.9
111.1
115.5
129.6
124.2
132.9
113.6
137.4
125.6
113.5
119.2
123.6
123.1
126.2
111.0
126.7
117.8
115.6
115.3
126.6
125.8
130.2
111.5
128.8
121.3
115.9
116.5
130.6
126.9
134.6
112.4
135.8
124.8
118.6
120.3
122.2
121.1
124.8
104.4
126.3
118.4
113.8
113.0
124.5
122.9
127.8
104.4
129.0
119.9
114.9
113.6
128.1
123.8
131.0
104.2
137.1
124.6
117.8
116.3
122.8
121.5
124.8
114.0
124.6
120.7
117.8
116.0
124.3
123.7
125.4
114.9
128.2
122.7
119.2
116.4
127.1
125.7
127.1
114.7
134.8
126.2
123.6
119.7
120.5
120.2
121.3
123.1
123.0
126.9
127.0
128.1
133.2
123.1
123.1
124.4
125.3
125.1
128.4
128.8
129.6
133.0
121.7
121.9
122.8
123.6
123.8
125.9
126.7
127.8
130.0
120.7
120.4
125.9
123.0
122.7
126.3
126.7
127.2
127.6
COMMODITY AND SERVICE GROUP
Commodities............................................................................................
Commodities less food and beverage......................................................
Services ..................................................................................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
91
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Consumer Prices
25.
Consumer Price Index — U.S. city average, and selected areas
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
All Urban Consumers
A re a ’
U.S. city average2 ........................................................
Anchorage, Alaska (10/67 = 100)....................................
Atlanta, Ga....................................................................
Baltimore, Md.................................................................
Boston, Mass.................................................................
Buffalo, N Y...................................................................
1980
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
207.1
223.4
225.4
227.5
229,9
233.2
236.4
207.1
223.7
225.6
227.6
230.0
233.3
236.5
230.3
202.7
213.2
213.7
220.8
201.8
224.9
218.1
208.8
196.2
224.2
204.6
201.9
218.7
221.3
229.0
221.8
210.1
205.8
240.8
220.7
Philadelphia, Pa.-N.J........................................................
Pittsburgh, Pa.................................................................
Portland, Oreg.-Wash......................................................
St. Louis, Mo.-lll..............................................................
San Diego, Calif.............................................................
204.1
209.2
San Francisco-Oakland, Calif............................................
Seattle-Everett, Wash......................................................
Washington, DC -Me -Va..................................................
203.9
218.1
215.4
219.5
2284
231.3
224.2
220.1
226.0
232.2
222.2
240.4
221.3
220.0
2224
221.5
'The areas listed include not only the central city but the entire portion of the Standard
Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined for the 1970 Census of Population, except that the
Standard Consolidated Area is used for New York and Chicago.
237.2
232.6
223.7
229.2
226.1
224.4
227.2
202.4
211.0
206.3
240.4
2209
255.9
238.7
237.6
208.8
196.0
223.1
204.2
202.3
237.9
228.0
212.5
204.7
231.1
235.5
205.8
208.6
218.6
220.6
230.8
221.7
223.0
118.7
228.7
217.8
217.1
220.3
240.7
2Average of 85 cities.
204.2
230.8
225.8
221.3
226.1
220.7
221.1
223.8
229.9
241.0
236.4
235.0
239.9
221.3
251.9
236.6
240.0
124.9
240.8
234.8
222.4
224.6
229.7
225.5
225.8
228.0
2396
227.7
231.6
235.9
243.5
233.5
251.0
229.0
225.5
226.7
232.5
244.1
240.9
250.9
232.2
215.5
246.0
232.4
229.9
236.7
226.3
2448
220.8
221.0
224.4
227.8
227.9
233.2
233.3
120.5
232.5
233.0
219.3
232.6
222.5
237.7
236.0
231.9
225.6
235.6
248.6
226.9
211.1
241.8
227.9
224.0
233.5
234.5
226.9
220.7
225.5
228.0
223.5
215.9
227.0
227.9
222.5
243.6
244.6
232.7
254.0
230.2
227.6
225.4
232.7
243.5
241.7
123.3
236,4
234.0
2229
236.6
225.7
247.8
222.6
222.9
203.1
247.3
233.2
214.8
248.7
233.7
228.0
119.4
229.8
231.2
219.9
230.3
239.5
211.8
223.5
224.9
217.9
227.9
232.5
234.1
245.9
227.2
210.5
244.2
229.9
221.8
117.4
226.0
211.8
205.2
225.9
233.4
210.9
234.4
227.3
221.2
224.7
228.2
223.7
218.2
223.3
227.2
222.7
203.0
Detroit, Mich..................................................................
Honolulu, Hawaii............................................................
Houston, Tex..................................................................
Kansas City, Mo -Kansas ...............................................
Los Angeles-Long Beach, Anaheim, Calif.............................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1979
Sept.
202.6
92
1980
Feb.
Chicago, Ill -Northwestern Ind............................................
Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky -Ind....................................................
Cleveland, Ohio ............................................................
Dallas-Ft. Worth, Tex.......................................................
Denver-Boulder, Colo......................................................
Miami, Fla. (11/77 = 100) .............................................
Milwaukee, Wis...............................................................
Mmneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.-Wis..........................................
New York. N.Y.-Northeastern N.J.......................................
Northeast, Pa. (Scranton) ...............................................
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (revised)
1979
240.0
2338
233.0
26.
Producer Price Indexes, by stage of processing
[1967=100]
Annual
1980
1979
Commodity grouping
1978
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
O ct.
N o v .’
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Finished goods..............................................................
194.6
209.1
211.4
212.7
213.7
216.2
217.3
220.7
224.2
226.3
227.8
232.1
235.4
238.2
Finished consumer goods..........................................
Finished consumer foods ......................................
Crude ............................................................
Processed .......................................................
Other nondurable goods........................................
Durable goods.....................................................
192.6
206.7
215.5
204.1
195.4
165.8
207.9
226.3
244.6
222.8
209.8
176.8
210.2
227.8
241.8
224.6
213.1
178.4
211.6
226.6
226.7
224.4
217.1
179.5
212.7
223.6
227.1
221.3
221.7
180.4
215.6
224.9
224.9
222.8
227.1
181.6
217.5
223.5
231.7
220.7
233.4
181.6
221.7
228.1
214.0
227.0
r239.0
182.9
224.7
226.7
215.5
225.5
243.3
189.0
227.1
230.5
228.1
228.6
245.5
190.0
228.8
232.0
227.8
230.1
247.8
191.2
233.2
231.4
225.9
229.7
254.4
198.2
237.3
231.6
220.0
230.4
263.0
200.7
240.6
233.0
230.8
231.0
270.8
199.7
Captal Equipment...................................................
199.1
211.7
214.0
215.1
215.8
217.2
216.5
217.8
222.8
223.9
225.1
229.1
230.3
231.8
215.5
231.5
235.8
238.2
240.3
244.6
247.5
251.0
255.0
256.3
258.4
265.6
271.1
273.2
208.3
202.3
195.8
237.2
189.1
224.5
219.6
208.7
260.0
200.3
229.0
222.2
213.7
266.0
203.1
230.9
222.5
216.7
267.2
204.5
232.1
222.3
218.1
268.9
205.3
236.0
226.7
222.5
273.3
207.7
238.0
225.1
225.3
275.2
209.3
240.7
228.9
227.6
278.8
211.3
244.3
225.5
231.4
284.7
213.2
245.5
227.8
233.4
284.6
214.8
247.5
230.5
235.1
287.5
215.9
255.2
225.8
240.6
303.5
218.9
259.2
245.1
243.3
305.9
222.7
259.0
239.8
246.6
301.1
225.2
FINISHED GOODS
INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS
Intermediate materials, supplies, and components................
Materials and components for manufacturing................
Materials for food manufacturing.............................
Materials for nondurable manufacturing ....................
Materials for durable manufacturing.........................
Components for manufacturing ...............................
Materials and components for construction ..................
224.4
241.3
244.5
245.2
245.6
247.4
249.2
252.5
254.7
254.0
253.6
257.5
261.6
265.1
Processed fuels and lubricants..................................
Manufacturing industries........................................
Nonmanufacturing industries..................................
296.4
270.4
320.0
312.9
275.4
348.9
323.9
280.7
365.9
336.8
287.4
385.5
349.5
293.8
404.9
364.8
304.0
425.5
384.6
311.2
458.8
r399.4
317.2
483.0
410.6
322.5
500.6
416.5
325.2
510.0
424.6
332.3
518.8
443.9
340.6
549.8
464.3
352.2
579.7
481.1
357.4
6089
Containers ............................................................
212.5
229.3
231.8
234.5
234.9
235.4
237.6
237.9
242.6
243.8
246.1
250.9
250.8
253.3
Supplies................................................................
Manufacturing industries........................................
Nonmanufacturing industries..................................
Manufactured animal feeds .................................
Other supplies .................................................
196.9
183.6
204.0
200.2
201.9
211.1
197.4
218.4
219.3
215.0
212.8
199.4
219.9
219.5
216.8
213.7
201.5
220.3
214.6
218.3
216.1
202.7
223.2
226.2
219.2
219.6
204.2
227.8
241.3
221.5
219.6
208.6
225.4
220.8
223.1
221.2
209.4
227.5
224.0
224.9
224.9
212.2
231.7
228.9
228.9
226.4
213.7
233.3
226.9
231.2
228.4
215.3
235.3
230.8
232.9
232.2
220.9
238.2
224.2
237.8
238.3
222.0
247.0
223.3
248.6
239.9
223.3
248.7
219.1
251.6
240.1
276.6
279.9
282.3
283.0
287.1
281.7
288.3
289.5
290.8
296.7
296.9
308.3
303.3'
254.1
243.7
248.7
247.5
246.4
249.7
243.0
252.6
245.9
CRUDE MATERIALS
Crude materials for further processing...............................
Foods'tuffs and feedstuffs..........................................
215.3
247.4
251.5
251.9
248.2
Nonfood materials...................................................
286.7
331.6
333.3
339.6
348.7
349.3
353.6
363.1
368.9
374.9
385.8
399.0
413.9
412.2
Nonfood materials except fuel.................................
Manufacturing industries ....................................
Construction.....................................................
235.4
240.8
185.7
275.5
283.8
201.9
276.5
2848
203.6
276.6
284.7
204.5
286.6
295.9
205.4
285.2
294.0
207.2
286.1
294.9
208.6
293.3
302.8
209.9
298.1
307.8
212.6
304.6
314.9
214.8
311.5
322.5
216.6
329.9
342.0
225.7
341.5
354.7
228.3
339.4
352.1
229.7
Crude fuel..........................................................
Manufacturing industries ....................................
Nonmanufacturing industries ...............................
463.7
481.9
459.6
525.2
555.4
512.1
529.2
560.0
515.8
556.8
593.8
538.8
563.1
601.3
544.3
570.7
610.4
550.7
586.2
629.2
563.6
604.0
651.8
577.8
612.9
662.5
585.5
617.4
667.8
589.3
641.8
697.7
609.7
637.2
691.7
606.2
663.5
724.4
627.7
663.3
723.5
627.9
SPECIAL GROUPINGS
Finished goods excluding foods........................................
Finished consumer goods excluding
Fcods ................................................................
188.9
201.7
204.2
206.3
208.5
211.4
213.2
216.2
221.3
222.8
224.3
230.1
234.3
237.4
183.7
196.7
199.3
202.1
205.2
208.4
212.3
216.3
220.6
223.1
225.0
231.8
237.8
242.0
Intermediate materials, supplies, and
Components, excluding intermediate
materials for food manufacturing
and manufactured animal feeds .................................
216.4
232.3
236.7
238.8
241.3
245.4
249.0
252.5
256.8
258.1
260.1
268.1
273.2
275.7
Intermediate foods and feeds ..........................................
201.0
218.9
220.7
219.3
223.0
231.0
223.1
226.6
226.0
226.9
230.0
224.7
237.1
232.3
Crude materials for further processing
excluding crude foodstuffs and
feedstuffs, plant and animal fibers,
oilseeds, and leaf tobacco ........................................
316.6
370.6
372.4
379.2
389.5
391.7
396.9
408.6
417.0
424.1
437.1
453.0
468.8
468.4
'Data for November 1979 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and
corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision 4 months after original publication.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
93
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Producer Prices
27.
