Full text of Monthly Labor Review : September 1983, Volume 106, Number 9

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M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W
LLS, D e p a rtm e n t o f L ab o r
B u re a u o f L ab o r S ta tis tic s
S e p te m b e r 1983
In th is is s u e :
H a n d a n d w ris t d is o rd e rs
L ayoffs a nd p e r m a n e n t jo b loss
A rb itra tin g bias g rie v a n c e s
P ro d u c tiv ity in p la s tic p ro d u c ts


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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Raymond J. Donovan, Secretary

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
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September cover:
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a bronze s culpture by C esar,
courtesy H irshhorn M useum and S cupture
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C over design by R ichard L. M ath ew s


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911 W a ln u t Street, K ansas C ity, Mo. 64106
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P hone: (415) 5 5 6 -4 6 7 8
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W ashington

M O N TH LY LA BO R R E VIEW
S EP TEM B E R 1983
V O LU M E 106, N UM BER 9

L IB R A R Y

H enry Low enstern, Editor-in-C hief
R obert W. Fisher, Executive Editor

OCT 1 7 1983

Robert W. B ednarzik

3

L a y o ffs a n d p e r m a n e n t jo b lo s s e s : w o r k e r s ’ tr a its , p a tte r n s
Job losers w ere heavily c o n ce n tra te d am ong b lu e -co lla r w orkers d u rin g 1982;
perm anent losses, as o p p o se d to layoffs, reached a high in latest recession

R. C. Jensen, and others

13

M otion-related w rist disorders traced to industries, o ccupatio ns
Jobs that involve repetitive m otions of the hand co n trib u te d isp ro p o rtio n a te ly to injuries
and illnesses; w orkers in m anufacturing, co n stru ctio n , and a g ricu ltu re are m ost at risk

Jam es D. York

17

P roductivity grow th in plastics low er than all m anufacturing
During 1 9 72-81, output per hour increased at an annual 1.4 percent, slowing to a rate
of less than 1 percent after 1976; new markets and im proved technology expanded output

REPO RTS

D avid C allahan and others

22

Inflation patterns in the initial stages of recovery

G ary Johnston, Philip L. M artin

27

Em ploym ent and w ages reported by C a lifornia farm ers in 1982
DEPARTM ENTS

•


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2
22
27
34
36
42
47

Labor m onth in review
Anatom y of price chan ge
Research sum m aries
M ajor agreem ents expiring next m onth
D evelopm ents in industrial relations
Book review s
C urrent labor statistics

Labor Month
In Review
WORK DISABILITY. The U S. Census
Bureau published a report on persons
with work disabilities. The study, based
on data for 1982 from the Current
Population Survey, shows that the
overall rate of work disability among
persons age 16 to 64 was 8.9 percent, but
the prevalence rate varied among
demographic, social, and economic
groups. The rate among men was
somewhat higher than the rate among
women. O ther factors strongly
associated with the likelihood of having
a work disability included age, educa­
tion, and race. Here are some highlights:
Age. The effect of age on work disability
status was relatively minor for persons
under 45 but was quite pronounced for
persons above that age. The prevalence
rate increased from 7.1 percent for per­
sons 35 to 44 years of age to 12.3 percent
for persons 45 to 54 years and to 24.1
percent for persons 55 to 64 years. (The
study also presents data on persons age
65 to 74.)
Education. The exact correlation be­
tween years of schooling and the
likelihood of having a work disability is
probably complex, but the association
between the two characteristics is very
strong. Among persons age 25 to 64, the
work disability prevalence rate varied
from 31.0 percent among persons with
less than an eighth-grade education to
9.0 percent among those with a high
school education and 4.6 percent among
college graduates. It could be argued
that the correlation between disability
and low educational attainment runs in
both directions. On the one hand, low
levels of schooling may lead to participa­
tion in high-risk occupations. On the
other hand, certain disabilities may
make it more difficult to attend and
complete school. A further hypothesis is
that a common set of factors (that is,
economic deprivation in childhood) may
lead both to low educational attainment
and to an increased likelihood of becom­
ing disabled.
Part of the observed relationship be­
tween education and work disability
2


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may be due to the effect of age because
age is positively associated with work
disability and has a negative association
with education. However, the data in­
dicate that the relationship between
education and work disability exists even
when age is held constant. For example,
among persons 45 to 54 years of age, the
work disability rate varied from 28.2
percent among those with less than an
eighth-grade education to 9.5 percent
among high school graduates and 5.8
percent among college graduates.
Race and Hispanic origin. Blacks were
more likely than whites to have a work
disability. Persons of Hispanic origin,
however, were no more likely than
whites and were less likely than blacks to
have a work disability. That the
Hispanic rate was not higher is
somewhat puzzling in view of the strong
negative association between years of
schooling and disability status. Only
about 50 percent of Hispanic persons 25
to 64 years old had completed high
school, compared with about 62 percent
of blacks and 79 percent of whites in the
same group. These differences would
lead one to expect a higher work disabil­
ity rate among Hispanic persons than
was actually observed.
Other characteristics. The prevalence of
work disability varied by several other
characteristics including region and
residence, marital status, household
relationship, poverty status, and pro­
gram participation status.
Among the areas of the United States
with relatively high prevalence rates for
work disability were the central cities of
the Northeast (11.3 percent) and the
nonmetropolitan areas of the South
(11.7 percent). Within metropolitan
areas, the prevalence rate was generally
higher in the central cities than in the
areas outside of central cities.
Relationships existed between work
disability status and marital status and
between work disability status and
household relationship. The prevalence
rate was higher among widowed, divorc­
ed, or separated persons than among

married persons and the rate among
unrelated individuals was considerably
higher than the rate among family
members. The data suggest that the
disadvantage of having a work disability
is often compounded by the lack of a
family support system.
Persons with a work disability were
economically disadvantaged. This con­
clusion is supported by data showing a
strong negative relationship between the
level of personal income and the
likelihood of having a work disability.
Of the 13.1 million persons with a work
disability, 3.4 million, or about 26 per­
cent, were in poverty. The poverty rate
for persons with no work disability was
only about 10 percent. Work-disabled
persons made up a disproportionate
share of the persons participating in
some of the major assistance programs.
Of the 12.1 million persons in the age
universe who received food stamps in
1981, for example, approximately 23
percent were work-disabled. The work
disability rate among Medicaid recip­
ients was about 37 percent.
The Bureau of the Census study is
based on a redesigned March Income
Supplement to the Current Population
Survey. The redesign was undertaken
after test results suggested that the re­
porting of income could be improved by
the use of a screening technique in which
detailed questions about particular in­
come types are asked only of those per­
sons who have been identified as likely
to have received the income type.Ques­
tions about disability status were added
in order to identify those persons who
should be asked about their receipt of
disability income.
Additional information and tables
showing the survey results appear in the
publication, Labor Force Status and
Other Characteristics o f Persons With a
Work Disability: 1982, Current Popula­
tion Reports, Special Studies, Series
P-23, No. 127 (Bureau of the Census,
1983). The report is available from the
G overnm ent P rin tin g
O ffice,
Washington, D.C. 20402 at a cost of
$4.50.
□

Layoffs and permanent job losses:
workers’ traits and cyclical patterns
Job losers were heavily concentrated
among blue-collar workers in 1982;
permanent losses , as opposed to layoffs,
were higher during the latest recession
than during any other economic downturn
R o ber t W. B e d n a r z ik

Layoffs are probably the most visible and, thus, the most
widely recognized form of unemployment in the United
States, as recessionary job cutbacks receive broad coverage
in the media. It is, therefore, surprising that little empirical
analysis, especially prior to the mid-seventies, was done on
this group.1This stems, in part, from the fact that traditional
theories of unemployment did not consider a distinction
between layoffs and other types of unemployment— per­
manent separations, quits, and labor force entries and reen­
tries— to be of significant importance.
This article discusses the “ uniqueness” of persons on
layoff as distinguished from those who have been perma­
nently separated from their jobs. Data for each group are
available back to 1967, when the “ reason for unemploy­
ment” was first identified in the Current Population Survey
( c p s ) , although they were not tabulated and published sep­
arately until 1976. Using these data, demographic and oc­
cupational and industry profiles of persons on layoff and
those permanently separated are presented. Also, the cycl­
ical variability in the number of workers on layoff relative
to the number permanently separated, together with each
group’s job search and job change behavior and duration of
unemployment, is examined to determine its role in shortRobert W. Bednarzik is an economist formerly with the Division of Em­
ployment and Unemployment Analysis. Bureau of Labor Statistics.


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run and long-run unemployment patterns. For example, data
show that, compared with prior recessions, a greater pro­
portion of the increase in unemployment in the recent reces­
sion is attributable to workers who were permanently separated
from their jobs. Layoffs, which were concentrated among
factory workers, were also severe, but not much different
from the deep 1973-75 economic downturn.
On the whole, workers permanently separated were more
likely than those on layoff (of whom most were recalled)
to change jobs and their duration of unemployment was
longer. However, there was still a substantial amount of job
search among those on layoff, as many either did not expect
to be recalled in the near future or thought their chances
were better elsewhere. This raises questions about the c p s
layoff classification. Perhaps, the term “ layoff” is some­
what ambiguous to respondents and may be interpreted by
some to mean job termination.
In the CPS, unemployment status is ascertained primarily
from a series of questions that determine, for persons not
working, job search activity and availability.2 For example,
permanently separated workers are those who lost their last
job or business (for example, they were fired, plant closed
down, company moved, or there was a permanent reduction
in staff), do not expect to be recalled, are actively looking
for another job, and are currently available for work.
Persons on layoff, however, are determined from a sep3

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Layoffs and Permanent Job Losses
arate set of questions and are not required to meet the job­
seeking test to be counted as unemployed. Respondents who
did not work at all during the survey reference week are
asked: “ Did you have a job (or business) from which you
were temporarily absent or on layoff last week?” Those
giving affirmative responses are then asked to give the reason
for their absence. Anyone who reports being laid off from
a regular job is regarded as unemployed. Thus, laid-off
workers are those who report layoff as the reason for absence
from their regular job. Although the c p s definition of layoff
is quite clear, the c p s layoff questions are subject to different
respondent interpretations because inherent in the classifi­
cation (but not specified in any question) is an expectation
of recall to the job. 3 However, since a special-c p s followup
survey shows that most of the workers on layoff who re­
ported that they did not expect to be recalled (those who
may have been inappropriately classified as on layoff) were
also looking for work, they would still have been counted
as unemployed— permanently separated.

Profile of workers who lose jobs
On average, 2.1 million persons were classified as being
on layoff in 1982, a little more than one-sixth of total un­
employment and two-sixths of all job losers. Exactly who
are they, and how do they differ from the 4 million workers
who were permanently separated from their jobs? Does the
likelihood of being laid off versus permanently separated
differ across worker groups? For example, are demographic
differences maintained within individual occupational and
industry groups?
Age, sex, race. The age-sex composition of persons on
layoff was similar to that of workers permanently separated
in 1982: for every 100 laid-off workers, roughly 65 were
men, 30 were women, and 5 were teenagers. (See table 1).
Given that there are more men than women or teenagers in
the labor force, one would expect men to predominate among
persons who have lost jobs. However, the percentage of
men suffering job loss was disproportionately high. Men
accounted for only slightly more than half of the civilian
labor force in 1982, and even less of total unemployment.
Tab le 1. Job losers by sex, age, and race, 1982 annual
averages
Layoffs

Permanent separations

Percent of
Percent of
Characteristics Number (in Percent of
unem­
Number (in Percent ot
unem­
thousands) total unem­ ployment in thousands) total unem­ ployment in
ployment
ployment
each group
each group
Total, 16
years and
over..........
Teenagers
Men. . . .
Women .
White. . .
Black and
o ther. .

2,127
111
1,394
622

100.0
5.2
65.5
29.2

22.4
5.6
27.4
17.2

4,141
348
2,571
1,222

1,795

84.4

21.8

3,154

76.2

38.3

332

15.6

13.6

987

23.8

40.5

4

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100.0
8.4
62.1
29.5

43.6
17.6
50.5
33.8

Moreover, the trend over the past decade has shown a grad­
ual widening between the proportions of layoffs accounted
for by men and by women.
A greater percentage of unemployment among men than
among women or teenagers was attributed to layoff. In 1982,
for example, 27 percent of all unemployed men were on
layoff, compared with 17 percent of women and 6 percent
of teenagers. Similarly, a higher proportion of male un­
employment was the result of being permanently separated
from a job. The main reason was that industries traditionally
staffed by men tend to be more cyclically sensitive than
those staffed by women. In 1982, for example, 7 of 10
workers in the sensitive goods-producing sector were men
20 years and older. A much larger share of unemployment
among women can be attributed to labor force reentry, whereas
for youth, it is new entry.
Also, for men, duration of unemployment because of job
loss was slightly longer than for women.4 By far, teenagers’
duration of unemployment was the shortest. Overall, and
not surprisingly, the duration of unemployment for workers
on layoff in 1982 was several weeks shorter than that for
workers whose jobs were permanently terminated. (See ta­
ble 2.)
Although black and other workers (hereafter referred to
as black) are clearly overrepresented among total unem­
ployment, this is not the case among those on layoff. Sixteen
percent of persons on layoff in 1982 were black, near their
13 percent share of the labor force. This pattern has pre­
vailed for more than a decade. On the other hand, blacks
accounted for 24 percent of workers who were permanently
separated— a figure that has worsened over time— com­
parable to their disproportionate share of unemployment
overall.
Blacks were only slightly more likely than whites to suffer
a permanent job separation in 1982. Unemployment attrib­
utable to layoff made up a smaller share of total black job­
lessness (14 percent) than white (22 percent). This is partially
explained by the fact that the group most prone to layoff,
men age 20 and over, accounts for a smaller share of overall
black joblessness than white. Duration of unemployment
from layoff as well as from a permanent job separation was
longer for black than white workers. (See table 2.)
Industry. The commonly held perception that job loss occurs
most often in goods-producing industries was indeed borne
out by the data for 1982. However, this was less the case
than a decade earlier. Also, there were a number of differ­
ences among industrial groups, particularly among factory
workers, as to the percentage of their unemployment that
resulted from layoff.
In 1982, 51 percent of all layoffs and 28 percent of per­
manent job separations occurred in manufacturing indus­
tries; approximately two-thirds of each were in durable goods.
Fifteen percent of those on layoff in 1982 were in the con­
struction industry, 10 percent in trade, and 7 percent in

Tab le 2. Job lo sers’ duration of unem ploym ent, by sex and race, 1982
[In percent)
Layoffs
Duration

Permanent separations

Total

Men

Women

Teenagers

White

Black
and
other

J o b lo s e r s :
N u m b e r ( in t h o u s a n d s ) .................................
P e r c e n t .....................................................................

2,127
100.0

1,394
100.0

622
100.0

109
100.0

1,795
100.0

332
100.0

4,141
100.0

2,571
100.0

1,222
100.0

348
100.0

3 154
100.0

987
100.0

D u ra tio n o f u n e m p lo y m e n t:
5 to 10 w e e k s ......................................................
11 to 14 w e e k s ...................................................
15 to 26 w e e k s ...................................................
27 w e e k s o r m o r e ...........................................

40.3
21.6
9.6
15.2
13.3

38.7
21.2
9.8
16.3
14.0

41.0
22.3
10.1
14.5
13.2

57.8
21.1
10.1
7.3
3.7

40.0
22.3
9.9
15.3
13.4

41.6
18.4
8.1
15.1
15.1

25.3
21.0
10.1
20.1
23.6

22.7
20.3
10.1
20.4
26.4

27.1
21.1
10.3
20.0
21.5

37 6
25 6
95
17.1
10.1

25 2

2S 3
19 3

10 3

9-3

22 4
20.5

27 4

M e a n d u r a tio n ( w e e k s ) ........................................

13.6

14.2

12.4

7.4

12.5

16.9

19.7

21.2

18.7

12.6

15.3

21.2

Total

Men

Women

Teenagers

White

and
other

21 6

18.7

Note: The mean duration was estimated using the midpoints of the number of weeks in un­
employed categories: 52 weeks was the assumed midpoint for the 27 weeks or more category.

services. Trade ranked a close second to manufacturing in
permanent separations, followed by services, then construc­
tion. (See table 3.)
The proportion of layoffs and permanent job separations
in the manufacturing industry has declined over the past
decade, while services, trade, and government all increased.
However, the goods industries— specifically manufacturing
and construction— were, relative to their shares of total
employment, still overrepresented by layoffs in 1982, while
services and trade were underrepresented. The proportion
of layoffs that occurred in the public sector was about equal
to its share of total employment.
The layoff component of unemployment among service,
trade, and government workers was still only around 10
percent each, compared with 40 percent among factory
workers. Moreover, the likelihood of layoffs varied consid­
erably among detailed manufacturing groups, perhaps re­
lated to the extent of their unionization because studies have
shown that employment “ adjustments through layoffs are
substantially greater in unionized firms than comparable
nonunionized firms.” 5 The following tabulation shows the
number and percent of unemployed workers on layoff in
selected manufacturing industries in 1982, and the percent
of each industry’s employed wage and salary workers in
labor organizations in May 1980:6
Layoffs in 1982

Percent
union workers,
Number
(in thousands) Percent
May 1980
A u to m o b ile s .....................
P rim a ry m e t a l s ..............
M a c h in e ry , e x c e p t
e le c t r i c a l .......................
A p p a r e l ..............................
E le c tric a l e q u ip m e n t ..
O th e r tra n s p o rta tio n
e q u ip m e n t.....................
T e x t i l e s ..............................
F o o d an d k in d re d
p r o d u c t s .......................
F a b ric a te d m e t a l s .........


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136
208

6 3 .3
5 9 .9

6 1 .2
5 8 .4

286
149
193

5 3 .8
4 7 .0
4 6 .6

2 8 .7
25.1
2 6 .9

100
83

4 6 .0
4 5 .8

4 2 .2
14.9

171
190

3 8 .0
3 7 .8

3 7 .5
36.1

i

Layoffs were relatively most important in automobile
manufacturing (65 percent) and primary metals (60 percent),
and accounted lor nearly 40 percent or more of joblessness
in most manufacturing industries. These industries also had
a large segment of workers in labor organizations. For ex­
ample, autos and primary metals ranked high in both percent
of unemployment that stemmed from layoffs and percent of
their wage and salary work force that were in labor unions.
Union membership was actually the highest in the non­
manufacturing railroad industry, 82 percent in May 1980:
two-thirds of this industry’s unemployment in 1982 was
attributable to layoffs.
Surprisingly, permanent separations among wage and sal­
ary workers as a percent of each group’s unemployment did
not differ much across major industries. The range was from
54 percent in the construction industry to 41 percent in
government, although this latter figure was much higher
than in previous recessions.
Occupation. As might be expected, the distribution of lay­
offs is more concentrated across occupations than across
industries. Seventy-five percent of the workers on layoff in
1982 were blue-collar, an overwhelmingly disproportionate
figure, given that blue-collar employment accounted for only
30 percent of total employment. The heaviest concentrations
of blue-collar workers on layoff were among nontransport
operatives and craftworkers. (See table 3,) White-collar
workers’ share of unemployment stemming from layoffs was
only 16 percent, half of which was clerical workers. Among
workers who were permanently separated from their jobs,
blue-collar workers’ share was 55 percent, and white-collar
workers’, 30 percent. There has been very little change in
the occupational distribution of either job-loser group over
the past 10 years.
Although blue-collar workers were three times as likely
as white-collar workers in 1982 to suffer a job layoff, both
groups were almost equally likely to be permanently sep­
arated from their jobs. The likelihood of job separation visa-vis layoff was higher, regardless of occupation.
5

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Layoffs and Permanent Job Losses
Tab le 3. Job losers, by occupation and industry, 1982
Layoffs
Occupation and industry

Number (in
thousands)

Permanent separations

Percent of total
unemployment

Percent of
unemployment in
each occupation
or industry

Number (in
thousands)

Percent of total
unemployment

Percent of
unemployment in
each occupation
or industry

Total job losers, 16 years and over.......................
Occupation

2,127

100.0

22.4

4,141

100.0

43.6

White-collar workers........................................................
Professional and technical workers............................
Managers and administrators....................................
Clerical workers...........................................................
Salesworkers................................................................

332
73
41
175
42

15.6
3.4
1.9
8.2
2.0

12.0
12.7
9.9
12.6
10.8

1,181
253
214
548
166

28.5
6.1
5.2
13.2
4.0

42.7
43.7
57.4
39.6
42.8

Blue-collar w o rke rs........................................................
Craftworkers................................................................
Operatives, except transport......................................
Transport equipment operatives.................................
Nonfarm laborers........................................................

1,594
457
760
136
241

74.9
21.4
35.7
6.4
11.3

32.5
32.7
37.4
30.3
23.5

2,269
693
841
225
510

54.8
16.7
20.3
5.4
12.3

46.3
49.6
41.4
50.1
49.7

Service workers................................................................
Farmworkers.....................................................................

162
35

7.6
1.6

10.0
18.3

615
77

14.9
1.9

37.8
40.2

Industry1
Mining................................................................................
Construction.....................................................................
Manufacturing...................................................................
Durables........................................................................
Nondurables................................................................
Transportation and public utilitie s.................................
Wholesale and retail trade..............................................
Finance, insurance, and real estate...............................
Services.............................................................................
Government.....................................................................

64
315
1,089
793
296
121
222
19
151
17

3.0
14.8
51.2
37.3
13.9
5.7
10.4
0.9
7.1
3.5

41.4
30.6
39.3
44.3
30.1
30.5
10.8
6.8
9.9
9.4

69
552
1,154
722
433
186
888
126
667
324

1.7
13.3
27.S
17.4
10.5
4.5
21.4
3.0
16.1
7.8

45.0
53.5
41.7
40.4
44.0
46.7
43.0
45.6
43.8
40.5

1 Excludes agricultural wage and salary workers and self-employed and unpaid family workers.

To determine if the observed differences in the likelihood
of layoff among the major age-sex and racial groups were
due to occupation or industry affiliation, the probability of
layoff among each group in the same occupation or industry
was examined. (See tables 4 and 5.) Generally, the con­
centration of worker groups in particular occupations and
industries was crucial to the magnitude of their unemploy­
ment accounted for by layoffs. Among blue-collar workers
in 1982, for example, the percentage of unemployment ac­
counted for by layoff was nearly 35 percent for both men
and women. The likelihood of unemployment attributable
to layoff was also similar for men and women in other
occupations. In other words, when occupations are exam­
ined individually, the probability of layoff among men being
greater than that among women essentially disappears. Sim­
ilarly, the layoff rate differentials by sex were much nar­
rower in individual industries than for men and women
overall. In the finance, insurance, and real estate industry,
moreover, women were more likely than men to be laid
off.7 The black-white job-loss differential was, for the most
part, unaffected by occupational and industry affiliation,
although black workers in blue-collar occupations or in the
goods sector were now noticeably more likely than white
workers to suffer a permanent job separation. (See tables 4
and 5.)

Cyclical variation in job losses
The rapid shift in recent years within the manufacturing
industry towards high technology firms and those making
6


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synthetics may have exacerbated an already high risk among
workers in metals-based industries to lose their jobs in a
recession.8 In other words, in addition to the historical shift
from goods to services, the factory shift away from metalsbased industries will make it harder for unemployed workers
formerly employed in these industries to reclaim their jobs.
Several factors— peak-to-trough changes, job search and
job change propensity, recall rates, and duration of unem­
ployment— were explored in an attempt to distinguish the
pattern of job losses, both in the current economic downturn
and in comparison to other contractions. Specifically, this
analysis examines the cyclical variability of layoffs and per­
manent separations and describes the effect on short- and
long-run total jobless rate patterns.
Changes during a recession. As one would expect, job loss
accounts for a larger proportion of total unemployment dur­
ing recessions, when employers are trying to reduce their
costs in response to a slumping economy. In two previous
studies, job-loser unemployment was found to be more cycl­
ically sensitive than the other types of unemployment.9
However, layoffs and permanent separations were not ana­
lyzed separately. A 1976 study which isolated the layoff
component concluded that because layoffs increased as a
proportion of total job losers between the peak and trough
of each recessionary cycle, it was “ the most cyclically sen­
sitive component of the job-loser group and also more cycl­
ical than any other categories of unemployed.“ 10
Chart 1 compares the pattern of layoffs and permanent

separations as a percent of total unemployment over the
1968-82 period. The percentage of unemployment resulting
from permanent separations averaged twice that resulting
from layoffs. The gap narrowed considerably during reces­
sions, however. The following tabulation shows the rise in
job-loser unemployment as a percent of the increase in total
unemployment for selected business cycles peak to trough:
Job losers
Total Laid off
D e c e m b e r 1 9 6 9 - N o v e m b e r 1970 . . 6 0 .0
N o v e m b e r 1 9 7 3 - M a r c h 1 9 7 5 ......... . 7 2 .6
J a n u a ry 1 9 8 0 - J u ly 1980 .................. . 8 2 .3
Ju ly 1981 - N o v e m b e r 1 9 8 2 .............. . 8 4 .5

Permanently
separated

2 2 .9
3 5 .3
4 6 .3
3 1 .4

37.1
3 7 .3
3 6 .0
53.1

Layoffs as a factor in increases in joblessness during
recessions have been somewhat more extensive since the
mild 1969-70 contraction, the 1980 episode notwithstand­
ing. 11 It is common practice for employers to lay off workers
at the outset of a recession before resorting to more per­
manent employee cutbacks, hence, the shortness of the 1980
downturn resulted in an abnormally high proportion of lay­
offs relative to increases in total joblessness. Thus, in de­
termining the long-run pattern of layoffs in recessionary
periods, the 1980 episode was not considered. Among the
major age-sex groups, men 20 years and over were usually
most affected by layoffs: in the 1981-82 downturn, for
example, more than a third of their unemployment increase
was a result of layoffs. In light of seniority practices, women,

whose job tenure is likely to be shorter than that for men,
are laid off first. What eventually happens as recessions
lengthen is that the number of layoffs among men catches,
then surpasses, the number among women. Also, although
joblessness increases stemming from layoffs were higher
among white than black workers, the bulk of the layoffs
among black workers occurred earlier in the 1981-82 reces­
sion.
What really set the most recent recession apart from its
predecessors, however, was the larger number of permanent
separations. In the three downturns prior to the 1981 epi­
sode, the rise in unemployment as a result of permanent
separations was about 37 percent. In contrast, more than
half the rise in unemployment in the 1981-82 recession was
a result of workers being permanently separated from their
jobs. Of course, a partial explanation for this phenomenon
could be that workers on layoff, after a lengthy wait for
recall, perceived that their job was indeed lost and thus
began the search for another one, therefore moving into the
permanent separation category. Still, in total, job losers
accounted for 85 percent of the increase in unemployment
in the 1981-82 recession, higher than in any other recession
since unemployment data by reason have been collected.
Job search and job change. Although the foregoing sta­
tistics clearly indicate the cyclical nature of job-loser un­
employment, they do not provide any information about the
search activity or likelihood of a job change among job
losers. David Lilien noted that the speed at which job search-

Tab le 4. Job losers, by o ccupation, age, sex, and race, 1982
Percent of unemployment in each occupation

Percent of total unemployment
Job losers

Men

Women

Teenagers

White

Black and
other

Layoffs, t o t a l...................................................................

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

27.4

17.2

5.6

21.8

13.6

White-collar workers...................................................
Professional and technical workers.......................
Managers and administrators.................................
Clerical w o rke rs......................................................
Salesworkers...........................................................

10.2
3.2
2.3
3.4
1.4

28.5
4.7
1.3
19.5
3.1

12.0

13.0
2.4
1.2
7.8
1.5

15.3
15.7
12.4
20.0
12.2

11.1
10.3
5.7
12.1
11.2

5.3

0.9
7.4
3.7

16.1
3.7
2.1
8.3
2.1

10.0
5.2
6.5

12.8
14.0
10.3
34.8
11.1

8.5
7.4
8.0
8.7
9.8

Blue-collar workers......................................................
Craftworkers..............................................................
Operatives, except transport.................................
Transport equipment operatives............................
Nonfarm laborers...................................................

83.6
30.1
30.5
8.9
14.1

57.6
3.7
48.5
1.4
4.0

63.9
12.0
30.6
2.8
18.5

' 75.8
23.2
35.1
6.7
10.7

71.1
12.3
39.5
4.8
14.8

33.8
33.9
39.8
31.4
26.3

35.3
28.4
37.0
29.8
27.4

15.7
16.9
21.9
13.6
10.6

34.8
34.4
40.1
32.7
25.5

23.5
21.8
28.3
19.3
18.2

Service workers...........................................................
Farmworkers................................................................

4.4
1.6

12.7
1.1

19.4
4.6

6.5
1.5

13.6
2.4

12.6
23.8

10.3
16.6

5.8
9.8

10.5
17.9

8.9
19.0

Permanent separations, to ta l.........................................

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

50.5

33.8

17.6

38.3

40.5

White-collar workers...................................................
Professional and technical workers.......................
Managers and administrators.................................
Clerical w o rke rs......................................................
Salesworkers...........................................................

19.7
6.3
5.5
4.7
3.5

49.7
7.9
5.6
31.3
4.8

19.2
1.4
1.1
12.3
4.3

30.5
6.4
6.0
13.3
4.7

22.2
5.2
2.6
12.9
1.7

54.5
54.0
54.9
52.1
58.5

38.2
35.0
46.4
38.4
34.9

27.1
22.7
40.0
28.1
24.2

42.6
43.1
51.6
44.5
44.2

43.1
47.2
52.0
42.5
33.3

Blue-collar workers......................................................
Craftworkers..............................................................
Operatives, except transport.................................
Transport equipment operatives............................
Nonfarm laborers...................................................

67.8
24.4
19.4
8.1
15.8

29.2
2.8
23.1
0.8
2.6

48.7
8.9
16.9
2.6
20.3

55.0
18.6
19.6
5.6
11.3

54.0
10.7
22.5
5.3
15.5

50.5
50.7
46.8
52.3
54.5

35.2
42.0
34.7
31.0
35.2

38.7
40.3
39.1
40.9
37.8

44.5
48.5
39.4
47.5
47.3

53.1
56.4
47.9
62.7
56.9

Service workers...........................................................
Farmworkers................................................................

10.7
1.9

19.9
1.2

28.4
3.4

12.6
1.9

22.0
1.7

55.6
50.5

31.5
35.7

27.3
23.5

35.6
39.8

42.7
40.5


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—

Men

Women

Teenagers

White

Black and
other

—

7

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Layoffs and Permanent Job Losses
T ab le 5. Job losers, by industry, age, sex, and race, 1982
Percent of total unemployment
Job losers

Percent of unemployment in each industry

Men

Women

Teenagers

White

Black and
other

Layoffs, to ta l...........................................................

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

27.4

17.2

5.6

21.8

13.6

Mining................................................................................
Construction......................................................................
Manufacturing...................................................................
Durables........................................................................
Nondurables................................................................

4.3
20.7
49.4
41.2
8.2

0.3
2.1
58.8
31.7
27.1

0.9
13.0
31.5
20.4
12.0

3.5
15.8
50.6
37.1
13.5

0.6
9.9
55.1
38.6
16.6

43.6
32.2
42.7
48.0
27.4

30.2
23.4
36.4
38.3
34.4

12.5
17.3
22.2
28.2
17.3

42.6
32.4
41.5
46.6
31.9

20.0
20.7
31.1
35.5
24.1

Transportation and public u tilities.................................
Wholesale and retail trade..............................................
Finance, insurance, and real estate...............................
Services.............................................................................
Government......................................................................

7.2
7.4
0.4
4.9
2.2

3.1
13.4
2.1
11.8
6.6

1.9
33.3
_
10.2
3.7

5.8
10.7
0.9
6.7
2.9

5.4
9.0
0.9
9.6
7.2

33.9
13.4
6.0
12.3
9.9

23.2
9.8
7.9
9.3

10.5
8.1

11.0

6.1
3.3

32.3
11.5
7.1
10.7
10.5

23.0
7.7
5.2
7.8
7.6

Men

Women

Teenagers

White

Black and
other

Permanent separations, to ta l.................................

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

50.5

33.8

17.6

38.3

40.5

Mining................................................................................
Construction......................................................................
Manufacturing...................................................................
Durables........................................................................
Nondurables................................................................

2.4
19.0
28.4
19.5
8.9

0.4
2.2
29.8
15.7
14.0

0.9
10.3
17.5
8.0
9.2

2.0
14.4
27.6
17.4
10.2

0.5
9.8
28.7
17.4
11.2

44.4
54.6
45.2
41.8
54.8

57.6
49.3
36.3
37.5
35.0

37.5
44.4
39.9
35.9
42.7

43.8
52.0
39.9
35.9
42.7

67.3
61.6
48.2
47.9
48.8

Transportation and public u tilitie s.................................
Wholesale and retail trade..............................................
Finance, insurance, and real estate...............................
Services.............................................................................
Government.....................................................................

5.8
17.5—
2.3
13.0
6.6

2.4
25.5
4.9
22.3
10.1

2.3
36.4
2.0
16.9
9.2

4.6
22.5
3.2
14.9
6.0

4.1
17.8
2.5
20.1
13.6

50.0
58.3
62.7
60.3
55.3

35.6
36.6
37.8
34.7
33.0

42.1
28.6
31.8
33.0
26.2

45.4
42.5
44.5
42.1
38.7

52.5
44.9
50.9
48.6
43.3

N ote: Excludes agricultural wage and salary workers and self-employed and unpaid family workers.

ers find new jobs and the speed at which firms recall layoffs
are major cyclical causes of variations in unemployment.12
That is, duration of unemployment is also an important
consideration to cyclical variability, and it was usually longer
for unemployed workers who were permanently separated
than for those who were laid off. Thus, in this regard, the
laid-off workers’ contribution to the cyclical variability of
joblessness is not apt to be as great as that for workers who
were permanently separated. However, the fact that recall
may be fairly likely for those on layoff does not imply that
they fail to engage in job search and, subsequently, may
change jobs.
As noted earlier, persons on layoff are not asked in the
c p s if they had been looking for work during the prior 4
weeks, a key question in determining whether persons are
unemployed. However, such information was collected in
the Methods Development Survey13— a small experimental
survey of the Bureau of the Census that was designed to
test alternative questions and refinements that might be in­
troduced into the c p s questionnaire at a future date. The
cumulative monthly results over the April 1981 to December
1982 period are shown in the following tabulation of the
percent of those on layoff who looked for work:

Total, 16 years and over.......... .......

Total
58.0

Men
65.2

Women
47.3

16-19 years............................. .......

56.1

20.0

72.7

20 years and over....................
20-24 years.........................
25-54 years.........................
55 years and over.................

58.1
70.0
56.9
38.5

66.7
72.1
67.7
47.1

45.5
64.7
40.5
20.0

8

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.......
.......
.......
.......

Fifty-eight percent of the persons reported as laid off
looked for work at some point during the 4-week period
prior to their being surveyed. This was much higher than
the 10-percent estimated by Martin Feldstein in his 1975
study of those on layoff who searched for work during the
week preceding the survey.14 But it was lower than the 83percent from the 1973 Job Finding Survey15 who said they
looked for work at some time before they either returned to
their old job or obtained a new job. Two-thirds of men age
20 and over on layoff looked for work, and they were more
likely than women or teenagers to have done so. Among
all adults on layoff the likelihood of job search decreased
with age (although this was not as visible among men). For
example, the proportion of persons age 20-24 on layoff
who searched for work was nearly twice the proportion for
those 55 years and over.16
If, in fact, most workers on layoff are recalled before
finding an acceptable job prospect, their search efforts are
largely irrelevant in determining duration of unemployment
spells. Rather, duration would be determined primarily by
the firm’s recall policy.17 About 75 percent of the respon­
dents in the c p s are common in consecutive months. There­
fore, it is possible to gain some perspective on the magnitude
of the number of workers on layoff likely to change jobs
by comparing their labor force status from one month to the
next.18 This was done via a matching of the labor force
status of persons in June 1976 who were reported as job
losers in M ay.19 For this purpose, a change in detailed
industry attachment (3-digit level) between the 2 months
represented a job change.20 The following illustrates the
May-to-June flow of job losers.

P e rc e n t u n e m p lo y e d in M a y an d
e m p lo y e d in J u n e ..................................
U n e m p lo y e d in M a y a n d e m p lo y e d in
J u n e , b y j o b c h a n g e sta tu s (p e rc e n t
d istrib u tio n ):
T o t a l ...........................................
Jo b c h a n g e ................................
N o jo b c h a n g e ..............................

Laid off

Permanently
separated

whereas only slightly more than a third of those on layoff
actually changed jobs— most returned to their old jobs.21

2 9 .8

2 0 .9

1 0 0 .0
37.1
6 2 .8

100.0
6 6 .5
3 3 .5

Recall rates. Because a recessionary increase in joblessness
usually involves a larger proportion of permanent separa­
tions than layoffs, and because separations are twice as likely
as layoffs to involve a job change (often a time-consuming
process), separations contribute more than layoffs to the
short-run variation in unemployment. However, because it
is not known if either job-loser group’s likelihood of recall
or proclivity towards changing jobs has changed over time,
it is not possible to say definitively whether their influence
on the short-run variation in unemployment has changed.

Thirty percent of those on layoff in May and 21 percent
of those permanently separated found employment in June.
Two-thirds of those permanently separated changed jobs,

C h a rt 1. L a id -o ff w o rk e rs a n d th e p e rm a n e n tly s e p a r a te d as a p e r c e n ta g e of th e u n e m p lo y e d , 1 9 6 8 -8 3

N o t e : Data are seasonally adjusted. Shaded areas Indicate recessionary periods as designated by the National Bureau of Economic
Research: p is the peak; t is the trough.


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9

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Layoffs and Permanent Job Losses
For example, a decrease in the probability of recall could
lead to longer duration of layoff employment which, in turn,
would heighten the cyclical contribution of layoffs. Data
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Labor Turnover Survey,
although not available subsequent to 1981,22 are used here
to examine the trend in recalls from layoffs, while c p s data
are used to examine trends in duration of layoffs.
For manufacturing, communications, and selected mining
industries, employers report the number of new hires and
other accessions to their payrolls as well as the number of
quits, layoffs, and other separations during the month. Each
type of turnover action is totaled for the month and expressed
as a rate per 100 employees. Layoffs are defined as “ sus­
pensions from pay status (lasting or expecting to last more
than 7 consecutive calendar days), initiated by the employer
without prejudice to the worker.” 23
To determine how many of those in the manufacturing
industry were recalled to their jobs, Feldstein computed a
rehire rate— the ratio of other accessions to layoffs. This
ratio averaged 85 percent over the 1960-75 period, leading
to the conclusion that “ the vast majority of those laid off
in manufacturing are ultimately rehired by their original
employers, although in some cases they take jobs elsewhere
in the interim.” 24 But, what is the recent trend in rehires?
Beginning in January 1976, a separate column for recalls
was added to the labor turnover questionnaire mailed to
establishments. Recalls were defined as “ permanent and
temporary additions to the employment rolls of persons spe­
cifically recalled to a job in the same establishment of the
company following a period of layoff lasting more than 7
consecutive days.” 23 A comparison of a recall-to-layoff ra­
tio (recall rate) using these new data with the rehire measure
developed by Feldstein is presented in table 6. Interestingly,
over the 1976-81 period, the recall rate averaged 72 percent,
considerably lower than the rehire rate average of 96 percent

T ab le 6. Labor tu rn o v e r rates in th e m anufacturing
industry, 1 9 6 8 -8 1

and the same percentage as those on layoff in one month
who had been recalled 2 weeks later as reported in a special
c p s followup in July 1982.26 Again, although still quite
high, not as many workers on layoff return to their original
jobs as previously thought.
Both the recall and rehire rates have declined in recent
years. However, the rehire rates in the recessionary periods
were similar, perhaps an indication that the likelihood of
job change among workers on layoff was also similar.
Duration. An increase in the duration of unemployment for
those on layoff could be viewed as a decreased likelihood
of recall, which could eventualy necessitate a job change.
Therefore, an examination of the long-run trend of duration
on layoff might also yield some insight into whether the
probability of laid-off workers changing jobs has increased
or decreased. That is, a trend towards longer duration on
layoff might reflect a heightened tendency to change jobs.
Also, the longer the unemployment spell of job losers, the
greater the probability that a higher overall jobless rate will
result in the long run.
Below are estimates of mean duration (in weeks) of un­
employment for laid-off and permanently separated workers,
1968-82:27
Year

Layoffs

Permanent separations

1968
1969
197 0
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975

.........................................
7.1
......................................
6 .8
.........................................
7 .5
......................................... 10.3
......................................... 10.8
.........................................
7 .8
.........................................
7 .5
............................................ 14.1

11.2
10.4
12.3
16.4
16.9
13.9
13.7
19.5

1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982

............................................
............................................
.........................................
.........................................
............................................
............................................
............................................

2 1 .6
19.3
15.8
14.5
12.7
1 8 .0
19.7

14.5
1 1 .0
8 .9
7 .9
11.5
1 2 .4
13.6

[P e r 1 0 0 e m p lo y e e s ]

(D

(2)
Total
accessions

(3)
(4)
(5)
New Rehires1 Rehire
rate1
hires (2-3)
(4 -1 )

Year

Layoffs

1968 .............
1969 .............
1970 .............
1 9 7 1 .............
1972 .............
1973 .............
1974 .............

1.2
1.2
1.8
1.6
1.1
0.9
1.5

4.6
4.7
4.0
3.9
4.5
4.8
4.2

3.5
3.7
2.8
2.6
3.3
3.9
3.2

1.1
1.0
1.2
1.3
1.2
0.9
1.0

0.92
0.83
0.67
0.81
1.09
1.00
0.67

1975 .............
1976 .............
1977 .............
1978 .............
1979 .............
1980 .............
1 9 8 1 .............

2.1
1.3
1.1
0.9
1.1
1.7
1.6

3.7
3.9
4.0
4.1
4.0
3.5
3.2

2.0
2.6
2.8
3.1
2.9
2.1
2.0

1.7
1.3
1.2
1.0
1.1

0.81
1.00
1.09
1.11
1.00
0.82
0.75

1 .4

1.2

(6)
Recalls

(7)
Recall
rate
(6 -1 )

—

_

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

_

_

1.0
0.9
0.7
0.7

0.70
0.82
0.78
0.64
0.65
0.63

1 .1

1.0

1 As reported in Martin Feldstein, “ The Importance of Temporary Layoffs: An Empirical
Analysis,” B ro o k in g s P a p e rs o n E c o n o m ic A c tiv ity , No. 3, 1975.
N o t e : Dashes indicate data are not available.

10

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The mean durations of unemployment among both groups
of job losers in the 1981-82 downturn and the later stages
of the 1973-75 recession were similar, but were longer than
in the mild 1969-70 recession. Actually, the duration of
unemployment resulting from layoffs was slightly shorter in
the recent downturn than in the mid-1970 episode. Thus,
although it is very unlikely that the “ job change” behavior
of either group changed perceptibly over the past 10 years,
their tendency to change jobs may now be higher than 15
years ago.
In summary, layoffs accounted for close to the same per­
centage of the total increase in unemployment in the current
recession as in the 1973-75 episode, while the likelihood
of changing jobs remained roughly the same in both periods.
Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the contribution

of layoffs to the short-run variability of unemployment also
did not change. Over the longer run, however, the contri­
bution may have grown, especially if allowance is made for
the possibility that some workers on layoff, after a time,
considered themselves permanently separated. In contrast,
job loss from permanent separation made up a much greater
share of the overall rise of unemployment in the* current
recession than in previous downturns. Thus, it is clear that
the contribution of workers permanently separated to the
short-run variability of unemployment also rose. Moreover,
given the greater percentage increase in unemployment ac­
counted for by workers who were permanently separated
from their jobs in the recent recession and their longer du­
ration of unemployment, it will probably be more difficult
for the overall jobless ratio to fall to prerecession levels.

Are layoffs overstated?
The fairly substantial amount of job search on the part
of persons on layoff reported in the Methods Development
Survey and the apparent significant number who do not
return to their old jobs raise some questions about the clas­
sification of layoff in the regular c p s . If workers who say
they are on layoff are searching for work, are they also
expecting to be recalled to their jobs, a prerequisite to the
layoff classification? If they do not expect to be recalled, is
the official classification of layoff overstated?
As discussed earlier, to determine the extent that persons
who reported themselves on layoff did not expect to be
recalled, a special follow-up survey of the unemployed in
July 1982 was conducted 2 weeks subsequent to the c p s
interview week. In this survey, respondents who were in­
itially reported as on layoff were asked directly, “ Do you
eventually expect to be called back to the job from which
you were on layoff?” Preliminary results revealed that nearly
a fourth of those still on layoff at the time of the follow-up
survey did not expect to be recalled, and most of them had
looked for work in the prior 4 weeks. That is, whereas they
may not actually have been on layoff, they still would have
been classified as unemployed. This suggests that the term
“ layoff” has different meanings as far as the unemployed
are concerned and includes, for some, job termination. It

should be kept in mind that these results are based upon a
single month’s observation, and a period of testing would
have to be done to determine if they would hold up con­
sistently.
The labor force classification of persons on layoff differs
among industrial nations because of differences in labor
market practices and in degrees of job attachment. For ex­
ample, many, if not most, workers on layoff in European
countries and in Japan, because of work contracts, are vir­
tually certain to be recalled to their jobs and, thus, are
classified as employed.2* The Eighth International Confer­
ence of Labor Statisticians, under the auspices of The In­
ternational Labor Office, specified in 1954 that only persons
on layoff without pay are to be included among the un­
employed. Recently, a study of the statistical treatment of
layoffs commissioned by the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development promulgated, for the pur­
poses of international comparison, the following set of
“ building blocks” relating to persons on layoff:29
Classification of person on
_______ layoff who—_______
Looked
Did not look
for work
for work
D a te o f re ca ll:
S p e c i f i e d ..................................
N o t s p e c i f i e d .........................

E m p lo y e d
U n e m p lo y e d

E m p lo y e d
N o t in th e
lab o r fo rce

According to this line of reasoning, only persons on layoff
who had looked for work and did not have a specific recall
date would be considered unemployed; all those with a
specific recall date would be considered employed. These
modifications were discussed at the Thirteenth International
Conference of Labor Statisticians held in Geneva in October
1982 but were not adopted (except for a provision that offers
some leeway for countries to adopt their own measurement
of layoff depending upon national practice).30 But in view
of recent testing that places some doubt as to the interpre­
tation and measurement of layoff, the United States is con­
templating the addition of “job search” and “ expected recall
date” questions to the c p s at some future date and, thus,
may be firming up the measurement and concept.
□

FOOTNOTES

A cknowledgment: Stella Cromartie, an economic assistant in the Division
o f Employment and Unemployment Analysis, provided technical assistance
in the preparation o f this article.
' Martin Feldstein, “ The Importance of Temporary Layoffs: An Empir­
ical A nalysis,” B r o o k in g s P a p e r s o n E c o n o m ic A c tiv ity , No. 3, 1975, pp.
7 2 5 -4 4 , was among the first to recognize the importance of the layoff
component o f unemployment. It was followed by: Thomas F. Bradshaw
and Janet Scholl, “ The Extent of Job Search During Layoff, B ro o k in g s
P a p e r s o n E c o n o m ic A c tiv ity , No. 2, 1976, pp. 515-26; Martin Feldstein,
“ The Effect o f Unemployment Insurance on Temporary Layoff Unem­
ploym ent,” A m e r ic a n E c o n o m ic R e v ie w , December 1978, pp. 834-46;
David M. Lilien, “ The Cyclical Pattern of Temporary Layoffs in United
States Manufacturing,” R e v ie w o f E c o n o m ic s a n d S ta tistic s, February 1980,
pp. 2 4 -3 1 ; Kenneth Burdett and Dole T. Mortensen, “ Search, Layoffs,


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and Labor Market Equilibrium,” J o u r n a l o f P o litic a l E c o n o m y , August
1980, pp. 652-7 2 ; James L. Medoflf, “ Layoffs and Alternatives under
Trade Unions in U .S. Manufacturing,” A m e r ic a n E c o n o m ic R e v ie w , June
1979, pp. 380-95; and Francine D. Blau and Lawrence M. Kahn, “ Causes
and Consequences of Layoffs,” E c o n o m ic I n q u ir y , April 1981, pp. 2 7 0 96.
2 See H o w th e G o v e r n m e n t M e a s u r e s U n e m p lo y m e n t, Report 505 (Bu­
reau of Labor Statistics, 1976).
3 C u r r e n t P o p u la tio n S u r v e y I n te r v ie w e r s R e f e r e n c e M a n u a l, cps-250
(Bureau of the Census, January 1980), pp. D 5 -3 8 .
4 The cps measure of duration of unemployment reflects the current
duration o f an “ in-progress” spell o f unemployment, not a “ completed”
spell. For more information, see Norman Bowers, “ Probing the issues of
unemployment duration,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w , July 1980, pp. 2 3 -3 2 .

