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LY LABOR REVIEW
Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
November 1981
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
In this issue:
A report on the 1881 convention of
the U.S. Labor Federation
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November cover:
“ Samuel Gompers,” a sculpture by Robert Arneson,
one of 32 art works commissioned by District 1199,
National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees,
as part of its Bread and Roses Cultural program.
The sculpture appears in Images of Labor,
a book of full-color reproductions available from
District 1199 Cultural Center, Inc.
310 West 43rd Street, New York, N.Y. 10036.
Cover design by Ann Meekins and Richard L. Mathews,
Division of Audio-Visual Communication Services,
U.S. Department of Labor.
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7m7*
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
NOVEMBER 1981
VOLUME 104, NUMBER 11
CJBRARY
m
i issi
Henry Lowenstern, Editor-in-Chief
Robert W. Fisher, Executive Editor
Yung-Ping Chen
3
The growth of fringe benefits: implications for social security
Official projections of long-range deficits assume continued worker preference for fringes
in lieu of cash pay; resulting reduction of tax base calls this assumption into question
Patricia A. Daly
11
Agricultural employment: has the decline ended?
The long-term decrease in employment has moderated recently; technological gains
continue and farmers often moonlight in nonfarm jobs to remain in the business
Carol Boyd Leon
18
Employed but not at work: a review of unpaid absences
During a typical week, 5 million workers are absent from their jobs, with 2 million
receiving no pay; the numbers have grown with increase of work force and in vacations
Stuart Bruce Kaufman
23
Birth of a federation: Gompers strives 'not to build a bubble’
Contemporary account from the AFL president’s papers notes his role in the founding
of an earlier federation 100 years ago, to which the a f l -c io traces its origin
John Duke, Horst Brand
27
Cyclical behavior of productivity in the machine tool industry
Productivity growth was slow during 1958-80, partly because the industry retains skilled
workers during cyclical downturns; computers, other technology aided production
Phyllis Flohr Otto
35
Transformer industry productivity slows
Annual productivity increases averaged 2.4 percent during 1963-79, slowing since 1972
to 1.5 percent; computer-assisted design and product standardization aided growth
REPORTS
John Thompson
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
40
bls
job cross-classification system relates information from six sources
DEPARTMENTS
2
40
45
47
50
51
55
61
Labor month in review
Technical note
Family budgets
Research summaries
Major agreements expiring next month
Developments in industrial relations
Book reviews
Current labor statistics
Labor M onth
In Review
CPI CHANGES. At a news conference
qn October 27, 1981, Commissioner of
Labor Statistics Janet L. Norwood an
nounced plans to change the way the
Consumer Price Index measures homeownership costs. Excerpts from Dr.
Norwood’s statement:
I am today providing public notice to all
users of the Consumer Price Index that
the Bureau of Labor Statistics plans to
change the homeownership component
of the index to a rental equivalence
measure. The Consumer Price Index for
All Urban Consumers (CPi-U) will be
changed with publication of data for
January 1983; the Consumer Price Index
for Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
(CPi-w) will be changed with data for
January 1985.
Background. Important changes have
occurred in financial markets. The cpi
does not reflect these changes. First,
funds available for long-term mortgage
commitments have declined sharply.
New types of mortgage instruments in
volving variable rates, shorter financing
terms, and other special arrangements
have developed so that the standard
long-term fixed rate mortgage used in
the cpi no longer seems representative of
the mortgage market. Second, because
of high interest rates and difficulties
faced by home buyers in securing bank
mortgages, owners who wish to sell their
homes are increasingly doing so by pro
viding financing to buyers at rates below
those of lending institutions. These
kinds of financing arrangements are not
captured at all in the cpi data collection
process.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics ob
tains data on house prices from the
Federal Housing Administration. This
data base, which represents a relatively
small and specialized segment of the
housing market, continues to present
bls with increasingly serious estimation
problems, bls has had only very limited
success in developing alternative sources
of house price data.
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2
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
The Economic Recovery Tax Act of
1981 (Public Law 97-34) requires use of
the cpi for All Urban Consumers (cpi-U)
for escalation of income tax brackets
and the personal exemption amount.
The law requires announcement of the
new tax brackets in December 1984 bas
ed on cpi-U data in the 2 prior years.
This is a major new use of the index, a
use which will have a broad effect on
total Federal Government revenues. In
my view, this new use of the index
underscores the importance of action to
ensure that we have a cpi which reflects
the experience of consumers to the
fullest extent possible.
Increasingly, Members of Congress,
the media, and the general public are
becoming aware of the issues surround
ing the measurement of homeownership
costs in the cpi. A growing number of
people feel that there is something
wrong with the cpi and that it should be
fixed. In light of the extensive use of the
cpi in our economic system, it is essential
that public confidence in it be main
tained.
Action planned. These facts clearly in
dicate that the time for changing the cpi
has come. At the same time, bls recog
nizes that it has an obligation to all users
to provide substantial advance notice of
a major change in the concept and cal
culation procedure of any important
component of the index. I have decided
on the following actions:
1. Effective with data for January
1983, the homeownership component of
the official cpi- u will be a rental
equivalence measure, like the present
cpi- u - xi experimental measure, but with
some refinements.
2. Effective with data for January
1985, the cpi- w will be revised to a rental
equivalence measure.
3. The new homeownership compo
nent will be linked into each cpi at the
end of the year preceding the change,
i.e., December 1982 for the cpi- u and
December 1984 for the cpi- w , in a
technical manner similar to that which
has been used in previous major revi
sions of the cpi. In accordance with
historical practice, bls will make
available to users after the change in the
official indexes calculations based on the
current treatment of homeownership for
a 6-month overlap period.
4. bls will continue its efforts to im
prove the rental equivalence measure
through refinements in procedures and
calculation methods and eventually
through supplementation of the rent
sample.
5. bls will cease monthly publication
o f the cpi experimental alternative
homeownership measures at the time the
change is made in the official cpi- u .
6. In the interim period, until the
is officially changed, bls will give
greater prominence to analysis of the
cpi- u - xi in the narrative portion of the
cpi press release.
cpi- u
Timing. There is work currently under
way at bls to improve the method of
calculating the rental equivalence
measure now used in the cpi- u - x i . The
time required to do this work, the
shorter history of the cpi- u , its special
uses, together with the requirement for
pre-notification of users of major cpi
changes, determined the schedule for
changing the cpi- u .
The cpi- w is used extensively in
escalation agreements in both the private
and public sectors, considerably more
than is the cpi-U. Some major collective
bargaining agreements which use the
cpi- w run for as long as 3 years and
specify that the parties to the agreements
would, in the event the Bureau changed
the cpi- w materially, request the bls to
continue to supply the index as it was
calculated when the contract was made.
In the light of such arrangements and
the background of historical practice
relating to the cpi- w , I believe that users
must be publicly notified substantially in
advance of changes planned for the
cpi- w so that they have adequate time to
adjust to the changes.
□
The growth of fringe benefits:
implications for social security
Official projections o f long-range social security
deficits assume continued worker preference for fringes
in lieu of cash pay; sensitivity o f the projections
to the resulting erosion o f the program’s tax base is such
that closer scrutiny o f this assumption is warranted
Y u n g -P in g C h e n
Relative to cash pay, fringe benefits1have increased phe
nomenally during the past three decades. Although the
official social security projections include the assump
tion that this phenomenal rate of growth will continue,
no attention has been paid to the implications such
growth is likely to have for long-range deficits in the so
cial security trust fund.
The projections assume that employer costs for fringe
benefits will increase faster than cash wages at an annu
al compound rate of 0.4 percent, the average annual
rate during 1950-80, over the entire 75-year period after
1980. Thus, the ratio of fringes to total compensation
would rise from 15.8 percent in 1980 to 37.8 percent in
the year 2055, and conversely, cash pay would decline
from 84.2 percent to 62.2 percent.2 Any increase in
fringes relative to workers’ cash pay (taxable payroll) is
very important because such pay is the tax base that
finances social security. Fringes accepted in lieu of tax
able pay reduce this base, and boost the percentage of
taxable payroll required for paying benefits.
When scheduled social security taxes (as a percentage
of taxable payroll) are less than scheduled benefit pay
ments (also as a percentage of taxable payroll), a deficit
results, which is the current situation. Ultimately, thereYung-Ping Chen is research director for the McCahan Foundation for
Research in Economic Security, and professor of economics at the
American College, Bryn Mawr, Pa.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
fore, the estimated cost of benefits as a percentage of
taxable payroll determines how high social security tax
rates need to be for the program to be self-supporting.
For this reason, the Trustees of the social security pro
gram use the percentage of taxable payroll figure in re
porting to Congress on the long-range financial health
of the system, and Congress, in turn, uses this percent
age as a yardstick in considering changes in the pro
gram.
This article explains how assumptions about the
future growth rate of fringes affect the projected longrange deficit of social security. While the following anal
ysis raises questions about the validity of the official as
sumption that fringes will grow faster than cash wages
by 0.4 percent a year (hereafter called the “faster
growth rate assumption”), the author’s intention is not
to assert that the assumption is necessarily erroneous.
Rather, the development herein of an alternative scenar
io in which fringes and wages grow at the same rate
(henceforth labeled the “equal growth rate assump
tion”) is but a means to demonstrate that changes in
the assumption about the growth rate of fringes can
make surprisingly significant differences in estimated
long-range deficits. It is important to recognize the di
rect linkage between the growth in fringes relative to
cash wages and the consequent social security deficits.
Furthermore, it is not the author’s purpose to dispute
the useful functions that many fringes perform, or to
3
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Fringe Benefits Growth and Social Security
advocate that the further growth of fringes be checked.
By calling attention to the importance of a heretofore
unanalyzed and generally overlooked assumption, this
article is intended primarily to arouse interest in addi
tional studies of the implications of the growth in
fringes for social security’s long-range deficits. However,
certain of the ideas presented may also stimulate further
research into the design of fringe benefits with particu
lar concern for their rising costs.
The first part of the article explains why the project
ed long-range actuarial position under social security is
highly sensitive to the assumption about future growth
of fringe benefits. The next section identifies two broad
trends in the growth of fringes during 1950-79: a trend
toward relatively more private fringes and another to
ward relatively more old-age protection. The third sec
tion explores the idea that there does not seem to be an
a priori case for continued growth in fringes in the fu
ture. The final section discusses some of the implica
tions of the assumption about the growth rate in fringes
for the future financial status of social security.
The importance of assumptions
A worker’s total compensation typically consists of
cash pay and fringe benefits. The cash wages of covered
workers and the earnings of self-employed persons (up to
a statutory ceiling) are subject to social security taxes,
while fringes are not. Thus, taxable payroll may be
thought of as the part of cash earnings of workers and of
self-employed persons that is subject to social security
taxes.3
Table 1 shows that cash payroll as a percentage of
total compensation declined steadily over the last 30
years, falling from 95 percent in 1950, to 92.2 percent
in 1960, 89.7 percent in 1970, and 84.2 percent in 1980.
The reason for the decline is that the growth rate of
fringes exceeded that of wages by an average 0.4 per
cent per year during 1950-80. The “faster growth rate
assumption” embodied in official actuarial projections
for social security is an extrapolation of this trend.
Based on this assumption, the long-range deficit of
the social security cash benefit program ( o a s d i ) is esti
mated to average 1.52 percent of taxable payroll during
1980-2054, according to the intermediate-cost projec
tion in the 1980 Trustees Report.4 But if the alternative
“equal growth rate assumption” were used, the longrange deficit would be reduced to 1.03 percent of tax
able payroll. In other words, the “equal growth rate as
sumption” results in a one-third smaller deficit as
measured in terms of taxable payroll.
The difference between 1.52 percent and 1.03 percent
is significant because these figures imply vastly different
deficits to be met. The “faster growth rate” projection
suggests that program expenditures will match revenues
only if the social security tax rate were raised each year
Digitized for
4 FRASER
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
by 1.52 percent of that year’s taxable payroll, or social
security benefits were reduced to that extent, or a com
bination of the two. The taxable payroll in 1980 was es
timated at approximately $1,145 billion; 1.52 percent of
that amount is $17.4 billion. By comparison, 1.03 per
cent of that am ount— the deficit according to the
“equal growth rate” estimate— would be $11.8 billion,
or $5.6 billion less.
The “equal growth rate assumption” also affects the
program’s actuarial position during each of the 25-year
subperiods of the 75-year projection, as indicated in table
2. Specifically, there would be a 24-percent greater surplus
during 1980-2004, a 41-percent smaller deficit during
2005-29, and a 16-percent smaller deficit during 2030-54.
If the assumption that fringe benefits will continue to
grow at a faster rate than cash pay proves to be correct,
the percentage of taxable payroll required for paying
benefits will rise. This is true even though benefit pay
ments will be somewhat lower because the amount of
cash wages credited toward social security benefits will
be smaller.
For example, suppose that $840 of every $1,000 of
employee compensation is taxable payroll, and that $84
is required for paying social security benefits. The $84
constitutes a 10-percent tax on the $840 taxable payroll.
The 1981 projections
Since the completion of this article, which relates to
estimates of social security long-range deficits presented
in the 1980 Trustees Report, the 1981 Report has been
released. However, the analysis and conclusions in this
article are not altered by the new report.
In the 1980 Trustees Report, the 75-year deficit for
the period 1980-2054 was estimated at 1.52 percent of
taxable payroll according to the intermediate-cost pro
jection, under the “faster growth rate assumption” (as
suming fringes to grow faster than wages by 0.4 percent
annually). The 1981 Trustees Report presents two intermediate-cost projections, II-A and II-B, instead of one
as in previous years. According to the 1981 report, the
75-year deficit for the period 1981-2055 is estimated at
0.93 percent of taxable payroll under II-A, and 1.82
percent under II-B.
In response to the author’s inquiry about the 1981
projections, the Office of the Actuary of the Social Se
curity Administration has indicated the following:
(1) Among the assumptions which vary between II-A
and II-B is that concerning the growth rate of fringes
versus that of wages. Although both projections use a
“faster growth rate assumption,” II-A assumes that
fringes will grow faster than wages by an annual
compound rate of 0.3 percent, while II-B assumes 0.4
percent (the same as in the 1980 projection).
(2) If the “equal growth rate assumption” were used,
the deficit would be reduced to 0.53 percent of taxable
payroll under II-A, and to 1.20 percent under
II-B. In other words, the long-range deficit under II-A
falls by 46 percent, and that under II-B, by 34 percent.
Table 1. Actual and projected distribution of total
compensation between cash payroll and fringe benefits,
selected years, 1950-2055
[In percent]
Year
Cash payroll
Fringe benefits
95.0
92.2
89.7
84.2
5.0
7.8
10.3
15.8
80.6
77.5
71.5
67.4
62.2
19.4
22.5
28.5
32.6
37.8
Actual:
1950
1960
1970
1980
................................................................
................................................................
................................................................
................................................................
Projected:
1990
2000
2020
2035
2055
................................................................
................................................................
................................................................
.................................................................
................................................................
S ource : Actual distributions were calculated by the author from data provided on com
puter printouts by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Projections were furnished by the Of
fice of the Actuary, Social Security Administration.
Now suppose, alternatively, only $620 of $1,000 of em
ployee compensation is taxable payroll. With cash
wages accounting for a smaller proportion of total com
pensation subject to social security taxes, social security
benefits will also be relatively lower (although not pro
portionately so, because of the weighted formula used
to calculate the benefits of individual workers, and, to a
lesser extent, because some of the proportionate decline
in cash pay would have occurred in wages already
above the taxable ceiling). Taking these factors into ac
count, suppose that $74 would be needed to make the
lowered social security benefit payments. The $74 tax
on $620 cash pay means a tax rate of 12 percent of tax
able payroll. In other words, the lower the taxable pay
roll as a percentage of total compensation, the higher
the required social security tax rate.
Of course, if the assumed growth of fringes as a pro
portion of total compensation does not take place, ex
penditures under social security will represent a smaller
percentage of taxable payroll. Again, the important
point is that differing assumptions about the ratio of
cash pay to total compensation can make a significant
difference in the projected social security deficit.5
for social insurance” and “other labor income,” and are
shown in table 3 as public fringes and private fringes,
respectively. Two broad trends concerning fringes in the
past three decades are readily discernible from these
data. The first concerns the changing distribution of
fringes between those sponsored by governmental units
(public fringes), and those under the aegis of the private
sector (private fringes). While the total dollar volume of
fringes increased during 1950-79, a decreasing propor
tion was attributable to public fringes and a growing
proportion to private fringes. (See table 4.) In 1950, the
distribution was 53.3 percent for public fringes and 46.7
percent for private plans. By 1979, the direction was re
versed: 47.3 percent of all fringes were public, and 52.7
percent were private.
Relative to the total, the individual components of
public fringes (except medicare) declined slightly or sta
bilized, especially since 1960. By far the largest public
fringe is OASDI, which grew from 16.7 percent in 1950
to 25.6 percent in 1970, and then declined to 22.3 per
cent in 1979. Medicare hospital insurance, enacted in
1965, increased from 3.7 percent of total fringes in 1970
to 4.7 percent in 1979.
With regard to private fringes, pension and profit
sharing, group health insurance, and group life insur
ance as a category increased in relative importance, ris
ing steadily from 35 percent of total fringes in 1950 to
45.6 percent in 1979. However, the individual items in
this category showed somewhat different developments,
as indicated in table 3: (1) private pension and profit
sharing plans, the most important of all fringes in 1979
(accounting for 24.4 percent of all fringes, compared
with 22.3 percent for o a s d i ), increased from a little
over one-fifth of the total in 1950 to nearly one-quarter
in 1979; (2) private group health insurance plans nearly
Table 2. oasdi surplus or deficit as a percentage of
taxable payroll under different assumptions about the rate
of fringe benefit growth, selected periods, 1980-2054
Surplus ( + ) or deficit (-)
Period
Two broad trends in fringe benefits
The following analysis of trends in fringe benefits is
based on data relating to “supplements to wages and
salaries” published by the U.S. Department of Com
merce. These supplements (fringes), together with
“wages and salaries,” make up the total “compensation
of employees.” The discussion covers the years 1950,
1960, 1970, and 1979. (Comparable statistics for 1980
were not available at this writing.) In 1979, supplements
(or fringes) amounted to 15.4 percent of total compen
sation of employees.6
The fringe benefit data published by the Commerce
Department are divided into “employer contributions
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
"Faster growth
"Equal growth
rate assumption”1 rate assumption”2
Change in surplus or
deficit due to
difference in
assumption
75-year annual average:
-1.52
-1.03
+ .49 (32 percent
smaller deficit)
1980-2004 ...............
+ 1.19
+ 1.47
2005-2029 ...............
-1.17
-.69
2030-2054 ...............
-4.58
-3.86
+ .28 (24 percent
greater surplus)
+ .48 (41 percent
smaller deficit)
+ .72 (16 percent
smaller deficit)
1980-2054 ...............
25-year annual averages:
1Data are from the 1980 Annual Report o f the Board o f Trustees o f the Federal Old-Age
and Survivors Insurance and Disability insurance Trust Funds (The 1980 Trustees Report),
House Document No. 96-332, 96th Cong., 2d. Sess., p. 48.
2 These data were provided by the Office of the Actuary, Social Security Administration,
and are based on the same assumptions underlying the intermediate-cost projection In the
1980 Trustees Report, except for that concerning the rate of growth of fringes.
5
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Fringe Benefits Growth and Social Security
Table 3.
1950 79
Amount and percentage distribution of employer costs for fringe benefits by sponsoring sector, selected years,
[Amounts in millions of dollars]
1950
1960
1970
1979
T y p e o f b e n e f it b y s e c t o r
Am ount
P e rc e n t
Am ount
P e rc e n t
Am ount
Total fringe benefits..........................................
$7,818
100.0
$23,000
100.0
$63,240
Total public fringes1 .....................................................
OASDI (social security cash benefits)......................
HI (Medicare hospital insurance: social security
noncash benefits).................................................
State and local employees’ retirement....................
Federal civilian employees’ retirement ....................
Railroad retirement...................................................
Workers' compensation (Federal, State, and local
governments).......................................................
Unemployment insurance (State, Federal, and rail
road) .....................................................................
State cash sickness benefits...................................
4,164
1,308
53.3
16.7
11,780
5,632
51.2
24.5
( 2)
510
316
282
( 2)
6.5
4.0
3.6
( 2)
1,775
838
297
( 2)
7.7
3.6
1.3
188
2.4
413
1.8
872
1.4
3,949
1.8
1,473
7
18.8
( 3)
2,808
7
12.2
( 3)
3,475
28
5.5
( 3)
15,906
43
7.1
( 3)
Total private fringes.....................................................
Pension and profit sharing........................................
Group health insurance............................................
Group life insurance .................................................
Insurance for workers’ compensation......................
Supplemental unemployment insurance ..................
Other .......................................................................
3,654
1,713
745
285
791
( 2)
120
46.7
21.9
9.5
3.6
10.1
( 2)
1.5
11,220
4,866
3,374
1,080
1,529
120
251
48.8
21.2
14.7
4.7
6.6
0.5
1.1
32,507
13,050
12,099
2,891
3,786
111
570
51.4
20.6
19.1
4.6
6.0
0.2
0.9
118,596
54,899
41,574
6,009
13,943
590
1,581
52.7
24.4
18.5
2.7
6.2
0.3
0.7
1The total public fringes In the Commerce Department data also Include Insignificant
amounts of veterans' life insurance which are not shown here because they are not an employer-paid fringe benefit.
2 Program not in effect.
doubled in relative importance over the same period,
rising from 9.5 to 18.5 percent of all fringes; and, (3)
private group life insurance declined relatively, from 3.6
percent of the total in 1950 to 2.7 percent in 1979.
The second broad trend pertains to the changing dis
tributions of fringes that provide retirement benefits,
primarily deferred compensation (old-age protection)
and those that provide benefits only when contingencies
such as illness, disability, or unemployment occur (cur
rent protection). During 1950-79, there was a clear
movement toward relatively more old-age protection
and less current protection. The distinction between
Total public fringes1 .......................................................
OASDHI .....................................................................
State and local government employees’ retirement,
Federal civilian employees' retirement, and railroad
retirement ..............................................................
Workers’ compensation, and unemployment insurance
Total private fringes2 .....................................................
Pension and profit sharing, group health insurance,
and group life insurance ........................................
Private workers’ compensation, private supplemental
unemployment insurance........................................
6
100.0
$225,026
100.0
30,733
16,182
48.6
25.6
106,432
50,161
47.3
22.3
2,342
5,091
2,215
517
3.7
8.1
3.5
0.8
10,487
17,425
6,785
1,671
4.7
7.7
3.0
0.7
3 Less than 0.05 percent.
Note:
S ource :
Due, roundi
sums of ¡ndjvidua| ¡tems
not
, totals
Computed from data furnished by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
1960
1970
1979
53.3
51.2
48.6
47.3
16.7
24.5
29.3
27.0
14.1
21.2
12.6
14.0
12.4
6.9
11.4
8.9
46.7
48.8
51.4
52.7
35.0
40.6
44.3
45.6
Factors affecting growth of fringes
10.1
7.1
6.2
6.5
Due to rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.
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P e rc e n t
1950
11ncludes State cash sickness benefits, and veterans’ life insurance, each of which
amounted to minor percentages.
2 Includes “ others" which amount to minor percentages as shown in table 3.
N ote :
Am ount
these two types of protection is not clear-cut, particular
ly in the case of social security, but an approximation
may be achieved by assigning 80 percent of o a s d i to
the cost for retirement benefits (including benefits for
surviving spouses age 60 and over) and the remaining
20 percent to benefits for persons below retirement age.7
Thus, old-age protection encompasses Federal civilian
employees’ retirement, State and local employees’ retire
ment, railroad retirement, private pension and profit
sharing plans, medicare hospital insurance, and the ap
proximately 80 percent of OASDI paid to retirees, or to
their surviving spouses age 60 and over. Current protec
tion includes unemployment insurance, workers’ com
pensation, group health and life insurance, supple
mentary unemployment insurance, and private insurance
for workers’ compensation, plus the remaining 20
percent of OASDI.
As indicated in table 5, fringes that provide old-age
protection rose from 49.5 percent of the total in 1950 to
53.4 percent in 1960, 57.2 percent in 1970, and 58.4
percent in 1979. By contrast, those providing current
protection declined from 50.5 percent in 1950 to 46.6
percent in 1960, 42.8 percent in 1970, and 41.6 percent
in 1979.
Table 4. Employer costs for public and private fringe
benefits as percent of total fringe benefits, selected
years, 1950-79
T y p e o f b e n e f it
P e rc e n t
Fringe benefits provided by the private sector were
rare prior to World War II. During the war, when the
War Labor Board held down wages, employers seeking
workers in a tight labor market offered some induce
ments in the form of noncash compensation. Largely a
post-World War II phenomenon, private pensions have
grown significantly since 1950, having been ruled a
proper issue for collective bargaining by the U.S. Su
preme Court in the Inland Steel Case of 1949. Since the
war, other health and welfare benefits have also devel
oped rapidly.
The swift expansion in the scope and variety of
fringes attests to the useful functions they serve for em
ployers, workers, and unions. For employers, fringes are
a tool for personnel management and for promoting ef
ficiency by raising morale and reducing turnover. From
the workers’ point of view, group plan participation re
duces the cost of fringes through administrative and
other scale economies, and enables some workers to se
cure coverage or protection they could not otherwise af
ford. Pensions, and health and welfare benefits provide
a sense of economic security to these workers and their
families. And, workers may prefer at least some level of
fringes to cash compensation because the former are not
subject to taxes. (In fact, inflation and the resulting in
come-tax “bracket creep” may have contributed greatly
to the growth of fringes, particularly for higher-paid
workers.) Finally, inasmuch as negotiated fringes pro
mote economic security for union members, adding new
fringes and improving existing ones tend to strengthen
unions as organizations.
Some have asserted that as long as tax laws give pref
erential treatment to fringes and inflation persists,
workers will seek fringes instead of cash compensation.
But how long will workers prefer more fringes to higher
wages? Is there an a priori case for the contention that
outlays for fringes will continue to rise faster than cash
wages?
Because cash pay is income available to the worker to
spend, and fringes are not, a shift to fringes deprives
Table 5. Composition of employer costs for fringe
benefits by type of protection, selected years, 1950-79
[In percent]
T y p e o f p r o t e c t io n
Old age protection ............................................
OASDI (80 percent of O AS D I)......................
HI (Medicare hospital insurance) .................
State and local government employees’
retirement, Federal civilian employees’
retirement, and railroad retirement ...........
Private pension and profitsharing ..................
Current protection1 ............................................
OASDI (20 percent of O AS D I)......................
Private group health and private group life
insurance ...................................................
Workers’ compensation, and
unemployment insurance (public) .............
Workers’ compensation, and unemployment
insurance (private)......................................
1950
1960
1970
1979
49.5
13.4
53.4
19.6
57.2
20.5
3.7
58.4
17.8
4.7
14.1
21.9
12.6
21.2
12.4
20.6
11.4
24.4
50.5
3.3
46.6
4.9
42.8
5.1
41.6
4.5
13.1
19.4
23.7
21.2
21.2
14.0
6.9
8.9
10.1
7.1
6.2
6.5
11ncludes State cash sickness compensation, veterans’ life insurance, and “ other,” which
amounted to minor percentages as indicated in table 3,
N ote :
Due to rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.
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workers of some freedom of choice.8 Intuitively, one
might assume that there is a limit to people’s willing
ness to have less and less discretion concerning their
pay.
Although workers may value fringes for the benefit
they yield, many fringes fall into the category of “cur
rent protection.” There is probably a point at which
people become reluctant to trade cash income for fringe
benefits they may never have to use.
And, even when the growth in fringes is expected to
yield deferred income— as in the case of greater “oldage protection” — there must be a limit to the tradeoff
of current for future consumption. The desire to raise
(or simply to maintain) one’s current standard of living
would be a powerful counter to continuation of past
trends in growth of fringes. The traditionally low sav
ings rate in this country is evidence of a general prefer
ence for current consumption over future security.
Inflation affects fringes in several conflicting ways. In
flation may cause higher-paid individuals to prefer
fringes that are not subject to tax so as to avoid higher
marginal income tax rates. Conversely, people who earn
less may opt for more cash pay in order to meet the
higher cost of living. And, finally, employers may resist
the rising costs of fringes by curbing their growth, elim
inating some fringes, or requiring cost-sharing by em
ployees.9
To the extent that inflation has induced a strong
demand for fringes, much of that stimulus might disap
pear if income tax brackets were indexed for inflation,
or if income taxes were cut. And, workers might well
prefer more cash pay to fringes if there were stronger
income tax incentives for private savings for retirement.
There are currently a number of legislative proposals to
expand the Keogh Plan and Individual Retirement Ac
counts.10
Moreover, if fringes continue to rise as a proportion
of total compensation, the Treasury Department might
be increasingly active in questioning the tax-exempt sta
tus of employer contributions to benefit plans, except
for those contributions traditionally exempted. Section
61 of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations is
sued under that section define gross income as including
“all income from whatever source derived,” and define
income as “compensation for services,” whether in the
form of services, meals, accommodations, stock, other
property, or cash.
The last 30 years were a period in which fringes be
gan to be developed, and much of their rapid growth
could be attributable to the developmental stage of an
emerging institution. By now many workers already
have, to a greater or lesser extent, health plans, pen
sions, and the like. Even if these plans are improved,
new kinds of fringes are added, and workers not now
7
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Fringe Benefits Growth and Social Security
covered (or not adequately covered) are given first-time
(or improved) coverage, there are no obvious reasons
for fringes to increase faster than wages for the next 75
years.
The preceding discussion suggests that there is not an
a priori case for the proposition that fringes will contin
ue to grow faster than cash wages, particularly at rates
observed over the last 30 years. It may be that factors
tending to restrain the continued growth of fringes rela
tive to wages will outweigh those tending to promote
relative growth. If the future rate of growth in fringes
stays the same as the rate of growth in wages, the 1980
ratio of cash pay to total compensation will persist for
the next 75 years. What are the implications for the so
cial security system should this so-called “equal growth
rate assumption” prove correct? And, conversely, what
might happen if the “faster growth rate assumption” is
borne out by reality?
Implications of different assumptions
One consequence of an “equal growth rate” is that
taxable payroll would constitute a greater proportion of
total compensation than is now officially projected. As
taxable payroll increases (up to the taxable earnings
ceiling), so would social security benefit payments, be
cause social security benefits are related to a worker’s
earnings history. As more wages become taxable for so
cial security purposes, more wages would be credited
toward social security benefits.
However, social security benefit payments would not
rise as fast as the taxable payroll for two reasons. First,
some of the increase in cash pay would not be subject
to social security taxes at all (or be credited toward so
cial security benefits) because it would exceed the tax
able earnings ceiling. In other words, cash wages above
the statutory limit for social security taxes are irrelevant
for our purposes, because neither social security taxes
nor social security benefits will be affected. It is well to
recognize, however, that only about 10 percent of total
payroll is currently above the taxable ceiling.
Second, and even more important, is the effect of the
weighted formula for calculating workers’ OASDI bene
fits. For example, consider an individual earning a cash
salary of $22,000 in 1981, and fringe benefits of $5,000:
fringes amount to 18.5 percent of the total compensa
tion of $27,000. If the worker’s salary had been $24,000
and fringes, $3,000 (or 11.1 percent of total compensa
tion of $27,000), social security tax payments would
have been 9.1 percent greater; but the social security
benefit accrual rate (based on the 1981-cohort formula)
would have been only 4.1 percent higher.11 In other
words, social security taxes would increase more than
social security benefits would.
Inattention to the effect of growing fringes on the size
of social security deficits has the potential of exaggerat
ing the concern over the financial health of the pro
gram. The above analysis clearly indicates that the
long-range social security deficit would be smaller than
is officially estimated if an “equal growth rate assump
tion” were used. But what if the “faster growth rate as
sumption” proves true?
It may be surprising, but social security’s long-range
deficit might still be overstated, if the following devel
opment takes place. Given the trends toward relatively
more private fringes and old-age protection, increases in
future benefits would most likely be for old-age protec
tion sponsored by the private sector. This implies that,
as private pension plans spread or are improved, the
relative role of social security will diminish. The result
would be a distribution of old-age protection between
social security and private pensions that is different
from that embodied in the official projection. With a re
duced relative role for social security, program expendi
tures should fall, and the deficit would again be smaller
than estimated.
O f COURSE, both the “faster growth rate assumption”
and the “equal growth rate assumption” may be unreal
istic, and the future growth rate of fringes may lie
somewhere between or outside these assumptions. Given
the linkage between future growth rate in fringes and
the size of the projected deficit, any reduction in the
rate of increase in fringes from that currently assumed
will reduce the long-range social security deficits. And,
even should the disproportionately high growth of
fringes continue, or accelerate, deficits may not reach
levels which would otherwise be expected because of
shifts in the composition and sponsorship of benefits. □
FOOTNOTES
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: For helpful discussions and suggestions,
the author thanks Robert J. Myers, Deputy Commissioner of Social
Security for Programs (in his private capacity); Robert M. Ball, for
mer Social Security Commissioner, and Advisory Committee Chair
man, Coalition to Protect Social Security (in his private capacity);
Professor Alice J. Vandermeulen; Professor Harold M. Somers; Bert
Seidman, Director of Social Security Department, AFL-CIO (in his
private capacity); Robert W. Fisher, Executive Editor, Monthly Labor
Review (in his private capacity); and Kay Powell, Editorial Director,
The American College. Other persons who have assisted in the project
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will be acknowledged in a fuller report.
The views presented in this article are the author’s own, and are
not necessarily shared by any of the aforementioned persons, or by
the organizations with which the author is affiliated.
1“Fringe benefits” refers to a large number of noncash forms of
compensation that many workers receive as part of the total compen
sation package. In deference to common usage, the term “fringe bene
fits” or “fringes” will be used interchangeably with “employee bene
fits.”
2 Each of these percentages expresses fringe benefits as a ratio to to-
tal compensation. If fringes were expressed as a percentage of cash
payroll, as is common in employee benefits parlance, the 15.8 percent
of total compensation in 1980 would translate into 18.8 percent of
payroll, and the 37.8 percent of total compensation being projected
for the year 2055 by the Office of the Actuary becomes 60.8 percent
of payroll. Moreover, the fringes being included in these percentage
figures do not include “payments for time not worked” (lunch breaks,
coffee breaks, paid holidays, and paid vacations).
' The official definition of the taxable payroll is:
“the amount which, when multiplied by the combined employeremployee tax rates, yields the total amount of taxes that would
be paid by employers, employees, and the self-employed. In this
way expenditures, when expressed as percent of taxable payroll,
can be compared directly to the combined employer-employee
tax rate to determine whether the system is operating at a sur
plus or deficit. In practice, the taxable payroll is calculated as a
weighted average of the earnings of employers, employees, and
the self-employed, where the weighting is done to take into ac
count the lower tax rates on self-employment income, on tips,
and on multiple-employer ‘excess wages’ as compared to the
combined employer-employee rates.”
See Steven F. McKay, Long-Range Cost Estimates for Old-Age, Survi
vors, and Disability Insurance System, 1980, Actuarial Study No. 83
(Social Security Administration, Office of the Actuary, 1980), p. 10.
4The shortfall of 1.52 percent of taxable payroll was the difference
between expenditures and tax rates (both expressed as a percent of
taxable payroll) that are scheduled in the law currently in effect; that
is, the type and levels of benefits, as well as the combined tax rates
now set forth in the law, are unchanged in all future years. Under the
intermediate cost projection, annual expenditures for OASDI during
1980-2054 average 13.74 percent of taxable payroll, while the com
bined employer-employee tax rate for OASDI averages 12.22 percent.
See 1980 Annual Report o f the Board of Trustees of the Federal OldAge and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance Trust Funds (The
Trustees Report), House Document No. 96-332, 96th Cong., 2d. Sess.,
p. 4.
5Although the focus of this article is the long-range deficit, it
should be emphasized that differing growth rates in fringes will have
important effects on short- and medium-range deficits as well. For ex
ample, a decline in the proportion of total compensation going to
fringes will have the effect of reducing deficits in the immediate future
for at least two reasons: (1) There is a lag between the time workers
pay higher social security taxes based on greater cash wages and the
time they receive the social security benefits based on those greater
wages; and, (2) although social security benefits paid to those coming
on the rolls will increase somewhat because of the earnings indexing
factor (that is, because they are based on average annual covered
wages which will be higher as a result of the workers’ greater cash
earnings), increases in benefit payments due to this factor are much
smaller in comparison to increases in social security taxes based on
higher wages now prevailing. The data for the period 1980-2004 in
table 2 illustrate the point.
6The reader may be struck by this seemingly small percentage. For
example, the widely quoted study by the Chamber of Commerce of
the United States (Employee Benefits, 1979 (Washington, 1980), p. 30)
stated that total fringes amounted to 31.8 percent of payroll in 1979.
The Chamber’s figure differs significantly from the 15.4 percent we
computed from Commerce Department data for two major reasons:
(1) the Chamber’s figures include “payments for time not worked”;
and, (2) the Chamber relates fringes to cash payroll, while this discus
sion relates fringes to total compensation in using the Commerce De
partment data. When the Chamber of Commerce data are adjusted
(to remove payments for time not worked from fringes, and to relate
fringes to total compensation), fringe benefits in 1979 amounted to
15.7 percent of total compensation, which is very close to the 15.4
percent figure based on the Department of Commerce data.
Another major source of data on fringes is the BLS Employment
Cost Index (ECI). The first ECI publication presented wage and sala
ry data for the fourth quarter of 1975. The program was subsequently
expanded to include employee benefit costs, and recently published its
first annual estimates of total compensation (wages plus fringes) relat
ing to calendar 1980. The fringes covered in the index included pay
ments for time not worked, such as paid holidays, and paid vacations.
7The distinction between old-age protection and current protection
is still not clear-cut even with the indicated 80-20 division of employ
er contributions for OASDI. Federal civilian employees’ retirement,
State and local employees’ retirement, and railroad retirement systems
also provide disability and survivors’ benefits to some extent. Medi
care hospital insurance is included in old-age protection because it is a
program for the elderly, although it covers some disabled persons re
gardless of age. However, the main trend identified would not be af
fected by fine-tuning the data.
8It is possible that the development of “cafeteria” or flexible benefit
plans, under which workers are given a choice among different types
and amounts of fringes (beyond certain basic benefits that every work
er must have), will alleviate the problem of loss of freedom of choice.
However, any conclusions must await widespread implementation of
such plans.
’ Conventional designs for fringe benefits have not adapted to
changing life-styles and work-styles (such as two-earner families) in
recent years. Therefore, there are at present some duplicative, costly,
and not-so-useful fringes. If cafeteria or flexible benefit plans described
in the previous footnote were widely adopted, they might well result
in cost saving or cost control in the future.
" The recently enacted Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 pro
vides for indexing of income taxes beginning in 1985, for overall tax
rate reductions, and for expanded use of Keogh Plans and Individual
Retirement Accounts.
11 In 1981, the combined employer-employee social security tax rate
for OASDI is 10.7 percent. The social security tax on the $22,000 sal
ary is $2,354 and on $24,000, $2,568; $2,568 is 9.1 percent larger than
$2,354.
In 1981, the primary insurance amount (PIA) is calculated by add
ing the products of the following three steps:
(a) 90 percent of the first $211 of the average indexed monthly
earnings (AIME), plus
(b) 32 percent of the AIME over $211 and through $1,274, plus
(c) 15 percent of the AIME over $1,274.
For $22,000, AIME of $1,833 gives PIA of $614.00, and for $24,000,
AIME of $2,000 gives PIA of $639.00; $639.00 is 4.1 percent larger
than $614.00.
APPENDIX: Impetus for this analysis
The author’s curiosity about the effect on social secu
rity’s deficits of the assumption concerning the growth
rate of fringes was first aroused by the accompanying
tabulation which he constructed from tables 14 and 15
of a September 1980 actuarial study published by the
Social Security Administration.
Table 14 o f that study presents OASDI expenditures as
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a percentage of taxable payroll, while table 15 shows
the same expenditures as a percent of gross national
product. Each table provides data for selected years
from 1980-2055, the 75-year annual average, and the
averages for the three 25-year subperiods. According to
the author’s calculations, the rates of increase between
25-year periods are much larger when OASDI expendi9
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Fringe Benefits Growth and Social Security
Projected oasdi expenditures as a percent of
taxable payroll and as a percent of gross national product,
and changes between selected periods, 1980-2054
T a b le A-1.
Period
Rate of in
Expenditures
Rate of in
Expenditures crease be as percent of crease be
as percent of tween periods gross national tween periods
taxable payroll (in percent)
product
(in percent)
25-year annual
averages:
1980-2004 ...........
2005-2029 . . . . . .
2030-2054 ...........
10.66
13.57
16.98
27
25
4.58
5.32
6.08
16
14
OASDI expenditures were based on the intermediate-cost projection.
Calculated from Steven F. McKay, Long-Range Cost Estimates for Old-Age, Sur
vivors, and Disability Insurance System, 1980, Actuarial Study No. 83 (Social Security Ad
ministration, Office of the Actuary, 1980), pp. 51-52.
N ote :
S o urce :
Digitized for
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tures are expressed as a percentage of taxable payroll
than when the same expenditures are expressed as a
percentage of gross national product. The actuarial
study provides no discussion of the difference.
The author discovered that the reason for the discrep
ancy is the assumption embodied in the official actuarial
procedure that fringes will grow faster than wages by
0.4 percent per year during 1980-2054. In response to
his inquiry, the Office of the Actuary of the Social Secu
rity Administration indicated that the annual differen
tial growth rate of 0.4 percent was chosen because it
was the average experienced during 1951-80. Social se
curity actuaries also noted that the rate was actually
about 0.3 percent per year during the 1950’s and
1960’s, and about 0.7 percent annually during the
1970’s.
The social security penalty
Secondary earners are dually entitled to primary benefits as workers
and to secondary benefits as wives. But they often do not work long
enough in paid employment to obtain primary benefits as workers
which are higher than their secondary benefits as wives. The dual enti
tlement provision of social security guarantees them a minimum bene
fit, defined by the wife’s benefit. That is, if the primary benefit based
on her earnings record is less than her wife’s benefit, she will receive a
supplemental benefit equal to the difference. The existence of this min
imum guaranteed benefit causes the appearance of an inequity. Since
wives are guaranteed the wife’s benefit as a minimum, wives who
combine homemaking with part-time or intermittent work appear to
get no return or a very low return for the social security taxes that
they pay while in the labor force.
—Judith B. Finn
The Treatment o f Women Under Social Security:
A Critique o f the Proposed Reforms (Washington,
The Free Congress Research and Education
Foundation, 1981), p. vi.
Agricultural employment:
has the decline ended?
The long-term decrease in farm employment
has moderated during recent years,
although technological gains continue,
and farmers often need to moonlight in
nonfarm jobs in order to remain in the business
P a t r ic ia A . D
aly
Although agricultural employment accounts for less
than 4 percent of all jobs, it has an important place in
the Nation’s economy. The ability of such a small per
centage of the labor force to provide for most of the
country’s food needs, as well as for exports, testifies to
the skill and productivity of the agricultural sector.
Agriculture has received extensive media coverage in
recent years, especially concerning parity prices, price
supports, and grain exports and embargoes. Its employ
ment has been affected by the transformations in farm
number, size, and scale. As farm technology has im
proved, the more intensive use of capital equipment has
shifted emphasis from people to machinery. During the
last three decades these structural and technological
changes have had a profound impact on jobs and have
affected both the character of the agricultural labor
force and its size. However, since 1970, these changes
have slowed dramatically. (See table 1.)
During 1976-80, agricultural employment held about
steady at an annual average of 3.3 million, the sharp de
clines of the 1950’s and 1960’s having virtually stopped.
Since 1970, agricultural employment has only declined
by 150,000 compared with losses of 1.7 and 2.0 million
in the previous two decades. (See table 2.)
Patricia A. Daly is an economist in the Office of Current Employment
Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Because of the nature of agricultural employment, it
is useful to examine two data series in order to obtain a
more complete picture of the trends and composition of
the labor force. The monthly Current Population Sur
vey ( c p s ) provides information for those whose primary
employment is in agriculture and who are age 16 or
older. It comprises the self-employed and persons who
work for wages or salaries, as well as those who put in
15 hours or more per week as unpaid workers on family
farms. The Hired Farm Working Force data are
obtained from supplementary questions to the CPS asked
only in December and cover all persons age 14 or older
who worked in agriculture at some point during that
calendar year for wages or salaries. These two series
overlap for those wage and salary workers whose pri
mary occupation is in agriculture, but both are neces
sary to account for the many who combine work in
agriculture with other pursuits. Both surveys confirm
that recently the long-term decrease in farm employ
ment has slowed.
In agriculture, the primary unit has historically been
the family farm. In the past, land was abundant and la
bor rather than capital was the main input. Family
members were the primary suppliers of the labor, and
their goal was to provide enough food for their own
consumption, as well as a surplus to sell. The impetus
behind the development and adoption of technology on
individual farms was the desire to raise more agricultur11
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Employment in Agriculture
al products or produce them at a lower cost, within the
constraints of the family’s fixed resources of land and
labor. The immediate result was an increase in the in
come of the innovative farm family, but quite naturally
production also rose for the agriculture industry as a
whole, as the use of technology grew. So the supply of
agricultural products increased more than demand,
driving prices down. Many farming units could no long
er make enough income and were forced out of busi
ness. Some displaced workers moved into nonfarm
occupations, and others reverted to small-scale or sub
sistence farming, combined with nonagricultural em
ployment when it was available.1 Both moonlighting
and nonfarm employment by family members have en
abled families to stay in farming.
Worker characteristics
Sex, age, and race. Agricultural employment tends to be
disproportionately male and white. In 1980, women
accounted for only 20 percent of such employment,
compared with 43 percent of other jobs. Furthermore,
almost one-third of the women in agriculture were un
paid family workers. In contrast, more than half of the
men were self-employed. About 40 percent of each sex
were wage and salary workers. Both men and women
tended to be older than their nonagricultural counter
parts, as the percentages in the following tabulation for
1980 show:
Agricultural
Nonagricultural
Men:
16 to 24 years . . . .
25 to 54 years . . . .
55 years or older . . .
23.7
49.3
27.0
20.0
65.0
15.0
Women:
16 to 24 years . . . .
25 to 54 years . . . .
55 years or older . . .
21.8
61.5
16.9
24.1
62.5
13.4
By race or ethnicity, whites make up 92 percent of
agricultural employment, blacks 8 percent. Hispanics,
who are included in the white total, make up 7 percent.
Of the working age population, whites account for 88
percent, blacks 12 percent, and Hispanics 5 percent.2 In
the past, blacks made up a larger proportion of agricul
tural employment, 11 percent in 1970 and 16 percent in
1962, while representing 11 percent of the population in
1970 and 10 percent in 1962. A historical series of farm
operators3 shows a long-term decline of blacks and oth
er races as a proportion of total farm operators in the
United States and the South since 1920.
Minorities are predominantly wage and salary work
ers and are less apt to be self-employed than are whites.
Wage and salary jobs accounted for 39 percent of
white, 74 percent of black, and 90 percent of Hispanic
agricultural employment. Fifty-one percent of the white
Digitized12
for FRASER
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Table 1. Employed agricultural workers by selected
characteristics, annual averages, 1970 and 1980
[In thousands]
Worker
Total, 16 years and o v e r........................
M e n .....................................................................
Wage and salary workers .............................
Self-employed workers .................................
Unpaid family w o rkers...................................
Women ..............................................................
Wage and salary workers .............................
Self-employed workers .................................
Unpaid family w o rkers...................................
W h ite s................................................................
Blacks and oth e rs...............................................
1980
1970
Number Percent Number Percent
3,462
2,861
979
1,722
160
601
174
88
339
3,094
368
100.0
82.6
34.2
60.2
5.6
17.4
29.0
14.6
56.4
89.4
10.6
3,310
2,664
1,116
1,446
101
646
267
182
197
3,052
258
100.0
80.5
41.9
54.3
3.8
19.5
41.3
28.2
30.5
92.2
7.8
workers were self-employed, compared with only 23
percent of blacks and 9 percent of Hispanics. Much
smaller proportions were unpaid family workers: 9 per
cent of whites, 3 percent of blacks, and just 1 percent
of Hispanics.
Region and residence. The South and North Central re
gions (as designated by the U.S. Bureau of Census)
have always provided the largest share of the agricultur
al labor force. In 1980, more than 70 percent of those
employed in this sector lived in 1 of these 2 regions.
Nevertheless, there has been substantial growth in the
Western region, which was the only area to record an
increase in the level of agricultural employment. (See ta
ble 3.)
Agricultural employment once implied farm resi
dence, but this is no longer the case. Thus, while 75
percent of agricultural workers lived on farms in 1960,
this proportion dwindled to 63 percent in 1970, and 47
percent in 1980.4
Jobs decline, those remaining change
In 1870, almost 50 percent of employed persons
worked in agriculture5 and one farmworker could only
supply five people with farm products. By 1980, just 4
percent of the employed were in agriculture, and each
one supplied food for nearly 70 others.6 As the need to
commit a large percentage of the work force to agricul
ture diminished and its share of the Nation’s jobs de
clined, some fundamental changes occurred in the na
ture of agricultural employment.
Occupation. The term “agricultural ladder” was once
used to describe the desired progression from hired
hand to tenant farmer to owner-operator. But as agricul
ture has changed— to consist of fewer, larger farms,
which require large capital outlays— the likelihood of
this type of advancement has diminished.
Most agricultural workers can be classified into two
major groups of approximately equal size: farmers and
farm managers, and farm laborers and supervisors.
They account for more than 80 percent of agricultural
employment. As agriculture has become more special
ized and as the individual farm involves more resources,
the managerial function has grown. Occupational sup
port services include cropdusting, animal breeding, and
veterinary medicine, as well as a variety of other jobs,
such as sales and office work. The percentage of those
in this “other” category grew markedly during 1972-80,
from 11.6 to 18.3 percent.7 This jump relates to the
expanded use of agricultural services and the decline in
the number of farms and farmers, as the following percentages suggest:
Total
Farmers .......................................................
Farm laborers (w a g e ) ...............................
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) .
Farm managers ..........................................
Supervisors..................................................
Other (cropdusters, veterinarians, and so
forth) .......................................................
1972
1980
100
100
48
26
13
1
1
44
27
9
1
1
12
18
Farms and farmers. The number of farms declined by
3.25 million since 1950, with the largest decrease— 1.7
million— occurring between 1950 and 1960. A drop of
1 million occurred in the 1960’s, followed by 0.5 million
more in the 1970’s. (See table 2.) As the number of
farms decreased, their average size increased. This, com
bined with several sociological and economic factors has
resulted in a different proportional makeup in the class
of worker categories — wage or salary workers, selfemployed, and unpaid family workers— in the industry.
Family farms still predominate, though there is an in
crease in the number of corporate farms, as family or
individually owned farms incorporate for economic or
legal reasons.8 Also, many family or individually owned
farms are dominated by agribusiness because the pro
ducers contract with these firms before production be
gins.9
Since 1950, the number of wage and salary workers
declined by 0.25 million, but the wage and salary share
of total agricultural employment increased from 23 to
Table 2. Comparison of employed agricultural workers
and the number of farms, annual averages, selected years,
1930-80
[In thousands]
Year
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
...............................................
..............................................
Workers1
Farms
10,340
9,540
7,160
5,458
3,462
3,310
6,295
6,102
5,388
3,962
2,954
2,428
' Data for 1950 forward relate to persons 16 years and over; all other data relate to per
sons 14 years and over.
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42 percent. Over the same period, the number of selfemployed dropped by 2.7 million, from 61 to 49 percent
of agricultural employment. Farm incorporations, in
which farm owners are transformed into wage and sala
ry workers, partially account for these changes.
The number of unpaid family workers in 1980 is
about one-third of what it was in 1950, and these work
ers now constitute 9 percent of agricultural employ
ment. The largest decline occurred in the last 10 years,
as many women moved into paid occupations.
Hours o f work. As is generally well-recognized, agricul
tural workers tend to put in more hours than other em
ployees; in 1980, their workweek averaged 45.1 hours,
versus 38.3 hours for nonagricultural workers. For
those with full-time jobs, the comparable workweeks
were 53.3 and 42.5 hours. As shown in the following
tabulation, more than 40 percent of agricultural workers
spend 49 hours or more at work in their primary job,
compared with fewer than 15 percent of nonagricultural
workers:
Wage and salary
Workweek
Total . . . .
1 to 34 hours . . .
35 to 48 hours . .
49 hours or more .
All
agriculture
100.0
Agriculture
100.0
Nonagriculture
100.0
29.9
28.1
41.9
30.6
24.5
36.6
62.7
32.9
12.9
One reason for these differences is that agricultural
workers are more likely to be self-employed, and the
latter have always put in longer hours than wage and
salary workers, a factor that skews the hours distribu
tion. Nevertheless, even among wage and salary work
ers, full-time agricultural workers averaged 49.1 hours,
compared with 42.1 hours for persons in nonagricul
tural jobs.
Multiple jobholding. An interesting characteristic of ag
ricultural employment is the high incidence of multiple
jobholding. In 1980, about 5 percent of all workers held
two jobs or more, and of this group, 19 percent held
one job or more in agriculture.
Farmers and farm managers reported a frequent need
to moonlight. Because agricultural product prices fluc
tuate and consequently farm income varies, holding a
second job stabilizes the income for those employed in
agriculture and has allowed many to remain in agricul
ture when their farm income alone may have been inad
equate. The median workweek, in May 1980, for
moonlighting agricultural workers (60 hours) is substan
tially longer than that of workers in nonagricultural in
dustries (49 hours). Moonlighters who are self-employed
in agriculture work a particularly long week, averaging
68 hours, compared with 51 hours for wage and salary
workers.
13
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Employment in Agriculture
Table 3. Comparison of employed agricultural workers and the hired farm working force by geographic region, annual
averages, selected years, 1960-80
[In thousands]
Year
United States
Number
Percent
Northeast
Number
North Central region
Percent
Number
Percent
South
West
Number
Percent
Number
2,425
1,248
1,214
1,202
1,161
42.4
36.0
35.8
36.4
35.0
856
538
563
627
640
15.0
15.5
16.6
19.0
19.3
2,088
1,093
1,074
1,071
56.5
43.9
40.7
40.4
630
564
664
607
17.1
22.7
25.2
22.9
Percent
Employed agricultural workers
I9 6 0 ’ ........................................
1970 ..........................................
1975 ..........................................
1979 ..........................................
1980 ........................................
5,723
3,462
3,390
3,298
3,314
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
426
299
302
261
272
7.4
8.6
8.9
7.9
8.2
2,016
1,377
1,311
1,209
1,241
35.2
39.8
38.7
36.6
37.4
Hired farm working force1
1960 ..........................................
1970 ..........................................
1975 ........................................
1979 ..........................................
3,693
2,488
2,639
2,651
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
295
241
227
188
8.0
9.7
8.6
7.1
679
590
674
785
18.4
23.7
25.5
29.6
1Data relate to persons 14 years and over; all other data relate to persons 16 years and over. Data have been collected biennially since 1977.
Seasonality. The seasonal nature of agriculture and its
dependence on weather, combined with the high perish
ability of the product, makes agriculture unique. Em
ployment in agriculture varies from season to season
and the difference in employment between summer and
winter months is sharpest for farm laborers and super
visors, as chart 1 shows. As would be expected, em
ployment of farmers and farm managers and of
agricultural service workers is more stable.
duces hired farmworkers to seek nonagricultural em
ployment, diminishing the labor supply further and con
tinuing the cycle.12
Job attachment. The hired farm work force includes
many people who spend only a fraction of the year do
ing farmwork. The following tabulation classifies the
percentage of hired farmworkers in 1979 by number of
days worked:
W orkers
Hired farm work force
Size decreases. The size of the hired farm working force
declined from an average of 3.6 million in the 1950’s to
3.2 million in the 1960’s and has been fairly steady at
2.7 million in recent years.10
Contributing to the drop has been the slackening of
demand for labor as mechanization has eliminated
many harvesting tasks. Some estimates have been made
of the number of jobs lost to certain labor-saving de
vices. For example, the National Rural Center reported
that the mechanization of the cotton harvester displaced
approximately 4 million people between 1945 and 1965,
and similarly, there was an estimated loss of more than
30,000 tomato harvesting jobs between 1966 and 1970
because of mechanical harvesters. Substantial job losses
have been predicted in the tobacco industry because of
mechanization in the flu-cured tobacco belt.11
There are many reasons for individual farmers to
adopt new technology, with long-term cost savings be
ing the primary motivating force. The uncertainty of the
available supply of agricultural workers has also been a
factor in the decision to mechanize, because farmers
wish to minimize the risk of losing a crop because of a
possible shortage of harvest workers. Thus, there can be
a circular relationship between declines in agricultural
employment and increased mechanization. When farm
ers invest in labor-saving technology, this reduces the
aggregate number of available jobs, which in turn, in
14
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Total hired farm work fo r c e ..........................
Casual (25 days or le s s ) ...............................................
Seasonal (25 to 149 days) ..........................................
Regular (150 to 249 d a y s ) ..........................................
Permanent (250 days or m o r e ) ..................................
100
34
37
13
16
Seventy percent of the hired farm working force
worked less than 150 days in 1979. This type of job
may be ideal for those interested in part time, sporadic
employment but frustrating for those who need to piece
together several jobs to maintain a steady source of in
come.
Since the 1950’s, there has been an increase in the
number of casual workers, with slight declines recorded
in the other categories.
The limited job attachment to the hired farm working
force, in general, can be discerned through an examina
tion of the primary labor force activities of this group.
Almost half considered themselves to be out of the la
bor force. Less than 30 percent reported farmwork as
their major activity of the year, and about 20 percent
thought of nonfarm employment as their primary sta
tus. About three-fourths of those who did farmwork,
but generally considered themselves out of the labor
force, were students; most of the remainder were
housewives.
Overall, Hispanics appear to have the strongest tie to
farmwork. They tend to be less educated and less expe
rienced in other work, so they are more dependent on
farmwork for employment opportunities.
The educational attainment of the hired farm working
force is quite low compared with other workers. Educa
tional levels are particularly low among minorities, as
the median number of years of study completed was
only 5.4 for Hispanics and 7.7 for blacks. Because edu
cation is a significant factor in occupational mobility, a
lack of schooling often makes it difficult for minorities
to leave this occupation. Thus, they spend a much long
er time in hired farmwork, as the percent distribution
for 1977 shows:
Less than 5 years . .
5 to 10 years ..........
11 to 20 years . . . .
20 years or more . .
Not reported...........
All
workers
Whites
53
22
11
9
6
60
21
10
4
5
Blacks
and
Hispanics others
36
19
17
12
10
35
20
17
18
10
The effects of time
The characteristics of the hired farm working force
have changed over the years, with the most significant
differences occurring in racial composition, regional dis
tribution, and residence. In 1950, blacks and other races
composed about 29 percent, this increased to 37 percent
Chart 1. Persons employed in agricultural
occupations by month, 1980 (not seasonally
adjusted)
In thousands
2,000
Farmers and
farm managers
500
Agricultural service workers,
except horticulture
Jan.
Mar.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
May
Month
July
Sept.
Nov.
in 1960, and then declined sharply to 22 percent in
1970 and to 13 percent in 1979. Hispanics have
accounted for 11 to 12 percent of the hired farm work
ing force since 1975, the first year data for Hispanics
were tabulated.
The decline in the hired farm working force has been
sharpest in the South, where the number dropped by
1 million between 1960 and 1970. Since 1970, the num
ber of farmworkers in the South has stabilized, while
there has been an increase in the North Central region.
(See table 3.) The differences in the regional distribution
of farmworkers between the Hired Farm Working Force
series and annual averages from the Current Population
Survey reflect dissimilarities in the crops grown and in
the types of farming operations. The use of hired
farmworkers tends to be more prevalent where irriga
tion is extensive, where fruits and vegetables are the
leading crops, and in plantation and ranching areas
where farming units have always been larger than can
be handled by a single family.13
Another change has been the decline in the propor
tion who live on farms. In 1979, over 80 percent of the
hired farm work force had nonfarm residences, com
pared with about 70 percent a decade earlier, and 35
percent more than 40 years ago.
The percentage of women in the hired farm working
force has ranged from 21 to 30 percent in the last 35
years and was 22 percent in 1979. Among women, there
has been a sharp increase in the proportion of students
and a decline among homemakers.14
The average age for hired farmworkers differs be
tween races. Whites were the youngest, 63 percent were
ages 14 to 24, compared with 37 percent for Hispanics,
and 40 percent of blacks. This reflects the many white
students who perform farmwork temporarily, while for
minority members it remains a career.
Migrant workers. Migrant farmworkers, defined as those
who leave their home county overnight and work in an
other one at some time during the year, are a small sub
set of the hired farm work force. These workers, though
few numerically, attract considerable attention because
of their living conditions.
The number of migrant workers was close to 200,000
throughout the 1970’s, a decline from 400,000 in 1960.
Although they accounted for only 7 to 8 percent of the
work force in the 1970’s, migrant workers have fulfilled
a significant need in agriculture. Mechanization has not
spread at an even rate across production, particularly in
the harvesting phase and some crops will always have
to be handpicked because of their delicate nature. The
availability of migrant farmworkers is a factor which
has allowed increased crop specialization. Without
them, farmers would be limited to the local labor sup
ply and might have to stagger the harvesting times of
15
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Employment in Agriculture
crops, losing the ecomonic advantages of specialization.
It has also been suggested that the availability of mi
grant workers saves a large amount of U.S. agricultural
production that would otherwise be lost in spoilage.15
The migrant labor force in 1979 was predominantly
male; only one-fourth was female. The migrant men
tend to be slightly older than the men in the total hired
farm working force, whereas migrant women are some
what younger. Blacks and Hispanics contribute dispro
portionately to the migrant labor supply, although the
majority are white. The largest proportion of migrant
workers have their home base in the South (40 percent),
followed by the West (29 percent), and North Central
(26 percent) regions. Fewer than 6 percent are found in
the Northeast.
Many migrants travel long distances to work, though
the extent varies by region of origin. Most of the mi
grants begin their travels in the South, and these mi
grants travel the farthest, as almost 40 percent record
over 1,000 miles in a season. In the West and North
Central regions, the majority of the workers travel less
than 500 miles, as do nearly all the migrants from the
Northeast. Thus, it appears that there is a sizable group
of migrants, presumably originating in the South, who
follow the crops over long distances, while other mi
grants remain relatively close to home.
The employment future
The U.S. agricultural system is considered to be the
most efficient and productive in the world. Productivity
continues to increase,16 although opinion varies as to
whether the tremendous biological, chemical, and me
chanical advances of the last few decades can persist.
The complexity and scale of modern agriculture may
pose prohibitive costs in realizing further substantial
productivity gains.17
It is possible that some sort of lower limit on the
number of agricultural workers is being approached.