Producer Price Indexes, by commodity groupings
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
Annual
Code
Commodity group and subgroup
All commodities
All commodities (1957 - 5 9 = 100)
Farm products and processed foods and feeds
Industrial commodities
1979
1980
average
1978
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
209.3
222.1
226.7
240.5
230.0
243.7
232.0
245.7
233.5
247.7
236.9
251.4
238.3
252.8
242.0
256.7
245.6
260.6
247.2
262.3
249.4
264.6
254.7
'270.2
259.8
275.6
261.5
277.5
206.6
209.4
229.0
225.4
244.0
229.0
230.8
231.6
229.0
234.0
232.2
237.5
227.5
240.6
231.8
244.2
230.6
249.0
2323
250.6
234.5
252.8
231.9
260.3
236.9
265.4
234.9
268,2
FARM PRODUCTS AND PROCESSED FOODS
AND FEEDS
01
01-1
01-2
01-3
01 -4
01-5
01-6
01-7
01-8
01-9
Farm products .....................................................................
Fresh and dried fruits and vegetables ....................................
Grains..............................................................................
jvestocK .........................................................................
Live poultry.......................................................................
Plant and animal fibers........................................................
Fluid milk .........................................................................
Eggs................................................................................
Hay, hayseeds, and oilseeds ...............................................
Other farm products ..........................................................
212.5
216.5
182.5
220.1
199.8
193.4
219.7
158.6
215.8
274.9
242.8
235.7
192.0
275.8
217.6
197.8
243.7
199.9
249.5
254.6
223.3
234.7
198.3
284.0
209.4
197.8
242.4
185.5
2483
255.1
245.4
228.2
210.3
280.7
2163
207.6
242.0
163.8
240.7
264.1
2428
226.4
218.7
264.0
182.9
219.5
243.8
170.7
258.4
281.0
246.8
226.7
247.4
256.0
183.8
207.6
247.6
167.6
260.1
311.9
2385
241.7
229.1
240.2
171,9
207.9
250.0
166.8
251.9
310.8
241.0
208.3
224.4
256.4
173.5
211.3
258.5
175.4
240.9
315.9
2396
218.0
229.0
251.7
162.0
212.9
260.8
155.9
235.6
313.6
240.2
216.5
2266
248.3
195.5
215.4
262.5
178.7
229.8
318.3
242.5
210.5
227.9
252.5
194.7
222.0
264.0
198.4
230.3
319.4
236.4
218.9
214.6
2478
1952
239.0
2623
165.6
218.1
301.1
242.3
220.5
223.3
257.2
184.6
269.5
263.8
150.4
224.7
304.7
239.3
218.3
217.9
251.8
180.1
254.9
263.1
184.2
215.9
311.5
02
02-1
02-2
02-3
02-4
02-5
02-6
02-7
02-8
02-9
Processed foods and feeds.....................................................
Cereal and bakery products.................................................
Meats, poultry, and fish ......................................................
Dairy products...................................................................
Processed fruits and vegetables...........................................
Sugar and confectionery .....................................................
Beverages and beverage materials........................................
Fats and oils.....................................................................
Miscellaneous processed foods ............................................
Manufactured animal feeds .................................................
202.6
190.3
217.1
188,4
202.6
197.8
200.0
225.3
199.0
197.4
220.5
200.1
250.6
204.9
219.6
2084
201.2
238.6
217.5
215.7
222.3
2030
2530
207.1
220.5
208.7
201.5
246.2
219.3
215.6
222.0
204.9
250.4
207.9
221.4
2076
205.3
241.8
220.2
210.8
220.6
206.3
241.4
208.4
221.5
211.1
208.5
243.6
211.1
220.5
223.3
212.4
237.7
209.0
223.6
215.7
214.1
253.2
212.7
234.9
220.5
216.0
225.5
215.2
224.6
218.3
216.5
251.7
217.6
216.2
225.8
218.7
239.9
218.3
225.1
217.2
217.9
253.3
219.0
219.2
224.8
219.8
234.2
218.1
223.4
218.9
218.9
246.0
220.8
224.0
227.1
222.5
239.3
219.3
222.4
222.9
221.2
241.9
222.2
222.4
229.2
223.7
242.8
219.6
2223
234.4
221 9
235.8
222.0
225.3
228.5
225.4
2395
221.4
222.8
234.8
224.1
224.9
225.4
219.5
233.1
229.7
239.5
221.2
223 1
287.1
224.7
225.9
223.5
219.8
231.5
231 3
2392
223.3
223.6
263.6
2260
222.4
224,7
2168
INDUSTRIAL COMMODITIES
03
03-1
03-2
03-3
03-4
03-81
03-82
Textile products and apparel ...................................................
Synthetic fibers (12/75 = 100).............................................
Processed yarns and threads (12/75 = 100) .........................
Gray fabrics (12/75 = 100).................................................
Finished fabrics (12/75 = 100) ..........................................
Apparel............................................................................
Textile housefumishings......................................................
159.8
109.6
102 4
118.6
103.8
152.4
178.6
165.2
113.6
107.0
123.1
105.4
158.3
187.4
166.4
115.1
106.8
124.5
105.9
159.8
188.0
167.2
117.4
107,8
124.7
107.0
159.8
188.0
168.4
118.5
108.6
125.4
107.6
160.2
189.3
169.3
119.5
109.5
128 3
108.2
160.3
189.9
170.5
120.6
110.6
128.7
109.0
161.4
190.5
171.3
123.6
111.7
128.7
109.1
161.6
193.9
172.0
124.7
112.1
129.7
108.9
162.2
196.3
172.8
124.2
112.5
130.7
109.7
163.1
196.5
172.8
124.5
113.1
132.5
109.3
162.3
197.0
174.9
126.9
114.4
132.2
109 8
165.3
199 2
176.5
127,1
117.3
131.7
110.8
167.3
2000
178.9
129.4
118.9
133.7
113,1
168.3
201,2
04
04-1
04-2
04-3
04-4
Hides, skins, leather, and related products .................................
Hides and skins..........................................................
Leather............................................................................
Footwear .......................................................................
Other leather and related products...............................
200.0
360.5
238.6
183.0
177.0
253.3
639.6
371.9
209.9
195.9
258.9
642.2
393.6
212.0
200.4
269.6
666.9
429.4
216.3
209.1
268.0
611.0
414.6
221.1
212.3
261.9
566,5
385.2
221.8
212.1
2579
511.9
365.9
225.4
210.9
251.1
465.3
330.0
226.9
210.1
253.9
478.8
343.6
227.5
209.7
248.9
447.6
319.8
227.9
208.4
248.9
443.9
3248
227.3
208.1
255.3
4688
347,6
228.5
213.2
251.0
404.8
340.3
228 1
2149
246.8
348.7
311.0
231.8
217.9
05
05-1
05-2
05-3
05-4
05-61
05-7
Fuels and related products and power ......................................
Coal.....................................................................
Coke ..........................................................................
Gas fuels'............................................................
Electric power.................................................
Crude petroleum2 .....................................................
Petroleum products, refined3 ...............................
322.5
430.0
411.8
428.7
250.6
300.1
321.0
3509
445.3
428.5
471.0
257.3
324.2
3603
361.5
447.1
430.1
477.4
260.6
326.2
378.6
377.6
450.8
430.6
507.2
265.9
335.7
400.0
393.7
452.0
430.6
522.3
269.9
356.4
423.6
411.8
452.5
430.6
548.4
274.8
370.6
449.8
432.8
454.2
430.6
572.4
278.8
385.7
482.8
454.8
452.5
430.6
603.4
280.5
422.1
513.7
468.5
454.6
431.2
619.9
283.5
436.7
533.7
476.9
455.1
431.2
637.0
281.9
450.4
545.4
488.7
457.8
431.2
670.5
287.2
470.8
554.8
507.8
458.1
430.6
679.6
290.7
5136
582.4
533.0
458.7
430.6
719.8
299.5
515.1
620.3
5535
460.7
430.6
720,3
305.7
522.8
657.9
06
06-1
06-21
06-22
06-3
06-4
06-5
06-6
06-7
Chemicals and allied products....................................
Industrial chemicals4 ....................................
Prepared paint.................................................
Paint materials ..........................................................
Drugs and pharmaceuticals ...............................
Fats and oils, inedible ...............................
Agricultural chemicals and chemical products .........................
Plastic resins and materials ........................................
Other chemicals and allied products ....................................
198.8
225.6
192.3
212.7
148.1
3158
198.4
199.8
181.8
2099
239.7
202.3
2270
156.6
398.5
206.3
210.9
186.5
215.1
248.2
203.3
231.6
157.5
448.7
2098
220.6
186.9
218.0
255.6
201.3
236 1
157.7
418.3
210.0
228.5
188.9
219.2
259.3
201.3
239,5
159.0
374.1
209.2
230.1
190.5
225.0
270.4
205.3
246.7
159.2
381.6
211.2
244.5
191.8
228.5
277.1
205.3
247.9
159.6
376.4
215.3
250.1
194.4
230.8
280.0
206.0
252.0
161.0
3799
219.4
2520
195.8
2342
285.7
206.7
253.6
162.8
366.9
224.3
260.0
197.0
236.0
288.4
209.4
256.6
163 0
344.3
229.5
261.4
198.8
238 1
291.6
210.7
255.4
164.4
327.1
232.7
262,7
201 9
245.5
3026
223.1
258.9
166.5
325.6
238 1
270.0
209.6
247.6
306.7
223.3
262.7
167.7
3022
242.8
271.1
211.0
251.6
310.7
223.3
266.2
168.9
299.9
2560
273.9
214.5
07
07-1
07-11
07-12
07-13
07-2
Rubber and plastic products .................................
Rubber and rubber products...........................................
Crude rubber ...............................................
Tires and tubes..............................................................
Miscellaneous rubber products.............................
Plastic products (6/78 = 100) ..................................
174.8
185.3
187.2
179.2
189.6
185.9
199.4
204.8
195.0
2003
105.7
188.8
201.2
211.6
196.1
201.3
108.0
190.8
202.6
214.2
197.3
2026
109.5
193.1
2048
2220
198.9
203.5
111.0
195.5
209.5
226.1
2062
2054
111.2
198.8
214.6
233.0
211.6
209.4
112.2
200.7
217.1
232.2
215.0
211.9
113.0
203.0
220.3
2365
218.3
214.7
114.0
204.9
223.7
237.2
223.1
217.1
114.3
205.7
2239
2394
222.7
217.4
115.2
208.2
227.1
251.9
224.7
219.1
116.2
210.9
2322
263.1
231.2
220.4
116.5
212.7
2323
254.9
231 2
2234
118.6
08
08-1
08-2
08-3
08-4
Lumber and wood products......................................
Lumber...............................................
Millwork ...............................................
Plywood ....................................
Other wood products.................................................
276.0
322.4
235.4
2356
211.8
300.5
350.5
257.8
254.7
232.2
304.9
355.4
2660
252.4
235.5
302.8
354.8
261.6
249.3
2384
2998
3548
258.9
238.6
238.5
300.1
355.0
252.5
249.7
237.6
304.7
365.3
249,6
254.3
2374
309.7
373.9
250.9
257 9
238,0
308.8
370.3
255.6
254.0
237.7
298.9
355.6
252.3
242.2
239.9
2898
338.9
250.3
2377
240.5
290.0
336.3
254.1
238.2
242.2
294.8
341.5
258.0
243 7
243.4
295.7
340,6
264.7
240.0
243.1
See footnotes at end of table.
94
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
27.
Continued— Producer Price Indexes, by commodity groupings
[1967=100 unless otherwise specified]
Annual
Code
Commodity groups and subgroups
INDUSTRIAL COMMODITIES
1979
1980
average
1978
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
S ep t
O ct
N o v.5
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Continued
09
09-1
09-11
09-12
09-13
09-14
09-15
09-2
Pulp, paper, and allied products...............................................
Pulp, paper, and products, excluding building paper and board ...
Woodpulp........................................................................
Wastepaper .....................................................................
Paper ..............................................................................
Paperboard .......................................................................
Converted paper and paperboard products.............................
Building paper and board....................................................
195.6
195.6
266.5
191.2
206.1
179.6
185.6
187.4
212.3
213.2
294.3
203.2
223.3
192.9
204.1
182.6
215.0
216.0
303.8
206.5
226.3
197.9
205.8
183.4
216.2
217.2
306.9
206.2
227.2
199.2
207.0
183.3
216.6
217.8
308.3
207.2
227.5
199.8
207.6
180.8
218.3
219.6
320.3
207.9
228.2
201.7
209.0
178.0
222.2
223.6
320.6
206.6
229.5
206.4
214.4
179.1
223.0
224.3
320.6
206.7
230.3
209.6
214.6
182.6
227.5
229.0
337.5
206.7
238.7
211.3
217.3
183.5
229.5
231.1
338.0
220.0
241.8
212.8
219.0
183.6
231.0
232.6
339.9
221.2
243.0
215.4
220.3
184.4
237.4
239.1
358.8
222.7
245.5
221.8
227.5
186.0
238.9
240.5
358.5
223.2
247.5
223.4
228.7
191.1
241.6
243.1
359.0
224.9
250.5
225.9
231.3
198.7
10
10-1
10-13
10-2
10-3
10-4
10-5
10-6
10-7
10-8
Metals and metal products ....................................................