11

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Layoffs and Permanent Job Losses
5Medoff, “ Layoffs and Alternatives,” p. 380.
6 E a r n in g s a n d O th e r C h a r a c te r is tic s o f O r g a n iz e d W o rk e rs , M a y 1 9 8 0 ,
Bulletin 2105 (Bureau o f Labor Statistics, September 1981).
7 When controlling for both industry and occupation simultaneously,
Martin Feldstein found that not only was the male/female layoff differential
reduced but it was actually reversed, women having a significantly higher
layoff rate than men. However, he expressed surprise over the size of the
differential and thought that it may have reflected an overadjustment for
occupation and industry attachment. Feldstein, “ The Effect of Unemploy­
ment Insurance,” p. 841.
8 Richard E. Caves, “ The Structure of Industry,” in Martin Feldstein,
ed., T h e A m e r ic a n E c o n o m y in T r a n s itio n (Chicago, University of Chicago
Press, 1980), pp. 5 0 1 -4 5 .
9Curtis L. Gilroy, “ Job losers, leavers, and entrants: traits and trends,”
M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w , August 1973, pp. 3 -1 5 .

10Thomas F. Bradshaw and Janet L. Scholl, “ Workers on layoff: a
comparison o f two data series,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w , November 1976,
pp. 2 9 -3 3 .
11 An examination of actual trough to peak changes in the number of
layoffs relative to changes in the number of unemployed for the same dates
yields the following: May 1969 to September 1 9 71,24.7 percent; October
1973 to June 1975, 40.5 percent; June 1978 to July 1980, 54.0 percent;
and July 1981 to September 1982, 39.5 percent. The extent of layoffs
relative to total unemployment in the 1973-75 and 1981-82 recessions
was similar.
l2Lilien, “ The Cyclical Pattern of Temporary Layoffs,” p. 24.
13The data on layoffs are from Phase III and IV covering the April 1981
to December 1982 period. The sample size each month was approximately
800 persons (200 respondents leave and 200 others enter the sample each
month yielding an approximate cumulative sample size of 4,000 over the
sample period) drawn from four areas— Chicago, Scranton, San Antonio,
and rural Georgia.
l4Feldstein, “ The Importance of Temporary Layoffs,” p. 732.
15Reported and described in Bradshaw, “ The Extent of Job Search,”
pp. 5 1 7 -1 8 .
16 A related question in the literature (Feldstein, “ The Importance of
Temporary Layoffs,” pp. 744-4 5 ) has to do with whether nonsearchers
on layoff are concentrated in high-wage industries. Unfortunately, such
information was generally not available from Methods Development Sur­
vey data. However, it is possible to gain some insight into this issue from
regular monthly cps data. Individuals on layoff can be classified into two
groups: those with a definite date of expected recall within 30 days are
classified as on “ temporary layoff,” while all others are classified as on
“ indefinite layoff.” It is assumed that those on indefinite layoff would be
more likely than those on temporary layoff to search for work. Some support
for this assumption is available from Methods Development Survey data.
Remember, one factor that sets persons on temporary layoff apart from
those on indefinite layoff is that the former m u s t have a definite expected
recall date. In the Methods Development Survey, persons on layoff were
asked if they had a specific date to return to work. Nearly 70 percent of
those on layoff w ith o u t a specific recall date had looked for work, as
opposed to 45 percent for those w ith a specific recall date. The examination
o f temporary versus indefinite layoff data, or the assumed nonsearchers
versus searchers, by detailed industry revealed the following. First, each
industry was classified as high- or low-wage based upon whether its average
hourly wage was higher or lower than the average for all industries. If the
assertion about nonsearchers in high-wage industries was correct, then one
would expect that the percentage of those on temporary layoff in highwage industries would be greater than their percentage in all industries.
Actually, the percentages were relatively the same, one-fourth. Thus, it
does not appear that nonsearching while on layoff is a function of wages.
l7Lilien, “ The Cyclical Pattern o f Temporary Layoffs,” p. 25.

12

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18 U sin g th e C u r r e n t P o p u la tio n S u r v e y a s a L o n g itu d in a l D a ta B a se ,
Report 608 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Í980).
19 A readily available M ay-June 1976 C P S match file was the reason this
time period was chosen. Eighty-five percent of the job losers in May who
also would have been sampled in June were matched: 352 persons on layoff
and 929 other job losers.
20Under this definition, 14 percent of the workers employed in May
were employed in a different job in June. O f course, some of this “job
change” could have been the result of reporting errors; that is, the re­
spondent does not actually change jobs but, because of recording or coding
error, the detailed industry category is different in successive months.
However, in 1982, Wesley Mellow and Hal Sider compared 4,523 cps
respondents’ description of their jobs with that provided by the employer
and found a fairly high level of agreement (84 percent) in worker and
employer responses to industry affiliation at the 3-digit level. (See Wesley
M ellow and Hal Sider, “ Accuracy of Response in Labor Market Surveys:
Evidence and Implications,” J o u r n a l o f L a b o r E c o n o m ic s , forthcoming.)
Assuming that 84 percent of the M ay-June 1976 job changes were actually
job changes and not the result of reporting errors, the job mobility rate
would drop a little to 12.5 percent. A study designed specifically to measure
job mobility in 1961 found that 10 percent of the number who worked
shifted from one employer to another during that year. See Gertrude Ban­
croft and Stuart Garfinkle, “ Job Mobility in 1961,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e ­
v ie w , August 1963, pp. 8 9 7-906.
21 It should be noted that cps data do not indicate if persons on layoff
actually returned to their previous jobs, but only that there was a change
in labor force status between measurements. However, a special followup
survey of the unemployed in July 1982 that was taken 2 weeks after the
reference week found that, of the persons who had been reported on layoff
initially but were working in the followup, 72 percent had been called back
to their previous job and 22 percent had found another job. The subsequent
labor force status for a small percentage could not be identified. The 68percent recall rate within 6 months for laid-off workers in the manufacturing
industry estimated by David Lilien in “ The Cyclical Pattern of Temporary
Layoffs in U .S. Manufacturing” (Ph.D dissertation, Massachusetts Insti­
tute of Technology, 1977) was also in line with the estimate here.
22 With the publication of data for December and annual averages for
1981, the Bureau discontinued publication of labor turnover survey data.
See Carol Utter, “ Labor Turnover Survey Discontinued,” E m p lo y m e n t
a n d E a r n in g s , March 1982, p. 13.
23For a description of labor turnover concepts, see the Establishment
Data section of “ Explanatory Notes” in any issue of E m p lo y m e n t a n d
E a r n in g s prior to February 1982.
24Feldstein, “ The Importance of Temporary Layoff,” p. 735.
25Carol Utter, “ New Series on Recalls from the Labor Turnover Sur­
v e y ,” E m p lo y m e n t a n d E a rn in g s , December 1977, pp. 10-11.
26See footnote 21 for detailed description of July followup survey.
27 The mean duration of unemployment was estimated using the mid­
points of the available duration of unemployment distribution categories:
less than 5 weeks, 5 to 10 weeks, 11 to 14 weeks, 15 to 26 weeks, and
27 weeks and longer; 52 weeks was the assumed midpoint o f the last
category. Applying this method to 1982 annual average duration o f total
unemployment categories resulted in a mean o f 15.4 weeks, very close to
the actual mean of 15.6 weeks.
28 Joyanna Moy and Constance Sorrentino, “ Unemployment, labor force
trends, and layoff practices in 10 countries,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w ,
December 1981, pp. 3 -1 3 .
29Bernard M. Grais, L a y o ff s a n d S h o r t- tim e W o rk in g in S e le c te d O r ­
g a n iz a tio n f o r E c o n o m ic C o o p e r a tio n a n d D e v e lo p m e n t C o u n tr ie s (Paris,
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 1983).
30 International Labor Organization, T h irte e n th I n te r n a tio n a l C o n fe r e n c e
o f L a b o r S ta tis tic ia n s , Geneva, ICLS/13/D11 (Final Version), October
1 8 -1 9 , 1982.

Motion-related wrist disorders traced
to industries, occupational groups
Jobs that involve repetitive motions of the hand
contribute disproportionately to a number
o f injuries and illnesses; analysis o f workers'
compensation claims data shows workers in manufacturing,
construction, and agriculture to be most at risk
Roger C. Jensen , B ruce P. Klein ,
Lee M. S anderson

and

Tasks which require workers to perform certain repetitive
motions have been reported to contribute to the incidence
of a variety of occupational diseases.1 The Bureau of Labor
Statistics 1979 annual survey of occupational injuries and
illness found 21,900 cases that were associated with work
activities involving repeated motions, vibrations, or pres­
sure.2 But while this statistic may help one to appreciate
the magnitude of the problem, the annual survey does not
obtain data pertaining to body part involved, which would
permit the identification of anatomical areas most frequently
affected by the stress of repetitive motions; nor does it permit
identification of jobs most associated with repetitive motion
disorders.
Fortunately, the Bureau has developed an alternate da­
tabase, the Supplementary Data System (sds ), that does
make such analysis possible. The following discussion dem­
onstrates the use of the sd s , which is derived from State
records of workers’ compensation claims, in investigating
the occurrence of one group of motion-related disorders—
those involving the soft tissues of the wrist and hand. Such
disorders are of interest because many industrial tasks re­
Roger C. Jensen, Bruce P. Klein, and Lee M. Sanderson are with the U.S.
Public Health Service’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, Division of Safety Research, Morgantown, W.Va.


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quire repetitive motions that subject the soft tissues of the
wrist and hand to a low level, high frequency form of trauma. 3
Earlier studies, on a more limited scale, have shown that
several disorders of the wrist (including carpal tunnel syn­
drome, tendinitis, and tenosynovitis) have a larger incidence
among workers whose occupations entail frequent, repeti­
tive hand movements.4

The database
The bls Supplementary Data System was the primary
information source for this investigation. The sds program
became functional in 1976 as a Federal-State cooperative
Tab le 1. In dustrial w ork fo rce by m ajor industrial group,
total and fo r the 26 s d s S tates com bined, 1979
[N u m b e rs in th o u s a n d s ]

Industrial
group

Total U.S.
work force

Workers in
26 SDS
States

Industry-specific
percent of work
force represented
by 26 SDS States

Total....................................

74,564.6

32,070.7

43.0

1,414.0
4,528.4
21,069.0
5,110.2
20,308.9
4,980.5
17,153.6

677.0
1,964.2
8,871.4
2,166.7
8,956.3
2,063.6
7,371.5

47.9
43.4
42.1
42.4
44.1
41.4
43.0

Agriculture.....................
Construction..................
Manufacturing...............
Transportation...............
Trade...............................
Finance..........................
Services..........................

13

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Motion-Related Wrist Disorders
system to provide information about occupational injury and
illness.5 The States participating in the s d s program classify
workers’ compensation information according to a uniform
format6 and submit the data to b l s on an annual basis. Data
from 26 States which reported current cases for the year
1979 were used for this assessment.7 To be included in the
analysis, a wrist compensation claim had to relate to in­
flammation or irritation of joints, tendons, or muscles; or
diseases of the nerves and peripheral ganglia. The disorder
also had to be attributable to one of the following types of
accident or exposure: repetitive pressure; voluntary motions;
overexertions; lifting objects; pulling objects; throwing ob­
jects; or nonspecific overexertion.8 The claims which met
these criteria are hereinafter referred to as “ nonimpact wrist
disorders.”
Employment data by industry were obtained from b l s for
each of the 50 States.9 These data allowed for the calculation
of the percentage of industrial work force represented by
the 26 States (see table 1, page 13), and provided a means
for comparing the number of workers’ compensation claims
in an industry to the number of workers employed.10 The
26 States represented 43 percent of the total U.S. work force
employed in the seven major industry groups.
Differences among State workers’ compensation coverage
and reporting requirements have been cited as limitations
of the s d s program.11 Furthermore, it must be emphasized
that compensation claim data reflect the likelihood of a
worker filing a claim for a specific injury or illness and do
not directly indicate the incidence of the injury or illness.
With these differences acknowledged, it is our view that the
s d s program is the most comprehensive data source avail­
able for making comparative assessments of serious and
moderately serious injuries and illnesses across industries
and occupations.

High-risk groups isolated
Data in table 2 show that there were 3,027 workers’
compensation claims reported in 1979 for nonimpact wrist
disorders in the 26 States included in this analysis. These
account for more than 6 percent of all compensable cases
involving the wrist, and are most important in the manu­
facturing industries, where they account for more than 10
Tab le 2. D istribu tion of nonim pact w rist disorder claim s
and total w rist injury or illness claim s in 26 sos S tates
com bin ed, by industry, 1979
Industrial
group

Number of
nonimpact wrist
disorder claims

Total wrist
injury claims

Nonimpact claims
as a percent of
total wrist injury
claims

Total....................................

3,019

48,299

6.2

Agriculture.....................
Construction..................
Manufacturing...............
Transportation...............
Trade...............................
Finance..........................
Services..........................

65
198
2,107
56
367
22
204

1,216
5,769
20,013
2,925
9,899
674
7,803

5.4
3.4
10.5
1.9
3.7
3.3
2.6

14

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Tab le 3. M ean in dem n ity com pensation and m edical
paym ents fo r selected types of w o rk e rs ’ com pensation
claim s clo sed in 1979, seven s d s S tates
Indemnity compensation
Nature of
illness or injury1

Number of cases
reporting cost
data

Fractures...........................................................
Cuts, lacerations, or punctures.......................
Nonimpact wrist disorders...............................
Sprains or stra in s............................................
Contusions, crushing, or b ru ise s..................

3,116
763
762
2,953
581

Nonimpact wrist disorders...............................
Fractures...........................................................
Cuts, lacerations, or punctures.......................
Sprains or s tra in s ............................................
Contusions, crushing, or b ru is e s..................

202
937
328
770
207

Mean cost
per case
$2,688
1,206
1,026
985
910

Medical payments
618
567
312
190
186

1 Table lists only those categories with cost data reported for more than 100 cases.

percent of all wrist injury claims.
Another index of the impact of an occupational injury or
illness is the mean compensation cost per case. Data in table
3 indicate that, compared to other common kinds of cases,
nonimpact wrist disorders are important with reference to
both medical payments and indemnity compensation; on
average, they cost $618 in medical payments and $1,026
in indemnity compensation per case.12
With reference to gender differences for nonimpact wrist
disorders, the percentages of claims submitted by men (50.6
percent) and by women (49.4 percent) were similar. How­
ever, gender-specific employment figures for 1979 show that
the combined work force in the s d s States was 58.6 percent
male and 41.4 percent female.13 The mean age of claimants
in the two groups revealed women (33.7 years) to be 3.8
years older than men (29.9 years). (This difference in age
between genders was found to be statistically significant at
the .0001 level.)
Industry. The number of nonimpact wrist injury compen­
sation claims across the 26 States used in this analysis re­
veals that manufacturing produced the largest number of
claims (2,107), representing 69.6 percent of the total. Table
4 shows an incidence rating for nonimpact wrist compen­
sation claims for each of the seven industrial groups. This
ratio was calculated by dividing the industry-specific num­
ber of claims for the 26 s d s States by the respective industryspecific number of workers employed in these States, and
multiplying by 100,000. Again, manufacturing led the seven
industries with a ratio of 23.8 claims per 100,000 workers.
Construction, which reported the fourth largest number of
claims, had the second largest incidence ratio (10.1 claims
per 100,000 workers), followed by agriculture (9.6 claims
per 100,000 workers).
In an effort to more accurately identify the specific in­
dustries with the most nonimpact wrist disorder claims, the
major industrial categories (agriculture, construction, and
so forth) were broken down according to four-digit Standard

Industrial Classification (sic) codes.14 As shown in table 5,
meatpacking plants accounted for the largest number of
claims (245), some 8 percent of all compensation claims
filed for nonimpact wrist disorders in the 26 s d s States.
Occupation. Coding of worker job titles by the s d s program
allowed for the retrieval of figures on compensation claims
according to general occupation (table 6). Meatcutters and
butchers (manufacturing) were, by far, at largest risk of
filing nonimpact wrist disorder claims, with 498.8 claims
per 100,000 workers.

Interpreting the results
It must be stressed that the number of workers’ compen­
sation claims for nonimpact wrist disorders understates the
incidence of such cases. The use of workers’ compensation
claim data restricts the focus of analysis to employees seek­
ing medical attention for the condition or filing for com­
pensation benefits, or both, which is not synonymous with
the number of workers experiencing this occupational dis­
order. For example, in a study of one large manufacturing
operation, it was found that, out of 30 workers with a di­
agnosed case of carpal tunnel syndrome, only 16 became
workers’ compensation cases.15
Several factors may contribute to the discrepancy between
the occupational incidence of nonimpact wrist disorders and
the incidence of compensation claims reported by State com­
pensation agencies. First, many workers, such as farm own­
ers and their families, railroad employees, maritime workers,
and Federal employees, are not covered by State workers’
compensation programs. Second, some of the States in­
cluded in this analysis provide information which is limited
to cases in which the worker was unable to work for a
specified length of time, depending on State law. Thus,
some workers who actually suffer from the disorder but are
able to continue working are not identified from compen­
sation data. In addition, such workers may be reassigned to
other jobs which reduce their symptoms to the point where
it is unnecessary to file a claim. Finally, because repetitive
motion disorders occur without an easily recognizable trau­
matic incident, many workers may not file a claim because
they fail to recognize the causative relationship between the
repetitive activity and their symptoms.

T ab le 4. In d u stry-sp ecific in cidence ratios fo r nonim pact
w rist d iso rd ers in the 26 s d s S tates, 1979
Industry
Manufacturing..................................................................................
Construction.....................................................................................
Agriculture.......................................................................................

Claims per
100,000 workers
23.8
10.1
9.6

Average.............................................................................................

9.4

T ra d e ...............................................................................................
Services.............................................................................................
Transportation..................................................................................
Finance.............................................................................................

4.1
2.9
2.6
1.1


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T a b le 5. N o nim pact w rist com pensation claim s by fo u r­
dig it sic code, 1979
Number
of
claims

Percent of
all
nonimpact
wrist
claims

SIC
code

Industry

2011

Manufacturing

245

8.0

Manufacturing
Manufacturing

116

3.8

2421

Meatpacking p la n ts ..................
Motor vehicle parts and
accessories............................
Motor vehicle and passenger
car bodies...............................
Sawmills and planing mills . . .

Manufacturing

102
83

3.3
2.7

2016
5812
5411
3519
3079

Poultry dressing plants.............
Eating p la ces............................
Grocery s to re s ..........................
Internal combustion engines . .
Miscellaneous plastics products

Manufacturing
Retail trade
Retail trade
Manufacturing
Manufacturing

77
51
51
46
43

2.5
1.7
1.7
1.5
1.4

3714
3711

Division

We are unable to ascribe much significance to our findings
on the gender and age of claimants because of inadequate
information on the diagnosis of each compensation claim,
and lack of data on the gender and age distributions of
workers who perform repetitive motion tasks. We acknowl­
edge the multitude of etiological factors which can contrib­
ute to the incidence of such conditions as carpal tunnel
syndrome, and believe that the effects of age and gender
can be better addressed by population-based epidemiological
studies.
The manufacturing industries accounted for 69.6 percent
of the reported compensation claims secondary to nonimpact
wrist disorder, a ratio of 23.8 claims per 100,000 workers.
Further breakdown of this information according to specific
industrial category revealed the largest number of reported
claims to be from the meatpacking and the motor-vehicle
manufacturing industries. However, the assessment of spe­
cific risk factors is not possible with these data because we
lack information on the types of tasks performed and the
length of exposure to specific tasks.
The agricultural industries produced the third largest in­
cidence ratio for nonimpact wrist disorders (9.6 claims per
100,000 workers), even though employment tends to be
T a b le 6. N um b er and in cidence ratio of nonim pact w rist
dis o rd e r claim s in 26 s d s S tates, h igh-risk occupations,
1979
Occupation

Number of
claims

Estimated
employment

Claims per
100,000
workers

Meatcutters and butchers
(manufacturing)............................
Miscellaneous laborers.....................
Bottling, canning operatives.............
Filers, polishers, sanders, and
buffers............................................

222
171
33

44,509
102,387
32,416

498.8
167.0
101.8

47

60,069

78.2

Meat wrappers (retail trade).............
Shoemaking machine operators . . .
Nonspecified laborers.......................
Sawyers..............................................
Assem blers.......................................

15
19
127
35
326

21,984
31,631
212,709
58,764
550,242

68.2
60.1
59.7
59.6
59.3

Punch and stamping press
operatives.......................................
Freight and materials handlers . . . .
Packers and wrappers, except meat
and produce..................................

52
136

91,175
257,299

57.0
52.9

124

247,574

50.1

15

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • M otion-Related Wrist D isorders
seasonal and performed, to some extent, by migrant workers
who may not file claims as often as other wage workers.
Further investigation into the occurrence of nonimpact wrist
disorders in agriculture appears warranted.
Finally, with regard to occupation, we found that meatcutters and butchers, miscellaneous laborers, and bottling
and canning operators accounted for the largest numbers of
nonimpact wrist disorders. Again, however, these obser­
vations should be interpreted cautiously, because our anal­
ysis is based on data which are available for only very
general occupational groups.
R e s e a r c h p e r f o r m e d i n a v a r i e t y of industrial settings
has supported a positive association between repetitive hand

'L eo Hymovich and Miriam Lindholm, “ Hand, wrist and forearm in­
juries, the result o f repetitive m o t i o n s J o u r n a l o f O c c u p a tio n a l M e d ic in e ,
November 1966, pp. 5 7 3 -77; and Norman M. Hadler, “ Industrial rheu­
matology: clinical investigations into the influence of the pattern of usage
on the pattern o f regional musculo-skeletal disease,” A r th r itis a n d R h e u ­
m a tis m , May 1977, pp. 1019-25.
2 Data are from O c c u p a tio n a l I n ju r ie s a n d I lln e s s e s in 1 9 7 9 : S u m m a ry ,
Bulletin 2097 (Bureau o f Labor Statistics, 1981), p. 29.
3Thomas J. Armstrong, “ Carpal tunnel syndrome and the female worker,”
T r a n s a c tio n s o f th e F o r ty -th ir d A n n u a l M e e tin g o f th e A m e r ic a n C o n fe r ­
e n c e o f G o v e r n m e n ta l I n d u s tr ia l H y g ie n is ts (Cincinnati, Ohio, American

Conference o f Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc., 1982), pp. 2 6 35.
4 Lawrence J. Cannon, Edward J. Bemacki, and Stephen D. Walter,
“ Personal and occupational factors associated with carpal tunnel syn­
drom e,” J o u r n a l o f O c c u p a tio n a l M e d ic in e , April 1981, pp. 255-58;
Tuulikki Lupopajarvi, Ilkka Kuorinka, Markku Virolainen, and Mia Holmberg, “ Prevalence o f tenosynovitis and other injuries of the upper extrem­
ities in repetitive work,” S c a n d in a v ia n J o u r n a l o f W o rk , E n v iro n m e n t a n d
H e a lth , 1979, Suppl. 3, pp. 4 8 -5 5 ; M.Q. Birkbeck and T.C. Beer, “ Oc­
cupation in relation to carpal tunnel syndrome,” R h e u m a to lo g y a n d R e ­
h a b ilita tio n , November 1975, pp. 218-21; and Teresa W. Lewis, “ An
unnecessary byproduct o f industry,” O h io M o n ito r , March 1980, pp. 14lb.
5 Norman Root and David McCaffrey, “ Producing more information on
work injury and illn ess,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w , April 1978, pp. 16-21.
6 S u p p le m e n ta r y D a ta S y s te m , M ic r o d a ta F ile s U s e r ’s G u id e , 1 9 7 8 1 9 7 9 (Bureau o f Labor Statistics, 1980).

7 The 26 States included in this analysis of the 1979 sds survey are
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana,
Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee,
Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Two States (Mas­
sachusetts and Ohio) which also provide current case data were not used

Digitized for16
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motions and the incidence of various wrist disorders.16 Our
analysis of workers’ compensation claims provides further
evidence of this association by showing large differences in
claim ratios (claims per 100,000 employees) for different
occupations, with the largest ratios occurring in occupations
that entail repeated motions and exertions of the hand. Our
study, and similar studies of other job-related disorders,
should also be useful in the establishment of priorities for
both research and regulatory activities in the field of oc­
cupational safety and health. However, the etiological com­
ponents, including the role of specific hand motions, must
be more thoroughly assessed if the factors contributing to
the incidence of nonimpact wrist disorders are to be iden­
tified and altered.
□

for this analysis because their occupational classification system differs
from that for the BLS employment data.
"Compensation claims attributed to vibration were excluded from this
study.
9 Employment figures for manufacturing; construction; wholesale and
retail trade; finance, insurance, and real estate; transportation; services;
and government were obtained from S u p p le m e n t to E m p lo y m e n t a n d E a r n ­
in g s , S ta te s a n d A r e a s , D a ta f o r 1 9 7 7 - 8 0 , Bulletin 1370-15 (Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 1981). Agricultural employment is from “ Current Pop­
ulation Survey” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1979), table A (unpublished),
pp. 1547-49.
10The sds data on compensation claims secondary to nonimpact wrist
disorders included figures from nine industrial groups (agriculture; mining;
construction; manufacturing; wholesale and retail trade; finance, insurance,
and real estate; transportation; services; and government). Because o f the
variance which exists in coverage and reporting procedures for compen­
sation claims among governmental em ployees, this industrial classification
was omitted from tables 1, 2, and 4. The mining industries were also
excluded from the analysis because data for the 26 States were not rep­
resentative of the work force in mining, and because there were only eight
cases that met our criteria.
" R oot and McCaffrey, “ Producing more information,” p. 17.
12 Medical and indemnity compensation cost data were submitted on
closed workers’ compensation claims by seven States (Arkansas, Colorado,
Delaware, Montana, North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin).
11G e o g r a p h ic P r o file o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d U n e m p lo y m e n t, 1 9 7 9 , Report
619 (Bureau o f Labor Statistics, 1980), table 1.
14 See U .S. Office of Management and Budget, S ta n d a r d I n d u s tr ia l C la s ­
s ific a tio n M a n u a l, 1 9 7 2 (Washington, U .S. Government Printing Office).
15Cannon, Bemacki, and Walter, “ Personal and occupational factors.”
16See Hymovich and Lindholm, “ Hand, wrist and forearm injuries” ;
Cannon, Bemacki, and Walter, “ Personal and occupational factors” ; Arm­
strong, “ Carpal tunnel syndrome” ; and Birkbeck and Beer, “ Occupa­
tion.”

Productivity growth in plastics
lower than all manufacturing
During 1972-81 , output per hour increased
at an annual rate o f 1A percent,
slowing to less than 1 percent after 1976;
growth in productivity has been
linked to improved technology
Ja m e s D . Y ork

Despite rapid output growth during 1972-81, productivity
in the miscellaneous plastics products industry increased at
a somewhat slower rate than that for all manufacturing.
Productivity rose at an average annual rate of 1.4 percent
over the period, while the rate for all manufacturing was
1.8 percent.1 The rapid rise in output, at an average annual
rate of 5.5 percent, was accompanied by an increase in
employee hours of 4 percent annually. (See table 1.) In­
dustry productivity benefited from improvements in resins
and faster processing equipment, and from the growing use
of microprocessor controls for production machinery.
Productivity trends fluctuated during 1972-81, as output
and hours responded to cyclical forces in the economy. The
output of the plastics industry encompasses a wide range of
products consumed in many sectors of the economy. Con­
sequently, industry output tends to be strongly influenced
by trends in the overall level of economic activity. A sharp
downturn in the economy led to sizable declines in the output
of plastics products: 9.0 percent in 1974 and 12.5 percent
in 1975. Reductions in employee hours lagged initially, with
a decrease of only 1.1 percent in 1974. With output de­
clining much more than hours in that year, productivity
posted a 7.9-percent decrease. In 1975, however, the rate

of decline in hours accelerated to 12.6 percent, virtually
matching the decrease in output. With the changes in output
and hours offsetting each other, productivity showed no
change for that year.
With an improving economy, output increased very rap­
idly in 1976 and 1977, rising by 18.9 percent and 24.4
percent. These gains outpaced the corresponding increases
in hours of 14.5 and 11.4 percent and productivity conse­
quently rose by 3.8 and 11.7 percent. In 1978, output still
showed a sizable increase of 10.7 percent but this was more
nearly matched by the rise in hours of 9.8 percent, resulting
in a productivity gain of only 0.8 percent. Employee hours
continued increasing in 1979, by 4.7 percent, despite a
decrease in output of 1.5 percent, yielding a 6-percent drop
in productivity. The economy experienced another downturn
in 1980 and industry output decreased by 5.1 percent. Hours
were reduced even more, however, by 6.1 percent, and
productivity managed to post a gain of 0.9 percent. The
economy began to improve after the sharp downturn in the
first half of 1980 and this improvement continued into 1981.
Industry output benefited, rising 6.9 percent, which out­
paced the 3.9-percent increase in hours and resulted in a
productivity gain of 2.9 percent.

Employment and plant size
James D. York is an economist in the Division of Industry Productivity
Studies, Bureau o f Labor Statistics.


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Employment in the industry grew quite rapidly during
1972-81, rising from 342,500 to 477,200, equivalent to an
17

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Productivity Growth in Plastics Products
average annual rate of increase of 4.0 percent. Employee
hours advanced at the same rate during this period. By
comparison, the rate of increase for all manufacturing em­
ployment was 0.7 percent and the rate for hours was 0.6
percent.
Because the output of plastics products serves such a wide
range of markets, trends in the industry’s employment are
strongly influenced by cyclical swings in the overall econ­
omy. Despite rapid employment growth in plastics products
during the 1972-81 period as a whole, there were declines
of 0.1 percent in 1974 and 12.7 percent in 1975— years in
which the economy was in recession. Employment growth
was strong in each of the following years until 1980, the
next recession year. In that year, employment dropped 5.5
percent. It recovered again in 1981, however, rising by 3.5
percent.
Most of the establishments in the plastics industry are
small. Data available for 1977 indicate that about 57 percent
of the industry’s establishments employ fewer than 20 em­
ployees. Most of the employment, however, appears to be
concentrated in medium size establishments. Nearly half of
total industry employment in 1977 was in establishments
with 50 to 249 employees. The establishments with fewer
than 20 employees accounted for only about 7.5 percent of
industry employment, despite their large share of the total
number of establishments. Very large establishments are
unusual, with less than 0.2 percent of all establishments
employing 1,000 or more workers in 1977. The average
number of employees per estabishment hardly changed dur­
ing 1972-77, declining from 45 employees in 1972 to 44
in 1977.
Data on the skill composition of employment are available
for broad occupational groups in the miscellaneous plastics
products industry for 1980. These data indicate that oper­
atives are the major occupational group, constituting almost
56 percent of total industry employment, as compared with
the all-manufacturing average of just over 43 percent. This
job category includes such occupations as assemblers and
machine operatives. Craft and related workers, which in­

Table 1. Productivity and related indexes for m iscellaneous
plastics products, 1972-81
[1977 = 100]
Year

Output per
empoylee hour

Output

Employee hours

Employees

1972.....................
1973.....................
1974....................
1975.....................
1976.....................

86.6
93.6
86.2
86.2
89.5

70.3
84.9
77.3
67.6
80.4

81.2
90.7
89.7
78.4
89.8

81.0
91.0
90.9
79.4
90.2

1977.....................
1978.....................
1979.....................
1980.....................
1981.....................

100.0
100.8
94.8
95.7
98.5

100.0
110.7
109.0
103.4
110.5

100.0
109.8
115.0
108.0
112.2

100.0
109.6
115.5
109.1
112.9

1972-81 .............
1976-81 .............

1.4
0.8

Average annual rates of change (in percent)

18


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5.5
4.9

4.0
4.1

4.0
4.2

clude machinists and tool-and-die-makers, were another
substantial category with almost 16 percent of total industry
employment, slightly less than the all-manufacturing pro­
portion of just under 19 percent. Professional, technical,
and related workers constituted a somewhat lower propor­
tion of total employment than for all manufacturing— less
than 4 percent in the plastics industry compared with over
9 percent for all manufacturing. By contrast, the share of
industry employment composed of managers, officials, and
proprietors was nearly the same as that for all manufactur­
ing— about 6 percent.

Major markets
An important reason for the rapid growth of industry
output is that new markets for plastics products have been
continually opening up. The development over time of new
and improved resins has been an important underlying factor
in making this possible. Plastics made from these improved
resins have been able to meet more stringent performance
criteria in areas such as strength and heat resistance. With
these improved properties, plastics became suitable for the
manufacture of many products from which they had pre­
viously been excluded. As a result, plastics began pene­
trating product markets formerly dominated by other materials.
For example, plastic pipe has increasingly been substituted
for other types of pipe, such as copper and cast iron, as
building codes have been altered to acknowledge its suit­
ability. The greater ease of installation of plastic pipe has
also meant that semiskilled workers could be employed to
install it. The benefits of plastics in terms of such factors
as price, weight, and corrosion resistance have made them
a popular alternative to competing materials in many product
lines.
Building and construction. The building and construction
industry is an important market for plastics products. Plas­
tics products for this market include such items as panels,
doors, moldings, pipes, and insulation. By far, pipes are
the most popular item: shipments nearly tripled during 1972—
77. The advantages of plastic pipe (such as corrosion re­
sistance) have helped it to penetrate markets previously
dominated by other materials.
Agriculture. Agricultural uses are an important market for
plastic pipe. The need to increase food production during
the 1970’s served as a stimulus to the demand for agricul­
tural pipe. Plastic was promoted in drainage and irrigation
systems. For example, corrugated polyethylene tubing be­
gan to replace more expensive and cumbersome concrete
drainage tile. The use of plastic pipe in irrigation has ben­
efited from increased emphasis on agricultural efficiency.2
One of the biggest markets for plastics products is in film,
sheets, and sheetings. There are a number of types of these
items such as cellulosic, polyethylene, polypropylene, poly­
styrene, and vinyl and vinyl copolymer. Useful for mulching

applications, when spread upon an agricultural bed, film
controls moisture evaporation, prevents leaching of fertil­
izer, accelerates growth, and increases yield.
The value of shipments of film and sheet proucts for all
markets, including agriculture, increased considerably from
1972 to 1977. Shipments of polypropylene film and sheet
more than quadrupled during this period. Cellulosic and
polystyrene also increased rapidly and polyethylene, one of
the biggest categories, more than doubled. Sheets are also
produced in laminated form. Data for laminated sheets,
which are available in combined form with data for lami­
nated rods and tubes, indicate that shipments nearly doubled
during 1972-77.
Plastics products have found a growing number of ap­
plications in agriculture besides sheeting and pipe. Injection
molded plastic parts on many types of agricultural equip­
ment are increasingly substituted for metal parts. Parts for
seed drills, combines, planters, and tractors are more fre­
quently being made of plastic. Some of the advantages of
plastics include cost and weight reduction and corrosion
resistance.
Packaging. Another important market for plastics has been
packaging applications. Blow molded milk containers, for
example, which are large, break-resistant, and light weight,
have achieved a high level of market penetration because
of their advantages. Plastic containers for other types of
food products have also grown in popularity. Shipments of
jars and tubs for food products nearly tripled during 1972—
77. Advances in blow molding technology around the be­
ginning of this period helped push plastic drums into com­
petition with steel, offering advantages in reusability and
resistance to denting and corrosion as well as lighter weight.
Transportation equipment. Much of the output of the plas­
tics industry is used in the manufacture of transportation
products. By far the largest portion of this output goes into
the production of motor vehicles. In 1977, nearly 80 percent
of plastics output, by value of shipments, going into the
transportation market, was used for motor vehicles. The
remaining 20 percent went into aircraft, space and missile,
and other transportation equipment. About two-thirds of the
portion going into motor vehicles was in the form of com­
ponents, housing, accessories, and parts. The rest was in
the form of foam products for such items as seating and
dash. Substitution of plastics for metals has contributed to
output growth. Light weight has helped make plastics prod­
ucts suitable for a multitude of applications in the automotive
area.
Smaller markets. A smaller but still sizable market for plas­
tics is the electrical and electronic products market. One of
the biggest segments of this market— household and com­
mercial appliances— showed little change in output during
1972-77 but items in the computing and data processing


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category grew rapidly. Furniture components and furnish­
ings also represent a fairly sizable market for industry out­
put.

Technological advances
The plastics industry produces an extremely wide as­
sortment of products. The resins used as raw material can
be formed into a wide variety of shapes using various pro­
cesses such as molding and extrusion.3 The equipment used
in these processes has been improving over time, aiding
industry productivity gains.
One of the most widely used production processes is
injection molding. This process involves heating and work­
ing plastics granules or compounds until they are able to
flow. This plasticized material is then forced under pressure
into a closed mold cavity where it can cool or cure to form
the desired part. Productivity in this process has benefited
from the adoption of equipment which utilizes a rotating
screw to perform the injection operation. Raw material is
fed from a hopper onto the screw which is kept rotating by
a motor. The material is forced over the flights of the screw
and is heated by the barrel and friction from the turning
screw. This process heats and plasticizes the material. As
the hot material forces its way to the front of the screw, it
drives the screw backward. The screw stops turning when
the right amount of material reaches the tip. The screw is
then forced forward and injects the hot plastic material through
the nozzle of the barrel and then through a sprue and runner
system into the mold cavities. Use of the screw has resulted
in the material being more plasticized when it enters the
mold, reducing cycle time. Better resins tailored to injection
molding have become available and these have facilitated
plasticization and have reduced problems arising when plas­
tic material sets up in the barrel and must be removed.
In recent years, a type of injection molding known as
reaction injection molding ( rim ) has come into use.4 rim
involves the injection of two liquid plastic materials into a
mold. This is done at low pressure rather than the usual
high pressure. Many improvements in rim equipment use
have contributed to productivity growth. Improved output
metering units have resulted in more rapid mold fill, and
press speeds have also been increased. The introduction of
faster-cure materials has largely eliminated the need for
presses with tilt features which extend the cycle time.5
Machine controls have continually improved over the years.
An important development in this regard has been the in­
creasing adoption of microprocessor controls as they have
become more affordable. They provide an integrated system
of controls over such production variables as time, tem­
perature, position, and pressure. They offer production mon­
itoring capabilities and can maintain various parameters such
as injection velocity and cavity pressure at optimal, preset
levels in spite of fluctuations in operating conditions. The
ability of microprocessors to detect and adjust for changes
in operating conditions enables them to keep production
19

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Productivity Growth in Plastics Products
machinery operating at peak efficiency. Their preprogram­
ming capabilities reduce the needed startup time and their
precise control reduces the reject rates.
Reductions in molding cycle time have also aided pro­
ductivity. Improvements in mold cooling systems have con­
tributed to reduced molding time. More sophisticated mold
designs have also reduced the time required for the molding
operation. Continual improvements in resins have made im­
portant contributions to productivity gains in molding. Im­
proved resins offer such advantages as faster flow, easier
ejection, and reduced mold deposit. The advantages of these
resins have reduced the cycle time in many molding oper­
ations.6
A significant development in materials handling has been
the adoption of robots for the performance of operations
involving such activities as lifting, tilting, twisting, posi­
tioning, aligning, or transferring of items. Robots have been
used for a number of premolding and postmolding opera­
tions, such as loading and unloading presses and the han­
dling and orienting of finished parts for takeaway. Robots
offer the advantage of working tirelessly without interrup­
tion, improving product quality and shortening cycle time.
In addition to their role with molding machines, robots are
also being used in such downsteam processes as trimming
and deflashing. Robots have also proven beneficial for spray
coating plastic parts. The robots offer more uniform and
accurate coating weights and fewer rejects, while perform­
ing at higher levels of productivity.
The use of lasers has been growing in the plastic pro­
cessing industry. Lasers have been adopted for cutting and
drilling uses and also for their capacity to measure and
inspect accurately and quickly. Measuring systems can use
interruption of laser scans to determine dimensions while
inspection units detect disruptions of the beam when it hits
defects, such as bubbles or other flaws, in the surface.

1Average annual rates o f change are based on the linear least squares
trends of the logarithms o f the index numbers. The miscellaneous plastics
products industry is composed of establishments primarily engaged in
molding primary plastics for the trade and fabricating miscellaneous fin­
ished plastics products. The industry is designated as sic 3079 in the
S ta n d a r d I n d u s tr ia l C la s s ific a tio n M a n u a l, 1972 Edition, issued by the
Office o f Management and Budget. Extension of the indexes appears in
the annual BLS Bulletin, P r o d u c tiv ity M e a s u r e s f o r S e le c te d I n d u s tr ie s .
"For more information on the subject of pipe, see “ Agpipe Picks U p ,”
M o d e r n P la s tic s , March 1975, pp. 54-55; and “ Volume Pipe Resin: A
Million-Ton 1977 Market Will Grow 30 percent by 1980,” M o d e r n P l a s ­
tic s , December 1977, pp. 3 4 -3 7 .

3 For descriptions o f the various processes and definitions of many of

20


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Analysis of the reflected/refracted light, generally by com­
puter control, provides information on the defects. The laser
can be connected with process controls, thus permitting
adjustment of process parameters in response to detected
defects. Lasers can cut thick plastics in a single step, pro­
viding clean, smooth edges which do not require abrasive
finishing. The speed and precision of lasers and their ability
to replace manual operations have enabled them to contrib­
ute to industry productivity gains.

Outlook for technology
More frequent adoption of microprocessor controls for
production equipment probably will be an important part of
the future automation of the industry. A move toward almost
total computer control of many plants appears to be a very
real possibility. Microprocessor controls for individual ma­
chines could be linked to central computers which coordi­
nate and control the overall manufacturing operation.7
Increased adoption of robots also appears likely as part
of the push for greater efficiency; not only will there be
more robots but the capabilities of those robots almost cer­
tainly will expand. Laser systems will probably also con­
tinue to be adopted.
Improvements in resins have been an important factor in
productivity growth and the industry should continue to
benefit from the development and introduction of better
resins. Modifications in production machinery to take ad­
vantage of new resins may also be beneficial to productivity
gains.
Demand for industry output should grow relatively well
in coming years, as plastics are substituted for other ma­
terials in the manufacture of various products. Any further
declines in petroleum prices would also benefit the price
competitiveness of plastics products by reducing the cost of
raw materials.
rn

the terms used in the miscellaneous plastics products industry, see S ta n ­
d a r d s a n d P r a c tic e s o f P l a s tic s M o ld e r s a n d P la s tic s M o ld e d P a r ts B u y e r s
G u id e (New York, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., 1965), pp.
3 5 -4 6 .
4 See “ Many New Developments in RIM M achines,” P la s tic W o rld ,
September 1979, pp. 4 9 -5 1 .
5 “ New High-Productivity Equipment Transforms Conventional Pro­
cessin g,” M o d e r n P la s tic s , December 1980, pp. 5 2 -5 4 .
6 See “ High Productivity and Economy in New Grades of Engineering
R esins,” M o d e r n P la s tic s , October 1980, pp. 5 2 -5 3 .
7See Frank Nissel, “ Extrusion’s Next Goal Should Be More Produc­
tivity,” and Jack Alger, “ The New World of Computer-Integrated Pro­
duction System s,” M o d e r n P la s tic s , June 1982, pp. 90 and 9 4 -9 5 .

APPENDIX: Measurement techniques and limitations
Indexes of output per employee hour measure changes 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 index of output by
an index of industry employee hours.
The preferred output index for manufacturing industries
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 impor­
tance 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 the various
product classes were adjusted for price changes by appro­


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priate Producer Price Indexes to derive real output measures.
These, in turn, were combined with employee hour weights
to derive the overall output measure. These procedures result
in a final output index that is conceptually close to the
preferred output measure.
Employment and employee hour indexes were derived
from BLS data. Employee and employee hours are each
considered homogeneous and additive, and thus do not re­
flect changes in the qualitative aspects of labor, such as skill
and experience.
The indexes of output per employee hour do not measure
any specific contributions such as that of labor or capital.
Rather, they reflect the joint effect of factors such as changes
in technology, capital investment, capacity utilization, plant
design and layout, skill and effort of the work force, man­
agerial ability, and labor-management relations.

Errata
In “ Labor market contrasts: United States and
E urope” by Janet L. Norwood in the August M onthly
Labor Review , two lines were inadvertently dropped
from the paragraphs beginning at the bottom s o f page 3
and page 4. The paragraphs are reproduced below with
the missing lines in boldface.
Paragraph beginning at the bottom of page 3:
T h e d if f e r e n c e s a n d t h e i r e f fe c ts o n a tt i tu d e s t o w a r d
p o lic y w e re d is c u s s e d a t a r e c e n t c o n f e r e n c e in E n g la n d b y
e x p e r ts f r o m W e s te r n E u r o p e a n d N o r t h A m e r ic a . T h e q u e s ­

tion “ Has Full Employment Gone Forever?” was answered
f a r m o r e p e s s im is tic a lly b y th e E u r o p e a n s t h a n b y t h e A m e r ­
ic a n s . T h e a t t i t u d e s a t t h e c o n f e r e n c e w e re s h a p e d b y t h e
h is to r ic a l f r a m e w o r k a n d e x p e c ta tio n s o f f u t u r e d e v e lo p ­
m e n ts . T h e W e s te r n E u r o p e a n c o u n tr i e s h a d v e ry little j o b
g r o w t h d u r i n g t h e d e c a d e o f t h e 1 9 7 0 ’s; a n d in m o s t o f th e
E u r o p e a n c o u n tr i e s , t h e r e w a s little if a n y e x p a n s io n o f th e
la b o r fo rc e .

Paragraph beginning at the bottom of page 4:
Youth unemployment high. Y o u n g p e o p le a ls o t e n d t o b e
c o n c e n tr a t e d

in lo w - p a y in g j o b s — w h e n t h e y w o r k . Y o u th

u n e m p l o y m e n t r a te s a r e a t v e ry h ig h lev els in b o t h E u r o p e
a n d in th e U n i t e d S ta te s . M o r e t h a n 1 o f 5 te e n a g e r s in th e
U .S . l a b o r f o r c e is u n e m p lo y e d , a s is 1 o f 7 y o u n g a d u lts

aged 20 to 24. Unemployment rates among British, French,
I t a l i a n , a n d D u tc h y o u t h n o w m e e t o r s u r p a s s th e s e h ig h
U .S . le v e ls, w h ile W e s t G e r m a n y m a n a g e s t o m a i n t a i n m u c h
lo w e r r a te s , e s p e c ia lly f o r te e n a g e r s . (S e e t a b l e 3 .)

Reprints of the article are available from the Bureau
of Labor Statistics, Division of Inform ation Services,
W ashington, D.C. 20212.