The recent stabilization of the total agricultural labor
force and the hired farm working force suggest this.
Also, the decline in agricultural employment has been
less than was projected by BLS in the early 1970’s. It
was then expected to drop at a rate of almost 5 percent
annually between 1972 and 1980;18the actual rate of de
crease has been much less.
The decline was forecast because productivity was
expected to rise more than demand. However, the for
mer rose less than expected (3.7 percent actual versus
6.1 percent projected) and the latter increased more
than anticipated (1.5 percent rather than the projected
0.5 percent annual increase). Rising exports, which have
more than doubled in quantity in the past 10 years,
partially account for the growth in demand.19 More re
cent projections of farm jobs anticipate an annual de
cline of 1.5 percent between 1980 and 1985 and a
2.3-percent decrease between 1985 and 1990 in a lowgrowth scenario; and an 0.7-percent increase between
1980 and 1985; followed by a drop of 2.1 percent annu
ally between 1985 and 1990 in the high-growth model.20
The questions now are whether the 1980’s will bring
another round of technological advances and whether
the international demand for agricultural products will
continue to rise. The effect of these two forces will de
termine in part the future size of the agricultural labor
force.
Overall, it is difficult to predict what will happen in
agriculture and its employment. There is a growing con
cern that all the changes in the structure of agriculture
have not been positive. Some serious problems with ero
sion and soil depletion, debt burden, and obstacles to
entry have surfaced. Research is being done on interme
diate technology, organic farming, and small farm via
bility, and some data suggest that smaller farms are
more efficient, productive, and innovative.21 As the fear
of economic and environmental problems in agriculture
increases, these options may become more important. □
FOOTNOTES
' James S. Holt, “Introduction to the Seasonal Farm Labor Prob
lem” in Robert D. Emerson, ed., Seasonal Agricultural Labor Markets
in the United States, preliminary report submitted to the Department
of Labor, September 1980, pp. 4 and 5.
2The term “blacks” refers to all persons in the survey other than
whites. In addition to blacks, the group includes American Indians,
Alaskan natives, Asians, and Pacific Islanders. Data on persons of
Hispanic ethnicity are collected independently of racial data. In the
1970 census, approximately 96 percent of their population was white.
Historical Statistics o f the United States, Colonial Times to 1970, Bi
centennial Edition, Part 2 (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1975), p. 465.
The term “farm operator” is used to designate a person who operates
a farm, either doing the work himself or directly supervising the job.
This person may be the owner, a member of the owner’s household; a
salaried manager; or a tenant, renter, or sharecropper.
4 Farm Population o f the United States: 1979, Series P-27, No. 53
16
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(U.S. Bureau of the Census, jointly with U.S. Department of Agricul
ture, 1980), p. 5; and later reports.
5Historical Statistics o f the United States: 1979, p. 127.
6 Changes in Farm Production and Efficiency, 1978 (U.S. Depart
ment of Agriculture, Economics, Statistics, and Cooperative Service),
Bulletin 628, p. 57 and later preliminary estimates.
7 1972 was used for comparison, because consistent occupational
data are not available for prior years.
*B. Delworth Gardner and Rulon D. Pope, “How is Scale and
Structure Determined in Agriculture?” American Journal of Agricul
tural Economics, May 1978, p. 299.
4A1 Krebs, “From Seedling to Supermarket: Vertical Integration in
the Food Industry” in Kenneth M. Coughlin, ed., Perspectives on the
Structure o f American Agriculture, Volume II: Federal Farm Policies
(Washington, D.C., Rural America, 1980), p. 44; and Ann
Crittenden, “More and More Conglomerate Links in U.S. Food
Chain,” The New York Times, February 1, 1981, p. E-3.
10Data for the hired farm working force was obtained from the
Hired Farm Working Force o f 1977 (U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Economics, Statistics and Cooperative Service, 1979), Agricultural
Economic Report No. 437, unpublished data from 1979 and earlier
reports in the series. The data had been collected annually in Decem
ber through 1977 but are now collected only every other year, that is
1979, 1981.
" Heather Tischbein, “Science in Whose Interest? A Look at the
Beneficiaries of Agricultural Research,” Federal Farm Policies, p. 41.
12 For a technical discussion of this relationship, see David
Zillerman and Richard A. Just, “Labor Supply Uncertainty and Tech
nology Adoption” in Robert D. Emerson, ed., Seasonal Agricultural
Labor Markets in the United States, preliminary report submitted to
the Department of Labor, September 1980.
’’ Holt, “Seasonal Farm Labor,” pp. 9-10.
14
Benjamin N. Matta, “Employment and Earnings Outcomes in the
Hired Farmworker Market” (prepared for the U.S. Department of La
bor, Employment and Training Administration, 1980).
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15 Alice Larson, “Last and Still Least: Migrant and Seasonal
Farmworkers in U.S. Agriculture” in Kenneth M. Coughlin, ed., Per
spectives on the Structure o f American Agriculture, Volume I: The View
From the Farm, p. 22.
16 Changes in Farm Production and Efficiency, and later preliminary
estimates.
17 Willard W. Cochrane, The Development o f American Agriculture:
A Historical Analysis (Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Press,
1979), p. 329.
'* Ronald E. Kutscher, “Projections of GNP, income, output, and
employment,” Monthly Labor Review, December 1973, pp. 27-42.
' Agricultural Statistics, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1980,
p. 561, and later preliminary estimates.
20The farm jobs projections are based on productivity and output
projections for agriculture. For more detail, see Valerie A. Personick,
“The outlook for industry output and employment through 1990,”
Monthly Labor Review, August 1981, pp. 28-41.
21 Frances Moore Lappe and Joseph Collins with Cary Fowler, Food
First: Beyond the Myth o f Scarcity (Boston, Houghton Mifflin Compa
ny, 1977), pp. 155-8, 162.
A note on communications
The Monthly Labor Review welcomes communications that supple
ment, challenge, or expand on research published in its pages. To be
considered for publication, communications should be factual and an
alytical, not polemical in tone. Communications should be addressed
to the Editor-in-Chief, Monthly Labor Review, Bureau of Labor Statis
tics, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C. 20212.
17
Employed but not at work:
a review of unpaid absences
During a typical week, about 5 million workers
are absent from their jobs and more than 2
million of them receive no pay for the week;
these numbers have grown as the work force has
increased and as vacations— both paid and
unpaid— have become more prevalent
Caro l Bo yd L eon
Most public attention focuses on the total count of the
employed and the unemployed. But there is a large seg
ment of workers whose status invites special inquiry be
cause, while counted as employed, they were not
actually working. During a typical week, about 5 mil
lion workers are absentees1— with a job but not at
work for the entire week because of vacations, illnesses,
and other reasons and, thus, are removed from the eco
nomic stream for that period. For the more than 2 mil
lion workers who receive no pay2for the missed week of
work, that absence may have unwelcome personal costs
as well.
This article focuses on the worker group to which
most employees belong at some time during the year—
that is, persons with a job but not at work.2 The analy
sis covers such issues as who these persons are, their
reasons for not working, the industries in which they
are employed, and differences between men and women
in this status.
Monthly changes in the number of unpaid week-long
absences are discussed briefly in this article. These ab
sences ranged from nearly 4 million in August 1980 to
1.4 million during the survey week in November. The
data used here are derived from the Current Population
Survey ( c p s ) and refer to nonagricultural wage and sala
ry workers.4
Carol Boyd Leon is economist in the Division of Employment and
Unemployment Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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18
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Absences and reasons for not working
The total number of week-long absentees (including
paid and unpaid) at a given time increased substantially
between 1950 and 1980, rising from 2.0 to 5.1 million.
While employment grew during this period, absences
grew more. Absentees as a percentage of the employed
increased from 4.2 to almost 6 percent. Most of this ad
vance occurred in the 1950’s and late 1960’s. A slight
rise in absenteeism in the early 1970’s has been largely
offset by a decline in the latter part of the decade. This
decline was due to a slight reduction in the incidence of
absences because of illnesses and other reasons except
vacations.
Throughout the period, the major reason for weeklong absences was vacations. As the following tabula
tion shows, vacations have become an even more impor
tant reason for not working:
Reason for absence
With a job, but not at work
Percent ...............................................
V acation ..........................................
Illn ess...............................................
Bad weather ..................................
Labor dispute ................................
Other reasons ................................
1950
1980
1,954,000
5,057,000
100.0
54.2
28.2
2.9
4.3
10.4
100.0
59.6
24.7
1.5
2.0
12.2
The tabulation also shows that illness, the second most
important reason for absences in 1980, now accounts
Vacations and illnesses are the major reasons for ab
sences regardless of the worker’s sex. Among women,
only a smattering miss a week or more of work at a
time because of bad weather or labor disputes, princi
pally because relatively few women work in occupations
requiring outside work or in industries which are sub
ject to protracted labor-management disputes. Incidence
rates of absences for workers in various industries are
examined later in this article; these will help explain the
facts just stated.
off than women. The paid-to-unpaid ratio for men has
been substantially above that for women since the data
were first collected in 1957. In 1980, women were paid
for about half of their full-week absences, while men
were paid for close to two-thirds of their absences.
Whether a worker is paid or unpaid during an ab
sence is often related to the reason for not working.
Persons on vacation are quite likely to be paid during
their absence and the incidence of paid vacations has
risen over time. Within each major industry group, the
amount of time provided for paid vacations has been in
creasing over the years.9 The ratio of paid-to-unpaid va
cations, however, has fallen substantially— from 4.4 to
1 in 1960 to 2.5 to 1 in 1980— as the incidence of un
paid vacations has grown even more rapidly than that
of paid vacations. The decline in the paid-unpaid ratio
can be mainly attributed to faster employment growth
in those industries which are less apt to provide paid
vacations and to an increase in the number of persons
willing to take vacations without pay— that is, an in
creased desire for leisure.
Persons absent from work for reasons other than va
cation are more likely to be unpaid. Workers who are ill
are somewhat more likely to be paid for time off than
are those with “other” reasons for not working. Of
course, included among persons with “other” reasons
are those directly involved in labor-management dis
putes, who are never paid by their employer during
their absence. (Some persons unable to work because of
a labor-management dispute, though not on strike
themselves— they may be supervisory workers— may be
paid for missed work, however. Such persons are to be
distinguished from those laid off as a result of a strike,
who are numbered among the unemployed.) The ratio
of unpaid workers absent because of illness showed an
increase through the mid-1970’s, but has shown almost
no change thereafter. The ratio for persons absent be
cause of “other” reasons has remained consistently low
over the two-decade span.
Paid or unpaid?
Unpaid absences by industry
Although a majority of persons with a job but not at
work receive pay, about 43 percent of full-week ab
sences were unpaid. On average, about 2.2 million
workers were unpaid during a typical week in 1980.
This number has doubled since 1957, the first year for
which these data were collected. The incidence of un
paid absences also rose between 1957 and 1980— from
2.1 to 2.6 percent— despite a slight decline in the
1970’s. The ratio of paid-to-unpaid absences— 1.3 to 1
in 1980— has shown little change over time. Since 1960,
this ratio has remained in the range of about 1.2-1.4 to
1. There have, however, been substantial differences in
the ratio of paid to unpaid absences by sex over time.
Men are much more likely to be paid for weeks taken
There are substantial variations among industries10 in
their incidences of full-week absences, the reasons for
those absences, and the likelihood that the worker is
absent without pay. Furthermore, the industries with
the highest incidence of full-week absence are not neces
sarily those with the highest incidence of unpaid ab
sences.
The industry with the highest incidence of unpaid
absences in 1980 was construction (table 1). Construc
tion workers were generally absent for reasons other
than vacations or illnesses, with bad weather playing an
important role in keeping them away from their jobs.
Construction workers are not absent more than other
workers, so their high incidence of unpaid absences
for only a quarter of all absences. In the early 1970’s,
there was concern about an increase in “unscheduled
personal absence” — that is, absences caused by illnesses
and “other” reasons, some of which may be called
“avoidable.” 5 Since that time, however, the incidence of
full-week absences for such reasons has declined among
women and has held steady for men.6 In addition, no
increases in the incidence of part-week absences have
been registered for men or women.7
Women are twice as likely as men to miss a week of
work for “other” reasons (excluding bad weather and
labor dispute),8 such as taking care of children who are
ill. It should be noted, however, that even among wom
en, only a small portion of absences can be attributed
to these “other” reasons, as the following tabulation of
employed nonagricultural wage and salary workers
shows (data are 1980 annual averages):
Men
Women
..........................................
48,324,000
100.0
37,215,000
100.0
With a job, but not at work
Vacation ................................
Illn e ss.....................................
Bad w eather..........................
Labor dispute........................
Other reasons ........................
5.3
3.1
1.4
0.1
0.2
0.5
4.1
1.5
(')
Incidence of absences
Number .....................................
Percent
6.6
0)
0.9
1Less than .05.
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19
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Review o f Unpaid Absences
Table 1. Private wage and salary workers with a job but not at work by industry, reason for absence, and pay status, 1980
annual averages
[Numbers in thousands]
Industry
Total1 .............
Mining ........................
Construction...............
Manufacturing ...........
Durable goods . . . .
Nondurable goods ..
Transportation and
public utilities .........
Wholesale and retail
trade ..................
Wholseale trade . . .
Retail trade ...........
Finance, insurance, and
real estate .............
Miscellaneous services
Employed
Total
absent
from work
Ratio of paid to unpaid
Percent of employed absent due to
All reasons
Vacation
Other reasons
Illness
Total
Unpaid
Total
Unpaid
Total
Unpaid
Total
Unpaid
All
reasons
Vacation
Illness
Other
reasons
69,915
909
4,373
21,088
12,670
8,418
3,732
70
235
1,227
738
489
5.3
7.7
5.4
5.8
5.8
5.8
2.4
3.7
3.9
2.2
2.2
2.4
2.9
3.6
1.6
3.0
3.0
3.1
0.7
.8
.7
.4
.4
.5
1.5
2.0
1.4
2.0
2.0
1.9
0.9
1.3
1.1
1.2
1.1
1.2
1.0
2.1
2.4
.9
.8
.9
0.8
1.7
2.1
.6
.6
.7
1.2
1.0
0.4
1.6
1.7
1.5
3.0
3.7
1.3
5.8
6.5
5.0
0.6
.5
.3
.7
.8
.6
0.2
.3
.1
.3
.3
.3
5,300
348
6.6
2.0
4.2
.8
1.3
.4
1.2
.8
2.2
3.9
2.2
.5
17,581
3,514
14,066
788
149
640
4.5
4.2
4.5
2.4
1.5
2.7
2.5
2.4
2.5
.9
.3
1.0
1.3
1.2
1.3
.9
.7
1.0
.7
.7
.7
.6
.5
.6
.9
1.9
.7
1.8
6.2
1.5
.4
.6
.3
.5
.5
.2
5,257
15,407
238
826
4.5
5.4
1.6
2.6
2.8
3.2
.6
1.1
1.0
1.1
.4
.8
.7
1.0
.6
.8
1.8
1.1
3.5
2.0
1.4
.6
.3
.2
1Excludes workers in agriculture and private households.
means that they simply are not paid for most of their
absences. It is generally accepted that many construc
tion workers are paid relatively high hourly wages in
part to compensate for unpaid absences. Moreover,
these workers tend to have looser attachments to em
ployers than do most other workers, which further ex
plains the tendency for their absences not to be fi
nanced.
Persons employed in mining were next in terms of
incidence of unpaid absences, with a ratio nearly as
high as construction workers. They also registered a rel
atively large number of unpaid absences for reasons
other than illnesses and vacations. The majority of per
sons not at work because of “other” reasons are not
paid during their absences, and mining employees were
no exception. Workers in mining also had a high likeli
hood of being on leave without pay because of illness.
Retail trade workers had a higher-than-average inci
dence of unpaid absences, although they took fewer fullweek absences than did most workers. About 40 per
cent of retail trade workers’ vacations involved leave
without pay compared with 25 percent for total
nonagricultural wage and salary workers. Services in
dustry workers, whose incidence of unpaid absences was
nearly as high as that for retail trade workers, also were
likely to take a larger-than-average number of unpaid
vacations. Their incidence of unpaid absences owing to
illness and other reasons was about average. Both ser
vices and retail trade have higher concentrations of ca
sual, short-term, and part-time workers who generally
must report to work to be paid.
Although manufacturing workers posted a slightly
higher than average number of total full-week absences,
unpaid absences were about average. Manufacturing
employees registered more weeks of leave mainly be
cause of illnesses— especially paid time off for illnesses.
20
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The proportions of manufacturing workers absent be
cause of vacations and “other” reasons were in line with
those for total workers. However, compared with work
ers in all other industries, manufacturing employees
were the most likely to be paid for their vacations, as
only about 15 percent of all week-long vacations were
unpaid. Widespread union coverage undoubtedly con
tributed to their high incidence of paid time off.
Workers in transportation and public utility indus
tries— who also tend to be unionized— posted a unique
record of absences, both paid and unpaid. Unpaid ab
sences were slightly below average because of the small
number of workers on unpaid sick leave. More unusual
is the high incidence of total absences, which results
from a large number of paid full-week absences for va
cations. Because of the high incidence of total absences
among workers in transportation and public utilities
and their low incidence of unpaid absences, the overall
proportion of unpaid absences among these employees
was the lowest of all industries— about 30 percent com
pared with an average of 45 percent for all nonagri
cultural industries.
Persons employed in finance, insurance, and real es
tate posted a low incidence of unpaid absences mainly
because these workers took off relatively few weeks for
illness. Total absences on account of illness were lower
for these workers than for those in other industries, per
haps because of the preponderance of white-collar
workers in the industry, who, like other white-collar
employees, generally are less apt to have illnesses last
ing a week or more.
The smallest incidence of unpaid absences was regis
tered among workers in wholesale trade; these workers
also posted the smallest incidence of total week-long ab
sences. The incidence of paid absences for persons who
were ill, on vacation, or had other reasons for not being
at work were the same as the average for total indus
tries, but unpaid absences were substantially lower
among wholesale trade workers for each of the three
major reasons for absences.
Table 2. Employed persons on unpaid absences from
work by industry, annual averages, selected years,
1960 80
Industry
Industry absences over time. The pattern of increasing
and then slightly decreasing incidence of unpaid absen
tees was evident in most, but not all, industry groups.
(See table 2.) Private wage and salary workers in fi
nance, insurance, and real estate exhibited an increase in
the incidence of unpaid absence only between the latter
two dates, while most other major industry groups
showed a rise in the first decade and a slight decline or
leveling off in the second. All industry groups had a
higher incidence of unpaid absences in 1980 than in 1960.
Monthly count of unpaid absentees
The number of persons on week-long leave without
pay varies greatly from month to month. The smallest
number of unpaid absences does not occur every year in
the same month or even the same season, whereas the
largest number of workers consistently takes unpaid
leave in July or August. In 1980, the number of unpaid
week-long absences was highest during the survey week
in July and lowest in December (numbers are in thou
sands).
Month
Unpaid
absences
Change from
previous month
January ........................
February .....................
M a r c h ..........................
A p r il.............................
May .............................
June .............................
J u ly ...............................
A u gu st..........................
September ..................
O c to b e r ........................
November ..................
D ecem ber.....................
2,120
1,929
1,830
2,127
1,648
2,549
4,054
3,949
1,785
1,591
1,404
1,353
643
-1 9 1
-9 9
297
-4 7 9
901
1,505
-1 0 5
-2 ,1 6 4
-1 9 4
-1 8 7
-5 1
The comparatively low level of unpaid December ab
sences is largely related to the early timing of the sur
vey week, because persons wait to take their leave
during the Christmas period.
Numbers
in thousands
1960
Total, private wage and salary
w o rk e rs '...............................
Mining ...................................................
Construction..........................................
Manufacturing ......................................
Durable goods .................................
Nondurable goods.............................
Transportation and public utilities.........
Wholesale and retail trade....................
Wholesale trade ...............................
Retail trade ......................................
Finance, Insurance, and real estate . . .
Miscellaneous services........................
904
14
101
338
190
148
78
193
26
167
36
147
1970
1,522
14
154
573
343
230
111
331
35
295
55
284
1980
1,696
34
172
473
275
199
108
424
52
373
84
402
As a percent ot
industry employment
1960
1970
1980
2.1
2.5
3.4
2.0
2.1
2.0
1.9
1.9
1.2
2.1
1.0
2.2
2.8
2.8
4.4
2.8
2.9
2.8
2.5
2.6
1.4
2.8
1.0
2.8
2.4
3.7
3.9
2.2
2.2
2.4
2.0
2.4
1.5
2.7
1.6
2.6
1Excludes workers in agriculture and private households. Data for 1960 include 14 and 15
year olds.
Rarely is the entire over-the-month movement due
solely to seasonal factors. Changes which have no sea
sonal pattern, such as increases in strike activity,
unseasonally bad weather, or certain epidemics, infl
uenza for example, help make up the month-to-month
variations. The nonseasonal components of the number
of unpaid absences often contain the largest portion of
an over-the-month change in unpaid absenteeism. And,
as the word “nonseasonal” implies, a large increase (or
decrease) in absences may occur in any month of any
year— even in a month generally characterized by a
small number of absences. For example, the number of
unpaid absences during the December survey week has
ranged from 1.3 to 1.7 million over the last 5 years, and
the count during the January survey week has been be
tween 1.6 and 2.4 million. Accordingly, there has been
much volatility in the size of the December-January in
creases in unpaid absences; the rise from December
1975 to January 1976 was only about 125,000, while
the over-the-month increase the following year was
about 875,000. The advance posted in January 1980
was 650,000 while the January 1981 rise measured less
than 250,000. The high degree of volatility in the
monthly series of unpaid absences makes the calculation
of a series adjusted for seasonality a difficult task which
yields results of uncertain reliability.
□
FOOTNOTES
' These data are derived from the Current Population Survey (CPS),
a monthly survey of about 60,000 households conducted by the Bu
reau of the Census for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Private house
hold workers are excluded from the data presented here on absences
among nonagricultural wage and salary workers. In 1980, there were,
on average, 60,000 full-week absences among agricultural wage and
salary workers, about 60,000 among private household workers, and
more than 600,000 among the self-employed. These groups of workers
were excluded from this analysis because detailed information by pay
status and industry are not available. Private household workers are,
however, included in the data shown for 1950.
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In this report, unpaid workers are nonagricultural wage and salary
workers who were with a job but not at work for the entire survey
week. Such persons are not to be confused with “unpaid family work
ers,” who are defined as working 15 hours or more during the survey
week as unpaid workers in an enterprise operated by a family mem
ber.
' The data on
CPS. The count
numbers derived
sences, the May
absences used in this report are from the monthly
of absences from this source is different from the
from the more commonly used source of data on ab
supplement to the CPS. Among the differences are:
21
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Review o f Unpaid Absences
(1) The universe for the monthly CPS consists of all workers, both
full and part time, while the May supplement is restricted to nonfarm
wage and salary workers who hold one job and usually work at least
35 hours per week; (2) the monthly CPS counts as absences those re
sulting from vacations, industrial disputes, bad weather, illness, or
other voluntary, noneconomic reasons, while the May supplement ex
cludes those resulting from vacations, industrial disputes, and bad
weather; and (3) the monthly CPS data on absences provide informa
tion on workers who had a week-long absence, while the May supple
ment includes persons who normally work full time but actually
worked fewer than 35 hours during the survey week— that is, the
supplement includes part-week, as well as full-week, absences. Most
important, for purposes of this article, only the monthly CPS provides
data on the pay status of persons on leave. For analysis of data from
the May CPS supplement, see Daniel E. Taylor, “Absences from
work among full-time employees,” Monthly Labor Review, March
1981, pp. 68-70.
cess has been achieved by accounting for unpaid absences when mea
suring the differences in the over-the-month movements of the CPS
and establishment employment estimates, partly because of the great
volatility in unpaid absences. Moreover, a 1976 Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics working paper by Joseph R. Antos and others, entitled “Why
Employment Estimates Differ: A Study of Discrepancies Between BLS
Household and Payroll Estimates” found that simply subtracting the
entire number of unpaid absences from the CPS estimate is not al
ways an optional method of reconciling the two surveys for trend
analysis. The reasons for this are not possible to determine conclusive
ly, but may include sampling and survey response biases and the
quality of the data.
5 See Janice Neipert Hedges, “Absence from work: a look at some
national data,” Monthly Labor Review, July 1973, pp. 24-30.
6 It should be noted that data for years prior to 1968 are not strict
ly comparable with data for more recent periods. A change in the
CPS questionnaire in mid-1967 resulted in a small increase in the
4
An important reason to look into the issue of unpaid absences has number of persons classified as employed but absent from work. Cur
to do with the contrasting ways in which unpaid workers are treated
rently, all persons who have a job from which they are absent are
in the Nation’s two major monthly employment series, the Current
considered employed; before the questionnaire revision, persons who
Population Survey and the Current Employment (or establishment)
were absent from work and looking for a new job were counted as
Statistics Program. Data from the establishment survey are based on
unemployed.
establishment records compiled monthly from mail questionnaires by
7For further information on total absences (both full- and partthe Bureau of Labor Statistics in cooperation with State agencies.
week), see Taylor, “Absences from work.”
Such payroll reports on nonagricultural wage and salary employees
“Other” reasons include maternity, school, sickness of other fami
are from a sample of establishments employing more than 30 million
ly members, personal business, and various other responses. A study
such workers.
conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 1978 showed that, in
Because of different employment concepts— as well as variations in
addition to including the categories just named, the count of full-week
sampling, collection, and estimation methodology — the employment
absences for “other” reasons also includes a similar number of
levels registered by these two surveys are dissimilar. In 1980,
misclassified responses. The misclassified group of persons not at
nonagricultural wage and salary employment as measured by the es
work because of “other” reasons is comprised mainly of persons who
tablishment survey was 90.6 million, compared with 86.7 million from
should have been classified according to the standard reasons— that
the CPS. Although it is not possible to quantify all of the differences
is, illness, vacation, or bad weather— and those who should have
between the surveys, the differential can be narrowed by taking into
been grouped with the unemployed or with persons not in the labor
account data series such as unpaid absences. Thus, by subtracting the
force. The 1980 data, however, are apt to contain fewer misclassificatnumber of such absences from the CPS nonagricultural employment
ions because of improvements made in survey procedures.
level (or adding the same number to payroll employment), the 1980
Industries also have increased the number of weeks of paid ab
annual average differential can be reduced by 2.2 million.
sences for which workers are eligible. See Handbook of Labor
For more information on the differences between the employment
Statistics, Bulletin 2070 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1980), tables 112
estimates from the CPS (household survey) and the Current Employ
and 113, pp. 275-82.
ment Statistics Program, see Gloria Peterson Green, “Comparison of
Nonagricultural Employment Estimates from Two Surveys,” Employ
10The data on unpaid workers by industry presented in this report
ment and Earnings, March 1981, pp. 6-8, and “Comparing employ
refer only to private nonagricultural wage and salary workers, exclud
ment estimates from household and payroll surveys,” Monthly Labor
ing private household industry workers, as more comprehensive data
Review, December 1969, pp. 9-20. It should be noted that little suc
do not exist for 1960. (See section on industry absences over time.)
22FRASER
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Birth of a federation: Mr. Gompers
endeavors ‘not to build a bubble’
Contemporary account notes the role
of the longtime AFL president
in the founding 100 years ago
of an earlier federation of unions,
to which the AFL-CIO traces its origin
Stuart Bruce Kaufman
The centennial celebration this year by the AFL-CIO,
marking the founding in 1881 of the AFL’s immediate
predecessor, the Federation of Organized Trades and
Labor Unions of the United States and Canada, comes
in the seventh year of a scholarly research project
known as the Samuel Gompers Papers. The project’s
staff is gathering the papers of Samuel Gompers (1850—
1924), the cigarmaker who became the AFL’s first presi
dent in 1886 and continued in office, with the exception
of one year, until his death 38 years later. This collec
tion now includes almost a million pages of Gompers’
correspondence, writings, and speeches, and other im
portant documents drawn from unions, repositories,
and private individuals, and is located at the Univerisity of Maryland and Pace University. The project’s
editors plan to produce a comprehensive microfilm for
scholars, students, and researchers, and to publish 12
volumes of the most important papers for general read
ers. The first series of microfilm appeared in 1979.1
A hundred years ago a reporter from the Pittsburgh
Commercial Gazette witnessed the 4-day founding con
vention, in that city, of the Federation of Organized
Trades and Labor Unions of the United States and
Canada. Although the reporter’s interpretation of events
on the first day did not please Samuel Gompers, by the
end of the convention the Gazette must have felt satis-
Stuart Bruce Kaufman is editor of the Samuel Gompers Papers and
associate professor of history at the University of Maryland. This arti
cle was prepared with the assistance of an associate editor of the proj
ect, Peter J. Albert.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
faction as Gompers himself led the assembly in
thanking the paper for its fair reporting of the proceed
ings. The excerpts from the Gazette's coverage that fol
low give a good sense of the range of federation
concerns in 1881, and of the reaction of one representa
tive of the daily press to the convention and what it
portended. They are adapted from the first volume of
the Gompers Papers, which the University of Illinois
Press will publish in 1983. For the most part, the text is
rendered as it appeared in the original.
Jfilistrargl) Commecdttl(fetttt
W E D N E S D A Y , N O V E M B E R 16, 1881
At two o’clock yesterday afternoon the delegates to
the National Labor Congress assembled . . . from Mas
sachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan,
Illinois, Missouri, California, Maryland, West Virginia,
Indiana and Wisconsin. . . . short speeches advancing
ideas to be discussed at some future time, were made by
a number of gentlemen. All were conservative in tone,
and, while the difference between labor and capital was
referred to as a conflict that was irrepressible, none of
the speeches were in the slightest degree communistic.
On the contrary, the intelligence and moderation
displayed was remarkable. All the speakers expressed
themselves as being in favor of the greatest moderation.
Mr. Gompers, the representative of the International
Cigar Makers’ Union, said he had come to Pittsburgh,
not to air his opinions, but to work, not to build a bub23
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Birth o f a Federation
ble, but to lay the foundation for a superstructure that
would be solid, and that would be a true federation of
trade unions. He was in favor of progressing slowly,
and wanted the organization to be emphatically a
workingmen’s organization; one that is not defiled by
money, but which will in itself contain the elements of
strength . . . .
Among the delegates mentioned for permanent Chair
man . . . [is] Mr. Gompers, of the International Cigar
Makers’ Union. The latter is the leader of the Socialistic
element, which is pretty well represented in the Con
gress, and one of the smartest men present. It is
thought that an attempt will be made to capture the or
ganization for Mr. Gompers, as the representative of
the Socialists, and if such an attempt is made, whether
it succeeds or not, there will likely be some lively work,
as the delegates opposed to Socialism are determined
not to be controlled by it. If the Socialists do not have
their own way, they may bolt, as they have always done
in the past. If they do bolt, the power of the proposed
organization will be so seriously crippled as to almost
destroy its usefulness.
The majority of the delegates realize the importance
of effecting an organization that will harmonize all dif
ferences likely to arise, and last evening seemed hopeful
that this could be accomplished. They think that the
Committee on Organization will present the name of
Mr. Rankin2 of this city, or some western man, for per
manent Chairman, and that the Socialistic element will
be prevented not only from capturing the organization,
but from introducing any of their peculiar ideas into the
declaration of principles to be prepared.
T H U R S D A Y , N O V E M B E R 17, 1881
Mr. Gompers took occasion to deny the statement
that he was a leader of the Socialistic element, and that
the committee had been captured for him, saying that
he had attended the Congress only for the purpose of
assisting in the federation of labor organizations. A
number of delegates differed with him, however . . . .
. . . For a time it looked as if the chairmanship would
be hotly contested, but Mr. Gompers poured oil on the
troubled waters by stating that he was thoroughly de
voted to trade unionism, and in order to facilitate the
work of completing the organization, would withdraw
his name. Mr. Powers1gracefully followed suit, and Mr.
Jarrett4 was unanimously chosen Permanent Chairman.
Messrs. Powers and Gompers were chosen vice presi
dents . . . .
F R ID A Y , N O V E M B E R 18,1881
. . . it was four o’clock, and the whole day had been
consumed in the discussion of four or five subjects.5
President Jarrett took the chair, however, and by a little
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ruse succeeded in expediting business wonderfully. At a
previous meeting a rule had been adopted making it im
perative for a vote to be taken on any questions when
ever seven members called for the “question.” This rule
had not been enforced by Mr. Gompers, but when Pres
ident Jarrett took the chair he enforced it in a manner
that made it resemble a self-inflicted gag law. As soon
as a motion had been stated, he would ask, “Are you
ready for the question?” Immediately the “question”
would be called for by a number of delegates, who
thought that by so doing they would place the motion
in proper shape for debate. But Mr. Jarrett was not of
the same mind, and the last three sections of the “plan”
were railroaded through with a speed that was highly
creditable to Mr. Jarrett’s conception of the rule, but
not entirely satisfactory to those delegates who thought
they should be permitted to air their opinions on every
question that came before the house . . . .
The chairman of the committee appointed to prepare
a declaration of principles, then read their report,
which, as adopted, is as follows: . . .
Whereas, a Struggle is going on in the nations of the
civilized world, between the oppressors and the
oppressed of all countries, a struggle between capital
and labor which must grow in intensity from year to
year and work disastrous results to the toiling millions
of all nations, if not combined for mutual protection
and benefits. The history of the wage workers of all
countries is but the history of constant struggle and
misery, engendered by ignorance and disunion, whereas
the history of the non-producers of all countries proves
that a minority thoroughly organized may work won
ders for good or evil. It behooves the representatives of
the workers of North America in congress assembled,
to adopt such measures and disseminate such principles
among the people of our country as will unite them for
all time to come, to secure the recognition of the rights
to which they are justly entitled. Conforming to the old
adage, “In union there is strength,” a formation em
bracing every trade and labor organization in North
America, a union founded upon the basis as broad as
the land we live in, is our only hope. The past history
of trade unions proves that small organizations, well
conducted, have accomplished great good, but their ef
forts have not been of that lasting character which a
thorough unification of all the different branches of in
dustrial workers is bound to secure.
Conforming to the spirit of the times, and the neces
sities of the industrial classes, we declare the fol
lowing:
Resolved, That all organizations of workingmen into
what is known as a Trade or Labor Union should have
the right to the protection of their property in like man
ner as the property of all other persons and societies is
protected, and to accomplish this purpose we insist
upon the passage of laws in the State Legislatures and
in Congress for the incorporation of trade unions and
similar labor organizations.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the passage of such
legislative enactments as will enforce by compulsion the
education of children; that if the State has the right to
exact certain compliance [with] its6 demands, then it is
also the right of the [State to e]ducate its people to the
proper understanding of such] demands.
[Resolved, That we] are in favor of the passage of
[laws in the several States] forbidding the employ[ment
of children under the age] of fourteen in any capacity
under the penalty of fine and imprisonment.
Resolved, That necessity demands the enactment of
uniform apprentice laws throughout the country; that
the apprentice to a mechanical trade may be made to
serve a sufficient term of apprenticeship, from three to
five years, and that he be provided by his employer in,
his progress to maturity with proper and sufficient facil
ity to finish him as a competent workman.
Resolved, That the “national eight-hour law” is one
intended to benefit labor and to relieve it partly of its
heavy burdens; that the evasion of its true spirit and in
tent is contrary to the best interests of the nation. We
therefore demand the enforcement of said law in the
spirit of its design.
Resolved, That it is hereby declared the sense of this
congress that convict or prison labor as applied to the
contract system in several of the States is a species of
slavery in its worst form; that it pauperizes labor,
demoralizes the honest manufacturer and degrades the
very criminal whom it employs; that as many articles of
use and consumption made in our prisons under the
contract system come directly and detrimentally in
competition with the products of honest labor, we de
mand that the laws providing for labor under the con
tract system herein complained [of], be repealed, so as
to discontinue the manufacture of all articles which will
compete with those of the honest workingman or me
chanic.
Resolved, That what is known as the “truck” system
of payment, instead of lawful currency as a value for la
bor performed, is not only a gross imposition, but a
downright swindle to the honest laborer and mechanic,
and calls for entire abolition; and we recommend that
active measures shall be enforced to eradicate the evil
by the passage of laws imposing fine and imprisonment
upon all individual firms or corporations who continue
to practice the same.
Resolved, That we favor the passage of such laws as
will secure to the mechanic and workingman the first
lien, upon property, the product of his labor, sufficient
in all cases to justify his legal and just claims, and that
proper provision be made for legally recording the
same.
Resolved, That we demand the repeal and erasure
from the statute books of all acts known as conspiracy
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laws, as applied to organizations of labor in the regula
tion of wages which shall constitute a day’s work.
Resolved, That we recognize the wholesome effects of
a Bureau of Labor Statistics as created in several States,
and urge upon our friends in Congress the passage of
an act establishing a National Bureau of Statistics, and
recommend for its management the appointment of a
proper person, identified with the laboring classes of the
country.
Resolved, That railroad land grants forfeited by rea
son of non-fulfillment of contract should be immediate
ly reclaimed by the government, and henceforth the
public domain reserved exclusively as homes for actual
settlers.
Resolved, That we recommend to the Congress of the
United States the adoption of such laws as shall give to
every American industry full protection from the cheap
labor of foreign countries.
Resolved, That we demand the passage of a law by
the United States Congress to prevent the importation
of foreign laborers under contract.
Resolved, That we recommend to all trades and labor
organizations to secure proper representation in all law
making bodies by means of the ballot, and to use all
honorable measures by which this result can be accom
plished.
The preamble and first and second resolutions were
adopted without dispute, but the third, which related to
the employment of children under fourteen years of age,
excited a protracted discussion . . . . if these stories,
coming from men who knew what they were talking
about, and which were pathetic enough to bring tears to
most eyes, could be published in full, they would form
a powerful argument in favor of keeping the little ones
out of the work shops and sending them to school
where they belong. The resolution as it appears above
was adopted unanimously.
The other resolutions were adopted with very little
debate, until one was read which declared in favor of all
the railroads and telegraph lines being purchased and
controlled by the government. This was [dis?] approved
by a number of delegates, on the ground that if the
government obtained the control favored, it would
make the power of the ascendant political party perpet
ual, by reason of the vast numbers of employees which
would be placed at its mercy. President Jarrett ruled the
resolution out of order, as having no relation to the ob
jects of the congress. An appeal was taken from his de
cision, but the Chair was sustained and the resolution
left out.
The next discussion was on that plank declaring in
favor of the protection of American industries. It was a
fight of Pittsburgh pride against Western principles, and
the debate was warm . . . . Mr. Crawford,7 of Chicago,
thought it was a mistake to force the resolution
through, as it would only cause dissension. As long as
25
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Birth o f a Federation
the east and west were situated as they are at present
they would not agree on the subject. Therefore he was
in favor of not making any reference to the tariff, prom
ising at the same time that if the East offered no tariff
resolutions, none advocating free trade would come
from the West . . . . An attempt was then made to lay
the resolution on the table, but it was voted down, and
after another strong argument by Mr. Jarrett in favor of
the resolution it was adopted . . . .
S A T U R D A Y , N O V E M B E R 19, 1881
. . . Mr. Brant,8 of Detroit, offered a series of resolu
tions declaring that the bill introduced in Congress in
1880, as part of the report of the Public Land Commis
sion would have the effect, if passed, to place the bulk
of the public lands at the disposal of Western cattle
kings and other capitalists at a nominal figure; that
those lands in a few years would be found very valuable
for farming purposes, and that persons wishing to culti
vate them would have to do so in the capacity of tenant
farmers or hirelings in competition with Chinese labor.
In view of these facts the resolutions urged that all la
bor assemblies pass resolutions, giving their Congression
al representatives to understand that if they voted for
the measure, they would be punished by the political
opposition of the workingmen. After a short discussion
the resolutions were adopted, as were also the follow
ing, which were presented by Mr. Rodgers9 [sic] of
Pennsylvania:
Resolved, That we demand strict laws for the inspec
tion and ventilation of mines, factories and workshops,
and sanitary supervision of all food and dwellings.
Resolved, That strict laws be enacted making em
ployers liable for all accidents resulting from their
negligence or incompetence to the injury of their
employees . . . .
The Legislative Committee will meet for organization
to-day. It is hard to predict who will be chairman, as
all are good men and equally popular. The Secretary,
Mr. Foster,10 is employed as a compositor on the Cin
cinnati Enquirer, and although a young man, is Presi
dent of the Trades Assembly of Cincinnati. Mr.
Gompers is organizer of the International Cigar Makers
Union, of New York. Mr. Powers is General President
of the Lake Seamen’s Union, and is considered one of
the best organizers in the West. Mr. Bergman" [sic] is
Treasurer of the Trades Assembly of San Francisco and
President of the Tailors’ Union of that city. Mr. A. W.
Rankin is a member of the Iron Moulders’ Union of
this city, and is well known. All the officers are men of
more than ordinary intelligence, conservative in their
disposition, and their choice gives general satisfaction to
the delegates.
While the reporter for the Gazette speculated about
the chairmanship, the new organization’s predominant
official was in fact the secretary, William H. Foster. Out
of the five officers of the Legislative Committee, the ex
ecutive body of the Federation, only the secretary was
designated by the convention. The committee itself
elected the remaining officers— the chairman (Richard
Powers in 1881), first and second vice chairmen, and
treasurer. Even in 1883, when the Federation changed
the title “chairman” to “president,” enlarged the Legis
lative Committee to nine, and provided for the designa
tion of all officers by the convention, the constitution
still specified that the election of the secretary was to
take precedence. So although Samuel Gompers was a
member of the committee in four of the five years that
the early Federation existed (first vice chairman in 1881—
82, chairman in 1882-83, first vice president in 1883—
84, and president in 1885-86), he was never the leading
official of this organization, as he became of its succes
sor. Gompers played an active role throughout these
years, but prior to the founding of the American Feder
ation of Labor in 1886, the Federation was guided by
its secretaries: the printers’ William H. Foster (1881-83,
1885-86) and Frank K. Foster (1883-84), the carpen
ters’ Gabriel Edmonston (1884-85), and the cigarmakers’ John S. Kirchner (1886).
□
FOOTNOTES
American Federation o f Labor Records: The Samuel Gompers Era
(Microfilming Corporation of America, 1979).
'Alexander C. Rankin (b. 1849?) represented Iron Molders’ local
14 of Pittsburgh at this convention.
tors where text of original was obliterated.
Mark L. Crawford (1848-1932), a Chicago printer and president
in 1883-84 of the International Typographical Union.
Richard Powers (1850-1929), president of the Chicago Lake
Seamen’s Union from 1878 to 1887.
Lyman A. Brant (1848-95), a printer and president of the Detroit
Trade and Labor Council.
4 John Jarrett (1843-1918), president of the National Amalgamated
Association of Iron and Steel Workers.
’ Daniel Rogers represented the Amalgamated Association of Pitts
burgh Miners and Drivers.
These included discussions on the name of the organization and
the basis of representation.
' Bracketed material supplied by the Samuel Gompers Papers edi
26 FRASER
Digitized for
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
"’William Henry Foster (18487-86).
" Charles F. Burgman, a tailor and treasurer of the Representative
Assembly of Trades and Labor Unions of San Francisco.
Cyclical behavior of productivity
in the machine tool industry
Productivity growth was slow during 1958-80\
partly because of the industry's tendency
to retain skilled workers during cyclical downturns;
computers and other electronic equipment aided production,
but diffusion o f such innovations has been slow
Jo h n D u k e
and
H o rst B r a n d
Output per employee-hour in the machine tool industry
rose at an average annual rate of 1.1 percent over the
1958-80 period— significantly below the 2.8-percent
rate for manufacturing.1 A combination of factors
slowed productivity in the machine tool industry, in
cluding the tendency of machine tool firms to keep
highly skilled workers on the payroll, even when output
fell during cyclical slowdowns, and the slackened de
mand for capital goods after the mid-sixties. However,
the slowdown was moderated by technological advances
in the manufacture of machine tools, as well as by high
rates of productivity improvement in periods of cyclical
recovery.
Until 1966, productivity in the machine tool industry
rose at a high annual rate, but thereafter the rate de
clined for several years. Its subsequent recovery re
mained incomplete— the high levels of the mid-sixties
were not reattained. The recovery was again interrupted
by a slump in 1974; it resumed in 1977, continuing to
1979, but even then productivity did not top its 1966
peak. (See table 1.) The cyclical behavior of productivi
ty in the industry and in manufacturing is shown in the
following tabulation (average annual changes in per
cent):
Machine tools
Manufacturing
Upswings:
1958- 59 ...............
1961-66 ..................
1971-74 ..................
1976-80 ..................
23.1
5.6
7.8
2.4
4.8
4.4
2.9
0.9
-2.0
-4.2
-5.2
1.7
2.0
3.7
Downswings:
1959- 61 ...............
1966-71 ..................
1974-76 ..................
Productivity in both the metal cutting and metal
forming segments of the industry paralleled the cyclical
patterns shown above, although amplitudes differed.
Productivity improvement averaged 1.5 percent annual
ly in metal cutting (which accounts for three-fourths of
total industry employment), and 0.1 percent in metal
forming. Upswings in productivity were more pro
nounced in metal cutting than in metal forming; down
swings were more pronounced in metal forming. In
metal cutting, productivity dropped in 8 of the 22 years
examined (table 2); in metal forming, in 12 (table 3).
The drops were only in part associated with general
business cycles; they occurred in years of economic ex
pansion as well as during contractions.
Output recovery slow in the seventies
John Duke and Horst Brand are economists in the Office of Produc
tivity and Technology, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
The machine tool industry manufactures cutting tools
for boring, drilling, gear cutting, grinding, and milling
27
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Productivity in Machine Tool Industry
machines and lathes, as well as forming tools such as
punching, shearing, bending, and forming presses. These
tools are usually shipped as units, that is, as single-pur
pose machines, but their basic features may also be
combined into “machining centers.” The machine tools
may be equipped with manual controls or with pro
grammed numerical controls which require little labor
by users. Machine tools are not mass produced, al
though they may make mass production processes pos
sible in user industries. Rather, the parts and
components of a finished machine tool are usually made
in relatively small batches, and require comparatively
large amounts of labor.
Output in the machine tool industry rose at an aver
age annual rate of 1.6 percent between 1958 and 1980,
compared with 3.8 percent for manufacturing. Underly
ing the long-term trend were cyclical swings of consid
erable amplitude. The metal cutting and metal forming
segments of the industry traced similar cyclical patterns.
(See table 4.)
The following tabulation shows the cyclical behavior
of output in the machine tool industry and in manufac
turing, 1958-80 (average annual changes in percent):
Machine tools
Table 1. Productivity and related indexes for the machine
tool industry, 1958-80
[1977 = 100]
Year
Output per employee-hour
1958 .............
1959 .............
1960 .............
71.5
88.0
84.7
63.0
79.2
82.8
88.1
90.0
97.8
Output
Employee-hours
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
84.5
88.5
90.1
99.9
101.4
77.4
88.0
93.0
112.3
125.3
91.6
99.4
103.2
112.4
123.6
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
111.7
101.8
97.9
100.1
91.7
156.1
149.9
137.6
137.8
112.0
139.8
147.3
140.5
137.7
122.1
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
87.9
98.0
107.3
109.4
103.0
81.4
91.2
116.3
127.4
109.1
92.6
93.1
108.4
116.5
105.9
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
98.4
100.0
102.6
107.0
106.9
93.9
100.0
111.8
125.9
129.1
95.4
100.0
109.0
117.7
120.8
Average annual rates of change (in percent)
1958-80 .........
1975-80 .........
1.1
1.3
1.6
5.4
0.5
4.0
Manufacturing
Upswings:
1958- 59 .................
1961-66 ....................
1971-74 ....................
1976-80 ....................
25.7
14.6
17.2
9.1
11.7
8.2
5.9
2.9
-1.1
-11.1
-14.1
0.2
1.0
0.9
Downswings:
1959- 61 .................
1966-71 ....................
1974-76 ....................
Recoveries in machine tool output during the seven
ties were less vigorous than they had been in the 1958—
59 and 1961-66 upswings. Slumps were deep. Long
term factors contributing to the comparative weakening
of output included the volatility in the demand for pro
ducers’ durable equipment. Following 12 percent annual
increases in the 1961-66 period, growth in demand for
producers durable equipment contracted to 2 percent a
year for 1966-71. Demand rebounded at an 11-percent
annual rate in the early seventies, declined by 3 percent
annually over the 1974—75 period, then recovered to a
10-percent annual growth rate in 1976-79. Even so, the
long-term growth in the demand for producers’ durable
equipment slackened in the seventies (compared with
the demand in the sixties) from an average annual
growth rate of 8.1 percent in 1958-68 to 4.8 percent in
1968-79. However, the levels of the sixties were consis
tently exceeded subsequently— contrary to the situation
in machine tool output and productivity. Thus, the rela
tion between producers’ durable output and machine
tool output clearly weakened.
28
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During the seventies, a number of metalworking in
dustries representing key markets for machine tools reg
istered comparatively slower growth or actual declines
in output. For example, production of motor vehicles
after the mid-sixties rose at only about one-half the rate
for 1959-66. Similarly, output growth of construction
machinery contracted. Steel output, which had ad
vanced at more than 5 percent a year until 1966, be
came stagnant thereafter, then fell, as did output of
electric motors and generators, nonferrous metals,
household appliances, and household furniture.2
Furthermore, expenditures for machine tools dropped
as a proportion of total equipment expenditures by
manufacturing firms. In the sixties, such expenditures
accounted for 11 percent of the total, in the seventies,
for only 9 percent. Moreover, imports increasingly
displaced domestic machine tools. In the sixties and up
to 1973, machine tool imports averaged well under 10
percent of total U.S. machine tool units purchased;
thereafter, the volume of machine tool imports soared,
and by 1978, they accounted for 21 percent of total
units purchased.3 In contrast, exports did not rise mark
edly relative to output— exports represented 8 percent
of machine tool units purchased in the sixties and about
10 percent in the seventies.
Still another factor underlying slackened output of
machine tools has been the rapid rise in their productive
capacity. (This factor will be explained more fully later
in this article.) A study of more than 350 companies
showed that reduced machining time for numerically
controlled (or programmed) machine tools ranged from
35 percent to 50 percent.4 According to the American
Machinist's periodic inventories of metalworking equip
ment, the “population” of machine tools in use did not
change significantly between 1963 and 1976-78, but the
output of the metalworking industries using them gener
ally increased, indicating rising productive capabilities
of the machine tools, particularly those equipped with
numerical controls.5 Some engineering authorities main
tain that numerically controlled machine tools permit
“drastically reduced” handling time because they elimi
nate the separate operations of transferring and
clamping and unclamping.6
The relative importance of all categories of machine
tools lessened during 1958-80, except lathes, drill
ing machines, and machining centers. (Machining cen
ters combine the separate operations of boring, drilling,
and milling units.) Most of the shift toward machining
centers occurred after 1968, when the diffusion of nu
merical control, an essential component of machining
centers, began to accelerate. In 1978, the number of ma
chining centers shipped was half again as high as in
1968. During that decade, the number of numerically
controlled metal cutting machine tools shipped more
than doubled and the number of metal forming machine
tools rose by 14 percent.
The diffusion of numerically controlled machine tools
has remained limited, however. According to the Amer
Table 2. Productivity and related indexes for metal
cutting, 1958-80
[1977 = 100]
Output
Employee-hours
Year
Output per employee-hour
1958 ...............
1959 ...............
1960 ...............
67.6
83.2
81.5
58.1
74.2
81.0
85.9
89.2
99.4
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
80.0
83.2
84.3
94.9
98.7
72.7
83.0
88.4
109.2
124.8
90.9
99.7
104.9
115.1
126.4
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
107.8
98.0
95.7
97.5
89.5
154.7
150.6
139.8
139.0
107.2
143.5
153.6
146.1
142.5
119.8
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
...............
...............
...............
...............
85.5
94.8
105.5
108.9
102.9
75.2
83.9
108.6
122.3
107.5
92.5
88.0
88.5
102.9
112.3
104.5
95.1
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
97.3
100.0
103.6
109.7
111.2
100.0
113.7
130.6
138.3
100.0
109.7
119.0
124.4
Average annual rates of change (in percent)
1958-80
1975-80
....
....
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1.5
2.3
1.9
7.2
*
0.5
4.8
Table 3. Productivity and related indexes for metal
forming, 1958TJ0
[1977 = 100]
O u tp u t
E m p lo y e e -h o u rs
Year
O u t p u t p e r e m p lo y e e - h o u r
1958 .............
1959 .............
1960 .............
83.6
102.8
94.5
78.4
95.1
88.9
93.8
92.5
94.1
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
98.0
105.7
108.4
115.5
109.3
91.9
104.3
107.5
122.2
127.1
93.8
98.7
99.2
105.8
116.3
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
123.1
112.7
103.9
107.0
98.5
160.8
147.9
131.7
134.3
126.2
130.6
131.2
126.8
125.5
128.1
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
95.7
107.5
114.1
111.9
104.0
99.6
112.1
139.2
142.5
114.1
104.1
104.3
122.0
127.4
109.7
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
101.7
100.0
99.9
100.4
95.2
98.1
100.0
107.2
114.8
106.1
96.5
100.0
107.3
114.3
111.5
A v e r a g e a n n u a l r a t e s o f c h a n g e (in p e r c e n t )
1958-80 .........
1975-80 .........
0.1
-1.4
0.7
0.5
0.6
1.9
ican Machinist's 1976-78 inventory of metalworking
equipment, only 2 percent of the machine tools in the
United States were numerically controlled, and only 7
percent of machine tools 10 years old or less were nu
merically controlled.7
The output capacity of metal forming machine tools,
like that of metal cutting tools, significantly increased
during 1958-80, tending to retard demand and, hence,
output growth. For example, the size of presses used in
the automotive and appliance industries— which ac
count for the lion’s share of the demand for presses—
has increased such that, in the past 15 years, it tended
to be four times greater than that in the preceeding 35
years.8 Changes of dies, which used to require 30 to 40
minutes, now take only 90 seconds— hence, long pro
duction runs are no longer needed to justify die chang
es.9 Numerical controls have been applied to operations
such as bending— now tube benders perform more than
30 types of bends.10
Employment concentrated in metal cutting
In 1980, employment in the machine tool industry
numbered about 108,000 persons, with about one-quar
ter of them in metal forming establishments. Employeehours rose quite slowly over the 1958-80 period (0.5
percent, compared with 1 percent in manufacturing)
but, like productivity and output, were characterized by
pronounced cyclical swings. The cyclical volatility of
employee-hours in the machine tool industry, compared
29
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Productivity in Machine Tool Industry
with manufacturing, is illustrated in the following tabu
lation (average annual change in percent):
Machine tools
Manufacturing
.............
.............
.............
.............
2.2
8.5
8.8
6.6
6.6
3.6
2.9
1.9
Downswings:
1959-61 .............
1966-71 .............
1974-76 .............
0.9
-7.3
-9.5
-1.4
Upswings:
1958-59
1961-66
1971-74
1976-80
-
1.0
-2.6
Although recoveries in employee-hours in the seven
ties were about as strong as in the sixties, the levels of
the mid-sixties were not reached. In 1980, employeehours were one-fifth below those of the sixties. Employ
ment was less affected by cyclical swings and was 17
percent lower in 1980 than in 1967, the peak year of the
22-year period. The metal cutting and metal forming
segments of the industry displayed comparable cyclical
patterns in employee-hours. (See table 4.)
The cyclical declines in output and, hence, in employ
ee-hours, probably aggravated the industry’s perennial
shortages of skilled help when business picked up again.
In part, these shortages were met through overtime
work. Following are relatives of overtime hours in the
metal cutting and metal forming segments of the ma
chine tool industry (overtime hours in manufacturing =
100):
Metal cutting:
1958 ................
1959 ................
1960 ................
1 9 6 1 ................
1962 ................
1963 ................
1964 ................
1965 ................
1966 ................
1967 ................
1968 ................
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
60
122
144
113
143
157
181
175
203
206
131
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
..........
...........
...........
..........
. ..
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
Metal forming:
1972 ................
1973 ................
1974 ................
1975 ................
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
134
189
206
154
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
..........
..........
..
..........
...........
..........
..........
..........
..........
...........
...........
...........
...........
..........
..........
..........
..........
...........
..........
150
110
55
117
168
191
138
103
154
178
188
211
129
140
172
191
161
In only 2 years (1958 and 1971) of the review period
did overtime in metal cutting fall below the manufactur
ing average. In all other years it was above, and often
was half again to twice as high. Metal forming (for
which pertinent data exist only since 1972) showed the
same overtime pattern.
The number of nonproduction workers in metal cut
ting rose more rapidly than that of production workers,
30
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0.9 percent per year versus 0.3 percent. There were 43
percent more nonproduction workers in 1980 than in
1958, and 38 percent more production workers, al
though employment of both groups was below the 1967
peak. In metal cutting, the proportion of nonproduction
workers remained above 30 percent of total employment
during the period, reflecting the continued importance
of engineers, designers, and other leading personnel.
The proportion of women also rose, from 9 to 13 per
cent of total employment, but was still far below the
manufacturing average of 31 percent.
In metal forming, the number of production workers
showed no change on average; in contrast, non
production workers rose 2.6 percent— from 31 percent
of total employment in 1958 to 34 percent in 1980. Oc
cupational data are not available for the machine tool
industry, but are available for the metal working ma
chinery group of industries, of which the machine tool
industry accounts for about 30 percent of employment.
The occupational mix in the machine tool industry is
unlikely to differ very much from that in metalworking.
In 1978, metalworking machinery had an unusually
high percentage of craft and kindred workers— nearly
one-third of its employment, compared with just under
one-fifth for manufacturing. As might be expected, the
proportion of metal craftworkers and machinists consid
erably exceeded the manufacturing average. Operatives
accounted for a smaller proportion of employment in
metalworking than in manufacturing (33 percent versus
43 percent), although the proportion of semiskilled
workers in metalworking was nearly three times higher
(15 percent versus 6 percent). As for professional and
technical workers, the employment differences were
small between the metalworking and all manufacturing
industries— 9 percent versus 10 percent— and this was
true for other white-collar categories. However, from
1970 forward, the rise in the number of professional
and technical workers was almost three times greater in
metalworking than in manufacturing— 14 percent ver
sus 5 percent— reflecting the growing relative impor
tance of electronic technicians and computer and
numerical control specialists and programmers.
Technology diffused gradually
A number of important innovations have been
adopted in the manufacture of metal cutting and metal
forming machine tools, but diffusion among machine
tool producers has been slow— slower than among in
dustries which apply the innovations in mass produc
tion. As will be documented, this slowness is related to
the predominance of small firms which produce small
batches of frequently complex machinery and compo
nents. The machine tool industry is labor-intensive, rel
ative to most manufacturing industries, as indicated by
the high ratio of payroll to value added. Over the 195877 period, this ratio averaged 58 percent for metal cut-
Table 4.
Cyclical behavior of productivity in the machine tool industry and its components, 1958-80
[Average annual rates in percent]
I O u tp u t p e r e m p lo y e e -h o u r
P e r io d
1958-80 ....................
O u tp u t
E m p lo y e e h o u r s
M a c h in e
M e ta l
M e ta l
M a c h in e
M e ta l
M e ta l
M a c h in e
M e ta l
M e ta l
t o o ls
c u t t in g
fo r m in g
t o o ls
c u t t in g
f o r m in g
t o o ls
c u t t in g
f o r m in g
1.1
1.5
0.1
1.6
1.9
0.7
0.5
0.5
0.6
..........................
..........................
...........................
...........................
23.1
5.6
7.8
2.4
23.1
6.3
8.7
3.7
23.0
3.8
5.4
-1.3
25.7
14.6
17.2
9.1
27.7
16.1
18.7
11.3
21.3
10.6
13.8
3.0
2.2
8.5
8.8
6.6
3.8
9.2
9.2
7.4
-1.4
6.5
7.9
4.3
Downswings:
1959-61 ..........................
1966-71 ..........................
1974-76 ...........................
-2.0
4.2
-5.2
-1.9
4.0
-5.5
-2.4
-4.6
-4.7
-1.0
-12.4
-13.0
-1.7
-7.8
-17.0
0.9
-7.3
-9.5
0.9
-8.8
-8.0
0.7
-3.4
-13.0
Upswings:
1958-59
1961-66
1971-74
1976-80
-1.1
-11.1
-14.1
ting establishments, and 60 percent for metal forming
establishments, compared with 52 percent for non
electrical machinery, 52 percent for transportation
equipment, and 47 percent for all manufacturing. The
mass production techniques made possible by machine
tools generally cannot be used in building them, al
though significant improvements in small-batch produc
tion processes have resulted from some basic techno
logical advances.
By far the most important development in machine
tool technology has been the evolution of numerical
control. In fact, numerical control has reshaped ma
chine tool technology, and continues to transform it.
Essentially, numerical control made multifunction ma
chine tools possible (exemplified by the machining cen
ter, discussed earlier). According to Iron Age, numerical
control tools have been decisive in achieving “the criti
cal balance . . . . in machine construction and rigidity,
horsepower, speed and feed ranges, standard tooling
and management control over the machine cycle and
operation.” " Numerical control was first applied in the
manufacture of machine tools in the mid-fifties, but cer
tain innovations were required to lower its cost and,
thus, spur adoption by the smaller machine tool firms.
Although these innovations have occurred, their impact
on productivity was retarded by the severe cyclical
downturns in the industry’s business in the early and
middle seventies.
Numerical control is a method whereby metal cutting
(and to some extent metal forming) machine tools are
controlled by instructions which are programmed and
then punched on a tape. Information from the tape is
converted into instructions which position the tools
with respect to the workpiece; no templates, drill jigs,
or stops are used and manual operation is not neces
sary. (The operator can service more than one numeri
cally controlled machine tool.) A feedback mechanism
adjusts (or stops) the tool’s movement if programmed
distance does not adhere to commanded tolerance, and
stops it when the process is completed.'2
Numerical control has always required drives which
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would ensure that performance followed command. Hy
draulic servomechanisms are still used for this purpose.
In the late sixties, however, silicon-controlled rectifiers
(which are solid-state devices) were introduced; these,
together with improvements in the control motor, made
possible much higher degrees of accuracy in machining
work. Also, tool life was extended as gear transmission,
hand wheels, and clutches were eliminated.13 Perhaps
most important, the substitution of transistors, and lat
er of integrated circuits, for electric relays reduced the
number of control components by up to 90 percent, and
the amount of wiring by up to 80 percent.14These devel
opments slashed costs, and also allowed less highly
trained personnel to program the machines. Thus, im
proved control mechanisms gave impetus to the dif
fusion of numerical controls.
Numerical controls accelerated the consolidation of
machine tool production— as well as the production of
metalworking equipment— into machining centers. Ma
chining centers are basically milling machines which
also drill, ream, bore, tap, and so forth. In machining
centers, complex shapes may be made by mounting cut
ting tools of varying sizes and power configurations on
a single spindle. The cutting tools then are automatical
ly changed by transfer arms, which also store the tool.