Iron and steel ...................................................................
Steel mill products.............................................................
Nonferrous metals..............................................................
Metal containers ...............................................................
Hardware.........................................................................
Plumbing fixtures and brass fittings........................................
Heating equipment.............................................................
Fabricated structural metal products......................................
Miscellaneous metal products...............................................
227.1
253.6
254.5
207.8
243.4
200.4
199.1
174.4
226.4
212.0
251.7
279.9
272.5
246.6
264.5
214.2
209.7
183.4
241.3
225.2
256.0
280.2
275.0
259.6
270.1
215.8
212.0
183.8
243.8
227.0
256.2
279.5
276.7
258.2
268.5
216.9
213.8
185.7
247.0
228.5
258.2
283.2
277.3
259.7
267.3
217.1
217.0
185.2
248.2
230.1
260.8
286.8
284.6
262.3
267.2
218.5
219.6
186.0
250.5
231.8
261.8
286.1
284.7
263.1
268.4
220.1
222.4
188.1
252.2
235.6
263.7
285.5
284.8
269.3
268.7
221.5
223.0
191.3
253.7
236.7
269.6
289.2
288.3
283.1
279.9
224.0
223.5
192.2
256.3
238.5
271.1
292.0
288.8
284.1
280.9
225.5
225.4
193.1
256.7
238.6
273.5
292.7
289.3
291.2
280.7
226.5
226.4
195.2
257.7
239.9
284.5
297.3
293.7
326.1
283.3
228.4
229.7
197.3
258.8
241.5
288.6
300.2
294.2
336.5
283.3
229.4
236.6
199.9
259.5
242.5
286.3
301.6
295.6
320.9
287.8
230.5
242.4
202.0
262.9
245.1
11
11-1
11-2
11-3
11-4
11-6
11-7
11-9
Machinery and equipment ......................................................
Agricultural machinery and equipment....................................
Construction machinery and equipment..................................
Metalworking machinery and equipment .................................
General purpose machinery and equipment.............................
Special industry machinery and equipment .............................
Electrical machinery and equipment ......................................
Miscellaneous machinery....................................................
196.1
213.1
232.9
217.0
216.6
223.0
164.9
194.7
207.9
224.8
248.7
233.0
230.4
239.1
173.8
204.0
209.8
226.4
251.7
235.3
232.6
243.4
175.0
205.4
211.4
228.3
253.7
237.6
234.0
245.1
176.5
207.1
212.4
229.4
254.0
239.1
235.1
246.1
177.6
207.4
214.8
231.2
257.0
241.4
237.1
249.8
179.9
209.7
216.0
233.3
258.5
243.5
238.3
251.0
181.2
209.7
217.7
237.4
258.9
246.4
240.2
251.2
182.5
212.0
220.0
240.0
263.9
249.6
242.8
253.8
184.3
213.6
221.3
243.4
265.4
252.2
244.2
254.9
184.9
214.9
222.9
243.2
268.2
254.6
246.1
256.2
186.5
215.7
227.1
247.6
275.4
258.7
249.6
260.7
190.5
220.0
229.7
249.1
277.5
261.3
252.0
262.9
194.2
220.8
231.9
250.4
278.4
264.1
255.7
265.6
195.9
222.7
12
12-1
12-2
12-3
12-4
12-5
12-6
Furniture and household durables ...........................................
Household furniture............................................................
Commercial furniture..........................................................
Floor coverings.................................................................
Household appliances ........................................................
Home electronic equipment .................................................
Other household durable goods ...........................................
160.4
173.5
201.5
141.6
153.0
90.2
203.1
168.3
181.8
221.2
144.0
158.8
92.3
217.9
168.7
182.7
221.7
144.4
158.7
92.3
218.6
169.6
184.8
221.9
146.0
159.3
92.4
219.5
170.2
185.3
221.8
146.5
160.0
92.8
220.6
170.7
185.8
222.7
149.1
161.1
90.2
223.7
171.5
186.2
222.7
150.0
162.2
90.2
226.6
172.7
188.5
222.7
150.4
162.7
90.3
231.0
175.1
190.1
223.3
152.1
163.2
90.3
245.6
176.4
193.0
223.3
152.8
164.5
90.3
248.2
177.0
194.3
225.1
152.9
165.2
88.1
252.1
182.1
195.4
227.1
159.8
166.6
88.5
283.1
183.4
196.5
230.1
159.4
168.7
88.7
284.2
184.6
196.9
232.8
160.7
169.7
88.8
287.6
13
13-11
13-2
13-3
13-4
13-5
13-6
13-7
13-8
13-9
Nonmetallic mineral products...................................................
Flat glass ........................................................................
Concrete ingredients ..........................................................
Concrete products..............................................................
Structural clay products excluding refractories.........................
Refractories .....................................................................
Asphalt roofing .................................................................
Gypsum products ..............................................................
Glass containers ...............................................................
Other nonmetallic minerals...................................................
222.8
172.8
217.7
214.0
197.2
216.5
292.0
229.1
244.4
275.6
240.8
183.1
239.8
237.8
212.8
228.3
303.1
251.0
250.7
294.5
243.4
183.1
242.0
240.5
214.8
228.4
316.4
252.2
250.7
300.0
245.6
183.1
242.5
241.6
215.7
228.5
317.9
248.8
265.2
303.0
246.9
184.0
243.3
243.7
216.5
232.6
323.0
251.3
265.2
302.0
249.5
184.1
245.1
245.2
220.3
240.8
328.4
251.8
265.2
310.5
249.9
184.1
245.9
246.3
222.3
241.7
3259
252.3
265.2
309.9
254.6
184.5
246.7
248.7
223.7
242.4
333.0
254.9
265.2
336.0
256.2
184.7
248.3
250.1
221.1
244.6
337.5
255.3
265.2
341.2
257.4
185.4
249.6
250.6
221.8
247.4
347.4
256.2
265.2
342.2
259.2
186.4
249.9
253.2
226.8
248.7
342.9
255.0
273.6
342.2
268.0
190.9
263.5
264.9
229.6
249.3
356.5
255.4
274.5
351.6
272.6
190.9
265.2
266.2
231.1
251.9
372.3
262.2
274.6
374.3
276.1
191.4
266.0
268.6
231.5
254.8
387.6
267.6
274.6
386.9
14
14-1
14-4
Transportation equipment (12/68 = 100)..................................
Motor vehicles and equipment .............................................
Railroad equipment ............................................................
173.5
176.0
252.8
183.8
186.1
268.9
186.8
189.4
271.7
187.2
189.8
271.6
187.5
190.1
274.7
188.4
190.8
280.6
185.9
187.8
280.9
186.6
188.6
281.6
194.2
197.1
286.3
194.8
197.4
288.2
195.1
197.6
289.0
198.3
200.3
295.0
198.1
199.9
299.3
198.8
200.8
301.3
15
15-1
15-2
15-3
15-4
15-51
15-9
Miscellaneous products..........................................................
Toys, sporting goods, small arms, ammunition.........................
Tobacco products .............................................................
Notions............................................................................
Photographic equipment and supplies ....................................
Mobile Homes (12/74 = 100) .............................................
Other miscellaneous products .............................................
184.3
163.2
198.5
182.0
145.7
126.4
210.6
200.6
171.5
214.0
190.2
150.2
133.8
245.5
201.4
173.2
214.4
190.2
150.1
135.2
246.1
203.3
174.3
214.4
190.6
150.6
137.2
250.6
205.2
174.7
214.4
190.6
151.6
137.9
255.8
207.0
176.9
214.8
192.0
152.0
138.2
261.4
208.9
177.6
221.3
191.9
152.2
139.5
261.4
213.1
179.8
221.9
191.9
154.3
140.7
272.5
218.9
181.1
222.1
195.7
157.4
142.9
288.3
221.4
181.2
222.2
195.8
161.2
144.0
293.3
227.2
183.5
226.3
197.0
164.5
143.6
307.9
242.2
190.4
236.3
203.1
166.0
144.2
349.7
261.8
193.2
236.9
203.2
218.7
146.0
375.3
256.2
194.2
237.1
207.2
219.4
146.6
352.3
1Prices for natural gas are lagged 1 month.
2Include:! only domestic production.
3Most prices for refined petroleum products are lagged 1 month.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
4Some prices for industrial chemicals are lagged 1 month.
5Data for November 1979 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and
corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision 4 months after original publication.
95
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Producer Prices
28.
Producer Price Indexes, for special commodity groupings
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
Annual
Commodity grouping
1979
1980
average
All commodities — less farm p ro d u c ts ....................................
All f o o d s ...........................................................................................
Processed foods ..........................................................................
1978
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.1
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
208.4
206.4
206.7
197.2
108.8
106.3
158.9
224.7
225.9
225.6
211.9
111.6
110.5
167.1
228.0
227.7
227.8
214.7
112.3
112.5
167.3
230.1
226.4
227.5
216.0
112.8
112.5
167.7
232.0
223.8
224.7
217.0
113.5
112.7
168.3
235.4
225.4
226.4
219.0
114.0
114.1
168.5
237.5
224.7
224.8
220.3
115.1
113.0
170.8
241.4
228.5
230.8
222.0
115.8
112.7
170.8
245.3
226.9
228.9
225.9
116.4
113.3
171.2
247.0
230.0
231.8
226.9
117.0
114.6
171.6
249.2
232.1
234.1
228.1
117.0
115.3
172.9
255.4
231.1
233.3
234.3
118.8
119.5
175.7
260.5
235.7
238.5
237.5
119.4
119.6
177.8
262.6
234.7
236.8
238.4
121.1
119.9
181.8
Industrial commodities less fuels ......................................
Selected textile mill products (Dec. 1975 = 100) ................
Hosiery .......................................................................
Underwear and nightwear...............................................
Chemicals and allied products, including synthetic rubber
and manmade fibers and yarns ....................................
Pharmaceutical preparations............................................
Lumber and wood products, excluding millwork and
other wood products ...................................................
Special metals and metal products ...................................
Fabricated metal products...............................................
Copper and copper products............................................
Machinery and motive products........................................
190.5
140.6
200.0
149.4
204.1
150.0
207,6
150.1
209.5
151.7
2150
151.7
218.6
152.0
220.9
153.6
224.3
155.6
226.3
155.4
228.6
156.9
235.8
159.2
238.2
160.4
242.1
161.7
298.3
209.6
216.2
155.6
190.4
323.7
228.2
230.6
197.9
201.7
326.4
232.7
232.9
212.1
204.1
325.1
232.4
234.6
199.0
205.3
321.7
233.7
235.7
193.0
206.0
325.3
235.5
237.4
191.9
207.7
333.9
234.9
239.8
197.1
207.2
341.0
236.4
241.1
200.5
208.5
337.3
243.4
244.0
212.2
213.4
323.3
244.5
244.6
213.8
214.3
310.3
245.9
245.6
216.1
215.4
308.6
253.5
247.3
227.2
219.3
314.0
255.7
248.3
258.2
220.6
312.2
254.8
251.3
240.9
222.2
Machinery and equipment, except electrical ........................
Agricultural machinery, including tractors ...........................
Metalworking machinery .................................................
Numerically controlled machine tools (Dec. 1971 = 100) . . . .
Total tractors................................................................
Agricultural machinery and equipment less parts..................
Farm and garden tractors less parts .................................
Agricultural machinery excluding tractors less parts..............
Industrial valves ............................................................
Industrial fittings ............................................................
Abrasive grinding wheels.................................................
Construction materials ...................................................