21

The Anatomy of
Price Change
Inflation patterns in the
initial stages of recovery

D avid Callahan , D ouglass Robertson ,
AND LORIE SCHEIBEL

The newly-modified Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers (cpi-u ) advanced at a seasonally adjusted annual
rate of 2.9 percent for the first 6 months of 1983, compared
with a 3.9-percent rate during 1982.1 Prices in the first
quarter continued the general experience of the fourth quarter
of 1982 with the overall price level virtually unchanged.
This was followed by a moderate upswing, at an annual rate
of 5.4 percent, during the second quarter. (See table 1).
Energy prices have been a dominant factor in the moderation
in the CPI during the economic slowdown, and this contin­
ued into the first stages of the recovery. Following a decline
in the first quarter, the reversal in energy prices was largely
responsible for the second quarter acceleration. The initial
surge in energy prices coincided with the imposition of the
5-cent-a-gallon tax on gasoline on April 1.
During the first 6 months of the year, the Producer Price
Indexes (PPI) for finished goods and for intermediate ma­
terials showed slight decreases, while that for crude mate­
rials registered a moderate increase. The difference in the
annual rate during the first half of 1983 and during the 12
months ended in December 1982 for producer costs of crude
materials was largely attributable to a sharp upturn in the
prices of foodstuffs and feedstufifs and in nonfood materials
less energy. (See table 2.) The large decrease in intermediate
materials and finished goods prices in the first quarter fol­
lowed a corresponding change for crude materials in the
second half of 1982. As in the CPI, energy prices were a
major factor in the first quarter deceleration and subsequent
second quarter increase.

Energy prices fall, then spurt
Energy costs declined at a seasonally adjusted annual rate
of 4.8 percent during the first half of 1983. An annual rate
of decrease of 25.1 percent in the first quarter was nearly

David Callahan, Douglass Robertson, and Lorie Scheibel are economists
in the Office o f Prices and Living Conditions, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

22

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offset by a second quarter increase at an annual rate of 21
percent. (See table 3.) This large second quarter spurt in
energy costs accounted for more than 40 percent of the
second quarter rise in the overall cpi. Energy prices had
increased 1.3 percent during all of 1982.
The first quarter drop in energy prices was largely due to
a continued abundance of crude oil supplies, as opec mem­
bers failed until March to administer production quotas which
would bring oil supply more closely in line with reduced
oil demand. The slack domestic oil demand in the first
quarter occurred because there was mild winter weather in
the oil-consuming Northeast region and low industrial de­
mand for energy resources during the first months of the
recovery. Of the major individual components in the energy
index, lower prices for fuel oil, electricity, and motor fuels
were primarily responsible for the large decline in the first
quarter index. These falling prices were followed by par­
tially offsetting second quarter price increases. The only
major energy component to vary from this pattern was piped
gas, which posted sizable increases in both quarters.
Prices of motor fuels, which account for half of the energy
index, demonstrated the most dynamic quarter-to-quarter
swing. From a first-quarter plunge at a seasonally adjusted
annual rate of 36.3 percent, the index jumped at a rate of
41.4 percent in the second quarter. Abundant oil supplies,
which had lowered motor fuel prices 6.5 percent in 1982,
continued through the first quarter of 1983. By March, the
index for gasoline prices had declined to its January 1980
level.
The second quarter, however, saw the drying up of sur­
plus oil supplies as opec production quotas designed to
stabilize a $29 per barrel price for cru(le oil took effect.
Along with tightening supplies and the approach of the highdemand summer driving season, a Federal excise tax of 5
cents a gallon was imposed in April. Most refineries appear
to have taken advantage of consumers’ expectations of higher
pump prices associated with the tax to pass on additional
increases. Several States also increased their own gasoline
taxes. The total increase in motor fuel prices following the
imposition of the Federal excise tax was substantially larger
than the 5 cents. The March to June increase in pump prices
was almost 13 cents a gallon.
Household fuel prices account for the other half of the
energy index. Compared with the behavior of motor fuels
prices, their 8.5 percent rate of decline in the first quarter

and 4.5 percent increase in the second quarter were decid­
edly less volatile. The decrease in fuel oil prices in the first
quarter (43.6 percent) and the moderate drop in charges for
electricity (4.1 percent) were partially offset by a 14.3percent increase in the index for piped gas. A second quarter
turnaround in the indexes for fuel oil and electricity, which
were up at annual rates of 2.1 and 2.6 percent, in part,
moderated another sizable increase in piped gas of 17.6
percent.
The continued climb in piped natural gas prices reflects
the continuing effects of decontrol and take-or-pay contracts.
However, as the result of attempted renegotiations in long­
term take-or-pay contracts, the piped gas index fell fourtenths of a percent from May to June. This was the first
decline in piped gas prices since August 1982.
An omen of future piped gas price changes, the p p i for
natural gas decreased during the second quarter at an annual
rate of 14.8 percent. Further piped gas price reductions are
possible as suppliers attempt to stabilize prices to discourage
users from switching to cheaper fuel oil.
Electricity rates followed the general trend of other energy
prices as oil-fired plants took advantage of the lower first-

quarter fuel oil prices. As fuel oil prices increased in the
second quarter, electricity rates increased at a 2.6-percent
annual rate.

Increase in shelter costs
The index for services less energy rose at a 4.2-percent
annual rate in the first 6 months of 1983, following a 3.4percent rise in 1982. (See table 4.) Costs of shelter services
and other household services accounted for much of the
increase. The index for owners’ equivalent rent, which rep­
resents the cost of shelter services of owner-occupied hous­
ing, advanced at a 4.4-percent annual rate, and the residential
rent component increased at a 4.5-percent rate during the
first half of the year. Other renters’ costs, despite a sharp
increase in charges for out-of-town lodging, registered a
smaller rate of increase during the first half of 1983 than
during 1982.
Among other household services, prices for maintenance
and repair services accelerated from the preceding year, as
increased activity in construction was accompanied by higher
labor charges. Prices for telephone and water and sewage
services rose sharply in the first 3 months, then moderated

T ab le 1. C hanges in selected com ponents of the C onsum er Price Index for All U rban C onsum ers, 1 9 8 2 -8 3
Index

Relative importance,
Dec. 1982

12-month
percent change,
Dec. 1981
to
Dec. 1982

Compound annual rate, seasonally adjusted, except as
noted, for 3 months ended—
1982

1983

Sept.

Dec.

Mar.

June

Annualized effect1 for 3
months ended
Mar. 1983

June 1983

All item s................................................................
Food and beverages.........................................
Food at ho m e ..............................................
Food away from home.................................
Alcoholic beverages....................................

100.000
20.069
12.867
6.097
1.106

3.9
3.2
2.2
5.0
4.0

4.1
.9
-1 .8
6.2
4.3

0.5
.9
-1 .1
5.0
3.5

0.4
3.0
3.5
2.2
5.2

5.4
1.9
.3
4.4
3.6

0.4
.6
.4
.1
.1

5.4
.3
.0
.3
.0

Housing..............................................................
Shelter...........................................................
Renters’ c o s ts .........................................
Homeowners’ costs3 ...............................
Maintenance and repairs3 .......................
Fuel and other utilities.................................
Household furnishings and operation . . . .

37.721
21.339
6.932
13.881
.526
8.377
8.005

3.6
2.4
(2)
(2)
4.2
9.7
3.5

3.2
2.0
(2)
(2)
2.8
10.7
1.7

-2 .4
-7 .2
(2)
(2)
-.7
14.2
3.8

1.6
3.9
4.5
3.6
2.5
-4 .8
1.2

4.3
5.3
4.8
5.3
6.3
4.2
1.9

.5
8
3
.5
.0
-.4
.1

1.6
11
3
.8
.0
.3
.1

Apparel and upkeep.........................................
Apparel commodities....................................
Apparel services............................................

5.205
4.422
.783

1.6
.9
6.2

2.7
2.0
7.9

-.2
-1 .5
6.6

2.9
3.1
2.1

5.0
4.7
6.0

.1
.1
.0

.3
.2
.0

Transportation.................................................
Private transportation.................................
New vehicles............................................
Used c a rs .................................................
Motor fu e l.................................................
Public transportation3 .................................

21.791
20.250
3.936
4.056
6.191
1.541

1.7
1.4
1.5
10.9
-6 .5
6.5

5.7
5.5
5.0
4.2
9.2
9.2

.3
.1
-1 .0
8.6
-4 .8
2.6

-8 .9
-9 .6
6.6
11.1
-3 6 .3
-1 .2

11.7
12.0
-3 .1
9.2
41.1
7.8

-2 .0
-2 .0
.2
.4
-2 .7
.0

2.4
2.3
-.1
.6
2.0
.1

Medical care......................................................
Medical care commodities..........................
Medical care services.................................

5.995
.976
5.019

11.0
9.6
11.2

11.6
10.1
11.9

10.0
8.7
10.1

8.8
8.3
9.1

5.5
7.3
5.0

.5
.1
.4

.3
.1
.3

4.6

2.0

.2

.1
.3

Entertainment...................................................

4.206

5.6

5.4

4.6

Other goods and services...............................

5.014

12.1

10.3

18.4

9.1

6.8

.5

All items.................................................................
Food...................................................................
Energy ..............................................................
Commodities less food and energy...............
Services less e n e rg y.......................................

100.000
18.963
12.405
26.201
42.431

3.9
3.1
1.3
5.8
3.4

4.1
.6
8.1
2.4
4.6

.5
.8
10.2
5.4
-4 .8

.4
2.8
-25.1
5.7
3.7

5.4
1.7
21.0
2.9
4.6

.4
.5
-3 .2
1.4
1.7

5.4
.3
2.3
.8
2.0

All items................................................................
Commodities...................................................
Services...........................................................

100.000
52.908
47.092

3.9
3.6
4.3

4.1
3.2
5.1

.5
3.0
-2 .8

.4
-2 .4
3.7

5.4
6.1
4.7

.4
-1 .5
1.9

5.4
3.2
2.2

1 The amount of the "all items” percent change caused by the specific component at a 2 Data are not available,
compound annual rate, seasonally adjusted except as noted.
3 Data are not seasonally adjusted.


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23

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Anatomy o f Price Change
from March to June, increasing at an annual rate of 6.5
percent during the first 6 months of 1983.
The increase in charges for medical care services slowed
to a 7-percent annual rate in the first 6 months of 1983,
compared to 11.2 percent in 1982. The cost of hospital
rooms continued to rise substantially, but at a slower rate
than in the last 2 years. Charges for professional services—
physician, dental, and other professional services— accel­
erated somewhat, increasing at an annual rate of 8.3 percent
in the first half of 1983, following a 6.9-percent increase
in 1982.
Among other services, the transportation service index
increased at a slower rate this year than in 1982, due to
larger declines in auto financing charges and a slower rate
of increase in automobile registration fees and most forms
of public transportation. Declining fuel costs and compe­
tition-induced discount airline fares were largely responsible
for the first-quarter decline in public transportation price
increases. An increase in airline fares, partially due to fewer
discount fares, and a sharp jump in intercity bus fares, were
responsible for the second-quarter advance of 7.8 percent.
Prices for most other types of services, including entertain­
ment, personal care, apparel, and personal and educational
expenses also decelerated in the first half of 1983.

Food price increases small
For the 6 months ended in June, retail food prices in­
creased at an annual rate of 2.2 percent. (See table 5.)
Although larger than the increase during the second half of
1982, the annual rate for food price increases was still smaller

T ab le 2. C h an g es in produ cer prices, by stage of
pro cessin g , 1 9 8 2 -8 3

Item

12-month
Compound annual rate,
percent seasonally adjusted except as
change
noted,
for 3 months ended—
Relative
Dec.
importance
1982
1983
1981
Dec. 1982
to
Dec.
Sept. Dec.
Mar. June
1982

Finished go o ds..................
Finished consumer
goods..........................
Finished consumer
fo o d s..........................
Finished energy goods
Finished consumer
goods less food and
e n e rg y.......................
Capital equipment..........

100.000

3.7

4.2

5.2

-4 .7

2.9

77.495

3.6

4.4

5.8

-6 .8

3.4

23.702
13.189

2.1
-.1

-7 .7
30.9

.8
7.0

3.6
-34.3

.2
10.1

40.607
22.502

5.3
3.9

4.2
3.5

7.9
3.6

-2 .3
3.3

2.9
.8

Intermediate materials. . . .
Intermediate foods and
fe e d s..........................
Intermediate energy
goods..........................
Immediate materials less
foods and energy . . .

100.000

.2

1.4

1.3

-4 .4

4.1

4.802

.0

-13.7

-4 .5

9.9

6.1

7.3

6.6

-25.7

5.3

78.717

.6

1.0

1.0

1.1

2.5

Crude materials..................
Crude foodstuffs and
feedstuffs..................
Crude energy materials1
Crude nonfood materials
less e n ergy................

100.000

.4

-12.2

1.5

3.6

5.2

51.183
34.388

1.5
2.6

-26.4
8.7

1.3
6.4

18.1
-7 .6

.8
-6 .5

14.429

-7 .6

2.9

-8 .0

-15.7

58.5

16.481

1 Data are not seasonally adjusted.

Digitized for24
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-.7

Tab le 3. C h an g es in c o n su m er prices for energy-related
item s 1 9 8 2 -8 3

Index

Relative
importance
Dec. 1982

12-month
Compound annual rate,
percent seasonally adjusted except as
change
noted, for 3 months ended—
Dec.
1982
1983
1981
to
Dec.
Sept. Dec.
Mar. June
1982

E n e r g y ............................................
H o u s e h o ld f u e l s ..................
Fuel o i l .................................
E le c tric ity . , ......................
G as (p ip e d )1 ......................

1 2 .4 0 5
6 .2 1 4
1 .3 4 0
2 .5 8 8
2 .0 7 3

1 .3
1 0 .5
-.7
6 .4
2 5 .4

8.1
1 2 .3
1 1 .6
5 .0
1 7 .4

1 0 .2
17.1
10 6
8 .8
2 7.1

-2 5 .1
- 8 .5
-4 3 .6
- 4.1
1 4 .3

2 1 .0
4 .5
2.1
2 .6
1 7 .6

M o to r fu e l.................................
G a s o lin e .............................

6.1 9 1

-6 .5
-6 .6

9 .2
9 .2

-4 .8
-5 .1

-3 6 .3
-3 6 .2

41 .1
4 1 .7

-

1 Data are not seasonally adjusted.

than the rate for 1982 as a whole. Adequate to abundant
supplies at the wholesale level, lower energy costs, and
reduced demand contributed to the slowdown of retail food
prices. All major grocery store food groups recorded small
increases in the first half. At the farm level, the p p i for crude
foodstuffs and feedstuffs advanced at a 9.1-percent annual
rate from December to June with smaller increases reflected
in the intermediate and finished consumer foods series. The
second-quarter increases at all three stages of processing,
however, were markedly less than during the first quarter.
Of all the major food groups, fruits and vegetables, being
particularly sensitive to weather conditions, exhibited the
greatest month-to-month price fluctations. Nearly offsettng
large monthly price swings resulted in a 6-month annual
rate of increase of 2.7 percent. Fresh vegetable prices rose
sharply during the first 6 months, at a 14-percent seasonally
adjusted annual rate. Heavy rains during the winter and early
spring in Florida, California, and western Mexico (an im­
portant U.S. supplier of winter and spring vegetables) dis­
rupted planting and harvesting schedules, delayed growth,
reduced yields, and damaged crops. Prices were sharply
higher for potatoes and lettuce in the second quarter, while
tomato prices shot up during the first quarter and then fell
in the second quarter to levels substantially lower than 12
months earlier. By June, prices for most fresh vegetables
had declined from their spring levels. Fresh fruit prices were
down at a 4.3-percent annual rate in the first half of the
year, as a large drop in the first quarter was partially offset
by a small increase in the second. Unfavorable weather
conditions in Central America pushed up prices for bananas,
while a large Florida citrus crop kept price increases in other
fresh fruits indexes small. Prices for apples, oranges, and
other fresh fruits remain well below those of a year ago.
The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs recorded a
slight increase during the first half. A sharp jump in egg
prices, coupled with moderate price increases in poultry and
fish and seafood, were enough to offset the declines in pork
and beef prices. Ample supplies and sluggish demand re­
sulted in a sharp drop in pork prices, while less than seasonal

increases yielded a small seasonally adjusted decrease in
beef prices. Although registering a small rise during the first
6 months of 1983, poultry prices, like those of beef and
pork, have declined over the past 12 months. The U.S.
Department of Agriculture ( u s d a ) estimates that red meat
and pork supplies will remain well above those of a year
earlier. Plentiful supplies also characterized the poultry in­
dustry, but increased feed costs and lower profitability are
expected to result in monthly supplies that will be the same
or slightly less than in the preceding year. Retail egg prices
increased sharply in the first half, as production decreased.
Prices for dairy products have increased at a 1.6-percent
annual rate, reflecting continued burdensome milk supplies
during the first 6 months. Because of this oversupply, and
in order to reduce price support costs to the Government,
a 50-cent-per-hundredweight tax on producers of all com­
mercial milk was implemented in April 1983. The impact
of this action, combined with high feed costs and slowing
gains in milk production, may increase retail prices for most
dairy products later in the year.
Spurred by a stronger economy, overall per-capita food
consumption is likely to rise in 1983. Despite increased
demand, continuing ample supplies should yield only mod­
erate price increases for most food items. The recently im­

Tab le 4. C h an g es in prices fo r consum er services, less
energy, 1 9 8 2 -8 3

index

Services less energy..........
Rent of shelter1 ...............
Rent, residential1 .............
Owners' equivalent rent1
Other renters’ costs . . .
Household services less
rent of shelter1.............
Maintenance and repair
services1.......................
Household insurance1 . .
Telephone service1 . . . .
Water and sewage
maintenance...............
Housekeeping services1

12-month
Compound annual rate,
percent seasonally adjusted except as
change, noted, for 3 months ended—
Relative
Dec.
importance
1983
1982
1981
Dec. 1982
to
Dec.
Mar. June
Sept. Dec.
1982
42.431
20.340
6.029
13.490
.904

3.4
(2)
6.6
(2)
8.7

4.6
(2)
8.0

-4 .8
(2)
7.1
-2 .3

3.7
4.1
4.9
3.2
.0

4.6
5.2
4.0
5.7
10.7

18.4

9.810

(2)

(2)

(2)

6.6

10.6

.284
.391
1.487

4.5
(2)
7.3

3.7

-1 .2

5.8

6.7

5.8
6.1
9.6

5.3
3.6
3.1

.491
2.228

9.2
2.6

9.6
2.2

4.2
2.1

12.2
1.8

3.9
2.7

(2)

<2)

(2)

(4

Apparel services...............

.783

6.2

7.9

6.6

2.1

6.0

Transportation services . . .
Auto maintenance repair
Other private
transportation1 .............
Public transportation1 . . .

6.863
1.707

5.3
6.2

5.5
6.2

1.1
3.7

.3
2.7

2.3
4.5

3.615
1.541

4.4
6.5

3.7
9.2

-.7

2.6

- .4
-1 .2

-.9
7.8

Medical care services . . . .

5.019

11.2

11.9

10.1

9.1

5.0

Entertainment services1. . .

1.721

6.8

8.4

5.2

6.4

4.7

Personal care services1. . .

1.007

5.8

6.1

6.8

2.3

3.3

Personal and educational
services.......................

1.549

12.6

11.5

13.0

8.6

11.4

1 Data are not seasonally adjusted.
2 Data are not available.


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Tab le 5. C hanges in consum er food prices, 1 9 8 2 -8 3

Index

Food....................................
Food at h o m e ..................
Cereals and bakery
products1.....................
Meats, poultry, fish, and
eggs............................
Dairy products1 .............
Fruits and vegetables. . .
Other foods at home . . .
Food away from home. . .

12-month
Compound annual rate,
percent seasonally adjusted except as
change
noted, for 3 months ended—
Relative
Dec.
importance
1982
1983
1981
Dec. 1982
to
Dec.
Sept. Dec. Mar. June
1982
18.963
12.867

3.1
2.2

0.6
-1 .8

0.8
-1 .1

2.8
3.5

1.7
.3

1.700

3.1

1.4

2.4

5.0

3.6

4.216
1.699
1.860
3.391
6.097

3.1
.9
.4
2.5
5.0

0.8
1.1
-15.9
1.0
6.2

-7 .0
1.3
2.3
1.4
5.0

2.5
2.9
3.4
4.9
2.2

-2 .0
.3
2.1
.5
4.4

1 Data are not seasonally adjusted.

plemented p i k (payment-in-kind) and other acreage reduction
programs designed to reduce surplus grains and booster
prices at the farm level are expected to have little or no
effect through the remainder of this year, and will push up
retail food prices only slightly next year, according to u s d a .
Because idled acres will be those that are least productive,
yields per acre are likely to increase although total produc­
tion is expected to decline. Estimated production declines
associated with the 1983 acreage decrease are 10, 50, and
45 percent for wheat, rice, and corn. Recent drought con­
ditions may further restrict supplies and eventually drive up
grain prices.

Commodity prices decelerate
Prices for commodities excluding food and energy rose
at a 4.3-percent seasonally adjusted annual rate during the
first half of 1983, a notable slowdown from the 5.8-percent
rate for all of 1982. A 5.7-percent increase in the first quarter
slowed to a 2.9-percent rate from March to June. (See table
6.) Within this category, new cars, tobacco products, and
textile housefumishings experienced the most dramatic shift
in prices from quarter to quarter, but most other commodities
also slowed down during the recent quarter.
New vehicle prices increased at an annual rate of 1.6
percent during the first 6 months of the year, largely re­
peating the 1982 experience of 1.4 percent for the year as
a whole. From December to March, prices rose 6.8 percent,
then they fell 3.5 percent in the second quarter. The price
hike associated with the introduction of the 1983 cars was
delayed as dealers tried to move large inventories of 1982
cars in the latter part of last year. As a result, the easing of
prices, which in the past occurred in February and March,
did not happen, causing the large seasonally adjusted in­
crease. On the other hand, manufacturers in the recent past
have phased in introductory price increases in a quarterly
basis, usually between January and April. To encourage
sales, the usual April increase was deferred this year. In
addition, several companies continued rebate programs,
leading to a significant decrease in the second quarter.
25

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Anatomy o f Price Change
Table 6. C hanges in prices for consum er goods other than food and energy, 1 9 8 2 -8 3
Index
Relative
importance
Dec. 1982

12-month percent
change
to
Dec. 1982

Compound annual rate, seasonally adjusted except as noted,
for 3 months ended—
1982

1983

Sept.

Dec.

Mar.

June

Commodities less food and energy...........................................

26.201

5.8

2.4

5.4

5.7

2.9

Food and beverage:
Alcoholic beverages...........................................................

1.106

4.0

4.3

3.5

5.2

3.6

Housing:
Maintenance and repair commodities1...............................
Textile housefurnishings...................................................
Furniture and bedding........................................................
Appliances, including radio and t v...................................
Other household equipment1..............................................
Housekeeping supplies......................................................

.242
.574
1.300
1.208
1.009
1.686

3.3
5.1
2.7
2.4
3.9
5.4

-.9
2.9
.8
.3
-3 .4
5.6

1.2
3.7
4.2
0
4.1
4.9

-1 .2
8.9
-1 .1
1.1
4.4
2.1

73
-3 0
67
-1 3
14
1.2

Apparel and upkeep:
Apparel commodities less footw ear.................................
Footwear .............................................................................

3.744
.678

1.0
.1

2.5
-.8

-1 .3
-2 .7

3.0
4.6

57
-.4

Transportation:
New vehicles........................................................................
Used cars.............................................................................
Auto parts and equipment1.................................................

3.936
4.056
.643

1.5
10.9
-.5

5.0
4.2
-8 .1

-1 .0
8.6
.6

6.6
11 1
-2 .9

-3 .1
92
-6 .6

Medical care:
Medical care commodities.................................................

.976

9.6

10.1

8.7

8.3

7.3

Entertainment:
Entertainment com m odities..............................................

2.485

4.9

3.6

4.2

3.7

.0

Other goods and services:
Tobacco products1 .............................................................
Toilet goods and personal care applicances1 ..................
School books and supplies.................................................

1.387
.850
.220

20.1
7.5
11.3

16.0
4.6
13.1

48.2
5.1
6.8

17.2
8.0
11.5

37
69
12.5

Used car prices, which increased 10.9 percent in 1982,
advanced at about the same rate (10.1 percent) during the
first half of 1983. Prices had soared from December 1979
to December 1981, increasing at an annual rate of nearly
20 percent, because of the robust secondary market asso­
ciated with dismal performance of new car sales.
Tobacco products also showed a major deceleration of
prices between the first and second quarter. The price in­
crease, at a 3.7-percent annual rate from March to June,
was significantly below the 17.2- and 48.2-percent rates
recorded in the previous two quarters. Last summer, the
Federal Government enacted an increase of 8 cents per pack
in the Federal excise tax on cigarettes, effective January 1,
1983. Manufacturers steadily increased prices in the latter
part of 1982, ostensibly to avoid a large one-time price hike,
thus causing the sharp advance in the fourth quarter of last

26

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year. With the actual imposition of the tax, a large increase
was reflected early in the first quarter, with relatively mod­
erate price increases afterwards.
Most other commodities within this grouping showed some
price moderation between 1982 and the first half of 1983.
The major exception was clothing prices, which rose at an
annual rate of 3.9 percent in 1983, following a 0.9-percent
increase in 1982.

---------- F O O T N O T E ---------1Beginning in January 1983, the cpi- u used an improved method based
on rental equivalence to measure homeowners costs. The rental equivalence
approach calculates homeowner costs of the shelter based on the implicit
rent owners would have to pay to rent the homes they occupy. The cpi- u
which used the asset approach to homeownership (old series), showed
a 2.5 percent annual rate of increase after seasonal adjustment.

Research
Summaries

Employment and wages reported
by California farmers in 1982
G a r y Jo h n s t o n a n d P hilip L. M artin

In California, the Nation’s largest agricultural State, 82,000
farms reported employing an annual average of 66,000 farm­
ers and family workers and 223,000 hired workers to pro­
duce crops and livestock worth $14 billion in 1982. The
vitality of California agriculture obviously has a significant
influence on the health of the State’s economy.
Most farms in the United States and in California are
owned and operated by farmers and their families. Through­
out the Nation, farmers do 70 percent of all farm work, but
in California hired workers do 70 percent of the State’s farm
work and farmers, only 30 percent.
Farm labor statistics are confusing and contradictory. The
Federal Government collects information on farm labor in
the C e n s u s of A g r i c u l t u r e . The U . S . D e p a r t m e n t of A g r i ­
culture sends an employment questionnaire to farmers in
July and publishes the results in Farm Labor. The depart­
ment also contracts with the Bureau of the Census to ask
the 60,000 households in the Current Population Survey
questions about farmwork every other December and pub­
lishes the results from about 1,500 farmworker households
in biennial The Hired Farm Work Force reports. California’s
local Job Service offices submit monthly estimates-of ag­
ricultural employment that are published in 881 reports of
the State’s Economic Development Department. These in­
formation gathering efforts have different purposes and uti­
lize different survey techniques, so each deals with a different
part of the heterogeneous farm labor market. A further com­
plication is the presence of the unreported illegal or “ un­
documented” workers who pour into the market, mostly
from Mexico.
The Census of Agriculture reported that more than half

Gary Johnston is a farm adviser for the University of California Cooperative
Extension in Fresno, and Philip L. Martin is associate professor of agri­
cultural economics at the University of California. Davis.


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of California farms hired a total of 800,000 farmworkers in
1978 (a worker employed on two farms would be counted
twice). The July 1982 survey of employers reported in Farm
Labor that California farms employed 240,000 workers who
averaged 43 hours of work each week. Wages averaged
$4.39 for hourly workers and $6.63 per hour for piece-rate
workers. The 1981 Hired Farm Work Force survey inter­
viewed a sample of farmworkers and reported that 334,000
persons worked at least 1 hour for wages in California,
Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada. Of this number, about 49
percent were Hispanic. California’s monthly estimates show
hired farmworker employment ranging from 175,000 in March
to 270,000 in September, or an annual average of 223,000
hired farmworkers.
The farm labor data collected regularly by Federal and
State agencies are confusing to policymakers and of limited
use to farmers and farmworker representatives because each
statistical system paints a different but unclear picture of
the farm labor market. Much as the blind men describing
the elephant, generalizations from a single data series may
give a misleading impression of the job market in a particular
commodity or region. To generate more detailed informa­
tion, a farm labor questionnaire was mailed to California
farmers by several farm organizations in 1982.1 Farmers
were asked 13 questions about commodities grown, the
number of year-round and seasonal employees, hours of
work and wages, and employer satisfaction with the quality
and quantity of farmworkers.

The 1982 survey
More than 800 employers responded to the survey, and
they represented the spectrum of crops and livestock pro­
duced in California. More than half were growers. Most of
the respondents (58 percent) produced or worked in the fruit
and nut industry. The survey was mailed to employers
throughout the State, and 64 percent of the responses came
from the San Joaquin Valley, the State’s major agricultural
area.
The farmers reported that they employed 42,000 yearround workers and 139,000 seasonal workers in 1981. The
619 farms that employed year-round workers averaged 68
27

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Research Summaries
Tab le 1. Y ear-roun d fa rm w o rkers and hourly w ages by region and crop
Employees
Region

Number
of farms

Mean

All regions
Multiregion1 ......................................................
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Vegetables.........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Livestock...........................................................
Diversified.........................................................

619
22
11
7
1
3

67.7
112.5
157.1
61.8
250.0
22.0

Southern California2
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Field crops.........................................................
Vegetables.........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Nurseries...........................................................
Livestock...........................................................
Diversified.........................................................

75
7
26
15
7
4
16

South coast3
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Field crops.........................................................
Vegetables.........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Diversified.........................................................

46
3
38
1
4

Central coast4
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Field crops.........................................................
V e g e ta b le s .........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Nurseries...........................................................
Livestock...........................................................
Diversified.........................................................

54

Standard
deviation

Hourly wages
Minimum

Maximum

Number
of farms

Mean

Standard
deviation

Minimum

Maximum

209.9
96.2
—
13.6

1
3
3
5
—
6.0

1,820
700
700
275
—
30

610
18
9
5
1
3

$4.91
6.11
6.77
5.86
4.60
5.41

$1.25
1.35
1.80
0.97
—
1.11

$3.35
4.00
4.00
5.00
—
4.75

$12.80
10.25
10.25
7.50
—
6.70

160.7
11.4
94.8
450.3
203.8
9.5
80.8

239.1
17.7
165.5
634.6
272.1
4.7
129.2

1
1
2
1
14
3
2

1,820
50
700
1,820
600
14
400

68
7
24
11
6
3
17

4.77
4.97
4.71
5.18
4.36
4.25
4.75

0.97
0.49
1.40
0.88
0.54
0.75
0.81

3.35
4.35
3.35
3.35
3.65
3.50
3.50

10.00
5.90
10.00
6.50
5.00
5.00
6.50

57.9
23.3
57.2
375.0
11.7

77.6
20.1
91.3
—
10.7

1
1
2
—
2

500
40
500
—
22

46
4
37
1
4

6.00
6.37
6.09
5.26
5.08

1.17
0.68
1.28
—
0.99

3.83
5.80
3.83
—
4.00

10.45
7.30
10.45
__
6.00

1
44

76.2
5.0

129.7
—

1
—

825
—

8 7 .7

1 5 2 .7

2

825

1
42

4

24.2

3
1

5 0 .0

1.0
4.0

24.3
63.3
—
—

1
9
—
—

50
123
—
—

151.6
40.3
21.0
144.4
—
10.1
323.4

1
2
1
1

8
50

51.6
24.4
16.7
41.7
160.0
9.6
136.3

North coast6
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Nurseries...........................................................
Livestock...........................................................

16
9
1
6

12.9
16.2
26.0
5.8

14.1
18.8
—
9.4

—

Sacramento Valley7
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Field crops.........................................................
Vegetables.........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Nurseries...........................................................
Diversified.........................................................

43
10
3
19
2
9

37.5
14.2
6.0
7.5
36.5
137.5

76.3
13.69
3.6
7.2
40.3
324.4

3

San Joaquin Valley5
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Field crops.........................................................
Vegetables.........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Nurseries...........................................................
Livestock...........................................................
Diversified.........................................................

1
363
17
27
260
1

1 Employers with locations in several regions
2 Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside, Imperial counties
3 Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo counties.
4 Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa
counties.

per farm, with a range of 1 to 1,820. (See table 1.) Most
of the farms employed fewer than 10 year-round workers;
81 percent surveyed had fewer than 50.
A total of 755 farms employed 139,000 seasonal workers
sometime in 1981 (seasonal workers are double-counted if
they work for two responding employers). (See table 2.)
Respondents employed an average of 184 seasonal farm­
workers, ranging from a low of 2 to a high of 15,000
seasonal workers (one vegetable farm in Southern Califor­
nia). More than 41 percent of responding farms reported
that they hired between 11 and 50 seasonal workers. Farms
in Southern California employed most of the seasonal work­
ers: 29 vegetable farms averaged 750 seasonal workers each,
28

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—
1
1

6.40
4.50

1.68
—

3.75
—

12.80
—

6 .6 8

1 .9 6

3 .7 5

5.61
4.68
5.00
7.50

1.16
0.35
—
—

4.00
4.30
—
—

1 2 .8 0
7 .0 0

3
1
1

1,594
175
100
1,594
—
30
1,560

372
17
23
278

4.55
4.37
4.89
4.52
4.38
4.69

0.86
0.68
1.12
0.87
—
1.16
0.77

3.35
3.40
3.65
3.35
—
3.50
3.50

10.00
6.35
7.50
10.00
—
6.30
7.30

50
50
—
25

15
10

4.52
4.66
4.00
6.42

1.17
1.31
—
1.13

3.50
3.50
---:
3.50

7.71
7.71
—

1,000
40
10
30
65
1,000

38
9
2
19

4.69
4.78
5.12
4.39
5.25
5.23

0.92
0.80
0.17
0.95
0.80
1.25

3.60
3.65
5.00
3.60
—
4.00

7.50
6.22
5.25
7.50
—
6.35

1
1
1

1
1
1

8
2

53
5

1
5

48

1

4

1

7

5 .0 0

5.00
—
—

6 .0 0

5 Kern, Inyo, north through San Joaquin, Calaveras, and Alpine counties.

6
7

Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Trinity, Humboldt, Del Norte counties.
Solano, Sacramento, Yolo, Amador, north throuqh Siskiyou and Modoc counties.

Source:

Field Workweek Survey, 1982.

and 13 fruit and nut farms averaged 890 seasonal employees
each.
in Southern California employed most of the seasonal work­
ers: 29 vegetable farms averaged 750 seasonal workers each,
and 13 fruit and nut farms averaged 890 seasonal employees
each.
Some seasonal workers leave the area or the State after
the harvest and then migrate back to California the following
season. However, only 39 percent of the seasonal workers
were reported to have migrated to their farm jobs from other
areas. Workers who resided in the area made up 45 percent
of all seasonal farmworkers, and an additional 16 percent
commuted to their jobs. Generally, livestock and nursery

Tab le 2. S easonal farm w o rkers and hourly w ages by region and crop
Hourly wages

Employees
Region

Maximum

Number
of farms

Mean

Standard
deviation

Minimum

Maximum

15,000
1,300
1,300
350

$4.85
6.64
7.53
6.20
4.35
4.73

$1.71
2.95
3.74
2.49

$3.00
3.50
4.00
4.50

220

711
22
12
6
1
3

1.72

3.50

$20.00
18.00
18.00
11.00
—
6.70

3
4
6
4
17
3
6

15,000
150
15,000
4,000
750
38
800

70
7
28
12
4
3
16

4.47
4.45
4.65
4.67
3.70
4.08
4.31

1.03
0.89
1.47
0.61
0.40
0.52
0.91

3.35
3.75
3.35
3.40
3.35
3.50
3.40

10.00
6.30
10.00
5.50
4.25
4.50
6.50

196.1
60.8
207.6
—
210.1

8
29
8
—
8

1,200
115
1,200
—
450

40
1
34
1
4

6.42
5.90
6.59
4.90
5.56

2.19
—
2.41
—
1.47

3.75
—
3.75
—
4.00

16.66
—
16.66
—
7.50

213.7

3

1,500

56
1
43
7
2
2
1

6.78
4.50
7.36
5.09
4.10
4.50
6.00

2.78

3.50

20.00

3.36
1.57
—
0.35

4.00
3.50
4.10
4.25

20.00
7.50
4.10
4.75

4.48
3.76
4.65
4.52
4.40
4.17
4.36

1.01
0.30
1.11
1.05

3.35
3.40
3.35
3.00

10.00
4.42
8.00
10.00

0.73
0.98

3.40
3.35

5.00
9.00

Mean

Standard
deviation

Minimum

755
24
13
7
1
3

183.7
279.2
376.6
178.0
270.0
96.6

627.07
321.9
403.5
136.3
—
106.9

2
6
6
15
30

Livestock...........................................................
Diversified.........................................................

76
7
29
13
7
4
16

492.3
38.7
750.2
889.7
227.5
16.7
135.6

1,304.2
50.9
2,753.9
1,034.9
310.3
13.3
201.5

South coast3
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Field crops........................................................
Vegetables........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Diversified.........................................................

43
2
36
1
4

166.3
72.0
175.9
134.0
135.7

Central coast4
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Field crops........................................................
Vegetables........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Nurseries...........................................................
Livestock...........................................................
Diversified..............................................

59
1
46
7
2
2
1

160.5
150.0
175.1
67.4
17.5
351.5
60.0

San Joaquin Valley5
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Field crops........................................................
Vegetables.........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Nurseries...........................................................
Livestock...........................................................
Diversified.........................................................

' 490
17
28
390
1
3
51

North coast6
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Livestock...........................................................
Sacramento Valley7
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Field crops.........................................................
Vegetables........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Nurseries...........................................................
Diversified.........................................................

All regions
Multiregion1 ......................................................
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Vegetables........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................
Livestock...........................................................
Diversified.........................................................
Southern California2
All c ro p s ...........................................................
Field crops........................................................
Vegetables........................................................
Fruits and n u ts .................................................

Number
of farms

—

—

—

—

246.0
42.1
9.1
492.8
—

5
6
11
3
—

1,500
120
24
700
—

149.7
94.0
203.3
120.2
300.0
25.3
368.7

301.4
110.4
283.3
235.8

2
5
4
2

2,700
460
1,221
2,100

14.0
590.4

12
7

40
2,700

463
16
26
367
1
4
49

15
12
3

55.8
65.2
18.6

82.0
97.1
21.9

5
8
5

350
350
44

15
11
4

5.23
5.46
4.62

1.40
1.30
1.70

3.00
3.50
3.00

8.00
8.00
7.00

48
10
4
23
1
10

77.8
38.0
49.5
62.1
70.0
166.1

112.8
26.6
26.2
63.7

6
9
15
6

600
85
70
300

45
10
3
20
2
10

4.48
4.50
5.11
4.06
4.70
5.08

0.73
0.88
0.95
0.42
0.28
1.25

3.50
3.50
4.10
3.50
4.50
4.00

7.50
6.68
6.00
5.00
4.91
7.50

—

—

210.2

—

—

6

—

—

600

—

—

—

1 EmDlovers with locations in several regions.
2 Los Anaeles. San Bernardino, Oranqe, Riverside, Imperial counties
3 Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo counties.
4 Monterev. San Benito, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa
counties.

5 Kern, Inyo, north through San Joaquin, Calaveras, and Alpine counties.
6 Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Trinity, Humboldt, Del Norte counties.
7 Solano, Sacramento, Yolo, Amador, north through Siskiyou and Modoc counties.

workers resided locally; seasonal field crop workers tended
to commute to their jobs. Seasonal workers on field, fruit
and nut, and diversified farms were most likely to migrate.
Of the average 186 seasonal workers employed on respond­
ing farms, 84 were local residents, 73, migrants, and 29,
commuters.

and workers’ compensation insurance (6 to 18 percent). Nor
do they include the cost of fringe benefits, such as health
insurance, vacation, pension contributions, and transpor­
tation allowances. Respondents reported one average wage
for all their year-round workers and another for seasonal
workers, so these sample averages obscure the variation in
wages on each farm.
Reported farmworker wages varied widely across Cali­
fornia. Hourly wages for year-round workers ranged from
$3.35 to $12.80. Year-round vegetable workers in the Cen­
tral Coast region that includes the Salinas Valley averaged
$6.68 hourly, and vegetable wages elsewhere ranged from
$6.77 hourly on multiregion farms to $4.71 on Southern
California vegetable farms. Year-round livestock and field

Hourly wages
Average hourly wages were $5.16 for year-round workers
and $5.14 for seasonal farmworkers. These wages, which
are higher than State estimates, are gross wages that reflect
cash and piece-rate wages paid to workers. The wages do
not include mandatory taxes for social security (13.4 percent
of base wages), unemployment insurance (4 to 6 percent),


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Source: Field Workweek Survey, 1982.

29

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Research Summaries
crop workers received the lowest hourly wages, usually
$4.25 to $4.75. The highest wages were reported by a Sal­
inas vegetable farm that paid its year-round workers an
average hourly wage of $12.80; the lowest, by Southern
California fruit and vegetable farms that paid their yearround workers $3.35 hourly.
Seasonal workers averaged $5.14 hourly, with a range
of $3 to $20. Seasonal vegetable workers in the Central
Coast region averaged $7.36 hourly, while field workers in
the San Joaquin Valley averaged only $3.77 per hour. A
Salinas vegetable farm reported the highest wages, an av­
erage of $20 hourly; a North Coast livestock farm reported
the lowest, an average of $3. Seasonal fruit and vegetable
workers, who often do harvest work for piece rates, had the
highest average hourly earnings.
Most respondents offered their year-round and seasonal
workers fringe benefits. Health insurance was the most com­
mon fringe benefit, offered to 97 percent of all year-round
workers and 85 percent of the seasonal workers. More than
87 percent of all year-round workers were eligible for paid
vacations, in contrast to 27 percent of the seasonal farm
work force. Life insurance was offered to 74 percent of the
year-round workers and 41 percent of the seasonal workers.
Housing was provided to 26 percent of the seasonal work
force and 30 percent of the year-round work force. Gen­
erally, seasonal field and livestock workers were less likely
to have health insurance (only one-third) but more likely to
have housing provided by the employer (two-thirds). Fringe
benefits were most common in Southern California, the
south coast, and the central coast.
Unions represented 6 percent of the farmworkers em­
ployed by responding farms. More than 70 percent of the
vegetable employers responding to the survey had unionized
work forces. Union contracts were most common in South­
ern California, the south coast, and the central coast regions.
Unionized farmworkers were rare in the north coast and
Sacramento Valley regions.

Recruitment and attitudes
The farm labor market experiences simultaneous labor
shortages and surpluses as it matches thousands of seasonal
workers with jobs that last from several days to several
months. Farmers were asked how they recruited farmwork­
ers and if they were satisfied with the quantity and the quality
of employed farmworkers. About two-thirds of the respon­
dents reported that they recruited workers directly or relied
on current employees to recruit additional workers. About
one-fourth of the respondents relied on farm labor contrac­
tors to supply some or all of their farmworkers. Livestock
farms were most likely to recruit workers directly, while
San Joaquin fruit and nut farmers were most likely to rely
on farm labor contractors.
Most employers were satisfied with the quality and quan­
tity of farmworkers. More than 91 percent of seasonal em- •
ployers were very or moderately successful in obtaining a
30


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sufficient quantity of seasonal workers, and 83 percent were
satisfied with the quality of the workers recruited. An over­
whelming 95 percent of year-round employers felt that they
were very or moderately successful in attracting enough
year-round workers, and 94 percent were satisfied with the
quality of their year-round employees. Fruit and nut em­
ployers, especially in the San Joaquin Valley, reported the
most difficulty getting enough seasonal and year-round
farmworkers, a difficulty that could be attributed to their
heavy reliance on farm labor contractors.
California farmers must pay overtime wages of at least
one and one-half times the regular wage after 10 hours of
work in any day or 60 hours in any week. Farmers were
asked what actions they would take if they were required
to pay overtime wages after an 8-hour work day and after
an employee had worked 40 hours in a week. Farmers were
asked to distinguish short-run and long-run actions, select­
ing from a list of responses that included no change in
current practices, hire additional workers, mechanize, change
crops, share labor with other employers, rely on a custom
harvester, or quit farming. The most frequent short-run
responses to a change in the overtime wage law were to
hire additional workers (62 percent), mechanize wherever
possible (51 percent), and make no changes in present prac­
tices (24 percent). A significant number of employers, 14
to 17 percent, said they would change production methods,
switch to less labor-intensive crops, and rely more on farm
labor contractors or custom harvesters, or both.
In the long run, more than 63 percent of the respondents
said they would mechanize wherever possible, 33 percent
would hire additional workers to reduce overtime wage pay­
ments, 32 percent would switch to less labor-intensive crops,
and 28 percent would change production methods to use
less labor. Field crop and diversified farms were most likely
to mechanize immediately, while vegetable farms reported
that they would mechanize within 3 to 5 years if the overtime
wage law were changed. Only 17 farms said a change in
the overtime wage law would cause them to quit farming.

Conclusions
The 1982 farm labor survey provides another view of
California’s farm labor market. Responses from more than
800 farm employers indicate that the average farm with yearround employees has 68-year-round workers who averaged
$5.16 hourly. Farms with seasonal workers employed an
average of 184 workers and paid an average of $5.14 hourly.
Generally, fruit and vegetable workers in the central coast,
southern coast, and Southern California regions had the
highest average hourly earnings, while field crop and live­
stock workers in the north coast and central valley regions
had the lowest. Almost all of the responding farms provided
health insurance for their year-round and seasonal workers
and many offered paid vacations, bonuses, and other fringe
benefits.
Employers appeared to be quite satisfied with both the

quantity and quality of farmworkers. If farmers were re­
quired to pay overtime wages after 8 hours per day or 40
hours per week, most would try to hire additional workers
and mechanize in the short run to reduce overtime wage
premiums. In the long run, farmers would mechanize, hire
additional workers, and switch to less labor-intensive crops.
The results of the 1982 survey must be interpreted with
caution. Questionnaires were distributed to the members of
five California farm organizations, and the survey results
are based on relatively complete responses from only 12
percent of those who were sent the questionnaire. Respon­
dents appear to include most of the large farm employers
who hire the majority of California’s farmworkers and have
relatively complete records; however, most of the responses
were from smaller employers.
The farm labor survey provides benchmark information
that will be most useful if future surveys are conducted to
chart California’s changing farm labor market. Among the
questions that need to be clarified in future surveys are those
relating to the average weekly and annual earnings of sea­
sonal and year-round farmworkers, the legal status of alien
farmworkers, and employer perceptions of how proposed
fines for knowingly hiring illegal alien farmworkers and an
amnesty for some current farmworkers would affect farm
operations.
□

---------- F O O T N O T E ---------1Questionnaires were sent by the California Farm Bureau, the California
and Tree Fruit League, Western Growers Association, Nisei Farmers
League, and the Farm Employers Labor Service.

These findings are from the “ National Longitudinal Study
of the High School Class of 1972,’’ the Center’s first study
to follow the progress of young people as they move from
high school to adulthood. The sample of 23,451 young
adults represents the 12th grade U.S. population in 1972.
This study discusses several aspects of the careers of young
men and women who make different choices about their
education: the reduced earnings capacity of those in college,
the crossover point when the wages of the college-educated

T a b le 1. M edian hourly w age rates of young m en and
w om en by age and education
Year and age
Educational level in 1979 at
1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
age 25
24
21
22
23
25
18
19
20
Men
No college:
Upper bound .....................
Median...............................
Lower bound.....................
Number of cases.............

Constant 1980 dollars
5.43
5.42
5.31
2,311

6.02
5.83
5.76
2,517

5.96
5.76
5.62
2,763

6.11
5.95
5.78
2,796

6.60
6.59
6.28
2,996

6.61
6.44
6.20
3,049

7.08
7.06
6.79
3,078

Less than 2 years of college:
Upper bound..................... 4.40 5.31
Median............................... 4.25 5.08
Lower bound.................... 4.14 4.99
Number of cases............. 874 1,015

5.80
5.55
5.40
1,216

5.62
5.62
5.42
1,369

6.12
5.88
5.60
1,390

6.57
6.24
5.96
1,493

6.63
6.20
6.19
1,525

7.07
6.94
6.75
1,532

2 years or more of college:
Upper bound ..................... 4.02
Median............................... 3.76
Lower bound..................... 3.74
Number of cases............. 801

4.98
4.88
4.63
1,062

5.24
5.06
4.94
1,222

5.57
5.31
5.24
1,268

6.17
5.96
5.79
1,475

6.20
6.20
6.19
1,514

6.77
6.50
6.30
1,535

Bachelor’s degree:
Upper bound ..................... 3.77 3.97 3.99 4.00
Median............................... 3.75 3.78 3.76 3.75
Lower bound..................... 3.71 3.63 3.66 3.73
Number of cases............. 659 793 942 1,066

5.25
5.08
4.89
1,436

6.24
5.96
5.83
1,946

6.49
6.20
6.19
2,001

7.06
6.86
6.78
2,035

4.70
4.63
4.47
2,139

4.50
4.41
4.16
864

Advanced degree:
Upper bound..................... 3.77 4.43 4.24 4.35 5.65 6.56 7.63 7.68
Median............................... 3.75 4.11 3.78 3.63 5.22 6.26 6.82 7.08
Lower bound..................... 3.47 3.34 3.20 3.30 4.47 5.58 6.20 6.70
61
76
83 105 147 201 209 227
Number of cases.............