These automatic tool changes take only a few seconds;
formerly several minutes of an operator’s time were re
quired.15 Machining centers also eliminate the need to
design, build, and store the jigs and fixtures needed by
single-purpose machines.16
Single-purpose machines also have been much im
proved by numerical controls. For example, numerically
controlled boring machines have reduced downtime for
loading and unloading by up to 30 percent.17 Numerical
control applied to grinding machines often halves lay
out time; programmable electronic wheel feed and wheel
retraction have been developed which reduce labor time
and enhance precision. The design of hobs for gear cut
ting has been subjected to computer calculation, saving
cutting time.18
Cutting tool materials have become harder, permit31
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Productivity in Machine Tool Industry
ting increased cutting speeds (albeit at the cost of re
quiring heavier, more powerful machines). Tungsten
carbide which replaced high-speed steel in 1929 was in
turn supplanted by ceramic materials and polycrystal
line diamond-tipped tools. Until 1900, cutting speeds
ran up to 25 feet per minute; high-speed steel tools av
eraged 90 feet per minute; tunsten carbide, 150 feet per
minute; ceramic materials, 650 feet per minute; and
polycrystalline diamond-tipped tools can cut several
thousand feet per minute. Meanwhile, the older cutting
materials have been improved— for example, steel tools
are hardened by cobalt and continue to be widely used.
Naturally, the high speeds enlarge the machine tool’s
output capacity.19
Metal cutting tools predominate over the use of metal
forming tools in the manufacture of either type of ma
chine tool. Thus, technological improvements in metal
forming tools and increases in their output capacity
have, of course, greatly benefited those who use the
tools intensively, but have only marginally affected pro
ductivity of those who produce the tools.20
Computers are used in tandem with or incorporated
into numerically controlled machine tools where reli
ability or control is crucial (as in the machining of
frames for aircrafts), or where minimizing of downtime
is essential. The recent trend has been toward relatively
small computers interfacing with individual machines,
rather than a single computer controlling a number of
machines.21 The computer has also been used in produc
tion management, as well as in the design of machine
tools, significantly reducing labor requirements of engi
neering and drafting personnel. Conventionally, engi
neers and aides graphed the design for a machine tool
on drawing boards, according to a customer’s specifica
tions; corrections usually required redrawing of all or
most of the design to preserve proportionalities. Now,
computers do the corrected redrawing, cutting the time
required for such corrections. This so-called interactive
graphics has permitted a 4-fold increase in the design
er’s productivity. Memory storage of given designs fur
ther aids productivity.22
Relatively old capital stock
The machine tool industry, although vital for the
expansion and modernization of industrial machinery,
has spent relatively little for its own plant and equip
ment. During the review period, the long-term growth
in such spending was significantly below that for all in
dustries. One of the results has been that the average
age of equipment in the machine tool industry is well
above that in all other metalworking industries.23
According to 1977 census data, plant and equipment
expenditures per employee in metal cutting machine
tools represented only 52 percent of the comparable fi
32
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gures for all manufacturing; for metal forming machine
tools, the ratio was 40 percent. Fixed assets per worker
in metal cutting and metal forming were 77 percent and
81 percent of the manufacturing average in 1976. More
over, the long-term growth in the industry’s expendi
tures for new plant and equipment, expressed in
constant dollars, averaged 2.7 percent annually between
1958 and 1978— compared with 4.6 percent for all
manufacturing industries. However, these long-term
trend indicators obscure significant cyclical changes.
Following are average annual rates of change in expen
ditures (in constant dollars) for new plant and equip
ment in the machine tool industry and in all industries,
1958-78:24
Machine tools
All industries
Upswings:
1958- 59 ..................
1961-66 .....................
1971-74 .....................
1976-78 .....................
2.3
29.5
28.0
16.7
7.3
10.2
7.3
10.5
Downswings:
1959- 61 ..................
1966-71 .....................
1974-76 .....................
-9.5
-18.0
-9.6
*
2.4
1.4
-3.8
Cyclical patterns in the real value of the industry’s
capital outlays parallel those for productivity, output,
and employee-hours. Even though capital outlays were
strong during the upswings of the seventies, they did
not reattain the levels of the sixties. In the 1976-78 up
swing, the outlays were nearly one-third below those of
the mid-sixties, while outlays for all industries were
nearly a third higher.
The machine tool industry’s low levels of expendi
tures for plant and equipment are reflected in the
relatively high average age of its equipment. According
to the American Machinist, 23 percent of the industry’s
machine tools were less than 10 years old in 1976-78,
compared with 31 percent for all metalworking indus
tries; 37 percent were 10 to 19 years old, compared
with 35 percent for all metalworking and 40 percent
were more than 20 years, compared with 34 percent.
The American Machinist's periodic inventories suggest
that user industries tend to delay replacement of aging
machine tools. On average, only 31 percent of machine
tools in service in all metalworking industries were less
than 10 years old in 1976-78, compared with 36 per
cent in 1968 and in 1963; 34 percent were more than 20
years old in 1976-78, compared with 23 percent in 1968
and 21 percent in 1963.25
The rising average age of machine tools may have
been offset to some degree by the high proportion of
parts and rebuilt machine tools shipped by toolmakers.
Parts for metal cutting tools and rebuilt machine tools
accounted for 19 percent of total shipments in 1976,
compared with 14 percent in the late sixties. Parts for
metal forming tools and rebuilt machinery constituted
33 percent of shipments in 1976, compared with 20 per
cent in the late sixties. The proportion rises in periods
of slack business, but the rise may, in part, indicate
intensified efforts to retrofit and upgrade aging machine
tools, in lieu of purchasing new machines.
However, the high average age of equipment in the
machine tool industry may have been partially offset
through the replacement of worn-out parts, or by the
rebuilding of machines along more up-to-date lines.
Furthermore, the industry has an above-average propor
tion of numerically controlled machine tools— nearly 4
percent of its tools are numerically controlled, com
pared with 2 percent for all metalworking industries.
Because numerically controlled machine tools are gener
ally under 15 years old, they probably represent at least
6 percent of the industry equipment that has been in
service less than 20 years, and surely a much larger pro
portion of its total output capacity.
Industry structure, The structure of the machine tool in
dustry does not differ much from that of manufacturing
as a whole. In 1972, the latest year for which data are
available, the four largest of the nearly 900 companies
making metal cutting machine tools accounted for 25
percent of the industry’s total employment, 22 percent
of its value of shipments, and 30 percent of its capital
expenditures. In metal forming, concentration was
slightly less. The 50 largest metal cutting companies,
representing 10 percent of all establishments in the in
dustry, accounted for three-quarters of employment,
value of shipments, and capital expenditures. Trends in
value added per employee by employment size class of
establishment suggest that productivity has risen at a
somewhat higher rate in establishments with 100 or
more employees than in smaller establishments.
Accelerated demand may aid diffusion
Industry observers generally expect that demand for
machine tools will remain strong. Whether this means
that skilled labor shortages will persist is arguable.
Skilled workers who have been laid off because of slow
business in key metalworking industries such as auto
mobiles may be available. But, because average hourly
wages in these industries are often higher than those in
machine tools, it may be difficult for the machine tool
industry to attract such workers. Hence, incentives for
technological advances in the machine tool establish
ments may remain fairly strong. Therefore, unless the
machine tool industry also suffers from slow business,
productivity should improve at somewhat higher rates
than the long-term rates reported here.
Continued high levels of demand for machine tools
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are anticipated from automotive and aircraft manufac
turers, and from manufacturers in other metalworking
industries requiring more “flexible” technology for
small-batch production.26
For the next several years, the automotive industry
will be retooling for the production of smaller, more en
ergy-efficient vehicles, at an estimated cost of $60 bil
lion. Undoubtedly, this will strain machine tool
manufacturing capacity. However, in the long run, de
mand for machine tools from the automotive industry is
likely to slacken because of the prospective reduction in
the number of automobile models.27 Similarly, the air
craft industry may replace about one-half of its 6,000
commercial air carriers, some of which were placed in
service 20 years earlier. New configurations of air
frames will be needed which conform with mandated re
quirements to reduce noise levels and fuel consumption.
Therefore, the aircraft industry will need more costeffective machine tools.28 Metalworking firms generally
have become concerned with more efficient production
of small batches of parts and components; their interest
in automated batch manufacturing systems is likely to
intensify. In such systems, electronically-controlled as
semblages of machine tools are linked by material-han
dling equipment so as to convert a system of discrete
parts manufacturing into one of continuous (or nearly
continuous) processing.29 Automatic-batch manufactur
ing systems have been increasingly used in the construc
tion machinery industry.30
The building of craftworkers skills into the machine
began when Eli Whitney constructed musket-making
machines in the early 19th century.31 The need “to build
the skill in the machine” arose partly from the perennial
shortage of craftworkers (which often resulted in un
skilled workers operating complex equipment) and part
ly from the increased precision demanded of machine
tools. Quite possibly, the diffusion of numerically con
trolled machine tools will accelerate the trend “to build
the skill in the machine” in the eighties. As noted in the
discussion on occupational patterns, this trend has af
fected the machine tool industry less than most other
industries. This occupational pattern has been projected
to persist: in 1990, the Bureau of Labor Statistics proj
ects that 31 percent of metalworking machinery indus
try employees will be skilled craftworkers (only slighly
below the 1980 proportion), compared with 20 percent
for all manufacturing. Thus, the Bureau’s projections
implicitly assume that skill needs in the metalworking
industry will change little; and that in the machine tool
industry, it will continue to be difficult, at times even
infeasible, to build the skill of craftworkers into ma
chine tools.
Nevertheless, the diffusion of numerically controlled
machine tools will probably accelerate under the spur of
33
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Productivity in Machine Tool Industry
strong demand (which justifies the investment) and re
current labor shortages. Also, as new generations of
managers, engineers, and technicians enter the industry,
numerical control and other computer-related methods
will be more widely applied. The costs of these systems
are likely to fall; hence, they will become more widely
diffused.32
Although some manufacturing industries use un
manned machining systems,33 demand is likely to be
small for them. It would not be feasible financially for
the machine tool industry to use such complex systems
— downtime being very expensive.34 Thus, the “un
manned factory” cannot be envisioned for the machine
tool industry; its manufacture by this industry, however,
can be.
It is said that automotive engine plants rely heavily
on the machine tool industry for advances in their pro
duction equipment.35 In turn, the machine tool industry
increasingly relies on electronics and the computer for
its technological advances. Electronics and computers
will likely be dominant in machine tool production in
the years ahead.
□
FOOTNOTES
' The machine tool industry consists of machine tools, metal cutting
types (SIC 3541) and machine tools, metal forming types (SIC 3542)
as designated in the Office of Management and Budget’s 1972 Stan
dard Industrial Classification Manual.
2In this article, metalworking industries conform with those includ
ed in the American Machinist inventory of metalworking equipment
and include the furniture industry (SIC 25); primary metals industry
(SIC 33); fabricated metal products industry (SIC 34); nonelectrical
a n d e le ctrica l m a c h in e ry in d u s trie s (SIC 35 a n d 36); tra n s p o rta tio n
equipment industry (SIC 37); precision instrument industry (SIC 38);
and miscellaneous manufactures industry (SIC 39).
According to BLS data, average annual rates of change of the out
put of some major metalworking or other major machine tool using
industries moved as follows:
Industry and sic
number
1959-66
Household furniture, 251 . .
Steel, 331 .............................
Copper rolling and drawing, 3351 ..........................
Aluminum rolling and
drawing, 3353,4,5.............
Metal cans, 3411...............
Construction machinery,
3531 ..................................
Electric motors and generators, 3621 ...................
Household appliances,
3631,2,3,9 ........................
Motor vehicles, 371 ...........
T 973-78
Output
1966-73
4.8
5.1
1973-79
4.5
0.7
1.9
-0.8
0.1
-0.5
9.4
2.8
6.7
3.9
'0.7
5.8
3.3
1.5
7.4
-1.2
1.4
7.6
9.1
2.8
4.8
2.7
4.8
7.2
-
2.2
' Metalworking Machinery, Current Industrial Reports, Series MQ
35-W (U.S. Department of Commerce, various issues).
4 Donald N. Smith and Larry Evans, Management Standards for
Computers and Numerical Controls (University of Michigan, 1977).
5“Fewer, more productive machines: The 12th American Machinist
Inventory of Metalworking Equipment, 1976-78.” American Machin
ist, December 1978, pp. 133-43.
6 L. Mackay, and R. Leonard, “NC and Conventional Manufactur
ing Systems— A General Comparison.” Proceedings o f the 18th
International Machine Tool Design and Research Conference (London,
The Macmillan Press, 1978), pp. 651 ff.
American Machinist, December 1978.
8 “The Machine Tools That Are Building America,” Iron Age, Aug.
8, 1976, p. 269.
4 Iron Age, Aug. 8, 1976, p. 271.
10Iron Age, Aug. 8, 1976, p. 274.
" Iron Age, Aug. 8, 1976, p. 165.
Digitized 34
for FRASER
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12 McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia o f Science and Technology, vol. 13,
(McGraw Hill, 1977), p. 692.
13Iron Age, Aug. 8, 1976, p. 166.
14 Machine Design.
15 Iron Age, Aug. 8, 1976, p. 200.
16Iron Age, Aug. 8. 1976, p. 174.
17 Iron Age, Aug. 8, 1976, p. 189.
18 Iron Age, Aug. 8, 1976, p. 256.
‘ L.T.C. Rolt, A Short History of Machine Tools (Cambridge, The
M.I.T. Press, 1965), p. 223. American Machinist, Sept. 2, 1974.
20 Information obtained from an industry representative.
21 Agis Salpukas, “Computerizing machine tools,” The New York
Times, June 5, 1980, p. D2.
22 Information obtained from industry representatives.
23American Machinist, December 1978.
24 Expenditure data for the machine tool industry available to 1978
only. Data are from the 1980 Economic Report of the President. De
flators are for private nonresidential fixed investment.
22
Of the leading industrial countries, the United States has the
smallest percentage of machine tools in service less than 10 years.
Even so, the actual number of such tools in the United States was
803,000 in 1976-78, nearly half again as many as in Germany and Ja
pan. (See American Machinist, December 1978.)
26 Manufacturing Technology— A Changing Challenge to Improve
Productivity (Washington, General Accounting Office, 1976).
27 “A paucity of new models means layoffs and toolmaking plant
closings, while continual changes, such as those that occurred during
the mid-sixties, signal exciting mechanical challenges, full work force
utilization, and extended overtime premiums . . .” H.E. Arnett and
D.N. Smith, The Tool and Die Industry, Problems and Prospects (Ann
Arbor, The University of Michigan Graduate School of Business Ad
ministration, 1975), p. 18. Estimated retooling cost from Facts and
Figures 1980, (Detroit, Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association
1980), p. 5.
28 Iron Age, Mar. 17, 1980, p. 37.
24 Iron Age, Nov. 20, 1978, p. 75 ff.
11John Duke, “Construction machinery industry posts slow rise in
productivity,” Monthly Labor Review, July 1980, pp. 33-36.
31 A Short History o f Machine Tools. See especially pp. 147-48, and
223. See also David F. Noble, “Social Choice in Machine Design: The
Case of Automatically Controlled Machine Tools,” in Andrew Zimbalist, ed., Case Studies on the Labor Process (New York, Monthly Re
view Press, 1979), pp. 18-50.
32A. Harvey Belitsky, “Metalworking Machinery,” in Technology
and Labor in Five Industries (Bureau of Labor Statistics, forthcoming).
33 Iron Age, Dec. 17, 1979.
14American Machinist, December 1979, p. 82.
32 William J. Abernathy, The Productivity Dilemma, Roadblock to
Innovation in the Automobile Industry (Baltimore, The Johns Hopkins
Press, 1978), p. 61.
Transformer industry
productivity slows
Annual productivity increases
averaged 2.4 percent during 1963-79,
slowing since 1972 to 1.5 percent;
computer-assisted design and
product standardization aided growth
in output per employee-hour
Phyllis F lohr Otto
Productivity in the transformer industry increased at an
average annual rate of 2.4 percent from 1963 to 1979,
about the same as the 2.5 percent-rate shown by all
manufacturing establishments.1 The growth in produc
tivity in the transformer industry was the result of out
put gains averaging 3.7 percent and advances in em
ployee-hours, averaging 1.3 percent. (See table 1.)
This growth occurred because of many factors, most
importantly the change to a straight-line production
process incorporating assembly line techniques because
of the expanding use of computers. Another reason for
the rise in productivity was a rapid increase in capital
expenditures per employee in the mid-1960’s. These pur
chases of new plant and equipment, coupled with out
put growth, produced operating efficiencies.
The long-term productivity trend can be broken into
two distinct periods: from 1963 to 1972, productivity
increased an average of 3.8 percent; from 1972, it rose
only 1.5 percent a year.
An expansive period, 1963-72
As productivity grew in the transformer industry
from 1963 to 1972, output per employee-hour for all
manufacturing increased too, but at only a 2.3-percent
rate. Output in the industry showed gains averaging 7.7
percent annually; employee-hours advanced only 3.7
percent.
Phyllis Flohr Otto is an economist in the Office of Productivity and
Technology, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Short-term changes in productivity are frequently
linked to changes in output levels. Very large increases
in transformer industry output occurred in 1964 (13.7
percent) and 1965 (18 percent). These jumps in output
were associated with large gains in productivity, 8.6 and
9.0 percent. Output rose every year during 1963-72,
and productivity fell only twice.
During this extended period of output growth there
were significant changes in technology and production
flow leading to a higher rate of productivity gain than
in the more current period. The sustained output
growth enabled companies in the industry to invest in
more efficient plant and equipment and to hold on to
experienced, productive employees.
There were several reasons for this rapid output
growth. Demand from electric utilities grew because
they were making extensive additions to their generating
capacities, requiring more transformers. Furthermore,
regional pool formation required interconnections be
tween power companies, also increasing demand for
transformers. Installed generating capacity in the Unit
ed States increased 83 percent between 1963 and 1972;
and additions to this capacity rose an average of 9.3
percent a year.2 Overall economic growth aided trans
former markets during this period. For example, distri
bution transformers were increasingly needed as new
electrical lines were extended into undeveloped neigh
borhoods. Permits for new housing were issued at a rate
of 4.8 percent annually from 1963-72. (For the entire
period, 1963 to 1979, they were issued at a rate of 0.9
35
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Productivity in Transformer Industry
Table 1. Productivity and related indexes for
transformers
[1977 = 100]
Employee-hours
Output per employee-hour
Year
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
NonProduc
produc Output
All em
tion
tion
ployees workers
workers
67.5
73.3
79.9
75.8
75.5
80.2
88.6
89.1
94.4
98.1
96.9
92.7
89.3
90.1
100.0
103.4
108.3
67.6
71.9
77.0
72.9
73.0
77.5
85.1
84.9
90.1
94.1
91.5
88.5
92.0
92.0
100.0
102.1
105.7
67.1
77.0
87.4
83.7
82.1
87.1
97.7
100.6
105.8
109.1
112.4
104.2
83.9
85.9
100.0
106.7
114.6
51.9
59.0
69.6
74.1
79.5
85.5
92.3
96.7
97.8
104.5
115.7
113.0
85.5
86.2
100.0
106.7
112.5
NonProduc
produc
All em
tion
tion
ployees workers
workers
76.9
80.5
87.1
97.7
105.3
106.6
104.2
108.5
103.6
106.5
119.4
121.9
95.7
95.7
100.0
103.2
103.9
76.8
82.1
90.4
101.7
108.9
110.3
108.5
1139
108.5
111.1
126.5
127.7
92.9
93.7
100.0
104.5
106.4
77.3
76.6
79.6
88.5
96.8
98.2
94.5
96.1
92.4
95.8
102.9
108.4
101.9
100.3
100.0
100.0
98.2
Average annual rates of change (in percent)
1963-79 .
1963-72 .
1972-79 .
2.4
3.8
1.5
2.6
3.4
2.1
2.1
4.9
( 1)
3.7
7.7
-0 .3
1.3
3.7
-1 .8
1.1
4.1
-2 .3
1.6
2.7
0.3
1Less than 0.05 percent.
percent). Demand from industry grew. Industry uses
transformers to step down distribution voltages for the
operation of machinery. Industrial production advanced
4.6 percent a year.3 Growth in output of specialty trans
formers, such as fluorescent lamp ballasts, is tied to
new industrial and commercial construction. This con
struction was done at a rate of 3.7 percent annually. In
creased demand for such specialty products aids
productivity growth because long runs of similar items
reduce downtime for such operations as resetting ma
chines for differing models.
Another reason for industry output increases during
1963-72 was growth in the replacement market for dis
tribution transformers. The capacity of these transform
ers improved during this period. Replacing transformers
with upgraded units tended to increase electrical system
network reliability.
While the output of the transformer industry was in
creasing at nearly 8 percent a year, employee-hours
grew at the lower rate of 3.7 percent. Production work
er-hours advanced more rapidly than the all-employee
average, 4.1 percent annually. Nonproduction workerhours increased at only 2.7 percent. This lower rate of
growth in nonproduction worker-hours can be attribut
ed to increased use of computer-assisted design, which
sharply reduced the number of engineering hours re
quired to design power transformers.
Despite the general growth trend of the period, there
were 2 years of productivity declines— 5.1 percent in
1966 and 0.4 percent in 1967. Output showed healthy
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increases in both of these years (6.5 and 7.3 percent);
however, employee-hours increased more than output
(12.2 and 7.8 percent). This was the result of strained
capacity in the industry. By 1966, there had been sever
al years of large output increases (in 1964, 13.7 percent,
and in 1965, 18 percent) and the industry was experi
encing shortages of skilled labor, materials, and compo
nents, resulting in productivity falloffs.4
Industry capacity began expanding in m id-1967,
relieving some of these constraints on productivity
growth.
A jump in productivity of 10.5 percent in 1969 was
the result of a fairly sizable increase in output of 8 per
cent, while employee-hours fell 2.3 percent. One of the
largest companies in the industry had a major and
lengthy strike that year, resulting in the decrease in em
ployee-hours. However, competitors were able to take
up the slack without major increases in their own work
forces.
Slow-up in the 1970’s
As noted, productivity increased only 1.5 percent a
year in the more recent period, 1972-79. Output de
creased an average of 0.3 percent annually, heavily in
fluenced by the 1974-75 recession. A small decline in
output in 1974 of 2.3 percent was followed by a much
larger output drop in 1975, 24.3 percent. Demand from
major markets for transformers showed deterioration in
1974 and 1975. Industrial and commercial construction
dropped 8.6 percent in 1974 and 17.6 percent in 1975.
The number of new housing permits issued began de
creasing in 1973, falling 18.3 percent. This decline con
tinued during the recession of 1974-75. The number of
permits issued fell 40.5 percent in 1974 and 12.7 percent
in 1975. Industrial production also dropped, 0.4 percent
in 1974 and 8.9 percent in 1975. Although electrical ca
pacity continued to increase, the amount of the gains in
both these years was lower than in 1973.
The 1974-75 recession hit the industry sharply. In
1975, at least three large establishments were closed
and most manufacturers cut back on their work force.
Despite this, employee-hours declined less than output,
and productivity fell 3.7 percent. On the other hand,
the economic slowdown of 1970-71 did not cause any
actual decline in either productivity or output. Al
though the latter increased only 1.1 percent in 1971, the
industry cut back employee-hours 4.5 percent; produc
tivity rose 5.9 percent.
Most of the markets for transformers have shown de
clines or slowdowns in the more recent period, resulting
in the overall falloif in output of 0.3 percent per year.
Additions to installed generating capacity decreased at
an average of 8.4 percent a year between 1972 and
1978. The number of new housing permits authorized
fell at a rate of 2.0 percent. Industrial and commercial
construction also declined, by 0.3 percent. The only
positive indicator was industrial production which in
creased 3.1 percent annually, substantially slower than
the earlier 4.6-percent rate.
Other factors which adversely affected demand and
productivity during this period included the shortage
and increased price of petroleum products. The rate of
increase in electrical energy sold has slowed considera
bly. Utilities have required fewer additional transform
ers. Also, many of the insulating fluids used by the
industry are petroleum based, and spot shortages oc
curred during the oil boycott, adversely affecting the
production process.
Some shifts in use of materials which increased labor
requirements temporarily in the industry included a
changeover from copper to aluminum windings used in
transformers. For low-voltage applications, this oc
curred in the mid-1960’s. Later, aluminum began to be
used in high-voltage applications. This changeover did
not begin until the early 1970’s; it required modifiying
design libraries in the computer; Also, different types of
connectors had to be designed to connect the copper
terminations to the aluminum windings.
Employment rises faster than hours
Employment in the transformer industry has been in
creasing more quickly than hours. Although employeehours rose 1.3 percent between 1963 and 1979, employ
ment advanced slightly more, 1.4 percent. Average
weekly hours of production workers decreased 0.3 per
cent a year.
The number of production workers has increased an
average of 1.4 percent annually, and their hours, 1.1
percent. At the same time, nonproduction workers and
their hours have shown advances of 1.3 and 1.6 percent.
The net result is that output per production workerhour, at 2.6 percent, has been rising faster than output
per all employee-hour. The opposite is true of output
per nonproduction worker-hour, which shows an aver
age annual gain of 2.1 percent.
Industry structure
The transformer was invented in the late 1800’s.
Since then, the industry has been dominated by a few
large companies. However, many small firms have man
aged to succeed by specializing in one product rather
than offering a complete array. The concentration ratio
for the industry (the proportion of shipments accounted
for by the four largest companies) fell from 68 percent
in 1963 to 59 percent in 1972.
The products made in this industry cover a broad
spectrum of sizes and markets. Power and distribution
transformers, used by utilities and industry, made up 62
percent of transformer shipments in 1979. Fluorescent
lamp ballasts, most of which are installed in new com
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mercial and industrial buildings, accounted for 13 per
cent of these shipments; other specialty transformers
made up 17 percent. This latter category consists of toy
and doorbell transformers, machine tool control trans
formers, and other miscellaneous items. The fourth cate
gory; power regulators, boosters, reactors, and other
transformers; accounted for 8 percent of 1979 ship
ments.
About half of the manufacturing facilties are located
in the Middle Atlantic and East North Central parts of
the country. There has been growth in the number of
plants in the South and South Central States. Com
bined, they accounted for 15 percent of the establish
ments in 1963 and 25 percent in 1977.
The average number of workers in a transformer
plant, 155, is about three times that for total U.S. man
ufacturing, 53. In 1977, 41 percent of the industry’s em
ployees worked in establishments with 1,000 employees
or more. At the total U.S. manufacturing level, this was
true for only 29 percent of the employees.
Technology and capital expenditures
Capital expenditures per employee in the transformer
industry increased at a lower rate than the all-manufac
turing average between 1963 and 1979. While these ex
penditures rose an average 8.8 percent a year at the
total manufacturing level, the transformer industry has
had gains of only 5.9 percent.
The number and hours of nonproduction workers
had a lower rate of growth than those of production
workers in the 1960’s because of the increased use of
computer-assisted design. Power transformers must be
custom designed and are generally sold by bid. Custom
designing is necessary because each individual commu
nity or plant has its own specific electrical needs and
standards. These include the size of the transformer and
the capacity which will be needed. In addition, visibility
and noise levels must be considered.
Because of the need for custom design, orders for
these types of transformer units must be submitted up
to a year in advance. In the late 1950’s, the industry be
gan to use computers to do routine engineering work.
Manual transformer design required an engineer and
several assistants and took months. Once the computers
were programmed, they could do the same job in a few
days.
In the process of preparing a bid for power trans
formers, a company must complete about 50 percent of
the design work. Although several bids will be submit
ted, only one firm will receive the contract. Prior to the
computerization of the design work, many months of
engineering time went into every contract. Computers
reduced this effort substantially.
Most of the larger firms in the industry had already
made the changeover to computer-assisted design by
37
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Productivity in Transformer Industry
1963. However, some of the productivity gain came
about as the smaller companies began adopting the pro
cedure. In addition, productivity growth was realized
throughout the industry during this period because the
technology became more efficient as the design libraries
were expanded to cover additional variables. Also, the
computers were more fully utilized to handle larger
numbers of tasks related to transformer design. In de
signing a transformer, the computer chooses the parts.
It was possible to program the computer to go one step
further and do the cost estimates for parts. It can also
be programmed to make drawings for the shop floor,
decreasing the amount of labor required to draft them
by hand.
An important by-product of computer design was
that, in order to make the system work, it was neces
sary to standardize the product. Standardization al
lowed the industry to change from job shop procedures
to assembly line manufacture, using a more efficient fac
tory layout. This was the primary force behind acceler
ated productivity growth during the late 1960’s.
In the job shop, each item was designed and built
individually. Because there was little standardization of
the product, manufacturing machinery was not auto
mated. However, following standardization, the use of
more automatic equipment became possible. Transform
er tanks, the metal enclosures which hold the trans
former and insulating oil, could be made in a few basic
styles. This fabrication was done using increasingly
available numerically controlled machinery to cut, bend,
punch, and drill the metal. This same machinery is also
used to cut strips of metal to the size needed to make
the transformer core, which is composed of layers of
thin metal pieces that form the central functioning part
of the transformer.
As the industry’s manufacturing machinery became
more complex, more automatic controls were built in,
leading to less operator setup and running time. For ex
ample, use of punched tape on numerically controlled
machines freed the operators to run more machines in
the same amount of time.
Bushings, the insulators used to protect the power
lines where they enter the transformers, were originally
made of porcelain. In the late 1960’s, there was a switch
to epoxy. Because of this change in material, greater de
sign flexibility in transformers was possible. Also, labor
requirements were reduced because fewer parts needed
to be assembled.
Additional technological advancement
More recent changes in technology have included
equipment to improve the impregnation and dryout of
transformer insulation systems and assemblies. There
has also been the introduction of machinery for the au
tomatic coating and drying of laminations.
Digitized 38
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In addition to their contribution in design and ac
counting work, computers are also being used on the
factory floor to monitor work as it flows through the
workplace. Having been used to design the product and
produce the drawings, computers are also used to set
up the machinery for production. They schedule work,
load machinery, and make sure that necessary materials
are on hand. The inventory control functions of com
puters have reduced the need for clerical workers. Com
puters keep track of inventory, estimate the needs for
materials, and initiate orders for materials which are in
short supply by printing purchase orders.
The changeover to new factories which use straightline production flow has enabled transformer manufac
turers to install material handling systems which have
increased productivity considerably. Power transformers
are heavy; they are carried through the workplace by
mobile and bridge cranes, roller and belt conveyors,
fork trucks, and monorail systems. Drag chain systems,
installed in the floor, carry transformer assemblies on
dollies. One spokesman claimed that straightening the
assembly line can reduce the number of times each
transformer must be moved during assembly by 75 per
cent, and total manufacturing time by 25 percent.5
There have also been a few changes in fluorescent
lamp ballasts which have contributed to productivity
growth. Many of these changes were small. Because of
frequent design changes, it has not been feasible to
mechanize the entire ballast manufacturing operation.
By 1963, core winding was mechanized. The innovation
was the introduction of multiple winding machines
which enabled one worker to handle many more coils
than before.
Changes have been made in transformer electrical
connections which have lowered labor requirements.
Originally, connections were hand-soldered. Now, most
are either brazed, in which the copper pieces are placed
together and run under a torch, or wave-soldered,
which eliminates cleaning operations and is semiauto
matic.
Looking ahead
Offsetting trends in demand for transformers and
possible changes in product design will probably lead to
continued modest advances in productivity. Electric
utilities, by far the largest customer of the industry, are
making less investment in transmission and distribution.
As consumers and industry attempt to save on the use
of electricity in the face of rapid rate increases, utilities
have experienced over-capacity and low growth in peak
demand. Housing starts in the near future are also un
certain, affecting the market for distribution transform
ers.
The market for specialty transformers poses other
problems, with a resultant impact on output growth.
Because of increasing costs and spot shortages of these
items, equipment manufacturers have become disen
chanted. Many have begun to either make their own
transformers or design their equipment to eliminate or
cut down the number of transformers needed, or both.
Offsetting this trend to some extent, a new type of
fluorescent lamp ballast has been designed using solid
state technology and transitors. The cost of this type of
unit is currently much higher than a conventional unit,
resulting in little use of it.
One major technological revolution in the industry,
already in the testing phase, is the use of metallic glass
in transformers. This material, which could replace con
ventional steel in many applications, has many advan
tages in transformer operation. Metallic glass is a spe
cial type of steel which would operate at significantly
lower temperature than present types of transformers,
leading to their complete change. If the use of metallic
glass becomes feasible and the industry shifts over to it,
the short-term effect could be a drop in productivity. Its
use would require complete redesign of transformers,
new machinery, and retraining of the work force. How
ever, in the longer run, if manufacturers invest heavily
in new equipment which would tend to be more auto
matic, the use of this material could lead to productivi
ty growth.
□
FOOTNOTES
' Average annual rates of change are based on the linear least
squares trends of the logarithms of the index numbers. The trans
former industry is designated industry 3612 in the Standard Industrial
Classification Manual 1972, issued by the Office of Management and
Budget. The industry comprises establishments. primarily engaged in
the manufacture of power, distribution, instrument, and specialty
transformers. The indexes for this industry will be updated and in
cluded in the annual BLS bulletin, Productivity Indexes for Selected
Industries. A technical note describing them is available upon request.
2Based on data from the Federal Power Commission as cited in the
Statistical Year Book of the Electric Utility Industry, various issues, put
out by the Edison Electric Institute. In addition to electric utilities,
the numbers include the capabilities of industrial, mine, and railway
electric power plants.
Industrial Production 1976 Revision (Washington, Board of Gover
nors of the Federal Reserve System, Division of Research and Statis
tics, Business Conditions Section, December 1977). This has been
updated with press releases, which were also used.
4 Howard E. Way, “Power, Distribution and Specialty Transform
ers,” U.S. Industrial Outlook 1966 (U.S. Department of Commerce,
Business and Defense Services Administration, December 1965), Ch.
19, pp. 129-131.
5“GE Dedicates Major Facility for Power Transformer Work,”
Electronic News, June 24, 1968, p. 37.
APPENDIX: Measurement techniques and limitations
Indexes of output per employee-hour measure chang
es in the relation between the output of an industry and
employee-hours expended on that output. An index of
output per employee-hour is derived by dividing an in
dex of output by an index of industry employee-hours.
The preferred output index for manufacturing indus
tries would be obtained from data on quantities of the
various goods produced by the industry, each weighted
(multiplied) by the employee-hours required to produce
one unit of each good in some specified base period.
Thus, those goods which require more labor time to
produce are given more importance in the index.
In the absence of adequate physical quantity data,
the output index for this industry was constructed by a
deflated value technique. The value of shipments of each
of the various product classes was adjusted for price
changes by appropriate Producer Price Indexes to de
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rive real output measures. These, in turn, were com
bined with employee-hour weights to obtain the overall
output measure. These procedures result in a final out
put index that is conceptually close to the preferred
output measure.
Employment and employee-hour indexes were derived
from BLS data. Employees and employee-hours are each
considered homogeneous and additive and thus do not
reflect changes in the qualitative aspects of labor, such
as skill and experience.
The indexes of output per employee-hour do not mea
sure the specific contributions of individual factors, such
as that of labor or capital. Rather, they reflect the joint
effect of many factors; for example, changes in technolo
gy, capital investment, capacity utilization, plant design
and layout, skill and effort of the work force, manageri
al ability, and labor-management relations.
39
Technical Note
BLS job cross-classification system
relates information from six sources
John Thompson
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has developed a cross
classification system designed to make occupational in
formation more useful in career guidance and job place
ment (exhibit l).1It enables researchers to integrate and
compare data from six sources and represents a major
step toward completing a coordinated system now being
developed by the National Occupational Information
Coordinating Committee (noicc). Although the cross
walk itself offers no data, it provides a comparison of
job-content information, permitting users to combine
occupational data from the six sources. The “cross
walk” was built by using previous cross-classification
efforts, not only from the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
but also from the Employment and Training Adminis
tration, the Department of Commerce, and the Depart
ment of Education.
The crosswalk contains cross-classified codes for the
Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Edition; Occupa
tional Employment Statistics Survey (oes); OES indus
try-occupational matrix; 1977 and 1980 Standard
Occupational Classification system (soc); 1970 Census
of Population; and the Office (now Department) of Edu
cation’s Instructional Programs Classification categories.
Dictionary of Occupational Titles
The Dictionary of Occupational Titles is the largest
and most comprehensive system of classifying occupa
tions. It contains titles and descriptive information for
purposes of job placement, employment counseling, oc
cupational guidance and career guidance, and other
labor market information services. Its need was recog
nized in the mid-1930’s with the establishment of the
Federal-State Public Employment Service system. As
one facet of public employment services operations, an
occupational research program was initiated, using ana
lysts in field stations throughout the country to collect
job information. Based on the field centers’ work, the
John Thompson is an economist in the Office of Employment Struc
ture and Trends, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
40
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first edition of the Dictionary was published in 1939.
The first edition contained job definitions that were
assigned a 5-digit or 6-digit code, placing them in one of
550 occupational groups and indicating if the jobs were
skilled, semiskilled, or unskilled. Subsequent editions re
flected continued field-center work and changes in occu
pations and the economy, including scientific and tech
nical developments.
The latest dictionary (fourth edition, 1977) defines
12,099 occupations, organized according to their simi
larities. Definitions are based on studies of how similar
jobs are performed throughout the Nation. The diction
ary’s occupational structure contains 9 broad occupa
tional categories, 82 divisions, and 559 groups. Each oc
cupation in the Dictionary has a 9-digit code that re
flects the kind and level of work performed.
For example, the job “cloth printer” has the code
652.382.010. The first digit (6) is the occupational cate
gory and indicates that the job is a machine trade. The
second digit (5) is the division level and indicates the
job is in printing. The third digit (2) is the occupational
group and indicates the job involves a printing machine.
The middle three digits are the worker function ratings
of the tasks performed. They indicate the degree of the
job’s relationship to data, people, and things. In this ex
ample, the digits indicate that the job has an average
relationship to data (3), a lower relationship to people
(8), and a strong relationship to things (2). The last
three digits of the code have no special significance;
they indicate the alphabetical order of the defined job
titles within the first six digits. A number of defined oc
cupations may have the same first six digits, but no two
can have the same nine digits.
Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
The Occupational Employment Statistics Survey is
the most detailed survey that gathers data on occupa
tional employment. Its classification system, developed
especially for it by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is
composed of specifically defined occupations.
The need for current, reliable, national and local data
on job skills in industry was realized when the Presi
dent’s Committee to Appraise Employment and Un
employment Statistics (the Gordon Committee, 1962)
evaluated all the available data collected at that time.
The committee concluded that relatively little is known
about current changes in the number of workers
employed in each important occupation, and in the
economy’s occupational structure as a whole.
In addition, legislation calls for programs to train
workers, enhancing the need for gathering detailed job
data by industry. The Manpower Development and
Training Act of 1962 directed the Secretary of Labor to
develop, compile, and make available information re
garding skill requirements, job outlook, job opportuni
ties, labor supply in various skills, and employment
trends. This was to be done on a national, State, area,
or other basis for purposes of education, training, coun
seling, and job placement. Also, the Vocational Educa
tion Act of 1963, as amended, called for the devel
opment of State vocational education plans that
consider projections of occupational requirements. The
Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973
called for development of a comprehensive system of la
bor market information.
Because of these laws, and to meet the needs of gov
ernment planners and researchers in the field of
employment and industrial management, the Bureau of
Labor Statistics and the Employment and Training A d
ministration initiated the OES Survey program. OES has
been adopted as the primary source of occupational de
mand data for NOICC purposes.
Since 1971, in cooperation with the State employment
agencies, OES has conducted yearly surveys of nonfarm
establishments to obtain estimates of wage and salary
employment by occupation and industry. The survey is
conducted by industry sector on a 3-year cycle and con
sists of specially prepared lists of jobs for each industry.
The occupations were derived primarily from the Dictio
nary of Occupational Titles. In general, however, speci
fic OES occupations represent groups of the Dictionary’s
occupations and are more broadly defined. In addition
to the Dictionary, the OES occupations reflect input
from the 1970 Census of Population and Housing. The
OES Survey currently provides national, State, and area
occupational employment estimates for nearly 1,650 job
categories in more than 300 industries.
The OES classification structure provides for seven
major occupational divisions that are common to all
segments of the economy. These consist of (1) managers
and administrators; (2) professionals; (3) technicians; (4)
service workers; (5) production, maintenance, construc
tion, repair, material handling, and powerplant workers;
(6) clerical workers; and (7) sales workers. These divi
sions are further divided into 24 subdivisions and minor
job groups. Each occupation has been given a 5-digit
code.
For example, the job of “statistician” has the code
22104. The first digit, 2, indicates the job is grouped in
the major occupational division of professional worker.
The second digit, 2, indicates the subdivision of natural
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and mathematical scientist. The third digit, 1, indicates
the minor group of mathematical scientist. The last two
digits identify the specific job and have no special classi
fication significance.
Industry-occupation matrix system
The OES industry-occupation matrix is a system of
occupational staffing patterns cross-classified by indus
try. It provides the foundation of the b l s national occu
pational projections efforts. The staffing patterns are
used with industry employment estimates and projec
tions to estimate national occupational employment and
future occupational requirements. Like the OES Survey,
the concept of a matrix system was partly the result of
the Manpower Development and Training Act of 1962,
which stressed the need for such information.
Originally, the industry-occupation matrix was based
on data from the Census Bureau’s 1950 and 1960
censuses adjusted by BLS annual data for total U.S. em
ployment by industry. This census-based matrix con
tained a cross-relationship of employment for 173
occupations in 124 industries. In subsequent years, it
was expanded to cover approximately 400 occupations
in 200 industries and was based on data from the 1970
census. In the late 1970’s, the primary occupational em
ployment data source for the matrix was changed to the
new OES Survey, although the census is still used for
supplemental data. The current survey-based matrix
contains approximately 1,700 occupations in more than
375 industries. BLS is considering revising the classifica
tion structure and the number of occupations in the ma
trix.
The current matrix classification structure is a 4-level
system: major group, division, subdivision, and detailed
job category. The structure contains nine major groups,
and 226 divisions and subdivisions. Each OES surveybased matrix code contains eight digits that allow for
aggregation at intermediate levels. The older censusbased matrix code uses a similar but distinct 8-digit
coding scheme.
For example, in the current OES survey-based matrix,
the occupation of physical therapist is coded 10101804.
The first two digits, the major group (10), indicate a
professional category. The second two digits, the divi
sion (10), indicate medical worker other than techni
cian. The third set of two digits, the subdivision (18),
indicate therapist. The last two digits, the occupational
category (04), identify the specific job.
Standard Occupational Classification system
In 1977, the first SOC manual was published by the
Office of Federal Statistical Policy and Standards, U.S.
Department of Commerce. It was similar to the Stan
dard Industrial Classification system and established a
new governmentwide standard for occupational classifi41
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 •
Exhibit 1.
Technical Note
Description of data sources in the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational cross-classification system
Occupational
structure
Coverage
Reference
Contact
Source
Frequency
Occupational
Employment
Statistics
Survey
Occupational de
mand information
derived from a sam
ple survey of wage
and salary employ
ees. Survey provides
estimates of current
occupational employ
ment by industry
One-third of
economy an
nually
7 major
occupational
groups, 13 mi
nor occupation
al groups,
Approximately
1,650 occupa
tions
Wage and salary em
ployees in
nonagricultural es
tablishments. Ex
cluded are
proprietors, selfemployed, unpaid
volunteer or family
workers, private
household workers,
and active duty mili
tary personnel
Occupational
Employment
Statistics Dictio
nary of Occupa
tions
U.S. Department of
Labor, Bureau of La
bor Statistics, Divi
sion of Occupational
and Administrative
Statistics
Occupational
Employment
Statistics Matrix
An occupation by in
dustry data base
using OES and Cen
sus employment esti
mates showing
current and project
ed occupational de
mand
Biennially
updated
9 major occu
pational
groups, 36 divi
sions, 190 sub
divisions
(approximately
1,700 occupa
tions)
All occupations and
industries, except ac
tive duty military
personnel
Tomorrow's
Manpower
Needs
U.S. Department of
Labor, Bureau of La
bor Statistics, Office
of Economic Growth
and Employment
Projections
Dictionary of
Occupational
Titles
Classification system
of occupations and
definitions developed
by the U.S. Employ
ment Service to clas
sify job openings
and job applications
Periodically
updated
9 occupational
categories, 82
occupational
divisions, 559
occupational
groups, 12,099
occupations
All occupations and
industries
Dictionary of
Occupational
Titles, 1977
U.S. Department of
Labor, Employment
and Training Admin
istration, U.S. Em
ployment Service,
Office of Technical
Support, Division of
Occupational Analy
sis
Standard Occu
pational Classi
fication
Classification system
of occupations and
definitions developed
by the Office of Fed
eral Statistical Policy
and Standards as a
model for Federal
occupational classifi
cation
Periodically
updated
22 occupational
divisions, 60
major occupa
tional groups,
214 minor oc
cupational
groups, 538
unit occupa
tional groups,
649 occupa
tions
All occupations and
industries
Standard Occu
pational Classi
fication Manual
U.S. Department of
Commerce, Office of
Federal Statistical
Policy and Standards
Bureau of the
Census
Occupational de
mand information
from the decennial
sample survey of
households. Survey
yields estimates of
current occupational
employment, by in
dustry
Entire econ
omy sur
veyed once
every 10
years
12 major
groups, 27 mi
nor groups
All industries, except
active duty military
personnel
Alphabetical
Index of Indus
tries and Occu
pations
U.S. Department of
Commerce, Bureau
of Census, Popula
tion Division
Classification system
of enrollments and
completions in
courses of instruc
tion. Data provides
supply information
relative to enroll
ments and comple
tions in courses of
instruction
Classifica
tion system
periodically
updated.
Data collec
tion annual
ly
Data
Department of
Education
42
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Classified Index
of Industries
and Occupations
22 subjects
Vocational education
programs at the sec
ondary and post-sec
ondary levels
Standard Ter
minology for
Curriculum and
Instruction in
Local School
Systems, State
Education Re
cord and Report
Series, Hand
book VI
U.S. Department of
Education, National
Center for Education
Statistics, Division of
Post-secondary and
Vocational Educa
tion Statistics
cation. The SOC issuance generated a great deal of inter
est and much comment among persons involved in job
classilication. Accordingly, a revised edition of the SOC
was published in 1980.
Lack of comparability among occupational statistics
classification systems used by different government
agencies has been a recurrent problem. In 1938, the
Central Statistical Board (now the Office of Federal Sta
tistical Policy and Standards) and the American Statis
tical Association established the Joint Committee on
Occupational Classification to develop a standard classi
fication system. By 1940, the committee developed the
Convertibility List of Occupations with Conversion Ta
bles and Industrial Classification for Reports for Indi
viduals. The primary purpose for the convertibility list
and conversion table was to make it possible to com
pare the data collected by the U.S. Employment Service
(using the Dictionary of Occupational Titles system)
with the 1940 census data.
By 1966, however, the convertibility list was obsolete
because both the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and
the census classification system had been extensively
modified. The development of a SOC system began in
1966 on the recommendation of the Government’s
Interagency Committee on Occupational Classification.
In addition to the lack of consistency between the Dic
tionary of Occupational Titles and census classification
systems, several government agencies had created
unique job classification systems for their own specific
purposes. Yet, demands for more comparable occupa
tional data had increased. The 1977 edition and the
subsequent 1980 SOC are a response to those demands.
The 1980 SOC contains approximately 650 occupations
based on a 4-level system: division, major group, minor
group, and unit group. Each level represents occupa
tions grouped in successively finer detail.
For example, the occupation “welding machine oper
ator” has the code 7532. The division can only be
determined by referring to the SOC manual. In this ex
ample, the occupation is grouped within the 18th divi
sion— “production working occupations.” The first two
digits (75), represent the major group, “machine operat
ing and tending.” The third digit (3), is the minor
group. It indicates that the job involves metal fabricat
ing by machine. The fourth digit (2), is the unit group,
and identifies the specific occupation.
Censos Occupational Classification system
Census occupational data result from two sample sur
vey efforts, the decennial Census of Population and
Housing and the monthly Current Population Survey
( c p s ). The most currently available decennial census oc
cupational data are from the 1970 census, which collect
ed data from about 20 percent of households, using two
types of questionnaires. The responses were classified
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into 417 occupations in 215 industries. The monthly
CPS collects occupational data from about 60,000 of the
approximately 82 million households (0.7 percent) in
the United States. The CPS data provide national occu
pational trend information. However, the limited sam
ple does not support State or State subdivision
occupational estimates. The CPS uses the decennial cen
sus classification structure of occupational coding.
For many years, the only comprehensive occupational
data source was from the decennial census sample. The
Bureau of the Census began collecting occupational
data in 1850. However, during 1870-1930 the classi
fication was primarily of employment in large industrial
divisions and did not represent occupational classifica
tion systems structured around common worker tasks.
In 1940, the census classification scheme began to change
direction, moving toward an occupational classification
structure that categorized workers by job duties and
not solely on the basis of the industries where workers
were employed. Since 1940, the occupational structure
has been revised and expanded with each decennial cen
sus.
The 1970 census classification structure is arranged
into 12 major occupational groups and contains 417 oc
cupational categories, each of which is assigned a 3-dig
it code. For example, the occupation “dental hygenist”
has the code 081. However, the major group can only
be determined by referring to the classification manual;
in this case it is within the first major group— “profes
sional, technical, and kindred workers.”
Department of Education program
In 1966, the Office (now Department) of Education
developed a classification system of instructional pro
grams to identify, classify, and describe information
about subject matter and curriculum. For planning pur
poses, the system categorizes enrollments and comple
tions in various vocational education programs, and it
provides information relative to the supply of trained
applicants in various fields. This classification system is
distinct from the other five in the crosswalk because it
pertains primarily to a classification of instructional
programs, not to occupations. However, users often
need to relate instructional programs to occupational
data, so instructional program codes are included in the
crosswalk.
The Department of Education’s classification system
and definitions were developed by a Federal-State task
force that studied education records, reporting forms,
and professional literature; and that conducted numer
ous conferences with educators. Twenty subjects are de
fined, plus one area for co-curricular activities and one
for general education, both elementary and secondary.
The OES crosswalk currently uses the seven subjects
that specifically identify vocational-technical instruction43
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Technical Note
al programs. The coding system provides a distinct,
2-digit identification code for each educational program
area and more detailed codes for a classified programs
within each area. The codes for a specific program
usually are limited to six digits. However, in a few
cases, 8-digit codes are assigned. The classification
structure is based on a 4-level system: subject, principal
segment of subject, division of principal segment, and
first-level detail of division of principal segment. Each
level represents programs grouped in successively finer
detail.
An example of an instructional program in the cross
walk is that of heavy equipment maintenance, coded
17.100301. The first 2-digit position, the subject, is 17,
and indicates the program concerns trade and industrial
occupations. The second 2-digit position, the principal
segment of the subject matter, is 10, and indicates the
program concerns construction and maintenance trades.
The third 2-digit position, division of principal segment,
is 03, and indicates the program involves heavy con
struction equipment. The last 2-digit position, first-level
detail, is 01, and indicates maintenance of heavy equip
ment.
Future directions
The 1981 OES crosswalk allows occupational data
users to draw from many diverse sources. Although the
crosswalk greatly facilitates cross-classification analysis,
users should note that many compatibility problems re
main. The future, however, is brighter, because some of
the programs are undergoing classification changes. In
44
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
many cases, the new Standard Occupational Classifica
tion has provided the much needed focus for these
changes, which will greatly reduce, although not elimi
nate, cross-classification problems.
The Occupational Employment Statistics Survey pro
gram is currently doing conversion work that will make
the survey classification system generally compatible
with the 1980 SOC. The 1980 Census of Population data
are being coded to a revised classification system that is
also generally compatible with the 1980 SOC. In addi
tion, the National Occupational Information Coordinat
ing Committee has adopted the 1980 SOC as its
principal classification structure. The Department of
Education has recently completed a change in its basic
classification structure that, when implemented, will or
ganize the classification of all educational programs into
a single unified system, called Classification of Instruc
tional Programs ( c i p ). Work is now underway to crossclassify the new CIP codes to the Dictionary of Occupa
tional Titles and the 1980 SOC.
The OES crosswalk will be expanded to include the
new information when any occupational data program
becomes cross-classified with any program already in
the crosswalk. These additions and updates to the
crosswalk system will increase its utility for users.
□
--------- FOOTNOTE---------1For more information about the OES crosswalk, contact the Divi
sion of Occupational and Administrative Statistics, Office of Employ
ment Structure and Trends, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 441 G Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20212.
Family Budgets
Autumn 1980 retired couple budgets:
increase is largest in 6 years
Table 2. Percentage changes in budgets for an urban
retired couple, autumn 1979 to autumn 1980
Budget
Component
Rising transportation and medical costs contributed to
the largest increases since 1973-74 in the three hypo
thetical budgets for a retired couple. In autumn 1980,
urban average budgets were $6,644 at the lower level,
$9,434 at the intermediate level, and $13,923 at the
higher level (table 1). From autumn 1979 to autumn
1980, the lower level budget rose 10.3 percent, the in
termediate, 10.2 percent, and the higher 9.9 percent (ta
ble 2).
Consumption costs for the three budgets rose by the
same percentages as for the total budget: 10.3 for the
lower, 10.2 for the intermediate, and 9.9 for the higher.
Among the components, the largest increase was in
transportation, which rose 16 percent for the lower and
intermediate budgets, and 14 percent for the higher
budget. Transportation in the lower and intermediate
budgets contains a larger proportion of public transpor
tation than in the higher budget. Therefore, the two
lower levels were affected more by the large increases in
public transportation charges during the period. Prices
for medical care also rose sharply, increasing costs by
13 percent at each budget level. Total costs in the medi
cal care component for autumn 1980 contain a prelimi
nary estimate of out-of-pocket costs for medicare.
Table 1. Summary of annual budgets for an urban retired
couple at three levels of living, autumn 1980
Budget
Component
Total budget1 ...........
Total family consumption . . .
F o o d .................................
Housing.............................
Transportation..................
Clothing.............................
Personal care ..................
Medical care ....................
Other family consumption .
Other Item s...........................
Lower
$6,644
6,358
2,082
2,169
487
236
184
944
255
286
Intermediate
$9,434
8,866
2,772
3,106
950
396
269
950
424
568
Higher
$13,923
12,885
3,482
4,860
1,748
609
394
956
837
1,037
1Beginning with the autumn 1973 updating of the budgets, the total budget is defined as
the sum of “ total family consumption” and “ other items.’’
N ote :
Because of rounding, sums of individual Items may not equal totals.
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Total b u d g e t.............
Total family consumption . . .
Food .................................
Housing.............................
Transportation ..................
Clothing.............................
Personal c a re ....................
Medical care ....................
Other family consumption .
Other ite m s ...........................
Lower
Intermediate
10.3
10.3
10.6
8.7
16.0
4.9
8.9
12.8
9.0
10.4
10.2
10.2
10.6
8.5
15.9
4.8
8.9
12.8
8.7
10.3
Higher
9.9
9.9
10.6
8.5
14.4
4.8
8.8
12.7
8.7
9.2
The housing component includes costs for shelter,
furnishings, and household operations, and assumes
that retired couples either rent or own their homes free
of mortgage and interest payments. Renter costs include
average contract rent plus heating fuel, gas, electricity,
water, specified equipment, and insurance on household
contents. Homeowner costs include property taxes, wa
ter, refuse disposal, heating fuel, gas, electricity, speci
fied equipment, home repair and maintenance, and in
surance on house and contents.
The “other family consumption” component includes
costs for reading materials, recreation, tobacco, alcohol
ic beverages, and miscellaneous items.
The budgets represent the costs of hypothetical lists
of goods and services that were specified in the
mid-1960’s to portray three relative levels of living.
They are designed for a precisely defined retired couple
— a husband age 65 or over, and wife. The couple is as
sumed to be self-supporting, residing in an urban area,
in good health, and able to care for themselves. The dif
ferent budget levels provide different qualities and quan
tities of goods and services. They do not include per
sonal income taxes. The lower budget was not designed
as a subsistence or poverty level, but simply as a level
somewhat lower than the intermediate.
The 1980 budgets were estimated by applying price
changes for individual areas from autumn 1979 to au
tumn 1980, as reported in the Consumer Price Index for
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers ( c pi -w ), to
the appropriate autumn 1979 budget costs for each
main class of goods and services. As a result of the revi45
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Family Budgets
Table 3.
Indexes of comparative costs based on an intermediate budget for a retired couple, autumn 1980
[U.S. urban average cost = 100]
Family consumption
Area
Urban United S ta te s..................
Metropolitan areas2 .............
Nonmetropolitan areas3 . . . .
Total
budget
Food
Housing
Total
consump
tion
Total
At
home
100
103
90
100
103
90
100
101
96
100
101
98
117
106
113
104
102
101
117
106
113
104
102
101
106
103
112
112
104
103
98
98
104
101
99
103
100
100
92
98
98
104
101
99
103
100
100
92
93
99
95
98
109
86
Transpor
tation 1
Clothing
Personal
care
Medical
care
Other
family
consump
tion
Renter
Homeowner
100
107
80
100
108
77
100
106
83
100
101
96
100
102
94
100
98
107
100
101
98
100
107
78
106
105
109
107
104
104
141
109
136
109
99
101
129
101
121
103
88
102
170
115
163
117
102
123
105
115
71
89
114
107
110
116
93
72
102
102
88
88
102
84
88
100
97
94
100
100
99
97
117
105
109
105
105
77
100
102
101
99
99
97
98
105
96
101
103
99
100
100
95
98
105
98
96
91
107
102
91
106
100
93
85
104
82
106
107
80
105
116
87
89
89
89
112
105
85
110
85
84
89
92
100
107
107
109
110
106
113
93
94
116
106
98
107
111
104
98
107
90
84
118
98
115
94
98
92
115
102
100
96
99
103
100
94
97
97
117
106
110
107
109
108
112
101
79
93
99
95
98
109
86
96
97
94
98
106
95
94
96
93
96
107
97
79
98
88
91
112
72
79
98
96
81
114
61
58
78
76
87
107
70
114
108
112
104
110
95
109
103
96
104
101
80
91
104
101
113
118
103
98
97
103
106
104
99
107
104
101
100
115
77
98
99
97
107
109
116
92
98
99
97
107
109
116
92
94
97
95
101
100
128
96
94
95
92
101
99
131
97
93
94
90
106
118
110
82
84
128
113
133
146
154
85
79
69
74
81
99
76
81
110
119
112
124
111
123
96
130
93
92
110
112
104
113
99
94
92
117
110
110
118
98
109
105
108
103
102
100
107
98
103
109
114
116
81
130
130
120
121
144
179
131
127
129
177
123
89
Total
Northeast:
Boston, Mass...........................
Buffalo, N.Y.............................
New York-Northeastern N.J. .
Philadelphia, Pa.-N.J................
Pittsburgh, Pa..........................
Nonmetropolitan areas3 . . . .
North Central:
Chicago, lll.-Northwestern Ind.
Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky.-Ind...........
Cleveland, Ohio ....................
Detroit, Mich............................
Kansas City, Mo.-Kans............
Milwaukee, Wis........................
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. ..
St. Louis, Mo.-lll.......................
Nonmetropolitan areas3 . . . .
South:
Atlanta, Ga..............................
Baltimore, Md..........................
Dallas, Tex..............................
Houston, Tex...........................
Washington, D.C.-Md.-Va. . . .
Nonmetropolitan areas3 . . . .
West:
Denver, Colo...........................
Los Angeles-Long Beach, Calif.
San Diego, Calif......................
San Franclsco-Oakland, Calif.
Seattle-Everett, Wash.............
Honolulu, Hawaii....................
Nonmetropolitan areas3 . . . .
Anchorage, A la s k a ....................
'The average costs of automobile owners and nonowners in the intermediate budget
were weighted by the following proportions of families: New York, 25 percent for owners, 75
percent for nonowners; Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, 40 percent for owners, 60 percent for
nonowners; all other metropolitan areas, 60 percent for owners, 40 percent for nonowners;
nonmetropolitan areas, 68 percent for owners, 32 percent for nonowners.
sion of the CPI program in January 1978, individual
area price changes from autumn 1979 to autumn 1980
were available for only 25 family budget areas. Compar
ative indexes for the intermediate budget in these areas
are shown in table 3. The urban U.S. average includes
estimates for the areas previously shown, however, us
ing price data for the appropriate region and population
size classes, which are available from the CPI. Non
metropolitan areas have always been shown as a sepa
rate class, and their costs have been similarly updated.
Indexes of comparative costs for the three retired couple
budgets, by metropolitan area and nonmetropolitan
area, and by region are available from the Bureau of
46
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 As defined in 1960-61. For a detailed description of current and previous geographical
boundaries, see the 1967 edition of Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas, prepared by the
Office of Management and Budget.
3 Places with populations of 2,500 to 50,000. Data for some previously shown are no longer
available.
Labor Statistics upon request.
A comprehensive revision of the Family Budgets Pro
gram, in line with past revisions, is being considered by
the Bureau. A committee of experts has completed an
indepth study of the family budget methodology and
has recommended a new approach.1 Its report is being
reviewed by the Bureau staff" and by other concerned
persons.
□
--------- FOOTNOTE---------1See Harold W. Watts, “Special panel suggests changes in BLS
Family Budget Program,” Monthly Labor Review, December 1980, pp.
3-10.
Research
Summaries
a
o
White-collar workers open 1980’s
with record salary increases
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent survey of
white-collar pay found that increases ranged from 9 to
11 percent during the year ended in March 1981.1 The
1980-81 advances in the national survey of professional,
administrative, technical, and clerical pay surpassed av
erage annual gains recorded for the preceding decade;
commonly 7 to 8 percent a year from 1975 to 1980 and
6 to 7 percent from 1970 to 1975. (See table 1.)
Compared to yearly increases during the 1960’s and
1970’s, the 1980-81 gains were a record for half of the
surveyed occupations permitting comparisons. These oc
cupations were accountants, auditors, directors of per
sonnel, attorneys, buyers, engineers, accounting clerks,
and typists— each experiencing salary increases of 9.6
percent or more during 1980-81. The largest salary hike
Table 1. Percent increases in average salaries, selected
occupations, 1970 to 1981
A n n u al a v e ra g e :
O c c u p a t io n
1 9 8 0 to 1981
1970 to 1975
197 5 to 1980
6.6
6.9
5.9
7.9
8.8
7.2
6.7
6.5
6.2
6.7
6.3
6.0
6.3
6.7
7.3
9.1
7.8
7.3
8.0
8.1
8.2
8.1
10.0
9.5
10.3
7.9
7.6
11.4
9.8
9.8
9.4
10.9
10.2
10.9
6.2
6.5
7.3
6.8
7.4
6.5
7.3
7.3
7.3
6.6
9.3
7.7
9.6
8.0
8.2
9.7
12.1
10.2
Professional, administrative,
and technical support:
Clerical:
Accounting clerks ........................