214.3
216.3
228.8
179.1
228.7
212.7
216.1
216.7
232.3
232.7
208.1
228.3
227.7
229.6
248.9
192.6
243.1
225.5
226.7
232.1
249.5
252.0
220.3
246.9
230.0
230.8
251.2
192.7
245.4
226.7
228.5
233.0
252.4
255.5
220.3
250.0
231.8
232.1
254.3
195.7
247.7
228.1
230.5
233.6
255.0
259.3
221.6
250.3
232.6
233.8
256.8
195.8
248.2
229.5
231.8
235.7
255.8
260.4
222.8
250.3
235.1
235.8
260.1
202.2
251.2
231.4
233.9
237.6
257.0
260.8
222.8
252.3
236.2
238.4
261.7
204.2
253.8
233.7
237.6
2392
258.2
262.3
224.6
254.3
238.2
243.6
265.6
206.5
256.0
238.4
244.1
243.5
260.1
264.3
224.6
256.6
240.8
246.3
269.5
208.5
261.2
241.0
247.6
245.4
261.8
272.6
239.0
258.5
242.5
250.8
272,7
208.8
262.5
244.9
250.5
251.3
263.1
276.8
239.0
256.7
244.1
250.0
276.2
211.3
264.9
244.6
250.4
250.0
265.2
276.8
239.0
255.3
248.4
2552
282.1
213.2
271.6
249.3
255.3
255.4
270.1
276.8
239.0
259.1
250.4
256.0
284.8
215.6
273.5
250.4
256.7
255.6
272.2
280.4
244.0
262.2
252.9
257.7
288 1
216.8
274.3
252.1
258.8
257.0
276,1
282.8
244.0
264.6
1Data for November 1979 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and
corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision 4 months after original publication.
29.
Producer Price Indexes, by durability of product
[1967 = 100]
Annual
Commodity grouping
1979
1980
average
1978
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.1
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Total durable goods .....................................................
Total nondurable goods.................................................
204.9
211.9
221.0
230.4
223.9
234.1
224.7
236.9
225.8
238.8
227.6
243.7
228.0
245.8
230.1
251.1
234.6
253.7
235.3
256.2
236.6
259.2
243.4
263.0
246.4
270.0
246.6
273.1
Total manufactures......................................................
Durable...............................................................
Nondurable ..........................................................
204.2
204.7
203.0
219.7
219.8
219.0
223.1
222.7
222.8
225.0
223.8
225.6
226.5
224.6
227.8
229.8
226.6
232.5
231.7
227.2
235.9
235.2
229.4
241.0
239.0
234.0
244.0
240.6
234.6
246.6
242.3
235.8
248.8
248.2
242.2
253.8
252.7
245.0
260.7
254.8
245.2
264.7
Total raw or slightly processed goods .............................
Durable...............................................................
Nondurable ..........................................................
234.6
209.6
235.6
263.3
273.6
261.6
266.1
272.5
264.7
268.2
262.9
267.6
269.7
272.8
268.5
274.3
265.4
274.0
272.1
259.8
272.0
276.9
255.7
277.5
278.7
259.2
279.2
281.0
265.8
281.2
286.4
267.8
2868
287.5
282.7
286.9
295.9
305.2
294.2
295.6
302.5
294.0
’ Data for November 1979 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and
corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision 4 months after original publication.
30.
Producer Price Indexes for the output of selected SIC Industries
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
1972
SIC
Annual
Industry Description
code
1979
1980
average
1978
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
121.9
126.6
430.2
358.2
194.6
111.8
127.3
178.3
445.7
403.8
210.9
125.4
131.9
202.1
447.5
407.6
214.1
125.4
131.9
237.5
451.3
427.2
216.0
125.4
136.0
277.0
452.5
444.1
217.0
125.5
136.0
270.8
453.1
457.5
219.3
125.5
138.8
245.8
454.8
476.0
220.1
125.5
138.1
252.1
452.9
508.4
221.0
125.5
140.2
275.0
455.1
522.1
224.0
126.7
140.2
252.1
455.5
533.9
224.7
124.2
142.0
300.0
458.1
553.3
225.7
119.7
142.0
308.3
458.0
583.2
238.0
128.5
147.3
335.4
458.7
597.4
242.1
128.5
147,3
330.0
460.7
600.6
243.6
123.4
216.7
215.2
192.5
205.2
256.6
235.6
206.1
216.1
265.0
224.4
199.7
224.7
259.2
227.7
203.5
225.3
249.1
217.1
177.8
225.3
243.8
214.7
178.4
227.5
229.3
203.4
169.6
237.9
247.2
211.7
171.2
240,6
238.9
211.9
163.1
2401
241.5
213.4
188.3
241.7
243.9
219.9
188.5
243.1
240.7
211.5
186.1
241.9
240.1
207.4
178.2
242.8
238.9
209.1
173 5
243.4
MINING
1011
1092
1211
1311
1442
1455
Iron ores (12/75 = 100)...........................................
Mercury ores (12/75 = 100)......................................
Bituminous coal and lignite ........................................
Crude petroleum and natural gas.................................
Construction sand and gravel ....................................
Kaolin and ball clay (6/76 = 100) ...............................
2011
2013
2016
2021
Meat packing plants .................................................
Sausages and other prepared meats ...........................
Poultry dressing plants .............................................
Creamery butter......................................................
MANUFACTURING
See footnotes at end of table.
96
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
30.
Continued— Producer Price Indexes for the output of selected SIC Industries
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
1972
Annual
Industry description
SIC
code
1979
1980
average
1978
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
MANUFACTURING - Continued
2022
2024
2033
2034
2041
2044
2048
2061
2063
2067
Cheese natural and processed (12/72= 100)..............
Ice cream and frozen desserts (12/72 = 100) ............
Canned fruits and vegetables....................................
Dehydrated food products (12/73 = 100)....................
Flour mills (12/71 =100) ........................................
Ilice milling..........................................................
Prepared foods, n.e.c. (12/75 = 100).........................
Paw cane sugar ....................................................
fleet sugar ............................................................
Chewing gum ........................................................
169.6
154.8
193.2
131.3
147.0
207.6
107.3
190.7
188.5
218.0
182.5
166.7
205.2
180.9
157.5
171.0
118.3
195.7
198.6
242.5
186.8
167.3
206.2
181.7
158.1
206.8
117.5
197.5
199.3
242.6
185.2
171.0
207.2
182.1
166.7
206.8
115.2
195.6
199.7
242.2
185.6
171.5
207.5
181.0
174.6
206.8
118.9
207.0
199.7
242.2
186.3
171.5
209.9
182.0
190.9
206.8
128.1
209.0
202.0
242.9
195.4
175.0
210.5
180.7
176.9
218.7
119.4
216.8
199.4
242.9
200.8
176.1
212.0
170.0
183.5
223.5
120.9
216.7
200.0
242.9
196.8
177.5
212.9
158.2
184.2
227.3
123.6
224.3
204.7
242.9
193.6
179.9
212.2
156.2
184.4
231.8
124.3
223.3
210.6
262.3
192.6
180.2
212.0
157.3
184.9
218.1
125.3
248.4
223.4
262.2
197.1
180 9
213.5
157.6
181.7
217.5
122.3
260.5
223.5
262.3
194.6
181.5
213.5
159.0
183.6
233.0
122.9
374.9
290.6
262.3
197.4
185.0
214.8
156.4
182 6
258.0
121.8
276.0
303.1
281.9
2074
2075
2077
2083
2085
2091
2092
2095
2098
2111
Cottonseed oil mills.................................................
¡Soybean oil mills.....................................................
Animal and marine fats and oils .................................
Malt .....................................................................
Distilled liquor, except brandy (12/75 = 100) ..............
Canned and cured seafoods (12/73 = 100) ................
Fresh or frozen packaged fish ..................................
Fioasted coffee (12/72* = 100)..................................
Macaroni and spaghetti ...........................................
Cigarettes..............................................................
183.1
225.6
287.9
181.5
106.7
136.4
303.8
262.3
176.9
204.6
202.8
242.0
362.6
190.8
109.4
138.5
359.4
221.6
184.7
221.3
198.5
244.7
393 1
190.8
109.4
139.2
375.8
220.5
184.7
221.4
192.5
237.7
363.8
190.8
113.6
140.9
382.4
231.7
186.6
221.4
210.4
251.1
335.3
201.4
113.6
142.1
397.6
244.2
188 6
221.4
224.5
262.8
352.0
201.4
113.6
148.5
403.7
271.0
203.5
221.5
214.1
250.0
321.4
201.4
115.7
148.2
391.5
279.2
210.4
228.9
217.9
248.6
333.8
214.9
117.1
154.0
389.2
279.2
210.4
229.1
214.9
244.7
333.7
214.9
117.1
154.3
400.1
280.0
210.4
229.2
204.7
242.4
315.2
228.2
118.1
155.6
391.4
287.5
221.5
229.2
205.6
241.8
300.7
228.2
118.1
159.8
389.3
287.5
227.7
234.3
182.2
230.2
296.0
244.1
118.6
160.9
390.7
281.3
227.7
245.8
184.3
226.2
292.6
244.1
118.7
164.0
386.6
273.9
227.7
245.9
170.4
219.3
297.3
244.1
118.7
165.7
392.6
274.0
227.7
245.9
2121
2131
2211
2221
2251
2254
2257
2261
2262
2271
Cigars .................................................................
Chewing and smoking tobacco..................................
Weaving mills, cotton (12/72 = 100) .........................
Weaving mills, synthetic (12/77 = 100) ......................
Women’s hosiery, except socks (12/75 = 100).............
Knit underwear mills ...............................................
Circular knit fabric mills (6/76 = 100).........................
Finishing plants, cotton (6/76 = 100) .........................
Finishing plants, synthetics, silk (6/76 = 100) ..............
Woven carpets and rugs (12/75 = 100)......................
141.4
222.0
181.1
109.0
91.5
164.1
98.5
111.0
101.4
114.7
145.0
240.9
190.4
112.4
94.4
172.6
93.9
118.2
105.2
116.0
145.4
245.9
191.8
113.3
97.3
172.8
93.2
119.0
105.9
116.0
145.4
245.9
192.7
113.6
97.3
173.1
94.1
120.8
106.3
116.7
145.3
245.9
194.3
114.1
97.6
173.3
95.8
120.9
107.0
117.1
149.8
246.4
196.1
116.2
99.6
172.9
96.1
122.5
107.5
(’ )
150.1
246.4
196.5
116.3
98.1
174.0
96.4
123.2
108.2
( ')
150.1
255.8
198.7
116.2
97.5
174.0
96.2
124.0
108.3
(’ )
149.8
260.4
201.1
116.8
98.2
174.3
96.9
126.1
109.3
(’ )
150.4
2608
201.6
117.3
100.3
174.6
98.4
126.3
109.7
147.2
260.8
200.8
117.3
100.2
178.2
98.4
123.4
109.2
147.9
260.9
203.1
117.6
103.6
182.9
98.8
124.9
109.8
151.6
265.1
206.5
117.8
103.6
184.5
100.0
129.5
109.3
151.8
267.3
209.1
119.6
103.7
186.2
103.1
131.7
110.3
2272
2281
2282
2284
2298
2311
2321
2322
2323
2327
Tufted carpets and rugs...........................................
Yarn mills, except wool (12/71 =100) .......................
Throwing and winding mills (6/76 = 100) ....................
Thread mills (6/76 = 100)....................................
Cordage and twine (12/77 = 100).............................
Men’s and boys’ suits and coats.................................
Men's and boys’ shirts and nightwear .........................
Men’s and boys' underwear......................................
Mien’s and boys’ neckwear (12/75 = 100) ..................
Mien’s and boys’ separate trousers.............................
125.3
167.4
99.2
114.6
993
194.3
180.8
180.6
102.3
152.7
126.5
172.3
106.0
120.3
98.6
199.9
191.6
188.7
103.4
157.8
127.0
173.1
104.4
120.4
101.7
203.9
191.8
188.7
103.4
162.3
127.7
174.5
106.3
120.4
102.8
204.2
192.4
188.7
103.4
162.3
128.1
175.7
107.5
120.4
105.4
204.5
193.5
188.7
103.4
162.5
127.6
177.5
108.5
120.5
105.4
205.8
194.7
188.7
103.4
162.5
128.6
177.4
109.7
128.1
113.5
206.5
195.9
190.0
110.9
162.7
129.0
179.4
111.2
128.1
115.1
2065
196.0
190.0
110.9
162.7
129.8
181.2
110.4
128.4
114,9
206.6
196.1
190.0
110.9
162.9
130.1
183.0
109.6
128.4
114.9
206.8
196.6
190.0
110.9
163.4
130.1
184.6
109.2
128.5
115.0
206.6
194.5
194.0
110.9
163.4
135.6
188.3
109.3
128.7
115.0
207.5
198.8
200.0
112.4
164.2
135.2
197.4
108.8
129.2
117.2
2096
196.6
202.2
112.4
174.3
137.5
199.3
111.3
129.3
118.5
209.7
197.3
204.0
112.4
174.4
2328
2331
2335
2341
2342
2361
2381
2394
2396
2421
Mien’s and boys’ work clothing .................................