Wage rates before and
after leaving school
Career data collected from 1972 to 1979 by the National
Center for Education Statistics show that the greater the
educational attainment of young men and women, the higher
their starting wage rates. Young men and women of all
educational levels generally receive wage rate increases when
they leave school, although some increases are larger than
others. After graduating from college, young women had
wage rates which quickly overtook those of their female
high school classmates who did not attend college. Wage
rates of young men who did not attend college were higher
than their college-educated classmates for at least 8 years
after leaving high school. Young women earned less per
hour than comparable young men within every educational
level and age group.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Women
No college:
Upper bound.....................
Median...............................
Lower bound.....................
Number of cases.............

4.08
4.07
3.93
2,294

4.43
4.33
4.17
2,312

4.31
4.24
4.14
2,459

4.38
4.27
4.19
2,412

4.70
4.63
4.56
2,684

4.65
4.64
4.63
2,757

4.72
4.57
4.52
2,817

Less than 2 years of college:
Upper bound..................... 3.75 4.17
Median............................... 3.67 4.08
Lower bound..................... 3.54 4.03
Number of cases............. 910 1,147

4.57
4.42
4.37
1,234

4.49
4.47
4.39
1,318

4.73
4.61
4.53
1,305

4.95
4.93
4.73
1,451

5.01
4.94
4.82
1,484

5.18
5.09
4.94
1,473

2 years or more of college:
Upper bound..................... 3.56 3.61 4.32 4.49
Median............................... 3.48 3.60 4.16 4.47
Lower bound..................... 3.37 3.55 4.13 4.30
Number of cases............. 554 738 890 1,072

4.72
4.54
4.38
1,084

4.96
4.94
4.79
1,268

5.32
5.11
4.94
1,285

5.64
5.36
5.10
1,299

Bachelor's degree:
Upper bound..................... 3.34 3.50 3.33 3.73
Median............................... 3.28 3.39 3.32 3.51
Lower bound..................... 3.13 3.27 3.31 3.40
Number of cases............. 559 814 930 1,067

4.90
4.72
4.59
1,469

5.55
5.30
5.27
1,901

5.93
5.73
5.57
1,940

6.24
6.06
5.87
1,950

3.74
3.73
3.57
2,073

Advanced degree:
Upper bound..................... 3.59 3.73 3.32 3.75 5.58 6.56 7.41 7.39
Median............................... 3.49 3.56 3.29 3.55 4.66 6.09 6.38 6.99
Lower bound..................... 3.02 3.17 3.19 3.26 4.17 5.49 6.19 6.40
97 109 145 192 205 212
59
80
Number of cases.............
S o u r c e : U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Un­
published tabulations from the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of
1972.

31

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Research Summaries
catch up to those with no higher education, and the wage
increases that come with age and experience after leaving
high school or college.
Students who work while attending school generally take
part-time jobs paying less per hour than they could earn had
they left school and worked full time. After leaving high
school or college, wage rates of those with more education
catch up to and, after a few years, overtake those with less
education. The career patterns of earnings by educational
level are similar for young men and women. However,
women earn less than men at each age and educational level.
Young men and women also differ in the length of time it
takes for those with college degrees to catch up to their
peers who did not attend college.
For women, the crossover point occurs very soon after
college graduation. Those in the 1972 study showed a cross­
over point in wage rates in 1976 when most of them were
22 years old. In that year, the wage rate of women with no
college was $4.27 per hour; with less than 2 years of college,
$4.61; with 2 years or more of college or a 2-year degree,
$4.54; and with a bachelor’s degree or more, $4.72. (See
table 1.)
For men, a possible crossover point was in 1979 when
most of them were 25 years old. In that year, the median
hourly wage rate of men with no college was $7.06 per
hour; with less than 2 years of college, $6.94; with 2 years
or more of college or a 2-year degree, $6.50; and with a
bachelor’s degree or more, $6.86.
Men and women who enrolled in higher education pro­
grams received higher wage rates when they left school and
the greater their educational attainment, the larger their start­
ing wage rate. For men, the starting wage rate of those with
no college was $4.71 per hour; with less than 2 years of
college, $5.13; with 2 years or more of college or a 2-year
degree, $5.56; with a bachelor’s degree, $5.96; and with
an advanced degree, $6.98. For women, the corresponding
wage rates were $3.76, $4.13, $4.54, $5.24, and $6.60,
respectively. For both men and women, the financial returns
of a college education may repay the actual costs of school­
ing, as well as the wages lost by not working during the
college years. Wage histories from the “ National Longi­
tudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972” show that
up to age 25, college probably does pay for young women,
but it is too early to say the same for young men.
Does College Pay? Wage Rates Before and After Leaving
School is available from the Statistical Information Office,
National Center for Education Statistics, 400 Maryland Av­
enue SW, Washington 20202.
Q

The role o f education
in lifetim e earnings
Lifetime Earnings Estimates for Men and Women in the
United States: 1979, the latest in an intermittent series of
U.S. Bureau of the Census reports on the subject, presents

32
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estimates of expected lifetime earnings based on data col­
lected in the March Current Population Survey (cps ). The
report provides a scientific basis for analyzing the expected
future earnings of men and women at specific ages and at
five educational attainment levels (less than 12 years, 12
years (high school), 1 to 3 years of college, 4 years of
college, and 5 years or more of college). The estimates
represent the average amounts that individuals with a spec­
ified set of characteristics can expect to earn in their working
lifetimes. If it is assumed that a person does not begin to
work for pay until age 18, the estimates illustrate earnings
potential for men and women between ages 18 and 64. For
example, a man with a high school diploma can expect to
earn $861,000 constant 1981 dollars between ages 18 and
64, while a woman with the same level of education can
expect to earn only $381,000.
The current census report differs from previous census
publications on expected lifetime earnings in at least two
respects: (1) estimates of annual rates of unemployment by
age have been incorporated into the procedures, and
(2) estimates of expected lifetime earnings for women have
been introduced. Past publications have not included esti­
mates for women because they, on average, experience more
breaks in employment (for example, for childbirth and child
rearing) than do men.
The lifetime earnings estimates have many uses. First,
they permit projecting one’s lifetime earnings stream, even
though future experiences of an individual are unknown.
The author, Dan L. Burkhead, explains that future earnings
can depend on many decisions in one's life, such as those
concerning marriage, career goals, education, job location,
and job availability. These estimates reflect the effect of
those possible future decisions. The estimates are also es­
sential to court settlements involving wrongful or negligent
death as it is not known what the decedent's earnings would
have been.
Finally this information is valuable to show the benefits
of continued education. For example, a man with a high
school education can expect to earn $803,000 between the
ages of 25 and 64 and a man with a college degree could
earn $1,165,000 between the same ages. While the $365,000
additional income that a college degree could permit one to
earn is quite impressive, the estimates show that a man with
a postgraduate degree would earn $1,273,000 (only $108,000
additional income).
The estimates also indicate, not surprisingly, that women
at all comparable age and educational levels will earn less
than their male counterparts. (The author reports that if
estimates could be derived for persons working continu­
ously, without the intermittent breaks in employment com­
mon among women, the estimates for women would be
higher.) Comparing female/male estimates, the report in­
dicates that a woman with a high school education can
expect to earn, on average, $330,000 between 25 and 64
(approximately 59 percent less than her male counterpart),

$474,000 with a college degree (also approximately 59 per­
cent less), and $673,000 with a post graduate degree (ap­
proximately 47 percent less). The data also indicate that a
woman with a post graduate degree is estimated to earn
$130,000 less than a male high school graduate (approxi­
mately 16 percent less).
Several important assumptions were necessary to estimate
expected lifetime earnings. First, and most important, the
lifetime earnings estimates are average amounts based on
cross-sectional earnings data by age, sex, and educational
attainment for the years 1978-80. Use of this data assumes
that current relationship are representative of the future:
there is no way, however, to validate this assumption. Sec­


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ond, the estimates were based on discount rates and annual
productivity rates of zero percent. Any increase in the rate
of productivity would result in higher estimates, but no
attempt was made to predict future productivity trends. Third,
the estimates do not consider values of various fringe ben­
efits received by many employees. Finally, the estimates
’deal only with one’s earnings potential between ages 18 and
64, not one’s probability of survival.
Lifetime Earnings Estimates for Men and Women in the
United States: 1979 (Current Population Reports, Series
P -60, No. 139) is available for $4.50 from the Superin­
tendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402.
Q

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.

33

Major Agreements
Expiring Next Month

This list of selected collective bargaining agreements expiring in October is based on contracts on file
in the Bureau’s Office of Wages and Industrial Relations. The list includes agreements covering 1,000
workers or more.

Industry

Employer and location

A C C O I n d u s tr ie s , In c . ( In te rs ta te )

.............................................

A C F I n d u s t r i e s , I n c . , A m c a r D i v i s i o n ( S t. L o u i s , M o .)

Labor organization1

Number of
workers

F a b r ic a te d m e t a l p r o d u c t s

S t e e l w o r k e r s .............................................................

1,000

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n e q u ip m e n t

R a i lw a y C a r m e n ; M a c h i n i s t s ; E l e c t r ic a l

1,500

W o rk e rs (IB E W ); F ire m e n a n d O ile rs ;
a n d B o ile rm a k e rs
P a p e rw o rk e rs

A m e r i c a n C a n C o . ( N a h e o l a , A l a .)

Paper

B e ll T e l e p h o n e C o . o f P e n n s y l v a n i a ..........................................................

C o m m u n ic a tio n

................

..........................................................

F e d e ra tio n o f T e le p h o n e W o rk e rs o f

1,250
1,300

P e n n s y lv a n ia ( In d .)
B e n d i x C o r p . , E l e c t r ic a l C o m p o n e n t s D i v i s i o n ( S i d n e y , N . Y . )

E l e c t r ic a l p r o d u c t s

M a c h in ists

.......................................................

B o e in g C o . (In te rs ta te )

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n e q u ip m e n t

M a c h in ists

.......................................................

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n e q u ip m e n t

A u t o W o r k e r s ................................................

2,350
3,900
3,000

......................................................................................

B o e i n g C o . , B o e i n g V e r to l C o . D i v i s i o n ( P e n n s y l v a n ia

....

a n d D e la w a re )
......................................................

F a b r ic a te d m e ta l p r o d u c t s

S te e lw o rk e rs

1,200

C y c l o p s C o r p . , E m p i r e - D e t r o i t S te e l D i v i s i o n ( M a n s f ie l d , O h i o )

P r im a r y m e t a l s ......................

S te e lw o rk e rs

1,200

D a n a C o r p . , P a r is h F r a m e D i v i s i o n ( R e a d i n g , P a .)

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n e q u ip m e n t

S t e e l w o r k e r s ....................................

D y e a n d M a c h i n e P r in t C o s . ( I n t e r s t a t e ) 2

T e x t i l e s ...................................

C lo th in g a n d T e x tile W o rk e rs

1,800
4,000

F l o r i d a P o w e r a n d L i g h t C o . ( F lo r i d a )

U t i li ti e s

E l e c t r ic a l W o r k e r s ( I B E W )

4,900

G e n e r a l D y n a m i c s C o r p . , E l e c t r i c B o a t D i v i s i o n ( Q u i n c y , M a s s .)

T r a n s p o r ta tio n e q u ip m e n t

M a rin e a n d S h ip b u ild in g W o rk e rs

G r e y h o u n d L in e s, In c . (In te rs ta te )

T ra n sit

A m a lg a m a te d T r a n s it U n io n . . . .

C o m m e r c ia l S h e a rin g , In c . ( In te rs ta te )

................

...................................................................

H e rs h e y F o o d s C o rp . ( H e rsh e y , P a .)

...................................

F o o d p ro d u c ts

.........................

B a k e r y , C o n f e c tio n e ry a n d T o b a c c o

2,500
17,000
2,300

W o rk e rs
S t e e l w o r k e r s ...................................................

3,250

M a c h in e ry

S te e lw o rk e rs

1,800

J e rs e y C e n tra l P o w e r a n d L ig h t C o . (N e w Je rs e y )

U t i li ti e s

E l e c t r ic a l W o r k e r s ( I B E W )

2,150

K a i s e r F o u n d a t i o n H o s p i t a l s , P e r m a n e n t e M e d ic a l G r o u p , K a i s e r F o u n d a t io n

H o s p i ta l s .

S e rv ic e E m p lo y e e s

7,850
1,500
3,550

................................

M a c h in e ry

...................................

H u g h e s T o o l C o . (H o u s to n , T e x .)
In g e r s o ll- R a n d C o . ( N e w J e rs e y )

. .

H e a l th P l a n ( S a n F r a n s c i s c o , C a l i f .)
M a c h in e ry

M a c h in ists

...................................................................

R e ta il t r a d e

F o o d a n d C o m m e r c ia l W o rk e rs

................................................................................

In stru m e n ts

K o p p e r s C o . , I n c . , M e ta l P r o d u c t s D i v i s i o n ( B a l t i m o r e , M d .)
K r o g e r C o . , E r ie M a r k e t i n g A r e a ( I n t e r s t a t e )
L e e d s a n d N o r th ru p C o . ( P e n n s y lv a n ia )
L ib b e y -O w e n s -F o rd C o . ( In te rs ta te )

.............................

.........................................................................................

L in c o ln T e le p h o n e a n d T e le g r a p h C o . (N e b r a s k a )

..........................................................

L o c k h e e d A irc ra ft C o r p ., L M S C D iv isio n (In te rs ta te )

................................................

L o c k h e e d A ir c r a f t C o r p ., L o c k h e e d C a lif o r n ia C o . D iv isio n (In te rs ta te )
L o c k h e e d A ir c r a f t C o r p ., L o c k h e e d G e o r g ia C o . D iv isio n

. . .

.............................................

..........................................

A u t o W o r k e r s ...................................................

S to n e , c la y , a n d g la s s p r o d u c ts . .

A lu m in u m , B ric k a n d G la s s W o rk e rs

C o m m u n ic a tio n

C o m m u n ic a tio n s W o rk e rs

...................................

....................

T r a n s p o r ta tio n e q u ip m e n t

.............

M a c h in ists

.........................................................

T ra n s p o rta tio n e q u ip m e n t

.............

M a c h in ists

.......................................................

T ra n s p o rta tio n e q u ip m e n t

.............

M a c h in ists

.......................................................

1,200

4.500
1,600
6,300
14,000
8.500

(In te rs ta te )
M c D o n n e ll D o u g la s C o r p ., D o u g la s A irc ra ft C o . ( C a lifo rn ia ) . .

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n e q u ip m e n t

A u to W o rk e rs

M c D o n n e l l D o u g l a s C o r p . ( I n t e r s t a t e ) .........................................................

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n e q u ip m e n t

M a c h in ists

M c L o u t h S t e e l C o r p . ( T r e n t o n , M i c h . ) ......................................................

P r im a r y m e t a l s ...................

S te e lw o rk e rs .

M e c h a n ic a l C o n tr a c to rs A s s o c ia tio n o f N e w O rle a n s (L o u is ia n a )

C o n s tru c tio n

P lu m b e rs

......................

. .
. . .

9,900
5,700
3,400
3,000

N a t i o n a l S t a n d a r d C o . ( I n t e r s t a t e ) ......................................................

P r im a r y m e t a l s ...................

S te e lw o rk e rs

1,200

N e w p o r t N e w s S h i p b u i l d i n g a n d D r y D o c k C o . ( V i r g i n ia )

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n e q u ip m e n t

S te e lw o rk e rs

N o r th w e s t I n d u s tr ie s , I n c ., L o n e S ta r S te e l C o . (T e x a s ) . .

P r im a r y m e t a l s ...................

S te e lw o rk e rs

17,000
4,300

O lin C o r p . ( P is g a h F o r e s t, N .C .)

Paper

P a p e rw o rk e rs

34

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1,850

Continued—Major Agreements Expiring Next Month
Labor organization1

Industry

Employer and location

M a c h i n e r y .............................................

O u t b o a r d M a r i n e C o r p . , J o h n s o n O u t b o a r d s D i v i s i o n ( W a u k e g a n , 111.)

In d e p e n d e n t M a rin e a n d M a c h in ists

Number of
workers
2 ,5 0 0

A s s o c ia t io n ( I n d . )
.............................

1 ,3 0 0

S to n e , c la y , a n d g la s s p ro d u c ts

F l in t G l a s s W o r k e r s

P ru d e n tia l I n s u ra n c e C o . o f A m e ric a (In te rs ta te )

In su ra n c e

I n su ra n c e A g e n ts

1,200

S c h w i n n B i c y c le C o . ( C h i c a g o , 111.)

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n e q u ip m e n t

A u to W o rk e rs

1 ,5 0 0

T im e x C o r p . ( C o n n e c tic u t)

In stru m e n ts

O w e n s -I llin o is , In c . ( V in e la n d , N .J .)

.....................................................................................

. .

W a te r b u r y W a tc h W o r k e r s

1,200

T i t a n i u m M e t a l s C o r p . o f A m e r i c a ( N e v a d a ) ......................................................................

P r im a r y M e ta l s

S t e e l w o r k e r s .............................

1 ,0 5 0

T i ta n i u m M e ta ls C o r p . o f A m e r i c a , S ta n d a r d S te e l D iv is io n ( P e n n s y lv a n ia ) . . .

P r im a r y M e ta l s

S t e e l w o r k e r s .............................

1 ,5 0 0

W h i t e C o n s o l i d a t e d I n d u s t r i e s , I n c . , F r a n k li n M a n u f a c t u r i n g C o . D iv i s i o n

E l e c t r ic a l p r o d u c t s

M a c h in ists

1,200

............................................................................................................

( S t. C l o u d , M i n n . )
1 A f f il ia t e d w i t h A F L - C I O e x c e p t w h e r e n o t e d a s i n d e p e n d e n t ( I n d . ) .


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2 In d u stry a re a ( g ro u p o f c o m p a n ie s s ig n in g s a m e c o n tra c t).

Job loss of long-service workers
The loss of a job after the accumulation of some substantial seniority is
likely to be psychologically unsettling and to produce economic hardship
under any circumstances. When such an involuntary separation from a
long-service job occurs during a man’s fifties or sixties it can be calamitous.
Although such displacements are not common, they happen often enough
to constitute a social problem. Among men who were 55 to 69 years of
age in 1976, 1 of 14 had lived through such an experience during the
preceding decade. This represents over half a million persons.
This disruption of work career happens indiscriminately to men in all
occupational categories and irrespective of educational background. Such
displacement is much more likely in the private than in the public sector
and is also considerably more common in some major industry divisions,
notably trade and manufacturing. Even very long seniority does not provide
immunity from such displacement. The overall displacement rate is 7.4
percent, while the rate is as high as 5.9 percent, controlling for other
factors, among men with 20 years or more of service.
The incidence of displacement is uneven from other points of view. It
is much higher among nonmarried than among married men, and men
whose jobs had manifested some lack of stability even before 1966 were
more likely to suffer an involuntary separation sometime over the next
decade. Displacement was considerably less likely from establishments
with pension plans than from those without them. Nevertheless, there is
no evidence that the 1966 average hourly earnings of the men who were
ultimately displaced differed systematically from those of men who were
not. Despite the objective evidence of some qualitative difference in the
security and amenities of their 1966 jobs, the men who were later displaced
were just as likely as their more fortunate counterparts to have reported
that their 1966 jobs were the longest and best of their careers.
— Herbert S. Parnes, ed.
Work and Retirement: A Longitudinal Study
o f Men (Cambridge, Mass., The mit Press,
1981), pp. 82-83.

35

Developments in
Industrial Relations
Supreme Court bans sex bias in pensions
The Supreme Court ruled that employer-sponsored re­
tirement plans may no longer pay women smaller benefits
than men, despite actuarial studies indicating that women
generally live longer than men. The ruling was primarily
applicable to “ defined contribution” pension plans, in which
employers or employees or both make set payments into the
plan. Men and women generally pay the same amount into
the plan, but the resulting benefits are usually lower for
women. According to the Employee Benefit Research In­
stitute, there are 450,000 such pension and profit-sharing
plans, with 25 million members. The American Council of
Life Insurance put the number of members at 16.5 million,
including 5 million women. The Council also estimated that
1 to 3 million of the women are covered by plans that provide
smaller benefits for women.
Less likely to be affected by the ruling are “ defined ben­
efits” plans which pay set benefits at periodic intervals. The
benefits are generally equal for men and women.
The court case, Arizona v. Norris, began in 1975, when
Nathalie Norris joined an annuity plan offered by her em­
ployer, the State of Arizona, through a commercial insur­
ance company. Her monthly contribution was $199, the
same as for a male employee, but her monthly benefit be­
ginning at age 65 was scheduled to be $320.11, $33.96 less
than for a male employee. Norris challenged the inequality
under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which
prohibits sex, race, and ethnic discrimination in employ­
ment. In support of her position, she cited a 1978 Supreme
Court ruling in Los Angeles Department o f Water and Power
v. Manhart, in which the court barred the city agency from
requiring female employees to make larger contributions to
receive the same monthly benefits as men.
The ruling in the Norris case was delivered in a separate
unsigned order summing up conflicting opinions of two
groups of justices. Justices Thurgood Marshall, William
Brennan, Byron White, and John Stevens held that paying
unequal benefits is illegal sex discrimination. Writing for
the group, Justice Marshall said, “ Actuarial tables could
“ Developments in Industrial Relations” is prepared by George Ruben of
the Division o f Developments in Labor-Management Relations, Bureau of
Labor Statistics, and is largely based on information from secondary sources.

36

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unquestionably identify differences in life expectancy based
on race or national origin, as well as sex.”
However, he continued, “ even a true generalization about
a class cannot justify class-based treatment. An individual
woman may not be paid lower monthly benefits simply
because women as a class live longer.”
Justice Lewis Powell, Chief Justice Warren Burger, and
Justices Harry Blackmun and William Rehnquist contended
that the discrimination act was not intended to cover either
the insurance industry or actuarial tables. Justice Powell
wrote, “ Sex-based mortality tables reflect objective actu­
arial experience. Because their use does not entail discrim­
ination in any normal understanding of that term, a court
should hestitate to invalidate this long-approved practice on
the basis of its own policy judgment.” The group also
contended that in no event should a remedy be applied
retroactively.
Justice Sandra Day O ’Connor concurred with the first
group only on the illegality of the Arizona plan and con­
curred with the second group only on the retroactivity as­
pect. Thus, the court arrived at its finding that the Arizona
plan was illegal, but the remedy would be limited to pension
contributions accrued after July 31, 1983.
The court did not say that for plans in which women’s
benefits were less than men’s, the women’s must be raised
to the men’s level. Instead, it simply said that unequal
benefits must be equalized, which could be accomplished
by either raising women’s benefits or lowering men’s ben­
efits, or a combination of the two approaches.

GM’s plan to combat absenteeism successful
A General Motors Corp.-United Auto Workers plan to
reduce unwarranted job absenteeism showed positive re­
sults; only 3 percent of the workers represented by the union
failed to meet the minimum attendance requirement and
were penalized. The overall effort to control unnecessary
absences consisted of two parts. The first, counseling of
offenders, was the major innovation of a six-member joint
committee established under the parties’ 1979 collective
bargaining agreement and continued under their March 1982
agreement. Under this aspect of the plan, employees who
had been absent more than 20 percent of their scheduled
work time during the first 6 months of the 1982 agreement

were offered counseling to aid them in improving their at­
tendance. These workers, and all others represented by the
Auto Workers, were warned that they faced a temporary
reduction in benefits (the second part of the plan) if they
exceeded the 20-percent rate during the second 6 months
of the agreement. Both the counseling and the reduction in
benefits were to be applied in the same manner during the
balance of the 1982 contract, which expires in September
1984.
GM said that the aid by teams of union and management
representatives and by professional counselors was so suc­
cessful that 75 percent of the workers who qualified for the
initial round of counseling avoided benefit reductions, while
10,000 workers exceeded the 20-percent rate during the
second 6 months of the agreement. According to the com­
pany, the counseling approach was a major factor leading
to a decline in “ controllable absences’’ from 11.3 percent
in 1981 to 10.3 percent in 1982, and 8.8 percent in the first
quarter of 1983.
The company and union indicated that virtually all ab­
sences were used in computing the individual rates. Not
included in the calculations were absences for “ major ill­
nesses or injuries such as heart attacks, strokes, major sur­
gery, etc.”
The reduction in benefits for the 10,000 workers was to
last for 6 months, beginning in April 1983. The cut in paid
holidays, vacation pay, paid absence allowance, bereave­
ment pay, jury duty pay, sickness and accident benefits,
and Supplemental Unemployment Benefits, was to equal
the individual worker’s absence rate. Possible payouts under
the company’s profit-sharing plan, scheduled to begin in
April 1984 (based on 1983 operating results), also would
be reduced, but any lost amounts will be distributed to all
eligible employees in future years.
Don Davis, an official of the union’s General Motors
Department, and a member of the committee, said that the
plan had been well received by employees, even those who
were penalized, because they had been given adequate warn­
ing of the consequences of unwarranted time off.
General Motors is the only domestic automobile manu­
facturer with such an attendance plan, although Chrysler
Corp.’s latest settlement with the Auto Workers calls for
countering unnecessary absences through tighter discipli­
nary procedures. (See Monthly Labor Review, February 1983,
pp. 46-47, for the Chrysler accord, and May 1982, pp. 5960, for the General Motors accord.)

Teachers Association in 1981.
The bankruptcy filing, which also affected the pay of
1,400 other school employees, was under Chapter 9 of the
Federal Bankruptcy Code which protects a State or munic­
ipality against creditors while it restructures its debt. At the
time of filing, the San Jose school district had $3.5 million
in debts and faced an additional $12 million deficit for the
1983-84 school year.
Keith McWilliams, the school system’s bankruptcy at­
torney, attributed much of the financial difficulties to Prop­
osition 13, the 1978 California initiative that cut some property
taxes and imposed limits on future increases. (In California
and most other states, virtually all funds for schools are
obtained from property taxes.)

Ford parts workers accept once-rejected contract
Faced with a threatened cut in production and employ­
ment, employees of Ford Electronics and Refrigeration Corp.
in Connersville, Ind., voted to accept essentially the same
settlement terms they had rejected 10 days earlier. The new
contract negotiated by Local 919 of the International Union
of Electrical Workers was effective immediately, supplant­
ing the balance of an agreement that had been scheduled to
expire in March 1984. Company officials threatened to cut
production by a reported 25 percent because they wanted
to preclude interruptions in the production of automobile
radiators and air conditioning parts at the plant. In 1978, a
strike at the plant caused production difficulties at the parent
Ford Motor Co.
The new contract provided for 20, 50, and 50 cents an
hour wage increases on July 1 of 1983, 1984, and 1985. In
a cost reduction move, new production line workers will
start at 80 percent of the standard job rate,* progress to 90
percent of the rate after 6 months of service, and to the full
rate after another 6 months. Previously, new employees
attained the standard rate after 90 days of service.
All 1,700 employees will continue to receive automatic
quarterly cost-of-living pay adjustments calculated at 1 cent
an hour for each 0.4-point movement in the BLS-Consumer
Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
(1967 = 100). There also is a provision for reopening bar­
gaining on wages and benefits in the fourth year.
Benefit changes included a three-step $4 increase in the
pension rate to $17.50 a month for each year of credited
service and a $50 increase, to $80, in maximum dental
insurance coverage.

California school district files for bankruptcy
The first bankruptcy of a public school system in Cali­
fornia occurred when the San Jose Unified School District
was unable to persuade its 1,400 teachers to give up a 6.1percent salary increase due in September 1983. Earlier, the
school district had refused to put into effect a 6-percent
salary increase that had been scheduled for September 1982
under a 3-year agreement negotiated with the San Jose

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Arbitrator to decide steel’s benefit-cut issue
A disagreement arose over the application of the tem­
porary wage cut in the March settlement between the United
Steelworkers and the Coordinating Committee Steel Com­
panies. (See Monthly Labor Review, May 1983, pp. 4 7 48, for terms of the March settlement.) According to the
companies, the $1.25 pay cut should also affect pension,
37

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Developments in Industrial Relations
insurance, and other benefits that vary according to pay
level.
This was disputed by the union. Vice President Joseph
Odorcich, who represented the union during the negotiations
that resulted in the March settlement, charged the steel com­
panies with “ trying to reduce benefits that were not the
subject of the negotiations. . . . ” Odorcich was displeased
that the matter would be resolved through arbitration be­
cause of the delay involved.
Selected to decide the issue was Benjamin Aaron, pro­
fessor of law at the University of California at Los Angeles.
The case was only the second in the history of the industry
involving a number of companies. The first was in 1969,
when a ruling resulted in extension of incentive pay to
thousands of workers.
Elsewhere in the steel industry, other companies nego­
tiated labor contracts patterned after the March accord. In
Coatesville, Pa., Lukens, Inc., and the Steelworkers ne­
gotiated a contract that called for a reported $1.80 an hour
cut in wages and benefits, compared with a reported $2.25$2.30 at the seven larger companies because, “ Lukens is
in better financial shape than most of the industry,” ac­
cording to a local union official.
In Zanesville, Ohio, Armco, Inc., negotiated a contract
with the Steelworkers that called for a smaller wage cut (35
cents) than the seven companies but a larger reduction in
benefits, resulting in an overall cut in compensation similar
to the other companies. About 320 workers were affected.
Earlier, Armco negotiated a concessionary contract for 4,500
employees at its Middletown, Ohio, plant. The workers are
represented by the Armco Employees Independent Feder­
ation.

Airlines win wage concessions
The Hyatt Corp. made some progress in its efforts to
resurrect bankrupt Braniflf International, but faced a suit filed
by the Machinists union to block implementation of a con­
cessionary labor contract negotiated by one of its local rep­
resentatives. Four other unions approved concessionary
accords— the Air Line Pilots; the Association of Flight At­
tendants; the Dispatchers; and the Teamsters. According to
Branifif, the agreements provided for “ significant increases
in productivity, wage concessions and the cross-utilization
of employees within various classifications.” Reportedly,
the largest pay cut was about 60 percent for the pilots,
bringing their pay to $43 an hour or $3,500 a month. Under
Hyatt’s plan, Braniff would resume flying 30 planes by
October 15, 1983, rehiring 2,000 of the 10,000 employees
affected by its April 1982 shutdown.
Frontier Airlines won a 1-year wage reduction from its
575 pilots. Frontier recorded a $10.2 million loss in the first
quarter of 1983, following a loss in the last quarter of 1982
that was the first in several years. The 2-year contract per­
mits the airline to increase flying hours to 80 a month, from
75. This change, plus the pay reduction, was expected to
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save Frontier $5 million. At the time of the settlement,
senior captains earned up to $8,640 a month flying Douglas
DC-9’s and up to $7,874 flying Boeing 737’s.
American Airlines’ plan to buy additional airplanes and
expand operations received a boost when the Professional
Flight Attendants union accepted a contract that made some
concessions on pay rates for new employees. American
stressed that implementation of its plan was contingent on
obtaining concessions from members of the Air Line Pilots
Association. American was pressing the Pilots Association
for an early renewal of their agreement, which was sched­
uled to expire in April 1984. Ralph Harkenrider, executive
administrator of the union, said, “ We see the need for some
concessions but we aren’t going to give away the store.”
The settlement for the flight attendants provides that new
employees be paid about 30 percent less than current pay
scales. American also will be permitted to create some parttime positions, to be filled by current full-time employees.
All 6,500 current employees will receive pay increases to­
taling nearly 15 percent over the 3-year agreement term.
Western Airlines changed leadership and pledged a more
cooperative attitude towards the unions representing its em­
ployees. This led the Teamsters and the Air Line Pilots to
offer assurances that they would cooperate in the airline’s
efforts to negotiate temporary labor cost cuts.
In a legal matter involving Western Airlines, a Federal
appeals court upheld a district court ruling that the company
had violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act by
imposing a mandatory retirement age of 60 on flight engi­
neers and by refusing to permit DC-10 pilots nearing the
Federal Aviation Administration’s required retirement age
of 60 for pilots to “ down bid” on flight engineer jobs.
The case originated in 1977, when two pilots and a flight
engineer contested Western’s inauguration of a rule requir­
ing that all three crew members— the captain, copilot, and
flight engineer— of a DC-10 must retire at age 60.
In its arguments before the courts, Western contended
that a captain’s bid for a lower position in the flight crew
was not protected by the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act. Western also contended that the age 60 policy was a
legitimate job qualification, justified by considerations other
than age.
In its ruling, the court noted that there have been no
accidents resulting from disability of any of the more than
200 flight engineers over age 60 who are still flying.

Glass Workers end 9-year strike
A strike lasting nearly 9 years against the Bartlett-Collins
Co. in Sapulpa, Okla., ended in mid-June when the 75
workers accepted a 30-month contract. American Flint Glass
Workers President George Parker termed the settlement a
victory “ in a long historic labor battle for dignity.”
The American Flint Glass Workers had won a represen­
tation election at the plant in the 1940’s, but was not able
to reach an agreement. The same thing happened to the

Glass and Ceramic Workers in the 1960’s. The American
Flint Glass Workers won another representation election in
1974, but again was unable to reach agreement, leading to
the long strike.
The agreement provided for wage increases, three paid
holidays (the first in the plant’s history), improvements in
health benefits, a dues checkolf, and specified overtime hours
and pay rates.

More copper settlements
Negotiations in the copper mining, smelting, and refining
industry moved toward a close as a coalition of unions led
by the Steelworkers settled with four companies along the
lines of the Kennecott Corp. agreement, which froze wages
for 3 years, except for continuation of possible automatic
quarterly cost-of-living adjustments. (See Monthly Labor
Review, June 1983, p. 45.) The four companies are Magma
Copper Co.; Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co.; Ameri­
can Smelting and Refining Co.; and U.S. Metals Refining
Co. Most of the facilities are located in Arizona, Utah, New
Mexico, and Texas, except for the U.S. Metals plant, which
is in Carteret, N.J.
The one bargaining situation that continued the industry’s
history of frequent work stoppages at agreement termina­
tions was at Phelps Dodge Corp., where a strike began at
the end of June. The company contended that it could not
afford the cost of following the pattern because it was forced
to stand or fall on its own performance, unlike some of the
other companies which can sustain losses because they are
part of larger firms.
Phelps Dodge’s demands included cuts in pay for new
workers, a pay freeze for those already on the payroll,
elimination of the automatic cost-of-living pay adjustment
formula, elimination of 1 of 9 paid holidays, elimination of
the fifth week of paid vacation for 25-year employees, and
adoption of larger deductibles under the medical insurance
plans.

Southern paperworkers get new contract
More than 6,000 employees of International Paper Co.
mills in four southern States were covered by contracts
negotiated by the United Paperworkers and the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers unions. The 3-year con­
tracts provided for 6, 6, and 5 percent pay increases on June
1 of 1983, 1984, and 1985, which average 68, 72, and 64
cents an hour. Other wage terms included elimination of
the automatic cost-of-living pay adjustment formula, which
had resulted in a 43-cent increase during the 3-year term of
the contracts which expired on May 31, 1983.
The major benefit change was a revision of the pension
plan to provide for benefits calculated at $ 16 to $27 a month
for each year of credited service. Previously, benefit amounts
were calculated as a percentage of annual earnings. Other

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benefit changes included a fifth paid personal holiday, a $30
annual payment for safety shoes, and a $50 increase (to
$ 150) in the annual deductible under the major medical plan.
The mills are located in Mobile, Ala., Moss Point and
N atchez, M iss.; Cam den and Pine Bluff, A rk.; and
Bastrop, La.

Farm-construction equipment accords
The Auto Workers union concluded its round of bar­
gaining with the major farm and construction equipment
companies by settling with J. I. Case Co. for 4,200 active
and 2,100 laid-off workers. Some of the terms were similar
to those in the Caterpillar Tractor Co. agreement (.Monthly
Labor Review, July 1983, p. 42) and the Deere and Co.
agreement (Monthly Labor Review, August 1983, p. 36).
The 44-month contract provided for a single guaranteed
wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 7, but the workers’
pay will continue to be subject to automatic quarterly costof-living pay adjustments calculated at the existing rate of
1 cent an hour for each 0.26-point change in the BLS-Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
Workers (1967 = 100).
Another wage provision was establishment of a Guar­
anteed Sharing Benefits Plan assuring workers of three an­
nual lump-sum payments beginning in 1985 that the union
said will total $1,600 for a typical worker. All employees
on the active payroll on June 27, 1983, also received a $100
“ settlement bonus.”
In a change beneficial to Case, the Attendance Bonus
Program was modified so that employees can now accrue
only 40 percent of the paid time off that was possible under
the previous agreement. Under that agreement, those who
worked all scheduled hours in a week earned attendance
bonus hours ranging from 1.5 for those with 1 but less than
10 years of service to 3 for those with at least 20 years of
service. Those with perfect attendance for 5 consecutive
weeks earned additional paid time off, bringing the com­
bined maximum for a 5-week period to a range of 11.25
hours for those with 1 but less than 10 years of service to
22.5 hours for those with at least 20 years of service.
New protections for employees’ jobs and income included
advance notice and union input when major outsourcing
(subcontracting) is contemplated; advance notice and dis­
cussion with the union prior to any company decision on
partial or complete plant shutdown; establishment of a “ Plant
Preferential Seniority Placement List” ; formation of a na­
tional joint committee on retraining and placement; special
early retirement benefits, guaranteed supplemental unem­
ployment benefits, and extended health insurance coverage
for workers affected by partial or complete plant shutdowns;
and establishment of a rebate program aimed at increasing
sales of products made by u a w members.
The new contract covers operations in Racine, Wis.; Terre
Haute, Ind.; Rock Island, 111.; and Burlington and Betten­
dorf, Iowa.

39

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Developments in Industrial Relations

Eastman delays merit pay increases
Eastman Kodak Co. announced a 6-month delay in merit
pay increases for virtually all of its employees. The only
employees who will receive increases on schedule in De­
cember— if warranted by their performance— are 3,500 hourly
and weekly paid salaried employees in the lowest grades.
At the end of 1982, the photographic products manufacturer
had 93,300 employees in.the United States. Since then, it
has laid off 2,700 and shed several thousand through vol­
untary retirement and separation incentives.

Problems continue in meat processing industry
The meat processing industry continues to be plagued by
plant closings, threats of closings, and wage-and-benefit
reductions.
Wilson Food Corp. filed for bankruptcy, then unilaterally
cut the wages and benefits of its employees represented by
the United Food and Commercial Workers by 40 to 55
percent. The union responded by filing charges with the
National Labor Relations Board, contending that Wilson
had engaged in unfair labor practices. The union also filed
charges with the bankruptcy court, contending that Wilson’s
action on wages and benefits was an improper use of the
Federal bankruptcy code. During this period, the parties
began to negotiate on the wage and benefit levels, but the
talks became deadlocked, and the union struck seven fa­
cilities. The strike ended after 22 days, when the parties
agreed on a contract that restored some of the cuts.
The new contract prohibits the company from closing any
plants for 12 months. The base hourly pay rate for most
employees was set at about $8, compared with $ 10.69 before
Wilson’s unilateral June 25 cut and $6.50 afterwards. Work­
ers hired after June 25, who had been receiving $5 an hour,
were raised to $6.50, with the opportunity to progress to
the $8 rate over an 18-month period. The contract, which
expires in September 1985, also provided for a continuation
of the freeze on automatic cost-of-living pay adjustments;
elimination of the fifth and sixth weeks of paid vacation for
long-service workers; a reduction in the pension rate to $10
a month for each year of credited service, from $15; elim­
ination of two annual paid holidays; and establishment of a
$200 deductible on hospital insurance. (See the Monthly
Labor Review, February 1982, p. 48, for terms of the De­
cember 1981 contract in which the union had agreed to a
freeze on wages and reductions in benefits to aid Wilson
and other “ old-line” companies that generally signed the
“ Master Agreement” for the industry.)
Greyhound Corp. announced plans to close 13 facilities
of its Armour Food Co. subsidiary in December because of
“ noncompetitive” labor costs. However, ConAgra Inc. agreed
to purchase the operations, contingent on negotiating com­
pensation concessions from Armour’s 2,000 employees rep­
resented by the Food and Commercial Workers. ConAgra

40
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

official Warren McCoy said, “ The retention of the present
Armour Food Co. labor force will depend on the negotiation
of satisfactory terms and conditions of employment at each
of the plants.” ConAgra is a diversified basic food company
with operations in agricultural chemicals, feed and fertilizer,
retailing, grain processing and merchandising, frozen foods,
poultry, and seafood. In giving the union the required 6month notice of the plant closings, Greyhound Chairman
John W. Teets explained that Armour was unable to compete
effectively against “ 300 to 400 other packers who are not
under the master agreement.” He said that Armour paid
$18 an hour in wages and benefits, compared with less than
$9 paid by some other packers.
i b p cut the pay of its production workers by $1.05 an
hour, to about $8.30. The cut applies to 600 nonunion beef
workers in Luveme, Minn.; Emporia, Kans.; Dennison,
Iowa; and West Point, Nebr. A company official said i b p
determined that the cut was necessary because “ our com­
petitiveness [with other firms] has severely eroded over the
past 18 months.”
The many plant shutdowns and intensified competition in
beef processing are generally attributed to the entry of Iowa
Beef Processors (renamed i b p ) into the industry in 1960.
From the beginning, the company emphasized new technplogy and methods and located its plants throughout the
cattle-producing regions, in contrast with the older firms
which used traditional methods and were concentrated in
Chicago and Kansas City. The company also strongly re­
sisted the United Food and Commercial Workers’ efforts to
organize its employees. In instances where the union was
successful (at 4 of 13 locations) i b p showed a willingness
to bear strikes if necessary to maintain lower labor costs
than did the older companies. As a result, i b p became a
leading beef processor, along with Excel (a unit of Cargill
Inc.) which also has prospered by using i b p ’ s approaches.
Employee compensation was expected to be a major issue
in negotiations between Excel and the United Food and
Commercial Workers prior to the planned reopening of the
company’s Schuyler, Nebr., beef-packing plant. Company
Vice President Orlan Thorbeck promised to seek “ a com­
petitive agreement . . . in terms of wages, benefits— ev­
erything.” The plant is expected to open with the same
employment level— 980 people— as when it was closed in
December 1982.
Workers at Monfort of Colorado, Inc., cast 396 votes for
“ no union” and 301 in favor of the United Food and Com­
mercial Workers, which had represented the workers prior
to the plant’s shutdown in March 1980 after a lengthy con­
tract dispute. The facility, located in Greeley, has operated
on a nonunion basis since its reopening in March 1982. The
National Labor Relations Board will hear arguments in Sep­
tember on a union contention that 185 workers employed
in the plant prior to the plant shutdown should have been
offered jobs when it was reopened. The 185 people were
allowed to vote in the 1983 election but only 94 participated.

Utility seeks rate cut to spur development
Philadelphia Electric Co. asked the Pennsylvania Public
Utility Commission for permission to lower the electricity
rates of companies that increase employment or make capital
improvements. The request amended an earlier rate reduc­
tion request, by eliminating the portion of the rate cut that
was calculated on consumption, but placed more emphasis
on increased employment and investment. To qualify for
the reduction, employers would have to add at least six
employees or invest at least $90,000 in new plants or equip­
ment. Philadelphia Electric said that the proposed plan would
not result in rate increases for other customers.

radio receivers for the consumer market; “ clc” was dropped
because the iue is no longer directly affiliated with the
Canadian Labour Congress.

Grain Millers elect new president
Delegates to the Grain Millers biennial convention elected
Robert Willis as the union’s new president and Larry R.
Jackson as the new secretary-treasurer. Willis had been the
union’s executive vice president, and Jackson had been a
vice president.
The new officers succeeded President Frank T. Hoese and
secretary-treasurer Joseph T. Smisek who retired after one
term of office following long careers in other leadership jobs
in the union.