File c le rk s ......................................
Key entry operators......................
Messengers .................................
Stenographers...............................
Typ sts ..........................................
N ote : Dashes indicate that average was not computed when increases were available
for fewer than 4 years. Increases for computer operators, secretaries, and personnel
clerks/assistants are not shown because of changes in the survey definitions for 1981.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
o
Table 2. Percent increases in average salaries by work
level category, 1970-81
Period
Accountants .................................
Chief accountants ........................
Auditors ........................................
Public accountants........................
Job analysts .................................
Directors of personnel ..................
Attorneys ......................................
Buyers ..........................................
Chemists........................................
Engineers ......................................
Engineering technicians ...............
Drafters ........................................
a
DQflf
Group A (GS
grades 1-4)
Group B (GS
grades 5-9)
Group C (GS
grades 11-15)
1970-81
......................
119.1
112.4
122.3
1970-71
1971-72'
1972-73
1973-74
1974-75
......................
....................
......................
......................
......................
6.2
6.3
5.5
6.2
9.1
6.3
5.2
4.4
5.7
8.6
6.2
5.6
5.7
6.2
8.8
1975-76
1976-77
1977-78
1978-79
1979-80
1980-81
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
7.6
6.9
7.5
7.2
9.1
9.8
6.4
6.3
8.0
7.5
10.1
9.6
6.5
7.7
8.8
8.0
9.3
10.2
1Actual survey-to-survey increases have been prorated to a 12-month period.
(12.1 percent) was posted by stenographers, equaling
their record raise in 1978-79. Two technical support oc
cupations which had record gains during 1978-79—
drafters (11.8 percent) and engineering technicians (11.0
percent)— chalked up salary increases of over 10 per
cent during 1980-81.
Salary increases varied for different levels of occupa
tions. Table 2 shows these levels grouped into three
broad categories: Group A — equates to grades 1-4 of
the Federal Government’s General Salary Schedule
(GS); Group B— GS grades 5-9; and Group C — GS
grades 11-15.2 (See table 3 for identification of the sur
vey classifications that equate to each GS grade for use
in the Federal pay setting process3.) Generally, the
highest occupational levels (Group C) in the survey ex
perienced the largest salary increase since the 1970-71
survey. In 1980-81, this group experienced a 10.2 per
cent increase— highest among the three categories.
Average monthly salaries for occupations studied (ta
ble 3) ranged from $702 for routine file clerks to $5,580
for top level attorneys. These extremes reflect the wide
range of duties and responsibilities represented by the
96 work levels published for the survey. In contrast, the
typical salary spread among jobs of equivalent levels of
work is relatively narrow. Thus, monthly averages for
the six work levels that equate to Federal GS grade 13
ranged from $3,493 for chemists VI to $3,738 for attor
neys IV4— a difference of only 7 percent. Salary
Table 3.
Average monthly salaries of employees in selected white-collar occupations in private establishments, March 1981
All establishments 1
Occupational level and
Federal GS grade
equivalent
Large establishments1
Large
establishment
Number
Monthly
Number
Monthly salaries as a
of
salaries3
of
salaries3 percent of all
employees2 (means) employees2 (means) establishment
salaries
All establishments1
Occupational level and
Federal GS grade
equivalent
Accountants and
Auditors
Accountants
Accountants
Accountants
Accountants
Accountants
Accountants
1(GS-5) . .
II (GS-7) .
III (GS-9) .
IV (GS-11)
V (GS-12) •
VI (GS 13)
Chief Accountants I
(GS 11) ..................
Chief Accountants II
(GS-12) ..................
Chief Accountants III
(GS 13) ..................
Chief Accountants IV
(GS 14) ..................
Auditors
Auditors
Auditors
Auditors
I (G S -5 ).........
II (GS-7) . . . .
III (GS-9) . . . .
IV (GS-11) . . .
Public Accountants I
(GS-7) ....................
Public Accountants II
(GS-9) ....................
Public Accountants III
(GS-11) ..................
Public Accountants IV
(GS-12) ..................
I (GS-9) . . . .
II (GS-11) ..
III (GS-12) ..
IV (GS-13) . .
V (GS-14) ..
VI (GS-15) ..
13,290
21,975
34,450
21,326
8,488
1,539
$1,377
1,679
1,962
2,402
2,928
3,646
3,377
7,352
8,969
6,650
2,997
722
$1,500
1,880
2,098
2,480
2,999
3,675
109
112
107
103
102
101
680
2,631
—
—
—
938
2,963
_
_
_
672
3,708
113
3,562
96
163
4,668
—
1,849
3,251
4,313
2,649
1,364
1,651
2,033
2,456
561
1,020
1,672
1,154
1,433
1,781
2,142
2,581
8,443
1,344
—
—
—
—
—
105
108
105
105
8,721
1,500
—
—
—
7,868
1,786
—
—
—
3,875
2,146
—
—
—
1,586
2,410
3,135
2,535
1,587
666
1,873
2,338
3,031
3,738
4,566
5,580
329
689
989
904
696
323
2,138
2,520
3,144
3,861
4,707
5,759
114
108
104
103
103
103
Buyers
Buyers
Buyers
Buyers
Buyers
I (G S -5)...........
II (GS-7) .........
III (G S -9 ).........
IV (GS-11 ) . . . .
Large
establishment
Number
Monthly
Number
Monthly salaries as a
of
salaries3
of
salaries3 percent of all
employees2 (means) employees2 (means) establishment
salaries
Personnel
Management
Attorneys
Attorneys
Attorneys
Attorneys
Attorneys
Attorneys
Attorneys
Large establishments '
6,664
19,057
17,235
5,539
1,350
1,689
2,100
2,549
1,054
4,803
6,282
3,117
1,534
1,826
2,213
2,612
114
108
105
102
relationships produced by the survey are evidence that
companies recognize equivalent duties and responsibili
ties among a wide range of occupations within broad
categories, such as professional and administrative
workers.
Average salaries developed by the survey do not nec
essarily correspond to pay structures within individual
firms. However, published averages often reflect the im
pact of industry mix and of high or low paying firms on
the survey data, in addition to the range of rate plans
used by many establishments to recognize merit or se
niority among white-collar workers. Table 3 presents
the occupational employment and average salaries of all
establishments covered by the survey and of large estab
lishments (2,500 employees or more). It indicates that
large establishments, as a group, generally have higher
pay levels than the all-establishment averages. However,
the differences between the two sets of averages tend to
Digitized48for FRASER
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Job
Job
Job
Job
Analysts
Analysts
Analysts
Analysts
Directors of
(GS-11)
Directors of
(GS-12)
Directors of
(GS-13)
Directors of
(GS-14)
I (GS-5) . . . .
II (GS-7) . . . .
III (G S -9) . . . .
IV (GS-11) ..
Personnel I
........................
Personnel II
........................
Personnel III
181
424
666
448
$1,412
1,525
1,900
2,393
_
_
_
168
352
325
1,670
1,976
2,413
110
104
101
1,267
2,321
—
—
—
2,053
2,933
—
—
—
..
812
3,574
117
3,899
109
Personnel IV
........................
352
4,493
162
4,846
108
Chemists I (G S -5 ).............
Chemists II (G S -7) ..........
Chemists III (GS-9) ...........
Chemists IV (GS-11 ) .........
Chemists V (GS-12) .........
Chemists VI (GS-13 ) .........
Chemists VII (GS-14 ) .........
3,491
6,131
11,686
11,221
8,708
3,788
1,622
1,508
1,757
2,120
2,567
3,055
3,493
4,070
607
1,891
3,524
3,832
3,161
1,564
693
1,702
1,870
2,251
2,700
3,125
3,597
4,153
113
106
106
105
102
103
102
Engineers I (GS-5) ...........
Engineers II (GS-7) ...........
Engineers III (G S -9 )...........
Engineers IV (GS-11 ) .........
Engineers V (GS-12 ) .........
Engineers VI (GS-13 ) .........
Engineers VII (GS-14) . . . .
Engineers VIII (GS-15) . . . .
28,233
48,312
108,063
134,180
97,379
45,433
14,450
2,785
1,809
1,972
2,229
2,613
3,060
3,552
4,107
4,736
13,596
21,536
49,462
70,265
56,684
27,270
10,269
1,795
1,842
2,022
2,283
2,667
3,090
3,564
4,124
4,790
102
103
102
102
101
100
100
101
5,898
1,137
2,502
1,206
106
18,803
1,307
7,384
1,379
106
31,017
1,527
13,919
1,572
103
35,540
1,803
18,867
1,829
101
19,056
2,051
13,559
2,062
101
Chemists and
Engineers
Technical Support
Engineering Technicians I
(GS 3) ...........................
Engineering Technicians II
(GS 4) ...........................
Engineering Technicians III
(GS-5) ...........................
Engineering Technicians IV
(GS-7) ...........................
Engineering Technicians V
(GS-9) ...........................
vanish, of course, for those work levels where large es
tablishments dominate the employment.
Firm size, industry, geographical location and rate
ranges also contribute to the pronounced variation in
earnings within each of the work levels surveyed. (Mi
nor variations in duties and responsibilities of workers
classified in the same survey work level contribute, to a
lesser degree, to dispersed salaries.) Salaries of the
highest paid employees in a single work level were com
monly more than twice those of the lowest paid em
ployees. The absolute money spread between the highest
and lowest paid workers tended to widen with each rise
in work level for most occupations.5
Similar to pay structures in many firms (with rate
ranges), individual salaries recorded in the survey often
overlapped substantially among work levels of a given
occupation; for example, 11 percent of engineers III, 22
percent of engineers IV, and 11 percent of engineers V
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Research Summaries
Table 3.— Continued
March 1981
Average monthly salaries of employees in selected white-collar occupations in private establishments,
Large
establishment
salaries
as a
Number
Monthly
Number
Monthly
salaries3 percent of all
of
salaries3
of
employees2 (means) employees2 (means) establishment
salaries
All establishments1
Occupational level and
Federal GS grade
equivalent
Computer Operators 1
(GS 4) ................
Computer Operators II
(GS-5) ....................
Computer Operators III
(GS 6) ....................
Computer Operators IV
(GS 7) ....................
Computer Operators V
(GS 8) ....................
Photographers II (GS-5)
Photographers III (GS-7)
Photographers IV (GS-9)
2,854
12,494
24,399
26,580
20,034
648
3,033
6,074
7,934
9,179
$1,009
1,185
1,445
1,705
2,081
109
110
111
106
103
Key Entry Operators I
(G S -2 )...........................
Key Entry Operators II
(G S -3 )...........................
1,005
111
Personnel Clerks/Assistants
I (G S -3 ) ...................
Personnel Clerks/Assistants
H (GS 4) ......................
Personnel Clerks/Assistants
III (GS-5) ......................
Personnel Clerks/Assistants
IV (GS 6 ) ......................
Personnel Clerks/Assistants
V (GS 7) ......................
Messengers (GS-1) .........
6,135
906
1,827
12,849
1,049
3,254
1,203
115
29,299
1,220
7,919
1,386
114
16,671
1,475
6,071
1,632
111
3,545
1,733
1,843
1,860
107
528
698
450
1,425
1,704
1,932
224
371
333
1,544
1,731
1,904
108
102
99
File Clerks 1(GS-1) ...
File Clerks II (GS-2) ...
File Clerks III (GS-3) . ..
—
—
30,466
798
86,720
953
14,782
1,106
116
59,797
1,121
13,056
1,266
113
23,179
1,407
8,166
1,584
113
27,925
11,773
3,833
702
820
974
2,762
2,502
1,188
751
924
1,047
107
113
107
Purchasing Assistants I
(GS 4 ) ...........................
Purchasing Assistants II
(G S -5 )...........................
Purchasing Assistants III
(GS 6 ) ...........................
68,883
$ 886
11,362
$1,075
121
41,251
1,079
11,540
1,213
112
15,609
783
4,725
854
109
2,556
898
275
1,043
116
5,096
1,058
1,053
1.190
112
3,999
1,192
549
1,381
116
1,866
1,400
—
—
—
416
1,673
—
—
—
5,135
1,002
741
1,219
122
4,322
1,274
1,282
1,458
114
1,904
1,641
1,182
1,774
108
I (GS—4 ) .........
II (GS-5) . . . .
III (GS-6) . . . .
IV (GS-7) . . . .
V (GS-8) . . . .
63,923
61,171
106,881
43,624
23,515
1,079
1,147
1,298
1,406
1,635
17,949
20,886
40,909
14,680
8,591
1,230
1,226
1,418
1,535
1,782
114
107
109
109
109
..
..
17,422
14,725
1,099
1,311
8,982
7,720
1,122
1,375
102
105
Typists I (GS-2) ...............
Typists II (G S -3)...............
38,236
21,551
830
1,030
8,558
8,681
924
1,125
111
109
— ,
’ The survey covers establishments employing a minimum of either 50, 100 or 250 em
ployees, depending upon the private-sector industry. Large establishments are defined as
having at least 2,500 employees.
2 Occupational employment estimates relate to the total in all establishments within scope
of the survey and not to the number actually surveyed.
3 Salaries reported relate to the standard salaries that were paid for standard work sched
ules; i.e., the straight-time salary corresponding to employee's normal work schedule exclud-
earned between $2,500 and $2,700 monthly in March
1981. Because of the survey’s broad coverage, this
overlapping was larger than that generally found within
individual establishments.
A more detailed analysis of white-collar salaries and
complete survey results are contained in BLS Bulletin
2108, National Survey o f Professional, Administrative,
Technical, and Clerical Pay, March 1981. It includes
salary distributions by occupational work level and rela
tive employment and salary levels by industry division
for the 23 occupations studied.
□
--------- FOOTNOTES---------The survey is conducted annually with a March reference period
in metropolitan areas and nonmetropolitan counties in the United
States, except Alaska and Hawaii. Metropolitan areas accounted for
nine-tenths of the employees in occupations for which salary data
were developed.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Large establishments1
Continued
$ 923
1,075
1,301
1,611
2,011
Clerical
Accounting Clerks 1
(GS-2) ....................
Accounting Clerks II
(GS-3) ....................
Accounting Clerks III
(GS 4) ....................
Accounting Clerks IV
(GS-5) ....................
Occupational level and
Federal GS grade
equivalent
Clerical
Technical Support
Continued
Drafters 1(GS-2) .........
Drafters II (G S -3 ).........
Drafters III (GS^t) . . . .
Drafters IV (GS-5) . . . .
Drafters V (GS-7) . . . .
Large
establishment
salaries
as a
Monthly
Number
Monthly
Number
salaries3
salaries3 percent of all
of
of
employees2 (means) employees2 (means) establishment
salaries
All establishments1
Large establishments1
Secretaries
Secretaries
Secretaries
Secretaries
Secretaries
Stenographers I (GS-3)
Stenographers II fGS-4)
ing overtime hours. Nonproduction bonuses are excluded, but cost-of-living bonuses and
incentive earnings are included.
N ote : The following occupational levels were surveyed but insufficient data were obtained
to warrant publication: chief accountant V; director of personnel V; chemist VIII; computer oper
ator VI; and photographer I and V. In addition, dashes indicate levels not publishable for large
establishments.
; The number of work levels for the 23 survey occupations varied
from one for messengers to eight for engineers. In 1981, a total of 96
work levels produced publishable data out of the 102 levels within
scope of the survey. Of these 96 work levels, 85 were sufficiently
unchanged in definition between the 1980 and 1981 surveys to be
used in computing the 1980-81 increases shown in table 2. Widely
varying duties and responsibilities may be embodied in work levels
within each of the broad categories of table 2; for example, Group B
includes journeyman, clerical, and technical levels, such as accounting
clerk IV and engineering technicians III through IV, as well as the en
try and developmental levels of professional occupations.
3See George L. Stelluto, “Federal pay comparability: facts to tem
per the debate,” Monthly Labor Review, June 1979, pp. 18-28.
4 In the survey coding structure, the level designations among vari
ous occupations are not synonymous: For example, the first level of
attorneys equates to the third levels of accountants, chemists, and
most other professional and administrative occupations. See table 3
for more details on job level equivalents. Classification of employees
in the occupations and work levels surveyed is based on factors de
tailed in definitions which are available upon request.
5See the 1981 bulletin for a more detailed analysis of salary varia
tion.
49
M ajor Agreements
Expiring Next M onth
This list of collective bargaining agreements expiring in December is based on contracts on file
in the Bureau’s O ffice of Wages and Industrial Relations. The list includes agreements covering
1,000 workers or more.
N u m ber of
In d u str y
U n io n
Amana Refrigeration, Inc. (Fayetteville, T e n n .)................................................
A tlantic City Electric Co. (New J e r s e y ) ..............................................................
Bic Pen Corp. (Milford, Conn.) ...........................................................................
Campbell Soup, Inc. (Paris, T e x . ) .........................................................................
Cemeteries (New York and New J e r s e y ) '...........................................................
Chicago Residential Hotel Association (Illinois) ..............................................
Continental Airlines (In te rsta te )'...........................................................................
D upont E. I. De Nemours & Co., Seaford Nylon Plant (D e la w a re )...........
Machinery ...................................
Utilities ........................................
Miscellaneous manufacturing . .
Food products ...........................
Real e s t a t e ...................................
H o t e l s ...........................................
Air tra n s p o rta tio n .....................
C h em icals......................................
Eastern Airlines, G round Service (In te r s ta te )'...................................................
Egyptian Contractors Association and 2 others (Illinois) ..............................
Air tra n s p o rta tio n .....................
C o n stru ctio n ................................
Machinists ................................................
Electrical Workers (IBEW) ...................
Rubber Workers .....................................
Food and Commercial W o r k e r s ...........
Service Employees ...................................
Service Employees ...................................
Machinists ................................................
Seaford Nylon Employees’ Council, Inc.
(Ind.)
Machinists ................................................
Operating Engineers ( I U O E ) ................
Florida Power C orp....................................................................................................
G TE Lenkurt, Inc. (Albuquerque, N. M e x .) ......................................................
Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities ...................................................
Indianapolis Power & Light Co. ( I n d ia n a ) .........................................................
M etropolitan Detroit Hotel and M otor Hotel Association (Michigan) . . .
New York Lamp & Shade M anufacturers Association, Inc.............................
Utilities ........................................
Electrical p ro d u c ts .....................
H o s p ita ls ......................................
Utilities ............. ' .......................
H o t e l s ...........................................
Electrical p ro d u c ts ......................
Electrical Workers (IBEW) ...................
Electrical Workers (IBEW) ...................
Service Employees ...................................
Electrical Workers (IBEW) ...................
Hotel and Restaurant Employees . . . .
Electrical Workers (IBEW) ...................
Pan American W orld Airlines (I n te r s ta te )'.........................................................
Pennsylvania Heavy and Highway Contractors Bargaining Association
(Pennsylvania)
Public Service Co. of Colorado (Denver, C o lo .)................................................
Air tra n s p o rta tio n .....................
C o n stru ctio n ................................
Teamsters (Ind.) ......................................
Steelworkers ..............................................
1,900
1,500
3,200
1,150
3,600
2,000
1,800
10,000
2,500
Utilities ........................................
Electrical Workers (IBEW) ...................
2,550
Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, Inc. (New York, N.Y.) . . . .
San Mateo County Restaurant Hotel Owners Association (California) . . .
Southern California Edison Co., 2 ag reem en ts...................................................
Real e s t a t e ...................................
H o t e l s ...........................................
Utilities ........................................
1,700
5,400
6,500
Stop & Shop Companies, Inc. (Interstate) .........................................................
Timex Corp. (Little Rock, A r k . ) ...........................................................................
West Bend Co., West Bend Division (West Bend, W i s . ) ................................
Western Airlines, Flight A ttendants (I n te rs ta te )'..............................................
West Virginia Contractors Bargaining Association, Inc....................................
Retail trade ................................
Instruments ................................
Fabricated metal products . . .
Air tra n s p o rta tio n .....................
C o n stru ctio n ................................
Operating Engineers ( I U O E ) ................
Hotel and Restaurant Employees . . . .
Utility Workers; and Electrical Workers
(IBEW)
Food and Commercial Workers ...........
Machinists ................................................
Allied Industrial Workers .....................
Teamsters (Ind.) ......................................
Steelworkers ..............................................
E m p lo y e r a n d lo c a t i o n
Colorado: Boulder Board of Education, Teachers ...........................................
New York: Dutchess County Municipal E m p lo y ees........................................
Thompkins County Municipal Employees ...................................
Government activity
Union or employee organization
E d u c a tio n ......................................
M ultidepartments .....................
M ultidepartments ......................
National Education Association (Ind.) .
Civil Service Employees Association, Inc.
American Federation of State, County
and Municipal Employees ................
American Federation of State, County
and Municipal Employees ................
Pittsburgh Joint Collective Bargaining
Committee (Ind.) ................................
Fraternal Order of Police .....................
Ohio: Montgomery County Board of Commissioners,
Municipal E m ployees...................................................................................
M ultidepartments
Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Blue Collar E m p lo y ee s..............................................
Pittsburgh Police D e p a rtm e n t......................................................
M ultidepartments ......................
Law en fo rcem en t........................
'Affiliated with A FL -C IO except where noted as independent (Ind.).
'In d u stry area (group of companies signing same contract).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
.....................
'Inform ation is from newspaper reports.
w orkers
1,100
1,000
1,100
1,300
2,000
1,500
2,100
2,350
11,500
1,000
1,600
2,150
1,500
2,200
2,000
1,300
1,500
1,050
1,100
1,000
1,500
Developments in
Industrial Relations
Teamsters, trucking industry start talks early
Continuing economic difficulties in the trucking in
dustry were reflected in the Teamsters’ decision to begin
bargaining early with employers on a new contract. The
early start was requested by Trucking Employers Inc.,
the industry’s bargaining arm. There is a possibility that
any resulting new agreement would be put into effect
early, superseding the balance of the current agreement
negotiated in 1979 and scheduled to expire March 31,
1982.
In recent months, the Teamster’s leaders have indi
cated increasing concern about the industry’s problems,
suggesting the union might accept a “moderate” settle
ment. The union attributed much of the economic ills to
the influx of lower cost operators after the deregulation
of the industry in 1980. When the decision to bargain
early was announced in September, the Teamsters esti
mated that 117,000 members were on layoff in the in
dustry, compared with about 60,000 in September 1980,
when the union turned down a carriers’ request to re
open negotiations (Monthly Labor Review, November
1980, p. 51), although later a number of Teamsters’ lo
cals did agree to wage cuts or changes in work sched
ules to aid employers (Monthly Labor Review, April
1981, p. 69).
Shipyard workers negotiate ‘gain-sharing’ plan
A settlement between Bethlehem Steel Corp.’s Ship
building Department and the Marine and Shipbuilding
Workers featured provisions for experimental “gain shar
ing” and “employee involvement” programs. The bar
gainers said the gain-sharing plan “endorses the concept
that employees should share in the benefits of their con
tributions to increase productivity and efficiency.” A
target date of April 1, 1982, was set for gain sharing to
be implemented at one or more of the four shipyards
covered by the 3-year contract.
The intent of the employee involvement program is to
“Developments in Industrial Relations” is prepared by George Ruben
and other members of the staff of the Division of Developments in
Labor-Management Relations, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is
largely based on information from secondary sources.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
set up union-management groups throughout each yard
to improve morale and working conditions by discuss
ing and resolving problems. Although details of the
program remain to be worked out, the overall approach
is similar to the negotiated “labor management partici
pation teams” in the steel industry and to the “quality
of worklife” plan at General Motors Corp.
Other contract provisions included set wage increases
of 40 cents an hour in August 1981 and 30 cents in Au
gust of 1982 and 1983. The automatic cost-of-living ad
justment clause was continued, with each of the 12
quarterly adjustments not to exceed 11 cents an hour or
a combined total of $1.26.
Benefit changes included a 13th annual holiday and a
$2 increase in pension rates, bringing the formula to
$14 a month for each of the first 15 years of service,
$15 for each of the next 15 years of service, and $16 a
month for each year of service in excess of 30.
The four shipyards are located in Baltimore and
Sparrows Point, Md.; Boston, Mass.; and Hoboken,
N.J.
TV A, unions compromise, end 3-month talks
Three months of difficult negotiations between the
Tennessee Valley Authority and five unions representing
17,000 white-collar employees ended when the parties
agreed on a compromise accord. The utility had been
pressing for a reduction of as much as 26 percent in the
salaries of clerical employees, contending that a regional
survey showed that the clerical workers were paid more
than their counterparts in the private economy and gov
ernment. This was disputed by the unions, which initi
ated an unsuccessful attempt to prevent TV A from using
the survey results in the negotiations.
Under the compromise settlement, workers already
on the payroll received a wage increase of at least 3.75
percent retroactive to June 1981 and will receive an in
crease of at least 3 percent in October 1982. Reduced
pay rates will apply to some workers hired in the fu
ture. The immediate increase ranged up to 10 percent
for engineers, who, according to the survey, were under
paid.
Other contract terms included increased t v a financ
ing of medical and dental benefits, increased shift
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Developments in Industrial Relations
differentials, and a provision for reopening of wage and
benefit negotiations in October 1982. In a departure
from past practice, the parties set an expiration date
(September 30, 1983) for the contract. The original
contract, negotiated in 1950, was subject to termination
only if either party served 90 days notice of such intent,
which never occurred.
Public employee agreements
The 1981-82 school year led off with fewer teachers’
strikes than the preceding school year, but there were
several notable disputes.
In Philadelphia, 18,000 members of the American
Federation of Teachers struck after the school board
laid off 3,500 of the system’s 26,000 employees and re
scinded a 10-percent deferred salary increase scheduled
for September 1981 under a contract negotiated in
1980. The school board said the layoff— which appar
ently violated a no-layoff provision of the contract—
and the withdrawal of the salary increase were neces
sary because of a $223-million budget deficit. State law
prohibits the board from operating the school system
on a deficit.
Chicago’s public schoolteachers negotiated a 1-year
contract that called for the system to assume the teach
ers’ share of pension financing, which had been 7 per
cent of their salaries. The teachers are represented by
the American Federation of Teachers.
There also were a number of collective bargaining set
tlements for other public employees throughout the Na
tion:
• The first major strike against the State of Minnesota
ended when Council 6 of the State, County, and Mu
nicipal Employees union agreed to a 2-year contract.
About 14,000 of the 18,000 workers represented by
the council participated in the walkout. State employ
ees, except those providing police, fire protection, and
other essential services, had gained the right to strike
under a law effective this year. The only previous
walkouts against the State occurred in 1979 and in
volved two small units of workers that already had
the right to strike. Employees in all six of the units
covered by the accord received an immediate wage in
crease ranging from 9 to 11 percent for employees in
the top pay grades, and from 11 to 13.3 percent for
those in the lowest grades. Three of the units will re
ceive two pay increases in the second contract year—
6 percent on July 1, 1982, and 3 percent on January
1, 1983. The other units will receive two cost-of-living
pay adjustments in the second year.
• A contract between the State of New Hampshire and
the State Employees Association, covering 10,000
workers, provided for 9 percent wage increases at the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
beginning of both contract years.
• A 2-year agreement between the State of Massachu
setts and the National Association of Government
Employees provided for a 4.3-percent pay increase
retroactive to July 1, 1980, a 5-percent increase retro
active to February 1, 1981, and for 7 percent in
creases in November 1981 and August 1982. About
10,000 workers were affected by the settlement, which
also provided for special pay adjustments to eliminate
inequities among job grades.
• In Los Angeles, a 1-year contract between the city
and the Police Protective League gave 6,500 officers a
10-percent salary increase and called for the city to
increase its financing of medical and dental benefits.
• A 3-year accord between Milwaukee County, Wiscon
sin, and the State, County, and Municipal Employees
provided for a 9-percent salary increase retroactive to
December 21, 1980, a 1-percent increase retroactive
to June 21, 1981, and a 9-percent increase on Decem
ber 20, 1981. A dental plan also was established.
Service, department store unions may merge
Efforts to organize health care workers will be inten
sified if members of the Service Employees Union and
the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union ap
prove a planned m id-1982 merger of the two organiza
tions. Jerry Shea, health care coordinator for the Service
Employees, said that the merger would increase the po
litical strength of health care workers and end costly
competition between the two unions for the right to
represent the same workers. Shea estimated that the two
unions currently represent a total of 143,000 of the 2.5
million employees of private hospitals. Both unions al
ready have members in a variety of other occupations,
such as store employees, building cleaners, taxi drivers,
and guards. The merger of the 650,000 members of the
Service Employees with the 300,000 members of the Re
tail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union would
create the fifth largest union in the AFL-CIO.
Textile workers reject union representation
The Clothing and Textile Workers’ organizing efforts
in the textile industry suffered a blow when employees
of a J.P. Stevens & Co. denim manufacturing plant in
Rock Hill, S.C., decided against giving the union the
right to represent them. The tally was 433 votes for “no
union” and 299 for the Clothing and Textile Workers.
The election loss came about a year after the union
gained a breakthrough in its long and bitter representa
tion struggle with Stevens by winning initial contracts
for 10 of the company’s 70 plants. The wage and benefit
settlement was part of a broader accord in which the
union agreed to end its consumer boycott efforts in ex-
change for a company obligation to accept the same
wage and benefit terms for any other plants that the
union was able to organize within 18 months. (See
Monthly Labor Review, December 1980, p. 66.)
Clothing and Textile Workers’ secretary-treasurer Ja
cob Sheinkman attributed the defeat to “election irregu
larities” on Stevens’ part and indicated that charges
would be filed with the National Labor Relations Board.
Company
spokesman
James
Franklin
denied
Sheinkman’s charges and attributed the workers’ deci
sion to particularly difficult economic conditions in the
denim market, indicating that more than 200 employees
were on layoff from the plant out of a normal comple
ment of 986.
Harvester gets $500 million contract
Employees of International Harvester Co.’s Indianap
olis, Ind., plant accepted cost-reducing changes in work
schedules that aided the company in winning a $500million contract to manufacture diesel engines for Ford
Motor Co. Harvester said that the bargaining commit
tee of Auto Workers Local 98, “aware of the necessity
for the (engine) to be as cost competitive as possible,
worked with the company to gain membership approv
al” of the contract changes. The changes permit Har
vester to more fully utilize the Indianapolis plant by
arranging work schedules so that employees will be
available to operate the plant’s $35 million worth of
new tooling seven days a week.
In 1980, Harvester had negotiated a similar schedul
ing change with another union for employees on a new
truck body production line at its Columbus, Ohio,
plant. There were no reports that Harvester, which lost
$353.8 million in the 9 months ended July 31, 1981,
would seek similar changes at other plants. The Auto
Workers Union represents more than 30,000 Harvester
employees at plants in nine States, including 800 at the
Indianapolis plant. The parties’ last collective bar
gaining settlement, in April 1980, was preceded by a
172-day strike that centered on company demands for
restrictions on job transfers and provisions enabling it
to require employees to work overtime. (See Monthly
Labor Review, July 1980, p. 58.)
Work rules changed at some airlines
At United Air Lines, a few pilots will earn as much
as $160,000 a year by the end of a 26-month contract
negotiated by the Air Line Pilots Association. The aver
age salary for all 6,000 pilots covered by the accord will
rise to $60,000 a year as a result of a total pay increase
of 29 percent, with^the $160,000 scale applying to about
140 captains of Boeing 747 jets who fly the maximum
85 hours a month.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
In exchange for the higher pay, the union agreed to a
number of operating changes to improve productivity.
Included were an increase of 7.5 hours in maximum
credited monthly flying hours, bringing the total to 85;
changes to reduce the percentage of nonflying time that
is credited as flying time; and use of two pilots, rather
than three, on Boeing 737 aircraft.
In a major departure from the practice that has pre
vailed at United since 1938, pilots will be paid straight
salary, rather than under a complex formula based on
such factors as the speed and weight of the aircraft and
whether the flight is at night or over water. Such pay
formulas are still in effect at other major carriers. In an
other aspect of the contract, United agreed not to open
any nonunion subsidiary airlines and to shift the 250 pi
lots made surplus by the productivity gains to routes
scheduled to be opened or expanded.
There were a number of moves at other carriers to
cut labor costs in face of operating deficits attributed to
the deregulation of the industry, high fuel costs, and
cutbacks in flights in the aftermath of the strike by air
traffic controllers. Generally, the cost concession was in
the form of a 10-percent pay cut extending for a specific
period. At the end of the period, pay scales will be re
stored to the prereduction level and raised by the
amount of any general increase that had been scheduled
to go into effect during the period. Employees will not
be retroactively reimbursed for the earnings lost during
the pay reduction period.
One example of this approach was at Pan American
World Airways, where the Transport Workers 10 per
cent pay cut will extend from September 15, 1981, to
January 1, 1983. In addition, a 4-percent deferred wage
increase and a 25-cent-an-hour cost-of-living adjustment
scheduled for January 1982 and a 4-percent deferred in
crease scheduled for July 1982 will not be effective until
January 1, 1983. The cost concessions for Pan Ameri
can workers represented by other unions differed some
what from those for the Transport Workers, depending
on the amounts and scheduled effective dates of de
ferred wage increases and cost-of-living adjustments and
on the termination dates of current contracts.
Among the other carriers where wage cuts or changes
in work rules were negotiated were Braniff Internation
al, American Airlines, Trans World Airlines, Western
Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines.
Shipworkers accept work rule changes
Employees of American Ship Building Co.’s Lorain
and Toledo, Ohio, yards have agreed to changes in
work rules and pay grades to improve efficiency. The
Lorain accord reduced the 35 pay grades to 14; added a
provision requiring workers to perform “incidental”
work related to their primary duties; and allows the
53
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Developments in Industrial Relations
company to temporarily transfer employees into partic
ular grades, even if some employees in the grades are on
layoff. The Lorain settlement, covering 1,000 members
of six unions, was negotiated under a reopening provi
sion of a contract scheduled to expire in September
1983. There were no changes in other contract terms.
The similar changes in work rules and pay grades at
Toledo were part of a new contract that also provides
for wage and benefit changes. The new contract, also
expiring in September 1983, supersedes the balance of a
contract scheduled to expire in November 1981.
Woodworkers’ local accepts pay cut
A shutdown of International Paper Co.’s Longview,
Wash., cabinet operations was averted when the 235
employees accepted the 20-percent pay cut that LongBell Cabinets had set as a condition for purchasing the
plant. Long-Bell is a subsidiary of Thor Industries, Inc.,
a diversified holding company.
Duane Wend, president of Local 536 of the Wood
workers Union, called the 3-year contract “lousy”, say
ing that “what it came down to was that people took a
look and decided at least they had jobs to go to.” Ac
cording to a company official, International Paper had
spent $6 million since 1975 to improve productivity at
the plant, but its rejuvenation efforts were hurt when
the housing industry slumped.
Guild members agree to moratorium on raises
Members of the Newspaper Guild employed by the
St. Louis Globe-Democrat followed the lead of 11 unions
at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and accepted a 42-month
contract that deferred the initial 7-percent wage increase
until March 1, 1983. The 218 Newspaper Guild mem
bers also will receive a 7-percent increase on March 1,
1984, and a 2-percent increase on September 1, 1984,
plus automatic cost-of-living adjustments and improve
ments in benefits.
The contracts for the Post-Dispatch employees were
negotiated with the parent Pulitzer Publishing Co.,
which prints both newspapers. Both newspapers indicat
ed that the 18-month moratorium on pay increases was
necessary to help counter operating losses.
Cost-reducing plan fails, company may close
The board of directors of Gulf Resources and Chemi
cal Co. announced plans to close a lead, zinc, and silver
mining and smelting subsidiary in Kellogg, Idaho, after
the collapse of a plan to reduce operating costs by roll
Digitized 54
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
ing back wages to the December 31, 1980, level. Offi
cials of the subsidiary, the Bunker Hill Co., said that
even if the seven unions involved had all approved the
rollback, there would have been no assurance that Gulf
Resources would have continued the operations, in view
of the $7.7-million loss that Bunker Hill sustained in
the first half of 1981.
The Steelworkers and six of the seven craft unions
approved the 85-cent-an-hour rollback, which would
have saved Bunker Hill nearly $4 million over the one
year it would have been in effect, but a small local of
the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers re
jected it. A dispute then occurred among the local
unions over whether this amounted to a rejection by all
of the locals, after which Bunker Hill withdrew the pro
posal. The shutdown would affect more than 2,100
workers. A Bunker Hill official said that efforts were be
ing made to avert the closing by selling the operations.
In a later development, the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration exempted Bunker Hill for 5
years from meeting a tighter limit on employee exposure
to lead. (The limit became effective May 15 for some
companies.) The unions had asked for the delay to min
imize the amount a purchaser would have to spend to
meet the new standard on lead exposure. Union officials
indicated that as part of a settlement of a complaint
filed by OSHA, Bunker Hill had agreed to seal lounges
and lunchrooms against lead contamination, to provide
more frequent medical examinations for employees, and
to transfer employees to other jobs if a doctor finds an
unusually high level of lead in their blood.
Hotel strike averted in Washington, D.C.
A last-minute settlement between Hotel and Restau
rant Employees Local 25 and the Hotel Association of
Washington, D.C., averted a scheduled strike that
would have been the first in 35 years. The 3-year con
tract, which covered more than 6,000 employees of 24
hotels, provided for tipped employees to receive a
30-cent-an-hour wage increase in September of 1981,
1982, and 1983, and for nontipped employees to receive
a 50-cent-an-hour increase in the same months. The
shift differential was raised to 20 cents an hour, from 15
cents.
Other provisions included a 10th paid holiday; 4
weeks of paid vacation beginning in the 12th year of
employment (formerly the 16th); vacation pay for
tipped employees to be calculated at twice their weekly
pay rate (previously, vacation pay was a minimum of
$120 a week); and increased employer financing of den
tal, legal, and optical plans.
□
Book Reviews
An indictment of capitalism
Capitalism and Human Obsolescence: Corporate Control
Versus Individual Survival in Rural America. By
John A. Young and Jan M. Newton. Montclair,
N.J., Allanheld, Osmun and Universe Books, 1980.
253 pp. $21.50.
The purpose of this book is to persuade its readers
that the American economic system causes workers, op
erators of small businesses, and their families, grave
economic difficulties that could be avoided if only a sys
tem of “economic democracy” were substituted for the
capitalist system. The book offers only one viewpoint,
and it is critical of capitalism.
While normative analysis is extensively employed by
the authors, the five chapters that study five rural com
munities suffering economic hardship contain a substan
tial degree of positive analysis. Whether one agrees with
the repeated indictments of capitalism or not, the indepth qualitative description of the economic problems
of declining areas, and the occasional quantitative data
will be of interest to many social scientists.
John A. Young and Jan M. Newton have chosen five
“exploited” groups for inclusion in their study. These
are the lumberjacks and lumbermill workers of the Pa
cific Northwest, the copper miners of Bisbee, Ariz., the
rural pineapple workers in Hawaii, small farmers in
California, and small businessmen in a small town in
Washington State. It is notable that ethnic minorities
make up the bulk of a group in only two cases: the
miners, who are often Mexican-American, and the pine
apple workers who are mostly Philippine-American.
The accusation of racism is not the major indictment
against big business in this book. Rather, it is that cor
porations create a wide range of social problems includ
ing unemployment, underemployment, lack of ed
ucational opportunities, age discrimination, poverty and
other personal financial problems, health problems, per
sonal alienation, family problems, feelings of worthless
ness, and resentment against big government, big
business, and big labor. The root cause of these eco
nomic and personal insecurities is human obsolescence
created by the single-minded pursuit of profit.
Why do workers not rebel against this system? Ac
cording to the book, it is because of “ideological hege
mony” — the “beliefs, and cultural traditions inculcated
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
by schools, churches, family, state, and community
which cultivate working-class submission to capitalist
rule.” In essence, ordinary people are perceived by the
authors to be almost totally powerless as they cling to
the illusion of power.
In the authors’ view, everyone must share power in
order for ecomonic democracy to work and problems to
be overcome. The keystone will be a strong workingclass party, along with worker ownership and control of
the means of production. Public ownership of banking
and finance, drastic changes in the tax laws, communi
ty-based development, consumer cooperatives, and
strong neighborhood organizations are also important
elements in their scheme to wrest control of work from
big business. Currently, successful instances of worker
ownership and self-management are presented as evi
dence that such schemes should be adopted econ
omywide. Readers of the book may not be convinced of
the worth of these ideas because of the lack of meaty
discussion of any drawbacks to them.
The level of documentation supportive of the author’s
conclusions is often quite superficial. For example, there
are several instances where remarks made by interview
ees provide the only evidence for a sweeping generaliza
tion. Also, the authors’ biases show clearly. At one
point, their antitechnological prejudice is clearly re
vealed when harvesting machines of the last century are
described as “incredibly grotesque.” Furthermore, the
book never addresses the possibility that human obso
lescence is a problem for all modern economies, not just
capitalist ones.
That capitalism produces personal circumstances that
most of us would find extremely unpleasant does not
necessarily lead to the conclusion reached in this book
that capitalism is evil and that a superior system can be
devised to replace it. Many of the economic changes
discussed in the book will undoubtedly provide longrun
benefits that will far outweigh the shortrun costs. The
authors’ approach is to resist changes, thus figuratively
throwing the baby out with the bath water. The issue I
would like to see addressed is how to retain the
strengths of capitalism while correcting its faults.
— R o n a l d M. A yer s
Assistant Professor of Economics
University of Texas at San Antonio
55
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Book Reviews
Labor relations in the ‘real’ world
Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations. By E. Ed
ward Herman and Alfred Kuhn. Englewood Cliffs,
N.J., Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1981. 572 pp. $19.95.
This reviewer has been asked on several occasions to
suggest a “good” labor relations/collective bargaining
textbook for either undergraduate or graduate level uni
versity students. This is not an easy task, for there have
been several textbooks published recently, each with its
unique style and contribution. In keeping with the
times, various authors have characterized their work in
innovative ways such as a diagnostic approach, a sys
tems approach, a conceptual approach, collective
bargaining by objectives, or other such modern day lan
guage.
E. Edward Herman and Alfred Kuhn took a different
approach. Their objective was to write a textbook that
was truly different from the typical textbook in the la
bor relations field. They were not interested in a new
approach to considering the same body of knowledge
and experience. Their goal was to write a text that was
more complete in scope and coverage of truly significant
areas than others in the field.
The major area in this text that differentiates it from
others has to do with the costing of labor contracts.
Most textbook authors ignore this area completely or
cover it superficially. In Collective Bargaining and Labor
Relations, the authors contend that more indepth
knowledge of computers, finance, and costing methodol
ogy will reduce the need for “outsiders” such as actuar
ies, accountants, economists, and financial experts. A
well-informed labor relations professional would be bet
ter able to make important decisions that are now
entrusted to individuals outside the labor relations field.
Other areas given special attention are preparation for
negotiations, power relationships and tactics in
bargaining, the art of negotiating, with an excellent ne
gotiation simulation, and the often ignored area of man
agement security.
Two chapters could benefit from additional coverage
and a more current perspective. One is chapter 19
which deals with “The Issues of the Eighties.” This
brief chapter concentrates almost entirely on technologi
cal change/robots, flexitime, and other alternative work
patterns. While these are interesting issues with techno
logical change being, as always, particularly significant,
a third area, codetermination, was given short shrift.
True, codetermination on the European model might
never become a major factor in the United States. On
the other hand, the key word for the 1980’s might well
be participation. Worker participation as reflected
through labor-management committees, quality circles,
mutual goal and standard setting at the workplace, and
sharing of productivity gains, are and will continue to
56
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
be major issues facing labor and management in the
years ahead.
Chapter 20 concerns the future of the labor move
ment. Almost half the chapter is devoted to union
mergers or the potential for such in the years ahead.
Considerable attention is also given to a rising trend in
the antiunion activity, both overt and covert. Needless
to say, the mood of this Administration and the public
at large regarding the air traffic controllers is an exam
ple of change in attitude with an antiunion flavor.
In this chapter, the authors also discuss changes in
the labor force and the industrial mix in the United
States. The shift from blue-collar to white-collar occu
pations, more women workers, better educated workers,
more blacks striving for their place in the sun, and so
forth, have had, and will continue to have, a great effect
on union organizing. Further, the decline in manufac
turing, construction, and other industries— the areas of
greatest union strength and growth over the years— can
greatly affect the growth and health of organized labor.
This is particularly true as public-sector employment
and union membership has slowed, no longer offsetting
the losses which labor has experienced in the private
sector.
What is not discussed, however, is the ability of the
labor movement to adapt to the new labor force and
new industries. Are the old organizing methods and
techniques effective today? Can the older leaders of the
labor movement from more traditional backgrounds un
derstand and relate to today’s worker whose value sys
tems may be different and for whom the quality of
worklife might be foremost? These questions might be
as important to an understanding of the future of the
American labor movement as any other covered by the
authors; perhaps more important.
The text is modular and can be adapted to a semester
of study, a quarter system, a trimester arrangement, or
even a year’s course. A 1-year course should probably
include a casebook to enable students to deal with real
world National Labor Relations Board or grievance ar
bitration situations. There is no better way to under
stand the U.S. industrial relations system than to study
a well-written, well-documented textbook and then ana
lyze and discuss real-life situations that interesting cases
can provide.
Finally, while this textbook does have some material
not found in most texts in the field, and does a good
job of expanding on several areas often covered lightly
in others, these are not its major contribution. Its stron
gest feature is that it is a readable, practical text that
draws heavily on the broad work-a-day experiences of
the authors. They not only provide historic, conceptual,
academic materials, they provide insights as to how the
system really works.
This book is an excellent addition to those available
for the teaching of unionism, collective bargaining, and
labor relations at the college level. It has many positive
features which will undoubtedly make it a popular
choice for faculty selecting textbooks, and for students.
— B en B u r d e t sk y
Professor of Personnel and Labor Relations
G eorge W ashington University
Problems of international finance
Debt and the Less Developed Countries. Edited by Jona
than David Aronson. Boulder, Colo., Westview Press, 1979. 359 pp.
International Lending, Risk and the Euromarkets. By
Anthony Angelini, Maximo Eng, and Francis A.
Lees. New York, Halstead Press, 1979. 213 pp.
These two books could be read by anyone consider
ing a study of the issues surrounding financial trans
actions among nontraditional parties (for example, pri
vate banks and less-developed countries) in new
transnational financial markets (the Euromarkets), or
for newly critical purposes (for example, petrodollar re
cycling). Some of the issues addressed in one or both of
these volumes include debts of the less developed
countries, both as a development issue and as a matter
of international banking stability; petrodollar recycling,
both as a debt issue and as a financial intermediation
problem; and the regulation of the Euromarkets, as
both a diplomatic issue and an international economic
concern.
The book edited by Jonathan David Aronson is a
collection of essays on the international debt of the
Third World and is divided into three parts. The first
four contributions cover the history and current dimen
sion of the debt burden. Susan Strange’s essay is valu
able in its concise delineation of the issues and its
discussion of the major policy approaches to the less
developed countries’ debt as a financial stability prob
lem.
The discussion of debt as a development issue is
found in the second four essays. This section is well bal
anced in that it presents two essays, each in support of
opposite viewpoints of the utility of international debt
in economic development. Clark R. Reynolds’ presenta
tion in support of debt as a tool of development is the
more convincing of the two pieces in that camp, and W.
Ladd Hollist is the better advocate for the position that
foreign debt increases dependence of the less developed
countries on the industrial world and tends to perpetu
ate inequality between and within countries. Reynolds
emphasizes the potential role of banks in channeling
economic resources, domestic and foreign, into the most
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
productive sectors. He does have to assume that gov
ernments would have enough wisdom and power to
match their investment planning targets for consistency
with the availability of foreign and domestic savings
flows. International debt in his model is the mechanism
through which foreign savings are mobilized for domes
tic investment. Hollist’s more negative assessment is
based on a case study of Brazil which concludes that
the Brazilian government has concentrated foreign de
velopment credits in sectors that will lead to repayment
difficulties in the future. Hollist also speculates that
these difficulties may have to be solved at a terrible so
cial cost.
The final section, which includes a fine chapter by
Aronson on political aspects of the private banks’ in
volvement in lending to less developed countries, con
cerns itself with suggestions for public and private
policymaking concerned with negotiating debt situations
in the Third World. The point of view taken by most of
the authors struck me as being somewhat aloof from
the problem; that is, it seemed that they were taking the
parts of central monetary authority or banking regula
tors as distinct from direct participants in a credit mar
ket operation.
The book by Anthony Angelini, Maximo Eng, and
Francis A. Lees is somewhat more useful to the practi
tioner than the Aronson book and a less interesting
work for the scholar to review. The reason for this con
tradiction, if there is one, is in the different qualities of
the two books. Debt and the Less Developed Countries is
a detailed, scholarly look at several facets of one issue
from several points of view. International Lending, on
the other hand, is a well-integrated survey of the broad
field of international banking and lending and is a very
good primer for persons who plan to be actively in
volved in the international lending field. As one might
expect from a recruit’s field manual, there are some
sacrifices in depth for the sake of wide scope. The sec
tions on the less developed countries’ government debt
and risk analysis in such lending were good but each of
these topics could take a volume to cover in detail. In
deed, that is the value of collections such as Aronson’s
on debt.
This review should not be construed as harsh criti
cism of Angelini, Eng, and Lees. Indeed, it is my rec
ommendation that anyone wishing to make a start in
the area of international banking and the Euromarkets
should make a thorough reading of International Lend
ing, Risk and the Euromarkets, and then hope there is a
volume of the depth and quality of International Debt
and the Less Developed Countries to move on to in their
field of special interest.
R ic h a r d M . D
evens,
Jr.
Colum bia University
57
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Book Renews
Publications received
Health and safety
Drummond, M. F., “Welfare Economics and Cost Benefit
Analysis in Health Care,” Scottish Journal of Political
Economy, June 1981, pp. 125-45.
Gherman, E. M., Stress and the Bottom Line: A Guide to Per
sonal Well-Being and Corporate Health. New York,
amacom , A division of American Management Associa
tions, 1981, 348 pp., bibliography. $16.95.
Industrial relations
and the Exchange Rate,” Oxford Economic Papers, July
1981 Supplement, pp. 1-364.
Hood, N., A. Reeves, S. Young, "Foreign Direct Investment
in Scotland: The European Dimension,” Scottish Journal
of Political Economy, June 1981, pp. 165-85.
Little, Jane Sneddon, “The Financial Health of U.S. Manufac
turing Firms Acquired by Foreigners,” New England
Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, JulyAugust 1981, pp. 5-18.
Prest, A. R., Value Added Taxation: The Experience of the
United Kingdom. Washington, American Enterprise Insti
tute for Public Policy Research, 1980, 52 pp. (aei Stud
ies, 298.) $4.25, paper.
Anderson, John C., “The Impact of Arbitration: A Method
ological Assessment,” Industrial Relations, Spring 1981,
pp. 129-48.
Labor force
Delaney, John Thomas, “Union Success in Hospital Represen
tation Elections,” Industrial Relations, Spring 1981, pp.
149-61.
Browne, Lynn E., “A Quality Labor Supply,” New England
Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, JulyAugust 1981, pp. 19-36.
Edwards, P. K., Strikes in the United States, 1881-1974. New
York, Social Science Research Council, 1981, 336 pp.
$27.50, St. Martin’s Press, Inc., New York.
Evans, Alan W. and Ray Richardson, “Urban Unemploy
ment: Interpretation and Additional Evidence,” Scottish
Journal of Political Economy, June 1981, pp. 107-24.
Ehrenberg, Ronald G., and Joshua L. Schwarz, The Effect of
Unions on Productivity in the Public Sector: The Case of
Libraries. Cambridge, Mass., National Bureau of Eco
nomic Research, Inc., 1981, 30 pp. (nber Working Paper
Series, 717.) $1.50.
Grant, James H. and Daniel S. Hamermesh, “Labor Market
Competition Among Youths, White Women and others,”
The Review of Economics and Statistics, August 1981 pp.
354-60.
Ermer-Bott, Virginia and Alan Saltzstein, “The Impact of
Proposition 13 on Labor-Management Relations in Cali
fornia,” Public Personnel Management Journal, Summer
1981, pp. 203-06.
Hurst, Marsha and Ruth E. Zambrana, Determinants and
Consequences of Maternal Employment: An Annotated
Bibliography, 1968-1980. Washington, Business and Pro
fessional Women’s Foundation, 1981, 85 pp. $3.75 plus
postage, bpw Supply, 11722 Parklawn Drive, Rockville,
Md. 20852.
Farley, Jennie, ed., Sex Discrimination in Higher Education:
Strategies for Equality. Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell University,
New York State School of Industrial and Labor Rela
tions, 1981, 148 pp. $7.50, paper.
MacLeod, Celeste, Horatio Alger, Farewell: The End of the
American Dream. New York, Seaview Books, 310 pp.,
bibliography. $12.95.
Markham, Jesse W. and Paul V. Teplitz, Baseball Economics
and Public Policy. Lexington, Mass., D.C. Heath and
Co., Lexington Books, 1981, 179 pp., bibliography.
$20.95.
Main, Brian G. M., “The Length of Employment and Unem
ployment in Great Britain,” Scottish Journal of Political
Economy, June 1981, pp. 146-64.
Pfeifer, Jeffrey and Jerry Ross, “Unionization and Female
Wage and Status Attainment,” Industrial Relations,
Spring 1981, pp. 179-85.
National Bureau of Economic Research, Demographic Dif
ferences in Cyclical Employment Variation. By Kim B.
Clark and Lawrence H. Summers. Reprinted from The
Journal of Human Resources, Winter 1981, pp. 61-79.
(nber Reprint, 185); Incomplete Information, Risk
Shifting, and Employment Fluctuations. By Herschel I.
Grossman. Reprinted from the Review of Economic Stud
ies, April 1981, pp. 189-97. (nber Reprint, 186). Cam
bridge Mass., National Bureau of Economic Research,
Inc., 1981, $1.50 each.
Industry and government organization
Management and organization theory
“Corporate Finance: Asset Redeployment — Everything is for
Sale Now,” Business Week, Aug. 24, 1981, beginning on
p. 68.
Bartel, Ann P., Race Differences in Job Satisfaction: A
Reappraisal. Cambridge, Mass., National Bureau of Eco
nomic Research, Inc., 1981. Reprinted from The Journal
of Human Resources, Spring 1981, pp. 294-303. ( nber
Reprint, 184). $1.50.
Murray, Thomas J., “New Union Bargaining Issue,” Dun's
Business Month, September 1981, p. 119.
Nicholson, Nigel, Gill Ursell, Jackie Lubbock, “Membership
Participation in a White-Collar Union,” Industrial Rela
tions, Spring 1981, pp. 162-78.
Fieleke, Norman S., “Challenge and Response in the Automo
bile Industry,” New England Economic Review, Federal
Reserve Bank of Boston, July-August 1981, pp. 37-48.
“Reforming Regulation,” Au Courant, Vol. 2, No. 1, 1981,
pp. 4-11.
International economics
Eltis, W. A. and P. J. N. Sinclair, eds., “The Money Supply
58 FRASER
Digitized for
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Burton, Eileen Kelly, “Productivity: A Plan for Personnel,”
Personnel Administrator, September 1981, beginning on p.
85.
Catalanello, Ralph F. and John A. Hooper, “Managerial Ap
praisal,” Personnel Administrator, September 1981, pp.
75-81.
Christopher, William F., “Is the Annual Planning Cycle Real
ly Necessary?” Management Review, August 1981, pp.
38-42.
Clayton, Kaziah and Robert Gatewood, “The Development of
a Managerial Performance Appraisal System in a Social
Service Agency,” Public Personnel Management Journal,
Summer 1981, pp. 261-69.
“Corporate Woman: The Consulting Springboard,” Business
Week, Aug. 17, 1981, beginning on p. 101.
*
Fotilas, Panagiotis N., “Semi-Autonomous Work Groups: An
Alternative in Organizing Production Work?” Manage
ment Review, July 1981, pp. 50-54.
Fox, William M., “Consentient Merit Rating: A Critical Inci
dent Approach,” Personnel, July-August 1981, pp.
72-78.
Freedman, Sara M. and Robert T. Keller, “The Handicapped
in the Workforce,” The Academy of Management Review,
July 1981, pp. 449-58.
Godwin, Phil and John Needham, “Reforming Reform —
Challenging the Assumptions for Improving Public Em
ployees’ Performance,” Public Personnel Management
Journal, Summer 1981, pp. 233-43.
Grimaldi, Joseph and Bette P. Schnapper, “Managing Em
ployee Stress: Reducing the Costs, Increasing the Bene
fits,” Management Review, August 1981, beginning on
p. 23.
Harrison, Edward L., Douglas Johnson, Frank M. Rachel,
“The Role of the Supervisor in Representation Elec
tions,” Personnel Administrator, September 1981, pp.
67-71.
Hatvany, Nina and Vladimir Pucik, "An Integrated Manage
ment System: Lessons from the Japanese Experience,”
The Academy of Management Review, July 1981, pp.
469-80.
“Health, Safety and Security,” Personnel Administrator, Sep
tember 1981, pp. 26-64.
Huber, Vandra L., “The Sources, Uses, and Conservation of
Managerial Power,” Personnel, July-August 1981, pp.
62-71.
Kanter, Rosabeth Moss and Barry A. Stein, “Ungluing the
Stuck: Motivating Performance and Productivity Through
Expanding Opportunity,” Management Review, July 1981,
pp. 45-49.
Koprowski, Eugene J., “Exploring the Meaning of ‘Good’
Management,” The Academy of Management Review, July
1981, pp. 459-67.
“Manpower Planning and Corporate Objectives— Two Points
of View: “How to Integrate People Needs with Develop
ment Strategies,” by Robert McAvoy; “Planning the
Staffing of a Growing Business,” by Donald M. Hübsch,
Management Review, August 1981, pp. 55-61.
Matteson, Michael T. and John M. Ivancevich, eds., Manage
ment Classics. 2d ed. Santa Monica, Calif., Goodyear
Publishing Co., Inc., 1981, 418 pp.
Moore, Perry D. and Ted Staton, “Management by Objectives
in American Cities,” Public Personnel Management Jour
nal, Summer 1981, pp. 223-32.
Morrison, Ann M. and Mary Ellen Kranz, “The Shape of
Performance Appraisal in the Coming Decade,” Person
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nel, July-August 1981, pp. 12-22.
Saunders, Carol Stoak, “Management Information Systems,
Communications, and Departmental Power: An Integra
tive Model,” The Academy of Management Review, July
1981, pp. 431-42.
Schaffer, Robert H., “Productivity Improvement Strategy:
Make Success the Building Block,” Management Review,
August 1981, pp. 46-52.
Sheppard, I. Thomas, “Rite of Passage . . . Women for the In
ner Circle,” Management Review, July 1981, pp. 8-14.
Stumm, David Arthur, Advanced Industrial Selling. New
York, AMACOM, A division of American Management
Associations, 1981, 221 pp. $17.95.
Taffler, Richard; revised by Robert Russell, Answers: DecisionMaking Techniques for Managers. Englewood Cliff's, N.J.,
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1981, 238 pp. $13.95, cloth; $6.95,
paper.
Truell, George F., “Tracking Down the ‘Aroundhereisms’—
or, How to Foil Negative Orientation,” Personnel, JulyAugust 1981, pp. 23-31.
Whorton, Joseph W. and John A. Worthley, “A Perspective
on the Challenge of Public Management: Environmental
Paradox and Organizational Culture,” The Academy of
Management Review, July 1981, pp. 357-61.
Monetary and fiscal policy
Adkins, Lynn, “Borrowing at Less Than the Prime Rate,”
Dun's Business Month, September 1981, pp. 91-93.
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Pro
posals to Modify the Taxation of U.S. Citizens Working
Abroad. Washington, 1981, 42 pp. (aei Legislative Analy
sis, 27, 97th Cong.)
Roley, V. Vance, “The Financing of Federal Deficits: An
Analysis of Crowding Out,” Economic Review, Federal
Reserve Bank of Kansas City, July-August 1981, pp. lb 29.
Prices
Gordon, Robert J., “Output Fluctuations and Gradual Price
Adjustment,” Journal of Economic Literature, June 1981,
pp. 493-530.
Just, Richard E. and Gordon C. Rausser, “Commodity Price
Forecasting with Large-Scale Econometric Models and
the Futures Market,” American Journal of Agricultural
Economics, May 1981, pp. 197-208.
Lamm, R. McFall, Jr., and Paul C. Westcott, “The Effects of
Changing Input Costs on Food Prices,” American Jour
nal of Agricultural Economics, May 1981, pp. 187-96.
Stein, Jerome L., “Speculative Price: Economic Welfare and
the Idiot of Chance,” The Review of Economics and Sta
tistics, May 1981, pp. 223-32.
Productivity and technological change
Berger, Suzanne and Michael J. Piore, Dualism and Disconti
nuity in Industrial Societies. New York, Cambridge
University Press, 1980, 159 pp. $17.95.
Blake, Robert R. and Jane Srygley Mouton, Productivity: The
Human Side— A Social Dynamics Approach. New York,
AMACOM, A division of American Management Associa
tions, 1981, 133 pp. $10.95.
59
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Book Reviews
Bruno, Michael, Raw Materials, Profits, and the Productivity
Slowdown. Cambridge, Mass., National Bureau of Eco
nomic Research, Inc., 1981, 42 pp. (Working Paper Se
ries, 660.) $1.50.
Rosow, Jerome M., ed., Productivity Prospects for Growth.
New York, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1981, 340 pp.
(Work in America Institute Series.) $19.95.
Social institutions and social change
Bowman, Thomas F., George A. Giuliani, M. Ronald Minge,
Finding Your Best Place to Live in America. West Baby
lon, N.Y., Red Lion Books, 1981, 337 pp., bibliography.
$9.95.
Saving,” New England Economic Review, Federal Reserve
Bank of Boston, May-June 1981, pp. 31^-7.
“National Commission of Social Security: Recommendations,”
Social Security Bulletin, May 1981, pp. 3-13.
Price, Daniel N., “Income Replacement During Sickness, 1948
-78,” Social Security Bulletin, May 1981, pp. 18-32.
“Report of the President’s Commission on Pension Policy:
Executive Summary,” Social Security Bulletin, May 1981,
pp. 14—17.
Salisbury, Dallas L., “Toward a National Retirement Income
Policy: Priorities for the Eighties?” Labor Law Journal,
May 1981, pp. 298-305.
Jones, Linda R. Wolf, “Child Care: Who Knows? Who
Cares?” The Journal I The. Institute for Socioeconomic
Studies, Winter 1980, pp. 55-62.
“Social Issues Dominate Pension Problems for Women: Labor
Department Asks ERISA Changes,” Employee Benefit Plan
Review, June 1981, beginning on p. 18.
Steinberg, Stephen, The Ethnic Myth: Race, Ethnicity, and
Class in America. New York, Atheneum Publishers, 1981,
277 pp. $14.95.