Women's and misses' blouses and waists (6/78 = 100) .
Women’s and misses’ dresses (12/77 = 100)..............
Women’s and children’s underwear (12/72 = 100) .......
Brassieres and allied garments (12/75 = 100) ............
Children’s dresses and blouses (12/77 = 100)...........
Fabric dress and work gloves..................................
Canvas and related products (12/77 = 100)................
Automotive and apparel trimmings (12/77 = 100).........
Sawmills and planing mills (12/71 = 100)..............
195.2
100.7
132.1
111.7
C)
214.4
99.6
106.3
228.9
200.0
99.2
106.6
142.3
116.0
105.5
232.2
105.9
107.1
249.5
206.5
99.1
106.6
142.6
116.1
106.7
241.5
105.9
107.1
252.5
206.5
100.3
105.9
143.3
116.2
106.7
243.9
105.9
107.1
251.6
209.0
100.5
105.9
143.3
117.5
102.1
243.9
106.9
114.3
250.9
208.9
102.6
106.4
144.2
117.5
102.4
245.4
108.4
114.3
251.3
210.7
102.7
108.3
145.3
117.8
102.4
245.4
111.0
114.3
259.1
210.9
102.8
108.3
145.3
117.8
103.7
245.4
111.4
114.3
265.6
213.4
103.0
108.7
146.7
117.8
105.7
245.4
112.3
114.3
262.2
219.1
105.9
108.8
147.4
117.8
105.7
246.9
112.1
114.3
250.2
219.4
106.8
108.8
147.7
118.8
105.6
246.9
120.1
114.3
237.5
225.3
107.0
112.9
149.4
119.7
106.1
257.7
122.1
114.3
234.8
234.1
107.2
113.9
150.1
123.0
105.3
261.7
122.8
114.3
239.6
235.4
107.2
113.9
152.4
124.9
106.0
264.8
123.4
122.3
239.1
2436
2439
2448
2451
2492
2511
2512
2515
2521
2611
Softwood veneer and plywood (12/75 = 100).........
Structural wood members, n.e.c. (12/75 = 100) ...........
Wood pallets and skids (12/75 = 100)....................
Mobile homes (12/74 = 100)......................
Particleboard (12/75 = 100) .............................
Wood household furniture (12/71 = 100) ....................
Upholstered household furniture (12/71 =100).............
Mattresses and bedsprings..................................
Wood office furniture ...............................................
Pulp mills (12/73 = 100)..................................
150.1
136.2
149.4
126.5
159.7
152.4
143.1
156.3
194.4
178.5
160.1
148.3
163.8
133.8
142.7
160.9
147.6
162.9
213.1
189.9
157.3
150.1
166.8
135.3
143.8
162.7
147.4
163.1
214.2
192.5
151.1
150.1
166.7
137.3
141.6
164.6
149.2
163.2
214.3
195.2
140.7
150.0
167.0
138.0
137.4
164.0
149.4
164.1
214.2
196.6
148.1
150.0
166.9
138.2
134.3
164.5
150.0
164.5
216.8
205.4
153.4
149.9
166.8
139.6
134.7
164.6
150.2
165.8
216.8
205.7
156.0
150.8
167.9
140.7
138.5
168.0
151.6
165.8
216.8
205.8
153.1
158.2
167.9
143.0
139.5
169.3
151.8
168.9
217.6
213.5
142.9
158.2
171.0
144.0
136.8
172.3
153.8
172.3
217.6
213.9
138.7
158.2
170.5
143.6
134.1
173.6
155.8
172.1
221.9
215.6
138.5
158.2
169.8
144.2
136.5
175.7
155.9
169.7
226.2
227.2
143.9
158.2
167.0
146.1
149.0
177.4
156.6
169.7
233.7
227.0
139.8
158.3
166.3
146.7
158.9
177.6
156.6
169.7
233.8
227.4
2621
2631
2647
2654
2655
2812
2821
2822
2824
2873
Paper mills, except building (12/74 = 100)..................
Paperboard mills (12/74 = 100) ...............................
Sanitary paper products...........................................
Sanitary food containers ..........................................
Fiber cans, drums, and similar products (12/75 = 100) ..
Alkalies and chlorine (12/73 = 100)..................
Plastics materials and resins (6/76 = 100)..................
Synthetic rubber .....................................................
Organic fiber, noncellulosic........................................
Nitrogenous fertilizers (12/75 = 100).........................
115.7
106.4
251.4
170.8
123.0
198.8
103.8
180.5
107.6
96.6
126.0
114.4
269.2
179.5
130.8
201.8
109.2
192.7
111.5
98.0
128.5
117.1
270.8
184.1
130.9
203.7
113.8
196.5
113.1
101.5
129.3
118.1
271.7
189.1
132.2
204.9
117.7
200.9
115.9
101.9
129.5
118.5
271.9
189.1
134.0
206.3
118.6
206.6
117.4
101.4
130.2
119.7
276.4
189.6
136.6
209.5
124.9
214.2
118.6
102.8
131.0
121.9
285.9
189.6
136.6
212.2
127.8
223.4
119.8
104.1
131,4
123.4
285.4
191.8
136.6
213.1
128.9
223.8
123.5
106.1
135.1
125.4
286.3
195.8
138.5
214.1
132.9
225.7
123.6
108.0
136.5
126.3
288.4
198.2
138.5
216.7
133.8
228.0
123.2
111.7
137.0
127.7
289.1
199.9
140.9
217.1
134.3
229.4
123.5
113.6
139.2
131.4
294.0
202.6
143.2
220.3
138.2
240.0
124.3
114.5
140.0
132.3
303.8
202.6
143.2
224.9
139.3
243.2
124.8
119.4
142.7
134.1
311.6
207.3
143.3
227.1
140.6
243.8
127.1
122.2
2874
2875
2892
2911
2951
2952
3011
Phosphatic fertilizers ...............................................
Fertilizers, mixing only ...........................................
Explosives ...............................................
Petroleum refining (6/76 = 100) .............................
Paving mixtures and blocks (12/75 = 100)..................
Asphalt felts and coatings (12/75) = 100) ..................
Tires and inner tubes (12/73 = 100) ....................
166.0
181.9
217.3
119.6
117.1
128.2
154.0
179.1
192.8
226.9
132.8
125.9
132.8
167.1
185.2
197.3
227.9
138.8
128.5
138.6
168.0
185.1
197.8
239.0
146.6
130.1
139.3
169.2
184.2
197.8
239.3
155.1
131.2
141.6
170.6
188.9
198.1
240.1
165.5
134.4
143.6
176.8
199.4
205.6
240.7
176.6
134.9
142.7
181.2
204.3
211.1
250.3
188.9
141.6
145.8
184.2
213.2
218.3
250.8
196,4
145.6
147.6
186.9
221.6
227.0
251.7
201.0
145.6
152.2
191.2
223.4
227.1
252.7
204.8
145.7
150.4
191.0
230.0
233.8
253.9
213.6
150.0
156.1
192.7
233.9
2408
255.5
228.7
157.3
162.4
198.2
235.7
243.1
260.5
242.2
167.8
169.5
198.3
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
97
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Producer Prices
30.
Continued — Producer Price Indexes for the output of selected SIC Industries
[1967=100 unless otherwise specified]
Annual
1972
Industry description
SIC
code
1980
1979
average
1978
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
N o v.2
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
169.0
164.5
107.5
182.9
136.3
147.6
190.3
123.0
150.8
250.7
169.5
167.6
109.0
201.3
138.5
152.8
192.2
131.7
150.8
265.2
169.6
169.1
110.7
195.8
142.0
155.4
195.4
131.8
151.8
265.2
171.0
169.2
111.4
181.8
135.0
155.4
198.7
131,8
151.9
265.2
173.4
169.2
112.3
172.9
135.0
158.2
201.5
131.8
151.9
265.2
173.4
177.7
113.1
155.2
135.0
160.1
201.6
131.8
152.3
265.2
173.5
178.8
114.3
161.9
135.8
160.4
202.3
131.8
152.6
265.2
173.5
179.2
114.6
150.8
135.9
160.3
204.0
131.8
153.3
265.2
173.4
177.4
115.6
153.5
137.0
159.2
204.0
131.8
153.9
273.6
173.7
177.6
116.6
164.3
144.8
159.3
205.7
131.9
157.4
274.5
173.8
177,9
116.8
160.8
146.7
157.9
206.4
131.9
157.4
274.5
173.8
182.7
118.7
146.7
146.7
158.4
213.5
132.1
157.9
274.5
3021
3031
3079
3111
3142
3143
3144
3171
3211
3221
Rubber and plastic footwear (12/71 - 100) .................................
Reclaimed rubber (12/73 - 100) ...............................................
Miscellaneous plastic products (6/78 - 100).................................
Leather tanning and finishing (12/77 - 100) .................................
House slippers (12/75 = 100) ...................................................
Men’s footwear, except athletic (12/75 - 100) .............................
Women’s footwear, except athletic .............................................
Women’s handbags and purses (12/75 - 100) .............................
Flat glass (12/71 - 100)..........................................................
Glass containers .....................................................................
158.7
154.3
119.1
122.5
127.1
164.1
111.4
142.7
244.3
169.0
162.1
105.4
173.8
136.3
145.6
189.2
123.0
150.8
250.7
3241
3251
3253
3255
3259
3261
3262
3263
3269
3271
Cement, hydraulic ...................................................................
Brick and structural clay tile ......................................................
Ceramic wall and floor tile (12/75 - 100) ....................................
Clay refractories .....................................................................
Structural clay products, n.e.c......................................................
Vitreous plumbing fixtures..........................................................
Vitreous china food utensils........................................................
Fine earthenware food utensils ...................................................
Pottery products, n.e.c. (12/75 - 100) ........................................
Concrete block and brick ..........................................................
251.2
230.8
107.7
221.4
176.3
189.7
268.8
228 1
122.2
202.0
280.3
252.8
113.0
234.1
186.7
198.9
290.6
237.1
129.2
227.0
283.1
256.7
113.0
234.4
186.8
201.6
290.6
237.1
129.2
230.8
283.2
258.3
113.0
234.6
186.8
204.6
290.6
237.1
129.2
232.6
283.7
259.7
113.0
236.9
187.8
206.4
290.6
236.4
129.0
232.7
285.4
261.0
120.2
246.5
188.2
210.1
297.5
238.8
131.0
232.7
285.4
263.3
120.2
246.7
192.1
212.4
297.5
238.8
131.0
235.7
285.4
265.9
120.2
247.1
192.1
213.1
298.0
246.0
133.3
237.8
285.4
261.3
120.2
251.0
192.8
214.5
298.0
246.0
133.3
240.0
285.5
261.3
120.2
252.9
192.3
215.7
305.4
248.4
135.5
240.0
283.6
262.7
130.3
255.4
196.9
217.3
307.9
290.3
148.8
240.1
3028
268.3
130.4
256.5
196.7
219.2
307.9
290.3
148.8
249.5
303.2
270.4
130.4
260.9
198.6
224.6
3079
2903
148.8
250.6
303.2
271.9
130.4
265.3
196.7
226.7
308.2
294.0
150.0
252.3
3273
3274
3275
3291
3297
3312
3313
3316
3317
3321
Ready-mixed concrete ..............................................................
Lime (12/75 - 100).................................................................
Gypsjm products.....................................................................
Abrasive products (12/71 - 100)...............................................
Nonclay refractories (12/74 = 100) ...........................................
Blast furnaces and steel mills .....................................................
Electrometallurgical products (12/75 - 100) .................................
Cold finishing of steel shapes .....................................................
Steel pipes and tubes...............................................................
Gray iron foundries (12/68 = 100) .............................................
217.6
129.5
229.5
172.3
133.6
262.3
94.8
241.0
255.2
233.5
241.7
137.5
251.5
182.4
140.4
281.1
104.0
258.4
265.8
249.4
244.5
139 9
252.7
184.0
140.5
283.5
106.8
259.1
265.0
253.9
245.2
139.8
249.4
185.1
140.5
285.3
111.7
259.8
264.5
253.3
247.5
140.1
251.9
185.8
143.9
285.8
112.3
261.3
264.5
254.5
249.6
141.8
252.3
187.7
148.1
292 8
116.5
270.6
271.9
253.9
250.5
142.9
252.8
188.6
149.1
293.0
116.5
270.8
271.3
253.8
252.4
144.2
255.4
190.4
149.7
293.2
116.0
270.9
271.3
254.8
254.0
144.6
255.9
195.1
150.1
296.4
116.2
271.7
272.7
267.1
254.6
144.3
256.8
195.3
152.3
297.1
117.5
273.4
273.1
269.6
257.0
144.7
255.6
197.1
152.4
297.6
117.6
273.9
273.0
268.3
270.1
149.6
255.9
199.2
152.6
302.3
117.8
274.2
280.9
272.3
271.9
153.7
262.8
2022
153.3
3029
117.8
277.2
281.2
275.4
274.9
155.5
268.1
203.9
154.2
304.1
118.0
277.2
2836
275.7
3333
3334
3351
3353
3354
3355
3411
3425
3431
3465
Primary zinc............................................................................