IUE revises its name
In a move to “ fit the times,” the International Union of
Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers, afl- cio , clc ,
changed its name to the International Union of Electronic,
Electrical, Technical, Salaried and Machine Workers, aflcio . Union President William H. Bywater said, “ This gives
iue a name appropriate to its present makeup, its mission
and its future, iue has strong roots in each of the five seg­
ments of industry identified in the new name. We intend to
organize in all of those areas, including high tech, profes­
sional and salaried workers.”
The word “ Radio” was dropped from the title because
“ no iUEer” — or any American worker— produces home


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Buoy retires as head of Boilermakers
Harold J. Buoy retired as president of the Boilermakers,
fulfilling a promise he made more than 10 years earlier,
following a heart attack, to retire at age 62. Charles W.
Jones was selected by the union’s executive council to com­
plete Buoy’s term of office, which ends in August 1984.
During his career, Buoy held a number of posts, cul­
minating in appointment as president in 1970, followed by
election to succeeding terms. Jones joined the union in 1942,
was selected as a district representative in 1947, and became
a vice president in 1960.
D

41

Book Reviews

A beginning
Industrial Relations and Health Services. Edited by Amarjit
Singh Sethi and Stuart J. Dimmock. New York, St.
Martin’s Press, 1982. 370 pp. $35.
The papers assembled in this volume achieve the limited
goal set by the editors: identifying and examining some of
the major elements of the landscape of industrial relations
in the health services industry in Canada, the United States,
and Great Britain. Relying on contributions by nearly two
dozen professionals and academicians to supplement their
own papers, the editors relate the development of health
services industrial relations from the end of World War II
through the early 1980’s. Referring to John Dunlop’s con­
cept that industrial relations is one of several systems in the
wider system of society, the editors trace the development
of the health services industrial relations system on several
parallels in each of the three countries. The treatment of the
system in Canada, however, often unravels into a provinceby-province examination so that the three countries at times
seem to have quadrupled. While very thorough, the editors
might have served the reader better through selected ex­
amination of provincial variations. The editors’ reliance upon
separate papers on similar aspects of the same subject also
becomes tedious, as each contributor presents a full treat­
ment of his or her topic. This results in repetition of general
history, organizational development, and political aspects.
The editors acknowledge that the reader may feel a lack
of analysis, application, and verification of theories, of in­
sight, and of direction. But they note that there is very little
literature on this aspect of industrial relations and that one
has to start somewhere. Their hope is that this work will
serve as a foundation for the evolution of more theory and
analysis through future works in this field. While the editors
succeed in their modest goal, they might well have been
more ambitious in designing their work and in considering
the contributions. The sheer speed of events in this field,
recognized by the editors, calls into question the limited
purpose of this work.
Although not identified as major issues in the text, sig­
nificant forces receive continuing attention. The relative
42

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imbalance of power between employees and employers, for
example, is seen to have shaped the development of bar­
gaining and benefits in the health services industry. Wages
in this industry have risen more slowly than have wages for
similar work in other industries in all three countries. An
outstanding exception, however, is illustrated in the pay of
physicians, the least organized (that is, unionized), but most
powerful group of health care “ workers.” Various contrib­
utors to the book discuss the physicians’ success not only
in maintaining high levels of income but in exerting sub­
stantial influence on the management and structure of their
health care systems and institutions.
The structure of the organizations representing the labor
force in the health services industry also receives consid­
eration from several authors. First, they recognize uncer­
tainty in some of the labor organizations as to whether they
will emphasize, for example, the dignity of the profession
or the dollars in the paychecks. This uncertainty of purpose
is seen as inhibiting the growth and success of many labor
organizations, but in differing ways and extents in the three
countries. Second, the writers depict inherent organizational
development problems in the unions. Issues such as cen­
tralized or decentralized policymaking and membership ser­
vice, exclusivity of membership, competition with other
unions, and availability of technical competence of union
staff are pointed out as needing improvement.
The growth of public financial support of health services
in each country is also shown to have exerted decisive in­
fluences on the shape and direction of the industrial relations
structures. This factor, the papers suggest, likely will be­
come more significant in the future as health care becomes
more advanced and more costly. This will raise consider­
ations of different mixes of the work force within the elas­
ticity of the health services labor supply. In turn, this may
require management and labor to join together in securing
funding and in maintaining viability of their facility.
The editors note that these and other issues generally are
referred to as “ problems” in all three countries. The editors
trace such nomenclature to the roots of adversarial labor
relations systems common to industrial societies. These fac­
tors, at once the basis of and the challenge to the system

as seen through the collected papers, foreshadow what un­
derlying potential the work may yield: analysis of the sys­
tem’s future course. The editors arduously avoid such analysis,
however, leaving the task to the reader and to future authors.
Yet, the book’s historical tracking of the political, organi­
zational, and economic influences does afford some tools
with which to consider the current juncture. The compari­
sons among the three countries allow the reader to review
evolved actions and consequences in a particular subtopic
from one country to another. The latter portions of the work
suggest that the outcome could be guided, if not determined,
by conscious choices of the industrial relations practitioners,
governmental bodies, economic policymakers, and other
leaders in the industrial relations system and in the wider
societal system. Some contributors briefly suggest that new
forms of labor-management adjustment might better serve
this industrial relations system. One such approach, coop­
erative labor-management, is credited with the potential to
preserve the give-and-take of collective bargaining while
promoting more constructive and productive relationships.
Consideration of alternatives for the problems identified in
the health services industrial relations system is brief, how­
ever, and comes only as an inadvertent postscript in the
editors’ scheme.
— B ruce M . Leet
O ffice o f L a b o r-M a n a g e m e n t R e la tio n s S e rv ice s
L a b o r-M a n a g e m e n t S e rv ic e s A d m in is tra tio n

Management by objectives
The Productivity Prescription: The Manager’s Guide to Im­
proving Productivity and Profits. By David Bain. New
York, McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1982. 308 pp. $19.95.
The jacket proclaims that this book is “just what the
doctor ordered” for the manager eager to improve his firm’s
“ production, service, quality, and profit.” The doctor is
obviously a house doctor. An independent colleague asked
to render a second opinion could not unreservedly endorse
the proffered “ prescription.” While conceding potential
benefits to the manager, he would also want to warn against
some doubtful ingredients that threaten harmful side effects.
The book supports many notions that productivity schol­
ars generally have no opportunity to propagate broadly under
the aegis of a prestigious commercial publisher. For ex­
ample, the book soundly insists on the importance of per­
formance measurement for any systematic program to improve
individual and organizational accomplishment. It also rec­
ognizes that a mental construct such as productivity has
attributes that may elude adequate reflection in a single
numerical ratio. It emphasizes that, even without significant


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new capital investment or technological advance, substantial
gains in performance are achievable through the enlistment
and proper reward of employee cooperation. It forthrightly
assigns to management the responsibility for modification
of employee attitudes and behavior in behalf of greater quan­
tity and quality of output and lower unit production cost.
Brief chapter summaries tend to neutralize the turgidity of
the text and may encourage careful selective rereading. Also
included are informative “ case histories” (part 6) in which
the author apparently played a decisive role.
A reviewer already immersed in the mainstream of profes­
sional thought and practice concerning productivity would
also find, and could not conscientiously ignore, some mis­
leading statements and other limitations. The guidance given
for measurement is sketchy, the bibliography (pp. 299-300)
is meager and unrepresentative, and the description of the
Bureau of Labor Statistics’ procedures of productivity mea­
surement (pp. 53, 55) gives no idea of the true scope of the
program. More troubling is the book’s penchant for fuzzy
or incorrect definition. Note, for example, the pseudomathematical statement that “ quality” is “ what is wanted +
when it is needed,” or “ accuracy + timeliness.” If quality
is so described, then it merely involves attributes that should
be routinely and directly taken into account in the mea­
surement of the output numerator of the productivity ratio.
The book’s confusion concerning the meaning of pro­
ductivity itself is more serious. The first section of the open­
ing chapter is headed “ Productivity— What It Is and What
It Is N ot,” but it seems to prefer a definition of what pro­
ductivity surely is not. That section starts with a ratio of
“ output” to “ input,” restates this ratio as “ results achieved/
resources consumed,” and leaps to an absurd formulation
that is supposedly equivalent and good enough to repeat
later in the book (for example, on p. 51): “ effectiveness/
efficiency.”
This flaw in the treatment of productivity is not the only
one. The discussion fails to specify that both output and
input should preferably be measured in “ real” terms— as
“ quantities” expressed in natural units or as aggregates with
stabilized price or other weights. The author incorrectly
implies that economists favor confinement of attention to
labor productivity as a matter of definition (p. 4) rather than
for other reasons. Nowhere does the author note the chal­
lenge of defining and measuring the input of capital services.
Indeed, he mislabels combinations of labor and materials
as indicators of “ total input” (pp. 70-74); and he mistak­
enly says that a financial “ rate of return on total assets”
corresponds to an organization’s “ total factor productivity”
(p. 56). Another error is to regard measures of unit labor
cost (p. 57) and unit production cost (p. 5) as more precise
indicators of productivity rather than as distinct measures
in their own right. That the author does not conform to his
own definitions in citing examples of company “ productiv­
ity indicators” (chapter 11), is not surprising.

43

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Book Reviews
Two concluding remarks are in order. First, the author’s
success in helping firms improve productivity testifies to the
essentiality of managerial commitment rather than to the
clarity and accuracy of the concepts and measures that he
utilized— or that he cites in the book. The experience of
consultants at company and plant levels confirms that crude,
even incorrect, and vaguely relevant statistical tools can
assist, and need not frustrate, determined drives to upgrade
productivity. Second, the author’s references to work mea­
surement (to comparisons of “ should-take” and “ did-take”
times for performing certain tasks) ought to remind pro­
ductivity scholars of a need to harmonize this common in­
tracompany practice with their own practice of end-product
measurement at and above the four-digit industry level. In
principle, at .least, end products can be described as com­
binations of “ subproducts” of the kind treated in work
measurement. Progress made in this direction could lead to
(1) better productivity measures for nonmanufacturing in­
dustries and (2) better comparisons of plant and company
performance against industry averages.
— Irving H. Siegel
C o n su ltin g E c o n o m ist
B e th e sd a , M d.

B u tle r, R o b e rt N ., “ A G e n e ra tio n at R isk : W h e n th e B ab y B o o m ­
e rs R e a c h G o ld e n P o n d ,” Across the Board , J u ly -A u g u s t
1983, p p . 3 7 - 4 5 .
F a rle y , R e y n o ld s a n d S u z a n n e M . B ia n c h i, “ T h e G ro w in g G a p
B e tw e e n B l a c k s ,” American Demographics , J u ly 1 9 8 3 ,
pp. 1 4 -1 8 .
H a u s m a n , Je rry A . a n d M a rk W a ts o n , Seasonal Adjustment with
Measurement Error Present. C a m b rid g e , M a s s ., N a tio n a l
B u re a u o f E c o n o m ic R e se a rc h , I n c ., 1983, 4 0 pp . ( n b e r
W o rk in g P a p e r S e rie s , 1 1 3 3 .) $ 1 .5 0 .

Career Profiles and
Sex Discrimination in the Library Profession. C h ic a g o , 111.,

H e im , K a th le e n M . an d L e ig h S . E sta b ro o k ,

A m e ric a n L ib ra ry A s s o c ia tio n , 1983, 82 p p ., b ib lio g ra p h y .
$ 1 5 , p a p e r.
P ry o r, E d w a rd an d M a lc o lm B ritto n , “ W h at C a n a d a 's 1981 C e n ­
su s F o u n d ,” American Demographics, Ju ly 1983, p p . 2 6 33 .
R u b e l, T h o m a s I ., “ M e tro s , M a rk e ts . . . . an d M o r e ,”
Demographics, Ju ly 1983, b e g in n in g on p. 22.

American

S p a in , D a p h n e an d S u z a n n e M . B ia n c h i, “ H o w W o m e n H av e
C h a n g e d ,” American Demographics, M a y 1983. pp . 1 8 - 2 5 .

Health and safety
Working Conditions and Envi­
ronment: A Worker’s Education Manual. G e n e v a , In te rn a ­

In te rn a tio n a l L a b o r O rg a n iz a tio n ,

tio n a l L a b o r O rg a n iz a tio n , 1983, 81 pp . A v a ila b le fro m th e
W a s h in g to n b ra n c h o f i l o .
R o w e , M . L a u re n s , Backache at Work. F a irp o rt, N .Y ., P e rin to n
P re s s , 1983, 122 p p . $ 1 1 .9 5 , p lu s $ 1 .5 0 , p a p er.

Industrial relations

Publications received
Economic growth and development
Stagflation: The Penalty of Speculative Production
in a Multistage Economy. L e x in g to n , M a s s ., D .C . H e ath a n d

B o n e t, E ric D .,

C o ., L e x in g to n B o o k s, 1983, 179 p p ., b ib lio g ra p h y . $ 2 3 .9 5 .
G ra m , H a rv e y a n d V iv ia n W a lsh , “ Jo a n R o b in s o n ’s E c o n o m ic s
in R e tr o s p e c t,” The Journal of Economic Literature, Ju n e
1983, pp. 5 1 8 -5 0 .
H y m a n s , S au l a n d J o a n P . C ra ry , “ T h e U .S . E c o n o m ic O u tlo o k
fo r 1983: A p ril U p d a te ,” Economic Outlook USA, S p rin g
1983, pp. 3 0 - 3 3 .
M c C lo s k e y , D o n a ld N ., “ T h e R h e to ric o f E c o n o m ic s ,” The Jour­
nal of Economic Literature, Ju n e 1983, p p . 4 8 1 - 5 1 7 .

Economic Rents, Province-Build­
ing and Interregional Adjustment: A Two Region General
Equilibrium Analysis. O tta w a , E c o n o m ic C o u n c il o f C a n a d a ,

N o rrie , K . H ., a n d M . B . P e rc y ,

1 9 8 3 , 4 7 p p . (D isc u ss io n P a p e r, 2 3 0 .)
T h u r o w , L e s te r C . , Dangerous Currents: The State of Economics.
N e w Y o rk , R a n d o m H o u s e , I n c ., 1983, 2 4 7 p p . $ 1 6 .9 5 .

Economic and social statistics

Unionization and Productivity in Office Building
and School Construction. C a m b rid g e , M a s s ., N a tio n a l B u ­

A lle n , S te v e n G .,

re au o f E c o n o m ic R e s e a rc h , I n c ., 1983, 4 6 p p . ( n b e r W o rk ­
ing P a p e r S e rie s , 1 1 3 9 .) $ 1 .5 0 .

The Unraveling of Labor-Management Relations
in Sweden. R e p rin te d fro m Personnel Journal, Ju n e 1983,

B e rn s te in , P a u l,

pp. 4 6 8 -7 7 .
F a rb e r, H e n ry S ., Right-to-Work Laws and the Extent of Union­
ization. C a m b rid g e , M a s s ., N a tio n a l B u re a u o f E c o n o m ic
R e s e a rc h , I n c ., 19 8 3 , 4 8 pp . ( n b e r W o rk in g P a p e r S e rie s ,
1 1 3 6 .) $ 1 .5 0 .
H o w a rd , D e n n is R . a n d D a v id F. C u lk in , “ F a c to rs A ffe ctin g th e
A ttitu d e s o f P u b lic M a n a g e rs T o w a rd C o lle c tiv e B a rg a in ­
i n g ,” Journal of Collective Negotiations in the Public Sector,
V o l. 12, N o . 2 , 1983, p p . 9 9 - 1 0 8 .
P rin c e to n U n iv e rs ity , Concessionary Bargaining and Labor Re­
lations. P re p a re d by K a th e rin e B a g in . P rin c e to n , N . J . , P rin ­
c e to n U n iv e rs ity , In d u stria l R e la tio n s S e c tio n , 1982, 4 p p .
(S e le c te d R e fe re n c e s , 2 1 4 .) 5 0 c e n ts.

Industry and government organization
A d k in s , L y n n w ith W e n d y D ille r, “ In d u s tr y ’s Q u ie t R e v o lu tio n ,”
Dun’s Business Month, Ju n e 1983, p p . 7 2 - 7 5 .

What Are the Determinants
of Delayed Childbearing and Permanent Childlessness in the
United States? C a m b rid g e , M a s s ., N a tio n a l B u re au o f E c o ­

F a rre lly , G a il E . a n d S te p h e n J. F rie d m a n , “ L e t ’s D e re g u la te
D is c lo s u re B e fo re th e S E C ,” Business and Society S p rin g
198 3 , p p . 2 6 - 3 0 .

n o m ic R e s e a rc h , I n c ., 1982, 32 p p . ( n b e r W o rk in g P a p e r
S e rie s , 1 1 4 0 .) $ 1 .5 0 .

“ In d u s tria l P o lic y : Is It th e A n s w e r ? ”
19 8 3 , b e g in n in g o n p. 5 4 .

B lo o m , D a v id E . a n d J a m e s T r u s s e d ,

44

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Business Week, Ju ly 4 ,

International Economics

Management and organization theory

T o m lin s o n , J. D ., “ R e g u la tin g th e C a p ita list E n te rp rise: T h e Im ­
p o s s ib le D r e a m ,” Scottish Journal of Political Economy,
F e b ru a ry 1 9 8 3 , p p . 5 4 - 6 8 .
T re z is e , P h ilip H ., “ In d u strial P o licy Is N o t th e M a jo r R e aso n
fo r J a p a n ’s S u c c e s s ,” The Brookings Review, S p rin g 1983,
pp. 1 3 -1 8 .

A n d e rs o n , W a y n e F ., C h e s te r A . N e w la n d , R ic h a rd J. S tillm a n ,
II, The Effective Government Manager. W a s h in g to n , In te r­
n a tio n a l C ity M a n a g e m e n t A s s o c ia tio n , 1983, 2 6 4 p p . $ 2 8 .

W e ig a n d , R o b e rt, “ In te rn a tio n a l In v e stm e n ts: W eig h in g th e In ­
c e n t i v e s ,” Harvard Business Review, Ju ly -A u g u s t 1983,
pp. 1 4 6 -5 2 .

H a y e s , J a m e s L ., Memos for Management Leadership. N e w Y o rk ,
A m e ric a n M a n a g e m e n t A s s o c ia tio n s , 1983, 161 p p . $ 1 4 .9 5 .

Labor and economic history

P rin c e to n U n iv e rs ity , Executive Spouses. P re p a re d by C a ro l M .
T o b in . P rin c e to n , N .J ., P rin c e to n U n iv e rs ity , In d u strial R e ­
la tio n s S e c tio n , 1983, 4 p p . (S e le c te d R e fe re n c e s , 2 1 3 .) 5 0
c e n ts.

Workingmen’s Democracy: The Knights of Labor and
American Politics. U rb a n a , U n iv e rsity o f Illin o is P re ss , 1983,

F in k , L e o n ,

2 4 9 p p . $ 2 2 .5 0 .
“ L a tin A m e ric a , 1 9 8 3 ,”
7 8.

Current History, Ja n u a ry 1983, p p . 4 9 -

S a c h s , C a ro ly n E ., The Invisible Farmers: Women in Agricultural
Production. T o to w a , N .J ., R o w m a n & A lla n h e ld , 1983, 153
p p ., b ib lio g ra p h y . $ 2 3 .9 5 .
“ W e s t E u r o p e ,”

Current History, D e c e m b e r 1983, pp . 4 0 1 - 3 1 .

Labor force
B a tt, W illia m L ., J r ., “ C a n a d a ’s G o o d E x a m p le w ith D isp la ce d
W o rk e rs: S p e c ia l R e p o r t,” Harvard Business Review, Ju ly A u g u s t 1 983, b e g in n in g on p. 6.
B lu m , A lb e rt A ., “ H a rd -C o re U n e m p lo y m e n t: A L o n g -T e rm
P r o b le m ,” Business and Society, S p rin g 1983, p p . 1 4 - 1 7 .
B ry c e ,

H e rrin g to n J . ,

American

“ M o b iliz in g th e B lac k U n e m p lo y e d ,”
Demographics, Ju ly 1983, b e g in n in g on p. 19.

Labor Force Com­
position and Underemployment Trends, 1969-1980. R e ­
p rin te d fro m Social Indicators Research, D e c e m b e r 1982,

C lo g g , C liffo rd C . a n d T e re s a A . S u lliv a n ,

p p . 1 1 7 - 5 2 . A u s tin , T h e U n iv e rsity o f T e x a s at A u s tin , D e ­
p a rtm e n t o f S o c io lo g y , 1983.
C o n g re s s io n a l Q u a rte rly , I n c ., Employment in America. W a s h ­
in g to n , C o n g re s s io n a l Q u a rte rly , I n c ., 1983, 208 p p ., b ib ­
lio g ra p h y . $ 9 .5 0 , p a p e r.
H a y e s , C h e ry l D . an d S h e ila B. K a m e rm a n , e d s .,

Children of

Working Parents: Experience and Outcomes. W a s h in g to n ,
N a tio n a l A c a d e m y P re ss , 1983, 275 p p . $ 1 6 .5 0 .
M o o re , W illia m J . , R o b e rt J. N e w m a n , Jo h n R a is ia n , R. W illia m
T h o m a s , “ A Q u a lity -A d ju s tm e n t M o d e l o f th e A c a d e m ic
L a b o r M a rk e t: T h e C a se o f E c o n o m is ts ,” Economic Inquiry,
A p ril 1 9 8 3 , p p . 2 4 1 - 5 4 .

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Canadian
Labour Market. O tta w a , E m p lo y m e n t a n d Im m ig ra tio n C a n ­

R o b e rts o n , M a tth e w ,

a d a , 1 9 8 2 , 183 p p .

Geographic Profile of Employ­
ment and Unemployment, 1982. W a s h in g to n , 1983, 157 p p .

U .S . B u re au o f L a b o r S ta tistic s ,

(B u lle tin 2 1 7 0 .) S to c k N o . 0 2 9 - 0 0 1 - 0 2 7 5 0 - 1 . $ 5 .5 0 , S u ­
p e rin te n d e n t o f D o c u m e n ts , W a s h in g to n 2 0 4 0 2 .
----------- Marital and Family Patterns of Workers: An Update. P re ­
p a re d b y H o w a rd H a y g h e . W a s h in g to n , 1983, 34 p p . (B u l­
letin 2 1 6 3 , S p e c ia l L a b o r F o rc e R e p o rt.) S to c k N o . 0 2 9 0 0 1 - 0 2 7 5 3 - 2 . $ 3 .7 5 , S u p e rin te n d e n t o f D o c u m e n ts, W a s h ­
in g to n 2 0 4 0 2 .
----------- Youth Unemployment: A
1 9 8 3 , 7 p p . (R e p o rt 6 9 5 .)


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Look at the Data. W a s h in g to n ,

B a illie , A lla n S ., “ Ja p a n e s e P ro d u c tio n M a n a g e m e n t: D ifficu lt to
E m u la te ,” Akron Business and Economic Review, S u m m e r
1983, p p . 3 7 - 4 0 .

S c h m id t, W a rre n H . a n d B a rry Z . P o s n e r. Managerial Values in
Perspective. N e w Y o rk , A m e ric a n M a n a g e m e n t A s s o c ia ­
tio n s , a Ma M e m b e rs h ip P u b lic a tio n s D iv isio n , 19 8 3 , 5 2 p p .
$ 1 0 , a m a m e m b e rs ; $ 1 3 .5 0 , n o n m e m b e rs .

Monetary and fiscal policy
C., “ M o n e y an d M o n e ta ry P o lic y ,” The Brookings
Review, S p rin g 1983, p p . 6 - 1 2 .

B ry a n t, R a lp h

S a u ln ie r, R a y m o n d J . , “ A n U rg e n t T ask : T o R e d u ce th e F e d e ral
B u d g e t’s S tru c tu ra l D e f ic it,” Economic Outlook USA, S p rin g
1983, p p . 2 7 - 2 9 .

Prices and living conditions
E v a n s , P a u l, “ P ric e L ev e l In sta b ility a n d O u tp u t in th e U . S . , ”
Economic Inquiry, A p ril 1983, pp . 1 7 2 - 8 7 .
H o g a n , T im o th y D ., R o b e rt T . K e im , T o m R . R e x , “ A C a se
S tu d y o f D ire c t-P ric in g V e rsu s C P i-U pdating M e th o d o lo g ie s
fo r th e U rb a n F a m ily B u d g e t,” Akron Business and Economic
Review, S u m m e r 1983, p p . 5 1 - 5 5 .

1981 Price Index of Operating
Costs for Rent Stabilized Apartment Houses in New York City.

U .S B u re a u o f L a b o r S ta tis tic s ,

N e w Y o rk , U .S B u re a u o f L a b o r S ta tistic s , M id d le A tlan tic
R e g io n a l O ffice , 1981, 9 9 p p . (R e g io n a l R e p o rt, 7 0 .)
U .S . G e n e ra l A c c o u n tin g O ffice, Funds Needed to Develop c p i
Quality Control System. G a ith e rs b u rg , M d ., U .S G e n e ra l A c ­
c o u n tin g O ffice , D o c u m e n t H a n d lin g a n d In fo rm a tio n S e r­
v ice s F a c ility , 1983, 4 0 pp .

Productivity and technological change
A rg o te , L in d a , P a u l S. G o o d m a n , D a v id S c h k a d e , “ T h e H u m a n
S id e o f R o b o tic s: H o w W o rk e rs R e a c t to a R o b o t,” Sloan
Management Review, S p rin g 198 3 , p p . 3 1 - 4 1 .
C h in lo y , P e te r, Labour Quality Change in Canada. O tta w a , E c o ­
n o m ic C o u n c il o f C a n a d a , 1983, 121 p p . (D isc u ss io n P a p e r,
2 3 1 .)
N e v is, E d w in C ., “ C u ltu ra l A s su m p tio n s an d P ro d u c tiv ity : T h e
U n ite d S ta te s an d C h i n a ,” Sloan Management Review, S p rin g
19 8 3 , p p . 1 7 - 2 9 .
S u lz n e r, G e o rg e T ., “ P ro d u c tiv ity a n d Jo b S e c u rity : T h e Issu es
o f th e 1 9 8 0 ’s in U . S . P u b lic S e c to r L a b o r R e la tio n s , ” Journal
of Collective Negotiations in the Public Sector, V o l. 12, N o.
2 , 19 8 3 , p p . 7 9 - 8 6 .
U .S . B u re a u o f L a b o r S ta tistic s , A BLS Reader on Productivity
(R ep rin ted fro m the Monthly Labor Review and oth er sources).
W a s h in g to n , 1983, 2 3 8 p p ., b ib lio g ra p h y . (B u lle tin 2 1 7 1 .)

45

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Book Reviews
S to c k N o . 0 2 9 - 0 0 1 - 0 2 7 5 5 - 9 .
D o c u m e n ts , W ash in g to n 2 0 4 0 2 .

$ 6 .5 0 ,

S u p e rin te n d e n t o f

W e in b e rg , E d g a r, Labor Management Cooperation for Produc­
tivity. N e w Y o rk , W o rk in A m e ric a In stitu te , 1983, 61 p p .,
b ib lio g ra p h y . (W o rk in A m e ric a In stitu te S tu d ies in P ro d u c ­
tiv ity ; H ig h lig h ts o f th e L ite ra tu re , V ol. 3 0 .) $ 3 5 , p a p e r,
P e rg a m o n P re ss , N e w Y o rk .

A v a ila b le fro m th e S u p e rin te n d e n t o f D o c u m e n ts, W a s h in g ­
to n 2 0 4 0 2 , g p o B o o k sto re s, o r b l s re g io n a l offices.
----------- Union

Wages and Hours: Building Trades, Selected Middle
Atlantic Cities, July 1, 1980. P re p a re d by A n th o n y J. F e rrara
an d V irg in ia C h a ro n is . N e w Y o rk , U .S . B u reau o f L ab o r
S ta tis tic s , M id d le A tla n tic R e g io n a l O ffice, 1983, 25 p p. (R e ­
g io n a l R e p o rt 7 2 .)

----------- Wages

Wages and compensation
M e ie r, G re tl S ., Worker Learning and Worktime Flexibility. K a ­
la m a z o o , M ic h ., T h e W . E . U p jo h n In stitu te fo r E m p lo y m e n t
R e s e a rc h , 1 983, 64 pp . $ 4 .9 5 .
R o se n , B e n so n , S a ra R y n e s, T h o m a s A . M a h o n e y , “ C o m p e n ­
sa tio n , J o b s , an d G e n d e r ,” Harvard Business Review , Ju ly A u g u s t 1983, b e g in n in g on p. 170.
S ta in e s , G ra h a m L. an d Jo s e p h H. P le c k , The Impact of Work
Schedules on the Family. A n n A rb o r, T h e U n iv e rsity o f M ic h ­
ig a n , T h e In stitu te fo r S o c ial R e se a rc h , 1983, 166 p p . $22.
U .S . B u re au o f L a b o r S ta tistic s , Area Wage Surveys: Washington,
D .C . — Maryland— Virginia, Metropolitan Area, March 1983
(B u lle tin 3 0 2 0 - 7 , 4 0 p p ., $ 3 .7 5 ); Chicago, Illinois, Metro­
politan Area, March 1983 (B u lle tin 3 0 2 0 - 1 0 , 58 p p ., $ 4 .2 5 );
San Francisco— Oakland, California, Metropolitan Area,
March 1983 (B u lle tin 3 0 2 0 - 1 1 , 37 p p ., $ 3 .7 5 ); Wichita,
Kansas, Metropolitan Area, April ¡983 (B u lle tin 3 0 2 0 - 1 2 ,
4 3 p p ., $ 3 .7 5 ); Atlanta, Georgia, Metropolitan Area, May
1983 (B u lle tin 3 0 2 0 - 1 3 , 38 p p ., $ 3 .7 5 ); Milwaukee, Wis­
consin, Metropolitan Area, May 1983 (B u lle tin 3 0 2 0 - 1 4 , 41
p p ., $ 3 .7 5 ); Newark, New Jersey, Metropolitan Area, Jan­
uary 1983 (B u lle tin 3 0 2 0 - 1 5 , 5 4 p p ., $ 4 )\ Norfolk—Virginia
Beach— Portsmouth, Virginia—North Carolina, Metropoli­
tan Area, May 1983 (B u lle tin 3 0 2 0 - 1 6 , 28 p p ., $ 3 .2 5 ).

46


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and Benefits of New York Cits' Municipal Govern­
ment Workers, May 1980. N ew Y o rk , U .S . B u re au o f L a b o r
S ta tis tic s , M id d le A tla n tic R e g io n a l O ffice, 1981, 126 p p.
(R e g io n a l R e p o rt 7 1 .)

Welfare programs and social insurance
H a w k in s , S u e C ., “ ss i: T re n d s in S ta te S u p p le m e n ta tio n , 19 7 9 —
8 1 , ” Social Security Bulletin , Ju n e 1983, pp . 3 - 8 .
H e ss , B e th B ., “ N e w F a c e s o f P o v e r ty ,”
ics , M a y 1983, p p . 2 6 - 3 2 .

American Demograph­

W a rto n ic k , J. an d M ic h ae l P a c k a rd , “ S lo w in g D o w n P e n sio n
In d e x in g : T h e F o re ig n E x p e r ie n c e ,” Social Security Bulletin,
J u n e 1983, p p . 9 - 1 5 .

Worker training and development
C o rv a la n -V a s q u e z , O s c a r, “ V o c a tio n a l T ra in in g o f D isa d v a n ta g e d
Y o u th in the D e v e lo p in g C o u n tr ie s ,” International Labour
Review , M a y -Ju n e 1983, pp . 3 6 7 - 8 1 .
S ie d u le , T o m an d N o rm a n L e c k ie , Occupational Demand: Esti­
mation and Projection. O tta w a , O n ta rio , E c o n o m ic C o u n c il
o f C a n a d a , 1983, 137 p p . (D isc u ss io n P a p e r, 2 2 9 .)
S im p s o n , W a y n e , An Economic Analysis of Industrial Training in
Canada. O ttaw a, O n ta rio , E co n o m ic C ouncil o f C a n ad a , 1983,
79 p p . (D isc u ss io n P a p e r, 2 2 4 .)
□

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. Employment status of the noninstitutional population, selected years, 1950-82 .....................................................................
2. Employment status of the population, including Armed Forces in the United States, by sex, seasonally adjusted
3. Employment status of the civilian population by sex, age, race, and Hispanic origin, seasonally ad ju sted .....................
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Selected employment indicators, seasonally ad ju sted ......................................................................................................................
Selected unemployment indicators, seasonally ad ju sted ..................................................................................................................
Unemployment rates, by sex and age, seasonally adjusted ...........................................................................................................
Unemployed persons, by reason for unemployment, seasonally ad ju sted ..................................................................................
Duration of unemployment, seasonally adjusted........................................................... ................................................................

Employment, hours, and earnings data from establishment surveys. Definitions and notes
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

Employment by industry, selected years, 1950-82 . ......................................................................................................................
Employment by State ...............................................................................................................................................................................
Employment by industry division and major manufacturing group, seasonally adjusted .......................................................
Hours and earnings, by industry division, selected years, 1950-82 ...........................................................................................
Weekly hours, by industry division and major manufacturing group, seasonally adjusted ..................................................
Hourly earnings, by industry division and major manufacturing group ....................................................................................
Hourly Earnings Index, by industry division ....................................................................................................................................
Weekly earnings, by industry division and major manufacturing group ....................................................................................
Indexes of diffusion: industries in which employment in creased ..................................................................................................

49
49
50
51
52
53
54
54
54
55
56
56
57
58
59
60
60
61
61

Unemployment insurance data. Definitions
18. Unemployment insurance and employment service operations

Price data. Definitions and notes .......................................................
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.

Consumer Price Index, 1967-82 ....................................................................................
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, by 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 ........................... ...............................................................
28.
29.
30.
31.

Annual indexes of productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices, selected years, 1950-82 .........................
Annual changes in productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices, 1972-82 .....................................................
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, andp r ic e s ................

Wage and compensation data. Definitions and notes
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.

Employment Cost Index, total compensation, by occupation and industry group ..................................................................
Employment Cost Index, wages and salaries, by occupation and industry group ..................................................................
Employment Cost Index, private nonfarm workers, by bargaining status, region, and area size .............................
Wage and compensation change, major collective bargaining settlements, 1978 to d a te .......................................................
Effective wage adjustments in collective bargaining units covering 1,000 workers or more, 1978 to date .....................

63
64
64
70
71
72
73
75
75
76

77
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86

Work stoppage data. Definition
37. Work stoppages involving 1,000 workers or more, 1947 to date


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47

NOTES ON CURRENT LABOR STATISTICS

Review p re se n ts th e p rin cip al sta tistica l sc ries

Price Index series. However, seasonally adjusted indexes are not published

c o lle c te d a n d c a lc u la te d by th e B u reau o f L a b o r S ta tistic s . A b rie f

for the U.S. average All Items CPI. Only seasonally adjusted percent

in tro d u c tio n to e a c h g ro u p o f ta b le s p ro v id e s d e fin itio n s , n o tes on

changes are available for this series.

T h is se c tio n o f th e

th e d a ta , s o u rc e s , an d o th e r m ate ria l u su a lly fo u n d in fo o tn o te s.
R e a d e rs w h o n e ed a d d itio n a l in fo rm a tio n are in v ite d to c o n su lt

Adjustments for price changes. Some data are adjusted to eliminate the

th e B L S re g io n a l o ffices liste d on th e in sid e fro n t c o v e r o f th is

effect of changes in price. These adjustments are made by dividing current

Review. S o m e g e n era l n o te s a p p lic a b le to se v e ra l se ries

dollar values by the Consumer Price Index or the appropriate component

issu e o f th e

are g iv e n b e lo w .

of the index, then multiplying by 100. For example, given a current hourly

Seasonal adjustment. Certain monthly and quarterly data are adjusted to

the hourly rate expressed in 1967 dollars is $2 ($3/150 x 100 = $2). The

eliminate the effect o f such factors as climatic conditions, industry pro­

resulting values are described as "real," "constant." or "1967" dollars.

wage rate of $3 and a current price index number of 150. where 1967 = 100.

duction schedules, opening and closing of schools, holiday buying periods,
and vacation practices, which might otherwise mask short-term movements

Availability of information. Data that supplement the tables in this section

o f the statistical series. Tables containing these data are identified as "sea­

are published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in a variety of sources.

sonally adjusted.” Seasonal effects are estimated on the basis of past

Press releases provide the latest statistical information published by the

experience. When new seasonal factors are computed each year, revisions

Bureau; the major recurring releases are published according to the schedule

may affect seasonally adjusted data for several preceding years.

given below. More information from household and establishment surveys

Seasonally adjusted labor force data in tables 3 - 8 were revised in the

is provided in E m p lo y m e n t a n d E a rn in g s , a monthly publication o f the

February 1983 issue o f the R e v ie w , to reflect experience through 1982.

Bureau. Comparable household information is published in a two-volume

Beginning in January 1980, the BLS introduced two major modifications

data b o o k - L a b o r F o r c e S ta tis tic s D e r iv e d F ro m th e C u r r e n t P o p u la tio n

in the seasonal adjustment methodology for labor force data. First, the

S u r v e y , Bulletin 2096. Comparable establishment information appears in

data are being seasonally adjusted with a new procedure called X -11/

two data b o o k s - E m p lo y m e n t a n d E a rn in g s , U n ite d S ta te s , and E m p lo y ­

ARIMA, which was developed at Statistics Canada as an extension of the

m e n t a n d E a r n in g s , S ta te s a n d A r e a s , and their annual supplements. More

standard X -l 1 method. A detailed description of the procedure appears in

detailed information on wages and other aspects of collective bargaining

T h e X - l 1 A R IM A S e a s o n a l A d ju s tm e n t M e th o d by Estela Bee Dagum

appears in the monthly periodical. C u r r e n t W a g e D e v e lo p m e n ts . More

(Statistics Canada Catalogue No. 12-564E, February 1980). The second

detailed price information is published each month in the periodicals, the

change is that seasonal factors are now being calculated for use during the

C P I D e ta ile d R e p o r t and P r o d u c e r P r ic e s a n d P r ic e I n d e x e s .

first 6 months o f the year, rather than for the entire year, and then are
calculated at mid-year for the July-December period. Revisions o f historical

Symbols

data continue to be made only at the end of each calendar year.
Annual revision o f the seasonally adjusted payroll data shown in tables

p = preliminary. To improve the tinjeliness o f some series, pre­

11, 13, and 15 were made in August 1981 using the X -l 1 ARIMA seasonal

liminary figures are issued based on representative but in­

adjustment methodology. New seasonal factors for productivity data in

complete returns.

tables 29 and 30 are usually introduced 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

r = revised. Generally, this revision reflects the availability of
later data but may also reflect other adjustments,
n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.

S ch edule of release dates for BLS statistical series
S e rie s

S e p te m b e r
re le a s e s

P erio d
covered

re le a s e s

O ctober

P erio d
covered

N ovem ber

P erio d

M L R ta b le

re le a s e s

covered

num ber

Employment,situation..........................

September 2

August

October 7

September

November 4

October

1-11

Producer Price Index..........................

September 9

August

October 14

September

November 10

October

23-27

Consumer Price Index .......................

September 23

August

October 25

September

November 23

October

19-22

Real earnings ...................................

September 23

August

October 25

September

November 23

October

12-16

November 30

3rd quarter

28-31

Employment Cost Index .....................

November 3

3rd quarter

32-34

U.S Import and Export Price Indexes . . .

November 9

3rd quarter

Productivity and costs:
Nonfarm business and manufacturing . .

3rd quarter

Nonfinancial corporations ................
Major collective bargaining settlements , .

48

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

October 28

EMPLOYMENT DATA FROM THE HOUSEHOLD SURVEY

E m plo ym en t

rate for all civilian workers represents the number unemployed as a percent
of the civilian labor force.
The labor force consists of all employed or unemployed civilians plus
members o f the Armed Forces stationed in the United States. Persons not
in the labor force are those not classified as employed or unemployed;
this group includes persons who are 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, sani­
tariums, or homes for the aged, infirm, or needy, and members of the
Armed Forces stationed in the United States. The labor force participation
rate is the proportion of the noninstitutional population that is in the labor
force. The employment-population ratio is total employment (including
the resident Armed Forces) as a percent of the noninstitutional population.

d a ta in th is se c tio n are o b ta in e d fro m the C u rre n t

P o p u la tio n S u rv e y , a p ro g ra m o f p e rso n al in te rv ie w s c o n d u c te d
m o n th ly by th e B u reau o f the C e n su s fo r the B u reau o f L ab o r
S ta tistic s . T h e sa m p le c o n sists o f ab o u t 6 0 .0 0 0 h o u se h o ld s se lec te d
to re p re se n t th e U .S p o p u la tio n 16 y e ars o f age an d o ld e r. H o u s e ­
h o ld s are in te rv ie w e d on a ro tatin g b a sis, so th at th re e -fo u rth s o f
th e sa m p le is th e sa m e fo r any 2 c o n se c u tiv e m o n th s.

Definitions
Employed persons include (1) all civilians 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. Members of the
Armed Forces stationed in the United States are also included in the em­
ployed total. A person working at more than one job is counted only in
the job at which he or she worked the greatest number of hours.
Unemployed persons are those who did not work during the survey
week, but were available for work except for temporary illness and had
looked for jobs within the preceding 4 weeks. Persons who did not look
for work because they were on layoff or waiting to start new jobs within
the next 30 days are also counted among the unemployed. The overall
unemployment rate represents the number unemployed as a percent of
the labor force, including the resident Armed Forces. The unemployment

1.

Notes on the data
From time to time, and especially after a decennial census, adjustments
are made in the Current Population Survey figures to correct for estimating
errors during the preceding years. These adjustments affect the compara­
bility of historical data presented in table I. A description of these ad­
justments and their effect on the various data series appear in the Explanatory
Notes of E m p lo y m e n t a n d E a rn in g s .
Data in tables 2 - 8 are seasonally adjusted, based on the seasonal ex­
perience through December 1982.

E m ploym ent status of the noninstitutional population, 16 years and over, selected years, 1 9 5 0 -8 2

[Numbers in thousands]
Labor force
Em plo yed

U n e m p lo y e d

N o n in s ti­
Year

tu tio n al
p o p u latio n

N u m b er

pop u latio n

Not in

C iv ilia n

P ercen t of
Total

P ercent of
p opulation

R esid en t

P erc e n t of
N o n a g ri-

A rm ed
Forces

T otal

A g ricu ltu re

N u m b er

cu ltu ral

la b o r force

la b o r
force

in d u stries

1950
1955
1960
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982

............
...........
............
...........
...........
............
...........
...........
............
...........
............
............
...........
............
............
............
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

106,164
111,747
119,106
128.459
130,180
132.092
134,281
136,573
139,203
142,189
145.939
148,870
151,841
154,831
157,818
160,689
153,541
166,460
169,349
171,775
173,939

63,377
67,087
71,489
76,401
77,892
79.565
80.990
82,972
84,889
86,355
88,847
91.203
93,670
95,453
97,826
100,665
103,882
106,559
108,544
110,315
111,872

59.7
60.0
60.0
59.5
59.8
60.2
60.3
60.8
61.0
60.7
60.9
61.3
61.7
61.6
62.0
62.6
63.5
64.0
64.1
65.2
64.3

60,087
64,234
67,639
73,034
75,017
76,590
78,173
80,140
80,796
81,340
83,966
86,838
88,515
87,524
90,420
93,673
97,679
100,421
100,907
102.042
101.194

56.6
57.5
56.8
56.9
57.6
58.0
58.2
58.7
58.0
57.2
57.5
58.3
58.3
56.5
57.3
58.3
59.7
60 3
59.6
59.4
58.2

1,169
2,064
1,861
1,946
2,122
2.218
2,253
2.238
2,118
1,973
1,813
1,774
1,721
1,678
1,668
1,656
1,631
1,597
1,604
1,645
1,668

58,918
62,170
65,778
71,088
72,895
74,372
75,920
77,902
78,678
79,367
82,153
85,064
86,794
85,845
88.752
92,017
96,048
98,824
99,303
100,397
99,526

7,160
6,450
5,458
4,361
3,979
3,844
3,817
3,606
3,463
3,394
3,484
3,470
3,515
3,408
3,331
3,283
3,387
3,347
3,364
3,368
3,401

51,758
55,722
60,318
66,726
68,915
70,527
72,103
74,296
75,215
75,972
78,669
81,594
83,279
82,438
85,421
88,734
92,661
95,477
95,938
97,030
96,125

3,288
2,852
3,852
3,366
2,875
2,975
2,817
2,832
4,093
5,016
4,882
4,355
5,156
7,929
7,406
6,991
6,202
6,137
7,637
8,273
10,578

5.2
4.3
5.4
4.4
3.7
3.7
3.5
3.4
4.8
5.8
5.5
4.8
5.5
8.3
7.6
6.9
6.0
5.8
7.0
7.5
9.5

42,787
44,660
46,617
52,058
52,288
52,527
53.291
53,602
54,315
55,834
57,091
57,667
58,171
59,377
59,991
60,025
59,659
59,900
60,806
61,460
62,067

49

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Household Data
2.

E m ploym ent status of the population, including A rm ed Forces in th e U nited S tates, by sex, seasonally adjusted

[Numbers in thousands]
A nnu al av e ra g e
1981

1982

1982
July

A ug.

Sept.

1983
Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan.

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

July

Total

Noninstitutional population1'2 ...................
Labor force2 .....................................
Participation rate3 .....................
Total employed2
Employment-population4 ............
Resident Armed Forces1 ................
Civilian employed..........................
Agriculture ..............................
Nonagricultural industries............
Unemployed...................................
Unemployment rate5 ...................
Not in labor force ..............................

171,775 173,939 174,038 174,200 174,360 174,549 174,718 174,864 175,021 175,169 175,320 175,465 175,622 175,793
110,315 111,872 112,090 112,303 112,528 112,420 112,702 112,794 112,215 112,217 112,148 112,457 112,418 113,600
64.2
64.4
64.3
64.5
64.5
64.4
64.5
64.5
64.1
64.1
64.0
64.1
64.0
64.6
102,042 101,194 101,262 101,372 101,213 100,844 100,796 100,758 100,770 100,727 100,767 101,129 101,226 102,454
59.4
58.2
58.2
58.2
58.0
57.8
57.7
57.6
57.6
57.5
57.5
57.6
57.6
58.3
1,645
1,674
1,668
1,689
1,670
1,668
1,660
1,665
1,667
1,664
1,664
1,671
1,669
1,668
100,397 99,526 99,588 99,683 99.543 99,176 99,136 99,093 99,103 99,063 99,103 99,458 99,557 100,786
3,368
3,401
3,445
3,429
3,363
3,413
3,466
3,411
3,412
3,393
3,375
3,371
3,367
3,522
97,030 96,125 96,143 96,254 96,180 95,763 95,670 95,682 95,691 95,670 95,729 96,088 96,190 97,264
8,273 10,678 10,828 10,931 11,315 11,576 11,906 12,036 11,446 11,490 11,381 11,328 11,192 11,146
7.5
9.5
9.7
9.7
10.1
10.3
10.6
10.7
10.2
10.2
10.1
10.1
10.0
9.8
61,460 62,067 61,948 61,897 61,832 62,129 62,016 62,070 62,806 62,952 63,172 63,008 63,204 62,193

175,970
113,539
64.5
102,949
58.5
1,664
101,285
3,527
97,758
10,590
9.3
62,431

" M e n , 1 6 y e a rs a nd o v er

Noninstitutional population1'2 ..................
Labor force2 .....................................
Participation rate3 .....................
Total employed2 ..............................
Employment-population rate4 . . . .
Resident Armed Forces1 ................
Civilian employed..........................
Unemployed...................................
Unemployment rate5 ..................

82,023
63,486
77.4
58,909
71.8
1,512
57,397
4,577
7.2

83,052
63,979
77.0
57,800
69.6
1,527
56,271
6,179
9.7

83,097
63,989
76.9
57,664
69.4
1,537
56,127
6,234
9.8

83,173
64,055
77.0
57,710
69.4
1,551
56,159
6,345
9.9

83,231
64,301
77.3
57,598
69.2
1,526
56,072
6,703
10.4

83,323
64,300
77.2
57,456
69.0
1,524
55,932
6,844
10.6

83,402
64,414
77.2
57,408
58.8
1,516
55,892
7,006
10.9

83,581
64,384
77.0
57,338
68.6
1,529
55,809
7,046
10.9

83,652
63,916
76.4
57,283
68.5
1,531
55,752
6,633
10.4

83,720
63,996
76.4
57,234
68.4
1,528
55,706
6,762
10.6

83,789
63,957
76.3
57,300
68.4
1,528
55,772
6,657
10.4

83,856
64,207
76.6
57,476
68.5
1,530
55,946
6,731
10.5

83,931
64,276
76.6
57,656
68.7
1,528
56,128
6,620
10.3

84,014
64,816
77.1
58,464
69.6
1,525
56,939
6,351
9.8

84,099
64,864
77.1
58,625
69.7
1,521
57,104
6,238
9.6

89,751
46,829
52.2
43,133
48.1
133
43,000
3,696
7.9

90,887
47,894
52.7
43,395
47.7
139
43,256
4,499
9.4

90,941
48,192
53.0
43,598
47.9
137
43,461
4,594
9.5

91,027
48,248
43.0
43,662
48.0
138
43,524
4,586
9.5

91,129
48,227
52.9
43,615
47.9
144
43,471
4,612
9.6

91,226
48,120
52.7
43,388
47.6
144
43,244
4,732
9.8

91,316
48,288
42.9
43,388
47.5
144
43,244
4,900
10.1

91,283
48,410
43.0
43,420
47.6
136
43,284
4,990
10.3

91,369
48,299
52.9
43,486
47.6
136
43,350
4,813
10.0

91,449
48,220
52.7
43,493
47.6
136
43,357
4,727
9.8

91,532
48,191
52.6
3,467
47.5
136
43,331
4,724
9.8

91,609
48,251
52.7
43,653
47.7
141
43,512
4,597
9.5

91,691
48,142
52.5
43,569
47.5
141
43,428
4,572
9.5

91,779
48,784
53.2
43,990
47.9
143
43,847
4,995
9.8

91,871
48,675
53.0
44,324
48.2
143
44,181
4,351
8.9

W o m e n , 1 6 y e a rs and o ver

Noninstitutional population1-2 ...................
Labor force2 .....................................
Participation rate3 .....................
Total employed2 ..............................
Employment-population rate4 . . . .
Resident Armed Forces1 ................
Civilian employed..........................
Unemployed...................................
Unemployment rate5 ...................

1The population and Armed Forces figures are not adjusted for seasonal variation.
includes members of the Armed Forces stationed in the United States.
3Labor force as a percent of the noninstitutional population.

50


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

4Total employed as a percent of the noninstitutional population.
Unemployment as a percent of the labor force (including the resident Armed Forces).

3.

E m ploym ent status of the civilian population by sex, age, race, and H ispanic origin, seaso n ally adjusted

[Numbers in thousands]
1982

1983

1 982

Annu al a verag e
1981

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan .

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

July

TO TAL

Civilian noninstitutional population1 ............
Civilian labor force..............................
Participation rate.......................
Employed .....................................
Employment-population ratio2 . . . .
Agriculture...................................
Nonagricultural industries ..............
Unemployed...................................
Unemployment rate ..................
Not in labor force ..............................