Worker training and development
Wages and compensation
“Technologies for the ’80s,” Business Week, July 6, 1981, be
ginning on p. 48.
Hanushek, Eric A., “Alternative Models of Earnings Determi
nation and Labor Market Structures,” The Journal of
Human Resources, Spring 1981, pp. 238-59.
Hendricks, Wallace, “Unionism, Oligopoly and Rigid Wages,”
The Review of Economics and Statistics, May 1981, pp.
198-205.
Angrisani, Albert, “The Role of the States in Revitalizing the
Economy,” Labor Law Journal, May 1981, pp. 259-64.
Tittle, Carol Kehr, Careers and Family: Sex Roles and Adoles
cent Life Plans. Beverly Hills, Calif., Sage Publications,
Inc., 1981, 317 pp. (Sage Library of Social Research,
121.) $20, cloth; $9.95, paper.
Olson, Craig A., “An Analysis of Wage Differentials Received
by Workers on Dangerous Jobs,” The Journal of Human
Resources, Spring 1981, pp. 167-85.
Perham, John, “The New Corporate Goodies,” Dun's Review,
July 1981, pp. 48-50.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Area Wage Surveys: Hunts
ville, Alabama, Metropolitan Area, February 1981 (Bulletin
3010-5, 27 pp., $2.25); Washington, D.C.— Maryland—
Virginia, Metropolitan Area, March 1981 (Bulletin 3010-6,
52 pp., $3). Washington, 1981. Available from the Super
intendent of Documents, Washington, 20402, GPO book
stores, or b l s regional offices.
---------Area Wage Surveys: Jacksonville, Florida, Metropolitan
Area, December 1980 (Bulletin 3000-66, 27 pp., $1.75);
Minneapolis— St. Paul, Minnesota— Wisconsin, Metropoli
tan Area, January 1981 (Bulletin 3010-1, 54 pp., $3.75);
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Area, January 1981
(Bulletin 3010-2, 41 pp., $2.25). Washington, 1981.
Available from the Superintendent of Documents, Wash
ington 20402.
--------- Wage Differences Among Large City Governments and
Comparisons with Industry and Federal Pay, 1979-80.
Washington, 1981, 6 pp. (Report 649.)
Welfare programs and social insurance
Hutchens, Robert M., “Entry and Exit Transitions in a Gov
ernment Transfer Program: The Case of Aid to Families
with Dependent Children,” The Journal of Human Re
sources, Spring 1981, pp. 217-37.
Mitchell, Olivia S. and Emily S. Andrews, “Scale Economies
in Private Multi-Employer Pension Systems,” Industrial
and Labor Relations Review, July 1981, pp. 522-30.
U.S. Postal Service
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(Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Title of Publication; Monthly Labor Review
Date of Filing: October 22,1981
Frequency of Issue: Monthly
Annual Subscription Price: $21
Location of Known Office of Publication: 441 G Street NW., Washington, D.C. 20212
Location of the Headquarters of General Business Offices of the Publishers: 441 G
Street, NW., Washington, D.C. 20212
Names and Complete Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: U.S.
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 441 G Street, NW., Room 2029, Wash
ington, D.C. 20212; Editor: Henry Lowenstern, same address; Executive Editor: Robert W.
Fisher, same address
Owner: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 441 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20212
Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: None
Extent and Nature of Circulation.
A verage No.
Copies Each
issue During
Preceding
12 Months
A. Total no. copies printed (net press run) .................
16,812
B. Paid circulation:
1. Sales through dealers and carriers,
1,600
street vendors, and counter sales...............
13,000
2. Mail Subscriptions........................................
14,600
C. Total paid circulation...............................................
D. Free distribution by mail, carrier, or other
means (samples, complimentary, and other
2,032
free copies) .......................................................
16,632
E. Total distribution (sum of C and D)
F. Copies not distributed:
1. Office use, leftover, unaccounted,
spoiled after printing ..................................
180
2. Returns from news agents .........................
NA
G. Total (sum of E, F1 and 2 — should equal net
press run shown in A) ........................................
16,812
I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete.
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Munnell, Alicia H., “Social Security, Private Pensions, and
60
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Current
Labor Statistics
Notes on Current Labor Statistics
.....................................................................................................................................
Schedule of release dates for major BLS statistical series
...........................................................................
Employment data from household survey. Definitions and notes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
.............................................................
Employment status of noninstitutional population, selected years, 1950-80 ................................................................
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 adjusted ................................................................................................
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, 1951-80
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, 1950-80
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, seasonally adjusted ................................................................................
Weekly earnings, by industry division and major manufacturing group ........................................................................
Gross and spendable weekly earnings, in current'and 1967 dollars, 1961 to date .....................................................
Unemployment insurance data. Definitions
62
62
63
63
64
65
66
67
67
67
68
69
69
70
71
72
72
73
74
75
76
76
77
78
..................................................................................................................
21. Unemployment insurance and employment service operations ........................................................................................
79
79
Price data. Definitions and notes ..................................................................................................
80
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Consumer Price Index, 1967-80
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 groupings .............................................................................................................
Producer Price Indexes, for special commodity groupings ................................................................................................
Producer Price Indexes, by durability of product ................................................................................................................
Producer Price Indexes for the output of selected SIC industries
.........................................................................
Productivity data. Definitions and notes
31.
32.
33.
34.
........................................................................................................................
Annual indexes of productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs,and prices, selectedyears, 1950-80
Annual changes in productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices, 1970-80
Quarterly indexes of productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices, seasonally adjusted ...................
Percent change from preceding quarter and year in productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices . .
Labor-management data. Definitions
................................................................................................................................
35. Wage and benefit settlements in major collective bargaining units, 1976 to date ........................................................
36. Effective wage rate adjustments going into effect in major collective bargaining units, 1976 to d a t e .....................
37. Work stoppages, 1947 to date ................................................................................................................................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
81
81
87
88
89
90
92
92
92
95
95
96
96
97
98
98
99
99
61
NOTES ON CURRENT LABOR STATISTICS
This section of the Review 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 Review. 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.
Seasonally adjusted labor force data in tables 2-7 were revised in
the February 1981 issue 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 proce
dure called X -ll/A R IM A , 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 AR1MA Seasonal Adjustment
Method by Estela Bee Dagum (Statistics Canada Catalogue No.
12-564E, February 1980). 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 period. 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 begins with the August 1980 issue using the
X -ll ARIMA seasonal adjustment methodology. New seasonal fac
tors for productivity data in tables 33 and 34 are usually intro
duced in the September issue. Seasonally 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,” “qonstant,” or “ 1967” dollars.
A vailability 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 BLS Handbook of Labor
Statistics, Bulletin 2070, 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
R e le a s e
P e r io d
R e le a s e
P e r io d
M L R t a b le
d a te
co v e re d
d a te
co v e re d
num ber
S e r ie
Employment situation..................................................................
Producer Price Index ..................................................................
Consumer Price Index ................................................................
Real earnings ............................................................................
Productivity and costs:
Nonfinancial corporations ........................................................
Labor turnover in manufacturing ..................................................
Work stoppages..........................................................................
62
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November 6
November 10
November 24
November 24
October
October
October
October
December 4
December 8
December 22
December 22
November
November
November
November
1-11
26-30
22-25
14-20
November 25
November 30
November 30
3d quarter
October
October
December 29
December 30
November
November
31-34
12-13
37
EM PLOYM ENT DATA FRO M THE H O U SEH O LD SURVEY
E m p lo 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 60,000
households beginning in May 1981, 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.
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
long-term 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-tim e workers are those employed at least 35 hours a week;
part-time workers are those who work fewer hours. Workers on part-
Definitions
time 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 among 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.
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.
Notes on the data
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.
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 Employment
and Earnings.
Data in tables 2-7 are seasonally adjusted, based on the seasonal
experience through December 1980.
Employment status of the noninstitutional population, 16 years and over, selected years, 1950 80
[Numbers in thousands]
T o t a l la b o r f o r c e
C iv i lia n la b o r f o r c e
T o ta l n o n
Year
E m p lo y e d
U n e m p lo y e d
N o t in
in s t it u t io n a l
p o p u l a t io n
N um ber
P e rc e n t o f
T o ta l
p o p u l a t io n
N o n a g r iT o ta l
A g r ic u l t u r e
c u l tu r a l
P e rc e n t o f
N um ber
la b o r
fo rc e
in d u s t r ie s
1950
1955
1960
1964
1965
la b o r f o r c e
............................................................
............................................................
............................................................
............................................................
............................................................
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
1980
............................................................
............................................................
............................................................
............................................................
............................................................
156,048
158,559
161,058
163,620
166,246
96,917
99,534
102,537
104,996
106,821
62.1
62.8
63.7
64.2
64.3
94,773
97,401
100,420
102,908
104,719
87,485
90,546
94,373
96,945
97,270
3,297
3,244
3,342
3,297
3,310
84,188
87,302
91,031
93,648
93,960
7,288
6,855
6,047
5,963
7,448
7.7
7.0
6.0
5.8
7.1
59,130
59,025
58,521
58,623
59,425
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63
M O N T H L Y LA B O R R EV IEW N ovem ber 1981 • Current L abor Statistics: Household D ata
2.
Employment status by sex, age, and race, seasonally adjusted
[Numbers in thousands]
A nnual averag e
1980
1981
E m p lo y m e n t s ta tu s
1979
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
163,620
104,996
161,532
102,908
96,945
3,297
93,648
5,963
5.8
58,623
166,246
106,821
164,143
104,719
97,270
3,310
93,960
7,448
7.1
59,425
166,789
107,101
164,667
104,980
97,180
3,399
93,781
7,800
7.4
59,687
167,005
107,288
164,884
105,167
97,206
3,319
93,887
7,961
7.6
59,717
68,293
54,486
52,264
2,350
49,913
2,223
4.1
13,807
69,607
55,234
51,972
2,355
49,617
3,261
5,9
14,373
69,864
55,475
51,823
2,389
49,434
3,652
6.6
14,389
69,987
55,495
51,963
2,351
49,612
3,532
6.4
14,492
70,095
55,539
52,007
2,372
49,635
3,532
6.4
14,556
76,860
38,910
36,698
591
36,107
2,213
5.7
37,949
78,295
40,243
37,696
575
37,120
2,547
6.3
38,052
78,598
40,317
37,804
592
37,212
2,513
6.2
38,281
78,723
40,486
37,754
576
37,178
2,732
6.7
38,237
16,379
9,512
7,984
356
7,628
1,528
16.1
6,867
16,242
9,242
7,603
380
7,223
1,640
17.7
7,000
16,205
9,188
7,553
418
7,135
1,635
17.8
7,017
16,174
9,186
7,489
392
7,097
1,697
18.5
6,988
141,614
90,602
86,025
4,577
5.1
51,011
143,657
92,171
86,380
5,790
6.3
51,486
144,051
92,317
86,307
6,010
6.5
51,734
144,211
92,516
86,371
6,145
6.6
51,695
19,918
12,306
10,920
1,386
11.3
7,612
20,486
12,548
10,890
1,658
13.2
7,938
20,617
12,677
10,894
1,783
14.1
7,940
20,673
12,686
10,884
1,802
14.2
7,987
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
S e p t.
167,585
107,668
165,460
105,543
97,696
3,403
94,294
7,847
7.4
59,917
167,747
107,802
165,627
105,681
97,927
3,281
94,646
7,754
7.3
59,946
167,902
108,305
165,774
106,177
98,412
3,276
95,136
7,764
7.3
59,598
168,071
108,851
165,941
106,722
98,976
3,463
95,513
7,746
7.3
59,219
168,272
109,533
166,145
107,406
99,235
3,353
95,882
8,171
7.6
58,739
168,480
108,307
166,349
106,176
98,392
3,265
95,127
7,784
7.3
60,173
168,685
108,603
166,546
106,464
98,962
3,258
95,704
7,502
7.0
60,082
168,855
108,762
166,695
106,602
98,944
3,370
95,574
7,657
7.2
60,093
169,049
108,401
166,884
106,236
98,270
3,310
94,959
7,966
7.5
60,648
70,198
55,470
52,045
2,331
49,714
3,425
6.2
14,728
70,320
55,443
52,091
2,378
49,713
3,352
6.0
14,877
70,413
55,445
52,134
2,289
49,844
3,312
6.0
14,968
70,481
55,816
52,511
2,296
50,215
3,305
5.9
14,665
70,574
56,013
52,750
2,409
50,342
3,262
5.8
14,561
70,687
56,395
52,849
2,349
50,500
3,546
6.3
14,292
70,788
55,876
52,451
2,320
50,131
3,425
6.1
14,912
70,894
55,957
52,811
2,329
50,482
3,147
5.6
14,937
70,978
56,045
52,724
2,402
50,323
3,321
5.9
14,933
71,086
56,063
52,608
2,343
50,264
3,455
6.2
15,023
78,842
40,629
37,909
574
37,335
2,720
6.7
38,213
78,959
40,570
37,820
665
37,155
2,750
6.8
38,389
79,071
40,942
38,191
621
37,570
2,750
6.7
38,129
79,175
41,090
,38,410
615
37,794
2,680
6.5
38,085
79,271
41,293
38,567
606
37,961
2,725
6.6
37,978
79,377
41,481
38,760
603
38,157
2,721
6.6
37,896
79,498
41,852
39,014
583
38,431
2,838
6.8
37,646
79,617
41,743
39,011
562
38,449
2,731
6.5
37,874
79,739
41,879
39,082
575
38,507
2,797
6.7
37,860
79,848
41,857
39,155
601
38,554
2,701
6.5
37,991
79,968
41,395
38,576
603
37,973
2,819
6.8
38,573
16,145
9,117
7,423
394
7,029
1,694
18.6
7,028
16,114
9,027
7,417
398
7,019
1,610
17.8
7,087
16,069
9,158
7,414
404
7,010
1,744
19.0
6,911
16,039
9,146
7,384
376
7,008
1,762
19.3
6,893
16,022
9,068
7,334
374
6,960
1,734
19.1
6,954
15,991
9,228
7,465
451
7,014
1,763
19.1
6,763
15,961
9,159
7,372
421
6,951
1,787
19.5
6,802
15,944
8,558
6,930
383
6,547
1,628
19.0
7,386
15,913
8,628
7,069
354
6,715
1,559
18.1
7,285
15,869
8,700
7,065
368
6,697
1,635
18.8
7,169
15,831
8,778
7,086
364
6,722
1,692
19.3
7,053
144,359 144,500
92,562 92,383
86,409 86,377
6,153
6,006
6.6
6.5
51,797 52,117
144,651
92,832
86,620
6,213
6.7
51,819
144,774
93,035
86,940
6,095
6.6
51,739
144,882
93,313
87,291
6,022
6.5
51,569
145,006
93,860
87,791
6,069
6.5
51,146
145,160
94,506
88,083
6,422
. 6.8
50,654
145,316
93,464
87,500
5,964
6,4
51,852
145,464 145,575
93,767 93,789
87,979 88,046
5,787 c 5,743
6.2
6.1
51,697 51,786
145,715
93,355
87,329
6,026
6.5
52,360
20,809
12,684
11,051
1,634
12.9
8,125
20,853
12,598
10,942
1,655
13.1
8,255
20,892
12,765
11,020
1,745
13.7
8,127
20,936
12,899
11,193
1,706
13.2
8,037
20,985
12,895
11,138
1,757
13.6
8,090
21,033
12,741
10,928
1,813
14.2
8,292
TOTAL
Total noninstitutional population1 ..........................
Total labor force ......................................
Civilian noninstitutional population1 ......................
Civilian labor force ................................
Employed ......................................
Agriculture ..............................
Nonagrlcultural Industries ........
Unemployed ..................................
Unemployment rate ........................
Not In labor force ..................................
167,201 167,396
107,404 107,191
165,082 165,272
105,285 105,067
97,339 97,282
3,340
3,394
93,999 93,888
7,946
7,785
7.5
7.4
59,797 60,205
M en, 20 years and o ve r
Civilian noninstitutional population1 ......................
Civilian labor force ......................................
Employed ............................................
Agriculture ....................................
Nonagricultural industries ................
Unemployed ........................................
Unemployment rate ..............................
Not In labor force ........................................
W om en , 20 years and o ver
Civilian noninstitutional population1 ......................
Civilian labor force ......................................
Employed ............................................
Agriculture ....................................
Nonagricultural Industries ................
Unemployed ........................................
Unemployment rate ..............................
Not in labor force ........................................
B o th s e x e s , 16 to 1 9 y e a r s
Civilian noninstitutional population1 ......................
Civilian labor force ......................................
Employed ............................................
Agriculture ....................................
Nonagricultural industries ................
Unemployed ........................................
Unemployment rate ..............................
Not in labor force ........................................
W h ite
Civilian noninstitutional population1 ......................
Civilian labor force ......................................
Employed ............................................
Unemployed ........................................
Unemployment rate ..............................
Not In labor force ........................................
B la c k a n d o t h e r
Civilian noninstitutional population1 ......................
Civilian labor force ......................................
Employed ............................................
Unemployed ........................................
Unemployment rate ..............................
Not In labor force ........................................
1As in table 1, population figures are not seasonally adjusted.
64
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20,723
12,706
10,922
1,784
14.0
8,017
20,771
12,668
10,895
1,773
14.0
8,103
c = corrected.
21,081
12,658
10,939
1,719
13.6
8,423
21,120
12,793
10,877
1,916
15.0
8,327
21,169
12,872
10,924
1,948
15.1
8,297
3.
Selected employment indicators, seasonally adjusted
[ Numbers in thousands]
1980
A nnual averag e
1981
S e le c t e d c a t e g o r ie s
1979
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
96,945
56,499
40,446
39,090
22,724
97,270
55.988
41,283
38,302
23,097
97,180
55,754
41,426
38,027
23,027
97,206
55,881
41,325
38,142
22,993
97,339
55,897
41,442
38,167
23,065
97,282
55,920
41,362
38,231
23,063
97,696
56,012
41,684
38,182
23,352
97,927
56,045
41,882
38,113
23,356
98,412
56,383
42,029
38,365
23,513
98,976
56,688
42,288
38,510
23,529
99,235
56,718
42,517
38,498
23,831
98,392
56,026
42,366
38,216
23,763
98,962
56,494
42,467
38,283
23,820
98,944
56,368
42,577
38,315
23,683
98,270
56,349
41,920
38,169
23,174
49,342
15,050
50,809
15,613
51,074
15,540
51,101
15,780
51,148
15,863
51,065
15,810
51,594
15,965
51,698
15,813
51,746
15,827
51,801
15,754
51,967
15,688
51,959
16,057
51,857
15,966
52,123
16,299
51,826
16,254
10,516
6,163
17,6'3
32,066
12,880
10,909
3,612
4,665
12,834
2,703
10,919
6,172
18,105
30,800
12,529
10,346
3,468
4,456
12,958
2,704
11,007
6,316
18,211
30,436
12,490
10,202
3,434
4,310
12,943
2,757
10,979
6,277
13,065
30,521
12,485
10,210
3,443
4,383
12,891
2,735
11,016
6,155
18,114
30,550
12,424
10,247
3,429
4,450
12,888
2,729
11,009
6,175
18,071
30,373
12,337
10,194
3,402
4,440
12,982
2,804
11,363
6,265
18,001
30,338
12,306
10,331
3,322
4,380
12,946
2,737
11,488
6,271
18,125
30,446
12,386
10,390
3,361
4,309
13,070
2,662
11,565
6,220
18,135
30,594
12,605
10,189
3,363
4,437
13,279
2,679
11,444
6,145
18,457
31,156
12,624
10,524
3,411
4,596
13,255
2,834
11,260
6,461
18,557
31,373
12,743
10,609
3,390
4,632
13,213
2,707
11,174
6,440
18,288
30,922
12,482
10,550
3,425
4,466
12,930
2,648
11,418
6,220
18,254
31,038
12,575
10,567
3,481
4,415
13,284
2,689
11,217
6,369
18,238
31,113
12,508
10,501
3,499
4,605
13,002
2,732
11,341
6,295
17,937
30,637
12,202
10,334
3,453
4,649
13,093
2,717
1,413
1,580
304
1,384
1,628
297
1,417
1,688
309
1,363
1,640
325
1,417
1,612
324
1,411
1,655
305
1,465
1,615
284
1,336
1,610
325
1,338
1,615
312
1,524
1,648
290
1,464
1,644
231
1,377
1,657
258
1,457
1,568
235
1,472
1,629
250
1,416
1,649
254
86,540
15,369
71,171
1,240
69,931
6,652
455
86,706
15,624
71,081
1,166
69,915
6,850
404
86,395
15,575
70,820
1,125
69,695
6,977
416
86,587
15,597
70,990
1,144
69,846
7,005
417
86,643
15,651
70,992
1,148
69,844
6,943
405
86,513
15,653
70,860
1,110
69,750
6,973
396
87,125
15,738
71,387
1,197
70,190
6,839
422
87,236
15,589
71,647
1,176
70,471
6,923
371
87,870
15,685
72,185
1,235
70,949
6,896
354
88,195
15,628
72,567
1,241
71,327
7,021
306
88,877
15,512
73,365
1,164
72,201
6,761
338
87,734
15,460
72,274
1,146
71,128
7,005
369
88,291
15,349
72,942
1,211
71,731
6,886
389
88,189
15,140
73,048
1,236
71,812
6,942
378
87,457
15,111
72,346
1,052
71,294
7,093
392
88,133
72,647
3,281
1,325
1,956
12,205
88,325
72,022
3,965
1,669
2,296
12,338
88,246
71,929
4,183
1,701
2,482
12,134
88,488
72,071
4,220
1,685
2,535
12,197
88,694
72,265
4,176
1,620
2,556
12,253
88,468
72,131
4,218
1,647
2,571
12,119
89,499
72,807
4,474
1,698
2,776
12,218
89,441
72,945
4,145
1,622
2,523
12,351
89,583
72,875
4,227
1,638
2,589
12,481
89,202
72,761
4,044
1,517
2,527
12,397
89,870
73,375
4,143
1,630
2,513
12,352
89,625
73,115
3,798
1,367
2,431
12,713
90,837
74,232
4,225
1,632
2,593
12,380
89,823
72,932
4,187
1,654
2,533
12,704
88,886
72,192
4,537
1,675
2,862
12,157
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r,
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
S e p t.
C H A R A C T E R IS T IC
Total employed, 16 years and over ......................
Men ............................................................
Women ........................................................
'Married men, spouse present ........................
Married women, spouse present....................
O C C U P A T IO N
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 ......................................................
M A J O R IN D U S T R Y A N D C L A S S
OF W ORKER
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 '
Nonagricultural industries ....................................
Full-time schedules ......................................
Part time for economic reasons......................
Usually work full time..............................
Usually work part tim e............................
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
M O N T H L Y LA B O R R EV IEW Novem ber 1981 • Current Labor Statistics: Household D ata
4.
Selected unemployment indicators, seasonally adjusted
[Unemployment rates]
A nnual av erag e
1980
1981
S e le c te d c a t e g o r ie s
1979
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
Total, 16 years and over......................................
Men, 20 years and over................................
Women, 20 years and over ..........................
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years ..........................
5.8
4.1
5.7
16.1
7.1
5.9
6.3
17.7
7.4
6.6
6.2
17.8
7.6
6.4
6.7
18.5
White, total ..................................................
Men, 20 years and over ........................
Women, 20 years and o v e r....................
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years ....................
5.1
3.6
5.0
13.9
6.3
5.2
5.6
14.8
6.5
5.8
5.5
15.1
Black and other, total....................................
Men, 20 years and over ........................
Women, 20 years and o v e r....................
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years ....................
11.3
8.4
10.1
33.5
13.2
11.4
11.1
35.8
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 lost' ..................................
2.7
5.1
8.3
5.3
8.7
1.2
6.3
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
7.5
6.4
6.7
18.6
7.4
6.2
6.8
17.8
7.4
6.0
6.7
19.0
7.3
6.0
6.5
19.3
7.3
5.9
6.6
19.1
7.3
5.8
6.6
19.1
7.6
6.3
6.8
19.5
6.6
5.7
5.8
16.0
6.6
5.7
5.8
16.4
6.5
5.5
5.9
15.4
6.7
5.5
6.0
16.8
6.6
5.4
5.7
17.4
6.5
5.4
5.6
16.9
65
5.2
5.7
17.2
14.1
13.2
10.6
37.8
14.2
12.1
12.3
37.4
14.0
12.0
12.2
36.6
14.0
11.6
12.3
37.5
12.9
10.5
11.0
36.5
13.1
10.8
11.9
35.4
13.7
10.8
12.6
37.3
4.2
5.8
9.1
6.8
8.7
1.7
7.9
4.7
5.7
9.0
7.3
8.7
2.2
8.2
4.6
6.0
10.2
7.3
9.1
2.2
8.4
4.4
5.9
9.9
7.4
8.6
2.2
8.3
4.3
5.8
10.4
7.3
8.2
2.3
8.2
4.2
6.2
10.5
7.1
9.2
2.2
8.2
4,1
5.8
9.6
7.1
9.1
2,1
8,1
3.3
2.4
3.7
2.5
3.8
2.5
3.9
2.6
39
2.5
4.0
2.6
3.9
2.8
1.9
3,9
4.6
6.9
4.5
8.4
5.4
10.8
7.1
3.8
2.4
4.4
5.3
10.0
6.6
12.2
8,8
14.6
7.9
4.4
2.4
4.3
5.4
10.8
7.4
13.0
10.4
15.2
8.1
4.3
2.5
4.6
5.6
10.8
7.1
13.2
10.6
15.3
8.3
4.4
2.4
4.8
5.6
10.7
7.1
13.0
10.6
15.0
8.3
4.0
2.5
4.7
5.8
10.5
7.1
12.9
8.8
14.8
7.8
4.0
5.7
10.2
5.5
5.0
6.4
3.7
6.5
4.9
3.7
9.1
7.4
14.2
8.5
8.9
7.9
4.9
7.4
5.3
4.1
10.8
7.8
15.9
9.2
10.0
7.9
5.3
7.7
5.4
4.1
10.7
7.8
14.6
9.2
9.5
8.9
5.3
7.8
5.6
4.4
11.1
7.8
14.8
8.9
9.0
8.6
4.9
8.2
5.5
4.2
10.1
7.7
13.8
8.8
9,0
8,5
4.9
8.3
5.5
4.1
10.6
June
J u ly
Aug.
S e p t.
7.3
6.1
6.5
19.0
7,0
5.6
6.7
18.1
7.2
5.9
6.5
18.8
7.5
6.2
6.8
19.3
6.8
5,6
6.0
18.0
6.4
5.3
5.7
16.5
6.2
4.9
5.8
16.1
6.1
5.1
5.4
15.6
6.5
5.3
5.7
17.0
13.2
10.6
11.8
36.1
13.6
11.8
12.0
33.6
142
12.5
12.0
38.6
13.6
11.6
12.0
36.4
15,0
12.4
12.8
45.7
15.1
13.0
13.7
37.5
4.1
6.0
9.4
7.1
9.0
2.1
8.1
3.8
5.9
9.8
6.9
9.0
2.0
8.2
4.1
5.9
10.3
7.3
9.7
2.0
8.6
4.2
5.6
10.6
7.0
9.2
2.2
8.0
3.9
5.6
11.5
6.7
9.3
2.0
7.9
3.9
5.3
9.8
6.7
9.7
2.1
7.9
4.3
5.9
10.6
7.2
9.6
2.1
8.5
3.7
2.6
3.9
2.7
4,0
3.2
4.1
2.9
3.8
2.8
4.1
2.8
3,9
2.4
4.1
2.8
2.4
4.4
5.7
10.2
6.8
12.1
9.1
15.0
8.0
5.0
2.4
4.0
5.3
10.1
7.2
11.9
8.3
14.9
8.7
4.7
2.6
3.8
5.9
9.8
7.1
11.3
9.3
14.1
8.1
5.1
2.4
4.0
5.6
9.6
6.8
11.5
8.1
13.8
8.5
3.7
2.7
4.6
5.6
10.0
7,7
11.9
8.2
13.1
9.4
5.4
2.8
4.1
5.3
9.8
7.2
11.0
8.4
14,8
9.0
6.0
2.7
5.1
5.7
9.4
6.7
11.1
6.9
14.2
8.0
4,5
2.8
4,7
5.6
9.3
6.9
c 11.0
7.9
12.9
8.9
5.6
2.7
5.2
5.7
10.2
7.6
11,5
8,9
14.4
8.9
3.7
7.5
13.3
8.4
8.3
8.5
5.8
7.6
5.8
4.4
11.5
7.5
13.2
8.4
8.5
8.2
5,5
7.6
6.0
4.3
12.1
7.3
14.7
8.0
7.9
8.3
6.4
7,3
5.6
4.6
11.9
7.2
14.4
7.4
7.3
7.6
5.7
7.3
5.9
4.9
9.1
7.8
16,3
7,9
7.3
8.9
5.9
8.4
5.9
4.8
11.1
7.4
16.6
7.6
7.4
7.8
4.7
7,5
5.8
4.5
13.1
7.2
15.0
7.3
7.3
7.3
4.0
7.9
5.6
4.5
10.3
7.2
16.7
7.0
6.4
7.9
4.8
7.8
5.6
4.4
12.6
7.6
16.3
7,8
7.6
8.0
4.0
8.6
5.9
4.6
10.6
C H A R A C T E R IS T IC
O C C U P A T IO N
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......................................................
IN D U S T R Y
Nonagricultural private wage and salary workers 2
Construction ................................................
Manufacturing..............................................
Durable goods ......................................
Nondurable goods..................................
Transportation and public utilities ..................
Wholesale and retail trad e............................
Finance and service Industries ......................
Government workers ..........................................
Agricultural wage and salary workers ..................
1Aggregate hours lost by the unemployed and persons on part time for economic reasons as a
percent of potentially available labor force hours.
66
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 Includes mining, not shown separately,
c = corrected.
5.
Unemployment rates, by sex and age, seasonally adjusted
1981
1980
A nnual av erag e
Sex and age
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
A p r.
M ay
Aug.
S e p t.
7.0
18.1
19.3
17.7
11.3
5.1
5.4
3.5
7.2
18.8
20.5
17.4
11.8
5.1
5.4
3.5
7.5
19.3
21.2
18.1
12.1
5.4
5.8
3.8
7.1
19.8
24.4
18.1
12.8
5.0
5.3
3.5
6.6
184
19.8
17,8
11.3
4.7
4.9
3.4
7.0
19.7
21.5
18.1
12.7
4.8
5.0
3.4
7.2
19.3
21.2
18.1
12.9
5.0
5.5
3.5
7.6
18.2
20.6
16.4
11.2
5.6
6.0
3.3
7.7
17.7
18.7
17.5
11.3
5.7
6.1
3,7
7.5
17.8
19,5
16.8
10.8
5.5
5.9
3.6
7.9
19.3
21.1
18.1
11.2
5.9
6.3
4.4
June
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
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 ove r..................................
5,8
16,1
18,1
14,6
9.0
3.9
4.1
3.0
7.1
17.7
20.0
16.1
11.5
5.0
5.4
3.3
7.4
17.8
20.1
16.0
12.0
5.4
5.9
3.4
7.6
18.5
20.9
16.7
12,3
5.4
5.9
3.4
7.5
18.6
21.4
16.5
12.1
5.4
5.9
3.3
7.4
17.8
19.9
16.4
11.7
5.3
5.8
3.5
7.4
19.0
21.0
17.5
11.9
5.3
5.7
3.5
7.3
19.3
21.4
17.9
11.8
5.1
5.5
3.6
7.3
19.1
21.3
17.7
11.7
5.2
5.5
3.7
7.3
19.1
22.0
17.2
12.1
5.0
5.4
3.3
7.6
19.5
21.6
18.2
12.9
5.3
5.6
3.3
7.3
19.0
22.6
17.3
12.1
5.2
5.6
3.4
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............................
5,1
15.8
17.9
14.2
8.6
3.3
3.4
2.9
6.9
18.2
20.4
16.7
12.5
4.7
5.1
3.3
7.6
18.9
21.2
16.9
13.5
5.4
6.0
3.5
7.4
19.8
21.8
18.1
13.8
5.1
5.6
3.3
7.4
19.8
22.3
17.8
13.2
5.1
5.6
3.3
7.2
19.0
20.5
17.8
12.5
4.9
5.4
3.3
7.2
20.3
23.0
18.5
12.8
4.9
5.2
3.4
7.1
20.1
22.1
18.7
12.7
4.8
5.2
3.4
7.0
19.5
21.1
18.6
13.0
4.7
5.1
3.2
6.9
19.3
22.7
17.0
13,2
4.6
4.9
3.1
7.4
20,2
22.7
18.3
14.2
4.8
5.1
3.4
Women, 16 years and over............................
16 to 19 years........................................
16 to 17 years ................................
18 to 19 years ................................
20 to 24 years........................................
25 years and o ve r..................................
25 to 54 years ................................
55 years and over............................
6.8
16.4
18.3
15.0
9.6
4.8
5.2
3.2
7.4
17.2
19.5
15.6
10.3
5.5
5.9
3.2
7.2
16.6
18.8
15.1
10.2
5.4
5.9
3.3
7.7
17.0
19.8
15.1
10.6
5.9
6.4
3.4
7.7
17.2
20.3
15.1
10.8
5.8
6.2
3.4
7.7
16.5
19.3
14.8
10.8
5.9
6.3
39
7.7
17.5
18.7
16.4
10.8
5.8
6.3
3.6
7.6
18.4
20.5
17.0
10.8
5.6
5.9
3.9
7.7
18.7
21.6
16.5
10.1
5.9
6.2
4.5
7.7
18.9
21.1
17.4
10.9
5.6
6.0
3.7
7.9
18.7
20.4
18,2
11.4
5,9
6.4
3.3
6.
N ov.
M a r.
1979
J u ly
Unemployed persons, by reason for unemployment, seasonally adjusted
[Numbers in thousands]
1981
1980
R e a s o n f o r u n e m p lo y m e n t
Aug.
S e p t.
4,084
1,368
2,715
1,009
2,126
938
4,219
1,367
2,852
863
1,955
956
3,691
1,178
2,513
898
2,022
873
3,929
1,205
2,724
838
1,939
944
4,338
1,412
2,925
889
1,949
953
100.0
49.7
16.7
33.1
11.1
26.3
12.9
100.0
50.1
16.8
33.3
12.4
26,1
11.5
100.0
52.8
17,1
35.7
10.8
24.5
12.0
100.0
49.3
15.7
33.6
12.0
27.0
11.7
100.0
51.4
15.7
35.6
11.0
25.4
12.3
100.0
53.4
17.4
36.0
10.9
24,0
11.7
3.6
.8
1.9
.9
3.8
.9
2.0
.9
4.0
.8
1.8
.9
3.5
.8
1.9
.8
3.7
.8
1.8
.9
4.1
.8
1.8
.9
M ay
3,896
1,267
2,629
884
1,970
928
3,846
1,299
2,547
863
2,040
986
3,819
1,280
2,539
854
2,017
987
100.0
49.4
16.1
33.2
11.6
26.2
12.8
100.0
50.7
16.5
34.2
11.5
25.7
12.1
100.0
49.7
16.8
32.9
11.2
26.4
12.7
3.6
.9
1.9
.9
3.7
.8
1.9
.9
3.6
.8
1.9
.9
Jan.
Feb.
4,240
1,692
2,548
870
2,013
880
4,229
1,453
2,776
897
1,896
890
4,226
1,470
2,756
813
1,869
868
3,847
1,258
2,590
907
2,039
1,000
100.0
55.2
21.9
33.3
10.8
23.2
10.8
100.0
53.0
21.1
31.8
10.9
25.2
11.0
100 0
53.5
18.4
35.1
11.3
24.0
11.2
100.0
54.3
18.9
35,4
10.5
24.0
11.2
4.2
.8
1.8
.8
4,0
.8
1.9
.8
4.0
.9
1.8
.8
4.0
8
1.8
.8
4,387
1,744
2,643
855
1.844
862
J u ly
A p r.
Dec.
O c t.
June
M ar.
N ov.
S e p t.
NUMBER OF UNEM PLOYED
Lost last jo b ........................................................................................
On layoff.......................................................................................
Other job losers............................................................................
Left last job .........................................................................................
Reentered labor force..........................................................................
Seeking first job ..................................................................................
P E R C E N T D IS T R IB U T IO N
Total unemployed................................................................................
Job losers ..........................................................................................
On layoff.......................................................................................
Other job losers............................................................................
Job leavers ........................................................................................
Reentrants..........................................................................................
New entrants .......................................................................................
UNEM PLOYED AS A PERCENT OF
T H E C IV IL IA N L A B O R F O R C E
Job losers ...........................................................................................
Job leavers .........................................................................................
Reentrants...........................................................................................
New entrants .......................................................................................
7.
Duration of unemployment, seasonally adjusted
[Numbers in thousands]
1981
1980
A nnual av erag e
W e e k s o f u n e m p lo y m e n t
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 ......................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1979
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
2,869
1,892
1,202
684
518
109
3,208
2,411
1,829
1,028
802
11.9
3,042
2,586
2,295
1,366
929
13.0
3,186
2,500
2,292
1,256
1,036
13.3
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
S e p t.
3,108
2,524
2,329
1,213
1,116
13.6
3.115
2,217
2,378
1,231
1,147
13.5
3,259
2,264
2,358
1,079
1,279
14.4
3,203
2,324
2,250
992
1,257
14.4
3,209
2,356
2,192
1,013
1,179
14,0
3,074
2,462
2,105
1,001
1,104
13.7
3,369
2,581
2.168
1,022
1,146
13.2
3,172
2,360
2,315
1,205
1,110
14.2
3,187
2,196
2,100
1,068
1,032
13.9
3,161
2,345
2,194
1,059
1,135
14.5
3,383
2,489
2,212
1,151
1,061
13.7
67
EM PLOYM ENT, HOURS, AND EARNINGS DATA FRO M ESTABLISHM ENT 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 166,000 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)
12th of the month.
cent of all persons
ment which reports
for any part of the payroll period including the
Persons holding more than one job (about 5 per
in the labor force) are counted in each establish
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 services 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 H o u rly 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
68
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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 June 1981 data, published in the August 1981 issue of the Re
view. Consequently, data published in the Review prior to that issue
are not necessarily comparable to current data. Complete comparable
historical unadjusted and seasonally adjusted data are published in a
Supplement to Employment and Earnings (unadjusted data from April
1977 through March 1981 and seasonally adjusted data from January
1974 through March 1981) and in Employment and Earnings, United
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. 9-20. See also BLS
Handbook of Methods for Surveys and Studies, Bulletin 1910 (Bureau
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 1979-81, see Employment and Earnings,
March 1981, 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, 1951-80
[Nonagricultural payroll data, in thousands]
Y ear
T o ta l
C o n s tru c
M a n u fa c
t io n
t u r in g
M in in g
T ra n s
W h o le
p o r ta tio n
s a le
and
and
G o v e rn m e n t
F in a n c e ,
W h o le s a le
R e ta il
tra d e
tra d e
in s u r
ance,
p u b lic
r e t a il
a n d re a l
u t ilit ie s
tra d e
e s ta te
S e rv ic e s
S ta te
T o ta l
F e d e ra l
a n d lo c a l
1951 ..........................................................
1952 ..........................................................
1953 ..........................................................
1 9 5 ^ ..........................................................
1955 ..........................................................
47,819
48,793
50,202
48,990
50,641
929
898
866
791
792
2,637
2,668
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
1,956
2,035
2,111
2,200
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
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
10,886
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
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
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
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
6,315
6,550
6,868
7,248
7,696
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
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
8,672
9,102
9,437
9,823
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
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
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
79,382
82,471
86,697
89,823
90,564
779
813
851
958
1,020
3,576
3,851
4,229
4,463
4,399
18,997
19,682
20,505
21,040
20,300
4,582
4,713
4,923
5,136
5,143
17,755
18,516
19,542
20,192
20,386
4,546
4,708
4,969
5,204
5,281
13,209
13,808
14,573
14,989
15,104
4,271
4,467
4,724
4,975
5,168
14551
15,303
16,252
17,112
17,901
14,871
15,127
15,672
15,947
16,249
2,733
2,727
2,753
2,773
2,866
12,138
12,399
12,919
13,147
13,383
'Data Include Alaska and Hawaii beginning in 1959.
9.
Employment by State
[Nonagricultural payroll data, in thousands]
S ta te
A u g . 1980
J u ly 1981
A u g . 1981 P
S ta te
A u g . 1980
J u ly 1981
A u g . 1981 P
Alabama ..............................................................................
A la ska ...................................................................................
Arizona ................................................................................
Arkansas ..............................................................................
California..............................................................................
1,348.0
182.6
967.0
738.6
9,729.0
1,350.2
192.0
995.7
745.7
9,882.4
1,344.5
190.3
991.4
750.0
9,901.0
M ortana..........................................................................
Nebraska.......................................................................
Nevada .........................................................................
New Hampshire ............................................................
New Jersey ...................................................................
284.1
621.6
403.9
389.4
3,084.2
285.3
629.0
418.1
389.8
3,138.0
285.8
628.7
421.9
392.9
3,131.5
Colorado ..............................................................................
Connecticut ..........................................................................
Delaware..............................................................................
District of Columbia..............................................................
Florida...................................................................................
1,254.6
1,406.0
258.9
629.2
3,502.8
1,273.7
1,427.9
262.8
629.4
3,709.6
1,276.2
1,419.3
258.8
623.1
3,685.5
New M exico...................................................................
New Y o rk .......................................................................
North Carolina ..............................................................
North Dakota .................................................................
Ohio ..............................................................................
462.6
7,234.0
2,350.7
246.7
4,336.2
465.2
7,264.4
2,348.0
248.1
4,365.4
468.9
7,263.1
2,357.7
248.7
4,359.0
G eorgia................................................................................
H a w a ii...................................................................................
Idaho.....................................................................................
Illinois ...................................................................................
Indiana..................................................................................
2,134.3
408.2
329.8
4,918.3
2,109.9
2,148.7
407.5
325.6
4,870.3
2,106.5
2,155.7
404.6
324.6
4,846.3
2,112.9
Oklahoma .....................................................................
Oregor ..........................................................................
Pennsylvania .................................................................
Rhode Island .................................................................
South Carolina ..............................................................
1,137.0
1,030.1
4,714.9
399.3
1,181.8
1,175.6
1,012.4
4,688.2
391.0
1,183.6
1,185.5
1,012.8
4,684.0
399.1
1,183.6
Iowa .....................................................................................
Kansas ................................................................................
Kentucky ..............................................................................
Louisiana..............................................................................
Maine ...................................................................................
1,065.9
931.7
1,195.5
1,575.0
432.1
1,062.9
945.8
1,188.7
1,637.3
428.0
1,058.8
944.4
1,187.1
1,640.1
431.8
South D a kota .................................................................
Tennessee .....................................................................
Texas ............................................................................
Utah ..............................................................................
Vermont.........................................................................
237.7
1,711.3
5,868.9
544.8
198.8
234.1
1,706.1
6,149.9
550.6
201.3
233.3
1,713.7
6,152.9
550.7
201.1
Maryland ..............................................................................
Massachusetts.....................................................................
Michigan ..............................................................................
Minnesota ............................................................................
Mississippi ............................................................................
Missouri................................................................................
1,688.9
2,646.2
3,370.4
1,769.9
816.4
1,958.8
1,702.3
2,632.1
3,454.9
1,752.3
817.1
1,963.2
1,681.0
2,658.4
3,418.1
1,772.2
811.0
1,968.0
Virginia............................................................................
Washington ...................................................................
West Virginia .................................................................
Wisconsin.......................................................................
Wyoming .......................................................................
2,124.1
1,602.2
640.8
1,943.8
211.1
2,150.2
1,581.8
640.6
1,955.9
213.4
2,151.5
1,576.1
629.5
1,964.8
214.8
Virgin Islands .................................................................
36.7
37.3
36.7
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69
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Current Labor Statistics: Establishment Data
10.
Employment by industry division and major manufacturing group
[Nonagricultural payroll data, in thousands]
1981
1980
A nnual av erag e
In d u s t r y d i v is i o n a n d g r o u p
1979
1980
S e p t.
............................................................................................
89,823
90,564
90,638
..................................................................................................
958
1,020
1,030
TOTAL
M IN IN G
O c t.
Jan.
Feb.
M ar.
91,599
91,750
89,988
90,138
1,034
1,051
1,060
1,066
1,071
1,084
941
957
1,132
1,155
1,170
1,167
4,246
4,356
4,477
4,554
4,575
4,495
91,848
J u ly
92,481
91,600
S e p t.p
91,244
91,337
June
A u g .»
Dec.
90,720
A p r.
M ay
N ov.
91,586
92,026
4,463
4,399
4,613
4,619
4,533
4,343
3,995
3,901
4,048
21,040
15,068
20,300
14,223
20,212
14,131
20,235
14,141
20,293
14,190
20,238
14,126
20,075
13,975
20,065
13,971
20,160
14,049
20,253
14,127
20,342
14,195
20,531
14,325
20,337
14,108
20,486
14,241
20,665
14,463
12,760
9,110
12,181
8,438
11,990
8,244
12,061
8,304
12,156
8,391
12,147
8,374
12,072
8,305
12,042
8,279
12,120
8,345
12,197
8,412
12,235
8,438
12,334
8,500
12,198
8,347
12,192
8,327
12,330
8,487
766.9
497.8
708.7
1,253.9
1,717.7
2,484.8
2,116.9
2,077.2
691.2
444,8
690.3
468.8
665.6
1,144.1
1,609.0
2,497.0
2,103.2
1,875.3
708.5
419.3
693.6
461.6
665.5
1,092.0
1,576.4
2,453.4
2,079.6
1,842.4
705.6
419.8
691.4
465.0
663.5
1,103.7
1,586.6
2,461.2
2,094.8
1.869.0
706.3
419.2
687.9
468.6
665.2
1,123.3
1,597.6
2,479.6
2.109.6
1,894.6
711.2
417.9
685.9
470.5
652.3
1,136.3
1,596.4
2,496.8
2,118.0
1,871.4
713.8
405,9
674.6
469.6
635.0
1,136.7
1,580.2
2.496.9
2,114.0
1,854,9
712.4
398.0
674.5
471.7
630.6
1,137.7
1,578.1
2,498.4
2,112.3
1,824,8
710.1
403.3
678.3
472.1
639.5
1,141.3
1,585.4
2,504.3
2,119.5
1,860.4
712.1
406.7
686.9
478.0
652.6
1,149.9
1,593.7
2,506,1
2,129.7
1,874.3
714.4
411.3
703.4
479.0
659.7
1.147.5
1,596.1
2,508.6
2,134.7
1,877.4
715.2
413.4
711.0
480.5
671.0
1,155.5
1,606.8
2,531.3
2,152.7
1,882.7
723.2
419.5
708.6
472.0
666.7
1,135.5
1,584.5
2,517.4
2,138.9
1,840.3
722.1
412.3
701.9
481.6
668.9
1,139.8
1,590.9
2,512.1
2,146.9
1,802.4
726.1
421.6
690.4
486.7
666.3
1,148.9
1,610.4
2,534.1
2,169.7
1,869.1
727.3
426.6
Production workers..................................
8,280
5,958
8,118
5,786
8,222
5,887
8,174
5,837
8,137
5,799
8,091
5,752
8,003
5,670
8,023
5,692
8,040
5,704
8,056
5,715
8,107
5,757
8,197
5,825
8,139
5,761
8,294
5,914
8,335
5,976
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 ..........................
1,732.5
70.0
885.1
1,304.3
706.8
1,235.1
1,109.3
209.8
781.6
245.7
1,710.8
69.2
852.7
1,265,8
694.0
1,258.3
1,107.4
196.6
730.7
232.6
1,823.5
74.9
843,3
1,274.3
688,6
1,255.1
1,100.9
210.2
718.0
232.7
1,765.2
75.9
845.4
1,270.5
690.6
1,259.1
1,099.5
209.7
725.7
232.1
1,719.3
75.3
847.8
1,262.3
691.4
1,268.2
1,100.1
209.5
730.6
232.5
1,688.5
74.4
846.1
1,241.1
691.5
1,278.3
1,101.2
206.8
733.2
229.4
1,645.2
72.0
841.0
1,222.8
687.7
1,269.0
1,100.1
206.5
731.8
226.9
1,639.2
70.6
841.1
1,238.7
687.7
1,273.6
1,102.9
205.7
734.2
229.5
1,632.5
68.3
840.9
1,250.2
688.6
1,278.2
1,106.8
207.0
737.2
230.4
1,631.0
66.2
841.6
1,255.2
690.9
1,280,4
1,106.2
209.5
743.5
231.7
1,648.1
65.2
844.3
1,265.9
693.1
1,281.8
1,110.3
212.9
749.2
235.9
1.673.4
66.4
851.0
1,283.9
701.0
1,286.2
1,121.1
215.4
759.0
239.1
1,714.8
66.3
836.5
1,231.1
696.4
1,286.5
1,116.6
216.1
747.0
227.5
1,777.5
75.8
848.0
1,277.3
701.0
1,289.1
1,114.5
215.4
756.4
239.4
1,778.9
79.0
853.0
1.295.2
704.5
1,295.3
1,115.2
213.1
764.2
236.8
5,136
5,143
5,159
5,166
5,147
5,150
5,063
5,076
5,095
5,120
5,148
5,195
5,177
5,173
5,215
20,513
20,672
20,795
20,735
20,820
20,912
C O N S T R U C T IO N
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
Production workers..................................
D u r a b le g o o d s
Production workers..................................
Lumber and wood products ............................
Furniture and fixtures......................................
Stone, day, and glass products ......................
Primary metal industries..................................
Fabricated metal products ..............................
Electric and electronic equipment....................
Transportation equipment................................
Instruments and related products ....................
Miscellaneous manufacturing ..........................
N o n d u r a b le g o o d s
T R A N S P O R T A T I O N A N D P U B L IC U T IL IT IE S
20,192
20,386
20,495
20.533
20,761
21,138
20,366
20,196
20,290
5,204
5,281
5,293
5,315
5,312
5,315
5,276
5,273
5,293
5,317
5,335
5,381
5,376
5,389
5,375
14,989
15,104
15,202
15,218
15,449
15,823
15,090
14,923
14,997
15,196
15,337
15,414
15,359
15,431
15,537
4,975
5,168
5,201
5,211
5,223
5,237
5,235
5,245
5,263
5,295
5,326
5,384
5,408
5,408
5,351
S E R V IC E S
17,112
17,901
18,087
18,115
18,118
18,149
17,972
18,126
18,287
18,512
18,633
18,764
18,847
18,841
18,795
GOVERNMENT
15,947
2,773
13,174
16,249
2,866
13,383
15,841
2,754
13,087
16,331
2,774
13,557
16,473
2,776
13,697
16,435
2,782
13,653
16,216
2,773
13,443
16,458
2,774
13,684
16,493
2,769
13,724
16,457
2,773
13,684
16,414
2,782
13,632
16,203
2,825
13,378
15,387
2,833
12,554
15,113
2,763
12,350
15,426
2,730
12,696
W H O L E S A L E A N D R E T A IL T R A D E
W HO LESA LE TRADE
R E T A IL T R A D E
F IN A N C E , I N S U R A N C E , A N D R E A L E S T A T E
Federal..........................................................
State and local ..............................................
Digitized 70
for FRASER
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11.
Employment by industry division and major manufacturing group, seasonally adjusted
[Nonagricultural payroll data, in thousands]
1980
1981
In d u s t r y d i v is i o n a n d g r o u p
TOTAL
............................................................................................................................................
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
90,461
90,668
90,844
Dec.
90,949
Jan.
91,091
Feb.
91,258
M a r.
91,347
A p r.
91,458
M ay
91,564
June
J u ly
A u g .p
S e p t.p
91,615
91,880
91,889
91,875
1,023
1,032
1,052
1,069
1,083
1,091
1,098
950
957
1,110
1,132
1,152
1,160
4,362
4,379
4,389
4,387
4,390
4,389
4,416
4,418
4,334
4,284
4,272
4,272
4,253
20,060
13,992
20,110
14,024
20,188
14,081
20,175
14,059
20,174
14,053
20,177
14,053
20,191
14,074
20,332
14,187
20,414
14,247
20,424
14,245
20,535
14,327
20,517
14,305
20,536
14,350
Production workers ................................................................
11,968
8,229
12,013
8,259
12,090
8,320
12,077
8,301
12,084
8,306
12,074
8,297
12,099
8,325
12,207
8,412
12,254
8,442
12,278
8,455
12,333
8,491
12,336
8,488
12,326
8,495
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..........................................................
680
462
656
1,092
1,575
2,463
2,078
1,843
709
410
679
462
655
1,108
1,578
2,481
2,087
1,848
709
406
683
463
658
1,126
1,582
2,489
2,096
1,874
712
407
687
464
655
1,137
1,581
2,490
2,103
1,839
712
409
689
464
654
1,137
1,579
2,487
2,110
1,840
713
411
691
466
654
1,140
1,577
2,481
2,110
1,833
711
411
692
467
651
1,141
1,581
2,480
2,117
1,849
712
409
702
478
656
1,145
1,595
2,491
2,134
1,878
714
414
710
484
658
1,142
1,604
2,511
2,143
1,872
716
414
699
486
658
1,144
1,604
2,521
2,148
1,886
717
415
702
488
658
1,140
1,614
2,533
2,163
1,886
723
426
687
488
660
1,148
1,610
2,543
2,166
1,890
727
417
677
487
656
1,149
1,609
2,544
2,168
1,888
731
417
N o n d u r a b l e g o o d s .....................................................................................................................
Production workers ................................................................
8,092
5,763
8,097
5,765
8,098
5,761
8,098
5,758
8,090
5,747
8,103
5,756
8,092
5,749
8,125
5,775
8,160
5,805
8,146
5,790
8,202
5,836
8,181
5,817
8,210
5,855
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..........................................................
1,712
68
843
1,261
689
1,261
1,101
208
717
232
1,711
69
845
1,256
691
1,262
1,102
208
722
231
1,705
71
844
1,253
692
1,265
1,103
209
725
231
1,701
71
842
1,250
692
1,269
1,105
209
729
230
1,696
71
841
1,244
691
1,269
1,106
211
730
231
1,705
72
839
1,243
691
1,272
1,109
210
731
231
1,691
72
838
1,243
689
1,276
1,108
210
734
231
1,697
72
842
1,250
691
1,280
1,107
211
744
231
1,703
71
843
1,258
694
1,283
1,109
213
753
233
1,673
71
846
1,264
695
1,284
1,111
212
757
232
1,691
71
856
1,278
696
1,290
1,110
212
760
238
1,672
73
850
1,272
699
1,294
1,109
212
763
237
1,672
72
852
1,281
705
1,302
1,116
211
763
236
M IN IN G
.....................................................................................................................................................
C O N S T R U C T IO N
M A N U F A C T U R I N G ............................................................................................................................
Production workers ................................................................
D u r a b l e g o o d s ...............................................................................................................................
T R A N S P O R T A T I O N A N D P U B L IC U T I L IT IE S
W H O L E S A L E A N D R E T A IL T R A D E
W HO LESA LE TRADE
R E T A IL T R A D E
..................................................................................................................................
F IN A N C E , I N S U R A N C E , A N D R E A L E S T A T E
S E R V IC E S
...............................................................................................................................................
GOVERNMENT
Federal ........................................................................................
State and local..............................................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
5,124
5,129
5,114
5,118
5,124
5,135
5,139
5,161
5,148
5,149
5,167
5,168
5,179
20,450
20,461
20,464
20,470
20,529
20,600
20,635
20,636
20,714
20,717
20,796
20,871
20,866
5,290
5,296
5,296
5,300
5,305
5,313
5,316
5,333
5,346
5,349
5,360
5,378
5,375
15,160
15,165
15,168
15,170
15,224
15,287
15,319
1.5,303
15,368
15,368
15,436
15,493
15,491
5,206
5,221
5,235
5,254
5,268
5,283
5,293
5,316
5,326
5,331
5,344
5,354
5,356
18,043
18,087
18,160
18,240
18,300
18,343
18,371
18,475
18,540
18,560
18,642
18,673
18,757
16,193
2,784
13,409
16,249
2,795
13,454
16,242
2,796
13,446
16,236
2,800
13,436
16,223
2,799
13,424
16,240
2,795
13,445
16,204
2,781
13,423
16,170
2,767
13,403
16,131
2,779
13,352
16,040
2,781
13,259
15,992
2,777
13,215
15,882
2,730
13,152
15,768
2,760
13,008
71
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Current Labor Statistics: Establishment Data
12.
Labor turnover rates in manufacturing, 1977 to date
[Per 100 employees]
Year
Annual
av erag e
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
T o ta l a c c e s s io n s
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
.................................... .
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
4.0
4.1
4.0
3.5
3.7
3.8
4.0
3.8
3.4
3.7
3.2
3.4
3.3
3.0
4.0
3.8
3.8
3.5
3.4
3.8
4.0
3.9
3.1
3.3
4.9
4.9
4.8
3.9
4.0
4.6
4.7
4.7
3.4
3.5
4.3
4.4
4.3
3.8
3.6
5.3
5.4
5.0
4.5
»3.9
4.6
4.9
4.5
4.3
3.9
4.3
4.1
3.6
3.1
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.4
2.4
2.2
2.2
3.0
3.3
3.1
2.1
2.4
4.0
4.2
3.7
2.5
»2.6
3.5
3.9
3.4
2.6
3.0
3.5
3.1
2.2
2.2
2.6
2.2
1.6
1.6
1.7
1.5
1.2
.9
.8
.9
1.5
1.0
1.0
.9
.9
1.7
»1.0
.8
.7
.8
1.4
.6
.6
.7
1.1
.6
.5
.6
.9
.6
.5
.5
.8
4.3
4.1
4.3
4.2
3.6
5.1
5.3
5.7
4.8
»4.3
4.9
4.9
4.7
4.1
3.8
4.1
4.2
3.8
3.4
3.5
3.8
3.0
3.4
3.4
3.5
3.1
1.9
2.1
2.0
1.4
1.5
3.1
3.5
3.3
2.2
»2.1
2.8
3.1
2.7
1.9
1.9
2.3
2.1
1.4
1.5
1.7
1.6
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.1
.9
1.5
1.1
1.4
2.0
1.3
1.0
.8
1.3
1.7
»1.4
1.1
.8
1.1
1.4
1.1
.9
1.2
1.5
1.1
1.0
1.5
1.3
1.5
1.4
1.7
1.6
N e w h ir e s
2.8
3.1
2.9
2.1
2.2
2.5
2.8
2.4
1.8
2.1
2.2
2.5
2.2
1.8
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.3
2.0
2.7
2.9
2.9
2.0
2.0
3.5
3.6
3.6
2.1
2.3
3.7
3.9
3.8
2.4
2.8
R e c a ll s
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
.9
.7
.7
1.1
1.2
1.0
.9
1.1
1.3
1.1
,8
.7
.9
1.1
1.3
.7
.7
.9
1.0
.9
.8
.7
.8
1.1
.8
.8
.8
1.0
1.0
.8
.7
.7
1.2
1.0
T o ta l s e p a r a tio n s
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
3.4
3.1
3.2
3.5
3.1
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.7
4.7
3.1
3.8
3.9
4.0
4.0
3.9
3.6
3.8
4.1
3.6
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
1.8
2.1
2.0
1.5
1,4
1.5
1.8
1.6
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.6
1.5
1.1
1.6
1.8
1.9
1.6
1.2
1.7
2.0
2.0
1.5
1.3
1.9
2.1
2.1
1.5
1.3
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
1.1
.9
1.1
1.7
1.7
1.2
1:1
1.6
1.6
1.4
.9
.8
1.2
1.2
1.0
.9
.8
1.3
1.2
.9
8
.9
2.3
1.0
.8
.7
.7
2.5
1.0
3.5
3.7
3.8
4.8
3.1
3.5
3.8
3.9
4.4
3.2
Q u it s
1.9
2.2
2.1
1.4
1.4
L a y o ffs
13.
.8
.7
.9
2.2
1.1
Labor turnover rates in manufacturing, by major industry group
[Per 100 employees]
A c c e s s io n r a te s
M a j o r in d u s t r y g r o u p
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
Seasonally adjusted..............
D u r a b le g o o d s
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........
N o n d u ra b le 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........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
72
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
T o ta l
S e p a r a tio n r a te s
N e w h ir e s
R e c a ll s
T o ta l
Q u it s
L a y o ffs
Aug.
J u ly
Aug.
Aug.
J u ly
Aug.
Aug.
J u ly
Aug.
Aug.
J u ly
Aug.
Aug.
J u ly
Aug.
Aug.
J u ly
Aug.
1980
1981
1981»
1980
1981
1981»
1980
1981
1981»
1980
1981
1981»
1980
1981
1981»
1980
1981
1981»
4.5
3.6
3.6
3.4
3.9
3.1
2.5
2.0
2.4
2.3
2.6
2.0
1.7
1.4
1.0
.9
1.0
.8
4.8
4.0
3.6
3.2
4.3
3.5
2.2
1.4
1.5
1.5
2.1
1.3
1.7
1.8
1.3
1.0
1.4
1.5
4.0
6.9
4.9
4.5
4.3
4.7
2.6
3.2
4.4
2.6
5.3
2.9
4.8
4.5
3.5
2.4
3.4
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.2
4.7
3.3
4.3
4.9
3.6
2.7
3.6
2.7
3.0
1.9
4.2
3.3
2.3
.8
2.2
1.5
1.6
1.4
1.8
3.7
1.9
3.3
3.3
2.2
1.0
2.2
1.5
1.7
1.4
1.7
3.2
2.1
3.4
3.5
2.2
1.1
2.3
1.8
2.0
1.7
2.4
1.5
1.8
3.2
2.2
.9
1.1
2.4
.6
1.3
.8
1.3
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.0
.7
.5
.8
.3
1.3
.9
.7
1.3
1.2
1.2
1.1
.7
.6
4.5
6.2
5.4
5.0
4.6
4.7
3.5
3.7
5,9
3.2
5.7
3.3
4.8
4.6
3.8
3.1
3.7
2.6
2.9
3.1
2.2
4.8
4.1
6.6
4.7
4.6
3.5
4.2
3.3
3.5
1.7
3.2
2.8
2.0
.9
1.9
1.4
1.7
1.1
1.9
3.3
1.2
2.5
2.3
1.3
.6
1.4
1.0
1.1
.9
1.1
1.9
1.7
3.1
2.7
' 2.0
1.0
1.9
1.4
1.5
1.9
1.8
1.5
2.0
2.7
1.9
1.3
1.1
3.9
.6
1.4
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.6
1.5
1.5
.9
8
1.4
.5
1.9
1.5
2.5
1.1
1.6
1.7
1.5
1.1
1.1
5.3
9.2
9.6
3.9
6.7
2.9
3.3
1.6
2.1
4.6
8.3
6.6
3.8
6.0
2.5
3.0
1.6
2.2
3.1
5.0
1.6
2.9
4.0
1.7
2.5
1.2
1.8
3.4
5.2
1.3
3.1
3.6
.6
1.7
.7
.4
.2
.3
4.2
5.9
2.1
4.3
6.5
2.6
2.9
1.7
2.1
4.4
5.9
3.6
3.6
2.7
3.2
2.9
4.1
1.2
2.7
3.8
1.9
2.8
1.4
1.3
2.0
2.4
.5
2.3
3.1
1.0
1.7
.7
6
2.7
3.7
1.9
2.3
1.4
1.2
1.4
2.1
1.3
1.0
2.0
1.3
.8
6
1.1
1.5
2.6
1.1
1.0
2.4
.9
.5
.5
.7
1.1
2.0
.6
1.8
,6
.4
.3
.2
5.3
7.3
3.4
4.8
6.8
4.0
4.2
2.6
3.2
2.7
3.5
3.3
4.5
1.8
2.6
1.2
1.8
1.7
2.7
5.2
.9
2.4
1.0
.5
.4
.3
1.2
2.7
4.2
6.6
2.6
3.1
1.6
2.1
3.4
6.2
3.8
2.8
3.9
1.7
2.7
1.0
1.7
5.7
8.6
3.9
6.8
4.3
7.5
2.9
5.2
2.9
4.7
3.1
5.1
2.4
3.1
.8
1.9
.8
2.0
5.4
7.4
4.0
7.1
4.6
7.2
2.6
4.5
1.8
3.3
2.5
4.1
1.7
1.9
1.1
2.8
1.0
2.1
2.6
6.5
4.9
8.1
2.1
4.7
.4
1.5
2.9
6.0
4.7
6.3
1.8
3.0
.5
1.9
.7
1.3
.9
.6
.5
1.2
14.