Primary aluminum ...................................................................
Copper rolling and drawing........................................................
Aluminum sheet plate and foil (12/75 - 100) ...............................
Aluminum extruded products (12/75 - 100) .................................
Aluminum rolling, drawing, n.e.c. (12/75 = 100).............................
Meta cans ............................................................................
Hand saws and saw blades (12/72 - 100)...................................
Metal sanitary ware .................................................................
Automotive stampings (12/75 - 100) ..........................................
223.2
217.4
170.2
137.6
134.3
119.7
238.5
147.9
209.1
118.8
260.9
232.4
211.0
146.5
142.5
127.5
260.9
157.9
219.2
125.7
274.2
235.8
220.1
148.0
146.1
129.6
264.4
159.6
220.8
126.2
274.5
237.4
215.6
148.7
147.5
131.5
263.8
161.9
222.2
127.0
275.2
2385
211.7
148.8
147.6
131.6
262.2
162.5
224.1
127.1
281.4
244.9
211.2
149.6
150.3
132.7
262.2
162.8
226.4
127.8
265.5
247.4
213.6
149.8
151.9
133.1
262.9
166.3
228.9
130.9
264.2
248.2
216.7
150.0
151.9
133.5
263.5
166.4
229.2
131.6
265.2
256.0
226.3
150.7
155.2
136.9
2738
167.1
2301
132.4
257.8
263.2
222.6
151.3
157.4
139.9
274.6
169.5
231.7
132.4
265.7
266.6
225 1
151.9
157.8
140.3
273.9
169.6
232.9
132.7
266.1
267.0
231.1
153.4
158.8
140.5
276.6
173.0
237.3
132.8
272.4
267.0
253.2
153.5
158.9
140.8
276.6
173.6
242.1
132.8
279.6
267.8
238.7
155.5
160.8
141.2
279.5
175.4
243.1
133.0
3482
3493
3494
3498
3519
3531
3532
3533
3534
3542
Small arms ammunition (12/75 - 100)........................................
Steel springs, except wire..........................................................
Valves and pipe fittings (12/71 - 100) ........................................
Fabricated pipe and fittings........................................................
Internal combustion engines, n.e.c.................................................
Construction machinery (12/76 - 100)........................................
Mining machinery (12/72 - 100) ...............................................
Oilfield machinery and equipment ...............................................
Elevators and moving stairways .................................................
Machine tools, metal forming types (12/71 - 100).........................
119.5
204.6
185.5
265.5
220.1
114.0
209.5
246.2
204.2
213.6
125.9
216.7
199.0
276.8
234.0
121.6
224.2
281.8
213.4
234.1
128.3
218.1
201.4
284.9
237.1
123.0
228.0
283.5
213.8
237.9
130.4
218.7
203.6
288.2
239.0
123.9
228.4
288.4
213.6
238.8
131.4
220.5
204.2
290.7
2392
124.0
226.4
290.0
214.2
240.6
134.0
221.6
205.3
294.8
242.3
125.6
231.2
292.0
215.4
244.6
134.0
222.1
206.2
294.8
245.7
126.3
231.5
293.3
214.6
245.1
134.0
222.8
207.5
294.9
251.8
126.5
232.7
296.8
219.1
247.9
133.2
223.7
210.4
297.3
254.2
128.9
233.1
300.5
219.4
249.8
133.6
224.1
212.5
297.4
254,9
129.4
235.4
3028
220.6
253.7
149.2
225.4
213.9
297.4
253.7
130.7
235.8
308.0
220.9
256.7
147.9
226.0
216.5
301.7
259.2
134.2
243.1
314.0
223.9
266.0
147.9
226.5
218.8
301.8
260.5
135.3
244.2
315.9
225.4
259.2
147,3
228.4
221.3
303.5
264.2
135.8
244.8
319.0
228.8
271.2
3546
3552
3553
3576
3592
3612
3623
3631
3632
3633
Power driven hand tools (12/76 - 100) ......................................
Textile machinery (12/69 - 100) ...............................................
Woodworking machinery (12/72 - 100) ......................................
Scales and balances, excluding laboratory....................................
Carburetors, pistons, rings, valves (6/76 - 100) ...........................
Transformers..........................................................................
Welding apparatus, electric (12/72 - 100) ..................................
Household cooking equipment (12/75 - 100) ...............................
Household refrigerators, freezers (6/76 - 100).............................
Household laundry equipment (12/73 - 100) ...............................
111.1
179.9
168.1
179.7
128.2
158.3
178.1
114.8
109.6
141.0
116.9
190.4
179.2
191.1
136.9
167.0
186.6
120.2
1127
146.9
117.7
191.6
181.0
191.3
137.6
168.5
187.3
1203
111.8
146.9
117.8
191.7
183.2
192.8
138.6
168.0
191.5
120.7
111.9
147.0
118.7
192.6
184.5
193.7
138.7
168.5
191.9
120.9
112.6
147.2
119.2
195.0
185.9
194.8
139.2
167.9
193.5
122.0
113.6
148.8
120.2
197.5
187.7
195.4
139.6
167.6
194.1
123.4
114.3
149.9
120.4
198.2
190.0
195.4
140.7
168.4
195.1
124.3
115.1
150.6
122.0
199.3
192.6
195.7
142 8
171.2
196.9
124,4
115.1
150.9
122.8
200.6
192.7
199.5
145.1
170.4
198.6
125.9
115.7
152.3
124.2
200.6
193.3
197.7
144.6
171.7
199.6
126.1
115.9
154.7
126.2
202.7
201.7
200.9
147.3
173.0
200.6
128.6
116.6
155.2
126.5
205.2
202.0
201 9
147.6
176,1
202.6
129.1
118.0
156.5
127.3
207.0
205.5
204.1
148.5
177.4
205.3
129.3
118.2
158.2
3635
3636
3641
3644
3646
3648
3671
3674
3675
3676
Household vacuum cleaners......................................................
Sewing machines (12/75 - 100) ...............................................
Electric lamps ........................................................................
Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices (12/72 - 100).........................
Commercial lighting fixtures (12/75 - 100) ..................................
Lighting equipment, n.e.c. (12/75 - 100)......................................
Electron tubes receiving type .....................................................
Semiconductors and related devices ...........................................
Electronic capacitors (12/75 - 100)...........................................
Electronic resistors (12/75 - 100) .............................................
135.5 140.4
111.2 •*119.8
214.7 227.1
185.8 198.0
112.7 121.2
114.6 122.3
2009 211.0
84.4
85.3
111.5 115.9
123.1
118.3
140.4
121.1
229.8
200.4
124 3
123.5
211.2
84.7
119.8
123.2
141.2
121.1
229.8
202.6
126.8
124.0
211.3
84.7
120.1
123.2
141.5
121.1
229.7
203.0
127.4
124.6
2264
84.7
122.1
123.2
141.6
121.8
240.8
203.3
127.9
127.6
226.5
84.2
126.7
124.0
141.7
122 2
244.3
207.7
127.9
128.2
226.6
84.3
129.3
124.6
141.9
122.2
242.7
209.1
130.5
128.5
227.2
84.7
134.1
125 2
144.5
122.6
244.8
210.5
131.4
129.6
227.2
85.1
133 9
126.6
144.7
122.6
238.7
211.9
131.6
129.8
227.4
85.6
135.8
126.7
145.8
122.0
240.5
217.3
132.3
130.5
227.6
86.0
137.9
127.3
146.2
122.0
248.3
215.2
133.9
133.0
229.1
866
147.7
127.4
149.6
128.6
252.2
217.5
134.8
133 2
229.4
88.0
149.1
128.8
149.9
128 6
251.8
217.5
136.6
134.5
229.5
88.9
149.0
131.8
3678
3692
3711
3942
3944
3955
3995
3996
Electronic connectors (12/75 - 100) ..........................................
Primary batteries, dry and wet ...................................................
Motor vehicles and car bodies (12/75 - 100) ...............................
Dolls (12/75 - 100) ...............................................................
Games, toys, and children’s vehicles...........................................
Carbon paper and inked ribbons (12/75 - 100).............................
Burial caskets (6/76 = 100)......................................................
Hard surface floor coverings (12/75 - 100) .................................
118.9
162.0
115.9
103.2
172.3
105.1
113.0
1163
125.6
164.8
122.3
108.6
179.2
115.5
120.9
120.7
125.8
167.9
124.5
109.3
179.6
119.6
121.0
120.7
126.6
172.1
124.6
109.3
182 3
120.2
121.7
123.7
126.9
172.7
124.8
109.3
183.1
116.7
121.7
124.5
133.4
1728
125.1
111.8
183 5
117.1
123.3
128.3
134.1
172.8
122.1
112.6
184,4
118.3
123.8
128.3
137.6
172 8
122.5
112.6
185.1
118.7
124.8
128.3
138.9
173.1
130.2
112.9
186 2
123.1
123.1
131.0
140.7
173.1
130.1
112.9
186,3
125,2
124.8
134.1
141.0
174.1
130.0
113,0
186 6
125.6
124.8
134.1
1436
174.2
132.5
121.2
195.5
126.5
128.3
138.6
144.9
176.5
131.4
123.7
202.0
128.1
128.3
138.7
145.1
176.6
131.6
123.9
202.0
128.3
128.3
138.7
i N0t available.
98
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 Data ,or November 1979 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and cor
rections by respondents. All data are subject to revision 4 months after original publication.
PRODUCTIVITY DATA
r o d u c t iv it y
d a t a are compiled by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics from establishment data and from estimates of com
pensation and output supplied by the U.S. Department of
Commerce and the Federal Reserve Board.
P
Definitions
Output is the constant dollar gross domestic product produced in a
given period. Indexes of output per hour of labor input, or labor pro
ductivity, measure the value of goods and services produced per hour
of labor. Compensation per hour includes wages and salaries of em
ployees plus employers’ contributions for social insurance and private
benefit plans. The data also include an estimate of wages, salaries, and
supplementary payments for the self-employed, except for nonfinancial corporations, in which there are no self-employed. Real com
pensation per hour is compensation per hour adjusted by the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
Unit labor cost measures the labor compensation cost required to
produce one unit of output and is derived by dividing compensation
by output. Unit nonlabor payments include profits, depreciation, in
terest, and indirect taxes per unit of output. They are computed by
subtracting compensation of all persons from the current dollar gross
domestic product and dividing by output. In these tables, Unit
nonlabor costs contain all the components of unit nonlabor payments
except unit profits. Unit profits include corporate profits and invento
ry valuation adjustments per unit of output.
The implicit price deflator is derived by dividing the current dollar
estimate of gross product by the constant dollar estimate, making the
deflator, in effect, a price index for gross product of the sector reported.
31.
The use of the term “man-hours” to identify the labor component
of productivity and costs, in tables 31 through 34, has been discontin
ued. Hours of all persons is now used to describe the labor input of
payroll workers, self-employed persons, and unpaid family workers.
Output per all-employee hour is now used to describe labor productiv
ity in nonfinancial corporations where there are no self-employed.
Notes on the data
In the private business sector and the nonfarm business sector, the
basis for the output measure employed in the computation of output
per hour is Gross Domestic Product rather than Gross National
Product. Computation of hours includes estimates of nonfarm and
farm proprietor hours.
Output data are supplied by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S.
Department of Commerce, and the Federal Reserve Board. Quarterly
manufacturing output indexes are adjusted by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics to annual estimates of output (gross product originating)
from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Compensation and hours data
are from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
Beginning with the September 1976 issue of the R ev ie w , tables 3 1 34 were revised to reflect changeover to the new series— private busi
ness sector and nonfarm business sector— which differ from the
previously published total private economy and nonfarm sector in
that output imputed for owner-occupied dwellings and the household
and institutions sectors, as well as the statistical discrepancy, are
omitted. For a detailed explanation, see J. R. Norsworthy and L. J.
Fulco, “New sector definitions for productivity series,” M o n th ly L a b o r
R ev ie w , October 1976, pages 40-42.