170,130 172,271 172,364 172,511 172,690 172,881 173,058 173,199 173,354 173,305 173,656 173,794 173,953 174,125 174,306
108,670 110,204 110,416 110,614 110,858 110,752 111,042 111,129 110,548 110,553 110,484 110,786 110,749 111,932 111,875
64.2
63.8
63.7
63.7
63.7
64.3
64.2
64.2
63.6
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.2
63.9
64.0
100,397 99,526 99,588 99,683 99,543 99,176 99,136 99,093 99,103 99,063 99,103 99,458 99,557 100,786 101,285
57.1
57.1
57.2
57.9
58.1
57.2
57.2
57.2
57.4
57.3
57.6
57.8
57.8
57.8
59.0
3,527
3,371
3,367
3,522
3,411
3,412
3,393
3,375
3,413
3,466
3,429
3,363
3,445
33,68
3,401
97,264
97,758
95,682
95,691
95,670
95,729
96,088
96,190
97,030 96,125 96,143 96,254 96,180 95,763 95,670
8,273 10,678 10,828 10,931 11,315 11,576 11,906 12,036 11,446 11,490 11,381 11,328 11,192 11,146 10,590
10.4
10.0
9.5
10.4
10.3
10.2
10.1
10.7
10.8
10.2
10.5
9.8
9.9
9.7
7.6
61,460 62,067 61,948 61,897 61,832 62,129 62,016 62,070 62,806 62,952 63,172 63,008 63,204 62,193 62,431

M e n , 2 0 y e a rs an d over

Civilian noninstitutional population1 ............
Civilian labor force..............................
Participation rate.......................
Employed ...................................
Employment-population ratio2 . . . .
Agriculture...................................
Nonagricultural industries ..............
Unemployed...................................
Unemployment rate ..................

72,419
57,197
79,0
53,582
74.0
2,384
51,199
3,615
6.3

73,644
57,980
78.7
52,891
71.8
2,422
50,469
5,089
8.8

73,685
58,055
78.8
52,905
71.8
2,462
50,443
5,150
8.9

73,774
58,064
78.7
52,832
71.6
2,433
50,399
5,232
9.0

73,867
58,354
79.0
52,776
71.4
2,436
50,340
5,578
9.6

73,984
58,363
78.9
52,649
71.2
2,444
50,205
5,714
9.8

74,094
58,454
78.9
52,589
71.0
2,434
50,155
5,865
10.0

74,236
58,443
78.7
52,534
70.8
2,389
50,145
5,909
10.1

74,339
58,048
78.1
52,452
70.6
2,426
50,025
5,597
9.6

74,434
58,177
78.2
52,428
70.4
2,374
50,054
5,749
9.9

74,528
58,170
78.1
52,589
70.6
2,420
50,169
5,581
9.6

74,611
58,454
78.3
52,752
70.7
2,404
50,348
5,702
9.8

74,712
58,506
78.3
52,901
70.8
2,443
50,458
5,605
9.6

74,814
58,804
78.6
53,516
71.5
2,529
50.987
5,288
9.0

74,927
59,016
78.8
53,80871.8
2,544
51,264
5,208
8.8

81,497
42,485
52.1
39,590
48.6
604
38,986
2,895
6.8

82,864
43,699
52.7
40,086
48.4
601
39,485
3,613
8.3

82,926
43,983
53.0
40,311
48.6
598
39,713
3,672
8.3

83,035
44,039
53.0
40,368
48.6
590
39,778
3,671
8.3

83,152
43,996
52.9
40,286
48.4
588
39,698
3,710
8.4

83,271
43,936
52.8
40,112
48.2
578
39,534
3,824
8.7

83,385
44,112
52.9
40,123
48.1
590
39,533
3,989
9.0

83,383
44,286
53.1
40,215
48.2
628
39,587
4,071
9.2

83,490
44,201
52.9
40,238
48.2
625
39,613
3,963
9.0

83,593
44,216
52.9
40,291
48.2
c657
39,634
3,925
8.9

83,699
44,166
52.8
40,277
48.1
647
39,630
3,889
8.8

83,794
44,238
52.8
40,509
48.3
622
39,886
3,729
8.4

83,899
44,228
52.7
40,484
48.3
597
39,887
3,744
8.5

84,008
44,648
53.1
40,789
48.6
636
40,153
3,859
8.6

84,122
44,685
53.1
41,164
48.9
607
40,557
3,521
7.9

16,214
8,988
55.4
7,225
44.6
380
6,845
1,763
19.6

15,763
8,526
54.1
6,549
41.5
378
6,171
1,977
23.2

15,753
8,378
53.2
6,372
40.4
385
5,987
2,006
23.9

15,702
8,511
54.2
6,483
41.3
406
6,077
2,028
23.8

15,671
8,508
54.3
6,481
41.4
339
6,142
2,027
23.8

15,625
8,453
54,1
6,415
41.1
391
6,024
2,038
24.1

15,579
8,476
54.4
6,424
41.2
442
5,982
2,052
24.2

15,580
8,400
53.9
6,344
40.7
394
5,950
2,056
24.5

15,525
8,299
53.5
6,413
41.3
361
6,052
1,886
22.7

15,478
8,160
52.7
6,345
41.0
362
5,983
1,815
22.2

15,429
8,148
52.8
6,237
40.4
308
5,929
1,911
23.5

15,389
8,094
52.6
6,197
40.3
344
5,853
1,897
23.4

15,342
8,015
52.2
6,172
40.2
327
5,845
1,843
23.0

15,303
8,480
55.4
6,481
42.4
357
6,124
1,999
23.6

15,257
8,173
53.6
6,313
41.4
376
5,937
1,860
22.8

W o m e n , 2 0 y e a rs and o ver

Civilian noninstitutional population1 ...........
Civilian labor force..............................
Participation rate.......................
Employed ...................................
Employment-population ratio2 . . . .
Agriculture...................................
Nonagricultural industries ..............
Unemployed...................................
Unemployment rate ...................
Both s e x e s , 1 6 to 19 years

Civilian noninstitutional population1 ............
Civilian labor force..............................
Participation rate.......................
Employed ...................................
Employment-population ratio2 . . . .
Agriculture...................................
Nonagricultural industries ..............
Unemployed............................* . .
Unemployment rate ..................
W h ite

Civilian noninstitutional population1 ...........
Civilian labor force..............................
Participation rate.......................
Employed .....................................
Employment-population ratio2 . . . .
Unemployed...................................
Unemployment rate ...................

147,908 149,441 149,569 149,536 149,652 149,838 149,887 150,056 150,129 150,187 150,382 150,518 150,671 150,810 150,959
95,052 96,143 96,385 96,375 96,640 96,453 96,719 96,864 96,176 95,987 95,996 96,287 96,362 97,250 97,341
64.1
63.8
64.5
64.5
64.4
64.5
64.6
63.9
64.0
64.0
64.4
64.4
64.6
64.3
64.3
88,709 87,903 88,021 87,979 87,872 98,477 87,435 87,443 87,466 87,194 87,324 87,709 87,777 88,880 89,382
58.4
58.3
58.3
58.1
58.1
58.3
58.3
58.9
59.2
58.7
58.3
58.8
58.8
60 0
58.8
8,711
8,577
9,284
9,421
8,793
8,672
8,585
8,378
7,959
8,364
8,396
8,768
8,976
8,241
6,343
9.7
9.1
9.2
8.2
8.7
9.3
9.6
9.0
8.9
8.9
8.6
8.7
9.1
6.7
8.6

Black

Civilian noninstitutional population1 ............
Civilian labor force..............................
Participation rate.......................
Employed .....................................
Employment-population ratio2 . . . .
Unemployed...................................
Unemployment rate ..................

18,219
11,086
60.8
9,355
51.3
1,731
15.6

18,584
11,331
61.0
9,189
49.4
2,142
18.9

18,600
11,341
61.0
9,211
49.5
2,130
18.8

18,626
11,400
61.2
9,220
49.5
2,180
19.1

18,659
11,443
61.3
9,172
49.2
2,271
19.8

18,692
11,398
61.0
9,102
48.7
2,296
20.1

18,723
11,475
61.3
9,159
48.9
2,316
202

18,740
11,522
61.5
9,127
48.7
2,395
20.8

18,768
11,542
61.5
9,142
48.7
2,400
20.8

18,796
11,548
61.4
9,276
49.4
2,271
19.7

18,823
11,554
61.4
9,253
49.2
2,302
19.9

18,851
11,631
61.7
9,209
48.8
2,423
20.8

18,880
11,672
61.8
9,270
49.1
2,402
20.6

18,911
11,783
62.3
9,352
49.5
2,432
20.6

18,942
11,764
62.1
9,469
50.0
2,295
19.5

9,310
5,972
64.1
5,348
57.4
624
10.4

9,400
5,983
63.6
5,158
54.9
825
13.8

9,521
5,972
62.7
5,136
53.9
836
14.0

9,689
6,045
62.4
5,162
53.3
883
14.6

9,464
5,961
63.0
5,097
53.9
864
14.5

9,474
5,973
63.0
5,075
53.6
898
15.0

9,355
5,923
63.3
5,012
53.6
911
15.4

9,301
5,898
63.4
4,998
53.7
900
15.3

9,328
5,981
64.1
5,053
54.2
929
15.5

9,368
5,992
64.0
5,042
53.8
950
15.8

9,551
6,074
63.6
5,088
53.3
986
16.2

9,665
6,206
64.2
5,304
54.9
902
14.5

9,747
6,167
63.3
5,318
54.6
849
13.8

9,738
6,253
64.2
5,379
55.2
874
14.0

9,640
6,079
63.1
5,331
55.3
748
12.3

H is p a n ic o rig in

Civilian noninstitutional population1 ...........
Civilian labor force..............................
Participation rate.......................
Employed .....................................
Employment-population ratio2 . . . .
Unemployed...................................
Unemployment rate ...................

1The population figures are not seasonally adjusted.
¿civilian employment as a percent of the civilian noninstitutional population.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

NOTE: Detail for the above race and Hispanic-origln groups will not sum to totals because data
for the “other races” groups are not presented and Híspanles are included In both the white and
black population groups.

51

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Household Data

4.

S elected em ploym ent Indicators, seasonally adjusted

[Numbers in thousands]
1982

A nnu al ave ra g e

1983

S e le c te d c a te g o rie s
1981

1982

July

A ug.

Sept.

Oct.

N ov.

D ec.

Jan .

Feb.

M a r.

A pr.

May

June

July

C H A R A C TER ISTIC

Civilian employed, 16 years and over ................

100,397

99,526

99,588

99,683

99,543

99,176

99,136

99,093

99,103

99,063

99,103

99,458

99,557 100,786 101,285

Men......................................................
Women.................................................
Married men, spouse present.....................
Married women, spouse present................
Women who maintain families ...................

57,397
43,000
38,882
23,915
4,998

56,271
43,256
38,074
24,053
5,099

58,127
43,461
38,177
24,173
5,200

56,159
43,524
38,121
24,235
5,208

56,073
43,471
37,998
24,159
5,118

55,932
43,244
37,852
24,081
5,107

55,892
43,244
37,641
23,985
5,025

55,809
43,284
37,507
24,155
4,985

55,752
43,350
37,450
24,205
5,038

55,706
43,357
37,428
24,070
5,050

55,772
43,331
34,452
24,171
5,097

55,946
43,512
37,523
24,371
4,944

56,128
43,428
37,560
24,229
4,942

56,939
43,847
37,925
24,335
5,016

57,104
44,181
38,293
24,640
5,088

Agriculture:
Wage and salary workers..........................
Self-employed workers ............................
Unpaid family workers..............................

1,464
1,638
266

1,505
1,636
261

1,523
1,655
254

1,548
1,620
255

1,537
1,569
254

1,576
1,621
229

1,584
1,628
241

1,547
1,627
224

1,637
1,587
231

1,624
1,541
223

1,515
1,585
260

1,560
1,607
28

1,595
1,558
229

1,636
1,608
263

1,663
1,583
259

Nonagricultural industries:
Wage and salary workers..........................
Government.....................................
Private industries..............................
Private households.....................
Other ........................................
Self-employed workers ............................
Unpaid family workers..............................

89,543
15,68
73,853
1,208
72,645
7,097
390

88,462
15,516
72,945
1,207
71,738
7,262
401

55,491
15,471
73,020
1,200
71,820
7,286
393

88,576
15,562
73,014
1,227
71,787
7,338
408

88,562
15,681
72,881
1,220
71,661
7,422
378

88,064
15,436
72,628
1,216
71,412
7,332
403

87,936
15,514
72,422
1,221
71,201
7,349
382

87,976
15,477
72,499
1,163
71,336
7,335
383

87,813
15,386
72,427
1,162
71,265
7,465
380

87,794
15,501
72,293
1,232
71,061
7,385
353

87,912
15,452
72,459
1,235
71,225
7,453
342

88,187
15,518
72,668
1,205
71,463
7,528
353

88,395
15,523
72,872
1,228
71,644
7,408
335

89,354
15,498
73,856
1,317
72,539
7,493
345

89,765
15,615
74,150
1,286
72,864
7,598
320

91,377
74,339
4,499
1,738
2,761
12,539

90,552
72,245
5,852
2,169
3,683
12,455

90,414
72,288
5,577
2,047
3,530
12,549

90,486
72,045
5,820
2,100
3,720
12,621

90,884
71,723
6,495
2,519
3,976
12,666

90,232
71,394
6,903
2,381
4,022
12,435

90,238
71,442
6,411
2,228
4,183
12,385

90,219
71,499
6,425
2,153
4,272
12,295

90,903
71,786
6,845
2,200
4,645
12,271

90,207
71,564
6,481
2,097
4,384
12,162

90,271
71,878
6,202
1,927
4,275
12,191

92,267
73,594
6,082
1,871
4,21
12,592

90,941
72,975
5,928
1,685
4,243
12,038

90,539
72,978
5,729
1,702
4,027
11,833

92,253
74,004
5,636
1,809
3,826
12,614

M A JO R IN D U S T R Y A N D C U S S
OF W O R K ER

PER SO N S A T W O R K 1

Nonagricultural Industries.................................
Full-time schedules .................................
Part time for economic reasons..................
Usually work full time .......................
Usually work part time.......................
Part time for noneconomic reasons..............

1Excludes persons "with a job but not at work” during the survey period for such reasons as vacation, illness, or
industrial disputes.

52


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

5.

S elected unem ploym ent in dicators, seasonally adjusted

[Unemployment rates]
1 982

A nnual av e ra g e

1983

S e le c te d c ate g o rie s
1981

1 982

July

Aug.

S ep t.

Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan .

Feb.

M a r.

A pr.

May

June

July

CH AR A C TER ISTIC

Total, all civilian workers................................

7.6

9.7

9.8

9.9

10.2

10.4

10.7

10.8

10.4

10.4

10.3

10.2

10.1

10.0

9.5

Both sexes, 16 to 19 years.......................
Men, 20 years and over............................
Women, 20 years and over.......................

19.6
6.3
6.8

23.2
8.8
8.3

23.9
8.9
8.3

23.8
9.0
8.3

23.8
9.6
8.4

24.1
9.8
8.7

24.2
10.0
9.0

24.5
10.1
9.2

22.7
9.6
9.0

22.2
9.9
8.9

23.5
9.6
8.8

23.4
9.8
8.4

23.0
9.6
8.5

23.6
9.0
8.6

22.8
8.8
7.9

White, total............................................
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years ................
Men, 16 to 19 years ..................
Women, 16 to 19 years ..............
Men, 20 years and over.....................
Women, 20 years and over ................

6.7
17.3
17.9
16.6
5.6
5.9

8.6
20.4
21.7
19.0
7.8
7.3

8.7
20.9
22.5
19.1
7.9
7.3

8.7
20.8
22.5
18.9
8.0
7.2

9.1
20.7
22.2
19.1
8.6
7.5

9.3
21.5
23.0
19.9
8.8
7.6

9.6
21.2
22.6
19.8
9.1
8.0

9.7
21.6
22.8
20.4
9.2
8.1

9.1
20.0
21.2
18.7
8.4
7.8

9.2
19.7
21.1
18.2
8.7
7.7

9.0
21.4
22.9
19.7
8.5
7.4

8.9
20.4
21.7
19.0
8.6
7.2

8.9
19.8
20.2
19.4
8.6
7.3

8.6
20.0
19.8
20.2
7.8
7.4

8.2
19.5
20.4
18.5
7.7
6.7

Black, total............................................
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years ................
Men, 16 to 19 years ..................
Women, 16 to 19 years ..............
Men, 20 years and over.....................
Women, 20 years and over ................

15.6
41.4
40.7
42.2
13.5
13.4

18.9
48.0
48.9
47.1
17.8
15.4

18.8
49.3
48.9
49.7
174.1
15.5

19.1
51.2
50.5
52.1
76.1
15.4

19.8
48.6
51.0
45.9
9.2
15.7

2.1
47.7
49.2
45.9
19.6
16.2

20.2
49.8
53.0
46.2
19.2
16.5

20.8
49.5
52.5
46.2
20.5
16.5

20.8
45.7
45.9
45.5
19.7
18.2

19.7
45.4
45.3
45.4
18.7
17.0

19.9
43.5
44.5
42.3
18.8
17.7

20.8
49.0
48.0
50.0
20.3
17.0

20.6
48.2
53.1
42.3
19.8
17.1

20.6
50.6
51.1
50.0
19.2
17.0

19.5
48.1
47.6
48.8
18.7
16.0

Hispanic origin, total................................

10.4

13.8

14.0

14.6

14.5

15.0

15.4

15.3

15.5

15.8

16.2

14.5

13.8

14.0

12.3

Married men, spouse present.....................
Married women, spouse present ................
Women who maintain families ..................

4.3
6.0
10.4

6.5
7.4
11.7

6.6
7.4
12.0

6.8
7.3
11.7

7.2
7.6
12.4

7.5
7.9
11.3

7.6
8.2
12.5

7.8
8.2
13.2

7.1
7.8
13.2

7.2
7.6
13.0

7.1
7.5
13.5

7.1
7.3
13.2

7.0
7.5
12.9

6.6
7.8
12.8

6.1
7.0
11.6

Full-time workers.....................................
Part-time workers ...................................
Unemployed 15 weeks and over ................
Labor force time lost1 ..............................

7.3
9.4
2.1
8.5

9.6
10.5
3.2
11.0

9.6
11.2
3.2
10.7

9.7
10.4
3.3
10.9

10.2
10.6
3.5
11.7

10.5
10.3
3.8
12.0

10.6
11.3
4.1
12 4

10.8
11.1
4.3
12.7

10.3
10.6
4.2
11.7

10.4
10.1
4.2
12.0

10.3
10.5
4.2
11.8

10.2
10.6
3.9
11.4

9.9
11.0
4.1
11.5

9.7
12.1
4.1
10.8

9.4
10.2
3.9
10.4

7.7
6.0
15.6
8.3
8.2
8.4
5.2
8.1
5.9
4.7
12.1

10.1
13.4
20.0
12.3
13.3
10.8
6.8
10.0
6.9
4.9
14.7

10.2
15.8
20.3
12.1
12.8
11.0
6.6
10.3
7.0
4.7
14.1

10.2
16.0
20.4
12.4
13.3
11.0
7.1
10.0
7.0
4.7
14.2

11.0
18.5
22.3
14.1
16.0
11.2
7.9
10.4
7.1
4.9
13.3

11.0
17.9
22.3
14.1
16.0
11.2
7.9
10.4
7.1
4.9
13.3

11.4
18.1
21.8
14.8
17.0
11.4
8.3
10.6
7.7
5.1
15.6

11.6
18.1
22.0
14.8
17.1
11.4
8.0
11.0
7.9
5.1
16.5

10.8
17.1
20.0
13.0
14.7
10.5
7.8
10.8
7.6
5.7
160

10.8
18.4
19.7
13.3
14.7
11.4
8.0
10.9
7.3
6.0
16.4

10.8
18.6
20.3
12.8
14.1
11.1
7.8
11.2
7.2
5.9
16.3

10.5
20.3
20.3
12.4
13.5
10.8
7.7
10.4
7.3
6.1
17.2

10.5
22.7
20.4
12.3
13.5
10.5
7.0
10.1
7.5
5.8
17.0

10.0
18.2
18.1
11.5
12.2
10.4
7.8
10.2
7.2
5.1
17.0

9.6
16.6
18.0
10.5
11.2
9.6
7.0
9.7
7.3
5.5
14.2

IN D U S T R Y

Nonagricultural private wage and salary workers . .
Mining .................................................
Construction ..........................................
Manufacturing .......................................
Durable goods ................................
Nondurable goods ............................
Transportation and public utilities................
Wholesale and retail trade.........................
Finance and service industries ...................
Government workers .....................................
Agricultural wage and salary workers ................

Aggregate hours lost by the unemployed and persons on part time for economic reasons as a percent of potentially
available labor force hours.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

53

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Household Data

6.

U nem p loym ent rates by sex and age, seasonally adjusted

[Civilian workers]
198 2

A nnu al ave ra g e

1983

S ex and age
1981

1982

July

Aug.

S ept.

Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan.

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

July

Total, 16 years and over ................................
16 to 24 years ..........................................
16 to 19 years.......................................
16 to 17 years.....................................
18 to 19 years.....................................
20 to 24 years ........................................
25 years and over .....................................
25 to 54 years .....................................
55 years and over .................................

7.6
14.9
19.6
21.4
18.4
12.3
5.4
5.8
3.6

9.7
17.8
23.2
24.9
22.1
14.9
7.4
7.9
5.0

9.8
17.9
23.9
25.8
22.6
14.7
7.5
8.0
5.3

9.9
18.2
23.8
25.8
22.5
15.3
7.5
8.0
5.2

10.2
18.3
23.8
26.5
22.0
15.3
7.9
8.6
5.2

10.5
18.7
24.1
26.1
22.9
15.8
8.1
8.7
5.5

10.7
19.0
24.2
26.3
22.8
16.3
8.3
8.9
5.7

10.8
18.9
24.5
27.4
22.7
16.0
8.6
9.1
5.8

10.4
18.3
22.7
24.1
21.7
16.1
8.1
8.7
5.4

10.4
18.3
22.2
23.4
21.5
16.3
8.2
8.7
5.4

10.3
18.1
23.5
25.1
22.7
15.4
8.1
8.7
5.4

10.2
18.1
23.4
26.3
21.8
15.4
8.0
8.5
5.6

10.1
18.1
23.0
26.2
21.1
15.6
7.9
8.5
5.3

10.0
17.6
23.6
25.8
22.4
14.4
7.9
8.3
5.6

9.5
16.8
22.8
25.3
21.1
13.8
7.4
7.8
5.3

Men, 16 years and over............................
16 to 24 years.....................................
16 to 19 years ................................
16 to 17 years..............................
18 to 19 years..............................
20 to 24 years ................................
25 years and over .................................
25 to 54 years..............................
55 years and over.........................

7.4
15.7
20.1
22.0
18.8
13.2
5.1
5.5
3.5

9.9
19.1
24.4
26.4
23.1
16.4
7.5
8.0
5.1

10.0
19.2
25.2
27.7
23.4
16.2
7.5
8.1
4.9

10.2
19.5
25.1
27.4
23.4
16.6
7.7
8.2
5.5

10.7
20.0
25.4
29.0
23.0
17.3
8.2
9.0
5.5

10.9
20.2
25.6
28.8
23.4
17.4
8.5
9.1
6.0

11.1
20.6
25.7
28.2
24.1
18.0
8.6
9.2
6.2

11.2
20.5
25.8
29.0
24.0
17.8
8.8
9.4
6.3

10.6
19.7
23.9
24.4
23.5
17.6
8.2
8.7
5.8

10.8
19.8
23.6
23.6
23.4
17.8
8.5
9.1
5.7

10.7
19.5
25.3
26.0
24.8
16.6
8.4
9.0
5.8

10.7
19.4
24.4
27.0
22.8
17.0
8.5
8.9
6.3

10.6
19.7
23.9
27.4
22.0
17.6
8.2
8.8
5.8

10.0
18.4
23.7
25.4
22.9
15.7
7.8
8.4
5.4

9.8
18.4
23.8
27.9
21.2
15.7
7.6
8.1
5.4

Women, 16 years and over.......................
16 to 24 years.....................................
16 to 19 years ................................
16 to 17 years..............................
18 to 19 years..............................
20 to 24 years ................................
25 years and over .................................
25 to 54 years..............................
55 years and over .........................

7.9
14.0
19.0
20.7
17.9
11.2
5.9
6.3
3.8

9.4
16.2
21.9
23.2
21.0
13.2
7.3
7.7
4.8

9.6
16.4
22.6
23.8
21.9
13.1
7.4
7.7
5.8

9.5
16.8
22.5
23.9
21.5
13.7
7.1
7.7
4.8

9.6
16.3
22.1
23.8
20.9
13.1
7.5
8.0
4.8

9.9
17.0
22.5
22.9
22.3
14.0
7.6
3.2
4.8

10.2
17.2
22.6
24.2
21.4
14.4
7.9
8.5
4.9

10.3
17.1
23.0
25.6
21.3
14.0
8.2
8.8
5.1

10.0
16.7
21.5
23.7
19.8
14.2
7.9
8.7
4.8

9.8
16.6
20.7
23.2
19.3
14.5
7.7
8.2
4.9

9.8
16.6
2] .5
24.2
20.5
14.1
7.7
8.3
4.7

9.6
16.5
22.4
25.5
20.7
13.5
7.4
7.9
4.5

9.5
16.2
21.9
24.7
20.2
13.3
7.6
8.2
4.6

9.9
16.6
23.4
26.2
21.9
12.9
7.9
8.2
5.8

9.0
14.9
21.6
22.3
21.0
11.5
7.2
7.6
5.3

7.

U nem p loyed persons by reason fo r unem ploym ent, seasonally adjusted

[Numbers in thousands]
1 982

Annu al av e ra g e

1983

R e a s o n for u n e m p lo y m e n t

Job losers ...................................................
On layoff ...............................................
Other job losers .....................................
Job leavers...................................................
Reentrants...................................................
New entrants.................................................

1981

1982

July

A ug.

S ep t.

Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan .

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

July

4,257
1,430
2,837
923
2,102
981

6,258
2,127
4,141
840
2,384
1,185

6,323
2,126
4,197
819
2,478
1,230

6,446
2,218
4,228
814
2,440
1,304

6,979
2,625
4,354
786
2,437
1,303

7,325
2,519
4,806
803
2,322
1,296

7,369
2,531
4,838
794
2,546
1,244

7,295
2,468
4,827
826
2,529
1,288

6,704
2,131
4,573
839
2,623
1,174

6,809
2,024
4,784
848
2,491
1,161

6,823
1,945
4,878
901
2,426
1,155

6,750
1,948
4,803
815
2,488
1,245

6,766
1,943
4,823
801
2,365
1,251

6,513
1,822
4,691
782
2,425
1,440

6,193
1,719
4,474
738
2,429
1,225

100.0
51.6
17.3
34.3
11.2
25.4
11.9

100.0
58.7
19.9
38.8
7.9
22.3
11.1

100.0
58.3
19.6
38.7
7.5
22.8
11.3

100.0
58.6
20.2
38.4
7.4
22.2
11.9

100.0
60.7
22.8
37.8
6.8
21.2
11.3

100.0
62.4
21.4
40.9
6.8
19.8
11.0

100.0
61.5
21.2
40.5
6.6
21.3
10.4

100.0
60.6
20.5
40.1
6.9
21.8
10.7

100.0
59.1
18.8
40.3
7.4
23.1
10.4

100.0
60.2
17.9
42.3
7.5
22.0
10.3

100.0
60.4
17.2
43.1
8.0
21.5
10.2

100.0
59.7
17.2
42.5
7.2
22.0
11.0

100.0
60.5
17.4
43.1
7.2
21.1
11.2

100.0
58.4
16.3
42.0
7.0
21.7
12.9

100.0
58.5
16.2
42.3
7.0
22.9
11.6

3.9
.8
1.9
.9

5.7
.8
2.2
1.1

5.7
.7
2.2
1.1

5.8
.7
2.2
1.2

6.3
.7
2.2
1.2

6.6
.7
2.1
1.2

6.6
.7
2.3
1.1

6.6
.7
2.4
1.2

6.1
.8
2.4
1.1

6.2
.8
2.3
1.1

6.2
.8
2.2
1.0

6.1
.7
2.2
1.1

6.1
.7
2.1
1.1

5.8
.7
2.2
1.3

5.5
.7
2.2
1.1

PER CENT D IS T R IB U T IO N

Total unemployed..........................................
Job losers ...................................................
On layoff ...............................................
Other job losers .....................................
Job leavers...................................................
Reentrants...................................................
New entrants.................................................
PER CENT OF
C IV IL IA N LABOR FORCE

Job losers ................................................... '
Job leavers...................................................
Reentrants...................................................
New entrants.................................................

8.

D uration of unem ploym ent, seasonally adjusted

[Numbers in thousands]
1982

A nnu al a verag e

1983

W e e k s of 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 ...................................
Mean duration in weeks...................................
Median duration in weeks.................................

54


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1981

1 982

July

A ug.

S ep t.

Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan .

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

July

3,449
2,539
2,285
1,122
1,162
13.7
6.9

3,883
3,311
3,485
1,708
1,776
15.6
8.7

3,959
3,249
3,569
1,780
1,789
15.6
8.3

3,933
3,346
3,637
1,808
1,829
16.1
8.3

4,004
3,549
3,856
1,830
2,026
16.6
9.4

3,930
3,511
4,167
1,951
2,216
17.1
9.6

3,963
3,549
4,524
2,191
2,333
17.3
10.0

4,019
3,460
4,732
2,125
2,607
18.0
10.1

3,536
3,328
4,634
1,928
2,706
19.4
11.5

3,731
3,106
4,618
1,928
2,689
19.0
9.6

3,440
3,140
4,615
1,875
2,740
19.1
10.3

3,547
3,154
4,356
1,662
2,694
19.0
11.3

3,519
2,979
4,517
1,731
2,786
20.4
12.3

3,655
2,915
4,589
1,638
2,951
22.0
11.8

3,498
2,794
4,417
1,830
2,587
21.7
9.9

EM PLOYMENT, HOURS, AND EARNINGS DATA FROM ESTABLISHMENT SURVEYS

Em plo ym en t, hours, and

e a r n in g s d a t a in th is se c tio n are c o m ­

p ile d fro m p a y ro ll re c o rd s re p o rte d m o n th ly o n a v o lu n ta ry b a sis
to th e B u re a u o f L a b o r S ta tistic s a n d its c o o p e ra tin g S ta te a g en c ie s
b y 1 8 9 ,0 0 0 e s ta b lis h m e n ts re p re se n tin g all in d u strie s e x c e p t a g ­
ric u ltu re . In m o st in d u s trie s , th e sa m p lin g p ro b a b ilitie s are b a se d

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 o f workers
in high-wage and low-wage industries.

firm ; it m a y b e a b ra n c h p la n t, fo r e x a m p le , o r w a re h o u s e .) S elf-

Hours represent the average weekly hours of production or nonsuper­
visory workers for which pay was received and are different from standard
or scheduled hours. Overtime hours represent the portion of gross average
weekly hours which were in excess of regular hours and for which overtime

e m p lo y e d p e rs o n s a n d o th e rs n o t o n a re g u la r c iv ilia n p a y ro ll are

premiums were paid.

o u ts id e th e sc o p e o f th e su rv e y b e c a u se th ey are e x c lu d e d fro m

The Diffusion Index, introduced in table 17 of the May issue, represents
the percent o f 186 nonagricultural industries in which employment was
rising over the indicated period. One-half of the industries with unchanged
employment are counted as rising. In line with Bureau practice, data for
the 3-, 6-, and 9-month spans are seasonally adjusted, while that for the
12-month span is unadjusted. The diffusion index is useful for measuring
the dispersion of economic gains or losses and is also an economic indi­

o n th e size o f th e e sta b lis h m e n t; m o st la rg e e sta b lish m e n ts are
th e re fo re in th e sa m p le . (A n e s ta b lis h m e n t is n o t n e c e ssa rily a

e s ta b lis h m e n t re c o rd s . T h is la rg e ly a c c o u n ts fo r th e d iffere n ce in
e m p lo y m e n t fig u res b e tw e e n th e h o u se h o ld an d e s ta b lish m e n t su r­
v e y s.

Definitions
Employed persons are all persons who received pay (including holiday
and sick pay) for any part of the payroll period including the 12th of the
month. Persons holding more than one job (about 5 percent of all persons
in the labor force) are counted in each establishment which reports them.
Production workers

in manufacturing include blue-collar worker su­
pervisors and all nonsupervisory workers closely associated with produc­
tion operations. Those workers mentioned in tables 12-17 include production
workers in manufacturing and mining; construction workers in construc­
tion; and nonsupervisory workers in transportation and public utilities; in
wholesale and retail trade; in finance, insurance, 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 re­
ceive 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 reflect the effects of changes in
consumer prices. The deflator for this series is derived from the Consumer
Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The
Hourly Earnings Index is calculated from average hourly earnings data
adjusted to exclude the effects of two types of changes that are unrelated


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cator.

Notes on the data
Establishment data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics are pe­
riodically adjusted to com prehensive counts o f em ploym ent (called
“ benchm arks” ). The latest complete adjustment was made with the release
of May 1983 data, published in the July 1983 issue of the Review. Con­
sequently, data published in the Review prior to that issue are not necessarily
comparable to current data. Earlier comparable unadjusted and seasonally
adjusted data are published in a Supplement to Employment and Earnings
(unadjusted data from April 1977 through February 1983 and seasonally
adjusted data from January 1974 through February 1983) and in Employ­
ment and Earnings, United States, 1909-78, BLS Bulletin 1312-11 (for
prior periods).
A comprehensive discussion of the differences between household and
establishment data on employment appears in Gloria P. Green, “ Com­
paring employment estimates from household and payroll surveys,” Monthly
Labor Review, December 1969, pp. 9 -2 0 . See also BLS Handbook of
Methodsfor Surveys and Studies, Bulletin 1910 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1976).

I

55

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Establishment Data

9.

E m ploym ent by industry, selected years, 1 9 5 0 -8 2

[Nonagricultural payroll data, in thousands]
G o ods-produclng

S e rv ic e -p ro d u c in g
T ran sp o r-

Year

T otal

P riva te
sector

Total

M in in g

C onstruc­
tion

W h o le s a le and r e ta il tra d e

tatio n

M a n u fa c ­

Total

turing

W h o le ­

and
public

T otal

1950 ..........................
1955 ..........................
I9601 .......................
1964 ..........................
1965 ..........................

sale
tra d e

u tilitie s

G o vern m en t

F in a n c e ,
in su ra n c e ,

R e ta il

and real

tra d e

esta te

S erv ic e s
To tal

Fe d e ra l

S ta te and
local

45,197
• 50,641
54,189
58,283
60,765

39,170
43,727
45,836
48,686
50,589

18,506
20,513
20,434
21,005
21,926

901
792
712
634
632

2,364
2,839
2,926
3,097
3,232

15,241
16,882
16,796
17,274
18,062

26,691
30,128
33,755
37,278
38,839

4,034
4,141
4,004
3,951
4,036

9,386
10,535
11,391
12,160
12,716

2,635
2,926
3,143
3,337
3,466

6,751
7,610
8,248
8,823
9,250

1,888
2,298
2,629
2,911
2,977

5,357
6,240
7,378
8,660
9,036

6,026
6,914
8,353
9,596
10,074

1,928
2,187
2,270
2,348
2,378

4,098
4,727
6,083
7,248
7,696

..........................
..........................
..........................
..........................
..........................

63,901
65,803
67,897
70,384
70,880

53,116
54,413
56,058
58,189
58,325

23,158
23,308
23,737
24,361
23,578

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

40,743
42,495
44,160
46,023
47,302

4,158
4,268
4,318
4,442
4,515

13,245
13,606
14,099
14,706
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

58,331
60,341
63,058
64,095
62,259

22,935
23,668
24,893
24,794
22,600

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

48,278
50,007
51,897
53,471
54,345

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
4,045
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

..........................
..........................
..........................
..........................

79,382
82,471
86,697
89,823

64,511
67,344
71,026
73,876

23,352
24,346
25,585
26,461

779
813
851
958

18,997
19,582
20,505
21,040

1980 ................................

90,406

74,166

25,658

1,027

3,576
3,851
4,229
4,463
4,346

20,285

56,030
58,125
61,113
63,363
64,748

4,582
4,713
4,923
5,136
5,146

17,755
18,516
19,542
20,192
20,310

4,546
4,708
4,969
5,204
5,275

13,209
13,808
14,573
14,989
15,035

4,271
4,467
4,724
4,975
5,180

14,551
15,303
16,252
17,112
17,890

14,871
15,127
15,672
15,947
16,241

2,733
2,727
2,753
2,773
2,866

12,138
12,399
12,919
13,147
13,375

1981..........................
1982 ..........................

91,156
89,596

75,126
73,793

25,497
23,907

1,139
1,143

4,188
3,911

20,170
18,853

65,659
65,689

5,165
5,081

20,547
20,401

5,358
5,280

15,189
15,122

5,298
5,340

18,619
19,064

16,031
15,803

2,772
2,739

13,259
13,064

1966
1967
1968
1969
1970

1Data include Alaska and Hawaii beginning In 1959.

10.

E m ploym ent by State

[Nonagricultural payroll data, in thousands]
S tate

June 1 9 8 2

M ay 1983

June 1983P

S tate

Alabama............................................
Alaska ...............................................
Arizona ............................................
Arkansas ..........................................
California ..........................................

1 ,32 6.5
201.3
1 ,01 9.4
716.6
9 ,8 9 2 .8

1,3 1 2 .5
209.3
1,0 4 3 .5
732.8
9 ,8 4 2 .8

1,3 1 4 .7
214.8
1,0 2 7 .8
725.5
9 ,9 2 4 .9

Montana.............................................
Nebraska ..........................................
Nevada ............................................

278.5
610.2
407.3

267.6
595.2
412.4

272.4
597.0
414.6

New Jersey........................................

3 ,1 4 2 .4

3 ,0 8 5 .0

3 ,1 2 9 .2

Colorado ..........................................
Connecticut........................................
Delaware ..........................................
District of Columbia .......................
Florida...............................................

1 ,32 0.4
1 ,44 1.8
262.7
596.4
3,754.1

1,3 2 5 .8
1,4 3 2 .8
261.2
594.7
3 ,8 4 6 .7

1,3 4 0 .5
1,440.1
264.0
597.0
3 ,8 5 1 .0

New Mexico........................................
New York..........................................
North Carolina ...................................
North Dakota.....................................
Ohio.................................................

475.2
7 ,3 2 0 .3
2 ,3 4 9 .9
255.3
4 ,1 9 1 .6

480.2
7 ,2 2 0 .2
2 ,3 4 6 .7
256.1
4 ,1 1 4 .2

482.2
7 ,2 6 4 .5
2 ,3 6 7 .7
258.6
4 ,1 2 8 .7

Georgia............................................
Hawa ...............................................
Idaho ...............................................
Illinois...............................................
Indiana ............................................

2,212.1
403.1
312.2
4 ,6 2 2 .9
2,0 1 9 .8

2 ,2 3 8 .6
399.2
315.7
4 ,5 1 6 .4
1,9 9 4 .8

2 ,2 5 2 .6
399.7
319.0
4 ,5 3 2 .5
1,9 8 6 .5

Oklahoma..........................................
Oregon ............................................
Pennsylvania .....................................
Rhode Island .....................................

1 ,2 4 5 .5
978.5
4 ,6 3 0 .5
396.1

1 ,2 0 1 .6
950.8
4 ,4 8 2 .6
392.3

1 ,2 0 4 .6
966.7
4 ,4 9 8 .3
395.8

Iowa.................................................
Kansas ............................................
Kentucky ..........................................
Louisiana ..........................................
Maine...............................................

1,0 3 5 .5
928.7
1,1 7 0 .2
1,6 1 6 .3
422.3

1,021.1
910.8
1,16 9.2
1,58 7.8
408.7

1,0 1 1 .6
912.7
1,1 6 8 .2
1 ,5 8 5 .0
418.5

South Dakota .....................................
Tennessee ..........................................
Texas ...............................................
Utah.................................................
Vermont..........................................

237.2
1 ,7 0 2 .7
6,31 8.1
563.6
202.0

233.7
1 ,67 3.6
6 ,1 6 3 .7
559.2
202.4

239.0
1 ,6 8 0 .0
6 ,1 7 4 .6
561.7
203.6

Maryland ..........................................
Massachusetts ...................................
Michigan ..........................................
Minnesota..........................................
Mississippi ........................................
Missouri.............................................

1,6 8 9 .0
2 ,6 5 5 .5
3 ,2 1 7 .5
1,735.1
791.6
1,933.1

1,67 6.4
2 ,6 3 4 .3
3 ,1 8 5 .3
1,7 0 7 .7
790.2
1,9 2 1 .2

1,6 8 8 .5
2 ,6 3 6 .5
3 ,1 9 3 .4
1,7 1 8 .2
790.3
1 ,92 2.2

Virginia .............................................
Washington........................................
West Virginia......................................
Wisconsin..........................................
Wyoming ..........................................

2 ,1 4 8 .8
1 ,5 9 4 .3
614.2
1 ,88 2.4
227.0

2 ,1 5 1 .3
1,5 8 1 .9
585.7
1,8 4 9 .7
213.7

2,174.1
1,5 9 9 .5
584.3
1 ,8 7 4 .9
218.6

3 5.5

3 5.8

35 .7

Virgin Islands.....................................
1Data not available.

56


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

p = preliminary.

Ju n e 1 9 8 2

M ay 1983

Ju n e 1 9 8 3 P

11.

E m ploym ent by industry division and m ajor m anufacturing group, seasonally adjusted

[Nonagricultural payroll data, In thousands]
Annu al a verag e

1982

1983

Indus try d iv is io n and group

TO TAL
P R IVA T E SECTOR
G O O D S -P R O D U C IN G

1981

1982

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan .

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

JuneP

JulyP

91,156

89,596

89,450

89,264

89,235

88,938

88,785

88,665

88,885

88,746

88,814

89,101

89,421

89,832

90,319

75,126

73,793

73,781

73,579

73,451

73,158

73,013

72,907

73,132

73,004

73,090

73,377

73,677

74,121

74,497

25,497

23,907

23,843

23,672

23,530

23,287

23,131

23,061

23,186

23,049

23,030

23,159

23,347

23,534

23,749

M i n i n g ...............................................................................................

1,139

1,143

1,125

1,113

1,100

1,082

1,066

1,053

1,037

1,014

1,006

997

994

1,006

1,016

C o n s t r u c tio n ...................................................................................

4,188

3,911

3,916

3,893

3,875

3,847

3,843

3,815

3,905

3,790

3,757

3,786

3,860

3,941

3,984

M a n u fa c t u r in g ...............................................................................

20.170
14,020

18,853
12,790

18,802
12,751

18,666
12,634

18,555
12,542

18,358
12,368

18,222
12,252

18,193
12,241

18,244
12,291

18,245
12,303

18,267
12,323

18,376
12,435

18,493
12,531

18,587
12,623

18,749
12,793

Production workers............................

12,109
8,294

11,100
7,350

11,095
7,350

10,961
7,234

10,862
7,150

10,685
6,992

10,577
6,900

10,559
6,892

10,594
6,931

10,608
6,949

10,617
6,961

10,689
7,035

10,788
7,115

10,843
7,168

10,971
7,297

Lumber and wood products.......................
Furniture and fixtures ..............................
Stone, clay, and glass products ................
Primary metal industries............................
Fabricated metal products..........................

666
464
638
1,122
1,590

603
433
578
922
1,435

600
430
578
909
1,432

601
433
573
890
1,416

603
428
570
869
1,402

605
426
565
840
1,378

608
427
559
823
1,362

614
429
554
816
1,359

625
430
557
817
1,364

631
427
557
810
1,364

638
433
559
816
1,362

651
440
565
820
1,369

662
446
570
828
1,379

678
450
573
830
1,385

689
457
575
841
1,396

Machinery, except electrical.......................
Electric and electronic equipment................
Transportation equipment..........................
Instruments and related products................
Miscellaneous manufacturing.....................

2,498
2,094
1,898
730
408

2,267
2,016
1,744
716
386

2,256
2,016
1,770
717
387

2,213
2,008
1,773
712
382

2,184
1,992
1,724
710
380

2,122
1,976
1,691
705
377

2,088
1,975
1,661
700
374

2,066
1,957
1,696
695
373

2,048
1,974
1,710
695
374

2,042
1,981
1,729
693
374

2,030
1,988
1,723
691
377

2,031
1,999
1,743
690
381

2,064
2,010
1,757
689
383

2,067
2,030
1,760
686
384

2,096
2,052
1,793
683
389

...............................................................

Production workers............................

8,061
5,727

7,753
5,440

7,707
5,401

7,705
5,400

7,693
5,392

7,673
5,376

7,645
5,352

7,634
5,349

7,650
5,360

7,637
5,354

7,650
5,362

7,687
5,400

7,705
5,416

7,744
5,455

7,778
5,496

Food and kindred products .......................
Tobacco manufactures..............................
Textile mill products.................................
Apparel and other textile products ..............
Paper and allied products..........................

1,671
70
823
1,244
689

1,638
68
750
1,164
662 «

1,639
67
741
1,141
660

1,636
67
736
1,151
657

1,633
66
734
1,149
659

1,636
66
733
1,148
653

1,632
63
727
1,141
654

1,626
69
727
1,140
653

1,626
69
726
1,150
653

1,620
67
726
1,148
652

1,619
67
730
1,143
652

1,633
66
733
1,149
654

1,632
66
736
1,153
656

1,647
65
745
1,160
657

1,636
65
750
1,183
661

Printing and publishing ............................
Chemicals and allied products.....................
Petroleum and coal products.....................
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products
Leather and leather products .....................

1,266
1,109
214
737
238

1,269
1,079
201
701
221

1,266
1,073
200
700
220

1,267
1,074
200
698
219

1,266
1,070
202
696
218

1,265
1,066
201
689
216

1,263
1,064
200
685
216

1,263
1,059
199
685
213

1,266
1,057
200
688
215

1,265
1,056
199
691
214

1,269
1,056
199
699
216

1,274
1,058
199
707
214

1,276
1,058
198
716
214

1,280
1,057
198
721
214

1,286
1,059
197
735
206

65,659

65,689

65,607

65,592

65,705

65,651

65,654

65,604

65,699

65,697

65,784

65,942

66,074

66,298

66,570

5,165

5,081

5,075

5,056

5,054

5,033

5,019

5,008

4,979

4,966

4,963

4,988

4,993

4,991

4,977

20,547

20,401

20,438

20,410

20,380

20,344

20,320

20,256

20,355

20,343

20,350

20,329

20,356

20,485

20,498

Production workers............................
D u ra b le goods

N o n d u ra b le goods

S E R V IC E -P R O D U C IN G
T ra n s p o rta tio n a nd p u b lic u t i l i t i e s ....................................
W h o le s a le an d re ta il tra d e
W h o le s a le tra d e
R e ta il tra d e

...................................................................................

5,358

5,280

5,279

5,265

5,252

5,237

5,212

5,192

5,185

5,181

5,176

5,180

5,197

5,219

5,227

15,189

15,122

15,159

15,145

15,128

15,107

15,108

15,064

15,170

15,162

15,174

15,149

15,159

15,266

15,271

............................

5,298

5,340

5,342

5,344

5,351

5,350

5,356

5,367

5,374

5,384

5,391

5,423

5,435

5,451

5,471

S e r v i c e s ...........................................................................................

18,619

19,064

19,083

19,097

19,136

19,144

19,187

19,215

19,238

19,262

19,356

19,478

19,546

19,660

19,802

G o v e r n m e n t ...................................................................................

16,031
2,772
13,259

15,803
2,739
13,064

15,669
2,737
12,932

15,685
2,739
12,946

15,784
2,735
13,049

15,780
2,742
13,038

15,772
2,746
13,026

15,758
2,747
13,011

15,753
2,748
13,005

15,742
2,742
13,000

15,724
2,742
12,982

15,724
2,749
12,975

15,744
2,756
12,988

15,711
2,745
12,966

15,822
2,737
13,085

F in a n c e , in s u ra n c e , a nd r e a l e s ta te

Federal .................................................
State and local........................................
p = preliminary.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

57

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Establishment Data
12.