Hours and earnings, by industry division, 1950-80
[Gross averages, production or nonsupervisory workers on nonagricultural payrolls]
Year
A v e ra g e
A v e ra g e
A v e ra g e
A v e ra g e
A v e ra g e
A v e ra g e
A v e ra g e
A v e ra g e
A v e ra g e
A v e ra g e
A v e ra g e
w e e k ly
w e e k ly
h o u r ly
w e e k ly
w e e k ly
h o u r ly
w e e k ly
w e e k ly
h o u r ly
w e e k ly
w e e k ly
h o u r ly
e a r n in g s
h o u rs
e a r n in g s
e a r n in g s
h o u rs
e a r n in g s
e a r n in g s
h o u rs
e a r n in g s
e a r n in g s
h o u rs
e a r n in g s
T o ta l p r iv a te
1950 ..................
M in in g
C o n s tru c tio n
A v e ra g e
M a n u f a c t u r in
$53.13
398
$1.335
$67.16
37.9
$1.772
$69.68
37.4
$1.863
$58.32
40.5
$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
386
388
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 ..................
•959' ................
1960 ..................
70.74
73.33
75.08
78.78
80.67
39.3
38,8
38.5
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
2.82
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
387
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
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
98.82
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:
37.9Í
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
39.8
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
370
3.94
4.24
4.53
172.14
189.14
201,40
219.14
249.31
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-
39.9
40.5
40.7
40.0
39.5
3.57
3.82
4.09
4.42
4.83
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
175.45
189.00
203.70
219.91
235.10
36.1
36.0
35.8
35.7
35.3
486
5.25
5.69
6.16
6.66
273.90
301.20
332.88
365.07
396.14
42.4
43.4
43.4
43.0
43.2
6.46
6.94
7.67
8.49
9.17
283.73
295.65
318.69
342.99
367.04
36.8,
36.5
36.8
37.0'
37.0)
7.71
8.10
8.66
9.27
9.92
209.32
228.90
249.27
269.34
288.62
40.1
40.3
40.4
40.2
39.7
5.22
5.68
6.17
6.70
7.27
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
T r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d p u b lic
w n o i e s a i e a n a r e t a il t r a d e
u t ilit ie s
S e rv ic e s
re a l e s ta te
1950 ..................
$44.55
40.5
$1 100
$50 52
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
47.79
49.20
51.35
53.33
55.16
40 5
400
39 5
39.5
39 4
1 18
1 23
1 30
1 35
1 40
54 67
57 Ofi
59 57
6? 04
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
1 47
1 54
1 60
1 66
1 71
65 6ft
67 53
70 12
72 74
75 14
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
41.1
41.3
$2.89
3.03
38.3
38 2
38 1
37.9
37.7
1 76
1 83
1 89
1.97
2.04
77 12
80 94
$118.78
125.14
6741
69.91
72.01
74.66
76.91
85.79
88.91
37.3
37.2
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
465
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
1980
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
256.71
278.90
302.80
325.58
351.25
39.8
39.9
40.0
39.9
39.6
6.45
6.99
7.57
8.16
8.87
133.79
142.52
153.64
164.96
176.46
33.7
33.3
32.9
32.6
32.2
3.97
4.28
4.67
5.06
5.48
155.43
165.26
178.00
190.77
209.24
36.4
36.4
36.4
36.2
36.2
4.27
4.54
4.89
5.27
5.78
143.52
153.45
163.67
175.27
190.71
33.3
33.0
32.8
32.7
32.6
4.31
4.65
4.99
5.36
5.85
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
37 7
37 1
' Data include Alaska and Hawaii beginning in 1959.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
73
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • 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]
1981
1980
A nnual av erag e
In d u s t r y d i v is i o n a n d g r o u p
T O T A L P R IV A T E
M I N I N G ..................................................................................................
1979
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M ar.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
S e p t.
35.7
35.3
35.3
35.3
35.3
35.6
35.1
35.0
35.2
35.2
35.2
35.4
35.6
35.6
35.0
43.0
43.2
43.5
43.6
43.6
44.1
43.6
42.8
42.3
43.6
43.8
42,1
43.5
44.0
43.2
37.9
36.8
37.2
36.4
35.0
37.2
36.9
36.9
37.2
37.7
37.4
35.6
C O N S T R U C T IO N
37.0
37.0
38.0
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
40.2
3.3
39.7
2.8
398
3.0
39.8
2.9
40.2
3.1
40.8
3.3
39.9
2.9
39.5
2.8
39.9
2.8
39.7
2.6
40.1
2.9
40.2
3.0
39.6
2.8
39.8
3,0
39.3
2.8
Overtime hours ......................................
40.8
3.5
40.1
2.8
40.2
2.9
40.3
2.9
40.7
3.1
41.5
3.4
40.4
2.9
39.9
2.8
40.5
2.9
40.3
2.7
40.6
3.0
40.6
3.0
39.9
2.8
40.2
2.9
39.6
2.7
Lumber and wood products ..........................
Furniture and fixtures ....................................
Stone, clay, and glass products......................
Primary metal industries................................
Fabricated metal products ............................
39.4
38.7
41.5
41.4
40.7
38.6
38.1
40.8
40.1
40.4
39.3
38.3
41.1
39.9
40.5
39.2
38.5
41.3
39.9 '
40.5
39.2
38.4
41.4
40.8
40.9
39.7
39.6
41.6
41.6
41.6
38.8
38 1
40.3
41.1
40.4
38.5
38.3
39.6
40.7
40.0
39.0
38.8
40.6
41.1
40.6
39.1
38,2
40.9
41.2
40.2
39.6
38.5
41.1
40.9
40.7
39.5
38.9
41.2
40.9
40.8
38.7
37.8
40.8
40.3
39.9
39.0
38.7
41.0
40.4
40.3
38.2
38.3
39.9
39.8
39,6
Machinery except electrical............................
Electric and electronic equipment ..................
Transportation equipment ..............................
Instruments and related products ..................
Miscellaneous manufacturing ........................
41.8
40.3
41.1
40.8
38.8
41.0
39.8
40.6
40.5
38.7
41.0
39.7
40.7
40.1
39.1
40.7
39.8
41.1
40.3
38.9
41.3
40.4
41.7
40.9
39.1
42.2
41.0
43.1
41.2
39.5
41.2
40.1
40.9
40.6
38.6
40.8
39.6
40.1
40.5
38.4
41.2
40.2
41.1
40.6
38.9
40.8
39.8
41.0
39.9
38.6
41.2
40.1
41.6
40.3
38.9
41.1
40.2
41.3
40.4
39.0
40.4
39.7
40.7
39.9
38.5
40.7
39.9
40.5
40.2
38.8
39.9
39.6
39,8
39.8
38.7
Overtime hours......................................
39.3
3.1
39.0
2.8
39.1
3.1
39.1
2.9
39.4
3.0
39.9
3.1
39.2
2.9
38.9
2.8
39.1
2.7
38.9
2.6
39.4
2.9
39.5
2.9
39.1
2.8
39.4
3.0
39.0
3.1
Food and kindred products............................
Tobacco manufactures..................................
Textile mill products......................................
Apparel and other textile products..................
Paper and allied products..............................
39.9
38.0
40.4
35.3
42.6
39.7
38.1
40.1
35.4
42.3
40.3
38.2
39.8
35.2
42.3
39.7
40.0
39.9
35.5
42.2
40.1
40.1
40.3
35.4
42.8
40.3
38.1
40.9
35.9
43.7
40.0
38.6
39.9
35.2
42.7
393
38.5
39.9
35.3
42.2
39.2
37.2
40.1
35.8
42.4
39.3
37.2
39.4
35.2
42.3
39.8
38.6
40.3
36.0
42.5
398
38.5
40.4
36.4
42.7
39.6
38.6
39.7
36.0
42.4
40.0
40.5
39.9
36.3
42.4
39.4
40.4
38.7
35.2
43.0
Printing and publishing ..................................
Chemicals and allied products........................
Petroleum and coal products ........................
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products ..
Leather and leather products ........................
37.5
41.9
43.8
40.5
36.5
37.1
41.5
41.8
40.1
36.7
37.2
41.3
43.4
40.3
36.3
37.2
41.5
43.7
40.7
36.6
37.2
42.0
43.6
41.1
36.3
38.1
42.1
43.3
41.6
36.9
37.1
41.6
42.6
41.0
36.5
36.9
41.5
42.5
40.2
36.7
37.1
41.6
42.6
40.7
36.8
37.0
41.6
43.9
40.4
36.3
37.3
41.6
43.6
40.9
37.4
37.2
41.6
43.5
40.9
38.1
37.2
41.5
43.7
40.0
36.6
37.5
41.4
43.0
40.4
37.1
37.5
42.2
44.0
39.8
35.8
T R A N S P O R T A T I O N A N D P U B L IC U T I L IT IE S
39.9
39.6
39.7
39.8
39.7
40.0
39.4
39.5
39.4
39.3
39.3
39.8
39.8
39.8
38.9
W H O L E S A L E A N D R E T A IL T R A D E
32.6
32.2
32.2
32.1
32.1
32.5
31.7
31.7
31.9
32.1
32.0
32.3
328
32.7
32.1
38.5
38,3
38.5
38.5
38.5
38.6
38.8
38.6
38.5
30.2
Overtime hours......................................
D u r a b le g o o d s
N o n d u r a b le g o o d s
W H O LESA LE TR AD E
38.8
38.5
38.5
38.7
38.5
38.9
R E T A IL T R A D E ...............................................................................
306
30.2
30.2
30.0
30.0
30.5
29.5
29.6
29.8
30.0
29.9
30.4
30.9
30.9
36.2
36.2
36.1
36.3
36.3
36.3
36.4
36.4
36.4
36.3
36,1
36.1
36.3
36.4
36.1
32.9
32.4
F IN A N C E , I N S U R A N C E , A N D R E A L
ESTATE
............................................................................................
S E R V IC E S
Digitized for
74 FRASER
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
32.7
32.6
32.6
32.6
32.6
32.6
32.5
32.6
32.6
32.6
32.5
32.7
33.0
16.
Weekly hours, by industry division and major manufacturing group, seasonally adjusted
[Gross averages, production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls]
1980
1981
In d u s t r y d i v is i o n a n d g r o u p
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
A u g .n
S e p t.p
35.3
35.3
35.3
35.3
35.3
35.2
35.3
35.4
35.3
35.2
35.3
35.2
34.9
39.6
2.7
39.7
2.8
39.8
3.0
39.9
3.0
40.1
3.0
39.8
2.8
39.9
2.8
40.2
2.9
40.3
3.2
40.1
3.0
40.0
3.0
40.0
3.0
39.1
2.6
Overtime hours............................................
40.1
2.7
40.1
2.8
40.4
3.0
40.4
3.1
40.6
3.0
40.1
2.8
40.4
2.8
40.8
3.0
40.8
3.2
40.5
3.0
40.5
3.0
40.5
3.0
39.4
2.5
Lumber and wood products ................................
Furniture and fixtures ..........................................
Stone, clay, and glass products ..........................
Primary metal industries......................................
Fabricated metal products ..................................
38.7
38.1
40.8
39.7
40.4
38.6
38.0
40.8
40.1
40.4
39.1
38.0
40.9
40.8
40.5
39.3
38.4
41.0
41.2
40.4
39.8
38.5
41.3
41.1
40.5
39.1
38.6
40.6
40.7
40.2
39.1
38.6
40.7
41.0
40.4
39.6
38.8
41.2
41.2
40.9
39.8
39.0
41.0
41.0
40.9
39.0
38.9
40.8
40.8
40.7
38.8
38.5
40.9
40.5
40.5
38.6
38.7
40.8
40.8
40.5
37.6
38.1
39.6
39.6
39.5
Machinery, except electrical ................................
Electric and electronic equipment ....................
Transportation equipment....................................
Instruments and related products ........................
Miscellaneous manufacturing ..............................
40.9
39.6
40.7
40.2
38.8
40.8
39.8
40.7
40.3
38.6
41.0
39.9
41.2
40.4
38.6
40.9
40.0
41.0
40.4
38.9
41.1
40.1
41.3
40.6
38.8
40.8
39.6
40.5
40.5
38.6
40.9
40.0
40.9
40.5
38.7
41.3
40.2
42.0
40.1
38.9
41.4
40.4
41.8
40.4
39.2
41.1
40.2
41.4
40.4
39.1
41.1
40.5
41.2
40.5
39.2
41.2
40.3
41.3
40.6
38.9
39.8
39.5
39.8
39.9
38.4
Overtime hours............................................
38.9
2.8
39.0
2.8
39.1
2.9
39.2
2.9
39.5
3.0
39.2
2.9
39.2
2.8
39.3
2.9
39.6
3.1
39.4
3.0
39.3
2.9
39.3
2.9
38.8
2.8
Food and kindred products..................................
Textile mill products............................................
Apparel and other textile products........................
Paper and allied products....................................
39.7
39.8
35.2
42.2
39.6
39.8
35.4
42.2
39.8
39.9
35.2
42.4
39.7
40.1
35.5
42.8
40.3
40.0
36.1
42.6
39.9
40.0
35.6
42.4
39.7
39.9
35.7
42.4
40.1
39.8
35.5
42.6
40.0
40.5
36.0
• 42.8
39.8
40.2
36.1
42.7
39.4
40.4
35.9
42.7
39.4
40.2
36.1
42.6
38.8
38.7
35.2
42.9
Printing and publishing ........................................
Chemicals and allied products..............................
Petroleum and coal products ..............................
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products ........
Leather and leather products ..............................
36.9
41.4
42.4
40.2
36.4
37.1
41.5
42.8
40.5
36.7
36.8
41.6
42.9
40.8
36.3
37.4
41.6
43.2
40.8
36.6
37.5
41.6
43.8
40.9
36.8
37.3
41.6
43.8
40.3
37.0
37.1
41.5
43.5
40.5
37.1
37.3
41.5
44.1
40.7
36.6
37.6
41.7
43.8
41.3
37.1
37.4
41.7
43.4
41.0
37.4
37.3
41.8
43.1
40.5
36.5
37.3
41.7
42.8
40.6
37.1
37.2
42.3
42.9
39.6
35.9
T O T A L P R I V A T E ............................................................................
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
Overtime hours............................................
D u r a b le g o o d s
N o n d u r a b le g o o d s
.........................................................................
W H O L E S A L E A N D R E T A IL T R A D E
32.1
32.1
32.2
32.1
32.2
32.2
32.2
32.3
32.1
32.1
32.2
32.1
32.1
W HO LESA LE TRADE
38.5
38.5
38.5
38.6
38.8
38.6
38.6
38.6
38.5
38.5
38.7
38.5
38.5
R E T A IL T R A D E
30.1
30.1
30.2
30.0
30.1
30.2
30.2
30.3
30.1
30.1
30.1
30.1
30.1
S E R V I C E S .........................................................................................
32.6
32.6
32.7
32.7
32.7
32.8
32.8
32.8
32.7
32.5
32.5
32.4
32.4
Note : The industry divisions of mining; construction; tobacco manufactures (a major
manufacturing group, nondurable goods); transportation and public utilities; and finance, insurance,
and real estate are no longer shown. This is because the seasonal component in these
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
is small relative to the trend-cycle, or irregular components, or both, and consequently cannot be
precisely separated,
75
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • 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]
1981
1980
A nnual averag e
I n d u s t r y d i v is i o n a n d g r o u p
A u g .p
S e p t.p
$7.24
$7.30
$7.37
9.94
10.11
10.15
10.25
10.60
10.74
10.87
10.97
1979
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
T O T A L P R I V A T E ...................................................................
$6.16
$6.66
$6.79
$6.85
$6.92
$6.94
$7.03
$7.06
$7.10
$7.13
$7.17
$7.20
M I N I N G ..................................................................................................
8.49
9.17
9.31
9.36
9.49
9.57
9.77
9.86
9.85
9.70
9.68
C O N S T R U C T I O N ............................................................................
9.27
9.92
10.18
10.24
10.24
10.33
10.42
10.41
10.44
10.43
10.53
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
6.70
7.27
7.42
7.49
7.60
7.70
7.73
7.75
7.80
7.88
7.92
7.97
8.02
8.02
8.15
8.55
7.16
5.91
8.39
10.79
8.22
8.57
7.14
5.98
8.40
10.99
8.27
8.68
7.15
5.99
8.50
11.20
8.33
Lumber and wood products ....................
Furniture and fixtures..............................
Stone, clay, and glass products ..............
Primary metal industries..........................
Fabricated metal products ......................
7.13
6.07
5.06
6.85
8.98
6.85
7.75
6.53
5.49
7.50
9.77
7.45
7.92
6.76
5.59
7.69
9.96
7.63
8.01
6.73
5.60
7.74
10.10
7.69
8.11
6.76
5.63
7.81
10.29
7.77
8.23
6.74
5.70
7.83
10.36
7.88
8.23
6.79
5.71
7.87
10.36
7.89
8.26
6.81
5.74
7.89
10.56
7.91
8.32
6.79
5.76
7.94
10.52
8.01
8.40
6.83
5.78
8.11
10.76
8.05
8.45
6.92
5.83
8.20
10.68
8.17
8.52
7.10
5.89
8.31
10.76
8.23
Machinery, except electrical....................
Electric and electronic equipment............
Transportation equipment........................
Instruments and related products ............
Miscellaneous manufacturing ..................
7.32
6.32
8.53
6.17
5.03
8.00
6.95
9.32
6.80
5.47
8.21
7.12
9.54
6.91
5.53
8.30
7.18
9.75
6.94
5.56
8.38
7.27
9.87
7.01
5.62
8.50
7.38
10.09
7.13
5.73
8.53
7.41
9.96
7.19
5.82
8.56
7.43
9.93
7.20
5.83
8.62
7.47
10.08
7.23
5.85
8.67
7.51
10.14
7.25
5.91
8.75
7.55
10.25
7.31
5.93
8.81
7.60
10.36
7.34
5.93
8.85
7.69
10.35
7.44
5.98
8.85
7.76
10.30
7.48
5.97
9.00
7.83
10.46
7.54
6.05
Food and kindred products......................
Tobacco manufactures............................
Textile mill products................................
Apparel and other textile products ..........
Paper and allied products........................
6.01
6.27
6.67
4.66
4.23
7.13
6.56
6.86
7.73
5.08
4.57
7.84
6.71
6.94
7.53
5.25
4.69
8.06
6.74
6.95
7.69
5.27
4.73
8.09
6.82
7.09
7.86
5.31
4.75
8.18
6.89
7.13
8.10
5.34
4.81
8.27
6.97
7.21
8.50
5.35
4.89
8.27
6.98
7.24
8.56
5.35
4.87
8.28
7.01
7.29
8.61
5.36
4.94
8.30
7.08
7.37
8.90
5.36
4.96
8.37
7.11
7.43
9.03
5.40
4.98
8.42
7.14
7.43
9.33
5.42
5.00
8.55
7.23
7.47
9.43
5.51
4.94
8.73
7.24
7.50
8.63
5.64
4.98
8.68
7.38
7.60
8.53
5.66
5.04
8.99
Printing and publishing............................
Chemicals and allied products ................
Petroleum and coal products ..................
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products
Leather and leather products..................
6.94
7.60
9.36
5.97
4.22
7.53
8.30
10.09
6.56
4.58
7.73
8.47
10.33
6.72
4.62
7.74
8.53
10.38
6.79
4.65
7.79
8.60
10.52
6.88
4.69
7.88
8.69
10.38
6.97
4.74
7.92
8.74
11.06
7.06
4.86
7.96
8.80
11.33
7.04
4.88
8.02
8.84
11.23
7.07
4.90
8.04
8.94
11.40
7.15
4.93
8.10
8.99
11.28
7.22
4.95
8.13
9.07
11.29
7.23
4.98
8.22
9.16
11.41
7.28
4.96
8.27
9.17
11.28
7.33
4.96
8.45
9.34
11.48
7.41
5.07
8.16
8.87
9.02
9.19
9.27
9.30
9.33
9.45
9.42
9.54
9.59
9.63
9.69
9.86
9.98
5.80
5.84
5.85
5.87
5.89
5.89
5.91
5.93
5.99
D u r a b le g o o d s
N o n d u r a b le g o o d s
T R A N S P O R T A T I O N A N D P U B L IC U T I L IT IE S
W H O L E S A L E A N D R E T A IL T R A D E
5.06
5.48
5.56
5.59
5.64
5.62
W HO LESA LE TR AD E
6.39
6.96
7.07
7.09
7.19
7.23
7.32
7.38
7.42
7.47
7.51
7.51
7.59
7.65
7.66
5.20
5.20
5.22
5.23
5.23
5.24
5.25
5.32
4.53
4.88
4.95
4.98
5.02
4.99
5.18
............................................................................................
5.27
5.78
5.87
5.91
6.02
6.00
6.10
6.21
6.19
6.20
6.24
6.24
6.27
6.37
6.35
S E R V I C E S ............................................................................................
5.36
5.85
5.93
6.00
6.09
6.12
6.21
6.27
6.29
6.30
6.33
6.33
6.34
6.41
6.48
R E T A IL T R A D E
F IN A N C E , I N S U R A N C E , A N D R E A L
ESTATE
18.
Hourly Earnings Index for production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls, by industry division
[Seasonally adjusted data: 1977 = 100]
1981
1980
A u g . 1981
In d u s try
S e p t.
T O T A L P R IV A T E ( In c u r r e n t d o lla r s )
Mining' ........................................
Construction ................................
Transportation and public utilities .. .
Wholesale and retail trade ............
Finance, insurance, and real estate .
Services ......................................
T O T A L P R I V A T E (in c o n s t a n t d o lla r s )
129.4
140.6
141.0
0.3
9.0
148.9
131.8
142.5
139.3
138.4
137.4
136.9
149.3
132.6
143.5
141.2
139.7
140.4
139.5
150.4
132.4
145.1
141.6
139.9
139.9
139.1
.8
-.1
1.1
.3
10.1
7.5
9.6
10.5
7.7
8.3
9.2
92.2
92.6
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
130.6
132.1
132.6
133.8
135.0
135.8
136.7
137.7
138.4
145.7
144.0
129.0
128.6
139.9
138.5
137.3
136.1
136.4
135.8
136.0 • 135.4
134.8
134.0
145.6
129.4
140.7
138.9
137.4
136.8
136.0
147.2
130.4
141.6
139.8
137.8
137.1
136.6
93.0
93.1
92.9
139.8
126.2
135.4
132.8
132.4
131.9
131.1
142.1
127.6
136.5
133.7
133.7
133.2
132.0
143.2
128.0
137.5
135.4
135.0
135.0
133.2
93.3
93.2
93.3
92.7
92.8
92.7
1This series is not seasonally adjusted because the seasonal component is small relative to the
trend-cycle, irregular components, or both, and consequently cannot be separated with sufficient
precision.
Digitized76
for FRASER
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
139.0
Dec.
139.2
125.2
134.6
132.6
132.3
132.4
130.5
92.8
S e p t. 1 9 81
S e p t.p
N ov.
137.5
124.4
133.5
130.9
130.8
129.9
128.5
to
S e p t. 19 81
A u g .p
O c t.
136.7
123.1
132.3
128.1
129.9
129.1
127.3
S e p t. 1 9 8 0
to
.1
-.4
-.3
19.
Weekly earnings, by industry division and major manufacturing group
[Gross averages, production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls]
A nnual a v erag e
1981
1980
In d u s t r y d i v i s i o n a n d g r o u p
1979
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
A u g .p
S e p t.p
T O T A L P R I V A T E ......................................................
$219.91
$235.10
$239 69
$241.81
$244.28
$247.06
$246,75
$247.10
$249.92
$250.98
$252.38
$254.88
$257.74
$259.88
$257.95
M I N I N G ...............................................................................................
V
365.07
396.14
404.99
408.10
413.76
422.04
425.97
422.01
416.66
422.92
423.98
418.47
439.79
446.60
442.80
C O N S T R U C T IO N
342.99
367.04
386.84
388.10
376.83
384.28
379.29
364.35
388.37
384.87
388.56
394.32
404.90
406.54
390.53
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
269.34
288.62
295.32
298.10
305.52
314.16
308.43
306.13
311.22
312.84
317.59
320.39
31759
319 20
320.30
D u r a b le g o o d s
Lumber and wood products........................
Furniture and fixtures ................................
Stone, clay, and glass products..................
Primary metal industries ............................
Fabricated metal products..........................
290.90
239.16
195.82
284.28
371.77
278.80
310.78
252.06
209.17
306.00
391.78
300.98
318.38
265.67
214.10
316.06
397.40
309 02
322.80
263.82
215.60
319.66
402.99
311.45
330.08
264.99
216.19
323.33
419.83
317.79
341.55
267.58
225.72
325.73
430.98
327.81
332.49
263.45
217.55
317.16
425.80
318.76
329.57
262.19
219.84
312.44
429.79
316.40
336.96
26481
223.49
322.36
432.37
325.21
338.52
267.05
220.80
331.70
443.31
323.61
343.07
274.03
224.46
337.02
436.81
332.52
345.91
280.45
229.12
342.37
440.08
335.78
341.15
277.09
223.40
342.31
434.84
327.98
344.51
278.46
231.43
344.40
444.00
333.28
343.73
273.13
229.42
339.15
445.76
329.87
Machinery except electrical........................
Electric and electronic equipment................
Transportation equipment ..........................
Instruments and related products................
Miscellaneous manufacturing......................
305.98
254.70
350.58
251.74
195.16
32800
276.61
378.39
275.40
211.69
336.61
282.66
388.28
277.09
21622
337.81
285.76
400.73
279.68
216.28
346.09
293.71
411.58
286.71
21974
358.70
302.58
434.88
293.76
226.34
351.44
297.14
407.36
291.91
224.65
349.25
294.23
398.19
291.60
223.87
355.14
300.29
414.29
293.54
227.57
353.74
298.90
415.74
289.28
228.13
360.50
302.76
426.40
294.59
230.68
362.09
305.52
427.87
296.54
231.27
357.54
305.29
421.25
296.86
230.23
360.20
309.62
417.15
300.70
231.64
359.10
310.07
416.31
300.09
234.14
236.19
250.17
253.46
188.26
149.32
303.74
255.84
272.34
294.51
203.71
161.78
331.63
262.36
279.68
287.65
208.95
165.09
340.94
263.53
275.92
307.60
210.27
167.92
341.40
268.71
284.31
315.19
213.99
168.15
350.10
274.91
287.34
308.61
218.41
172.68
361.40
273.22
288.40
328.10
213.47
172.13
353.13
271.52
284.53
329.56
213.47
171.91
349.42
274.09
285.77
320.29
214.94
176.85
351.92
275.41
289.64
331.08
211.18
174.59
354.05
280.13
295.71
348.56
217.62
179.28
357.85
282.03
295.71
359.21
218.97
182.00
365.09
282.69
295.81
364.00
218.75
177.84
370.15
285.26
300.00
349.52
225.04
180.77
368.03
287.82
299.44
344.61
219.04
177.41
386.57
260.25
318.44
409.97
279.36
344,45
421.76
287.56
349.81
448.32
287.93
354.00
453.61
289.79
361.20
45867
300.23
365.85
449.45
293.83
363.58
471.16
293.72
365.20
481.53
297.54
367.74
478.40
297.48
371.90
500.46
302.13
37398
491.81
302.44
377.31
491.12
305.78
380.14
498.62
310.13
379.64
485.04
316.88
394.15
505.12
241.79
154.03
263.06
168.09
270.82
167.71
276.35
170.19
282.77
170.25
289.95
174.91
289.46
177.39
283.01
179.10
287.75
180.32
288.86
178.96
295.30
185.13
295.71
189.74
291.20
181.54
296.13
184.02
294.92
181.51
325.58
351.25
358.09,
365.76
368.02
372.00
367.60
373.28
371.15
374.92
376.89
383.27
385.66
392.43
388.22
181.04
182.65
183.86
185.13
186.62
188.43
188.48
190.25
193.85
193.91
192.28
276.82
281.25
281.82
282.65
285.67
287.60
289.14
289.89
294.49
295.29
294.91
156.38
158.99
161.62
162.23
160.66
N o n d u r a b le g o o d s
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......................
T R A N S P O R T A T I O N A N D P U B L IC U T I L IT IE S
............................
164.96
176.46
179.03
179.44
............................................................
247.93
267 96
272.20
274.38
W H O L E S A L E A N D R E T A IL T R A D E
W H O LESA LE TR A D E
138.62
147.38
149.49
149.40
150.60
152.20
152.81
F IN A N C E , I N S U R A N C E , A N D R E A L E S T A T E
190.77
209.24
211.91
214.53
218.53
217.80
222.04
226.04
225.32
225.06
225.26
225.26
227.60
231.87
229.24
S E R V I C E S .........................................................................................
175.27
190.71
192.32
195.60
198.53
199.51
201.83
204.40
205.05
205.38
206.73
206.99
209.22
210.89
209.95
R E T A IL T R A D E
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
153.92
154.96
156.60
77
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Current Labor Statistics: Establishment Data
20.
Gross and spendable weekly earnings, in current and 1977 dollars, 1961 to date
[Averages for production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls]
P r i v a t e n o n a g r ic u lt u r a l w o r k e r s
M a n u f a c t u r in g w o r k e r s
S p e n d a b l e a v e r a g e w e e k l y e a r n in g s
S p e n d a b le a v e r a g e w e e k l y e a r n in g s
G ro s s a v e ra g e
Y e a r a n d m o n th
w e e k l y e a r n in g s
G ro s s a v e ra g e
W o r k e r w it h n o
d e p e n d e n ts
M a r r i e d w o r k e r w it h
w e e k l y e a r n in g s
3 d e p e n d e n ts
W o r k e r w it h n o
d e p e n d e n ts
M a r r i e d w o r k e r w it h
3 d e p e n d e n ts
C u rre n t
1977
C u rre n t
1977
C u rre n t
1977
C u rre n t
1977
C u rre n t
1977
C u rre n t
1977
d o lla r s
d o lla r s
d o lla r s
d o lla r s
d o lla r s
d o lla r s
d o lla r s
d o lla r s
d o lla r s
d o lla r s
d o lla r s
d o lla r s
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
$82.60
85.91
88.46
91.33
95.45
$167.21
172.16
175.17
178.38
183.21
$67.08
69.56
71.05
75.04
79.32
$135.79
139.40
140.69
146.56
152.25
$74.48
76.99
78.56
82.57
86.63
$150.77
154.29
155.56
161.27
166.28
$92.34
96.56
99.23
102.97
107.53
$186.92
193.51
196.50
201.11
206.39
$74.60
77.86
79.51
84.40
89.08
$151.01
156.03
157.45
164.84
170.98
$82.18
85.53
87.25
92.18
96.78
$166.36
171.40
172.77
180.04
185.76
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
98.82
101.84
107.73
114.61
119.83
184.37
184.83
187.68
189.44
186.94
81.29
83.38
86.71
90.96
96.21
151.66
151.32
151.06
150.35
150.09
88.66
90.86
95.28
99.99
104.90
165.41
164.90
165.99
165.27
163.65
112.19
114.49
122.51
129.51
133.33
209.31
207.79
312.43
214.07
208.00
91.45
92.97
97.70
101.90
106.32
170.62
168.73
170.21
168.43
165.87
99.33
100.93
106.75
111.44
115.58
185.32
183.18
185.98
184.20
180.31
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
127.31
136.90
145.39
154.76
163.53
190.58
198.41
198.35
190.12
184,16
103.80
112.19
117.51
124.37
132.49
155.39
162.59
160.31
152.79
149.20
112.43
121.68
127.38
134.61
145.65
168.31
176.35
173.78
165.37
164.02
142.44
154.71
166.46
176.80
190.79
213.23
224.22
227.09
217.20
214.85
114.97
125.34
132.57
140.19
151.61
172.11
181.65
180.86
172.22
170.73
124.24
135.57
143.50
151.56
166.29
185.99
196.48
195.77
186.19
187.26
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
175.45
189.00
203.70
219.91
235.10
186.85
189.00
189.31
183.41
172.74
143.30
155.19
165.39
178.00
188.82
152.61
155.19
153.71
148.46
138.74
155.87
169.93
180.71
194.82
206.06
166.00
169.93
167.95
162.49
151.65
209.32
228.90
249.27
269.34
288.62
222.92
228.90
231.66
224.64
212.06
167.83
183.80
197.40
212.70
225.79
178.73
183.80
183.46
177.40
165.90
181.32
200.06
214.87
232.38
247.01
193.10
200.06
199.69
193.81
181.49
1980: September ......................
October ..........................
November........................
December........................
239.69
241.81
244.28
247.06
172.69
172.72
172.88
173.38
192.03
193.51
195.24
197.18
138.35
138.22
138.17
138.37
209.88
211.49
213.37
215.47
151.21
151.06
151.00
151.21
295.32
298.10
305.52
314.16
212.77
212.93
216.22
220.46
230.33
232.22
237.26
242.86
165.94
165.87
167.91
170.43
252.09
254.20
259.83
266.14
181.62
181.57
183.89
186.76
1981: January ..........................
February..........................
March..............................
A p ril................................
May ................................
June................................
July ................................
Augustp ..........................
September ......................
246.75
247.10
249.92
250.98
252.38
254.88
257.74
259.88
257.95
171.83
170.18
171.06
170.73
170.18
170.49
170.35
170.64
195.68
195.92
197.88
198.61
199.59
201.32
203.30
204.79
205.45
136.27
134.93
135.44
135.11
134.59
134.66
134.37
134.46
213.96
214.22
216.34
217.14
218.20
220.08
222.24
223.85
222.40
149.00
147.53
148.08
147.71
147.13
147.21
146.89
146.98
(’ )
308.43
306.13
311.22
312.84
317.59
320.39
317.59
319.20
320.30
214.78
210.83
213.02
212.82
214.15
214.31
209.91
209.59
237.60
236.08
239.37
240.39
243.40
245.18
243.40
244.42
245.12
165.46
162.59
163.84
163.53
164.13
164.00
160.87
160.49
260.36
258.70
262.38
263.55
266.99
269.01
266.99
268.15
268.95
181.31
178.17
179.59
179.29
180.03
179.94
176.46
176.07
(’ )
(’ )
( ')
1Not available.
The earnings expressed in 1977 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.
These series are described in “The Spendable Earnings Series: A Technical Note on its Calnote:
Digitized 78
for FRASER
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
V)
n
culation," E m p l o y m e n t a n d E a r n in g s a n d M o n t h l y R e p o r t o n t h e L a b o r F o r c e , February 1969,
pp. 6-13. See also “ Spendable Earnings Formulas, 1979-81,” E m p l o y m e n t a n d E a r n in g s , March
1981, pp. 10-11.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DATA
N a t io n a l
u n e m p l o y m e n t
in s u r a n c e
d a t a
are compiled
monthly by the Employment and Training Administration of
the U.S. Department of Labor from monthly records of unem
ployment insurance activity prepared by State agencies. Rail
road unemployment insurance data are prepared by the U.S.
Railroad 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. In i
tia l 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
Data for all programs represent an unduplicated count of insured
unemployment under State programs, Unemployment Compensation
for Ex-Servicemen, and Unemployment Compensation for Federal
Employees, and the Railroad Insurance Act.
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.
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]
1980
Aug.
All programs:
Insured unemployment ......................
State unemployment insurance
program:1
Initial claims2 ....................................
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 claims1 ....................................
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 ............................
S e p t.
1981
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
3,911
3,961
3,661
3,726
4,085
4,621
1,829
1,702
1,808
1,673
2,544
2,653
1,806
1,684
3,408
3.9
3,087
3.6
2,903
3.3
2,983
3.4
3,321
3.8
3,844
4.4
3,669
4.2
3,382
3.9
12,786
11,689
11,443
9,524
12,603
14,228
12,882
13,504
11,871
$99.68
$99.86
$92.32
$1,249,782 $1,144,885 $1,125,416
23
25
23
4,264
3,948
3,453
June
J u ly
Aug.
3,111
2,949
1,647
1,417
r 1,741
2,111
2,988
3.4
2,691
3.1
2,596
3.0
2,743
3.1
9,790
9,928
10,464
3,012
2,874
2,656
3.0
$101.96
$101.43
$102.34
$101.89
$105.96
$105.63
$105.49
$99.02
$103.47
$1,055,065 $1,242,957 $1,416,513 $1,313,507 $1,393,612 $1,226,815 $1,006,341 $1,012,764 $1,061,738
17
21
19
17
18
16
15
19
22
55
56
56
54
55
57
54
51
46
43
42
44
244
$24,560
245
$24,804
255
$25,880
216
$21,024
261
$27,015
257
$26,646
221
$22,517
234
$24,668
214
$23,048
183
$19,965
192
$21,145
203
$22,762
15
19
21
14
18
22
13
12
12
11
13
15
25
29
32
35
37
41
40
36
31
27
25
25
93
$8,707
105
$9,699
130
$11,917
118
$11,365
150
$14,184
160
$15,432
148
$14,573
156
$15,561
135
$13,701
107
$11,023
105
$10,705
104
$10,788
44
25
Railroad unemployment insurance:
Applications ......................................
Insured unemployment (average
weekly volume)..............................
Number of payments ........................
Average amount of benefit
payment........................................
Total benefits paid ............................
13
10
9
7
11
13
5
5
6
6
26
41
13
39
86
40
89
38
84
38
70
39
83
53
118
50
104
44
115
41
94
35
79
30
86
28
32
29
63
$211.87
$17,336
$211.99
$18,809
$208.49
$17,789
$209.00
$14,269
$212.27
$18,046
$209.38
$20,303
$214.56
$22,049
$214.93
$23,233
$201.12
$19,239
$199.43
$15,428
$201.06
$16,206
$199.63
$11,541
$202.53
$7,071
Employment service:5
New applications and renewals ..........
Nonfarm placements..........................
15,431
3,445
16,831
3,896
1Initial claims and State insured unemployment include data under the program for Puerto Rican
sugarcane workers.
2 Includes interstate claims for the Virgin Islands. Excludes transition claims under State programs.
3 Excludes data on claims and payments made jointly with other programs.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
4,476
871
r 8,778
r 1,595
12,868
2,446
4 Includes the Virgin islands. Excludes data on claims and payments made jointly with State programs,
5 Cumulative total for fiscal year (October 1-September 30). Data computed quarterly.
N ote : Data for Puerto Rico included. Dashes indicate data not available.
r = revised.
79
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 meas
ures 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.
80for FRASER
Digitized
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
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 stand
ards of living, see the family budget data published in the Handbook
o f 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 o f Methods
for Surveys and Studies, Bulletin 1910 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1976), chapters 13-15. See also John F. Early, “Improving the meas
urement of producer price change,” Monthly Labor Review, April
1978, pp. 7-15. 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, 1967-80
[1967 = 100]
Foo d and
A ll It e m s
A p p a re l an d
H o u s in g
b e v e ra g e s
T ra n s p o rta tio n
O th e r g o o d s
E n te r ta in m e n t
M e d ic a l c a r e
a n d s e r v ic e s
upkeep
Year
P e rc e n t
In d e x
change
P e rc e n t
In d e x
change
P e rc e n t
In d e x
change
P e rc e n t
In d e x
change
P e rc e n t
In d e x
change
P e rc e n t
In d e x
change
P e rc e n t
In d e x
change
P e rc e n t
In d e x
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
1395
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
1980
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
170.5
181.5
195.3
217.7
247.0
5.8
6.5
7.6
11.5
13.5
177.4
188.0
206.2
2287
2487
3.1
6.0
9.7
10.9
8.7
174.6
186.5
202.6
227.5
263.2
6.1
6.8
8.6
12.3
157
147.6
154.2
159.5
166.4
177.4
3.7
4.5
3.4
4.3
6.6
165.5
177.2
185.8
2128
250.5
9.9
7.1
4.9
14.5
17.7
184.7
202.4
219.4
240.1
267.2
9.5
9.6
8.4
9.4
11.3
159.8
167.7
176.2
187.6
203.7
5.0
4.9
5.1
6.5
8.5
162.7
172.2
183.2
196.3
213.6
5.7
5.8
6.4
7.2
8.8
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]
A ll U r b a n C o n s u m e r s
G e n e ra l s u m m a ry
1980
A ug.
U r b a n W a g e E a r n e r s a n d C le r ic a l W o r k e r s ( r e v i s e d )
1981
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
1980
June
J u ly
Aug.
1981
Aug.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
A ll i t e m s
249.4
265.1
266.8
269.0
271.3
274.4
276.5
249.6
265.2
266.8
269.1
271.4
274.6
276.5
Food and beverages ....................................................................
Housing........................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep......................................................................
Transportation ..............................................................................
Medical care ................................................................................
Entertainment ..............................................................................
Other goods and services..............................................................
252.0
265.8
178.6
252.7
2684
208.0
214.5
265.0
282.6
185.1
273.5
284.7
218.2
228.7
265.7
284.8
186.4
275.3
2870
219.2
229.9
265.4
288.5
186.4
277.8
289.0
220.3
232.2
266.5
292.2
185.8
279.9
291.5
220.8
233.4
268.9
297.0
184.7
282.6
295.6
221.1
234.4
270.1
299.7
187.4
283.7
299.3
222.3
235.6
252.5
265.8
177.9
253.5
270.0
205.6
214.0
265.5
282.2
184.3
274.4
287.0
216.1
226.8
266.1
284,3
186.0
276.3
289.1
217.0
227.9
265.9
288.1
186.2
278.9
290.8
217.7
230.4
267.0
291.9
185.8
281.0
292.9
218.3
231.4
269.4
297.0
185.5
283.9
295.4
218.7
232.4
270.6
299.6
187.9
285.1
298.6
219.9
233.5
Commodities................................................................................
Commodities less food and beverages ....................................
Nondurables less food and beverages..................................
Durables............................................................................
236.7
226.0
242.6
212,4
, 249.8
239.0
263.1
219.8
250.8
240.0
263.8
221.1
251.9
241.7
263.8
223.9
253.2
243.1
263.5
226.6
255.0
244.7
262.9
229.6
256.2
245.8
263.9
230.9
236.9
226.2
244.8
210.5
250.2
239.4
265.7
217.8
251.2
240.5
266.5
219.3
252.4
242.3
266.6
222.4
253.8
243.8
266.3
225.2
255.7
245.5
266.0
228.4
256.9
246.7
266.8
229.9
Services ......................................................................................
Rent, residential..................................................................
Household services less rent ..............................................
Transportation services........................................................
Medical care services..........................................................
Other services....................................................................
272.5
193.2
321.5
246.4
289.8
219.2
292.5
203.0
348.8
262.5
307.5
233.2
295.4
204.2
353.3
264.4
309.8
234.4
299.6
205.9
360.4
266.6
311.7
235.3
303.5
206.8
366.7
269.6
314.4
236.3
308.8
207.8
374.8
275.0
319.2
237.6
312.2
210.3
379.9
275.7
323.4
239.1
273.3
193.0
324.2
246.3
291.7
219.5
293.1
202.7
351.8
261.3
310.2
233.0
295.9
203.9
356.2
263.1
312.2
233.8
300.0
205.5
363.5
265.5
3136
234.5
3039
206.4
370.1
268.2
315.8
235.6
3096
207.4
379.4
273.8
318.5
236.8
312.7
209.9
384.2
274.3
322.1
238.3
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 ca re ............................................................
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........................................................
246.3
2390
224.2
237.8
270.9
248.3
287.4
268.7
243.5
274.5
370.7
240.0
234.3
204.3
404.2
269.0
262.3
252.3
237.0
257.5
297.3
265.2
309.5
288.9
255.4
270.9
409.3
253.8
248.1
212.2
460.0
289.9
264.2
253.6
238.0
258.1
297.7
265.9
312.8
291.8
255.3
267.7
409.8
255.6
250.1
213.5
458.4
292.7
267.0
255.2
239.6
2582
298.0
265.8
317.4
296.2
254.7
270.9
411.3
257.9
253.0
215.7
455.4
296.5
269.5
256.9
241.1
258.0
298.0
266.2
321.9
300.1
255.9
271.6
414.0
260.2
255.6
217.5
453.1
299.8
272.7
259.3
242.6
257.5
297.8
267.1
328.1
305.4
259.5
275.3
415.7
263.5
259.0
219.4
451.3
304.9
274.9
260.9
243.8
258.4
298.0
268.1
331.7
308.8
260.6
276.7
416.1
265.6
261.3
220.9
449.9
308.3
246.6
239.6
224.4
239.9
272.9
249.6
288.6
269.4
242.9
275.9
374.2
239.4
233.4
202.9
405.5
269.9
262.6
252.9
237.4
259.9
299.5
266.6
310.4
289.2
254.9
273.9
413.7
252.9
246.9
210.7
460.9
290.6
264.4
254.2
238.6
260.7
299.9
267.3
313.5
292.0
255.0
270.7
414.0
254.7
248.9
212.2
459.3
293.2
267.2
255.8
240.3
260.9
300.1
267.2
318.2
296.4
254.2
273.8
414.9
257.0
251.9
214.6
456.0
297.0
269.7
257.5
241.8
260.7
300.0
267.6
322.6
300.4
255.3
274.3
417.3
259.3
254.5
216.6
453.7
300.2
273.1
260.0
243.5
260.4
299.8
268.7
329.3
306.3
259.0
277.9
418.9
262.7
258.1
218.7
451,9
305.7
275.2
261.5
244.7
261.2
300.0
269.7
332.6
309.4
259.9
277.2
418.9
264.7
260.3
220.2
450.6
308.9
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar, 1967 = $1 ....................
$0,401
$0,377
$0,375
$0,372
$0,369
$0,364
$0,362 $0,401
$0,377
$0,375
$0,372
$0,368
$0,364
$0,362
S p e c ia l in d e x e s :
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
81
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Current Labor Statistics: Consumer Prices
23.
Continued
Consumer Price Index
U.S. city average
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
U r b a n W a g e E a r n e r s a n d C le r ic a l W o r k e r s ( r e v i s e d )
A ll U r b a n C o n s u m e r s
G e n e ra l s u m m a ry
1981
1980
1981
1980
Aug.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
Aug.
M ar.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
............................................................................................................
252.0
265.0
2657
265.4
266.5
268.9
270.1
252.5
265.5
266.1
265.9
267.0
269.4
270.6
F o o d ..............................................................................................................................................................
258.7
272.2
272.9
272.5
273.6
276.2
277.4
259.2
272.6
273.2
272.9
274.0
276.6
277.7
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) ..........
256.3
249.2
136.3
133.6
137.6
136.8
130.4
217.9
129.7
130.0
129.8
128.7
124.6
131.4
268.6
266.7
145.2
138.5
146.9
148.9
139.7
232.9
137.9
140.1
140.0
139.7
129.1
141.1
268.7
268.3
145.4
137.1
147.8
149.5
140.8
233.2
139.5
140.4
142.1
141.2
130.9
141.7
267.7
270.0
146.8
138.8
149.8
149,8
141.5
235.1
139.3
141.5
142.3
141,8
128.2
142.8
268.7
271.5
148,3
139.0
152.4
150.9
142.1
236.0
140.2
141,7
142.3
143.3
130.7
142.9
271.6
272.4
149.0
139.5
153.4
151.2
142.5
236.4
140.6
142.4
142.7
143.0
131.6
143.9
272.8
272.6
149.5
139.6
154.6
151.4
142.4
235.6
140.8
143.4
142.7
143.1
130.6
143.9
255.6
249.6
136.8
133.9
137.7
138.4
130.5
217.2
133.3
128.9
129.4
130.1
124.7
131.6
268.1
266.5
146.5
139.4
148.5
150.5
139.2
231.2
140.3
138.4
139.5
140.6
129.6
140.7
268.2
268.0
146.9
139.2
148.9
151.4
140.1
232.1
141.2
138.7
140.8
141.8
131.1
141.7
267.2
269.4
148.4
140.3
151.3
152.0
140.6
233.2
141.7
139.6
141.2
142.1
128.9
142.5
268.2
270.7
150.0
141.4
154,0
152.7
141.0
233.1
142.5
139.7
141.2
143.3
131.5
142.3
271.1
271.5
150.6
141.9
154.8
153.2
141.4
233.9
142.9
141.7
141.4
142.6
131.2
142.8
272.2
272.0
151.3
142.0
156.4
153.1
141.5
233.0
143.4
141.0
141.2
144.1
130.9
143.4
131.4
141.9
144.0
147.0
146.1
147.2
147.1
129.2
137.6
139.0
140.1
140.3
140.9
141.5
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ............................................
Meats, poultry, and fish ............................................................
Meats ..............................................................................
Beef and veal ................................................................
Ground beef other than canned....................................
Chuck roast................................................................
Round roast................................................................
Round steak ..............................................................
Sirloin steak................................................................
Other beef and veal (12/77 - 100) ............................
Pork..............................................................................
Bacon ........................................................................
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 ......................................................................................
245.4
251.0
251.1
273.1
272.9
279.8
248.8
258.0
274.1
159.0
212.0
201.5
199.9
98.4
262.5
217.0
123.1
247.8
245.8
138.5
123.7
140.4
197.5
205.3
127.8
120.3
331.8
131.2
123.6
178.3
250.5
256.2
254.4
270.3
269.7
284,1
243.9
256.1
259.8
157.8
221.6
218.5
209.3
98.7
281.0
236.6
124.2
258.5
257.8
147.0
128.1
144.7
201.6
203.1
131.6
127.6
358.8
138.9
135.3
180.5
247.7
253.0
251.0
267.4
264.8
281.4
242.8
252.9
261.5
156.1
217.4
209.0
209.2
95.2
277.4
230.1
123.4
255.4
253.5
143.5
127.9
143.1
196.8
198.0
127.5
125.9
359.7
138.8
135.9
184.3
247.0
253.2
252.3
270.3
264.1
280.3
246.8
256.0
271.4
159.2
217.3
212.7
203.7
97.2
277.7
230.5
122.7
253.9
247.6
143.0
126.9
145.3
194.7
190.3
127.5
128.3
353.2
139,2
131.8
170.5
248.7
255.0
254.2
271.1
264.6
281.0
246.2
255.1
274.6
159.9
221.2
216.5
209.8
98.0
278.9
229.8
126.7
255.9
250.7
143.9
127.6
146.5
196.8
193.8
128.3
128.9
352.1
139.3
131.0
172.1
254.1
260,7
259.6
274.5
264.5
283.5
245.6
258.9
284.3
163.5
231.5
228.1
221.8
102.0
289.7
233.0
133.6
258.4
251.8
145.9
129.1
147.6
204.8
206.9
133.0
130.0
356.9
140.6
133.1
174.2
255.8
262.2
262.0
275.9
267.4
285.3
247.2
256.0
282.2
164.3
235.3
231.1
224.1
105.3
297.2
234.9
135.0
261.4
259.8
147.0
130.6
146.8
202.0
201.4
131.8
129.7
356.8
139,8
133,6
177.6
244.3
249.8
250.0
274.1
275.6
287.9
248.2
256.4
278.8
157.6
212.0
205.6
198.5
96.3
263.6
219.1
122.7
244.1
245.9
134.5
121.5
140.8
195.1
199.9
128.1
119.1
327.3
129.3
121.8
177.1
249.9
255.7
254.2
272.6
272.9
295.6
248.8
253.3
264.5
156.7
221.3
221.6
206.9
96.3
282.7
237.9
124.3
256.0
257.2
144.7
126.4
146.0
200.6
200.9
130.1
128.9
351.5
136.2
132.5
180.5
247.1
252.2
250.7
269.5
269.0
291.8
247.5
251.3
262.7
154.9
216.7
210.0
206.3
92.6
280.1
230.8
123.8
253.4
252.8
142.6
126.4
143.8
194.6
194.1
125.8
126.3
353.7
136.6
133.6
185.5
246.3
252.4
251.7
272.5
267.8
290.9
249.4
253.7
275.3
158.5
216.3
215.2
201.5
93.8
278.5
231.4
122.4
250.6
247.0
140.6
124.8
145.9
192.5
187.0
126.6
127.5
349.9
137.8
130.5
171.5
248.4
254.5
253.9
273.0
267.9
288.9
249.5
253.6
278.7
159.2
221,3
220.5
209.8
95.1
278.7
230.1
127.7
253.1
249.8
141.9
126.0
147.1
194.4
190,3
127.0
128.2
349.8
137.9
130.4
173.0
254.1
260.5
259.7
276.5
267.9
295.5
249.8
257.0
285.6
162.4
232.6
230.5
222.4
100.4
293.4
234.4
134.5
255.6
251.9
144.6
126.5
148.9
203.1
202.9
133.3
129.3
353.5
139.0
131.9
175.0
255.5
261.8
261.3
275.9
269.4
295.5
247.3
251.5
279.2
162.6
236.5
234.5
224.4
103.7
298.6
238.0
136.3
259.6
260.4
145.7
128.8
148.3
201.2
199.6
131.6
129.9
356.4
138.5
134.1
177.7
Dairy products..........................................................................
Fresh milk and cream (12/77 - 100) ................................
Fresh whole m ilk............................................................
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)................................
229.7
127.9
209.8
127.1
132.5
231.2
130.4
137.0
128.3
242.6
134.3
219.9
134.4
141.1
243.0
139.8
145.3
135.1
243.5
134.6
220.4
134.5
142.0
244.3
140.6
146.7
135.7
243.8
134.9
220.8
134.7
141.9
245.2
140.5
146.2
136.1
243.8
134.8
220.7
134.6
142.0
245.1
140.5
146.4
136.3
244.2
134.9
220.7
134.9
142.5
245.8
140.7
147.6
136.6
243.8
134.5
220.2
134.2
142.5
246.2
140.8
147.9
135.6
229.9
128.0
209.7
127.6
132.9
233.7
130.9
136.1
128.8
242.7
134.1
219.4
134.5
141.8
246.4
140.0
146.1
136.1
243.8
134.7
220.2
135.2
142.6
247.7
140.5
147.8
136.1
243.9
134.7
220.4
134.8
142.6
247.6
140.6
147.8
136.4
243.9
134.5
220.0
135.1
142.9
248.7
140.9
147.8
136.8
243.9
134.4
219.9
134.5
143.1
247.7
141.3
148.0
137.2
243.9
134.3
219.8
134.4
143.3
248.5
141.5
147.9
137.2
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) ........................
258.4
273.0
302.3
340.8
234.0
297.1
158.5
245.6
327.1
213.1
205.4
126.2
278.2
293.9
265.2
227.9
264.1
287.4
141.1
320.8
363.9
225.2
367.8
177.0
281.9
296.4
271.6
231.1
266.8
287.5
147.1
319.6
378.1
226.9
375.3
170.0
276.8
284.4
276.6
235.4
266.3
274.1
154.9
291.7
384.4
252.5
200.2
158.6
278.1
285.2
278.9
239.9
260.5
287.1
154.4
291.1
414.3
238.7
205.2
151.8
284.4
294.0
292.1
251.9
240.6
327.8
160.4
295.9
414.9
261.3
194,0
154.5
286.1
295.8
306.9
282.1
245.2
353.7
163.5
285.5
375.1
290.6
209.9
143.6
256.6
270.8
300.1
342.2
228.0
285.5
157.9
244.4
325.4
209.3
199.6
127.0
275.0
289.4
259.0
225.7
258.8
268.4
139.9
316.9
359.6
219.3
354.0
177.1
280.0
294.5
268.6
232.1
262.2
274.3
147.6
318.0
369.8
231.5
370.7
170.0
274.3
281.8
271.5
232.7
264.2
261.1
153.3
291.1
378.1
255.6
193.8
160.1
275.3
281.0
272.1
241.0
259.0
274.0
149.9
289.0
402.7
237.1
200.8
153.6
281.7
290.2
285.5
253.1
233.8
307.0
158.9
294.4
404.2
259.2
195.5
155.8
282.5
290.4
298.4
284.6
239.9
325.1
160.5
283.2
362.8
290.0
211.0
144.1
Processed fruits and vegetables ........................................
Processed fruits (12/77 - 100) ......................................
Frozen fruit and fruit juices (12/77 = 100)....................
Fruit juices other than frozen (12/77 - 100) ................
Canned and dried fruits (12/77 - 100) ........................
Processed vegetables (12/77 - 100)..............................
Frozen vegetables (12/77 - 100)................................
244.5
126.9
119.2
130.1
130.0
118.8
119.6
263.3
137.6
135.3
141.2
135.7
127.0
126.9
268.5
141.0
142.8
144.5
135.6
128.9
128.3
270.9
142.1
144.2
145.3
136.7
130.2
129.8
272.8
142.0
143.4
145.5
137.1
132.1
130.8
276.4
143.1
144.0
146.8
138.4
134.6
133.2
277.9
143.4
143.5
147.4
139.1
135.7
134.9
242.9
127.2
118.1
130.7
130.7
117.5
119.2
261.3
137.5
134.6
140.7
136.3
125.8
126.4
266.1
140.1
140.2
143.2
136.6
128.1
129.1
268.4
141.6
142.0
145.1
137.4
128.9
129.6
271.4
142.1
142.3
145,8
137.9
131.2
131.9
274.6
142.8
142.9
146.1
139.1
133.6
134.1
276.2
143.4
142.8
147.1
139.8
134.6
135.7
FOOD AND BEVERAG ES
Digitized82
for FRASER
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
23.
Continued — Consumer Price Index — U.S. city average
[1967=100 unless otherwise specified]
U rb a n W a g e E a rn e rs a n d C le r ic a l W o r k e r s (re v is e d )
A ll U r b a n C o n s u m e r s
G e n e ra l s u m m a ry
Aug.
FO O D A N D B EVER AG ES
Food
1981
1980
1981
1980
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
Aug.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
C o n t in u e d
C o n t in u e d
Food at home - Continued
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 hom e......................................................................
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 c o la ..........................................
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) ..
119.4
118.0
307.8
355.1
132.6
194.6
128.3
242.0
249.3
124.7
126.2
402.8
275.2
131.3
433.9
380.3
123.1
234.9
123.7
134.6
129.3
129.4
131.8
130.9
127.5
128.4
126.4
324.1
383.2
142.8
209.7
139.3
268.9
255.7
179.3
129.9
412.2
295.9
140.5
359.4
340.8
132.4
249.4
128.4
142.3
143.9
139.1
138.1
135.9
134.1
130.2
128.7
324.7
375.8
144.1
195.5
139.8
270.1
256.1
182.4
129.8
414.4
298.0
141.8
356.7
339.5
133.5
251.2
129.3
142.3
145.6
139.9
139.2
136.7
135.1
131.5
129.8
323.7
367.1
145.1
178.4
141.4
270.7
256.1
182.7
130.4
412.3
295.7
140.6
354.4
339.1
134.0
252.9
131.5
141.6
145.9
140.0
141.1
138.6
136.6
134.6
131.4
323.6
361.3
145.2
168.2
142.6
269.6
256.1
181.8
129.6
412.8
297.0
140.8
353.1
335.2
134.5
254.4
132.6
142.2
147.2
141.1
140.8
139.3
137.7
136.0
134.6
323.3
360.0
145.9
164.6
142,9
269.0
255.9
181.0
129.4
410.3
294.7
139.6
351.4
334.3
134.2
256.3
133.2
143.7
147.5
142.0
142.3
140.7
139.0
137.4
135.4
325.1
361.3
146.1
164.3
145.0
269.2
258.2
179.8
129.4
413.1
298.2
141.5
346.0
333.3
134.9
257.9
133.6
143.5
148.8
144.4
142.9
142.0
139.5
118.1
116.4
307.4
356.6
133.2
195.1
126.9
242.4
251.5
124.8
125.7
403.0
274.7
128.8
430.4
379.7
122.3
234.2
124.2
131.7
129.9
127.8
133.4
130.2
126.8
126.3
125.3
325.2
384.6
143.6
209.6
138.2
270.5
257.7
180.0
130.3
415.4
295.4
138.7
355.0
343.9
132.7
250.0
129.2
139.6
145.5
137.9
140.0
136.2
134.4
129.0
127.1
325.4
377.8
145.1
196.0
138.7
270.4
256.1
182.3
129.7
415.8
294.9
139.8
352.5
340.9
133.5
252.4
129.8
139.8
148.1
138.7
141.7
137.7
135.9
130.1
128.0
324.8
368.1
145.8
179.2
139.7
270.9
256.7
181.6
130.4
414.6
293.7
139.4
350.5
340.2
133.9
254.7
132.1
139.6
149.1
139.3
143.6
139.6
137.2
133.6
129.7
324.5
363.0
146.5
169.3
140.8
269.5
256.0
180.5
129.6
414.6
294.1
139.3
348.5
337.1
134.4
255.8
133.5
140.8
149,1
140.3
143.2
139.9
138.5
134,8
132.8
324.2
362.8
147.3
166.6
141.8
269.0
256.6
179.4
129.4
411.3
290.8
138.3
346.6
334.9
134.0
257.9
134.5
142.3
150.0
141.4
144.4
141.0
139.8
135.4
133.7
326.1
362.7
147.4
165.3
142.9
268.7
255.7
178.8
129.6
415.2
296.6
138.9
342.8
333.8
135.0
259.7
134,8
142.5
151.5
142.8
145.6
142.1
140.8
Food away from hom e..........................................................................
Lunch (12/77-100) ......................................................................
Dinner (12/77-100) ......................................................................