Indexes of productivity and related data, selected years, 1950-79
[1967 = 100]
Item
Private business sector:
Output per hour of all persons ......................
Compensation per hour ...............................
Real compensation per hour.........................
Unit labor cost...........................................
Unit nonlabor payments ...............................
Implicit price deflator ..................................
Nonfarm business sector:
Output per hour of all persons ......................
Compensation per hour ...............................
Real compensation per hour.........................
Unit labor cost...........................................
Unit nonlabor payments ...............................
Implicit price deflator ..................................
Nonfinancial corporations:
Output per hour of all employees ..................
Compensation per hour ...............................
Real compensation per hour.........................
Unit labor cost...........................................
Unit nonlabor payments ...............................
Implicit price deflator ..................................
Manufacturing:
Output per hour of all persons ......................
Compensation per hour ...............................
Real compensation per hour.........................
Unit labor cost...........................................
Unit nonlabor payments ...............................
Implicit price deflator ..................................
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
61.0
42.4
58.9
69.6
73.2
70.8
70.3
55.8
69.6
79.4
80.5
79.8
78.7
71.9
81.1
91.3
85.5
89.3
95.0
88.7
93.8
93.3
95.9
94.2
104.2
123.1
105.8
118.2
105.8
113.9
111.4
139.7
111.5
125.4
119.0
123.2
113.6
151.2
113.6
133.1
124.9
130.3
110.1
164,9
111.7
149.8
130.4
143,1
112.4
181.3
112.5
161.3
150.4
157.5
116.4
197.2
115.6
169.4
158.0
165.5
118.6
213.0
117.3
179.6
165.6
174.8
119.2
231.2
118.3
194.0
174.3
187 2
118.1
252.8
116.3
214.0
184.6
203.8
66.9
45.4
63.0
67.9
71.5
69.1
74.3
58.7
73.2
79.1
80.1
79.4
80.9
74.2
83.7
91.7
84.5
89.2
95.9
89.4
94.6
93.2
95.8
94.1
103.0
121.7
104.6
118.1
106.0
114.0
110.1
138.4
110.4
125.7
117.5
122.9
112.0
149.2
112.1
133.2
117.8
127.9
108.5
162.8
110.2
150.0
124.7
141.4
110.5
178.9
111.0
161.8
146.0
156.4
114.4
193.8
113.7
169.4
156.0
164.8
116.2
209.3
115.3
180.1
163.9
174.5
116.8
227.3
116.3
194.5
169.9
186.1
115.5
247.6
113.9
214.3
178.8
202.2
(’ )
( ')
(’ )
<’ )
<’ )
(’ )
(’ )
(’ )
(’ )
(’ )
( 1)
(’ )
80.2
75.7
85.4
94.3
908
93.1
96.8
90.0
95.3
93.0
100.1
95.5
103.5
121.5
104.4
117.4
103.5
112.5
110.5
136.7
109.1
123.7
114.8
120.5
112.8
147.5
110.8
130.7
116.8
125.8
108.5
161.4
109.3
148.8
124.8
140.2
111.9
177.4
110.1
158.6
148.1
154.9
115.5
192.2
112.7
166.4
156.8
163.0
116.8
207.6
114.4
177.7
164.4
173.0
117.9
224.8
115.0
190.6
170.6
183.5
117.5
244.7
112.6
208.3
1798
198.2
65.0
45.1
62.5
69.4
82.4
73.3
74.1
60.5
75.4
81.6
886
838
78.9
77.1
87.0
97.7
92.4
96.1
98.3
91.0
96.3
92.6
103.3
95.9
104.5
121.8
104.7
116.5
96.2
110.3
115.7
136.6
109.0
118.1
107.4
114.8
118.8
146.4
110.0
123.2
106.4
118.0
112.6
161.1
109.1
143.1
105.6
131.6
118.2
180.2
111.8
152.4
128.4
145.1
123.4
195.1
114.5
158.2
139.6
152.5
127.2
212.0
116.8
166.6
147.4
160.7
128.0
229.5
117.5
179.4
152.4
171.1
130.2
250.5
115.2
192.4
(’ )
(’ )
1979
' Not available.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
99
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW May 1980 • Current Labor Statistics: Productivity
32.
Annual percent change in productivity and related data, 1969-79
Annual rate
Year
of change
Item
Private business sector:
Output per hour of all persons .........................
Compensation per hour ..................................
Real compensation per hour.............................
Unit labor cost...............................................
Unit nonlabor payments...................................
Implicit price deflator ......................................
Nonfarm business sector:
Output per hour of all persons .........................
Compensation per hour ..................................
Real compensation per hour.............................
Unit labor cost...............................................
Unit nonlabor payments..................................
Implicit price deflator ......................................
Nonfinancial corporations:
Output per hour of all employees ......................
Compensation per hour ...................................
Real compensation per hour.............................
Unit labor cost...............................................
Unit nonlabor payments...................................
Implicit price deflator ......................................
Manufacturing:
Output per hour of all persons .........................
Compensation per hour ..................................
Real compensation per hour.............................
Unit labor cost...............................................
Unit nonlabor payments..................................
Implicit price deflator ......................................
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
3.3
6.7
2.4
3.3
6.8
4.4
3.5
6.3
2.9
2.8
5.2
3.6
1.9
8.2
1.9
6.2
5.0
5.8
-3.0
9.1
-1.7
12.5
4.4
9.8
2.1
9.9
.7
7.7
15.3
10.1
3.5
8.8
2.8
5.0
5.1
5.0
1.9
8.0
1.5
6.0
4.8
5.6
0.5
8.5
0.8
8.0
5.3
7.1
-0.9
9.3
-1.7
10.3
5.9
8.9
2.6
5.8
2.6
3.2
2.8
3.1
2.2
6.8
2.1
4.5
4.0
4.3
.1
6.7
.7
6.5
1.6
4.9
3.1
6.7
2.3
3.5
6.7
4.5
3.7
6.5
3.1
2.8
3.8
3.1
1.7
7.8
1.5
6.0
.3
4.1
-3.1
9.1
-1.7
12.7
5.9
10.5
1.9
9.9
.7
7.9
17.1
10.6
3.5
8.3
2.4
4.7
6.9
5.4
1.6
8.0
1.4
6.3
5.0
5.9
.5
8.6
.9
8.0
3.7
6.6
-1.1
8.9
-2.1
10.2
5.2
8.6
2.2
5.5
2.3
3.2
2.8
3.1
2.0
6.5
1.9
4.5
3.9
4.3
.3
6.7
1.2
6.3
0
4.1
-.1
6.7
.7
6.8
.5
4.6
3.4
6.2
1.9
2.7
7.3
4.2
3.3
5.9
2.5
2.5
3.3
2.8
2.1
7.9
1.6
5.7
1.8
4.4
-3.8
9.4
-1.4
13.8
6.8
11.5
3.1
10.0
.7
6.6
18.7
10.5
3.2
8.3
2.4
4.9
5.8
5.2
1.1
8.0
1.5
6.8
4.9
6.1
1.0
8.3
.6
7.3
3.8
6.1
-.4
8.9
-2.1
9.3
5.4
8.0
<’ )
( ')
(’ >
( 1)
( 1)
2.0
6.3
1.7
4.2
3.4
3.9
1.1
6.4
1.0
5.2
-4.4
2.3
-.3
6.9
.9
7.2
-3.2
4.2
5.3
6.3
2.0
.9
9.2
3.1
5.1
5.5
2.1
.4
2.3
1.0
2.7
7.2
.9
4.3
-1.0
2.8
-5.2
10.1
-.8
16.1
-.7
11.5
4.9
11.8
2.4
6.6
21.6
10.2
4.4
8.3
2.4
3.8
8.8
5.1
3.1
8.6
2.0
5.3
5.5
5.4
.6
8.3
.6
7.7
3.4
6.5
1.8
9.2
-1.9
r7.3
(’ )
(’ )
2.6
5.4
2.2
2.7
1.8
2.5
2.6
6.3
1.6
3.6
2!3
3.3
IV
1969
1970
0.2
6.8
1.4
6.6
1.0
4.7
0.7
7.1
1.1
6.4
1.2
4.7
-.3
6.3
.9
6.7
.4
4.5
1971
1950-78
n
1960-78
' Not available.
33.
Indexes of productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices, seasonally adjusted
[1967 = 100]
Quarterly indexes
Annual
Item
Private business sector:
Output per hour of all persons .........................
Compensation per hour ...................................
Real compensation per hour.............................
Unit labor cost...............................................
Unit nonlabor payments..................................
Implicit price deflator ......................................
Nonfarm business sector:
Output per hour of all persons .........................
Compensation per hour ...................................
Real compensation per hour.............................
Unit abor cost...............................................
Unit nonlabor payments...................................
Implicit price deflator ......................................
Nonfinancial corporations:
Output per hour of all employees......................
Compensation per hour ..................................
Real compensation per hour.............................
Total unit costs .............................................
Unit labor cost ........................................
Unit nonlabor costs..................................
Unit profits ...................................................
Implicit price deflator ......................................
Manufacturing:
Output per hour for all persons.........................
Compensation per hour ..................................
Real compensation per hour.............................
Unit labor cost...............................................
1Not available.
100
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
average
1979
1978
1977
1978
1979
II
III
IV
I
II
III
IV
I
II
III
119.2
231.2
118.3
194.0
174.3
187.2
1181
252.8
116.3
214.0
184.6
203.8
117.9
210.8
116.7
178.8
164.7
173.9
119.4
215.3
117.6
180.2
167.9
176.0
118.8
218.5
117.9
183.8
168.6
178.6
118.4
224.2
118.7
189.4
164.8
180.9
119.0
228.5
118.1
192.1
173.9
185.8
119.7
233.6
118.2
195.2
177.0
188.9
119.8
238.4
118.0
199.0
181.3
192.9
118.9
244.8
118.0
205.9
180.8
197.2
118.2
250.3
116.9
211.7
183.7
202.0
117.8
255.6
115.8
217.0
185.6
206.1
117.6
260.1
114.2
221.1
189.0
210.0
116.8
227.3
116.3
194.5
169.9
186.1
115.5
247.6
113.9
214.3
178.8
202.2
115.8
207.3
114,7
179.0
163.2
173.6
116.7
211.2
115.4
180.9
167.1
176.2
116.3
214.8
115.9
184.7
166.0
178.3
116.0
220.6
116.8
190.2
161.1
180.2
116.5
224.6
116.1
192.7
169.2
184.7
117.3
229.4
116.1
195.6
173.0
187.8
117.6
234.3
116.0
199.3
176.1
191.4
116.6
240.2
115.8
206.0
174.3
195.1
115.4
r 244.8
114.3
212.1
177.6
200.3
115.0
249.9
113.2
217.3
180.5
204.7
115.1
255.4
112.2
221.8
183.3
208.6
117.9
224.8
115.0
193.3
190.6
201.8
127.2
183.5
117.5
244.7
112.6
210.3
208.3
216.6
128.4
198.2
116.5
205.7
113.8
180.5
176.6
192.4
123.3
172.0
117.4
209.5
114.5
182.4
178.4
194.8
130.9
174.7
116.7
212.8
114.8
186.3
182.3
198.7
122.2
176.8
116.7
218.5
115.7
190.8
187.3
201.5
107.1
178.3
117.8
222.3
114.9
191.6
188.7
200.8
129.2
182.3
118.4
226.9
114.8
194.0
191.5
201.6
132.7
184.9
118.8
231.3
114.5
196.8
194.8
203.1
138.7
188.2
118.1
237.4
114.5
202.3
201.0
206.5
130.3
191.6
117.3
242.1
113.1
208.0
206.4
213.2
129.2
196.3
117.2
247.1
112.0
213.2
210.8
220.5
127.5
200.4
(’ )
(’ )
( 1)
( 1)
(’ )
(’ )
<’ )
( 1)
128.0
229.5
117.5
179.4
130.2
250.5
115.2
192.4
127.3
209.7
116.1
164.7
128.4
214.1
117.0
1667
127.8
217.5
117.4
170.2
125.7
223.2
118.1
177.5
127.2
226.6
117.1
178.1
129.2
231.4
117.0
179.1
129.8
236.5
117.1
182.2
129.0
242.4
116.9
187.9
130.0
248.2
115.9
190.9
131.1
253.0
114.6
193.0
130.6
258.2
113.4
197.6
34. Percent change from preceding quarter and year in productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices,
seasonally adjusted at annual rate
[1967 = 100]
Quarterly percent change at annual rate
Item
Private business sector:
Output per hour of all persons ..................
Compensation per hour ...........................
Real compensation per hour......................
Unit labor cost........................................