H ours and earnings, by industry division, selected years, 1 9 5 0 -8 2

[Gross averages, production or nonsupervisory workers on nonagricultural payrolls]
Year

A v e rag e

A verag e

A verag e

A verag e

A verag e

A ve ra g e

A ve ra g e

A verag e

A verag e

w e e k ly

w e e k ly

hourly

w e e k ly

w e e k ly

hourly

w e e k ly

w e e k ly

h o u rly

w e e k ly

w e e k ly

hourly

e a rn in g s

hours

e arn in g s

e arn in g s

hours

ea rn in g s

e arn in g s

hours

ea rn in g s

ea rn in g s

hours

e a rn in g s

A verag e

P riv a te secto r

A verag e

M in in g

Construction

A v e ra g e

M a n u fa c tu rin g

1950 ................
1955 ................
I9601 ..............
1964 ................
1965 ................

$53.13
67.72
80.67
91.33
95.45

39.8
39.6
38.6
38.7
38.8

$1.34
1.71
2.09
2.36
2.46

$67.16
89.54
105.04
117.74
123.52

37.9
40.7
40.4
41.9
42.3

$1.77
2.20
2.60
2.81
2.92

$69.68
90.90
112.57
132.06
138.38

37.4
37.1
36.7
37.2
37.4

$1.86
2.45
3.07
3.55
3.70

$58.32
75.30
89.72
102.97
107.53

40.5
40.7
39.7
40.7
41.2

$1.44
1.85
2.26
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
37.9
37.3

3.89
4.11
4.41
4.79
5.24

112.19
114.49
122.51
129.51
133.33

41.4
40.6
40.7
40.6
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
3.70
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

4.86
5.25
5.69
6.16
6.66

273.90
301.20
332.88
365.07
397.06

42.4
43.4
43.4
43.0
43.3

6.46
6.94
7.67
8.49
9.17

283.73
295.65
318.69
342.99
367.78

36.8
36.5
36.8
37.0
37.0

7.71
8.10
8.66
9.27
9.94

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

1981................
1982 ................

255.20
266.92

35.2
34.8

7.25
7.67

439.75
459.23

43.7
42.6

10.04
10.78

299.26
426.45

36.9
36.7

10.82
11.62

318.00
330.65

39.8
38.9

7.99
8.50

Tran s p o lia tio n and p ub ile

1950 ..............
1955 ................
I9601 ..............
1964 ................
1965 ................

F in a n c e , in su ra n c e , and

W h o le s a le an d re ta il trad e

u tilitie s

S ervices

re a l e s ta te

$118.78
125.14

41.1
41.3

$2.89
3.03

$44.55
55.16
66.01
74.66
76.91

................
................
................
................
................

128.13
130.82
138.85
147.74
155.93

41.2
40.5
40.6
40.7
40.5

3.11
3.23
3.42
3.63
3.85

• 79.39
82.35
87.00
91.39
96.02

37.1
36.6
36.1
35.7
35.3

2.14
2.25
2.41
2.56
2.72

92.13
95.72
101.75
108.70
112.67

37.3
37.1
37.0
37.1
36.7

2.47
2.58
2.75
2.93
3.07

77.04
80.38
83.97
90.57
96.66

35.5
35.1
34.7
34.7
34.4

2.17
2.29
2.42
2.61
2.81

1971................
1972 ................
1973 ................
1974 ................
1975 ................

168.82
187.86
203.31
217.48
233.44

40.1
40.4
40.5
40.2
39.7

4.21
4.65
5.02
5.41
5.88

101.09
106.45
111.76
119.02
126.45

35.1
34.9
34.6
34.2
33.9

2.88
3.05
3.23
3.48
3.73

117.85
122.98
129.20
137.61
148.19

36.6
36.6
36.6
36.5
36.5

3.22
3.36
3.53
3.77
4.06

103.06
110.85
117.29
126.00
134.67

33.9
33.9
33.8
33.6
33.5

3.04
3.27
3.47
3.75
4.02

1976
1977
1978
1979
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
209.60

36.4
36.4
36.4
36.2
36.2

4.27
4.54
4.89
5.27
5.79

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

1981................
1982 ................

382.18
401.70

39.4
39.0

9.70
10.30

190.62
198.10

32.2
31.9

5.92
6.21

229.05
245.44

36.3
36.2

6.31
6.78

208.97
224.94

32.6
32.6

$.41
6.90

1966
1967
1968
1969
1970

1Data Include Alaska and Hawaii beginning in 1959.

58


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

40.5
39.4
38.6
37.9
37.7

$1.10
1.40
1.71
1.97
2.04

$50.52
63 92
75 14
85.79
88.91

37 7
37 6
37 2
37.3
► 37.2

351 34
1 70
? n?
2.30
2.39

$70.03
73.60

36.1
35.9

$1.94
2.05

13.

W eekly hours, by industry division and m ajor m anufacturing group, seasonally adjusted

[Gross averages, production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls]
1981

1982

1983

198 2

Annu al ave ra g e
In d u s try d iv is io n and group
July

Aug.

S ept.

Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan .

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

May

JuneP

JulyP

...........................................................

35.2

34.8

34.9

34.8

34.8

34.7

34.7

34.8

35.1

34.5

34.8

34.9

35.1

35.1

35.1

Overtime hours................................

39.8
2.8

38.9
2.3

39.1
2.3

39.0
2.3

38.8
2.3

38.9
2.3

39.0
2.3

39.0
2.3

39.7
2.4

39.2
2.4

39.5
2.6

40.1
2.9

40.0
2.7

40.2
2.9

40.3
3.1

Overtime hours.................................

40.2
2.8

39.3
2.2

39.6
2.2

39.4
2.2

39.1
2.1

39.2
2.1

39.3
2.1

39.3
2.2

40.1
2.2

39.7
2.3

39.9
2.5

40.5
2.8

40.4
2.6

40.6
2.9

40.8
3.0

Lumber and wood products.......................
Furniture and fixtures ..............................
Stone, clay, and glass products ................
Primary metal industries............................
Fabricated metal products..........................

38.7
38.4
40.6
40.5
40.3

38.0
37.2
40.0
38.6
39.2

38.5
37.4
40.5
38.8
39.4

38.2
37.8
40.2
38.6
39.2

38.4
37.5
40.2
37.8
38.9

38.1
37.5
40.2
38.2
39.0

38.7
37.6
40.2
38.3
39.2

38.8
37.8
40.1
38.8
39.2

40.5
38.6
41.4
38.9
39.9

39.5
37.9
40.5
39.1
39.6

39.5
38.3
40.6
39.4
39.7

40.0
39.3
41.0
39.9
40.5

39.8
39.2
41.2
40.3
40.4

40.0
39.6
41.6
40.3
40.4

39.9
39.9
41.8
40.8
40.8

Machinery, except electrical.......................
Electric and electronic equipment................
Transportation equipment.........................
Instruments and related products................

40.9
40.0
40.9
40.4

39.7
39.3
40.5
39.8

39.8
39.6
40.9
40.1

39.4
39.3
40.6
40.0

39.2
39.0
40.1
39.9

39.3
39.2
40.4
39.6

39.3
39.3
40.9
39.4

39.3
39.4
40.1
39.7

39.6
39.9
41.6
40.4

39.4
39.5
41.2
39.7

39.7
39.8
41.7
40.0

40.2
40.4
42.3
40.5

40.0
40.3
41.6
40.4

40.4
40.5
42.0
40.0

40.7
40.7
42.2
40.1

Overtime hours.................................

39.1
2.8

38.4
2.5

38.5
2.5

38.5
2.5

38.6
2.6

38.5
2.6

38.6
2.5

38.6
2.5

39.1
2.6

38.5
2.6

39.0
2.7

39.5
3.0

39.4
2.9

39.6
3.0

39.6
3.2

Food and kindred products .......................
Textile mill products.................................
Apparel and other textile products ..............
Paper and allied products..........................

39.7
39.6
35.7
42.5

39.4
37.5
34.7
41.8

39.4
37.7
35.1
41.9

39.2
38.1
35.0
41.7

39.4
38.1
35.1
41.6

39.5
38.3
35.1
41.7

39.4
38.8
35.0
41.7

39.1
38.9
35.1
41.7

39.3
39.7
36.6
41.8

39.0
39.0
35.2
41.4

39.2
39.6
35.6
42.1

39.6
40.6
36.2
42.4

39.4
40.4
36.1
42.7

39.8
40.7
36.2
42.8

39.6
41.0
35.9
43.0

Printing and publishing ............................
Chemicals and allied products.....................
Petroleum and coal products .....................
Leather and leather products .....................

37.3
41.6
43.2
36.7

37.1
40.9
43.9
35.6

37.0
40.8
43.4
36.0

36.9
40.9
44.0
36.0

37.0
41.0
44.2
35.7

37.1
40.8
43.8
35.4

37.1
40.7
44.1
35.8

37.1
40.9
44.4
35.8

37.5
41.0
44.5
36.3

37.1
41.0
44.4
34.9

37.4
41.2
44.9
36.0

37.7
41.5
43.5
37.0

37.4
41.6
43.6
36.8

37.6
41.9
43.7
36.8

37.7
41.9
42.8
37.3

TR A N S P O R T A T IO N A N D P U B LIC U TILIT E S

39.4

39.0

38.9

39.2

38.8

38.8

38.9

38.9

38.6

38.6

38.8

38.8

38.9

38.9

38.9

W H O LE SA LE A N D RETA IL TRA DE

32.2

31.9

32.0

32.0

31.9

31.9

31.8

32.1

31.9

31.4

31.7

31.7

31.9

32.0

31.9

38.4

38.4

38.5

38.2

38.4

38.5

38.6

38.7

38.6

29.8

30.1

29.9

29.3

29.7

29.6

29.9

29.9

29.8

32.6

32.6

32.9

32.5

32.7

32.7

32.9

32.7

32.7

P R IV A T E SEC TO R
M A N U F A C T U R IN G

D u ra b le goods

N o n d u ra b le goods

...............................................................

W H O LE S A LE TRA DE

38.5

38.4

38.5

38.5

38.4

38.4

RETAIL TRA DE

30.1

29.9

29.9

29.9

29.9

29.9

S ER VIC ES

32.6

32.6

32.6

32.6

32.8

p = preliminary.
NOTE: Miscellaneous manufacturing (a major manufacturing group, durable goods) and rubber and
miscellaneous plastics products (a major manufacturing group, nondurable goods) are no longer shown.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

32.6

This is because the seasonal component in these is small relative to the trend-cycle, or irregular com­
ponents, or both, and consequently cannot be precisely separated.

59

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Producer Prices

14.

H ourly earnings, by industry division and m ajor m anufacturing group

[Gross averages, production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls]
A nnu al av e ra g e

1982

1983

In d u s try d iv is io n a nd group

P R IVA T E SECTOR

Seasonally adjusted............................

1981

1982

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan .

Feb.

M a r.

A pr.

May

JuneP

JulyP

$7.25
(1)

$7.67
(1)

$7.68
7.70

$7.70
7.73

$7.76
7.73

$7.79
7.76

$7.81
7.78

$7.82
7.82

$7.90
7.88

$7.92
7.91

$7.90
7.91

$7.94
7.95

$7.97
7.97

$7.97
8.00

$7.99
8.02

M IN IN G

10.04

10.78

10.86

10.88

10.99

10.96

11.01

11.03

11.21

11.25

11.19

11.28

11.20

11.28

11.38

C O N S TR U C TIO N

10.82

11.62

11.59

11.66

11.74

11.88

11.72

11.96

11.95

12.00

11.95

11.90

11.80

11.75

11.79

7.99

8.50

8.55

8.51

8.59

8.56

8.61

8.68

8.71

8.75

8.74

8.77

8.78

8.81

8.86

Lumber and wood products................
Furniture and fixtures..........................
Stone, clay, and glass products............
Primary metal industries.....................
Fabricated metal products...................

8.54
6.99
5.91
8.27
10.81
8.19

9.06
7.46
6.31
8.86
11.33
8.78

9.12
7.59
6.33
8.93
11.36
8.85

9.09
7.56
6.37
8.92
11.48
8.85

9.17
7.65
6.40
9.03
11.54
8.90

9.13
7.57
6.40
9.03
11.41
8.85

9.17
7.59
6.43
9.04
11.49
8.90

9.24
7.55
6.46
9.08
11.49
8.96

9.26
7.68
6.49
9.10
11.56
8.98

9.31
7.72
6.50
9.10
11.53
9.04

9.29
7.68
6.51
9.13
11.24
9.05

9.31
7.74
6.51
9.16
11.25
9.07

9.34
7.78
6.52
9.20
11.28
9.08

9.37
7.84
6.60
9.27
11.26
9.11

9.40
7.88
6.64
9.36
11.41
9.10

Machinery, except electrical................
Electric and electronic equipment.........
Transportation equipment ...................
Instruments and related products.........
Miscellaneous manufacturing ..............

8.81
7.62
10.39
7.42
5.97

9.29
8.21
11.12
8.10
6.43

9.32
8.23
11.25
8.13
6.41

9.34
8.30
11.17
8.17
6.40

9.41
8.37
11.24
8.24
6.50

9.36
8.41
11.29
8.26
6.50

9.38
8.45
11.34
8.31
6.56

9.43
8.51
11.43
8.38
6.67

9.40
8.53
11.40
8.42
6.72

9.44
8.56
11.49
8.48
6.73

9.46
8.60
11.49
8.47
6.75

9.48
8.60
11.53
8.46
6.76

9.59
8.60
11.52
8.48
6.82

9.64
8.64
11.63
8.48
6.80

9.65
8.66
11.59
8.51
6.88

7.18
7.44
8.88
5.52
4.97
8.60

7.73
7.89
9.78
5.83
5.20
9.32

7.77
7.88
10.42
5.81
5.19
9.41

7.74
7.86
9.51
5.83
5.20
9.45

7.84
7.91
9.55
5.86
5.23
9.63

7.80
7.88
9.50
5.88
5.21
9.53

7.88
8.00
10.16
5.92
5.24
9.60

7.95
8.06
9.63
6.04
5.28
9.65

7.97
8.09
9.87
6.08
5.33
9.65

7.99
8.11
9.96
6.10
5.33
9.65

8.00
8.16
10.43
6.11
5.33
9.67

8.03
8.20
10.61
6.14
5.35
9.72

8.03
8.18
10.74
6.14
5.33
9.81

8.03
8.17
10.92
6.16
5.36
9.90

8.13
8.19
11.01
6.17
5.33
10.09

8.19
9.12
11.38

8.75
9.96
12.46

8.75
10.00
12.42

8.81
10.01
12.42

8.91
10.19
12.61

8.89
10.22
12.57

8.92
10.26
12.68

9.00
10.32
12.71

8.97
10.34
13.16

8.99
10.41
13.25

9.03
10.39
13.28

9.03
10.43
13.27

9.05
10.50
13.17

9.07
10.51
13.13

9.14
10.57
13.15

7.17
4.99

7.65
5.32

7.67
5.29

7.66
5.33

7.78
5.41

7.74
5.39

7.81
5.41

7.91
5.44

7.91
5.50

7.91
5.50

7.92
5.52

7.95
5.52

7.97
5.51

7.96
5.50

8.13
5.54

T R A N S P O R T A T IO N A N D P U B LIC U T IL IT IE S

9.70

10.30

10.29

10.42

10.46

10.48

10.59

10.62

10.69

10.72

10.68

10.72

10.74

10.73

10.85

W H O LE S A LE A N D R ET A IL TRA DE

5.92

6.21

6.20

6.20

6.245

6.27

6.30

6.27

6.42

6.45

6.43

6.45

6.46

6.45

6.46

W H O LE S A LE TRA DE

7.56

8.02

8.03

8.07

8.10

8.13

8.31

8.28

8.27

8.34

8.36

8.35

8.39

5.25

5.47

5.47

5.46

5.50

5.53

8.14
%
5.56

8.20

R E T A IL T R A D E ................................................................................

5.54

5.65

5.69

5.68

5.69

5.71

5.71

5.71

F IN A N C E , IN S U R A N C E , A N D REA L ESTATE

6.31

6.78

6.77

6.86

6.90

6.97

7.00

7.01

7.19

7.22

7.19

7.23

7.31

7.25

7.28

SER V IC E S

6.41

6.90

6.87

6.980

6.99

7.04

7.08

7.12

7.18

7.19

7.17

7.20

7.23

7.19

7.18

M A N U F A C T U R IN G
D u ra b le goods

N o n d u ra b le goods

Food and kindred products ................
Tobacco manufactures.......................
Textile mill products..........................
Apparel and other textile products.........
Paper and allied products ...................
Printing and publishing.......................
Chemicals and allied products..............
Petroleum and coal products ..............
Rubber and miscellaneous
plastics products............................
Leather and leather products ..............

1Not available.

15.

p = preliminary.

H ourly E arn ings Index, fo r production w o rkers on private nonag ricultu ral payrolls, by in dustry

[1977 = 100]
Not s e a s o n a lly ad ju s te d

S e a s o n a lly ad ju s te d
P ercen t

P e rc e n t

change
Industry

M ay

June

Ju ly

from :

Ju ly

M a r.

A pr.

May

Ju n e

July

from :

1983

1 9 83P

1983P

Ju ly 1 9 8 2

1982

1983

1983

1983

198 3 P

1983P

June 1 983

to

to

Ju ly 1 9 8 3

Ju ly 1 9 8 3

................

148.5

154.5

154.3

154.9

4.3

M i n i n g ............................................................................
C o n s tr u c tio n ..........................................................
M a n u fa c tu rin g ......................................................
Transportation and public utilitie s ................
W holesale and retail trade ................................
Finance, insurance, and real e s ta te ................
Services ........................................................................

160.9
141.3
153.3
148.0
145.1
148.2
147.7

165.0
143.9
157.4
155.8
151.5
159.0
154.9

166.7
143.8
157.7
155.4
151.4
158.0
154.5

168.6
144.3
158.2
157.1
151.7
158.7
154.7

4 .8
2.1
3.2
6.1
4.5
7.1
4 .8

P R IV A T E SEC TO R (in co n s ta n t d o l l a r s ) ................

9 2.4

94 .6

94.3

(2)

P R IV A T E SEC TO R (in c u rre n t d o lla rs )

1This series is not seasonally adjusted because the seasonal component is small relative to the trendcycle, irregular components, or both, and consequently cannot be separated with sufficient precision.

60

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

cha n g e

July
1982

(2)

148.8

153.4

154.0

154.6

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

141.2
153.3
148.8
145.2

145.5
157.1
155.9
149.6

145.9
157.0
155.9
150.5

144.9
157.7
156.6
151.2

154.8
<1 )

144.7
157.8
156.8
151.5

155.2

0.2

(1)

(1)
-.3

144.2
158.1
157.9
151.8

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

148.5

(1)

152.6

154.0

154.9

155.4

155.7

9 2.8

9 5.0

94 .8

9 4.7

9 4.7

2Not available,
p = preliminary.

(2)

.2
.7
.2
( 1)
.2
<2 )

16.

W eekly earnings, by industry division and m ajor m anufacturing group

[Gross averages, production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonagricultural payrolls]
1981

PRIVATE SECTOR

1982

1983

1982

Annual average
In du stry d ivisio n and group

July

Sept.

Aug.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

M ar.

Apr.

May

JuneP

JulyP

$255.20 $266.92 $270.34 $271.04 $270.05 $270.31 $271.01 $273.70 $273.34 $270.86 $274.13 $275.52 $278.15 $281.34 $282.85
<1>
(1) 268.73 269.00 269.00 269.27 269.97 272.14 276.59 272.90 275.27 277.46 279.75 280.80 281.50
.00 167.87 168.12 168.24 1J57.42 167.06 167.81 170.11 169.88 168.24 169.85 169.55 170.33 171.86
(1)

Current dollars.......................................
Seasonally adjusted..............................
Constant (1977) dollars.......................
MINING

438.75

459.23

461.55

461.31

461.58

459.22

458.02

465.47

476.43

464.63

467.74

469.25

472.64

479.40

474.55

CONSTRUCTION

399.26

426.45

440.42

438.42

433.21

440.75

423.09

440.13

440.96

424.80

434.98

436.73

441.32

445.33

450.38

318.00
.00

330.65
207.96

332.60
206.84

331.89
206.01

334.15
207.16

333.84
206.33

338.37
209.52

344.60
214.17

341.43
212.20

339.50
210.87

346.10
214.44

349.05
214.80

350.32
214.53

355.92
217.42

355.29
(1)

Lumber and wood products.......................
Furniture and fixtures ..............................
Stone, clay, and glass products ................
Primary metal industries............................
Fabricated metal products.........................

343.31
270.51
226.94
335.76
437.81
330.06

356.06 357.50
283.48 292.97
234.73 c232.31
354.40 362.56
437.34 437.36
344.18 344,27

356.33
293.33
242.70
362.15
439.68
346.04

357.63
296.06
241.28
365.72
438.52
345.32

357.90
289.93
243.20
366.62
431.30
346.04

363.13
292.97
244.34
366.12
440.07
350.66

371.45
293.70
250.00
366.83
450.41
359.30

367.62
300.29
243.38
364.91
450.84
354.71

366.81 372.53
299.54 302.59
243.10 251.29
358.54 368.85
450.82 c456.23
354.37 361.10

375.19
308.05
253.89
374.64
451.13
364.61

377.34
312.76
254.28
380.88
452.33
366.83

382.30
319.87
263.34
390.27
456.03
370.78

379.76
315.99
259.62
393.12
462.11
366.73

Machinery except electrical .......................
Electric and electronic equipment................
Transportation equipment.........................
Instruments and related products................
Miscellaneous manufacturing.....................

360.33
304.80
424.95
299.77
231.64

368.81
322.65
450.36
322.38
247.56

365.34
321.79
456.75
321.95
244.86

364.26
324.53
446.80
325.98
247.04

367.93
325.59
443.98
328.78
250.90

365.98
329.67
457.25
327.10
253.50

371.45
334.62
467.21
331.57
256.50

380.97
342.95
474.35
338.55
260.13

372.24
338.64
468.54
337.64
260.06

371.94 C377.40
336.41 344.00
469.94 480.28
335.81 340.49
253.72 263.25

379.20
344.86
484.26
339.25
263.64

382.64
345.72
482.69
341.74
264.62

388.49
350.78
493.11
340.05
264.52

386.97
348.13
485.62
337.00
264.88

280.74
295.37
344.54
218.59
177.43
365.50

296.83
310.87
369.68
218.63
180.44
389.58

299.15
311.26
383.46
216.13
183.73
392.40

299.54
311.26
362.33
223.29
183.56
393.12

304.19
315.61
379.14
223.85
183.57
402.53

301.08
312.05
370.50
227.56
183.91
397.40

305.74
317.60
386.08
231.47
184.97
402.24

310.85
319.18
364.98
236.77
186.38
410.13

307.64
315.51
360.26
237.12
188.68
402.41

305.22
312.24
339.64
236.07
185.48
396.62

311.20
316.61
378.61
242.57
190.28
406.14

313.97
318.98
395.75
246.83
192.07
410.18

315.58
321.47
401.68
248.67
192.41
415.94

318.79
325.17
420.42
253.18
196.71
424.71

321.95
325.14
422.78
249.89
192.95
431.85

305.49
379.39
491.62

324.63
407.36
546.99

322.88
406.00
546.48

326.85
407.41
546.48

331.45
419.83
572.49

329.82
416.98
555.59

332.72
420.66
564.26

341.10
427.25
563.05

332.79
421.87
572.46

330.83
425.77
573.73

338.63
428.07
584.32

337.72
432.85
581.23

337.57
435.75
575.73

339.22
440.37
576.41

342.75
440.77
570.71

288.95
183.13

302.94
189.39

303.73
190.97

304.10
192.95

308.09
192.06

304.18
189.73

309.28
194.22

319.56
196.38

317.19
196.90

314.03
190.30

321.55
197.06

326.75
201.48

327.57
204.42

328.75
207.90

334.14
207.20

TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES

382.18

401.70

403.37

410.55

405.85

406.62

413.01

416.30

409.43

411.65

413.32

413.79

415.64

419.54

425.32

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE

190.62

198.10

202.12

201.50

200.30

199.39

199.71

203.15

201.59

199.31

201.90

203.18

205.43

207.05

209.95

WHOLESALE TRADE

291.06

307.97

310.76

311.50

311.04

313.01

313.39

317.34

318.27

313.81

316.74

319.42

321.86

323.15

325.53

RETAIL TRADE

158.03

163.55

167.93

167.62

165.55

164.79

164.58

168.97

164.98

163.30

166.42

167.29

169.59

171.87

174.73

249.09

252.31

253.40

254.46

262.44

260.64

258.84

261.00

265.35

261.73

263.54

228.57

228.80

230.10

232.11

234.79

232.96

233.74

234.72

236.42

236.55

238.38

MANUFACTURING

Current dollars........................................
Constant (1977) dollars............................
D urab le goods

N ondurable goods

Food and kindred products .......................
Tobacco manufactures..............................
Textile mill products................................
Apparel and other textile products ..............
Paper and allied products..........................
Printing and publishing ............................
Chemicals and allied products.....................
Petroleum and coal products.....................
Rubber and miscellaneous
plastics products ................................
Leather and leather products .....................

FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL ESTATE

229.05

245.44

245.07

249.02

SERVICES

208.97

224.94

227.40

227.70

t Not available.
p = preliminary.

17.

c - corrected,

Indexes of diffusion: industries in w hich em ploym ent increased

[In percent]
Tim e
span

Over
1-month
span
Over
3-month
span

Year

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

1981 . . . .
1982 . . . .
1983 . . . .

57.8
28.5
56.5

52.4
45.4
45.7

52.2
36.0
62.4

65.6
39.0
69.1

60.2
47.6
71.0

58.9
32.8
64.5

62.6
38.4
P69.6

49.5
37.1

42.2
34.1

33.3
29.3

29.3
32.0

30.9
42.2

—

—

—

—

—

50.5
27.2

33.3
26.1

30.1
25.5

24.5
24.7

23.4
40.6

1981 . . . .
1982 . . . .
1983 . . . .

58.3
25.3
45.4

54.6
28.8
55.1

59.1
32.0
65.6

65.9
34.1
75.8

67.5
32.5
P75.8

66.7
33.6
P76.1

60.5
27.2
—

—

—

—

—

—

58.6
26.1
—

45.7
23.4
—

34.4
19.1
—

29.6
21.2
—

24.2
26.1
—

25.0
26.6
—

22.0
35.8
—

41.4
20.7
—

34.9
20.7

29.8
22.8

27.4
24.2

23.7
31.5

25.3
37.6

23.1
P43.8

Over
6-month
span

1981 . . . .
1982 . . . .
1983 . . . .

68.5
20.2
50.5

65.3
23.7
63.2

63.7
25.3
73.4

69.4
29.8
P76.3

64.2
26.1
—

Over
12-month
span

1981 . . . .
1982 . . . .
1983 . . . .

74.5
22.0
P50.8

71.2
20.7
—

70.4
18.0
—

58.1
19.4
—

47.6
18.3
—

p = preliminary.
NOTE: Figures are the percent of industries with employment rising. (Half of the unchanged components
are counted as rising.) Data are centered within the spans. See the “ Definitions" in this section.


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61

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 c o m p ile d m o n th ly

persons in unemployment insurance programs to indicate they are out of
work and wish to begin receiving 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 in­
sured unemployed as a percent of the average insured employment in a
12-month period.

by th e E m p lo y m e n t a n d T ra in in g A d m in is tra tio n o f th e U .S . D e ­
p a rtm e n t o f L a b o r fro m m o n th ly re p o rts o f u n e m p lo y m e n t in su r­
a n ce a c tiv ity p re p a re d by S tate a g e n c ie s. R a ilro a d u n e m p lo y m e n t
in su ran ce d a ta are p rep ared by the U .S . R ailroad R etirem en t B oard.

Definitions

Average weekly seasonally adjusted insured unemployment data are
computed by BLS’ Weekly Seasonal Adjustment program. This procedure
incorporated the X -l 1 Variant of the Census Method II Seasonal Adjust­
ment program.

Data for all programs represent an unduplicated count of insured un­
employment under State programs, Unemployment Compensation for ExServicemen, and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees,
and the Railroad Insurance Act.

An application for benefits is filed by a railroad worker at the beginning
of his first period of unemployment in a benefit year; no application is
required for subsequent periods in the same year. Number of payments
are payments made in 14-day registration periods. The average amount
of benefit payment is an average for all compensable periods, not adjusted
for recovery of overpayments or settlement 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 o f unemployment before they are defined as unemployed. Persons
not covered by unemployment insurance (about 10 percent of the labor
force) and those who have exhausted or not yet earned benefit rights are
excluded from the scope of the survey. Initial claims are notices filed by

18.

U nem p loym ent insurance and em ploym ent service operatio ns

[All items except average benefits amounts are in thousands)
1982

1983

Ite m
July

June

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 ..........................
State unemployment insurance program:1
(Seasonally adjusted data)
Initial claims2 .................................
Insured unemployment (average
weekly volume)............................
Rate of insured unemployment............
Unemployment compensation for exservicemen:5
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
Weeks of unemployment compensated..
Total benefits paid .........................
Railroad unemployment insurance:
Applications...................................
Insured unemployment (average
weekly volume)............................
Number of payments.......................
Average amount of benefit payment . . .
Total benefits paid .........................
Employment service:5
New applications and renewals............
Nonfarm placements .......................

Sept.

Aug.

62

Jan .

D ec.

F eb.

M a r.

A pr.

JuneP

May

4,398

4,283

4,391

4,635

5,074

5,459

5,437

5,134

2,655

2,358

2,342

2,443

2,661

3,080

3,143

2,065

2,075

1,874

1,666

1,732

3,912
4.6
14,655

3,831
4.4
15,015

3,712
4.2
14,547

3,828
4.4
13,786

4,156
4.7
15,170

4,581
5.2
17,873

4,923
5.6
18,307

4,759
5.5
16,895

4,401
5.0
19,529

3,906
4.5
14,986

3,361
3.9
13,133

3,063
3.5
12,912

4,327

4,495

2,399
3,707
4.3
14,648

4,642

3,947

3,481

$118.64 $117.28 $118.97 $120.78 $122.81 $123.43 $123.42 $124.29 $124.47 $125.47 r$124.85 $124.49 $123.64
$1,692,150 $1,679,378 $1,746,195 $1,710,573 $1,647,343 $1,820,019 $2,135,302 $2,205,551 $2,052,415 $2,367,752 r$1,816,539 $1,587,888 $1,551,401

2,528

2,317

2,814

2,902

2,688

2,680

2,586

2,187

2,138

2,148

1,952

1,993

1,825

3,995
4.6

3,959
4.5

4,137
4.7

4,446
5.1

4,680
5.3

4,618
5.3

4,355
5.0

3,980
4.6

3,979
4.6

3,884
4.5

3,774
4.3

3,538
4.1

3,301
3.8
V

10

10

11

11

10

17

24

21

16

18

15

8
29
$3,314

7
25
$2,821

7
24
$2,793

8
25
$2,900

9
28
$3,366

14
33
$4,006

26
90
$11,191

37
132
$16,807

37
143
$18,032

34
156
$19,588

30
117
$14,776

14

16

26
104
$13,111

25
108
$13,691

14

13

12

13

16

14

15

16

10

11

10

9

13

28
123
$13,922

29
120
$13,445

27
118
$13,140

26
111
$12,303

28
110
$12,144

31
126
$14,023

33
146
$16,114

35
142
$16,045

33
131
$15,083

31
146
$16,871

26
109
$12,422

22
93
$10,603

21
90
$10,266

36

68

68

14

20

17

17

20

7

7,628

94

4

30

44
93
$199.15
$18,574

55
100
$202.54
$17,998

55
100
$202.54
$17,998

61
137
$216.14
$31,123

82
159
$212.35
$31,638

81
162
$216.55
$35,061

83
172
$217.00
$39,500

102
219
$220.32
$44,514

72
158
$214.54
$33,100

65
169
$213.44
$36,243

79
172
$203.87
$27,783

90
183
$215.15
$29,411

49
123
$203.54
$14,984

10,965
1,902

14,320
2,804

11nitial claims and State insured unemployment include data under the program for Puerto Rican
sugarcane workers.
Excludes transition claims under State programs.
Excludes data on claims and payments made jointly with other programs.
4Excludes data or claims and payments made jointly with State programs.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Nov.

Oct.

4,527
642

8,377
1,184

....

Cumulative total for fiscal year (October 1-September 30). Data computed quarterly.
NOTE: Data for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands included. Dashes indicate data not available.
p = preliminary.
r= revised.

PRICE DATA

P r ic e

d a t a are g a th e re d b y th e B u reau o f L a b o r S ta tistics from

re ta il a n d p rim a ry m a rk e ts in the U n ited S ta te s. P rice in d ex e s are
g iv e n in re la tio n to a b a se p e rio d (1 9 6 7 =

100. u n less o th e rw is e

n o te d ).

Definitions
The Consumer Price Index is a monthly statistical measure of the average
change in prices in a fixed market basket of goods and services. Effective
with the January 1978 index, the Bureau of Labor Statistics began pub­
lishing CPI’s for two groups of the population. It introduced a CPI for All
Urban Consumers, covering 80 percent of the total noninstitutional pop­
ulation, and revised the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers,
covering about half the new index population. The All Urban Consumers
index covers in addition to wage earners and clerical workers, professional,
managerial, 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, doctors’ and dentists’ fees, and other goods and ser­
vices that people buy for day-to-day living. The quantity and quality of
these items is kept essentially unchanged between major revisions so that
only price changes will be measured. Data are collected from more than
24,000 retail establishments and 24,000 tenants 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 ex­
penditures o f two population groups in 1972-73, they may not accurately
reflect the experience of individual families and single persons with dif­
ferent buying habits.
Though the CPI is often called the “ Cost-of-Living Index,” it measures
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 o f the United States by products of commodities in all
stages o f processing. The sample used for calculating these indexes contains
about 2,800 commodities and about 10,000 quotations per month selected
to represent the movement of prices of all commodities 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
o f fabrication (that is, finished goods, intermediate or semifinished goods,
and crude materials). The commodity structure organizes products by sim­
ilarity o f end-use or material composition.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

To the extent possible, prices used in calculating Producer Price Indexes
apply to the first significant commercial transaction in the United States,
from the production or central marketing point. Price data are generally
collected monthly, primarily by mail questionnaire. Most prices are ob­
tained directly from producing companies on a voluntary 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 various
commodities are averaged together with implicit quantity weights repre­
senting their importance in the total net selling value of all commodities
as of 1972. The detailed data are aggregated to obtain indexes for stage
of processing groupings, commodity groupings, durability o f 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 S ta n d a r d I n d u s tr ia l C la s s ific a tio n M a n u a l 1 9 7 2 (Washing­
ton, 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 industrial censuses conducted
by the U .S. Bureau of the Census and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Notes on the data
Regional CPI’s cross classified by population size were introduced in the
May 1978 R e v ie w . These indexes 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 appropriate population size class measure for their region.
The cross-classified indexes are published bimonthly. (See table 20.)
For details concerning the 1978 revision of the CPI, see T h e C o n s u m e r
P r ic e I n d e x : C o n c e p ts a n d C o n te n t O v e r th e Y e a rs. Report 517, revised
edition (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 1978).
As of January 1976, the Producer Price Index incorporated a revised
weighting structure reflecting 1972 values of shipments.
Additional data and analyses of price changes are provided in the C P I
D e ta ile d R e p o r t and P r o d u c e r P r ic e s a n d P r ic e I n d e x e s , both monthly
publications of the Bureau.
For a discussion of the general method of computing producer, and
industry price indexes, see B L S H a n d b o o k o f M e th o d s , Bulletin 2134-1
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1982), chapter 7. For consumer prices, see
B L S H a n d b o o k o f M e th o d s f o r S u r v e y s a n d S tu d ie s (1976), chapter 13.
See also John F. Early, “ Improving the measurement of producer price
change,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w , April 1978. For industry prices, see also
Bennett R. Moss, “ Industry and Sector Price Indexes,” M o n th ly L a b o r
R e v ie w , August 1965.

63

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Consumer Prices

19.

C o n su m er Price Index for U rban W age E arners and C lerical W orkers, annual a verag es and changes, 1 9 6 7 -8 2

[1967 = 100]
Food and

All Item s

A p p arel and

H ousing

bev e ra g e s

T ran sp o rtatio n

upkeep

M e d ic a l care

O th er goods

E n te rta in m e n t

and s e rv ic e s

Year
P ercent

In d e x

change

Index

P ercen t
change

Index

P ercent

P ercen t

In d ex

change

change

Index

P ercen t

Index

change

P ercen t
change

Index

P ercen t

In d ex

change

P e rc e nt
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
115.8

5.2
4.9
5.8

1971
1972
1973
1974
1975

..............
..............
..............
..............
..............

121.3
125.3
133.1
147.7
161.2

4.3
3.3
6.2
11.0
9.1

118.3
123.2
139.5
158.7
172.1

3.1
4.1
13.2
13.8
8.4

123.4
128.1
133.7
148.8
164.5

4.4
3.8
4.4
11.3
10.6

119.8
122.3
126.8
136.2
142.3

3.3
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
228.7
248.7

3.1
8.0
9.7
10.9
8.7

174.6
186.5
202.6
227.5
263 2

6.1
6.8
8.6
12.3
15.7

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
212.8
250.5

9.9
7.1
4.9
14.5
17.7

184.7
202.4
219.4
240.1
287.2

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

1981 ..............
1982 ..............

272.3
288.6

10.2
6.0

267.8
278.5

7.7
4.0

293 2
314.7

11.4
7.3

186.6
190.9

5.2
2.3

281.3
293.1

12.3
4.2

295.1
326.9

10.4
10.8

219.0
232.4

7.5
6.1

233.3
257.0

9.2
10.2

20. C o n su m er Price Index for All Urban C onsum ers and revised CPI fo r Urban W age E arn ers and C lerical W orkers,
U.S. city ave ra g e — g eneral sum m ary and groups, subgro ups, and selected item s
[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
All U rban C onsu m ers
G e n eral s u m m ary

1982

U rb an W a g e E arn ers and C le ric a l W o rke rs

1983

1982

1983

June

Jan .

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

June

Jan .

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

A ll ite m s

290.6

293,1

293.2

293.4

295.5

297.1

298.1

290.1

292.1

292.3

293.0

294.9

296.3

297.2

Food and beverages ......................................................................
Housing ....................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep......................................................................
Transportation.............................................................................
Medical care................................................................................
Entertainment .............................................................................
Other goods and services.............................................................,

280.2
317.5
190.8
292.8
326 4
235.6
255.8

280.7
317.9
191.0
293.0
347.8
241.5
279.9

281.6
318.5
192.0
289.9
351.3
243.1
281.6

283.2
318.6
194.5
287.4
352.3
244.6
281.9

284.6
320.3
195.5
292.3
353.5
244.6
283.2

285.0
321.8
196.1
296.2
354.3
244.8
283.6

284.7
323.1
195 6
298.3
355.4
245.4
284.5

280.5
317.5
189.6
294.5
324.8
232.3
253.1

281.1
317.0
190.0
294.3
345.3
237.7
277.8

282.1
317.6
191.0
291.1
348.9
239.5
279.6

283.5
319.2
194.0
288.6
350.0
240.8
280.0

284.9
320.3
194.8
293.5
351.2
241.1
281.4

285.4
321.3
195.3
297.5
352.1
241.3
281.8

285.0
322.3
194.7
299.6
353.3
241.9
282.8

Commodities................................................................................
Commodities less food and beverages........................................
Nondurables less food and beverages.....................................
Durables...........................................................................

265.1
254.0
266.3
243.2

267.2
256.5
267 4
247.3

266.7
255 2
265.2
247.1

266.7
254.3
263.4
247.4

269.2
257.3
267.8
248.7

270.9
259.7
271.3
249.5

271.6
260.9
272.3
251.2

265.4
254.5
268.2
242.3

268.0
257.8
269.3
247.3

267.8
257.1
266.9
247.8

268.4
257.4
265.0
249.7

270.9
260.3
269.7
251.2

272.7
262.7
273.3
252.8

273.3
263.7
274.4
253.7

Serv ces ....................................................................................
Rent, residential..................................................................
Household services less rent of shelter (12/82 = 100)................
Transportation services........................................................
Medical care services..........................................................
Other services ....................................................................

334.9
222.6

337.9 338.9
232 2 c233.1
100.9 101.0
300.1 299.9
377.4 381.5
271.5 272.6

339.4
233.6
101.6
299.8
382.2
272.9

341.2
234.5
102.0
300.8
382.8
274.2

342.6
235.1
103.2
301.2
383 5
274.7

344.0
235.9
104 2
301.4
384 6
275.6

335.7
222.1

336.9
231.7

337.8
232.5

338.5
233.1

339.5
234.0

340.1
234.6

341.4
235.3

293.2
350.7
255.5

297.1
374.0
269.1

296 9
378 2
270.2

296.7
379.0
270.6

297.2
379.7
272.0

297.6
380.5
272.6

297.5
381.7
273.5

292.6
100.2

292.4
100.3

294.7
101.0

296.5
101.6

297 8
101.9

289.4

291 9

291 9

292.4

294.4

296 1

297.2

273.7
252.4
263.0
302.4
275.4

278.9
255.7
264 2
304.4
276.2

279.0
255.0
262.2
301.1
275.6

279.7
255.4
260 6
297.4
275.3

281.7
258.2
265.0
303.5
278.4

283.5
260.6
268 4
308.2
280.4

284.3
261.6
269.3
309.9
280.8

331.7
269.2
290.6
420.4
431.6
279.4
276.0
231.3
330.6

330.7
265.0
272.5
415.1
415.2
282.2
279.3
237.1
330.5

331.2
266.0
273.5
406.9
401.9
283.0
280.2
237 9
331.4

332.0
267.6
274.0
399.8
388.7
284.4
281.6
240.0
331.9

333.0
269 0
280.7
410.8
404.3
285.6
282.6
241.2
332.7

333.5
269 6
283.0
422.1
417.3
286.1
283.2
242.3
332.6

334.9
268.7
279.8
428 1
421.7
286.5
283.8
242.9
333.2

294.7
353.0
257 0

S p e c ia l inde x e s :

All items less food.........................................................................
All items less homeowners' costs ...................................................
All items less mortgage interest costs...............................................
Commodities less food ..................................................................
Nondurables less food ..................................................................
Nondurables less food and apparel...................................................
Nondurables................................................................................
Services less rent of shelter (12/82 = 100) ........................................
Services less medical care .............................................................
Domestically produced farm foods....................................................
Selected beef cuts.........................................................................
Energy1 ....................................................................................
Energy commodities1 ..................................................................
All items less energy ....................................................................
All items less food and energy...............................................
Commodities less food and energy.....................................
Services less energy........................................................
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar, 1967 = $1 ..........................
See footnotes at end of table.

64

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

289.7
251.9
261.2
301.0
274.4
330 7
270 3
289.1
418.6
430.8
280.7
277.3
232.1
329.9

254.4
262 4
303.1
275.2
100.7
331.4
264.7
271.2
414.5
414.9
283.8
281.1
237.1
331.8

292.6
100.2
253.2
260.5
299.9
274.6
101.0
332.2
266 6
272.0
406.7
401.6
284.7
282.0
237.9
332.9

252.4
258.9
296.5
274.4
101.3
332.7
268.4
272 6
399.9
388.3
285.6
282.6
239.1
333.1

255.4
263 0
302 1
277.3
101.6
334.5
269.9
279 4
410.0
403.2
287.0
284.0
240.2
334.8

257 6
266.3
306.7
279.3
102.2
336.0
270.6
281.5
421.3
416.3
287.6
284.7
240.8
335.6

258.9
267.3
308.4
279.7
102 7
337.4
269.6
278.5
427.3
420.7
288.2
285.5
241.5
336.4

$0.344 $0.341 $0.341 $0.341 $0.338 $0.337 $0.335 $0.345 $0.342 $0 342 $0.341 $0.339 $0.337 $0.336

20.

C o n tin u ed — C onsum er Price In dex— U.S. city average

[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
U rban W a g e E arn ers and C le ric a l W o rke rs

All U rban C onsu m ers
G en e ra l s u m m ary

FOOD AN D BEVERAGES
Food

1983

1982

198 3

1 982

Jan.

M ay

June

June

284.6

285.0

284.7

280.5

281.1

292.0

288.0

288.4

June

Jan.

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

280.2

280.7

281.6

283.2

M a r.

Apr.

May

June

282.1

283.5

284.9

285.4

285.0

289.3

290.7

292.1

292 6

292.2

Feb.

288.1

289.0

290.5

291 9

292.4

282.6 279.3
283.6 287.8
154.5 154.0
142.1 140.3
166.1 168.1
149.4 156.5
148.6 151.7
242.4 248.9
145.6 147.7
149.9 ♦152.6
149.2 153.1
150.7 153.6
140.9 144.9
148.9 152.3

280.3
288.7
154.0
139.8
169.2
145.3
152.4
249.8
148.7
153.1
154.0
153.7
146.5
154.2

281 9
289.8
155.0
139.4
171.3
146.0
152.8
252.0
149.0
152.0
153.8
155.1
146,0
154.2

283.4
291.1
156.1
140.2
173.8
145.8
153.3
252.1
148.8
152.5
154.9
156.8
147.2
153.7

283.8
291.7
157.0
141.3
175.7
144.8
153.5
252.6
149.7
152.0
154.7
156.1
147.9
154.0

283.0
292.4
157.9
142.2
176.4
146.2
153.7
253.1
149.8
151.7
154.6
155.7
149.5
153.7

281.6
282.3
155.5
142.5
168.2
150.6
147,4
238.3
147.5
146.2
147.5
151.5
142.3
151.5

278.6
286.4
154.8
140.6
170.3
147.6
150.5
244.6
149.7
148.6
151.3
154.6
146.4
154.9

279.7
287.4
154.7
140.1
171.4
146.3
151.2
245.7
150.6
149.1
152.2
154.6
147.9
156.8

281.2
288.5
155.8
139.9
173.5
147.0
151.6
247.8
151.1
148.0
152.1
156.0
147.3
156.9

282.5
289.6
156.9
140.4
175.9
146.8
152.0
247 6
150.7
148.4
153.3
157.6
148.7
156.2

282.9
290.2
157.7
141.7
177.8
145.8
152.2
248.2
151.8
147.9
153.0
156.8
149.5
156.7

282.1
291.0
158.7
142.7
178.5
147.3
152.4
248.8
151.8
148.0
152 9
156.4
151.0
156.6

156.3

156.8

155.7

156.2

157.1

157.4

158.8

149.4

149.8

149.0

149.4

150.2

150.5

152.0

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .................................................
Meats, poultry, and fis h ...................................................
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 .....................................
Fresh and frozen fish and seafood (12/77 = 100) . . .
Eggs.............................................................................