Other meals and snacks (12/77-100)............................................
269.5
131.2
130.7
130.0
286.1
139.2
138.8
137.9
288.2
140.7
139.4
138.8
289.3
141.0
139.9
139.9
290.6
141.5
140.7
140.3
292.4
142.6
141.3
141.6
293.7
143.2
141.9
142.1
272.8
131.8
132.8
132.3
288.6
140.3
140.1
139.3
290.7
141.4
141.1
140.1
291.9
141.8
141.7
141.1
293.5
142.8
142.6
141.3
295.2
143.6
143.0
142.7
296.4
144.2
143.7
143.1
A lc o h o lic b e v e r a g e s
188.7
197.1
197.8
199.1
199.8
200.5
201.4
190.6
198.7
199.4
201.2
202.1
202.8
203.8
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)................................
123.1
190.1
136.9
213.9
111.2
123.5
128.1
198.2
141.6
224.3
115.0
131.1
128.5
199.7
141.3
224.7
114.9
131.6
129.3
201.4
142.5
223.9
115.5
132.6
129.7
202.0
143.0
224.6
116.1
133.1
130.1
201.8
143.7
227.5
c 116.3
134.1
130.6
202.6
144.7
227.4
117.0
134.7
124.6
191.1
137.8
218.1
111.1
123.6
129.6
198.5
142.3
233.6
114.0
129.9
130.0
199.8
142.3
233.2
114.1
130.6
131.1
201.8
143.2
234.3
114.6
132.0
•131.5
202.4
144.0
233.4
115.7
133,4
131.9
202.4
144.7
236.9
155.9
134.0
132.4
203.2
145.6
235.5
117.0
135.4
H O U S I N G ..................................................................................................................................................
265.8
282.6
284.8
288.5
292.2
297.0
299.7
265.8
282.2
284.3
288.1
291.9
297.0
299.6
S h e lte r
283.3
301.6
303.8
308.4
312.6
318.5
322.0
284.8
302.6
304.6
309.4
313.7
320.2
323.6
Rent residential....................................................................................
193.2
203.0
204.2
205.9
206.8
207.8
210.3
193.0
202.7
203.9
205.5
206.4
207.4
209.9
Other rental costs ................................................................................
Lodging while out of town................................................................
Tenants' insurance (12/77-100) ....................................................
267,5
286.4
122.2
283.6
304.8
130.1
285.9
307.5
131.2
286.4
307.2
131.9
289.5
311.8
133.1
293.6
318.3
133.3
298.5
325.7
133.9
267.3
285.1
122.7
283.5
303.2
130.8
285.8
306.0
131.6
286.1
305.5
132.3
289.7
310.6
133.4
2933
316.3
133.7
299.0
324.4
134.5
Homeownership....................................................................................
home purchase..............................................................................
Financing, taxes, and insurance ......................................................
Property insurance ..................................................................
Property taxes ........................................................................
Contracted mortgage interest c o s t............................................
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) ..........
315.4
258.1
393.6
355.9
190.3
501.8
192.0
288.5
312.4
232.7
336.8
261.1
441.1
375.6
199.0
570.9
216.0
306.1
332.6
243.9
339.3
260.7
447.1
378.5
199.9
579.8
219.5
309.3
337.0
244.4
345.0
263.0
458,3
383.7
199.8
596.9
224.0
312.9
341.2
246.3
350,4
266.6
467.2
386.6
200.3
610.4
226.4
315.5
344.4
247.6
358.0
271.4
480.0
387.1
201.4
630.1
299.4
319.3
349.0
249.3
361.8
272.6
488.3
389.0
205.2
641.3
232.4
320.5
350,6
249.5
318.1
258.6
398.8
357.9
192.0
504.2
192.5
287.7
312.1
233.2
338.8
260.2
446.4
379.9
201.0
572.0
216.7
302,7
331.3
239.9
341.1
259.7
452,6
382.5
201.7
580.9
220.3
304.5
334.1
239.7
347.1
262.2
464.3
387.1
201.7
598.6
224.9
307.3
337.6
241.1
352.7
266.2
473.8
388.1
202.2
612.9
227.2
308.2
338.7
241.5
361.2
271.2
486.9
388.3
203.2
632.6
230.3
316.2
350.5
242.4
364.8
272.3
495.3
390.5
207.1
643.8
233.3
315.8
349.5
243.1
134.4
120.1
143.7
123.3
143.4
124.3
143.9
125.1
145.3
124.7
146.7
125.0
146.9
124.2
133.1
120.4
138.5
122.4
136.8
123.1
137.7
123.7
138,4
122.7
138.2
123.0
139.2
122.0
122.7
122.1
127.6
125.9
127.9
126.4
130.7
127.6
131.2
128.5
132.7
129.2
132.0
130.5
126.6
123.9
127.8
128.8
127.9
129.9
128.1
130.8
128.5
131.7
130.1
132.5
130.6
133.3
286.8
308.4
310.5
314.9
320.2
325.1
327.8
287.4
309.4
311.4
315,7
321.2
326.4
328.7
362.1
562,7
586.4
142.5
315.4
268.6
372.0
393.4
696.3
733.2
162.9
325.9
273.5
392.8
396.2
693.7
729.4
164.2
329.6
276.8
397.2
402.5
688.6
723.1
164.7
338.1
281.2
413,0
411.2
685.1
718.4
165.5
349.0
296.6
413.2
417.0
681.1
713.8
165.4
356.7
306.2
415.8
418.7
677.9
710.2
165.1
359.4
312.1
411.2
F u e l a n d o t h e r u t i l i t i e s ..................................................................................................................
Fuels ..................................................................................................
Fuel oil, coal, and bottled gas..........................................................
Fuel o il....................................................................................
Other fuels (6/78
100) ........................................................
Gas (piped) and electricity ..............................................................
Electricity................................................................................
Utility (piped) gas ....................................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
362.5
561.5
586.1
140.8
316.1
268.3
375.2
393.7
693.4
730.9
161.5
326.7
273.9
395.2
396.5
690.6
727.0
162.5
330,6
277.3
399.4
403.3
685.8
720.6
163.6
339.6
281.9
416.5
411.7
682.0
715.7
164.3
350.2
296.7
416.9
417.2
677.9
711.0
164.0
357.6
306.2
418.6
419.5
674.6
707.3
163.6
360.8
311.9
416.2
83
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Current Labor Statistics: Consumer Prices
23.
Continued— Consumer Price Index— U.S. city average
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
U r b a n W a g e E a r n e r s a n d C le r ic a l W o r k e r s ( r e v i s e d )
A ll U r b a n C o n s u m e r s
G e n e ra l s u m m a ry
1981
1980
1980
1981
Aug.
M ar.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
Aug.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
A ug.
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 ....................................................
166.5
136.5
105.4
101.9
99.9
263.5
174.0
142.5
113.6
101.8
101.2
277.1
175.1
143.4
114.8
101.8
101.4
278.4
176.2
144.0
115.5
101.8
101.7
282.3
177.1
143.5
114.9
101.8
101.5
291.2
180.8
147.2
116.7
109.1
101.5
294.0
183.7
149.2
117.3
113.4
101.8
299.2
166.4
136.4
105.2
101.9
99.7
264.5
174.4
142.6
113.7
101.9
101.0
279.0
175,4
143.4
114.9
101.9
101.2
280.3
176.6
144.1
115.7
101.9
101.5
284.7
177.3
143.6
115.1
101.9
101.3
292.5
181.3
147.5
116.9
109.6
101.3
295.8
184.3
149.5
117.6
113.8
101.6
301.4
H o u s e h o l d f u r n is h in g s a n d o p e r a t i o n s
207.2
216.9
219.2
220.1
221.1
222.4
222.9
204.5
213.7
215.9
216.8
217.8
219.1
219.8
173.5
189.6
114.7
122.4
189.9
123.6
110.4
112.3
122.5
140.6
105.2
103.3
107.9
164.5
168.0
120.1
112.0
180.2
201.4
124.1
127.2
198.0
129.4
114.1
116.7
128.3
143.4
106.4
104.3
109.3
169.0
172.7
124.3
114.5
181.6
202.9
125.0
128.2
200.0
130.7
114.9
117.6
130.1
144.2
107.1
104.7
110.2
169.9
174.7
125.7
114.4
182.1
202.3
124.7
127.7
200.6
129.2
115.8
119.1
131.2
144.4
106.9
104.4
110.1
170.6
175.8
125.3
115.2
182.8
204.4
125.7
129.5
200.1
129.2
116.0
118.2
130.5
145.6
107.3
104.3
110.9
172.6
177.1
127.1
116.6
184.1
206.2
126.0
131.5
202.3
130.7
116.2
119.5
132.9
146.3
107.7
104.5
111.4
173.6
178.1
128.3
117.1
184.5
207.3
126.8
132.1
201.4
132.2
115.0
116.9
132.2
146.6
107.8
104.2
111.9
174.1
178.9
129.1
117.0
H O U S IN G
C o n t in u e d
F u e l a n d o t h e r u t ilit ie s
C o n t in u e d
182.6
199.8
1231
126.1
201.6
133.2
115.8
116.5
130.8
144.2
108.0
105.6
111.2
168.9
168.5
124.5
115.9
183.9
200.5
123.0
127.1
203.7
134.5
116.5
116.6
133.4
145.3
108.6
106.0
112.1
170.4
170.6
126.1
116.6
184.2
198.3
122.3
125.0
204.2
133.4
117.0
117.5
134.7
145.5
108.3
105.4
112.1
171.3
170.9
126.2
117.6
185.2
202.5
125.1
127.4
204.6
134.6
116.2
116.9
135.4
146.3
108.2
105.3
111.9
173.2
172.4
128.0
118.9
186.0
202.9
123.3
129.8
206.0
135.0
117.6
117.9
136.2
147.1
108.8
105.6
112.7
174.2
174.2
128.1
119.6
111.8
115.1
115.8
117.2
118.4
119.2
118.5
111.4
115.2
113.9
115.1
116.5
117.1
116.4
115.1
121.7
116.9
129.1
117.4
130.0
118.0
130 7
119.4
131.0
120.1
131.2
120.6
131.7
112.6
120.5
113.7
126.9
115.0
127.9
115.3
129.0
116.7
129.3
117.1
129.8
117.7
131.0
121.7
119.8
130.7
125.7
131.4
125.6
132.2
124.4
132.1
124.6
132.4
125.0
133.4
125.8
115.3
117.1
123.2
121.7
124.4
120.9
125.1
120.9
125.3
121.9
127.1
122.9
129.3
122.5
125.8
117.1
135.6
120.8
137.1
121.5
138.8
122.5
139.5
122.6
139.5
122.7
138.9
124.0
125.1
119.6
132.1
125.1
134.1
125.9
136.0
127.0
136.0
127.1
136.4
126.7
137.0
128.8
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)..........................................
249.9
240.1
124.4
132.2
117.4
127.7
127.5
264.2
255.3
129.7
137,9
122.3
137.3
136.6
266.9
259.4
131.0
138.4
123.1
138.1
139.1
269.0
262.6
132.8
137.8
125.1
138.4
140.6
2698
266.0
133.4
137.6
125.8
139.5
138.4
271.5
266.5
134.8
138.8
126.6
140.5
138.8
272.0
267.0
134.8
138.4
126.6
141.7
139.2
247.8
236.8
123.9
135.1
117.4
125.5
121.4
261.2
253.8
130.3
138.1
123.7
133.2
128.5
263.4
256.7
130.4
138.5
124.8
134.5
131.1
265.5
260.2
131.5
137.9
126.8
135.0
132.4
266.9
263.6
132.3
138.2
127.2
136.1
131.3
267.9
263.1
133.6
139.0
127.9
136.6
131.7
2686
263.6
134.7
138.7
128.2
136.9
131.8
Housekeeping services............................................................................
Postage ..........................................................................................
Moving, storage, freight, household laundry, and
drycleaning services (12/77 = 100) ..............................................
Appliance and furniture repair (12/77 = 100) ....................................
271.6
257.3
284.8
274.3
289.9
308.0
291.6
308.0
292.9
308.0
295.3
308.0
296.9
308.0
269.0
257.3
283.3
274.2
288.6
308.1
289.9
308.1
291.7
308.1
293.4
308.1
295.1
308.1
131.3
119.4
139.0
124.5
140.7
125.2
141.6
125.9
141.9
126.3
143.1
127.8
143.9
128.5
129.7
118.3
139.0
123.8
140.2
124.3
140.7
124.6
141.8
125.4
142.8
126.4
143.8
127.2
APPAREL AN D UPKEEP
178.6
185.1
186.4
186.4
185.8
184.7
187.4
177.9
184.3
186.0
186.2
185.8
185.5
187.9
A p p a r e l c o m m o d i t i e s .........................................................................................................................
171.0
176.3
177.6
177.2
176.4
175.1
178.0
170.7
175.8
177.5
177.6
177.0
176.6
179.0
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)..............................................
167.8
167.9
105.6
99.2
96.7
119.3
114.9
99.5
109.5
106.0
114.6
110.3
153.7
101.7
164.0
158.3
98.5
114.2
86.5
104.5
103.4
102.0
172.7
175.0
110.2
103.2
97 9
127.2
118.0
104.7
113.7
106.5
121.2
116.5
157.5
104.4
157.9
166.4
99.3
117.8
93.0
106.4
101.2
106.2
174.0
175.6
110.5
104.1
98.1
127.5
117.0
105.4
114.5
107.2
121.5
117.4
158.8
105.0
157.6
167.8
100.2
119.3
91.6
108.6
106.4
106.8
173.3
176.8
111.2
104.7
97.9
129.2
118.3
105.5
115.1
108.8
121.4
117.5
157.2
103.9
152.8
164.8
99.0
119.7
90.7
107.9
104.1
106.9
172.5
176.6
111.0
104.3
981
129.7
117.9
105.0
115.4
108.7
123.9
117.3
155.4
102.7
149.5
163.7
98.0
119.8
86.3
106.4
100.4
105.9
171.2
175,6
110.3
102.5
96.7
129.6
115.5
106.5
115.1
107.0
124.5
117.7
153.5
101.2
153.9
162.2
95,1
120.0
78,6
106.5
100.0
106.1
174.3
177.6
111.7
105.6
97.7
129.5
117.9
106.6
115.8
109.2
124.3
117.5
157.8
104.4
162.1
166.2
97.4
121.2
87.0
107.9
101.6
108.7
167.3
168.4
106.1
95:2
98.0
116.3
115.1
105.0
108.6
107.1
112.9
108.2
154.1
102.5
170.2
151.1
99.7
114.3
91.3
102.3
99,5
100.7
172.3
174.9
110.1
98.5
98.9
121.5
119.2
110.0
112.9
109.5
117.4
113.9
158.9
105.5
156.9
154.3
101,6
117.7
109.5
106.4
98.4
109.1
173.9
176.1
110.9
98.3
99.6
122.7
119.5
111.5
113.9
110.9
118.2
114.8
160.7
106.7
156.8
159.8
102.6
119.1
108.0
107.8
101.3
109.5
173.8
177.3
111.8
993
100.5
123.9
120.3
112.2
114.2
111.8
117.4
114.8
160.0
106.2
155.8
159.7
101.5
119.5
106,9
107.1
98.8
109.6
173.0
177.2
111.6
98.4
101.2
124.1
120.4
111.8
114.3
109.8
119.5
115.9
158.1
104.9
148.9
156.6
101.0
120.0
103.6
106.2
98.1
108.1
172.8
176.9
111.6
97.4
100.8
124.8
118.8
113.2
113.6
107.6
120.6
115.6
157.9
104.5
159.0
154.1
99,1
120.1
100.6
106.9
98.9
108.9
175.2
178.4
112.8
99.7
102.4
125.3
122.1
112.5
113.8
109.5
120.3
114.7
161.2
107.1
168.7
153.4
101.1
121.0
109.8
107.6
101.5
108.9
111.2
115.6
115.5
116.1
117.2
117.6
117.0
109.6
114.6
115.4
115.9
116.2
116.3
115.1
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 freezers..........................................
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) .
175.2
189.1
114.1
121.9
192.6
125.8
111.3
111.6
125.7
141.4
106.6
105.0
109.1
164.6
164.4
120.2
113.3
Digitized 84
for FRASER
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
186.2
203.4
124.6
129.1
205.4
135.9
116.0
116.7
135.9
147.3
108.6
105.0
112.8
174.9
175.8
129.2
119.5
23.
Continued
Consumer Price Index
U.S. city average
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
U rb a n W a g e E a rn e rs a n d C le r ic a l W o r k e r s (r e v is e d )
A ll U r b a n C o n s u m e r s
G e n e ra l s u m m a ry
1981
1980
1981
1980
Aug.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
Aug.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
Apparel commodities less footwear Continued
Infants' and toddlers’ ......................................................................
Other apparel commodities ............................................................
Sewing materials and notions (12/77 - 100) ............................
Jewelry and luggage (12/77 - 100) ........................................
243.9
2099
110.2
146.5
255.3
212.2
113.3
147.3
259.2
214.1
114.8
148.4
256.9
212.1
114.3
146.8
260.0
212.2
114.5
146.8
2598
212.4
115,3
146.6
263.6
214,0
117.5
147.2
252.6
204.1
110.0
142.0
266.4
204.5
113.3
140.9
269.3
205.6
114.3
141.4
269.9
204.1
113.4
140,5
273.0
204.8
113.2
141.2
272.9
204.8
113.6
141.0
279.3
206.1
115.3
141.4
Men's (12/77 - 100) ....................................................................
Boys’ and girls' (12/77 = 100) ......................................................
Women's (12/77 - 100)................................................................
190.3
121.3
122.8
115.4
197.4
125.2
127.6
120.0
199.3
126.8
128.2
121.3
201.0
127.8
129.3
122.4
200.4
127.7
129.1
121.6
199.0
128.0
130.1
118.7
200.0
128.3
129.1
120.6
190.0
123.4
123.9
111.7
195.9
125.4
127.3
117.0
198.4
128.0
126.7
119.3
200.0
128.7
127.7
120.5
200.6
129.5
128.6
120.2
199.2
129.5
128.7
117.8
200.8
129.8
130.4
118.9
235.4
138.3
126.9
252.4
149.6
133.7
254.3
150.9
134.5
256.4
152.2
135.6
257.8
153.2
136.0
258.9
153.8
136.7
260.2
154.7
137.2
233.7
138.4
125.0
251.5
149.3
133.9
252.7
150.4
134.0
254.2
151.5
134.5
255.7
152.5
135.0
256.3
153.1
135.1
258.2
153.9
136.5
APPAREL A N D UPKEEP
A p p a r e l c o m m o d itie s
C o n t in u e d
C o n t in u e d
A p p a re l s e r v ic e s
Laundry and drycleaning other than coin operated (12/77 - 100)............
Other apparel services (12/77 - 100) ..................................................
T R A N S P O R T A T IO N
252.7
273.5
275.3
277.8
279.9
282.6
283.7
253.5
274.4
276.3
278.9
281.0
283.9
285.1
P r iv a te
251.6
271.7
273,4
276.0
277.9
279.6
280.5
252.7
273.2
275.1
277.7
279.7
281.6
282.6
181.1
206.4
375.9
271.1
133.0
182.9
235.4
420.7
287.7
140.3
186.1
239.1
419.3
289.0
140.8
190.9
245.2
416.5
290.8
141.5
192.2
252.9
414.4
291.9
142.3
192.5
260.3
412.9
293.5
144.1
191.9
266.9
411.7
295.5
145.8
181.9
206.4
377.1
272.2
132.4
182.7
235.4
422.3
288.2
140.2
186.2
239.1
420.8
289.7
140.7
191.2
245.2
417.7
291.3
141.3
192.5
252.9
415.6
292.6
142.2
192.9
260.3
414.0
293.4
143.3
192.1
266.9
412.9
296.1
145.4
129.0
128.4
127.3
224.7
198.3
136.3
127.0
175.9
126.2
233.9
250.2
148.2
114.0
146.5'
104.9
122.8
128.3
137.7
134.8
137.0
234.7
206.2
141.6
132.1
184.1
129.2
244.6
254.4
164.3
118.2
146.9
105.4
126.1
138.4
138.0
135.5
137.8
236.3
208.1
143.5
133.2
185.8
130.1
246.2
255.7
166.5
118.2
146.9
105.5
126.0
138.4
138.7
136.5
138.6
238.9
208.6
143.1
133.6
186.4
130.4
249,4
256.8
172.9
117.7
147.5
105.5
125.8
136.3
138.9
137.1
139.2
241.0
208.5
144.5
133.4
186.1
130.2
252.0
257.4
178.5
117.8
148.0
105.8
125.7
136.3
139.9
137.4
139.9
242.9
208.8
144.8
133.6
185.6
131.7
254.3
259.8
180.9
118.0
147.9
105.9
128.6
136.6
140,9
137.8
141.2
243.0
212.1
146.8
135.7
189.3
132.4
253.6
260.3
177.3
119.5
147.9
106.2
(’ )
140.0
131.5
128.4
127.5
226.8
200.6
136.1
128.7
179.9
125.2
236.0
249.9
147.5
115.4
146.5
104.6
123.5
136.6
140.2
134.7
135.9
237.3
208.0
139.8
133.7
186.9
129.5
247.4
253.9
163.4
119.9
147.0
105.1
126.7
148.9
140.5
135.7
136.7
239.2
210.4
140.5
135.4
189.6
130.8
249.2
255.2
166.3
119.3
147.0
105.2
126.6
147.1
141.2
136.4
137.7
241.9
211.7
141.4
136.1
191.1
130.7
252.4
256.3
172.5
118.1
147.7
105.2
126.5
142.8
141.7
136.9
138.3
243.9
211.1
142.7
135.5
189.9
130.7
255.0
256.9
177.2
118.2
148.1
105.6
126.5
142.6
141.4
137.3
139.1
246.0
210.8
143.4
135.2
188.4
132.2
257.7
259.6
179.9
118.4
147.9
105.6
129.3
143.1
142.6
138.2
140.5
245.6
213.4
144.1
137.0
191.5
132.9
256.6
260.1
176.3
119.5
148.0
105.9
( 1)
145.8
........................................................................................................................................................
Automobile 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) ......................................
Power plant repair (12/77 = 100) ..................................................
Other private transportation ..................................................................
Other private transportation commodities ........................................
Motor oil, coolant, and other products (12/77 - 100) ................
Automobile parts and equipment (12/77 - 100)........................
Other parts and equipment (12/77 - 100) ........................
Other private transportation services................................................
Automobile insurance ..............................................................
Automobile finance charges (12/77 - 100) ..............................
Automobile rental, registration, and other fees (12/77 = 100) . . .
State registration ..............................................................
Drivers’ licenses (12/77 - 100) ........................................
Vehicle Inspection (12/77 - 100) ......................................
Other vehicle-related fees (12/77 - 100) ..........................
P u b l i c ...........................................................................................................................................................
261.5
293.9
297.2
297.7
303.9
323.1
3265
256.9
285.1
287.7
288.2
293.6
317.7
320.9
Airline fare............................................................................................
Intercity bus ‘are ..................................................................................
Intracity mass transit ............................................................................
Taxi fare ..............................................................................................
Intercity train fare..................................................................................
289.8
297.9
234.1
266.2
255.4
343.7
323.2
250.8
273.8
276.7
348.6
329.1
251.7
279,9
277.2
348.8
333.4
251.9
280.4
296.7
360.7
337.6
253.5
281.7
304.1
367.3
343.5
290.7
287.1
304.6
371.4
347.5
294.0
288.1
304.6
287.9
298.0
233.8
273.0
255.6
342.3
323.9
249.1
280.5
277.1
346.6
329.2
249.8
287.4
277.5
346.7
333.0
249.9
287.9
298.5
359.3
336.8
251.5
289.2
304.6
365.6
343.6
291.0
295.7
304.9
370.0
347.3
293.9
296.7
305.0
M E D IC A L C A R E
268.4
284.7
287.0
289.0
291.5
295.6
299.3
270.0
287.0
289.1
290.8
292.9
295.4
298.6
M e d ic a l c a r e c o m m o d itie s
170.2
180.7
182.4
184.7
186.3
187.7
189.4
170.8
181.2
183.4
185.9
187.3
189.2
190.6
Prescription drugs ................................................................................
Anti-infective drugs (12/77 - 100)..................................................
Tranquilizers and sedatives (12/77 - 100) ......................................
Circulatories and diuretics (12/77 - 100)........................................
Hormones, diabetic drugs, biologicals, and
prescription medical supplies (12/77
10Q) ................................
Pain and symptom control drugs (12/77 - 100) ..............................
Supplements, cough and cold preparations, and
respiratory agents (12/77 - 100)................................................
156.4
120.5
126.1
116.0
166.5
130.5
132.8
122.2
168.5
130.2
134.4
123.9
170.4
130.3
136,0
124.9
172.3
132.2
137.3
125.5
173.7
133.9
138.4
126.5
175.4
134.8
139.6
127.6
157.4
121.6
125.4
118.2
166.8
131.0
131.5
123.7
169.2
132.4
133.3
125.3
171.6
132.7
135.2
126.1
173.5
134.3
136.5
126.8
175.0
135.8
137.6
127.9
176.5
137.0
138.8
128.6
138.2
125.2
148.2
132.7
151.2
134.5
154.6
136.5
157.2
137.7
158.1
139.1
160.4
140.2
137.0
127.6
147.8
134.1
150.9
135.8
154.5
138.2
158.1
138.9
158.2
141.8
160.3
142.7
119.9
126.3
128.6
130.2
131.1
131.8
133.1
121.2
126.5
128.8
131.2
132.0
132.5
133.9
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)........
122.6
119.9
190.4
119.9
129.9
124.6
204.2
125.0
130.9
125.1
205.9
126.2
132.6
125.3
209.1
128.6
133.5
125.3
211.5
128.6
134.5
125.8
213.1
129.9
135.6
126.3
215.5
130.4
122.9
118.4
191.6
119.9
130.5
122.6
205.5
127.1
131.9
123.4
208.0
128.2
133.6
124.1
211.0
130.5
134.4
124.7
212.6
130.7
135.8
125.0
215.4
132.2
136.7
125.3
217.5
132.3
M e d ic a l c a r e s e r v ic e s
289.8
307.5
309.8
311.7
314.4
319.2
323.4
291.7
310.2
312.2
313.6
315,8
318.5
322.1
274.2
296.3
259.8
129.9
276.2
297.9
262.2
131.3
278.0
300.3
263.3
132.1
279.4
302.4
264.0
132.6
280.8
304.7
264.6
132.7
282.7
306.7
266.6
133.6
354.4
146.7
459.2
146.3
356.2
147.3
461.4
146.8
357.1
147.3
461.3
146,8
360.3
148.6
467.1
147.6
364.6
150.3
472.2
149.4
370.6
153.1
482.6
151.8
Physicians’ services........................................................................
Dental servces..............................................................................
Other professional services (12/77 = 100)......................................
254.7
272.2
242.2
126.0
269.6
290.3
254.9
131.5
271.7
292.2
257.1
132.6
273.8
295.5
257.7
133.7
275.8
297.5
260.2
134.2
280.4
300.7
266.5
136.8
282.9
302.7
269.9
137.3
257.8
277.6
244.5
123.9
Other medical care services..................................................................
Hospital and other medical services (12/77 - 100)..........................
Hospita room..........................................................................
Other hospital and medical care services (12/77 - 100)............
332.3
135.4
424.0
135.1
353.4
147.1
460.9
146.7
355.9
148.1
465.0
147.3
357.6
148.3
465.1
147.6
361.1
149.6
470.4
148.7
366.1
151.7
478.0
150.4
372.5
154.7
489.4
152.9
333.3
134.9
422.4
134.4
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
85
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Current Labor Statistics: Consumer Prices
23.
Continued— Consumer Price Index— U.S. city average
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
A ll U r b a n C o n s u m e r s
G e n e ra l s u m m a ry
1980
Aug.
U r b a n W a g e E a r n e r s a n d C le r ic a l W o r k e r s ( r e v i s e d )
1981
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
1980
June
J u ly
Aug.
Aug.
1981
M a r.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
E N T E R T A I N M E N T ...............................................................................................................................
208.0
218.2
219.2
220.3
220.8
221.1
222.3
205.6
216.1
217.0
217.7
218.3
218.7
219.9
E n te r ta in m e n t c o m m o d itie s
210.8
222.1
223.6
225.0
225.4
225.5
226.5
206.4
218.0
219.4
220.4
220.8
221.1
222.2
Reading materials (12/77 = 100)..........................................................
Newspapers ..................................................................................
Magazines, periodicals, and books (12/77 = 100)............................
123.2
240.7
124.0
133.2
256.6
136.2
134.1
262.5
134.8
135.6
264.1
137.1
136.2
264.9
137.9
136.0
265.0
137.3
136.0
265.5
137.2
122.7
239.9
123.7
133.0
256.7
136.3
134.1
262.5
134.8
135.6
264.0
137.3
136.1
264.8
138.2
135.9
265.0
137.4
135.9
265.4
137.1
Sporting goods and equipment (12/77 - 1 0 0 ) ........................................
Sport vehicles (12/77 = 100) ........................................................
Indoor and warm weather sport equipment (12/77 = 100)................
Bicycles ........................................................................................
Other sporting goods and equipment (12/77 = 100) ........................
120.9
122.2
113.5
183.6
116.5
126.1
128.5
116.2
188.4
121.2
127.5
130.4
116.7
188.3
122.6
127.2
129.5
117,4
190.4
122.4
126.8
128.7
116.9
191.0
122.7
127.0
129.0
117.7
191.0
122.7
127.2
128.6
118.2
192.2
124.1
115.3
113.5
111.7
183.2
116.9
120.3
119.5
115.2
189.4
119.3
120.9
120.0
115.4
189.7
121.1
120.8
119.3
116.4
191.6
121.5
120.4
118.4
116.9
192.0
122.2
120.6
118.5
117.0
192,1
122.9
120.8
118.3
116.7
193.5
124.9
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 expenses (12/77 - 100) ......................................
121.8
120.4
122.5
123.9
127.2
125.6
124.0
132.3
127.8
126.2
125.4
132.4
128.8
127.6
125.8
133.3
129.3
127.9
126.2
134.2
129.3
127.9
125.7
134.5
130.5
129.3
126.0
136.2
120.3
117.8
121.7
123.8
126.3
123.1
125.5
132.8
127.2
124.0
126.7
133.2
127.7
125.0
126.1
133.6
128.1
125.3
126.5
134.3
128.5
125.3
127.0
135.1
129.6
126.6
127.1
136.6
E n te r ta in m e n t s e r v ic e s
204.3
213.0
213.4
214.0
214.7
215.2
216.7
205.2
213.8
213.9
214.2
215.1
215.8
217.0
130.7
125.1
121.7
131.3
124.9
122.2
131.6
125.9
121.7
132.0
128.1
121.7
121.8
124.2
119.1
129.6
125.9
121.7
130.2
124.7
122.4
130.5
125.0
122.5
131.4
124.8
123.4
131.6
125.7
123.2
132.4
126.9
123.1
232.2
233.4
234.4
235.6
214.0
226.8
227.9
230.4
231.4
232.4
233.5
Fees for participant sports (12/77 = 100)..............................................
Admissions (12/77 = 100)....................................................................
Other entertainment services (12/77 = 100)..........................................
123.2
122.1
117.4
129.8
125.3
121.0
130.7
124.5
121.1
O T H E R G O O D S A N D S E R V I C E S ............................................................................................
214.5
228.7
229.9
T o b a c c o p r o d u c t s ...........................................................................................................................
204,5
212.5
213.3
218.2
219.1
219.3
219.9
204.4
212.4
213.2
217,8
218.4
218.4
219.1
Cigarettes............................................................................................
Other tobacco products and smoking accessories (12/77 - 100)............
207.0
122.0
214.8
128.0
215.5
129.6
220.8
130.4
221.4
132.3
221.6
132.5
222.2
132.9
207.0
121.7
214.9
128.1
215.5
130.0
220.3
131.3
220.8
132.7
220.7
133.4
221.4
133.9
P e rs o n a l c a re
.....................................................................................................................................
215.4
226.9
228.7
230.5
232.1
233.4
235.1
214.7
225.1
226.4
228.4
229.7
231.2
232.4
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)
209.0
121.7
125.2
222.4
131.4
135.3
223.9
131.9
136.6
226.6
132.4
138.6
228.6
132.8
139.4
228.7
133.9
139.0
230.1
134.1
140.0
208.8
122.5
123.6
220.9
128.4
133.3
222.5
128.8
135.1
225.5
130.1
136.1
227.2
130.4
136.6
228.4
131.7
137.1
229.4
132.5
137.6
119.6
119.9
123.9
128.3
125.3
128.4
127.8
129.8
129.0
132.0
127.7
133.0
128.9
133.9
118.5
121.5
123.4
130.7
124.4
131.3
126.2
134.0
128.0
135.4
128.3
135.9
128.9
136.4
Personal care services..........................................................................
Beauty parlor services for women....................................................
Haircuts and other barber shop services for men (12/77 = 100) . . . .
221.7
222.5
124.8
231.7
233.6
129.2
233.7
236.0
129.9
234.7
236.4
131.1
236.0
237.7
131.9
238.4
240.5
132.7
240.3
241.9
134.4
220.7
222.0
123.4
229.4
230.8
128.4
230.5
231.7
129.1
231.5
232.0
130.5
232.5
232.7
131.3
234.4
235.1
131.8
235.7
235.7
133.3
P e r s o n a l a n d e d u c a tio n a l e x p e n s e s
231.4
255.2
256.2
256,8
257.8
259.2
260.4
231.8
256.0
257.1
257.7
258.5
260.1
261.7
Schoolbooks 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)..................................................
207.7
237.1
119.4
118.7
122.0
130.7
230.5
261.2
132.8
132.3
134.4
138.7
230.8
262.4
132.8
132.3
134.4
141.8
230.8
263.0
132.8
132.3
134.4
143.6
230.9
264.2
132.9
132.4
134.4
146.3
231.3
265.8
133.5
133.0
135.3
147.9
231.4
267.2
134.2
133.2
137.8
148.7
211.5
237.1
119.5
118.7
121.8
128.5
234.4
261.6
133.0
132.3
134.4
138.1
234.6
262.9
133.0
132.3
134.4
141.1
234.7
263.6
133.0
132.3
134.4
142.8
234.7
264.6
133.1
132.4
134.4
144.8
235.2
266.4
133.7
132.9
135.4
146.6
235.2
268.4
134.7
133.1
138.7
147.6
370.7
338.3
251.9
300.8
414.5
373.6
265.2
318.3
413.2
378.1
267.9
323.1
410.4
386.6
272.4
326.2
408.4
393.4
278.5
328.6
407.1
402.7
286.5
332.3
405.9
408.1
289.7
334.0
371.8
338.7
251.2
299.7
415.9
373.0
263.6
317.2
414.5
377.6
266.1
321.1
411.5
386.1
270.6
323.8
409.5
393.1
276.7
325.1
408.0
402.4
285.6
322.8
406.9
407.3
288.5
333.0
S p e c i a l in d e x e s :
Gasoline, motor oil, coolant, and other products......................................
Insurance and finance ..........................................................................
Utilities and public transportation............................................................
Housekeeping and home maintenance services ......................................
1Not available.
86
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
c= corrected.
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]
S iz e c la s s A
S iz e c la s s B
S iz e c la s s C
S iz e c la s s D
( 1 .2 5 m il lio n o r m o r e )
( 3 8 5 , 0 0 0 - 1 . 2 5 0 m il lio n )
(7 5 ,0 0 0 -3 8 5 ,0 0 0 )
( 7 5 ,0 0 0 o r le s s )
C a te g o ry an d g ro u p
1981
1981
A p r.
June
A ug.
A p r.
June
1981
1981
A p r.
Aug.
June
Aug.
A p r.
June
Aug.
N o rth e a s t
E X P E N D IT U R E C A T E G O R Y
All Items ............................................................................................................
Food and beverages ....................................................................................
Housing ......................................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep ....................................................................................
Transportation..............................................................................................
Medical care................................................................................................
Entertainment ..............................................................................................
Other goods and services ............................................................................
137.3
136.8
139.1
116.9
149.7
132.9
126.3
124.5
139.1
137.5
142.1
116.2
151.5
134.8
127.9
125.9
142.1
139.4
146.2
117.6
154.5
137.6
129.3
127.2
144.4
138.3
149.1
118.2
157.3
132.9
130.2
130.4
146.8
139.2
153.2
118.9
159.1
134.0
129.6
132.1
150.5
139.9
160.4
118.3
161.3
139.2
129.1
132.2
149.8
141.4
161.5
121.7
154.9
133.8
125.8
132.6
152.5
141.1
166.0
123.1
158.4
137.8
125.9
134.1
155.3
142.3
170.4
123.5
160.5
140.8
127.8
135.8
143.4
135.2
149.7
123.3
153.0
135.9
128.5
127.1
146.3
136.1
154.0
122.9
156.6
137.2
130.2
128.8
147.7
137.6
155.2
125.7
158.3
138.9
131.7
129.5
137.9
138.7
136.4
139.0
139.9
139.4
141.0
142.0
143.5
145.0
148.3
143.4
146.5
150.0
147.2
148.6
152.7
153.6
147.1
149.7
154.1
148.1
151.4
159.7
149.1
152.3
165.4
143.3
147.1
143.6
145.0
149.3
148.3
146.0
150.0
150.5
C O M M O D I T Y A N D S E R V IC E G R O U P
Commodities .............................................. ....................................................
Commodities less food and beverages ..........................................................
Services ............................................................................................................
N o rth C e n tr a l r e g io n
E X P E N D IT U R E C A T E G O R Y
All items ............................................................................................................
Food and beverages ....................................................................................
Housing .......................... ........................................................................
Apparel and upkeep ....................................................................................
Transportation..............................................................................................
Medical care................................................................................................
Entertainment ..............................................................................................
Other goods and services ............................................................................
145.9
137.5
155.0
112.3
153.9
137.1
130.2
127.9
150.0
138.1
162.9
110.8
156.4
139.1
130.6
130.1
152.3
139.4
165.9
112.9
158.9
141.3
130.9
131.2
143.5
136.6
147.4
119.8
154.3
138.1
125.3
134.0
146.6
137.5
152.6
118.9
157.3
139.9
124.4
136.0
148.1
139.2
154.7
120.2
158.4
144.5
188.4
136.5
140.2
137.8
140.5
116.4
155.1
138.6
129.2
127.9
142.3
139.6
143.5
115.3
157.0
140.4
129.8
129.3
145.4
140.8
148.5
116.9
159.3
143.9
129.8
131.5
141.1
140.5
142.1
115.6
152.6
142.1
125.7
131.7
143.1
140.7
144.0
118.6
155.9
144.0
126.9
134.3
145.3
142.4
147.0
121.6
157.6
146.9
128.1
133.6
141.7
143.7
152.1
144.4
147.4
158.3
145.7
148.7
162.1
140.1
141.5
149.0
142.5
144.6
153.2
142.9
144.5
156.4
138.6
139.0
142.7
139.9
140.0
146.2
141.7
142.1
151.6
136.9
135.4
147.8
138.0
136.8
151.1
139.4
138.1
154.8
C O M M O D I T Y A N D S E R V IC E G R O U P
Commodities ......................................................................................................
Commodities less food and beverages ..........................................................
Services ............................................................................................................
S o u th
E X P E N D IT U R E C A T E G O R Y
All items ............................................................................................................
Food and beverages ....................................................................................
Housing ......................................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep ....................................................................................
Transportation..............................................................................................
Medical care................................................................................................
Entertainment ..............................................................................................
Other goods and services ............................................................................
144.1
139.0
148.7
121.1
155.7
132.5
123.2
131.3
146.2
138.2
152.3
121.1
158.1
135.0
124.9
133.1
148.2
140.2
154.9
121.9
158.9
138.3
125.3
135.3
146.7
139.8
153.0
121.3
155.9
136.5
130.0
132.0
148.7
139.4
156.4
119.9
158.3
138.8
130.7
134.1
151.6
141.7
160.5
120.6
160.3
141.6
132.2
134.6
143.7
139.0
148.3
115.5
153.8
140.0
130.5
129.7
145.9
138.7
151.9
115.3
156.6
142.1
132.1
131.5
148.5
141.6
155.3
115.1
158.6
145.6
132.1
132.7
141.8
142.3
142.4
109.4
154.3
146.4
131.2
131.6
144.8
141.9
147.5
109.5
157.7
148.1
133.5
134.1
147.2
143.9
150.9
108.6
159*1
149.9
138.6
134.8
141.5
142.6
147.6
142.1
143.8
152.1
143.5
144.9
154.9
142.3
143.4
153.3
143.2
144.8
157.0
144.7
146.0
161.9
140.1
140.6
149.2
141.3
142.4
153.1
143.1
143.8
156.9
140.7
140.0
143.6
142.1
142.2
149.0
143.2
143.0
153.1
C O M M O D I T Y A N D S E R V IC E G R O U P
Commodities ......................................................................................................
Commodities less food and beverages ..........................................................
Services ............................................................................................................
W est
E X P E N D IT U R E C A T E G O R Y
All items ............................................................................................................
Food and beverages ....................................................................................
Housing ......................................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep ....................................................................................
Transportation..............................................................................................
Medical care................................................................................................
Entertainment ..............................................................................................
Other goods and services ............................................................................
145.7
138.2
151.2
119.9
154.2
139.5
127.0
131.8
147.5
138.3
153.2
120.7
157.4
141.0
127.7
134.8
152.4
140.3
160.6
121.2
159.3
149.2
130.2
136.4
146.7
141.4
151.8
125.2
154.9
137.5
128.9
133.3
149.1
142.6
155.1
123.1
157.5
141.2
128.9
134.7
151.2
144.6
156.6
124.5
161.1
146.1
130.1
137.3
142.1
136.2
144.8
114.9
155.6
139.0
128.9
128.6
143.9
137.5
146.7
113.4
158.7
141.5
130.8
130.2
146.4
141.2
148.9
114.6
160.8
147.0
130.8
131.3
143.6
141.3
142.0
133.7
156.0
140.8
142.1
133.0
146.9
143.2
146.1
133.5
159.3
146.2
143.7
137.8
147.7
145.2
145.6
134.4
161.0
149.9
145.4
141.0
139.5
140.1
154.0
140.5
141.4
156.8
143.4
144.7
164.3
142.2
142.6
152.9
143.4
143.8
156.8
145.2
145.5
159.4
139.1
140.2
146.4
140.2
141.3
149.2
142.6
143.2
151.7
141.6
141.6
146.5
144.7
145.3
150.1
144.5
144.2
152.5
C O M M O D I T Y A N D S E R V IC E G R O U P
Commodities......................................................................................................
Commodities less food and beverages ..........................................................
Services ............................................................................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
87
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Current Labor Statistics: Consumer Prices
25.
Consumer Price Index
U.S. city average, and selected areas
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
U r b a n W a g e E a r n e r s a n d C le r ic a l W o r k e r s ( r e v i s e d )
A ll U r b a n C o n s u m e r s
A re a 1
U.S. city average2 ..............................................................
Anchorage, Alaska (10/67 -100) ........................................
Atlanta, Ga...........................................................................
Baltimore, Me.......................................................................
Boston, Mass.......................................................................
Buffalo, N Y..........................................................................
Chicago, lll.-Northwestern Ind................................................
Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky.-Ind.........................................................
Cleveland, O hio..................................................................
Dallas-Ft. Worth, Tex............................................................
Denver-Boulder, Colo............................................................
Detroit, Mich.........................................................................
Honolulu, Hawaii ................................................................
Houston,Tex........................................................................
Kansas City, Mo. Kansas ....................................................
Los Angeles-Long Beach, Anaheim, Calif................................
Miami, Fla. (11/77-100) ....................................................
Milwaukee, Wis.....................................................................
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.-Wis..............................................
New York, N.Y.-Northeastern N.J...........................................
Northeast, Pa. (Scranton) ....................................................
Aug.
M ar.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
Aug.
M ar.
A p r.
M ay
June
J u ly
Aug.
249.4
265.1
266.8
269.0
271.3
274.4
276.5
249.6
265.2
266.8
269.1
271.4
274.6
276.5
276.1
249.7
241.1
244.6
265.9
246.5
236.8
245.2
254.6
259.7
266.1
263.7
281.4
255.1
230.1
268.6
250.8
247.3
268.2
263.3
246.0
250.7
San Francisco-Oakland, Calif.................................................
Seattle-Everett, Wash...........................................................
Washington, D.C.-Md.-Va......................................................
251.0
253.9
257.6
258.3
275.2
261.0
265.7
267.3
256.7
259.9
261,9
283.1
272.2
265.4
271.3
262.5
266.0
267.8
274.7
264.7
245.4
254.4
257.4
283.5
256.6
294.7
271.3
274.8
253.8
229.5
265.6
249,3
250.1
286.6
264.8
250.6
240.7
270.5
277.7
247.3
251.2
258.9
267.7
263.0
266.5
253.7
260.6
259.5
251.4
Area is used for New York and Chicago.
2Average of 85 cities.
271.3
261.5
267.3
271.7
276.3
270.7
255.9
263.3
262.9
278.9
276.3
279.1
256.6
291.8
270.2
278.6
143.7
291.2
276.6
257.9
265.6
273.0
276.1
268.4
292.5
262.3
269.0
268.5
287.0
264.0
271.6
278.1
279.2
269.2
300.5
287.2
274.3
271.5
267.7
274.6
283.0
285.1
299.9
275.9
2538
289.4
269.1
271.7
144.8
283.5
267.3
254.8
259.4
283.8
284.0
270.9
267.9
264.2
267.9
293.4
268,0
250.2
283.1
264.3
269.1
267.0
259.4
288.0
287.9
263.9
273.3
272.1
276.9
263.6
278.1
273.7
266.5
256,1
252.7
141.7
274.6
282.3
267.1
272.8
268,6
263.6
285,8
280.8
269.4
305.4
274.0
270.3
275.8
284.4
288.2
146.1
285.6
276.1
258.6
278.5
268.0
297.5
'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
88
272.7
273.3
235.5
294.2
280.5
252.8
292.9
270.5
267.9
143.2
278.5
266.5
255.4
268.1
259.3
293.1
271.1
262.3
269.1
285,3
286.0
288.2
272.4
250.0
286.4
265.4
265.5
140.0
269.9
250.1
240.8
264.5
271.7
260.3
241.7
240.1
268.8
269.3
261.8
272.5
266.3
257.2
272.0
279.6
253.9
258.5
236.2
246.1
269.2
269.3
263.6
270.3
262.3
Philadelphia, Pa.-N.J.............................................................
Pittsburgh, Pa.......................................................................
Portland, Oreg.-Wash............................................................
St. Louis, Mo - II....................................................................
San Diego, Calif...................................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1981
1980
1981
1980
277.8
271.4
26.
Producer Price Indexes, by stage of processing
[1967 = 100]
1981
1980
Annual
C o m m o d i t y g r o u p in g
June
J u ly
Aug.
S e p t.
■269.6
269.9
271.3
271.2
271.1
'271.5
■252.8
■263.1
■249.8
■321.0
■218.1
■207.7
■262.5
271.5
253.1
255.8
250,8
321.0
217.9
208.0
264.0
272.8
256.9
262.4
254.4
321.2217.9
208.9
265.7
272.6
255.5
256.5
253,4
321.8
218.1
209.9
265.9
272.6
255.5
253.0
253.7
323.5
215.6
211.0
265.6
■306.7
307.1
308.6
309.9
309.6
284.1
263.1
284.3
310.6
255.4
■285.1
■259.0
■287.0
■311.2
■256.3
285.8
263.9
287.5
310.5
257.0
288.0
262.6
288.8
314.4
259.5
289.6
261.7
290.7
316.1
261.5
290.2
254.7
291.2
317.4
263.4
282.7
288.0
■288.5
289.3
290.2
290.6
289.9
569.8
482.8
646.7
598.3
503,9
681.6
608.5
509.0
696.2
608.7
■510.7
■695.2
605.7
505.7
694.0
604.3
503.7
693.1
606.7
507.4
694.3
600.1
499.3
689.3
264.6
268.2
270.9
274.3
■276.4
277.2
278.2
280.3
280.8
257.8
242.5
265.7
252.0
265.6
257.8
244.8
264.6
237.5
268.3
258.9
246.8
265.2
231.7
270.6
262.4
250.6
268.7
239.2
272.9
■264.0
■252 3
■270.2
■242.9
■273.8
264.6
253.4
270.5
235.7
276.1
266.2
255.3
272.1
232.8
278.9
266.1
256.0
271.5
228.9
279.2
266.1
256.7
271.1
221.7
280.6
■334.4
334.3
336.2
333.2
327.7
M a r.
A p r.
263.3
266.0
268.5
265.0
251.3
265.6
247.9
308.4
215.1
203.5
256.7
268.2
252.6
279.7
248.1
316.0
214.0
204.8
258.1
2706
251.9
279.3
247.4
320.4
216.6
207.3
260.8
298.3
302.0
305.8
279.6
280.7
274.0
306.9
250.3
280.3
273.2
276.5
305,4
253.0
281.6
267.5
279.4
306.9
254.2
276.6
279.2
280.3
539,4
457.9
611.4
551.9
469.5
624.7
259.5
260.6
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Finished goods....................................................................
247.0
251.4
255.4
256.2
257.2
260.9
Finished consumer goods..............................................
Finished consumer foods ..........................................
Crude ..................................................................
Processed ............................................................
Nondurable goods less foods ....................................
Durable goods..........................................................
Consumer nondurable goods less food and energy . . .
Capital equipment ........................................................
248.9
239.5
237.2
237.8
283.9
206.2
191.2
239.8
254.1
247.4
259.8
244.3
290.9
206.2
194.6
241.8
257.0
248.0
237.8
246.9
291.7
214.0
195.6
249,2
257.9
248.9
250.5
246.7
293.9
213.1
196.9
250.2
258.9
249.3
254.8
246.7
296.2
213.5
197.6
250.9
262.5
251.0
257.9
248.4
302.7
214.9
201.9
254.6
Intermediate materials, supplies, and components..................
280.3
285.3
287.7
289.1
291.9
296.1
Materials and components for manufacturing..................
Materials for food manufacturing................................
Materials for nondurable manufacturing......................
Materials for durable manufacturing............................
Components for manufacturing ..................................
265.7
264.4
259.5
301.0
231.8
269.5
275.8
263.2
300.5
237.0
273.3
295.1
265.0
304.7
238.4
273.9
299.0
266.7
303.8
238.3
275.7
279.6
268.5
304.3
246.3
Materials and components for construction ....................
268.3
271.7
272.4
274.0
Processed fuels and lubricants......................................
Manufacturing Industries............................................
Nonmanufacturing industries ......................................
503.0
425.7
570.9
519.5
440.8
588.9
516.2
440.6
583.7
521.3
445.2
589.3
Comakers ..................................................................
254.5
257.9
260.1
Feb.
M ay '
F IN IS H E D G O O D S
IN T E R M E D IA T E M A T E R IA L S
244.5
231.9
251.1
229.0
253.6
250.3
236.1
257.6
246.8
256.9
252.3
237.5
259.9
250.3
258.8
255.2
238.7
263.8
259.2
261.3
255.0
239.5
263.0
251.5
262.4
Crude materials for further processing..................................
304.6
319.3
322.8
324.6
323.5
328.0
336.5
334.2
336.3
Foodstuffs and feedstuffs..............................................
259.2
276.6
279.1
277.3
271.6
270.7
267.1
262.1
263.5
260.6
264.2
267.0
261.8
253.4
488.4
492.1
■492.4
484.2
484.2
485.9
486.8
Supplies......................................................................
Manufacturing Industries............................................
Nonmanufacturing industries ......................................
Feeds ..................................................................
Other supplies ......................................................
C R U D E M A T E R IA L S
Nonfood materials........................................................
401.0
409.8
415.4
424.9
433.8
450.1
484.9
Nonfood materials except fuel....................................
Manufacturing industries ........................................
Construction..........................................................
346.1
357.4
237.6
351.4
362.6
244.8
•355.6
367.1
245.3
363.9
376.1
246.5
373.3
386.5
247.4
391.0
405.1
254.8
427.9
445.5
257.2
430.9
448.6
259.2
432.5
450.2
261.5
■428.3
■445.5
■261.7
418.3
434.4
263.5
413.5
429.0
264.7
414.2
429.7
265.2
410.7
425.8
265.7
Crude fu e l................................................................
Manufacturing Industries ........................................
Nonmanufacturing Industries ..................................
615.0
690.5
567.0
639.1
722.0
585.4
650.9
738.1
593.8
664.9
755.8
605.2
670.2
762.9
608.9
677.4
771.9
614.9
697.7
798.1
630.6
703.6
805.8
635.0
716.6
821.9
645.8
■738.4
■850.6
■662.2
739.9
851.4
664.4
762.2
877.2
684,1
768.6
885.4
689.3
790.6
913.8
706.3
Finished goods excluding foods............................................
Finished consumer goods excluding foods......................
Finished consumer goods less energy............................
247.8
250.8
218.0
251.1
254.6
221.9
256.2
258.7
225.0
257.0
259.5
225.5
258.2
260.9
226.0
262.4
265.1
233.8
265.5
268.5
229.6
268.7
272.5
230.2
272.1
276.1
231.8
■273.3
■277.0
■232.8
273.6
277.0
232.9
274.1
277.1
234,5
274.5
277.5
234.5
274.4
277.4
234.2
Intermediate materials less foods and feeds..........................
Intermediate materials less energy ................................
282.3
265.3
286.6
269.2
288.2
272.2
289.3
273.3
293.5
274.9
298.0
278.3
301.0
279.1
305.4
280.5
309.5
283.7
■310.7
■284,7
311.0
285.4
312.8
287.2
314.3
288.4
314.5
288.7
Intermediate foods and feeds ..............................................
252.6
265.9
2803
285.7
270.0
270.9
261.3
255.6
254.9
■253.1
254.3
252.5
250.7
243.7
Crude materials less agricultural products ............................
Crude materials less energy..........................................
446.4
256.1
454.1
269.9
463.2
272.4
473.8
271,7
482.8
267.5
504.0
266.0
547.6
262.6
551.8
259.6
556.0
261.1
■557.5
257.9
547.4
259.6
546.9
261.8
549.9
258.1
552.4
250.5
S P E C IA L G R O U P I N G S
1Data for May 1981 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.
Not available.
r=revised.
2
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Note: Figures in this table may differ from those previously reported because stage-of-processing
indexes from January 1976 through December 1980 have been revised to reflect 1972 Input-output
relationships.
89
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Current Labor Statistics: Producer Prices
27.
Producer Price Indexes, by commodity groupings
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise Specified]
1980
A nnual
Code
C o m m o d ity g ro u p a n d s u b g ro u p
A ll c o m m o d i t i e s
A ll c o m m o d i t i e s
(1957-59 = 100)..............................................
F a rm p ro d u c ts a n d p ro c e s s e d fo o d s a n d fe e d s
In d u s t r ia l c o m m o d i t i e s
1981
a v erag e
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
268.8
285.2
274.6
291.4
277.8
294.7
279.1
296.1
280,8
297.9
264.8
302.2
287.6
305.1
290.3
308.0
244.7
274.8
256.5
278.8
259.4
282.0
260.5
283.4
257.0
286.6
257.9
291.5
255.1
295.7
M ay'
June
J u ly
Aug.
S e p t.
293.4
311.3
'294.1
'312.0
294.5
312.5
296.0
314.1
296.2
314.3
295.5
313.5
253.5
299.6
253.8
303.5
■252.9
■304.7
254.1
304.7
256.6
306.0
253.9
307.0
250.0
307.2
FARM PR O D U C TS A N D PR O C ESSED FOODS
A N D 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......................................................................................
Livestock ....................................................................
Live poultry..............................................................................
Plant and animal fibers..............................................................
Fluid milk ................................................................................
Eggs........................................................................................
Hay, hayseeds, and oilseeds ....................................................
Other farm products ................................................................
249.4
238.6
239.0
252.7
202.1
271.1
271.2
171.0
247.1
299.0
267,0
266.2
260.6
266.8
241.0
295.2
275.5
188.4
280.7
292.0
263.6
240.9
269.2
263.0
222.9
278.5
280.9
175.2
284.4
285.8
264.9
246,6
270.9
254.8
221.0
287.2
284.7
194,0
298.3
296.6
265.3
245.1
265.2
251.4
218.9
294.1
290.5
217.5
310.2
296.0
264.5
258.7
277.7
244.3
213.1
284.1
288.4
185.7
311.8
296.1
262.4
271.5
267.5
244.6
220.8
268.4
289.5
184.8
295.0
295.1
260.7
292.8
261.8
239.3
213.5
270.1
289.5
180.4
289.5
295.9
263.3
286.1
264.7
246.6
195.4
274.2
287.2
196.2
296.3
295.9
■259.6
■275.3
257.7
251.8
207.2
258.3
283.6
165.0
299.0
259.7
260.3
258.6
257.1
263.0
210.0
259.6
285.0
174.6
285.3
242.7
263.1
265.0
257.4
266.5
215.3
251.3
284.3
185.1
288.3
250.2
257.8
257.3
242.7
262.0
210.3
232.5
285.0
180.7
284.3
263.9
251.0
251.9
227.0
257.3
196.7
206.5
287.3
193.2
267.2
268.9
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 ............................................................
Oa ry products..........................................................................
Processed fruits and vegetables................................................
Sugar and confectionery ..........................................................
Beverages and beverage materials............................................
Fats and o ils ............................................................................
Miscellaneous processed foods ................................................
Manufactured animal feeds ......................................................
241.2
236.0
243.1
230.6
228.7
322.5
233.0
226.8
227.2
226.8
249.8
238.3
257.8
233.7
231.3
341 4
236.1
238.3
226.8
243.4
256.1
241.5
256.0
238.0
233.8
404.7
239.5
231.0
230.6
246.9
257.2
245.3
250.9
240.2
234.7
409.0
240.6
238.0
235.0
254.5
251.5
248.7
248.1
242.3
236.6
339.8
240.5
234.1
240.5
247.1
253.3
251.5
248.1
244.7
238.4
344.6
243.0
230.2
244.2
248.9
250.2
252.1
243.6
245.0
243.7
323.7
244.8
228.2
248.0
235.9
248.5
252.2
242.0
245.1
255.2
302.0
245.4
229.8
249.2
231.1
247.6
253.9
239.1
245.4
258.0
284.5
246.0
232.4
2499
237.7
■248,2
■256.3
■245.2
'244.6
'259.4
■262.8
■247.6
■228.2
251.1
'241.0
249.7
256.0
248.3
245.6
263.3
277.6
245.5
227.5
251.5
234.5
252.1
257.2
257.1
245.5
266.5
269,8
246.3
235.1
252.2
232.2
250.7
256.6
254.2
245.6
267.6
269.1
246.3
228.4
252.0
228.8
248.4
258.0
253.3
246.0
270.3
246.8
245.6
224.6
253.0
223.2
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 - 1 0 0 ) ............................
Gray fabrics (12/75 = 100)......................................................
Finished fabrics (12/75 = 100) ....................................
Apparel........................................................
Textile housefurnishings......................................
183.5
134.7
122.5
138.1
115.7
172.4
206.9
186.6
139.5
124.3
141.0
117.0
175.0
212.9
188.1
140.2
125.1
143.5
118.3
176.2
213.8
189.6
140.7
125.8
145.0
119.1
176.8
213.8
190.4
140.8
128.2
144.0
120.1
177.5
214.3
193.1
146.5
129.8
143.6
122.2
179.9
219.8
193.9
147.1
130.3
144.0
122.9
180.7
221.3
195.2
148.9
134.6
144.7
123.2
181.4
221.3
197.6
151.5
135.0
146.6
124.9
184.3
222.1
' 199.2
■156.4
'138.6
'145.8
■125.7
■185.2
■224.0
199.5
158.2
138.9
146.6
124.8
185.0
228.1
200.5
158.6
139.0
147.4
125.2
186.2
231.6
201.4
162.0
139.3
148.2
125.9
186.5
231.6
202.5
162,3
141.8
148.1
126.2
187.2
236.6
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........................................
248.9
370.9
310.6
233.1
218.3
' 247.8
356.1
298.1
235.5
218.8
251.2
381.5
301.9
236.6
221.8
255.4
409.1
317.3
237.5
222.6
256.9
392.8
332.4
236.9
225.3
258.2
377.5
332.6
238.4
230.1
257.7
367.4
310.0
240.7
236.9
261.2
( 2)
322.5
240.4
238.4
263.5
(2)
337.8
241.1
238.5
■263.7
(2)
■330.0
'241.4
■244.2
262.8
( 2)
321.0
241.0
249.4
262.1
( 2)
317.4
241.9
247.8
261.7
(2)
312.2
242.3
247.8
263.0
(2)
311.7
2420
250.1
05
05-1
05-2
05-3
05-4
05-61
05-7
Fuels and related products and power ..........................................
Coal................................................
Coke ........................................................................
Gas fuels3 ..............................................
Electric power..................................................
Crude petroleum4 ..................................................
Petroleum products, refined5 ..................................................
574.0
467.3
430.6
760.7
321.6
556.4
674.7
593.5
471.3
430.6
786.2
338.3
571.3
696.4
592.9
470.7
430.6
802.2
337.4
579.6
690.4
600.2
475.4
430.6
825.5
333.8
600.6
697.6
615.7
475.3
430.1
844.3
337.6
632.8
717.0
634.6
477.8
430.1
857.1
341.4
704.4
736.9
667,5
480.8
430.1
881.6
346.2
842,7
769.6
696.5
481.1
430.1
889.9
351.2
842.8
825.5
707.2
486.1
430.1
907.8
355.5
842.5
840.9
'709.0
■487.3
'467.9
■933.9
'360.4
■839.9
■835.3
704.9
491.8
470.3
931.6
366.9
816.0
827.7
703.4
505.7
470.3
946.6
374.9
799.0
818.4
704.1
507.3
470.3
952.4
383.6
797.0
813.4
703.2
510.6
470.3
979.7
382.0
797.0
805.7
06
06-1
06-21
06-22
06-3
06-4
06-5
06-6
06-7
Chemicals and allied products ......................................
Industrial chemicals6 ....................................
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 ........................................
260.3
324.0
235.3
273.9
174.5
298.0
257.1
279.2
224.5
263.4
327.5
239.3
278.9
176.8
304.5
260.6
276.5
229.1
264.8
330.0
239.3
279.6
178.4
302.0
260.6
276.1
230.9
266.7
332.7
241.4
279.8
181.1
308.2
261.1
276,2
232.4
268.1
334.6
241,4
281.0
182.6
317.1
263.3
274.1
234.1
274.3
344.5
242.9
284.0
184.7
310.7
267.6
214.7
244.4
277.6
352.1
246,6
287.0
187.3
289.7
271.6
276.1
245.1
280.4
354.5
246.6
290.5
189.3
295.7
275.8
279.4
248.3
286,0
362.4
248.1
295.4
191.0
312.7
277.8
285.1
255.3
■288.6
■368.5
'250.0
■300.3
■192.4
312.1
'279.1
287.9
■254.8
290.3
369.4
250.4
300.8
193.2
303.1
288.9
289.7
256.0
291.4
370.4
251.0
304.4
195.4
290.9
288.9
295.9
254.8
293.2
371.9
251.0
308.4
195.6
305.6
2938
295.6
256.7
293.3
372.0
251.0
307.8
197.1
285.6
292.3
298.5
257.0
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) ..................