Unit nonlabor payments ...........................
Implicit price deflator ...............................
Nonfarm business sector:
Output per hour of all persons ..................
Compensation per hour ...........................
Real compensation per hour..................
Unit labor cost........................................
Unit nonlabor payments ...........................
Implicit price deflator ...............................
Nonfinancial corporations:
Output per hour of all employees ..............
Compensation per hour ...........................
Real compensation per hour......................
Total unit costs ......................................
Unit labor costs ..................................
Unit nonlabor costs...............................
Unit profits.............................................
Implicit price deflator ...............................
Manufacturing:
Output per hour of all persons ..................
Compensation per hour ...........................
Real compensation per hour......................
Unit labor cost........................................
Percent change from same quarter a year ago
II 1978
III 1978
IV 1978
I 1979
II 1979
III 1979
III 1977
IV 1977
1 1978
II 1978
III 1978
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
III 1978
IV 1978
I 1979
II 1979
III 1979
IV 1979
III 1978
IV 1978
I 1979
II 1979
III 1979
IV 1979
IV 1978
2.4
9.2
.3
6.6
7.4
6.9
0.3
8.5
-.7
8.1
9.9
8.7
-3.0
11.1
.1
14.6
-1.0
9.3
-2.2
9.3
-3.8
11.8
6.5
10.1
-1.3
8.8
-3.6
10.3
4.1
8.3
-0.6
7.2
-5.4
7.8
7.7
7.8
0.2
8.5
0.4
8.3
5.4
7.4
0.8
9.1
.1
8.3
7.5
8.0
0.4
9.2
-.6
8.7
9.7
9.0
-0.6
9.5
-1.0
10.2
5.6
8.7
-1.6
9.4
-2.0
11.2
4.8
9.1
-1.8
9.1
-3.2
11.1
4.3
8.9
2.7
8.8
.0
6.0
9.4
7.0
.8
8.8
-.4
8.0
7.3
7.8
-3.2
10.4
-.6
14.0
-4.0
8.1
-4.1
7.9
-5.0
12.5
7.8
11.0
-1.4
8.5
-3.9
10.1
6.6
9.0
.5
9.2
3.6
8.6
6.4
7.9
5
8.7
.6
8.1
3.5
6.6
1.1
9.1
.1
7.9
6.1
7.3
r.5
8.9
-.8
8.3
8.2
8.3
-1.0
9.0
-1.5
10.1
5.0
8.5
-2.0
8.9
-2.5
11.1
4.3
9.0
-2.0
9.0
-3.3
r 11.3
4.1
9.0
2.0
8.4
-.4
5.1
6.2
1.7
11.4
5.7
1.1
8.1
-1.0
5.9
6.9
2.9
19.5
7.3
-2.1
11.0
.0
11.7
13.4
6.8
-22.1
7.6
-2.8
8.0
-4.9
11.8
11.2
13.5
-3.4
10.2
-0.2
8.6
-3.8
10.2
8.8
14.6
-5.3
8.6
<1)
( ')
( ')
( ')
( 1)
(’ )
(’ )
0.8
8.3
.2
6.4
7.4
3.5
1.4
5.8
1.8
8.7
-.3
5.6
6.8
2.2
13.6
6.4
1.3
8.7
-1.0
6.1
7.3
2.5
21.7
7.5
-.5
8.9
-1.6
8.6
9.4
6.2
0
7.7
-1.0
8.9
-2.5
9.9
10.1
9.4
-3.9
8.4
( 1)
(’ )
( ')
( 1)
( ')
(’ )
C)
6.3
8.7
-.1
2.2
2.0
9.3
0
7.1
-2.4
10.3
-.6
13.0
2.9
9.8
-3.4
6.7
3.5
8.1
-4.3
4.4
-1.3
8.4
4.3
9.9
.6
8.1
0
7.4
1.6
8.7
-.3
7.1
2.6
8.6
-1.1
5.9
2.2
9.5
-1.0
7.2
1.5
9.4
-2.1
7.8
0.6
9.2
-3.1
8.5
(')
(')
1Not available.
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101
LABOR-MANAGEMENT DATA
M ajor collective bargaining data are obtained from
contracts on file at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, direct
contact with the parties, and from secondary sources. Addi
tional detail is published in C u rre n t W age D evelo p m en ts, a
monthly periodical of the Bureau. Data on work stoppages
are based on confidential responses to questionnaires mailed
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to parties involved in work
stoppages. Stoppages initially come to the attention of the
Bureau from reports of Federal and State mediation agencies,
newspapers, and union and industry publications.
Definitions
Data on wage changes apply to private nonfarm industry agree
ments covering 1,000 workers or more. Data on wage and benefit
changes c o m b in e d apply only to those agreements covering 5,000
workers or more. First-year wage settlements refer to pay changes go
ing into effect within the first 12 months after the effective date of
35.
the agreement. Changes over the life of the agreement refer to total
agreed upon settlements (exclusive of potential cost-of-living escalator
adjustments) expressed at an average annual rate. Wage-rate changes
are expressed as a percent of straight-time hourly earnings, while wage
and benefit changes are expressed as a percent of total compensation.
Effective wage-rate adjustments going into effect in major
bargaining units measure changes actually placed into effect during the
reference period, whether the result of a newly negotiated increase, a
deferred increase negotiated in an earlier year, or as a result of a costof-living escalator adjustment. Average adjustments are affected by
workers receiving no adjustment, as well as by those receiving in
creases or decreases.
Work stoppages include all known strikes or lockouts involving six
workers or more and lasting a full shift or longer. Data cover all
workers idle one shift or more in establishments directly involved in a
stoppage. They do not measure the indirect or secondary effect on
other establishments whose employees are idle owing to material or
service shortages.
Wage and benefit settlements in major collective bargaining units, 1975 to date
[Inpercent]
Quarterly average
Annual average
Sector and measure
1979
1978
1975
1976
1978
1977
1979 p
II
III
IV
I
II
IV
III
Wage and benefit settlements, all industries:
First-year settlements .................................
Annual rate over life of contract....................
11.4
8.1
8.5
6.6
9.6
6.2
8.3
6.3
8.9
6.6
6.8
6.0
7.2
5.9
6.1
5.2
2.8
5.3
10.5
7.8
9.0
6.1
8.5
6.0
Wage rate settlements, all industries:
First-year settlements .................................
Annual rate over life of contract ....................
10.2
7.8
8.4
6.4
7.8
5.8
7.6
6.4
7.4
6.0
6.9
6.2
7.5
6.4
7.4
5.9
5.7
6.6
8.9
7.2
6.8
5.1
6.3
5.3
Manufacturing:
First-year settlements.............................
Annual rate over life of contract ..............
9.8
8.0
8.9
6.0
8.4
5.5
8.3
6.6
7.0
5.4
7.1
5.8
8.4
7.2
9.5
7.4
8.7
7.7
9.7
8.1
6.3
4.7
5.6
4.2
Nonmanufacturing (excluding construction):
First-year settlements.............................
Annual rate over life of contract ..............
11.9
8.0
8.6
7.2
8.0
5.9
8.0
6.5
7.5
5.9
7.7
6.9
7.4
5.9
6.4
5.1
3.2
5.6
8.5
5.8
9.4
6.5
7.8
7.4
Construction:
First-year settlements.............................
Annual rate over life of contract ..............
8.0
7.5
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.3
6.5
6.2
8.9
8.4
6.4
6.0
7.0
7.2
8.4
7.1
9.7
8.2
8.7
8.3
9.7
8.5
7.5
7.6
36.
Effective wage adjustments going into effect in major collective bargaining units, 1975 to date
[Inpercent]
Average quarterly changes
Average annual changes
Sector and measure
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1978
1977
1979
IV
I
II
III
IV
1
II
III
IV
Total effective wage rate adjustment, all industries.............
Change resulting from —
Current settlement ..........................................
Prior settlement .............................................
Escalator provision ..........................................
8.7
8.1
8.0
8.2
8.8
1.1
1.3
2.6
2.7
1.4
1.4
2.6
3.3
1.6
2.8
3.7
2.2
3.2
3.2
1.6
3.0
3.2
1.7
2.0
3.7
2.4
2.8
3.0
3.0
.5
.3
.3
.5
.6
.3
.6
1.4
.6
.5
1.2
1.0
.4
.5
.5
.2
.6
.6
1.1
1.0
.5
1.0
1.0
1.2
.5
.4
.7
Manufacturing......................................................
Nonmanufacturing .................................................
8.5
8.9
8.5
7.7
8.4
7.6
8.6
7.9
9.2
8.5
1.4
.8
1.4
1.3
2.2
2.9
2.9
2.5
1.9
1.1
1.5
1.4
2.3
2.8
3.2
3.4
2.4
1.0
NOTE: Because of rounding and compounding, the sums of individual items may not equal totals.
102
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☆
U .S . G O VERNM ENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1980 0 — 311-406^33
37.
Work stoppages, 1947 to date
Number of stoppages
Month and year
Beginning in
In effect
month or year
during month
Workers involved
Days idle
Beginning in
In effect
month or year
during month
(thousands)
(thousands)
Number
(thousands)
Percent of
estim ated
working tim e
1947
1948
1949
1950
..................
..................
..................
..................
3,693
3,419
3,606
4,843
2,170
1,960
3,030
2,410
34,600
34,100
50,500
38,800
.30
.28
.44
.33
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
4,737
5,117
5,091
3,468
4,320
2,220
3,540
2,400
1,530
2,650
22,900
59,100
28,300
22,600
28,200
.18
.48
.22
.18
.22
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
3,825
3,673
3,694
3,708
3,333
1,900
1,390
2,060
1,880
1,320
33,100
16,500
23,900
69,000
19,100
.24
.12
.18
.50
.14
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
3,367
3,614
3,362
3,655
3,963
1,450
1,230
941
1,640
1,550
16,300
18,600
16,100
22,900
23,300
.11
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
4,405
4,595
5,045
5,700
5,716
1,960
2,870
2,649
2,481
3,305
25,400
42,100
49,018
42,869
66,414
.15
.25
.28
.24
.37
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
5,138
5,010
5,353
6,074
5,031
3,280
1,714
2,251
2,778
1,746
47,589
27,066
27,948
47,991
31,237
.26
.15
.14
.24
.16
1976 ....................
1977 ....................
5,648
5,506
2,420
2,040
37,859
35,822
.19
.17
1978:
1979:
1980:
.11
.13
.15
.15
September .
453
854
448
551
4,446
.25
October ...
November .
December .
370
268
157
721
569
408
117
64
53
216
136
143
2,352
1,691
1,377
.13
.09
08
January ...
February . .
March
262
299
391
68
75
112
1,925
1,670
1,871
.10
.10
.10
April.........
May.........
June .......
512
556
536
426
132
137
5,126
3,682
2,989
.27
.19
.16
July.........
August
September .
471
463
464
168
119
135
3,001
3,152
2,319
.16
.15
.13
October ...
November .
December .
443
257
134
230
91
42
2,968
2,720
1,976
.15
.15
.11
January13 ..
February p .
March p . . .
352
354
396
3,142
3,025
2,705
.16
.17
.14
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441
590
631
207
114
123
292
332
310
103
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Data on output per employee-hour, output, employeehours, and employment are presented for the following
industries:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Iron mining
Copper mining
Coal mining
Nonmetallic minerals
Fluid milk
Preserved fruits and vegetables
Grain mill products
Bakery products
Sugar
Candy and confectionery
Malt beverages
Bottled and canned soft drinks
Tobacco products
Hoisery
Sawmills and planing mills
Veneer and plywood
Household furniture
Paper, paperboard and pulp mills
Folding paperboard boxes
Corrugated and solid fiber boxes
Synthetic fibers
Pharmaceuticals
Soaps and detergents
Paints
Petroleum refining
Tires and inner tubes
Footwear
Glass containers
Hydraulic cement
Structural clay products
•
•
•
•
•
•
Concrete products
Ready-mixed concrete
Steel
Gray iron foundries
Steel foundries
Primary smelting and refining of
copper, lead, and zinc
• Primary aluminum
• Copper rolling and drawing
• Aluminum rolling and drawing
• Metal cans
• Motors and generators
• Major household appliances
• Electric lamps
• Lighting fixtures
• Radio and TV receiving sets
• Motor vehicles and equipment
• Railroad transportation
• Intercity trucking
• Air transportation
• Petroleum pipelines
• Telephone communications
• Gas and electric utilities
• Retail food stores
• Franchised new car dealers
• Gasoline service stations
• Eating and drinking places
• Hotels and motels
• Laundry and cleaning services
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