217.4
237.5
264.3
236.9
226.6
121.1
222.0
242.6
267.3
242.1
232.1
123.7
222.8
244.6
271.7
245.2
232.0
123.6
223.4
245.0
271.0
245.2
233.3
124.0
223.3
244.9
268.5
245.2
234.0
123.9
224.8
246.2
279.1
240.9
238.6
125.0
226.4
248.5
281.9
243.5
240.4
125.5
228.4
252.1
281.2
248.6
243.5
126.0
230.8
253.0
279.8
250.7
243.8
128.2
■231.8
■254.4
■283.2
■251.2
' 245.7
■128.6
233.7
257.8
284.6
250.8
254.2
128.8
233.5
258.0
283.8
251.0
254.7
128.5
234.4
258.4
282.0
251.0
256.4
129.3
236.0
261.3
280.6
256.5
257.1
129.6
08
08-1
08-2
08-3
08-4
Lumber and wood products..............................................
Lumber................................................................
Millwork ..................................................
Plywood ..............................................................
Other wood products........................................................
288.9
325.8
260.4
246.5
239.1
292.2
328.0
264.5
252.6
236.8
289.0
320.6
264.5
252.9
236.7
293.4
324.9
270.0
256.6
236.6
299.4
333.0
273.3
263.5
236.2
296.5
331.3
273.6
251.1
238.5
294.7
326.9
273.8
251.2
238.1
294.4
326.2
275.7
248.8
2369
299.4
333.6
276.5
256.0
238.3
■298.4
'336.3
274.8
■248.3
'238.2
297.9
335.0
272.9
250.9
239.7
295.5
330.1
273.6
248.1
240.5
294.3
329.2
272.4
245.9
239.9
289.1
319.7
271.3
241.2
240.6
IN D U S T R IA L C O M M O D I T I E S
See footnotes at end of table.
Digitized90
for FRASER
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
27.
Continued -Producer Price Indexes, by commodity groupings
[1967=100 unless otherwise specified]
C o m m o d ity g r o u p a n d s u b g ro u p
IN D U S T R IA L C O M M O D I T I E S
1981
1980
A nnual
Code
a v erag e
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay '
June
J u ly
Aug.
Sept
C o n t in u e d
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..........................................................
249.2
250.6
380.3
208.7
256.8
234.6
238.5
206.2
252.8
254.1
388.2
192.5
258.7
239.5
242.7
210.2.
254.3
255.6
389.6
193.5
262.1
239.9
243.7
212.7
255.0
256.2
390.2
192.3
264.1
241.7
243.5
216.5
256.7
257.9
390.2
191.5
269.4
239.6
244.7
219.7
264.4
260.9
390.2
191.5
271.7
250.2
246.9
219.7
267.2
264.5
390.2
186.1
272.9
252.8
252.1
225.7
'269.0
266.8
390.2
185.1
273.8
255.1
255.3
227.9
271.4
268.6
394.1
184.2
275.2
255.7
257.3
232.5
'272.1
'269.9
r 394.2
182.7
'275.9
r 258.8
'258.8
'237.3
272.7
271.9
396.6
182.9
278.8
262.7
260.1
236.8
273.8
272.5
396.6
182.1
280.0
261.4
260.8
234.6
275.7
274.3
396.6
182.1
283.8
261.2
262.5
233.8
276.9
275.5
396.6
178.5
287.1
262.5
263.0
233.7
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....................................................
286.4
305.2
302.7
305.0
298.6
240.5
246.7
206.5
270.5
250.0
287.3
304.5
301.0
302.2
303.2
245.9
250.6
208.8
274.1
255.0
291.9
310.5
307.5
309.4
304.4
246.6
250.6
210.6
276.9
256.3
291.1
312.7
309.4
302.1
303.3
249.6
252.3
212.0
278.0
256.9
290.6
316.4
313.7
293.4
303.3
251.7
254.9
214.0
279.3
257.6
294.0
323.0
322.6
292.1
311.4
254.5
256.7
216.6
283.1
260.5
294.0
323.2
322.9
287.4
3138
258.0
259.2
217.6
285.4
263.1
296.4
328.2
328.7
286.5
314.1
258.6
259.5
219.5
289.4
264.7
298.8
331.0
331.8
288,4
314.1
258.5
265.3
219.8
293.1
267.2
'299.1
' 330.4
'331.8
'287.7
314.1
'259.4
'266.2
'222.3
'294.0
'269.7
298.5
329.9
332.1
284.9
314.1
257.6
268.2
222.9
295.4
270.4
302.5
338.7
344.9
283.3
315.7
261.7
270.3
225.7
298.3
275.0
304.3
339.7
344.9
287.7
319.4
263.2
271.0
227.2
300.0
273.8
305.1
339.7
345.3
290.0
319.6
265.7
271.4
227.9
300.5
274.5
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..........................................................
239.8
259.2
289.4
274.4
264.6
275.8
201.7
229.9
244.7
263.9
295.7
280.2
270.0
283.0
206.0
233.6
246.8
265.4
299.1
282.5
272.5
286.0
207.0
236.5
248.3
271.6
300.1
283.9
274.3
287.7
207.5
238.5
249.8
272.9
301.4
285.7
275.6
290.9
208.9
239.6
253.3
276.4
305.9
289.7
278.6
295.6
211.9
243.3
255.3
278.4
310.0
291.6
280.2
299.2
213.7
245.2
257.5
279.8
312.8
294.9
282.3
301.0
216.0
247.0
259.6
282.5
317.0
298.7
284.4
303.2
217.4
248.5
'260.7
'285.7
'318.4
'299.9
'285.9
'307.2
'217.5
r 248.8
261.9
285.9
320.0
300.9
286,6
309.1
219.0
249.8
264,5
287.3
324.0
303.0
290.0
311.0
221.0
253.2
266.0
289.3
324.9
303.6
291.7
310.5
222.8
255.3
267.8
292.0
326.6
305,3
293.5
312.7
224.1
257.8
12
12-1
12-2
12-3
12-4
12-5
12-6
Furniture and household durables ................................................
Household furniture ..................................................................
Commercial furniture ................................................................
Floor cover n g s ........................................................................
Household appliances ..............................................................
Home electronic equipment ......................................................
Other household durable goods ................................................
187.7
204.8
236.0
163.0
174.2
91.4
278.6
189.5
208.5
237.8
163.9
177.2
91.6
276.2
190.9
209.8
241.4
164.4
177.5
91.5
281.8
191.5
210.9
242.2
165.5
178.5
91.2
281.2
193.1
212.1
242.4
170.7
179.5
91.0
285.7
194.0
212.9
246.7
172.3
182.2
91.0
278.9
195.2
213.8
251.6
171.9
183.5
91.3
280.8
195.8
214.5
253.4
174.1
184.2
91.4
278.1
196.4
216.5
254.5
175.3
185.1
90.9
275.3
'197.4
'216.4
'257.7
'179.5
'185.5
'90.8
'276.7
197.1
218.9
258.1
181.1
184.8
86.9
275.8
198.9
220.4
259.1
182.8
187.5
87.1
279.1
199.5
221.4
259.2
182.3
187.7
87.5
282.0
200.7
223.3
261.5
181.5
188.3
87.8
285.4
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........................................................
283.0
196.5
274.0
273.9
231.5
264.6
396.8
256.3
292.7
394.6
286.8
199.7
278.9
277.3
230.1
270.6
407.9
251.8
294.6
400.7
288.6
200.7
279.0
277.5
233.3
273.2
408.5
249,5
306.2
4027
288.7
203.1
279.1
277.7
233.5
273.2
397.1
253.3
306.2
403.3
291.2
203.0
279.7
277.6
233.6
273.2
394.6
252.7
311.4
418.9
296.6
203.9
290.0
286.1
239.5
282.6
394.8
259.6
311.4
418.7
297.9
204.3
291.4
286.6
239.8
293.5
389.5
257.3
311.4
424.7
300.9
204.8
292.6
286.9
244.6
296.1
390.5
257.6
311.4
441.7
310.8
210.2
297.4
289.9
246.0
296.4
415,9
256.8
326.7
479.1
'312.0
'210.2
'297.5
'291.2
'250.1
'304.0
'407.4
261.1
'335.3
477.6
312.8
208.1
297.1
293.2
249.5
307.3
422.5
260.7
334.5
476.8
313.9
216.2
298.1
293.0
250.3
308.0
420.3
259.7
334.7
476.3
314.0
218.8
298.4
293.0
250.4
308.0
419.2
255.3
334.8
475.2
313.1
218.8
298.4
292.9
254.8
308.0
400.0
252.9
334.8
474.2
14
14-1
14-4
Transportation equipment (12/68 = 100)......................................
Motor vehicles and equipment ..................................................
Railroad equipment ..................................................................
207.0
208.8
313.1
204.4
205.6
320.0
217.4
218.2
323.3
217.8
218.6
323.6
224.3
226.2
323.9
227,4
228.9
332.5
229.1
230.9
332.5
228.1
229.5
333.9
231.9
233.9
335.7
'233.6
'236.0
'331.2
234.1
236.4
337.4
235.3
237.5
344.3
235.8
238.1
345.0
231.7
232.6
345.0
15
15-1
15-2
15-3
15-4
15-5
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 ..................................................
258.8
198.6
245.7
217.2
2029
150.2
363.4
265.1
202.3
248.2
223.9
200.9
151.7
381.9
266.0
202.7
249.4
224,0
200.8
153.2
383,4
263.6
202.8
254.4
224.1
206.7
152.7
367.0
265.3
205.7
254.8
225.0
206.6
153.0
370.5
264.3
208.4
254.8
227.2
207.4
153.0
363.3
264.9
210.5
256.1
247.3
209.6
153.1
358.1
264.0
211.1
256.3
247.3
211.2
155.0
351.3
266.0
211.3
268.7
248.4
212.4
( 2)
349.0
'266.9
'211.4
'268.7
'267.8
'212.5
( 2)
' 349.4
266.1
212.1
268.4
268.0
212.9
155.5
346.0
262.8
213.8
268.5
267.5
211.7
155.8
332.3
262.6
214.0
268.6
267.7
207.4
157.7
333.9
266.7
215.1
274.2
267.8
209.0
158.1
343.4
1Data for May 1981 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.
2 Not available.
3 Prices for natural gas are lagged 1 month.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
4Includes only domestic production.
5Most prices for refined petroleum products are lagged 1 month.
6 Some prices for industrial chemicals are lagged 1 month.
r=revised.
91
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Current Labor Statistics: Producer Prices
28.
Producer Price Indexes, for special commodity groupings
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
A nnual
C o m m o d it y g ro u p in g
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
269.6
244.7
246.6
243,5
124.3
123.2
185.4
274.3
254.3
254.9
246.0
126.6
126.4
189.5
278.1
258.8
261.7
249.6
127,5
126.2
189.7
279.4
259.7
261,9
250.3
128.1
126,7
190.3
281.2
254.3
255.5
252.3
129.3
126.4
190.6
285.4
255.8
257.0
255.4
131.8
129.5
199.2
288.8
253.7
253.9
257.2
132.5
130.3
200.9
291.9
253.4
252.3
258.6
132.2
130.5
202.0
295.0
251.4
250.3
261.8
134.5
134.2
202.1
1980
A ll c o m m o d i t ie s
le s s f a r m
1981
av erag e
p ro d u c ts
A ll f o o d s
P ro c e s s e d fo o d s
June
J u ly
Aug.
S e p t.
r 296.1
250.3
'250.5
'262.9
' 135.7
'134.6
202.3
296,4
252.2
253.4
263.4
136.0
135.6
203.5
297.7
255.5
256.3
264.8
136.9
135.7
205.0
298.5
253.7
254.9
266.0
137.2
135.3
205.0
298.3
251.7
252.8
266.3
138.2
135.5
205.0
M ay1
Industrial commodities less fu e ls......................................
Selected textile mill products (Dec. 1975 = 100 )...........
Hosiery ...........................................................................
Underwear and nightwear ..............................................
Chemicals and allied products, including synthetic rubber
and manmade fibers and y a rn s ...................................
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 ......................................
250.7
167.1
254.0
168.8
255.4
170.8
257.0
173.7
258.2
174.6
264.8
177.1
268.3
179.7
271.0
182.1
276.1
184.0
'279.0
185.7
281.0
186.5
282.1
188.7
283,9
189.1
284,4
190,8
304.0
258.5
258.2
222.0
230.4
307.4
257.8
262.6
214.1
232.1
302.3
265.7
264.3
216.5
239.2
306.5
265.7
265.2
215.7
240.2
314.2
268.6
266.3
210.8
244.1
309.2
271.8
269.9
207.4
247.4
306.0
272.7
272.5
205,0
249.4
304.8
273.5
274.7
204,8
250.2
312.3
276.8
277.0
207.7
253.1
'311.5
'277.9
'278.5
'206.6
'254.4
311.5
277.7
279.2
204.3
255.4
307.2
280.5
2827
203,0
257.4
305.9
281.8
283.4
206.3
258,4
297.9
280.1
284.2
205.4
257.6
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 p a r ts ...........
Farm and garden tractors less p a rts ...............................
Agricultural machinery excluding tractors less parts . . . .
Industrial valves ..............................................................
Industrial fittings ..............................................................
Abrasive grinding w h e e ls.................................................
Construction materials.....................................................
263.0
267.3
299.4
225.6
287.3
261.2
268.8
266.5
287.8
291.8
(2)
266.4
270.2
272.9
306.5
230.0
295.8
266.5
277.3
269.7
292.4
296.1
261.3
269.3
273.0
274,8
309.6
231.7
298.3
268.3
278.0
272.5
294.6
298,6
263.4
269.9
275.1
280.9
311.2
232.1
299.9
273.7
282.4
279.9
296.0
298,6
273.0
271.9
276.7
281.4
314.1
230.6
301.2
274.3
282.4
280.9
297.8
298.6
273.8
274.1
277.3
285.0
318.9
234.6
305.8
278.0
284.4
285.7
300.7
298.6
(2)
276.7
279.7
287.3
320.5
235.0
311.1
280.2
287.2
287.7
305.5
296.0
( 2)
277.2
281.9
288.3
323.5
235.7
311.8
281.5
287.6
289.1
310.1
298.9
( 2)
279.0
284.3
289.6
325.9
235.7
316.8
283.2
289.3
290.2
314.0
302.7
( 2)
283.9
'285.9
'293.7
327.1
'237.3
'322.0
'286.7
'297.7
'290.8
'314.3
303.0
(2)
'284.2
287.0
293.6
328.4
241.7
322.0
286.9
297.2
290.9
312.0
303.0
( 2)
284.8
289.9
294.3
329.9
242.1
325.4
287.6
297.2
292.3
314.1
303.0
( 2)
285.4
291.3
296.9
330.8
242.1
327.3
290.0
300,6
294.1
316.4
303.0
( 2)
285.6
293.4
300.5
333.7
242.1
330.5
293.0
305.0
297.1
319.3
304.3
<2)
284.4
Aug.
S e p t.
' Data for May 1981 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.
2 Not available,
r= revised.
Producer Price Indexes, by durability of product
[1967 = 100]
A nnual
C o m m o d it y g ro u p in g
1980
1981
av erag e
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay1
June
J u ly
Total durable goods .......................................................
Total nondurable g o o d s...................................................
251.5
282.4
253.7
291.2
258.4
293.0
258.6
295.2
261.0
296.3
262.7
302.6
263.8
306.8
264.9
310.9
267.8
314.2
'268.6
'314.8
268.9
315.1
270.7
316.3
271.8
315.9
271.7
314.6
Total manufactures ..........................................................
Durable .....................................................................
Nondurable................................................................
261.5
250.8
273.0
265.8
253.1
279.5
269.6
257.8
282.1
270.5
257.9
284.0
272.0
260.4
284.3
277.3
262.3
293.5
279.3
263.4
296.4
282.3
264.4
301.7
285.3
267.2
304.9
'286.2
'268.2
'305.7
286.7
268.7
306.2
288.0
270.6
306.8
288.4
271.6
306.6
288.1
271.6
305,9
Total raw or slightly processed goods.............................
Durable .....................................................................
Nondurable................................................................
305.7
278.2
306.7
319.9
274.9
322.2
319.6
282,7
321.3
322.9
285.6
324.6
326.2
284.0
328.2
322.9
275.9
325.3
330.3
275.5
333.3
331.2
281.7
333.8
334.6
286.0
337.1
'334.2
'280.4
'337.1
333.9
272.7
337.3
336.6
271.9
340.3
335.6
276.6
338.9
332.7
271.1
336.2
1Data for May 1981 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.
r = revised,
Producer Price Indexes for the output of selected SIC industries
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
1972
S IC
Annual
In d u s try d e s c r ip tio n
code
1980
1981
a v erag e
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
152.9
331.2
466.7
643.8
252.7
136.0
155.8
335.4
470.3
667.6
258.5
136.6
155.8
338.7
469.7
681.8
261.8
137.2
155.8
343.7
474.2
704.6
263.2
132.1
155,8
325.0
473.9
731.7
264.3
133.7
244.0
220.1
191.9
258.5
257.1
240.0
226.0
265.8
258.0
247.0
211.3
273.2
251.4
249.5
205.9
273.3
249.0
247.4
201.8
274.8
1980
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay1
June
J u ly
Aug.
S e p t.
155.8
297.9
476.1
786.5
270.1
137.1
168.1
324.5
478.1
897.9
272.3
137.1
168.1
335.4
478.5
901.7
275.2
137.1
168.1
354.1
483.5
908.6
278.0
137.1
168.1
347.9
'484.5
'919.7
'278.4
137.1
168.1
352.0
488.7
901.0
277.8
137.1
168.1
358.3
502.5
898.9
278.5
137.1
168.1
365.4
503.8
901.4
278.3
137.1
168.1
364.5
506.3
914.6
279.4
137.1
244.7
235.3
201.9
273.6
237.2
232.9
208.3
273.5
236.1
230.4
203.9
273.6
237.8
227.5
186.7
273.4
'243.6
230,4
196.2
273.4
245.5
237.6
198.3
273.6
252.6
245.5
203.6
273.8
250.7
252.7
201.2
273.7
252.9
253,7
188.8
275.0
M IN IN G
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 - 1 0 0 ) ....................................
2011
2013
2016
2021
Meatpacking plants ........................................................
Sausages and other prepared meats................................
Poultry dressing plants....................................................
Creamery butter..............................................................
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
92
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
30.
Continued
Producer Price Indexes for the output of selected SIC industries
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
1972
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
1981
1980
A nnual
In d u s t r y d e s c r i p t i o n
S IC
code
a v erag e
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay '
June
J u ly
Aug.
S e p t.
C o n t in u e d
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) ............................................
Rice milling..................................................................
Prepared foods, n.e.c. (12/75 = 100)............................
Raw care sugar ..........................................................
Beet sjgar ..................................................................
Chewing gum ..............................................................
204.4
193.3
221.4
160.2
189.1
243.4
124.2
414.1
358.0
290.7
208.0
196.1
224.3
159.9
196.1
225.9
129.6
458.9
384.5
302.4
213.7
199,5
227,6
162.6
201,5
237,2
129.2
588.2
460.1
322.4
214.9
199.8
231.1
168.6
205.1
265.8
133.3
563.8
512.2
322.9
216.1
207.5
232.0
170.4
199.5
287.2
133.9
402.9
423.3
322.9
215.9
210.1
233.3
174.1
203.8
289.6
132.6
418.0
414.5
323.0
215.6
210.6
237.4
171.3
198.4
289.6
129.3
367.1
398.1
323.0
215.7
210.6
241.5
172.9
195.1
298.0
126.6
318.8
370.7
323,1
216.2
211.4
244.0
174.2
201.5
300.9
128.5
275.7
350.5
323.1
' 216.2
212.4
r 245.9
175.3
199.4
300.3
r 129.8
224.8
r 334.4
303.1
218.0
212,4
250.0
175.1
199.3
300.3
127.8
263.3
358.1
303.1
217.1
212.7
252.4
180,5
196,5
297,4
125,9
272.2
299.3
303.2
216.0
212.7
253.8
178.7
191.0
284.3
124.9
254.6
299.3
303.2
217.0
212.7
255.6
183.4
194.8
268.2
120.0
212,3
271.0
303.2
2074
2075
2077
2083
2085
2091
2092
2095
2098
2111
Cottonseed oil m ills......................................................
Soybean oil m ills..........................................................
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 ......................................
Roasted coffee (12/72 = 100)......................................
Macaroni and spaghetti ................................................
Cigarettes....................................................................
192.9
244.3
290.2
249.9
123.0
174.0
366.9
269.3
233.8
254.6
232.9
275.2
307.0
244.1
127.7
178.6
355.0
263.9
239.3
257.4
218.7
279.2
311.0
267.4
127.9
180.0
353.8
257.0
243.6
257.8
231.8
290.5
317.2
267.4
128.5
183.1
353.3
252.5
243.6
263.5
228.0
270.5
311.8
267.4
129.2
183.4
353.9
248.5
243.6
263.6
221.2
272.0
310.8
286.1
129.2
187.3
374.9
238.2
243,6
263.6
193.7
252.5
287.2
286.1
133.9
187.1
366.7
238.3
243.6
264.1
204.4
253.2
284.2
286.1
133.9
187.6
385.2
238.3
243.6
264.2
218.4
259.1
301.7
286.1
133.9
187.7
393.5
238.5
243.6
278.3
216.6
258.1
304.3
286.1
134.3
r 187.3
'378.2
238.6
246.6
278.3
212.3
248.2
291.3
286.1
134.6
187.5
377.0
238.6
246.6
278.3
212.0
253.6
288.8
286.1
134.6
187.4
369.2
236.6
259.5
278.3
206.0
245.6
294.1
286.1
135.5
188.5
348.6
236.0
259.5
278.3
182.3
234.6
281.4
275.4
135.5
188.8
355.0
235.6
259.5
284.2
2121
2131
2211
2221
2251
2254
2257
2261
2262
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) ................
158.6
279.8
215.8
124.8
106.3
190.1
104.6
135.1
113,6
159.9
279.7
221.9
127.7
108.8
194.1
105.8
136.9
115.3
163.7
295.0
223.4
130.7
108.7
194.2
106.7
139.1
117.3
164.0
295.0
224.2
133.0
109.0
194.7
107.1
139.3
117.9
165.1
298.8
225.0
132.5
108.6
195.0
107.5
140.2
120.5
165.1
298.7
227.9
131.9
109.1
205.6
109.3
142.4
121.7
165.3
320.7
230.9
132.3
109.2
208.7
109,6
144.5
123.1
167.0
320.7
232.3
133.3
108.9
209.7
109.1
144.6
124.3
168.5
320.8
235.3
134.9
114.1
209.8
110.8
146.9
125.2
' 168.5
'320.8
'233.5
'135.7
'114.2
'210.0
'110.5
147.0
'126.6
165.6
320.8
234.6
136.4
115.7
209.9
108.9
146.3
126.2
166.8
320.8
234.9
137.0
115.6
210.5
109.6
146.2
127.0
166.8
321:1
236.9
137.5
115,0
210.7
110.5
146.1
127.7
171.6
325.2
235.5
138.4
115.1
210.8
111.0
145.3
129.0
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..........................................
Men’s and boys’ neckwear (12/75 = 100) ....................
Men’s and boys' separate trousers................................
138.1
203.5
115.5
139.1
123.6
212.6
204.4
208.0
112.6
175.3
138.3
206.2
117.2
143.1
125.0
214.9
207.7
212.8
112.4
175.3
138.8
207.9
118.2
143.8
127.1
216.2
208.0
212.8
112.4
180.2
140.0
209.9
118.4
143.9
129.2
216.3
208.6
212.8
112.4
180.2
145.7
215.1
120.1
143.9
129.3
216.1
209.5
212.9
115.4
180.3
148.1
216.9
123.2
144.1
129.3
218.2
206.3
224.9
115.4
185.3
147.8
218.1
123.2
144.3
129.3
219.7
207.3
229.1
115.4
185.3
150.2
220.7
131.3
148.4
130.9
220.1
207.1
231.0
115.4
185.3
151.5
220.9
131.5
150.8
132.7
220.3
207.6
231.0
115.4
186.0
'154.5
224.1
'139.1
150.9
134.3
220.4
'207.1
'231.0
115.4
'186.1
157.0
225.9
138.1
151.1
134.3
221.5
205.5
230.6
115.4
186.1
159.2
225.1
139.0
151.1
134.3
223.1
208.6
230.7
113.9
186.3
158.7
225.3
139.5
151.1
134.3
224.1
208.7
230.7
113.9
186.4
157.9
223.9
146.7
154.8
139.3
226.1
209.6
230.7
113.9
186.4
2328
2331
2335
2341
2342
2361
2381
2394
2396
2421
Men’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 = 1 0 0 )......................
240.5
110.3
114.7
154.4
126.5
109.9
268.6
123.8
122.4
227.7
243.9
112.6
115.4
155,4
129.0
112.2
271.1
123.9
122.3
229.0
244.3
114.0
116.3
156.0
129.0
112.7
271.1
125.1
122.3
223.2
244.3
114.0
116.3
157.1
129.1
115.1
272.1
125.1
131.0
226.8
244.4
115.4
116.3
158.1
129.1
117.4
272.1
126.1
131.0
233.5
242.2
116.3
116.5
165.5
131.7
118.1
284.9
126.8
131.0
232.3
242.2
116.3
116.9
167.5
132.8
118.9
289.1
126.8
131.0
229.6
242.3
116.4
118.5
168.8
134.9
119.2
289.1
127,8
131.0
228.6
247.0
118.3
118.4
169.0
135.0
120.7
289.1
129.3
131.0
233.3
'248.2
'118.4
'122.3
'169.2
'135.0
'120.5
292.1
'130.0
131.0
'234.8
248.2
117.1
121.4
171.1
136.6
119.4
292.1
130.6
131.0
233.9
250.7
119.7
121.4
171.2
139.2
120.5
289.2
130.6
131.0
231.6
251.3
119.8
121.5
171.2
139.2
120.5
289.2
133.7
131.0
231.0
251.4
120.1
122.5
171.2
139,2
120.5
289.2
135.2
131.0
224.9
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)..............................................
144.6
155,6
160,1
150.3
161.5
183.8
163.6
179.1
235.2
240.0
149.6
155.5
154.9
151.8
163.7
187.7
166.2
186.4
235.5
244.4
149.1
156.2
154.6
153.2
159.8
188.1
167.7
186.5
239.7
246.1
152,3
157.0
154.7
152.7
163.6
189.1
168.6
186.5
239.7
246.8
158.2
157.1
154.1
153.1
165.9
190.0
170,5
186.5
240.9
246.8
149.8
157.1
153.8
153.1
163.9
210.1
169.9
186.3
244.1
246.9
149.3
157.0
152.8
153.2
170.3
192.1
170.1
188.3
250.4
246.9
147.2
157.1
152.7
155.0
172.3
193.3
170.1
189.5
253.5
246.9
152.6
158.3
153.1
155,8
180.9
195.4
171.8
190.5
254.5
251.2
'145.7
158.2
153.1
' 155.9
'184.5
196.2
'169.7
'190.4
'255.4
'251.3
147.5
158.2
153.0
155.6
181.0
197.1
175.2
194.6
255.6
253.5
144.0
157.5
153.0
155.9
178.3
198.3
176.4
195.4
255.7
253.5
139.9
157.1
152.8
157.7
172.3
199.1
176.4
198.7
255.7
253.5
135.7
156.2
152.7
158.1
169.3
200.8
177.7
199.4
258.1
253.5
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) ............................
145.5
139.0
322.0
216.0
150.6
247.5
143.0
255.8
132.5
124.4
146.7
141.7
331.1
222.3
155.2
257.2
141.5
260.1
137.1
127.2
148.2
142.3
332.6
222.3
155.5
257.9
141.5
260.9
138.0
130.3
149.2
143.2
334.7
222.3
155.5
265.1
141.5
260.4
138.7
130.0
150.7
142.4
338.2
225,3
155.0
262.3
140.9
262.5
138.9
131.8
152.0
148.2
338.3
232.0
157.7
277.9
142.4
275.9
144.0
135.0
152.6
149.2
342.5
235.2
160.6
299.2
143.5
280.7
144.7
138.1
153.3
150.8
343,0
237.9
160.7
295.6
144.8
283.9
147.4
141.7
153.9
151.0
343.2
239.2
160.8
294.4
148.1
288.1
149.9
147.1
'154.3
'152,1
'344.3
'239.2
160.9
'302.2
149.7
'293,3
'156.2
148.5
156.2
154.3
345.4
243.5
160,9
309.6
150.6
295.1
157.7
147.2
157.6
152.7
345.3
245.5
163.2
302.6
155.0
296.1
158.2
147.2
158.3
152.6
345.3
254.2
163.2
309.1
154.6
296.1
160.5
144.5
159.6
153.6
345.3
254.5
163.2
313.1
156.9
296.3
161.6
142.7
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) ............................
237.3
246.9
269.7
248.6
171.4
173.4
203.1
240.8
250.2
273.3
256.4
176.0
178.3
207.4
239.3
250.6
273.5
254.6
176.2
178.6
209.9
239.6
252.9
272.9
256.3
176.2
173.5
209.9
245.4
252,2
282.8
261.4
181.5
172.5
210.1
247.9
255.8
288.8
268.3
183.1
172.4
207.0
248.2
266.8
295.4
279.5
185.4
170.0
209.3
253.5
270,0
303.9
299.0
189.1
169.7
213.8
251.6
271.1
324.8
306.0
198.1
180.4
215.5
'251.5
' 273.6
314.5
' 304.1
198.8
' 176.3
'216.2
250.9
273.0
311.4
302.6
198.4
183.1
215.9
249.9
274.2
315.7
299.3
197.4
182.2
216.1
261.0
273.1
316.7
297.5
196.2
181.7
216.2
258.8
272.5
316.4
295.8
195.8
173.7
220.5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
93
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Current Labor Statistics: Producer Prices
30.
Continued — Producer Price Indexes for the output of selected SIC industries
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
1972
SIC
Annual
1980
1981
In d u s tr y d e s c r ip tio n
code
1980
S e p t.
O c t.
N ov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
A p r.
M ay1
182.8
190.4
125.4
157.0
183.4
190.4
125.4
145.5
183.6
187.6
126.3
151.4
(2)
167.6
218.7
149.7
168.1
311.4
183.6
187.7
128.7
158.6
( 2)
168.7
218.7
149.7
174.5
326,6
248.9
327.4
298.6
155.5
265.0
r 324.4
295.3
127.1
308.1
213.0
249.4
328.0
307,9
158.5
263.2
295.4
171.7
257,6
221.7
177.5
328.9
296.0
172.6
257.9
223.1
178.9
334.0
3021
3031
3079
3111
3142
3143
3144
3171
3211
3221
Rubber and plastic footwear (12/71 =100) ....................................
Reclaimed rubber (12/73 -1 0 0 )......................................................
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 ............................................................................
177.9
184.7
121.7
146.6
149.1
159.8
213.5
137.9
161.3
292.6
182.0
185.9
124.4
140.0
151.1
161.5
215.2
140.9
162.8
294.2
182.0
184.0
124.2
( 2)
153.5
161.6
217.1
140.9
163.8
306.1
182.4
184.1
124.6
149.3
158.2
162.4
217.1
140.9
166.4
306.1
182.3
186.7
124.5
156.6
154.9
162.4
217,1
140.9
166.3
311.4
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 ................................................................
310.8
277.3
122.5
273.6
202.7
234.8
317.3
295.5
152.6
257.3
312,3
278.5
117.6
279.7
204.8
241.1
318.7
296.4
153.3
260.5
311.8
282.6
310.5
282.9
310.5
282.9
120.1
120.1
120.1
280.2
204.9
241.5
327.4
297.9
155.4
259.4
280.7
205.0
242.6
327.4
297.9
155.5
259.4
280.7
205.1
245.0
327.4
297.9
155.5
259.4
324.3
286.6
127.1
291.5
209.5
244.7
327.4
298.6
155.5
264.1
3273
3274
3275
3291
3297
3312
3313
3316
3317
3321
Ready-mixed concrete ....................................................................
Lime (12/75 - 100)........................................................................
Gypsum products............................................................................
Abrasive products (12/71 = 1 0 0 ) ...............................................................
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) ..................................................
279.9
157.7
256.7
282.7
160.8
250.0
218.8
167.8
314.8
117.3
288.1
294.2
289.7
282.8
160.8
253.6
282.9
161.8
253.1
294.8
165.7
259.9
220.2
220.6
222.8
161.1
310.5
117.7
284.0
290.9
282.5
283.6
158.8
252.2
217.1
164.8
3.08.6
117.2
282.3
292.6
283.3
167.5
316.6
117.3
288.8
302.4
290.1
167,6
320.7
117.3
293.3
308.4
290.7
172.4
328.7
119.9
302.8
315.5
295.2
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)................................
Metal cans ....................................................................................
Hand saws and saw blades (12/72 - 100)......................................
Metal sanitary ware ........................................................................
Automotive stampings (12/75 = 100) ..............................................
270.5
297.9
227.5
158.2
167.7
146.2
291.6
182.1
248.3
136.9
288.7
328.0
2228
165.1
176.4
151.1
297.3
190.5
253.8
141.2
3482
3493
3494
3498
3519
3531
3532
3533
3534
3542
Small arms ammunition (12/75 = 100) ............................................
Steel springs, except w ire................................................................
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 = 1 0 0 )............................
3546
3552
3553
3576
3592
3612
3623
3631
3632
3633
212.6
<2 )
(2)
164.8
217.8
149.5
167.1
311.4
166.5
220.2
149.5
167.5
311.4
324.3
286.1
127.1
305.2
212.8
June
J u ly
Aug.
184.0
’ 187.7
’ 129.1
’ 154.7
(2)
’ 168,9
219.3
158.4
’ 174.5
’ 335.2
184.1
185.6
129.3
150.7
(2)
168.5
219.0
158.4
171.8
334,4
184,7
190.8
129.0
150.6
(2)
169.7
218.9
158.4
177.1
334.6
185.3
198.1
129.7
147.8
( 2)
170.4
219.2
158.4
180.2
334.7
169.8
217.8
158.4
180.2
334.7
332.4
296.0
129.6
308.6
212.7
252.0
328.2
308.2
158.6
267.4
’ 332.3
’ 297.4
’ 132.1
’ 311.0
’ 223.9
252.5
336.6
’ 309.6
’ 160.6
’ 271.2
329.0
298.3
129.6
313.9
224.3
255.8
336.6
309.1
160.5
271.2
329.5
299.8
129.6
314.0
224.3
258.7
336.6
309.1
160.6
271.3
329.5
299.9
129.6
314.0
224.4
259.5
336.6
309.1
160.6
274.0
328.9
300.9
137.7
314.2
227.9
258.9
336.8
313.3
161.7
274.2
298.5
172.4
257.1
232.7
178.9
336.7
'299.4
'172.6
261.4
’ 233.2
'186.6
’ 337.3
301.9
173.1
260.9
233.8
189.0
337.6
120.7
308.5
336.3
298.6
300.5
173.4
261,8
234.9
189.7
349.6
325.1
348.2
299.4
299.9
174.2
258.9
234.9
189.8
349.5
121.5
325.7
350.7
299.4
299.5
173.9
257.0
235.6
189.8
350.3
121.4
326.2
350.6
301.9
349.5
336.5
210.9
178.2
181.3
157.6
306.9
203.8
267.1
146,8
351.5
336.4
213.7
178.7
181.2
158.1
307.4
204.2
267.5
147.2
120.0
120.0
120.8
120.6
303.1
316.3
296.1
306.1
326.1
295.6
308.2
333.1
297.0
'308.2
’ 334.1
' 298.4
300.3
331.7
218.7
169.3
176.8
155.3
302.1
195,4
256.0
143.0
300.0
332.3
215.3
170.7
177.1
157.1
303.0
196.3
256.4
143.9
299.7
332.2
'332.7
'334.2
331.0
334.4
’ 212.6
212.1
172.1
177.3
157,2
304.7
198.0
258.5
144.2
311.9
332.8
213.1
173.8
180.6
157.3
304.7
198.1
262,8
145.0
174.4
180.7
'157.4
304.7
176.2
180.8
157.4
304.7
199.8
263.9
145.6
331.3
336.2
209.5
178.2
181.1
157.6
305.6
302.8
266.9
146.6
121.2
S e p t.
185.2
198.1
130.0
147.6
(2>
264.0
313.0
269.9
325.6
220.2
222.0
157.6
168.2
147.5
296.1
185.8
251.4
140.1
161.5
173.2
150.7
297.9
186,8
251.5
140.2
282.0
328.5
222.9
163.3
176.3
151.2
297.2
187.2
252.2
140.9
145.6
230.3
230.0
315.5
275.4
141.1
258.5
338.1
239.3
279.5
145.3
231.9
233.3
319.9
283.2
143.8
264.1
347.3
246.4
285.6
145.8
233.0
235.8
325.0
285.2
146.0
266.0
352.9
248.3
286.8
146.3
233.3
236.9
329.9
289.1
146.6
268.0
358.4
248.8
287.4
160.9
234.3
238.3
329.9
289.9
147.5
270.0
360.9
249.5
292.0
157.9
238.4
240.2
335.7
298.2
150.0
272.5
367.0
250.3
297.5
157.8
239.2
242.1
335.7
299.4
151.4
273.5
374,2
250.3
298,0
157.2
239.5
244.8
338.5
302.6
152.6
276.2
378.2
250.3
301.9
157.8
241.2
247.6
358.8
306.0
154.4
279.5
382.2
251.2
303.0
'157.8
163.2
'241.7
241.8
'247.9
247.0
359.9
361.6
'306.2
305.7
'155.3
156.6
’ 280.0
280.5
'384.6 c 389.4
251.2
251.2
'304.5
305.6
163.2
244.2
248.5
365.9
311.5
159.0
282.3
393.3
251.3
307.3
165.3
244.3
249.5
371.3
313.6
159.5
283.5
403.1
252.9
307.7
165.3
249.5
251.2
374.7
320.9
160.0
286.0
408.7
254.6
312.0
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) ..................................
132.2
216.6
212.5
215.0
156.6
184.9
209.9
133.1
121.4
162.0
135.3
222.3
216.0
226.2
160.1
190.7
211.7
134,7
123.3
165,5
136.6
223.8
217.0
226.3
164.9
193.9
214.4
134.8
124.1
166.1
136.7
224.5
217.7
226.9
165.2
193.0
214.9
135.8
125.1
166.6
137.9
226.0
221.5
217.9
167.6
193.3
215.8
137.5
125.1
167.4
142.6
235.7
222.5
220.5
168.9
194,9
218.9
140.1
127.5
169.8
144.9
235.0
223.1
145.2
240.0
224.7
224.2
171.5
204.3
147.0
'241.2
'219.1
230.2
'172.0
'207.8
'225.9
'140.7
'129.5
'173.9
147.1
242.4
226.6
230.2
176.3
209.6
226.8
140.9
129.4
173.8
148.1
245.0
233.6
226.5
180.6
141.1
127.6
170.9
146.4
240.4
225.5
230.2
172.0
206.0
224.3
140.5
129.4
173.5
227.4
140.4
134.0
174.1
148.5
245.3
224.2
226.8
181.1
215.3
228.8
141.1
134.1
174.1
148.6
247.0
225.3
226.1
181.9
215.9
230.8
141.2
135.0
176.0
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) ..................................................
154.4
129.1
260.3
219.7
139.3
139.9
251.8
90.7
162.7
134.2
158.6
130.0
269.2
220.9
142.3
143.2
255.7
92.0
174.0
136.9
158.8
130.3
268.7
142.8
143.3
264.6
91.8
170.1
137.7
158.8
130.3
270.2
223.7
143.1
144.7
264.8
91.2
170.2
137.8
159.1
130.3
266.2
229.2
144.7
145.0
272.7
91.6
170.3
137.8
159.1
130.3
265.8
233.1
145.1
146.3
284.3
91.1
170.3
139.0
156.3
130.3
271.2
236.3
148.0
146.8
284.4
90.8
171.1
139.9
158.5
131.9
272.6
240.6
151.4
152.7
285.0
91.3
173.2
139.9
158.4
131.8
275.5
242.6
156.1
153.2
285.0
91.2
168.7
140.0
'158.5
'153.8
'275.1
'242.8
'156.2
153.3
'285.1
'90.6
'168.5
'140.8
152.0
153.1
275.1
252.9
156.7
153.7
299.2
90.1
168.3
141.2
152.0
153.1
275.3
254.7
154.9
153.8
327.3
90.0
168.6
141.9
152.2
153.1
280.1
256.2
155.8
161.3
327.5
89.6
168.0
142.2
152.2
153.1
283.2
261.0
157.2
161.5
327.5
89.5
168.9
142.6
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) ....................................
148.1
176.5
136.7
127.4
205.2
132.8
131.2
143.7
149.6
176.8
131.4
128.4
206.6
135.0
132.9
146.6
149.7
176.9
144.5
128.3
207.0
135.0
132.9
146.6
149.7
177.0
144.6
128.3
207.0
135.0
132.9
146.6
149.7
176.9
144.0
128.3
207.1
135.0
135.0
146.6
152.2
179.0
145.3
130.7
213.9
133.0
135.0
148.6
153.5
183.3
145.7
132.3
154.5
184.2
144.2
132.4
154.4
182.6
148.4
132.4
'153.7
'181.0
'149.6
'130.9
221.2
221.2
'221.8
136.4
135.0
148.6
136.4
138.0
148.7
136.9
138.1
151.5
136.9
138.3
151.5
154.5
181.6
150.5
130.6
219.9
140.4
138.3
153.3
155.1
182.7
149.7
130.6
219.9
140.6
140.6
153.6
155.3
183.4
143.2
130.6
220.2
153.7
181.0
149.9
130.6
219.9
140.4
138.3
151.5
1Data for May 1981 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
94
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
221.8
2 Not available,
c=corrected.
221.1
170.9
197.1
220.9
141.0
127.5
170.2
211.8
222.1
’ 200.2
'264.8
'145.0
212.6
220.1
140.6
143.4
153.7
PRODUCTIVITY DATA
P r o d u c t i v i t 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.
Definitions
O utput 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.
U n it labor cost measures the labor compensation cost required to
produce one unit of output and is derived by dividing compensation
by output. U n it 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, U n it
nonlabor costs contain all the components of unit nonlabor payments
except unit profits. U n it profits include corporate profits and invento
ry valuation adjustments per unit of output.
The im plicit 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.
O utput 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 Review, tables 3134 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,” Monthly Labor
Review, October 1976, pages 40-42.
Annual indexes of productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices, selected years, 1950-80
[1977=100]
It e m
Private business sector:
Output per hour of all persons ........................
Compensation per hour ..................................
Real compensation per hour............................
Unit labor co s t................................................
Unit nonlabor payments ..................................
Implicit price deflator ......................................
Nonfarm business sector:
Output per hour of all persons ........................
Compensation per hour ..................................
Real compensation per hour............................
Unit labor c o s t................................................
Unit nonlabor payments ..................................
Implicit price deflator ......................................
Nonfinancial corporations:
Output per hour of all employees ....................
Compensation per hour ..................................
Real compensation per hour............................
Unit labor co s t................................................
Unit nonlabor payments ..................................
Implicit price deflator ......................................
Manufacturing:
Output per hour of all persons ........................
Compensation per hour ..................................
Real compensation per hour............................
Unit labor c o st................................................
Unit nonlabor payments ..................................
Implicit price deflator ......................................
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
50.3
20.0
50.4
39.8
43.5
41.0
58.2
26.3
59.6
45.2
47.8
46.1
65.1
33.9
69.4
52.1
50.8
51.7
78.2
41.7
80.0
53.3
57.8
54.8
86.1
58.2
90.8
67.6
63.4
66.2
94.8
71.3
97.3
75.2
75.6
75.3
92.7
78.0
95.9
84.2
78.9
82.4
94.8
85.5
96.3
90.2
90.7
90.4
97.9
92.9
98.8
94.8
94.4
94.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
99.8
108.4
100.7
108.6
105.1
107.4
99.5
119.3
99.6
119.9
110.9
116.9
99.3
131.4
96.6
132.3
118.4
127.6
56.2
21.8
55.0
38.8
42.8
40.2
62,7
28.3
63.9
45.1
47.9
46.0
68.2
35.6
73.0
52.3
50.5
51.7
80.4
42.8
82.2
53.2
58.2
54.9
86.7
58.6
91.5
67,6
64.0
66.4
95.3
71.7
97.7
75.2
71.9
74.1
93,1
78.4
96.4
84.3
76.1
81.6
95.0
86.0
96.8
90.5
88.9
89.9
98.1
93.0
99.0
94.8
94.0
94.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
99.8
1085
100.7
108.7
103,6
107.0
99.1
119.0
99.3
120.0
108.5
116.2
98.8
130.8
96.2
132.4
117.5
127.4
(’)
( ')
<1)
(’ )
n
(’ )
(’ )
( ’)
(' )
(' )
(' )
(' )
66.3
36.3
74.2
54.7
54.6
54.7
79.9
43.0
82.6
53.8
60.8
56.2
85.4
58.3
91.0
68.3
63.1
66.5
94.5
70.8
96.5
74.9
70.7
73.4
91.3
77.6
95.4
85.1
75.7
81.8
94.4
85.5
96.3
90.6
90.9
90.7
97.4
92.5
98.5
95.0
95.0
95.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100,0
100.0
100.0
100.4
108.2
100.5
107.8
103.8
106.4
100.4
118.7
99.1
118.2
108,3
114.8
101.0
130.7
96.2
129.4
117.3
125.2
49.5
21.5
54.1
43.4
55.1
46.8
56.5
28.8
65.2
51.0
59.4
53,4
60.1
36.7
75.1
61.1
62.0
61.3
74.6
42.9
82.3
57.4
70.3
61.2
79.2
57.6
89.9
72.7
66.0
70.7
93.1
69.1
94.2
74.2
71.6
73.4
90.9
76.4
93.9
84.1
70.4
80.1
93.5
85.5
96,3
91.4
88.5
90.6
97.7
92.4
98.3
94.6
95.1
94.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.9
108.2
100.5
107.3
104.7
106.5
102.0
118.8
99.2
116.5
105.7
113.4
101.7
131.6
96.8
129.4
108.6
123.4
1Not available.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
95
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW November 1981 • Current Labor Statistics: Productivity
32.
Annual changes in productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices, 1970-80
A n n u a l r a te
Year
of change
It e m
1971
1970
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
1980
1 9 5 0 -8 0
1 9 6 0 -8 0
0.9
7.4
1.4
6.4
0.7
4.5
3.6
6.6
2.2
2.9
7.6
4.4
3.5
6.5
3.1
2.9
4.5
3.4
2.7
8.0
1.7
5.2
5.9
5.4
-2.3
9.4
-1.4
11.9
4.4
9,4
2.3
9.6
0.4
7.2
15,0
9.7
3.3
8.6
2.7
5.1
4.1
4.7
2.1
7.7
1.2
5.5
5.9
5.6
-0.2
8.4
0.7
8.6
5.1
7.4
-0.3
10.1
-1.1
10.4
5.5
8.8
-0,2
10.1
-3.0
10.3
6.7
9.2
2.5
6.0
2.4
3.5
3.2
3.4
2.2
0.3
7.0
1.0
6.6
1.1
4.8
3.3
6.6
2.2
3.1
7.4
4.5
3.7
6.7
3.3
2.8
3.2
3.0
2.5
7.6
1.3
4.9
1.3
3.7
-2.4
9.4
-1.4
12,1
5.9
10.1
2.1
9.6
0.4
7.4
16.7
10.3
3.2
8.1
2.2
4.7
5.7
5.1
2.0
7.6
1.0
5.5
6.4
5.8
-0.2
8.5
0.7
8.7
3.6
7.0
-0,7
9.7
-1.4
10.4
4.8
8.6
-0.3
9.9
-3.2
10.3
8.3
9.7
2.1
5,7
2,1
3.5
3.1
3.4
1.9
6.8
1.6
4.8
4.2
4.6
0.4
6.8
0.8
6.3
0.5
4.4
4.8
6.5
2.1
1.6
7.4
3.5
3.0
5.8
2.5
2.8
2.7
2.8
2.6
7.7
1.4
4.9
1.5
3.8
-3.4
9.7
-1.1
13.6
7.1
11.4
3.4
10.1
0.9
6.5
20.1
10.9
3.2
8.2
2,3
4.9
4.6
4.8
2.7
8.1
1.5
5.3
5.2
5.2
0.4
8.2
0.5
7.8
3.8
6.4
- 0.0
9,7
-1.4
9.7
4.4
7.9
0.6
10.1
-3.0
9.5
8.3
9.1
0.2
6.1
6.1
1.8
0.0
11.2
3.1
5,0
5.4
2.0
0.3
0.8
0.5
5.4
7.2
0.9
1.7
-3.3
0.3
-2.4
10.6
-0.3
13.3
-1.8
9.0
2.9
11.9
2.5
8.8
25.9
13.1
4.4
8.0
2.1
3.4
7.4
4.6
2.4
8.3
1.7
5.7
5.2
5.6
0.9
8.2
0.5
7.3
4.7
6.5
1.1
9.8
-1.3
8.6
0.9
6.4
0.3
10.7
-2.5
11.1
2.8
8.8
6.8
0.8
7.0
-2,5
4.3
7.1
1.9
4.8
4.4
4.7
2.1
6.7
1.5
4.6
3.8
4.3
( ')
(’ )
(’ )
( ')
( )
(’ )
1
2.7
6.7
1.5
3.8
4.5
4,2
2.6
5.6
2.0
2.9
2.9
3.0
1Not available.
33.
Quarterly indexes of productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices, seasonally adjusted
[1977 = 100]
Q u a r t e r l y in d e x e s
Annual
It e m
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 cost ............................................
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....................................................
r = revised.
96
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
av erag e
1979
1978
1980
1981
1
II
III
IV
I
II
III
IV
99.9
111.9
100.3
112.1
109.1
111.1
99.7
115.0
100.6
115.4
109.6
113.4
99.7
118.1
100.3
118.5
110.4
115.8
99.4
120.7
99.2
121.4
111.5
118.1
99.1
123.2
98.0
124.3
112.2
120.2
99.5
126.4
96.7
127.0
115.2
123.0
99.1
130.1
96,5
131.3
116.0
126.1
99.4
133.1
96.9
133.9
119.7
129.1
r 99.1
135.9
96.0
137.0
122.7
132.2
100.3
139.7
96.1
139.4
127.6
135.4
101.0
143.2
96.8
141.8
129.2
137.6
98.8
130.8
96.2
132.4
117.5
127.4
99.8
111.9
100.3
112.2
107.0
110.5
99.5
114.9
100.4
115.4
107.1
112.6
99.1
117.7
100.0
118.7
107.7
115.1
98.9
120.2
98.8
121.5
109.2
117.4
98.8
123.0
97.8
124.4
110.1
119.7
98.9
126.0
96.4
127.4
113.9
122.9
98.2
129.4
96.0
131.8
115.1
126.3
99.0
132.3
96.3
133.6
119.2
128.8
99.0
135.4
95.6
136.8
122.0
131.9
100.0
139.1
95.7
139.1
127.8
135.3
100.2
142.4
96.3
142.1
128.6
137.6
100.4
118.7
99.1
116.8
118.2
112.7
99.0
114.8
101.0
130.7
96.2
129.7
129.4
130.2
90.2
125.2
100.5
111.5
99.9
109.6
111.0
106.0
108.9
109.6
100.6
114.5
100,1
112.2
113.8
107.8
105.6
111.5
100.7
117.6
99.9
115.3
116.8
111.2
100.7
113.7
100.5
120.1
98.7
118.2
119.5
114.6
97.5
115.9
99.9
122.7
97.5
121.3
122.8
117.2
92,2
118.1
100.2
125.7
96.2
124.2
125.4
120.9
95.5
1210
100.1
129.3
95.9
129.2
129.1
129.3
83.4
124.1
101.8
132,5
96.5
131.1
130.2
133.8
89.1
126.4
101.8
135,5
95.7
134.1
133,1
136.9
92.4
129.5
103.3
139.2
95.7
136.0
134.7
139.5
106.8
132.7
103.6
142.3
96.2
139.2
137.4
144.4
101.2
135.0
102.0
118.8
99.2
116.5
101.7
131.6
96.8
129.4
102.0
111.5
100.0
109.3
101.5
114.5
100.2
112.9
102.3
118.6
100.7
115.9
102.0
119.8
98.5
117.5
102,1
122.3
97.2
119.8
102.0
125.4
95.9 .
122.9
100.8
130.0
96.4
129.0
100.5
133.9
97.5
133.3
103.4
137.3
97.0
132.8
104.2
140.9
96.9
135.3
105.3
144.5
97.7
137,3
1979
1980
99.5
119.3
99.6
119.9
110.9
116.9
99.3
131.4
96.6
132.3
118.4
127.6
99.1
119.0
99.3
120.0
108.5
116.2
IV
I
II
34. Percent change from preceding quarter and year in productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices,
seasonally adjusted at annual rate
[1977-100]
Q u a rte rly p e r c e n t c h a n g e a t a n n u a l ra te
It e m
Private business sector:
Output per hour of all persons ....................
Compensation per hour ..............................
Unit labor costs ..........................................
Unit nonlabor payments ..............................
Implicit price deflator ..................................
Nonfarm business sector:
Output per hour of all persons ....................
Compensation per hour ..............................
Real compensation per hour........................
Unit labor costs ..........................................
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 costs ................................
P e rc e n t c h a n g e fro m s a m e q u a rte r a y e a r a g o
IV 1 9 7 9
I 1980
II 1 9 8 0
III 1 9 8 0
IV 1 9 8 0
1 1981
I 1979
II 1 9 7 9
III 1 9 7 9
IV 1 9 7 9
I 1980
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
I 1980
II 1 9 8 0
III 1 9 8 0
IV 1 9 8 0
I 1981
II 1 9 8 1
I 1980
II 1 9 8 0
III 1 9 8 0
IV 1 9 8 0
I 1981
II 1 9 8 1
1.6
10.7
- 50
9.0
11.2
97
-1.8
12.3
07
14.4
2.6
10.5
1.3
9.5
16
8.1
13.7
9.8
-1.1
8.6
4.6
11.8
2.8
10.4
-0.1
9.9
-0.6
10.1
9.8
10.2
9.9
6.9
17.2
10.0
7.3
5.0
6.6
10.0
5.1
8.4
10.8
5.1
9.0
0.0
10.3
03
10.3
7.4
9.4
0.0
10.3
00
103
9.3
10.0
0.7
10.5
07
97
10.8
10.1
1.9
10.1
0.3
80
11.4
9.1
0.3
10.2
-5.4
9.9
14.6
11.3
-2.9
11.3
-1.6
14.6
4.2
11.3
3.6
9.0
1.2
5.3
15.0
8.2
-0.2
9.8
-2.7
10.1
9.9
10.0
4.3
11.6
-0.2
7.0
20.3
11.0
-0.7
9.6
2.4
8.8
-2.7
6.9
-0.7
9.7
- 4.0
10.4
6.4
9.1
-1.0
9,9
4.0
11.0
6.9
9.7
0.1
10.1
-2.5
9.9
9.1
9.6
-0.1
10.1
-2.2
9.9
10.8
10.2
1.1
10.4
-0.8
9.2
12.2
10.1
2.1
10.0
0.2
7.8
11.8
9.0
1.5
10.2
-5.4
9.8
8.6
13.5
15.3
10.3
-0.5
12.0
-1.0
17.0
12.6
30.6
-41.9
10.5
6.7
10.2
2.2
6.2
3.2
14,7
30.3
7.9
-
6.3
11.4
0.0
5.6
4.8
7.9
77.9
10.4
0.9
9.2
2.1
10.0
8.3
14.9
-19.4
7.1
-0.3
9.8
-3.9
10.6
10.1
12.2
-9.5
8.5
-0.5
9.9
-3.9
12.0
10.5
16.3
-17.2
9.1
1.3
10.3
-2.2
11.0
8.9
16.8
-8.6
9.1
1.9
10.4
-1.9
10.5
8.4
16.8
0.3
9.6
3.1
10.8
-0.5
9.5
7.4
15.4
11.8
9.7
3.4
10.1
0.3
7.8
6.4
11.7
21.3
8.8
-0.5
10.4
-5.3
10.9
-4.7
15.5
2.1
21.2
-1.2
12.7
4.5
014.0
3.2
11.1
-0.3
7.7
4.3
10.6
3.4
6.0
-0.5
9.4
-4.2
8.9
-1.5
9.6
4.3
11.3
-1.5
11.7
-1.0
13.4
1.2
12.2
-0.3
10.9
2.2
12.4
1.0
10.0
4.5
11.2
1.3
6.4
0.0
9.4
-3.1
9.4
9.4
9.5
15.7
9.9
12.1
10.5
-2.2
-1.5
-
•
-
II 1 9 8 0
c = corrected.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
97
LABOR-MANAGEMENT DATA
M a j o r c o l l e c t iv e b a r g a in in g
d a t a
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 Current Wage Developments, 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.
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.
Definitions
Data on wage changes apply to private nonfarm industry agree
ments covering 1,000 workers or more. Data on wage and benefit
changes combined apply only to those agreements covering 5,000
workers or more. First-year wage settlements refer to pay changes go
W ork 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
ing in to effect w it hin th e first 12 m o n t h s afte r th e effective d a te of
service sh ort a ges.
35.
Wage and benefit settlements in major collective bargaining units, 1976 to date
[In percent]
Q u a rte rly a v e r a g e
A nnual a v erag e
S e c to r an d m e a s u re
1979
1976
1977
1978
1979
1981 P
1980
1980
II
III
IV
I
II
III
IV
I
II
Wage and benefit settlements, all industries:
First-year settlements ..................................
Annual rate over life of contract....................
8.5
6.6
9.6
6.2
8.3
6.3
9.0
6.6
10.4
7.1
10.5
7.8
9.0
6.1
8.5
6.0
8.8
6.7
10.2
7.4
114
7.2
8.5
6.1
10.4
7.3
12.0
11.0
Wage rate settlements, all industries:
First-year settlements ..................................
Annual rate over life of contract....................
8.4
6.4
7.8
5.8
7.6
6.4
7.4
6.0
9.5
7.1
8.9
7.2
6.8
5.1
6.3
5.3
8.2
6.5
9.1
7.3
10.5
7.4
8.3
6.5
9.0
7.7
12.2
9.8
Manufacturing:
First-year settlements..............................
Annual rate over life of contract ..............
8.9
6.0
8.4
5.5
8.3
6.6
6.9
5.4
7.4
5.4
9,7
8.1
6.3
4.7
5.6
4.2
7.2
5.7
6.7
5.1
8.4
5.6
7.8
5.8
9,0
6.7
7.4
6.2
Nonmanufacturing (excluding construction):
First-year settlements..............................
Annual rate over life of contract ..............
8.6
7.2
8.0
5.9
8,0
6.5
7.6
6.2
9.5
6.6
8.5
5.8
9.4
6.5
7.8
7.4
9.4
7.6
10.3
8.5
9.5
5.9
8.2
6.8
8.3
7.6
12.3
9.4
Construction:
First-year settlements..............................
Annual rate over life of contract ..............
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.3
6.5
6.2
8.8
8.3
13.6
11.5
8.7
8.3
9.7
8.5
7.5
7.6
10.8
9.1
12.2
10.4
15.4
13.0
14.3
12.0
13.4
11.6
13.1
10.9
r=revised.
98
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
36.
Effective wage adjustments going into effect in major collective bargaining units, 1976 to date
[In percent]
A v e ra g e annual ch an g es
A v e r a g e q u a r te r ly c h a n g e s
S e c to r an d m e a s u re
1979
1976
Total effective wage rate adjustment, all industries
Change resulting from
Current settlement......................
Prior settlement..............
Escalator provision ................
Manufacturing ........................
Nonmanufacturing ..................
No
37.
te
:
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1980
II
III
IV
I
II
III
IV
I
II
8.1
8.0
8.2
9.1
9.9
2.6
3.3
1.6
1.6
3.3
35
13
12
3.2
3.2
1.6
3.0
3.2
1.7
2.0
3.7
2.4
3.0
3.0
3.1
3.6
3.5
2.8
1.1
1.0
.5
1,0
1.0
1.2
.5
.4
.7
.4
,5
.7
1.0
1.4
.8
17
1.2
.7
5
.3
.6
6
.6
14
.5
8.5
7.7
8.4
7.6
8.6
7.9
9.6
8.8
10.2
9.7
2.3
2,8
3.2
3.4
2.4
1.0
2.0
1.3
3.4
3.2
2.9
4.0
17
1.0
3.4
h
Because of rounding and compounding, the sums of individual items may not equal totals.
Work stoppages, 1947 to date
N u m b e r o f s to p p a g e s
M o n th a n d y e a r
B e g in n in g in
In e f f e c t
m o n th o r y e a r
d u r in g m o n t h
W o r k e r s in v o lv e d
B e g in n in g in
D a y s id le
In e f f e c t
m o n th o r y e a r
d u r in g m o n t h
(th o u s a n d s )
(th o u s a n d s )
N um ber
(th o u s a n d s )
P e rc e n t of
e s tim a te d
w o r k in g 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
.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
.15
.15
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
1978
1979
....................
....................
....................
....................
5,648
5,506
4,230
4,827
2,420
2,040
1,623
1,727
37,859
35,822
36,922
34,754
.19
.17
.17
.15
August . . .
September
October ..
November
December
1981p: January
February .
March . ..
April........
M ay........
June . . . .
J u ly ........
August . . .
360
436
349
205
90
253
347
314
371
473
421
391
310
3,315
3,576
2,530
1,440
1,228
614
647
1,419
5,117
5,857
3,891
2,015
1,387
.17
.18
.12
.09
.06
.03
.04
.07
.25
.31
.19
.10
.07
1980:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
775
813
722
532
380
297
517
545
560
688
682
659
596
88
153
90
53
19
50
90
271
101
152
186
127
49
231
289
224
126
77
68
136
336
273
383
499
190
86
.24
.12
.11
.13
.11
99
How to order BLS publications
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Occupational Projections and Training Data. Bulletin 2052. Presents
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Exploring Careers. Bulletin 2001. A new career guidance resource
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Profile of the Teenage Worker. Bulletin 2039. Focuses on the labor mar
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Employment in Perspective: Working Women. A quarterly report series
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