266 0
274.3
277.2
288.2
274.6
295.4
257.0
278.8
294.1
173.3
259.5
280.7
241.2
112.6
326.3
253.2
145.4
268.5
268.8
154.6
135.5
143.1
197.5
199.1
129.3
124.6
365.2
139 9
138.6
162.5

263.0
270.3
272.2
271.3
262.7
281.7
243.3
255.1
253.1
163.7
272.0
290.8
245.6
129.2
333.6
275.2
147.9
269.3
269.7
154.0
139.9
137.4
191.3
186.8
125.0
126.3
376.7
140.2
145.4
172.9

264.0
271.7
273.2
272 2
261.8
286.9
242.6
259.8
260.3
163.5
273.6
294.5
252.1
125.0
333.9
276.2
150.4
269.2
269.4
154.5
139.7
137.2
194.0
190.6
126.2
127.7
379.2
139.1
147.6
169.3

264.2
271.4
272.8
272 8
263.6
284.8
239.9
257.9
262.8
164.4
271.1
288.7
246.4
125.6
336.9
277.3
148.1
269.7
270.8
155.2
139.0
138.2
193.7
190.7
126.6
126.6
380.1
138.3
148.6
175.0

264.2
271.4
273.3
279.4
267.0
291.2
251.1
263.9
274.8
168.3
262.1
276.6
241.8
116.7
332.5
272.0
143.5
268.6
267.4
154.4
139.7
137.0
191.0
184.5
125.7
127.2
379.4
137.9
148.4
174.9

263 8
270.5
272.7
281.3
266.9
289.5
249.6
268.8
284.3
170.2
257.3
272.5
237.7
112.0
330.6
266.6
141.4
267.7
266.7
154.2
137.7
139.1
192.0
187.7
126.6
125.4
372.6
137.2
144.7
181.8

261.5
268.7
270.2
278.6
264.5
277.4
245.6
262 1
286.1
170.5
254.1
267.4
234.3
110.3
326.5
260.9
141.7
267.4
265.8
155.6
136.6
139.3
193.6
192.1
126.3
125.3
371.2
138.6
143.0
173.8

265.8
273 9
276.5
289.0
275.9
304.9
260.1
277.2
295 j
17, .9
258.9
285.3
239.6
109.6
327.2
256.4
144.7
267.8
268.3
154.6
133.4
146.5
195.8
197.0
127.5
124.3364.2
139.4
138.3
163.4

262.8
270.0
271.8
271.8
263.7
290.4
246.6
253.0
254.5
162.1
271.4
295.5
243.9
126.0
335.0
279.7
147.1
268.7
268.5
153.9
137.7
140.3
189.4
185.0
123.5
125.7
375.1
139.5
145.0
173.7

263.9
271.4
272.9
272.9
263.0
295.9
245.3
258.0
261.7
162.1
272.9
299.5
250.3
121.7
334.8
280.6
149.5
269.0
268.6
154.5
137.8
140.1
191.9
188.4
124.6
127.1
377.5
138.5
147.1
170.0

264.0
271.1
272.4
273.5
264.7
293.0
242.8
257.1
264.5
163.0
270.4
293.1
244.7
122.4
337.0
282.2
147.3
269.3
270.1
155.1
137.0
140.9
191.6
188.4
125.1
125 6
378.9
137.8
148.3
175.8

263.9
271.0
272.9
280.0
268.0
300.2
254.0
262.0
276.0
166.8
261.7
281.4
239.7
113.9
333.1
277.1
142.8
268.3
266.4
154.3
137.7
140.0
189.0
182.3
124.2
126.6
377.5
137.4
147.7
175.8

263.6
270.2
272.1
282.0
268.3
298.8
252.3
267.7
285.9
168.6
256.8
276.8
235.9
109.3
331.1
271.6
140.6
267.3
265.2
154.1
135.8
142.2
190.1
185.7
124.9
124 9
371.5
136.8
144.4
182.7

261.3
268 3
269.7
279 2
265.7
285.7
249.1 •
260.5
287.5
169.1
253.9
271.9
232.5
107 5
327 3
266.4
141.1
266.9
264.9
155.6
134.6
142.3
191.8
190.4
124.7
124.7
369.8
138.1
142.5
174.8

Dairy products ...............................................................
Fresh milk and cream (12/77 = 100)............................
Fresh whole milk...................................................
Other fresh milk and cream (12/77 = 100) ................
Processed dairy products............................................
Butter.................................................................
Cheese (12/77 = 100) ..........................................
Ice cream and related products (12/77 = 100) ...........
Other dairy products (12/77 = 100).........................

246.3
135.2
221 3
135.4
144.9
250.9
143.2
149.6
138.7

249.5
136.7
223.7
136.9
147.1
253.4
145.2
152.5
141.6

249.7
136.7
223.4
137.3
147.4
253.6
145.5
153.1
141.6

249.6
136.8
223.4
137.7
147.2
253.5
145.5
150.7
143.9

250.1
136.6
223.5
136.7
148.1
253.9
146.5
152.0
144.5

250 3
136.5
223.2
136.8
148.6
254.4
146.5
153.6
144.6

249.8
136 3
222 9
136.8
148.1
252.7
146.0
154.0
143.1

245.7
134.7
220.4
134.9
145.2
253.4
143.6
148.7
139.4

248 9
136.2
222.9
136.3
147.4
255.9
145.5
151.6
142.3

249.1
136.2
222.6
136.8
147.7
256.2
156.8
152.2
142.3

248.9
136.3
222.6
137.1
147.4
256.1
145.8
149.8
144.6

249.4
136.1
222 7
136.1
148.4
256.5
146.8
151.1
145.3

249.6
136.0
222.3
136.3
148.8
256.9
146.8
152.7
145.3

249.1
135.9
222.1
136.3
148.3
255.4
146.3
153.0
143.7

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).....................

305.6
325.9
340.8
321.4
267.9
406.8
177.1
311.9
344.9
269.1
275.6
177.5

276.2
269.2
268.3
244.2
241.3
292.2
143.1
270.0
236.2
301.3
236.8
156.0

278.1
272.0
270.5
244.0
254.0
286 3
145.1
273.4
240.6
249.0
265.0
165.6

286.9
288 6
282.8
249.3
257.1
299.1
154.4
294.0
241.1
247.9
352 2
175.8

294.9
304.3
291 9
259.9
295.1
301.3
155.8
316.0
258.7
316.0
327.5
186.9

298.2
311.0
300.6
266.4
312.5
297.2
162.4
320.8
282.3
340 9
307.8
184.1

298.2
310.9
310.5
281.9
318.1
309.1
166.3
311.3
304.7
363 5
262.3
169.4

301.0
318.6
327.0
321.9
265.5
367.5
170.3
311.1
339.7
270.0
279.9
177.0

272.6
264.3
258.9
244.8
239 9
267.5
138.0
269.2
231.5
303 4
241.5
155.3

274.5
267.1
261.0
243.9
250.9
263.1
139.8
272.7
236.5
250.0
269.0
165.2

282.9
283.0
272.5
249.6
254.6
272.7
149.0
292.5
236.1
246.6
358.1
174.9

291.1
298 9
282.2
260.5
293.0
274.4
150.9
314.0
253.3
311.6
332.1
186.4

294.5
305.5
290 6
266.8
311.1
270 2
156.9
319.2
277.3
338.0
313.2
183.4

294.5
305.4
299.7
283.4
316.7
280.1
160.0
310.8
301.3
360.8
267.1
169.5

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) .........................

285.9
148.0
144.4
151.7
147.0
139 3
145.6

286.6
150.1
144.7
154.1
150.4
137.9
149.7

287.4
150.8
144.6
155.3
151.0
138.1
151.2

287.6
151.3
145.0
156.6
151.0
137.7
149.7

287.1
150.6
143.9
155.7
150.8
138.0
150.9

286.7
150.3
142.3
155.7
151.3
137.9
151.2

286.9
149.7
140.0
155.1
152.0
138.7
151.4

283.9
147.6
143.4
150.7
147.6
138.2
146.9

284 3
149.8
143.8
153.1
151.1
136 7
151.2

285 1
150.5
143.7
154.4
151.7
136.9
152.7

285 3
151.0
144.1
155.6
151.5
136.6
151.3

284.8
150.2
143.0
154.6
151.4
136.8
152.5

284.6
150.0
141.4
154.7
151.8
136.8
152.8

284.7
149.3
139.0
154.0
152.6
137.5
153.1

.......................................................................................................................................................

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, 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) . . . .


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

287.8

65

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Consumer Prices
20.

C o n tin u ed — C onsum er Price In dex— U.S. city average

[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
All U rb an C onsu m ers
G e n e ral s u m m ary

1982

U rb an W a g e E arn ers and C le ric a l W o rke rs

1983

1982

1983

June

Jan.

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

June

Jan .

F eb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

Fruits and vegetables—Continued
Cut corn and canned beans except lima (12/77 = 100)
Other canned and dried vegetables (12/77 = 100) . . . .
Other foods at home...............................................................
Sugar and sweets ..........................................................
Candy and chewing gum (12/77 = 100) .......................
Sugar and artificial sweeteners (12/77 = 100)................
Other sweets (12/77 = 100)........................................
Fats and oils (12/77 = 100) ............................................
Margarine...............................................................
Nondairy substitutes and peanut butter (12/77 = 100) . . .
Other fats, oils, and salad dressings (12/77 = 100).........
Nonalcoholic beverages ...................................................
Cola drinks, excluding diet cola ...................................
Carbonated drinks, including diet cola (12/77 = 100) . . . .
Roasted coffee..........................................................
Freeze dried and instant coffee.....................................
Other noncarbonated drinks (12/77 = 100) ..................
Other prepared foods........................................................
Canned and packaged soup (12/77 =100) .....................
Frozen prepared foods (12/77 = 100) .........................
Snacks (12/77 = 100)...............................................
Seasonings, olives, pickles, and relish (12/77 = 100) . . .
Other condiments (12/77 = 100)................................
Miscellaneous prepared foods (12/77 = 100) ................
Other canned and packaged prepared foods (12/77 = 100) .

141.1
135.2
332.6
366.8
150.4
161.4
148.9
260.7
261.2
156.5
129.1
424.8
305.9
143.1
365.1
344.3
140.0
267.8
136.3
147.3
153.2
153.3
150.6
148.3
144.5

139.5
131.0
337.1
371.5
149.8
167.0
152.0
259.3
259.4
151.6
130.2
431.1
312.9
145.2
365.0
348.2
141.0
272.6
138.1
150.6
154.0
159.5
153.8
151.1
146.1

138.5
131.1
338.2
370.7
149.6
165.9
152.3
258.0
255.9
151.8
129.8
432.2
312.5
147.4
365.9
349.3
140.6
275.1
139.0
152.0
157.6
161.1
154.9
151.5
146.4

138.9
131.1
339.1
372.8
150.3
166.9
153.4
258.4
255.8
151.4
130.4
432.7
314.1
146.7
363.2
349.2
141.1
276.0
140.0
153.1
157.9
161.6
154.9
151.7
146.8

139.6
130.6
339.2
373.2
150.8
168.3
151.4
258.6
259.6
151.5
129.5
431.8
313.1
146.8
361.4
349.5
140.6
276.9
140.9
155.0
159.2
159.3
155.3
151.6
147.4

138.4
130.8
339.1
373.1
151.0
167.2
152.0
258.3
257.1
150.7
130.2
431.1
311.5
147.3
360.8
351.6
140.1
277.2
141.6
154.4
160.6
159.3
155.6
152.0
146.2

140.5
131.2
338.8
374.5
151.3
168.5
152 5
258.3
259.3
149.4
130.1
431.0
312 3
146.3
359 3
352.2
140.5
276.1
141.6
153.8
159.0
158.6
155.4
151.2
146.2

138.8
133.8
333.5
366.9
150.5
162.8
146.9
260.7
260.8
154.9
129.7
426.6
303.3
141.2
360.1
343.8
140.2
269.5
138.3
146.8
155.2
152.4
152,4
148.5
145.8

137.0
129.6
337.9
371.4
149.8
168.5
149.8
259.3
258.5
150.0
130.7
432.8
310.3
142.8
359.9
347.8
141.3
274.2
140.1
150.0
156.0
158.5
155.6
151.4
147.3

136.2
129.8
339.1
370 6
149.6
167.1
150.2
258.1
255.3
150.1
130.3
433.9
310.0
144.9
360.5
349.0
140.8
276.8
141.1
151.3
159.6
160.1
156.8
151.7
147.7

136.4
129.7
339.9
372.5
150.3
168.3
151.0
258.4
254.5
149.7
131.0
434.5
311.5
144.5
357.9
348.8
141.3
277.5
141.9
152.2
160.1
160.4
156.7
151.9
148.0

137.1
129 2
340.0
373.0
150.8
169.7
149.1
258.4
258.1
149.9
130.1
433.5
310.4
144.5
356.2
349.0
140.9
278.5
142.7
154.2
161.2
158.3
157.1
151.8
148.7

136.2
129.5
339.8
372.9
151.0
168.7
149.6
258.2
255.5
149.1
130.8
432.4
308.5
144.9
355.6
351.0
140.4
278.8
143.6
153.7
162.7
158.4
157.4
152.3
147.5

138.1
129.8
339.5
374.1
151.2
169.8
150.2
258 0
257.5
147.7
130.7
432.6
309.7
143.9
354.3
351.6
140.7
269.5
143.4
153.1
161.1
157.6
157.2
151.5
143.6

Food away from home .................................................................
Lunch (12/77 = 100).............................................................
Dinner (12/77 = 100).............................................................
Other meals and snacks (12/77 = 100).....................................

305.9
148.9
147.4
149.2

314.5
153.1
151.3
154.0

315.2
153.3
151.7
154.5

316.5
153.7
152.0
156.0

318.0
154,4
152.5
157.1

318 6
154.6
152.7
157.9

319.3
154.9
153.1
158 2

309.0
150.5
149.1
149.9

317.7
154.8
153.0
154.6

318.4
155.0
153.4
155.1

319.7
155.3
153.7
156.5

321.3
156.1
154.2
157.7

321.9
156.2
154.4
158.4

322.5
156.5
154.8
158.7

A lc o h o lic b e v e ra g e s

208.4

211.6

213.3

215.1

216.1

216.6

217,0

210.4

213.7

215.6

217.3

218.5

219.1

219.6

Alcoholic beverages at home (12/77 = 100) .....................................
Beer and alt ........................................................................
Whiskey...............................................................................
Wine ..................................................................................
Other alcoholic beverages (12/77 = 100)...................................
Alcoholic beverages away from home (12/77 = 100) .........................

135.0
210.6
148.3
235.3
119.7
140.3

136.5
213.3
150.5
235.6
120.6
144.8

137.7
217.4
150.9
234.7
120.7
145.4

139.1
219.8
151.3
239.1
121.5
145.7

139.7
222.5
151.4
236.3
121.5
146.5

140.0
222 7
151.3
239.1
121.5
147.0

140.3
224.1
151.6
236.3
122.1
147.1

136.3
209.6
149.1
242.7
119.6
141.6

137.8
212.5
151.2
243.0
120.6
146.0

139 2
216.4
151.6
241.8
120.5
146.6

140.6
218.6
151.9
246.8
121.2
146.9

141.3
221.2
151.9
243.9
121.3
147.7

141.7
221.5
151.9
247.0
121.4
148.2

142.0
222.8
152.1
244.1
122.0
148.3

H O U S IN G

317.5

317.9

318.5

318.6

320 3

321.8

323.1

317.5

317.0

317.6

319.2

320.3

321.3

322.3

S h e lte r (C P I-U )

340.9

338.3

339.2

339.3

341.7

342.7

343.6

100.8
232.2
339 2
100.7
100.7
100.9
342.9
380.6
259.4

101.2
233.1
340.8
100.9
100.9
100.9
339.4
373.6
259.3

101.4
233.6
340.6
100.9
100.8
101.5
339.9
376.7
257.7

101.8
234.5
343.7
101.7
101.7
102.0
343.6
382.8
258.7

102 2
235.1
347.5
102.0
101.9
102.4
344.3
382.7
260.0

102.5
235 9
347.9
102.2
102.2

338 8

341.1

342.4

342.9

343.3

FO OD A N D BEVERAG ES— Continued
Food— C o n tinue d

Food at home—Continued

Renters' costs.............................................................................
Rent, residential ....................................................................
Other renters' costs ...............................................................
Flomeowners' costs2 ....................................................................
Owners' equivalent rent..........................................................
Household insurance...............................................................
Maintenance and repairs ...............................................................
Maintenance and repair services ...............................................
Maintenance and repair commodities..........................................

222.6
327.3

336.1
369.1
258.3

345.1
381.6
262 3
342.6

337.9

Rent, residential...........................................................................

222 1

231.7

232.5

233.1

234.0

234.6

235.3

Other renters' costs ......................................................................

326.3
349 4
144 8

337.3
350 8

339.0

339.0

342.3

345.5
154 n

345.8
363 5
153 5

Flomeownership...........................................................................
Home purchase ....................................................................
Financing, taxes, and insurance.................................................
Property insurance..........................................................
Property taxes ...............................................................
Contracted mortgage interest costs.....................................
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).........

386.0
284.4
529.7
402.7
220.7
690.0
240.2
332.4
370.0
252.1

375.9
291.9
490 2
414.5
230.6
624.0
212.0
337.8
377.3
253.6

376.9
293.7
491.3
417.9
231.4
625.1
211.1
336.2
374.5
254.5

379.9
298 9
491.8
419.2
231.7
625.7
207.5
337.5
376.6
254.2

381.2
301.0
492.2
422.3
232.9
625.5
206.0
339.0
378.9
253.9

381.7
303.9
489.1
426.3
233.8
620.1
202.4
339.9
379.5
255.6

381.9
303.5
490.0
430.6
234 6
620.8
203.0
341.0
380.0
257.5

146.0
122.1

148.2
120.5

148.0
122.2

146.0
124.1

145.7
123.4

148.1
124.3

149.4
124.2

136.0
140.6

137.3
141.3

136.6
142.2

137.5
142.4

137.4
143.1

138.0
141.3

138.8
144.1

S h e lte r (C P I-W )

66


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

20.

C o n tin u ed — C onsum er Price In d ex— U .S. city average

[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
U rban W a g e E arn ers and C le ric a l W o rk e rs

All U rban Consu m ers
G en eral su m m ary

1982

1983

1982

1983

June

Jan.

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

June

Jan.

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

352 2

365.4

364 6

363 8

363.6

369.3

373.6

353.6

366.8

365.9

365.2

365.1

370.8

375.5

448 4
656.6
684.8
165.6
398.9
327.5
497.2

463.5
671.1
689.3
188.4
413.5
319.2
559.1

461.5
654.0
669.7
187.1
414.5
320.1
560.1

459.7
625.3
636.4
185.9
418.0
321.2
568.3

459.2
610.6
618.4
186.7
420.5
319.9
578.3

468.3
621.0
629.6
188.6
429.1
324.7
593.9

475.2
620.0
628.5
188.6
437.4
337.4
591.8

448.3
659.7
687.5
166.9
398.2
327.7
493.8

463.3
673.4
691.2
189.5
412.8
318.3
556.9

461.2
656.0
671.3
188.1
413.8
319.4
557.6

459.5
627.3
637.9
187.0
417.5
320.7
565.9

459.3
612.8
620.4
187.7
420.1
319 3
576.5

468.2
623.4
631.8
189.7
428.5
324.2
591.0

475.6
622.4
630 7
189.5
437.4
337.9
588.8

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..............................................

200.4
163.2
131.2
119.6
109.8
324.9

210.1
171.4
140,6
121,0
114.0
341.6

210.9
171.7
139.9
121.8
115.9
343.9

211.4
172.1
140.3
121.8
116.3
345.6

211.7
171.9
139.9
121.8
116.6
347.5

212 5
172.8
140.9
121.8
117.1
348.2

213 2
173.4
141.8
121.8
117.4
348.9

201.1
163.5
131.6
120.1
109.4
328 0

210.9
171.7
1.40.8
121.5
113.9
344.8

211.6
172.1
140.2
122.2
115.8
347.2

212.2
172.5
140.6
122.2
116.2
349.0

212.5
172.4
140.3
122.3
116.6
350.8

213 4
173.2
141.3
122.3
117.1
351 8

214.1
173.9
142.2
122.2
117.4
352 6

H o u s e h o ld fu rn is h in g s and o p eratio n s

233 7

235 8

236 7

237.6

239.9

238 4

238 6

230.4

232 6

233.4

234.6

236.0

235.4

235.5

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 .......................................
Televsion ...............................................................
Sound equipment (12/77 - 100) ................................
Household appliances ......................................................
Refrigerators and home freezers...................................
Laundry equipment...................................................
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) ..............................................

194.7
220.2
134.6

194.9
221.9
131.5

195.9
228.2
139.0

197,1
230.3
136.7

198.7
229.4
134.2

197.6
228.7
136.2

197.8
226.8
135 4

192.6
223.3
135.9

193.0
224.5
132.6

193.8
232.2
140.7

195.3
234.8
137.9

196.7
233.6
135.3

195.8
232.7
137.3

195.9
230.5
136.4

140.1
214.4
143.0
117.5
123.2
142.3
151.4
108.6
104.4
113.5
183.8
187.7
136.7
123.9

145.6
213.9
146.1
117.3
124.6
139.4
151.9
107.0
102.3
112.2
187.6
193.2
141.5
124.7

145.7
213 8
146.6
116.5
121.0
139.8
151.5
107.1
101.9
112.8
186.3
192 2
141.8
123.6

150.9
215.8
148.9
118.3
122.0
139.7
151.9
106.9
101.2
113.1
187.7
193.3
142.5
124 6

152.4
221.6
152.9
118.9
126 2
144.6
152.3
107.1
100.9
113.6
188.5
193.3
142.7
125.4

149.4
220.0
151.9
118.1
123.9
144.5
151.2
106.1
100.2
112.3
187.8
194.1
143.5
124.3

147.7
220.0
152.3
118.0
124.2
143.8
151.4
105.9
100.8
111.6
188.4
194.0
144.6
124.7

143.0
210.9
139.7
118.2
123.3
137.7
151.2
107.7
103.1
112.7
184.2
193.2
136.9
122.3

148.6
210.4
142.6
117.9
122.0
134.6
151.8
106.1
101.1
111.3
187.9
199.2
142.1
122.8

149.5
210.2
142.7
117.1
121.5
135.1
151.3
106.1
100.5
111.8
186.7
198.1
142.3
121.5

156 2
213.2
146.0
118.9
122.6
136.0
151.7
105.9
99.9
111.9
188.0
198 9
142.9
122.7

157.8
218.1
149.4
119.1
126.6
140.2
152.4
106.2
99.7
112.6
188.9
199.2
143.6
123.5

154.1
216.7
148.8
118.6
124,5
139.8
151.7
105.1
99.0
111.3
188.9
200.3
144.6
122.6

152.1
216.5
148.9
118.3
124.9
139.0
151.9
105.0
99.6
110.5
189.5
200.2
145.2
123.2

123.1

123 7

122.3

124.2

125.0

123.2

123.9

121.6

121.9

120.2

122.4

123.3

121.7

122.8

124 8
139.0

125.8
139.1

125.1
140.2

125.2
140.7

126.1
140.4

125.5
139.9

125.7
141.2

123.0
136 9

123.8
137.0

122.9
137.9

122.9
138.6

123.8
138.4

123.6
138.0

123.7
139.0

142.3
132.2

141.2
130.8

143.3
132.4

143.0
133.9

143.2
133.3

143.2
132 5

142.2
133.0

134 9
128.2

133.2
126.1

134.9
127.3

135.0
129.2

135.3
128.3

135.5
128.3

134.3
128.8

145.6

145.9

145.7

146.4

145.5

145.1

149.2

141.4

141.9

141.8

142.6

142.0

141.6

145.0

131.9

134.1

135.4

135.5

135.9

135.1

135.0

137.1

139.3

140.6

140.9

141.4

140.2

139.9

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)...................................

286 5
280 8
143.8
146.5
132.5
150.2
144.0

294.0
288 9
149.0
150.2
138.1
153.5
144.3

294.8
290.1
149.1
150.4
138.6
154.3
144.4

295.4
292.3
149.5
149.3
139.3
154.4
145.0

296 9
294.5
150.6
148.8
139.6
154.5
147.2

296.6
294.5
150.3
148.0
139.8
154.4
147.3

296.3
294.9
151.5
147.3
139.9
154.Q
145.8

283.1
277.0
142.7
146.1
136.0
144.9
136.7

290.7
285.0
147.7
150.3
141.1
148.3
137.0

291 6
286.1
147.9
150.5
141.7
149.1
137,4

292.2
288.1
148.3
149.1
142.3
149.2
138.5

293 9
290.4
149.5
148.9
142.7
149.2
141.4

293.6
290.6
149.2
148.0
142.9
149.1
141.4

293.2
290.9
150.4
147.4
142.8
148.7
139.4

Housekeeping services .................................................................
Postage...............................................................................
Moving, storage, freight, household laundry, and
drycleaning services (12/77 = 100).......................................
Appliance and furniture repair (12/77 = 100)..............................

311.7
337.5

315.4
337.5

315.9
337.5

316.4
337.5

317.1
337.5

318.0
337.5

318.5
337.5

310.9
337.5

315.0
337 5

315.6
337.5

316.1
337.5

316.5
337.5

317.5
337.5

318.0
337.5

154.2
137.0

159.3
140.4

159.8
141.2

160 6
141.5

160.8
141.7

161.7
142.9

162.3
143.3

154.5
135.5

159.5
138.7

160.0
139 5

160.7
139.8

160 8
140.0

161.7
141.2

162.3
141.6

APP AREL A N D UPKEEP

190.8

191.0

192.0

194.5

195.5

196.1

195 6

189.6

190.0

191.0

194.0

194.8

195.3

194.7

A p p a re l c o m m o d itie s

180.0

179.2

180.2

182 8

183.7

184.2

183.6

179.4

178.7

179.7

182.9

183.5

183 9

183.2

175.0
184.9
116.8
106.5
98.8
142.2
124.5
111.0
118.9
108.9
132.0
121.5
153 9
101.8
158.1
152.9

176.0
184.4
116.2
106.7
98.1
142.6
122.0
110.5
119.3
108.1
132.5
122.9
155.7
103 2
160.9
154.9

178.9 179.4
186.7 187.8
117.1 117.9
109.1 C110.3
100.0 100.0
141.4 142.8
121.7 122.0
111.5 112.0
123.2 123.5
115.5 115.2
134.0 134.9
124 9 125.5
160.0 160.6
106 2 106.5
170.1 168.1
158.5 161.5

180.2
189.5
119.2
110.9
101.1
144.5
124.6
113.2
123.3
115.4
136.1
124.4
160.1
106.1
164.7
162.7

179.7
189.1
118.8
111.2
100.7
144.3
122 6
113.0
123.7
116.3
135 8
124.7
159.7
106.1
164.7
164.3

174.7
183.2
115.8
100.6
101.1
134.7
123.8
115.2
116.9
111.5
128.0
117.1
158 4
105.4
162.9
145.4

174.3
185.2
117.4
99.9
100.5
138.7
127.5
116.5
117.2
110.4
128.0
118.6
155.4
102.9
161.4
139.8

175.3
184.8
116.9
100.2
99.9
139.1
125.0
116.1
117.7
109.3
128.4
120.2
157.2
104.4
165.5
140.6

178.9
187.0
117.6
102.1
102.2
137.6
124.4
117.4
121.4
116.4
129.6
122.3
162.8
108.4
178.4
144.4

179.4 179.8
187.9 189 7
118.3 119.9
103.5 103.9
102.4 104.3
138 6 140.4
125.0 C127.6
117.7 119.1
121.5 121.4
115.7 116.1
130.4 131.6
122.6 121.7
163.1 162.4
108.3 107.6
177.1 172.7
145.7 146.7

179.2
189.0
119.2
103.9
103.3
140.3
125.8
118.6
121.6
116.6
131.2
121.9
161.5
107.4
171.8
148.8

F ue l and o th e r u tilitie s

Fuel oil, coal, and bottled gas...................................................
Other fuels (6/78 - 100) .................................................
Gas (piped) and electricity........................................................
Utility (piped) gas ..........................................................
H O U S IN G
F ue l and o th e r u tilitie s

Apparel commodities less footwear............................................
Men's and boys'...................................................................
Men's (12/77 - 100) ......................................................
Suits, sport coats, and jackets (12/77 = 100)................
Coats and jackets......................................................
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 .................................................................


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

175.6
183.1
115.4
107.3
99.5
138.0
121.5
109.7
118.5
110.7
131.9
119.4
157.3
104.4
156.4
160.1

67

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Consumer Prices
20.

C o n tin u ed — C onsum er Price In dex— U.S. city average

[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
A ll U rban C onsu m ers
G e n e ra l su m m a ry

1982

U rb an W a g e E arn ers and C le ric a l W o rk e rs

1983

1982

1983

June

Jan.

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

May

June

June

Jan .

F eb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

A P P A R E L A N D UPK EEP— C ontinued
A p p a re l C o m m o d itie s — C ontinued

Apparel commodities less footwear—Continued
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).....................................
Infants’ and toddlers' .............................................................
Other apparel commodities ......................................................
Sewing materials and notions (12/77 = 100) .......................
Jewelry and luggage (12/77 = 100) ...................................

100.2
127.9
78.6
105.8
95.1
106.0

93.7
128.8
76.9
105.1
95.8
102.1

94.6
130.0
79.7
105.1
96.5
101.5

98.5
131.0
83.7
107.6
98.4
105.6

100.1
131.1
80.5
108.2
97.1
107.5

98.1
133.0
77.8
108.4
96.3
108.1

97.7
132.8
77.2
106.2
96.3
103.5

101.0
127.6
92.7
105.2
92.4
107.7

94.4
128.4
91.8
105.0
95.2
102.9

95.3
129.7
95.6
104.9
95.8
102.0

99.2
130.7
104.7
108.0
97.6
107.5

101.0
130.8
99.4
109.2
98.5
109.1

98.9
132.7
95.9
109.4
97.3
110.3

98.4
132.4
93.9
107.4
96.5
106.1

122.9
268.7
209.9
119.2
142.8

125.7
277.1
211.5
120.4
143.7

125.8
278.8
213.4
120.5
145.4

126.4
280.1
213.4
120.4
145.4

127.8
280.4
214.4
121.8
145.8

128.6
280.7
215.0
122.9
145.9

128.6
283.0
214.0
122.4
145.1

121.9
278.2
198.9
117.6
133.6

124.9
287.5
200.1
118.5
134.4

124.9
289.5
201.7
118.5
135.9

125.6
291.1
201.9
118.4
136.1

126.9
291.0
202.5
119.4
136.2

127.4
290.9
203.3
120.6
136.5

127.5
293.4
203.0
120.5
136.2

Footwear....................................................................................
Men’s (12/77 = 100).............................................................
Boys' and girls' (12/77 = 100).................................................
Women’s (12/77 = 100)........................................................

206.6
132.1
132.1
125.8

204.8
131.4
130.4
124.5

205.6
132.2
131.2
124.6

206.6
133.2
131.1
125.5

207.5
133.9
130.7
126.5

208.0
133.7
131.7
126.9

206.8
133.7
130.7
125.6

206.7
134.1
134.8
121.6

204.6
133.0
132.9
120.4

205.2
133.9
133.4
120.4

206.1
134.8
133.2
121.1

207.2
135.6
133.4
122.0

207.7
135.4
134.3
122.5

206.6
135.5
133.1
121.3

A p p a re l s e rv ic e s

...........................................................................................................................

275.3

283.9

285.4

286.7

288.7

290.3

290.9

273.0

282.2

283.6

284.9

287.1

288.6

289.2

Laundry and drycleaning other than coin operated (12/77 = 100) .........
Other apparel services (12/77 = 100)...............................................

164.8
143.1

169.6
148.3

170.3
149.1

170.8
150.4

171.7
152.0

172.8
152.5

173.5
152.4

163.3
144.6

168.1
149.4

168.8
150.3

169.3
151.4

170.3
153.1

171.3
153.7

171.9
153.7

TR A N S P O R T A T IO N

.......................................................................................................................

292.8

293.0

289.9

287.4

292.3

296.2

298.3

294.5

294.3

291.1

288.6

293.5

297.5

299.6

P r i v a t e ....................................................................................................................................................

288.9

288.4

285.2

282.7

287.5

291.7

293.8

291.6

290.9

287.6

285.0

289.9

294.1

296.3

New cars....................................................................................
Used cars ..................................................................................
Gasoline ....................................................................................
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) ...................
Tires......................................................................
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).......................

198.1
298.2
392.3
316.0
156.3

201.0
311.0
371.9
324.4
162.2

201.3
309.1
359.4
325.9
162.7

201.2
309.3
348.6
326.6
163.6

201.1
312.7
367.6
327.4
164.7

201.6
317.1
380.9
328.7
165.5

201.6
322.7
386.1
329.5
166.4

197.9
298.2
393.8
316.8
154.7

200.8
311.1
373.6
325.2
161.1

201.0
309.1
361.2
326.6
161.5

200.9
309.3
350.3
327.4
162.5

200.7
312.7
369.3
328.1
163.4

201.3
317.1
382.4
329.4
164.3

201.2
322.7
387.4
330.2
165.3

151.6
146.8
150.8
258.7
217.5
150.7
139.2
192.8
138.3
272.2
274.0
192.0
133.3
174.3
127.7
126.7
149.3

155.4
150.5
154.4
259.9
215.6
153.9
137.3
191.3
134.3
274.2
292.0
169.6
139.8
184.6
132.8
128.6
155.8

156.1
151.1
155.4
259.7
215.0
154.8
136.7
190.6
133.7
274.1
295.6
165.0
140.1
184.9
133.5
128.6
156.2

156.3
150.9
156.2
259.2
213.3
154.8
135.5
188.1
133.9
273.9
297.0
161.9
141.1
186.6
133.9
129.2
157.0

157.3
151.0
156.2
258.4
212.2
156.1
134.5
186.4
133.4
273.1
299.0
157.3
141.4
186.6
133.9
131.1
157.6

157.7
151.7
156.8
258.7
210.9
155.1
133.6
185.1
132.7
273.9
301.2
154.5
143.8
192.3
133.9
131.2
158.5

157.7
152.2
157.0
258.1
210.4
156.0
133.2
184.3
132.7
273.3
301.1
152.2
144.7
192.3
150.3
131.2
159.0

155.7
146.2
150.3
261.8
220.0
149.0
141.2
196.4
138.6
275.5
273.5
191.2
133.8
173.9
127.9
128.3
156.3

159.4
149.9
153.9
261.5
218.0
153.0
139.1
194.9
134.3
275.6
291.3
168.7
140.5
184.0
133.1
129.9
163.9

160.1
150.5
154.8
261.1
217.4
153.8
138.5
194.1
133.6
275.2
294.9
164.0
140.8
184.3
133.7
129.9
164.1

160.3
150.3
155.6
260.5
215.8
153.8
137.4
191.7
133.8
274.8
296.3
161.0
141.9
186.3
134.1
130.5
165.1

161.2
150.4
155.7
259.3
214.7
155.0
136.4
190.1
133.4
273.7
298.2
156.6
142.2
186.3
134.1
132.4
165.4

161.6
151.0
156.3
259.6
213.3
153.9
135.4
188.8
132.4
274.4
300.5
153.8
144.9
192.1
134.1
132.5
166.5

345.6

357.7

355.2

354.5

361.1

359.1

361.2

337.9

349.8

347.7

347.3

353.3

351.2

352.7

396.0
363.7.
309.2
298.0
338.2

412.3
381.8
318.5
300.9
351.8

405.5
383.8
319.4
301.2
351.8

402.9
389.4
320.1
300.8
351.9

417.2
394.6
320.2
302.0
352.0

411.2
401.7
321.7
302.1
352.3

415.4
403.9
321.7
301.0
353.2

392.4
365.4
307.9
307.6
338.2

409.8
383.3
317.4
310.5
352.3

401.5
385.4
318.3
310.8
352.2

398.9
392.0
319.0
310.4
352.3

415.9
396.9
319.1
311.4
352.5

407.4
403.0
320.1
311.6
352.7

410.9
405.2
320.6
311.0
353.6

P u b lic

...................................................................................................................................................

Airline fare..................................................................................
Intercity bus fare .........................................................................
Intracity mass transit ....................................................................
Taxi fare ....................................................................................
Intercity train fare........................................................................

161.7
1 5 1 .5

156.4
258.9
212.9
154.8
135.0
187.9
132.5
273.6
300.5
151.4
146.0
192.1
150.6
132.5
167.0

...............................................................................................................................

326.4

347.8

351.3

352.3

353.5

354.3

355.4

324.8

345.3

348.9

350.0

351.2

352.1

353.3

M e d ic a l c a re c o m m o d it ie s .......................................................................................................

205.6

215.3

216.7

218.6

221.2

222.5

223.2

206.3

215.9

217.2

219.0

221.6

222.8

223.6

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 = 100)............................
Pain and symptom control drugs (12/77 = 100)..........................
Supplements, cough and cold preparations, and
respiratory agents (12/77 = 100)..........................................

191.8
143.3
154.9
138.4

204.1
151.4
166.6
145.9

205.9
153.3
168.2
147.2

208.7
153.8
171.4
151.2

211.6
155.2
174.7
153.4

212.9
155.8
176.3
153.5

213.7
156.6
177.0
153.3

192.7
145.1
154.7
138.2

205.3
153.5
166.4
145.8

207.1
155.5
167.9
147.2

209.9
155.8
171.2
151.0

212.8
157.2
174.5
153.2

214.1
157.8
176.1
153.4

214.8
158.8
176.7
153.2

177.2
154.9

186.6
167.7

189.0
168.6

192.4
170.0

196.1
171.7

197.8
172.3

198.1
173.3

178.6
156.0

188.0
169.5

190.8
170.3

194.2
171.7

198.1
173.4

199.7
174.1

199.9
175.1

146.3

155.8

156.4

157.8

159.4

160.7

161.8

146.4

156.2

156.7

158.1

159.7

161.0

162.0

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) . . .

146.3
131.6
235.2
141.1

151.0
133.9
244.3
145.3

151.6
134.6
245.1
146.1

152 3
134.9
245.5
148.0

153.8
135.1
248.7
149.4

154.7
134.8
250.9
150.0

155.2
135.0
251.9
150.4

147.1
130.4
236.8
142.0

151.8
132.6
245.7
146.3

152.4
133.4
246.4
147.4

153.1
133.7
246.8
149.4

154.6
133.9
250.2
150.6

155.4
133.8
252.1
151.3

156.0
133.9
253.3
151.4

M e d ic a l c a re s e rv ic e s

................................................................................................................

353.0

377.4

381.5

382.2

382.8

383.5

384.6

350.7

374.0

378.2

379.0

379.7

380.5

381.7

Professional services ....................................................................
Physicians’ services...............................................................

301.2
326.4

312.5
341.3

315.4
344.8

316.7
346.4

318.0
348.2

319.7
349.4

322.0
351.7

301.3
329.4

312.7
344.6

315.7
348.2

316.9
349.8

318.4
351.8

320.0
353.9

322.2
355.3

M E D IC A L CARE


68
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

20.

C o n tin u ed — C onsum er Price In dex— U.S. city average

[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
U rb an W a g e E arn ers and C le ric a l W o rke rs

All U rban C onsu m ers
G en eral s u m m ary

1983

1982

1983

1982

F eb.

M a r.

A pr.

May

June

289.3
145.7

291.
147.2

292.3
148.3

293.4
148.5

296.1
148.5

298.9
148.7

412.1
170.0
539.4
167.5

451.3
183.4
587.1
179.4

457.0
187.0
596.7
183.3

457.1
187.8
598.8
184.3

456.9
188.4
600.7
184.9

456.4
189.0
601.8
185.6

456.4
189.6
602.2
186.8

245.4

232.3

237.7

239.5

240.8

241.1

241.3

241.9

246.3

233.8

236.7

238.8

240.8

240.5

240.7

240.7

157.8
300.4
164.8

159.1
301.7
167.0

158.0
302.0
164.2

June

Jan.

Feb.

M a r.

Apr.

M ay

June

June

Professional services—Continued
Dental services..................................................... ................
Other professional services (12/77 = 100) ................................

283.9
171.6

291.6
149.1

294.0
150.5

294.6
151.6

295.7
151.9

298.6
151.8

301.2
152.3

282.1
140.7

Other medical care services............................................................
Hospital and other medical services (12/77 = 100) .......... ..........................
Hospital room ......................................................................
Other hospital and medical care services (12/77 = 100)................

415.7
171.6
546.8
168.5

455.9
185.1
594.6
180.6

461.3
188.6
604.1
184.5

461.4
189.5
606.2
185.6

461.1
190.2
608.0
186.3

460.5
190.8
609.6
187.0

460.4
191.5
609.6
188.3

E N T E R T A IN M E N T ...........................................................................................................................

235 6

241.5

243.1

244.6

244.6

244.8

E n te rta in m e n t c o m m o d itie s

239.6

242.6

244.5

246.8

246.0

246.3

M E D IC A L CARE— Continued
M e d ic a l c a re s e rv ic e — Continued

159.7
301.6
166.8

158.5
302.0
164.2

148.6
283.4
154.8

155.5
295.6
162.6

155.5
296.4
162.1

158.7
299.8
167.3

133.2

125.3
123.9
117.1
198.8
128.3

124.4

120.5
196.6
132.2

134.0
136.7
119.9
199.2
132.2

117.0
198.4
130.9

127.0
126.0
117.9
197.7
131.9

127.2
126.4
118.4
198.0
131.5

127.5
126.7
118.9
197.4
132.0

127.3
126.5
118.0
197.9
132.3

127.7
126.8
117.6

138.5
137.3
131.6
145.8

138.4
137.4
131.7
145.1

138.6
137.4
131.4
145.9

134.9
132.4
131.5
141.5

135.6
131.9
131.0
145.1

136.7
133.0
132.3
145.9

137.3
133.7
132.8
146.5

137.2
133.4
132.6
146.9

137.1
133.5
132.6
146.1

137.3
133.6
132.4
146.9

241.9

243.1

243.2

244.7

230.9

240.8

241.8

242.1

243.3

243.5

245.1

150.9
140.1
131.0

151.3
141.7
131.6

150.8
142.4
131.9

151.3
144.7
131.8

143.8
132.6
128.7

151.2
138.8
130.6

151.7
139.8
131.2

152.2
139.1
131.8

152.4
140.7
132.4

152.1
143.7
132.6

152.5
143.7
132.6

281.9

283.2

283.6

284.5

253.1

277.8

279.6

280.0

281.4

281.8

282.8

282.8

283.3

284.9

285.3

285.9

237.0

279.9

282.2

282.7

284.3

284.8

285.4

290.0
147.8

290.4
148.6

292.0
149.6

292.4
149.6

293.1
149.9

239.9
142.0

286.5
145.8

288.8
147.7

289.3
148.5

290.9
149.5

291.5
149.6

292.0
149.8

256.1

257.8

257.8

259.1

259.4

260.9

246.0

253.9

255.5

255.8

257.1

257.3

259.0

246.3
143.2
150.5

253.9
147.1
157.6

256.0
148.1
159.3

257.1
148.5
160.4

258.5
150.9
160.5

258.6
150.8
161.2

261.4
151.7
162.5

247.0
142.6
148.9

254.8
146.5
155.9

256.8
147.4
157.8

257.8
147.8
158.9

259.3
150.3
158.9

259.3 262.1
150.0 .150.9
159.6 160.8

139.6
140.8

144.0
143.6

145.6
144.1

146.0
144.9

145.6
146.0

145.1
146.7

148.5
147.1

140.1
144.4

144.8
147.3

146.4
147.7

146.7
148.5

146.3
149.8

145.7
150.3

149.2
150.7

Personal care services .................................................................
Beauty parlor services for women ............................................
Haircuts and other barber shop services for men (12/77 = 100) . . .

250.1
252.3
139.4

259.0
263.3
142.0

260.4
264.4
143.1

259.5
262.4
143.7

260.7
264.2
143.8

261.1
264.5
144.1

261.6
265.0
144.4

245.4
245.9
138.2

253.4
255.8
140.8

254.7
256.8
141.9

254.3
255.5
142.6

255.4
257.2
142.7

255.7
257.4
143.0

256.3
258.0
143.2

P e rs o n a l and e d u c a tio n a l e xp en ses

293.3

322.1

323.3

323.9

324.9

325.6

326.0

295.2

323.6

325.0

325.7

326.8

327.7

328.1

292.9
333.5
167.7
167.4
168.9
185.1

293.6
333.8
167.6
167.3
168.9
186.1

268.8
302.0
152.1
151.4
152.9
164.6

292.4
331.5
167.7
167.0
169.7
177.9

296.0
332.5
167.9
167.1
169.8
179.5

296.3
333.2
167.9
167.1
169.8
181.1

296.5
334.5
168.2
167.5
169.8
183.1

296.8
335.5
168.2
167.5
169.9
185.3

297.6
335.8
168.2
167.4
169.9
186.2

376.2

381.2

337.2
358.2

341.5
358.6

388.6
436.0
315.6
351.8

369.4
411.1
328.1
357.9

357.3
411.6
328.5
356.5

346.7
411.8
330.4
357.9
_____

365.0
411.6
332.6
359.5

377.6
410.0
336.5
360.3

385.4
411.4
343.1
361.7

149.4
283.9
155.0

156.1
295.7
162.6

156.1
296.5
162.2

159.3
299.6
167.1

158.4
300.2
164.8

Other sporting goods and equipment (12/77 = 100).....................

132.7
135.7
119.6
197.6
127.9

131.5
132.9
120.3
197.3
131.4

133.4
136.1
120.5
196.7
132.1

134.2
137.3
120.8
197.8
131.6

133.6
136.3
121.3
196.1
132.0

Toys, hobbies, and other entertainment (12/77 = 100) .......................
Toys, hobbies, and music equipment (12/77 = 100).....................
Photographic supplies and equipment (12/77 = 100) ................................
Pet supplies and expenses (12/77 = 100)...................................

136.1
135.9
130.3
140.6

136.8
135.5
129.9
144.2

138.0
136.9
131.2
144.9

138.6
137.6
131.6
145.6

E n te rta in m e n t s e rv ic e s

230.5

240.5

241.6

Fees for participant sports (12/77 = 100)..........................................
Admissions (12/77 = 100)............................................................
Other entertainment services (12/77 = 100) .....................................

142.5
133.5
127.9

150.0
139.9
129.8

150.6
140.9
130.3

O THER G O OD S AN D SER VIC ES

255.8

279.9

281.6

T o b a c c o p r o d u c t s ...........................................................................................................................

237.8

280.3

Other tobacco products and smoking accessories (12/77 = 100)...........

240.7
141.8

287.6
145.8

P e rs o n a l c a r e ...................................................................................................................................

247.8

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) . . .

Reading materials (12/77 = 100) ...................................................
Magazines, periodicals, and books (12/77 = 100).........................
Sporting goods and equipment (12/77 = 100)...................................
Sport vehicles (12/77 = 100) .................................................
Indoor and warm weather sport equipment (12/77 = 100)..............

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)............................................

264.6
300.3
151.5
151.2
152.2
164.5

288.4
330.2
167.3
166.9
168.7
178.8

292.0
331.0
167.4
167.0
168.8
179.6

292.3
331.5
167.4
167.0
168.8
181.2

292.5
332.7
167.6
167.4
168.8
183.1

387.3

367.9

355.8

345.2

363.4

1 3 b ./

122.0

200.2

132.2

S p e c ia l indexes:

Gasoline, motor oil, coolant, and other products................................
Insurance and finance....................................................................
Utilities and public transportation.....................................................
Housekeeping and home maintenance services...................................
Excludes motor oil, coolant, and other products as of January 1983.
2See box with “ Price Data.”


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

316.6
351.2

329.1
355.3

329.4
355.1

331.1
356.0

333.4
357.3

c - corrected.

69

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Consumer Prices
21.

C onsum er Price Index fo r All Urban C onsum ers: C ross classification of region and popu lation size class by expenditure

category and com m o dity and service group
[December 1977 = 100]
S ize c lass A

S ize c lass B

S ize class C

S ize c lass D

( 1 .2 5 m illio n or m o re )

( 3 8 5 ,0 0 0 - 1 .2 5 0 m illio n )

( 7 5 ,0 0 0 - 3 8 5 , 0 0 0 )

( 7 5 ,0 0 0 o r le s s )

C ategory and group

198 3
Feb.

Apr.

1983
June

Feh.

A pr.

1983
|

June

F eh.

1983

Apr.

June

Feb.

A pr.

June

N o rth east
EXP E N D ITU R E CATEGO RY

All items .......................................................................................................
Food and beverages .................................................................................
Housing..................................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep .................................................................................
Transportation ........................................................................................
Medical care ...........................................................................................
Entertainment...........................................................................................
Other goods and services ..........................................................................

151.8
146.0
156.7
120.3
159.1
158.1
141.6
154.4

153.1
147.0
158.0
122.6
160.1
159.6
143.1
156.2

153.9
147.4
158.9
122.6
161.7
160.9
144.1
156.7

158.2
144.2
168.8
121.9
164.8
161.6
139.1
157.3

159.0
146.2
169.1
122.4
165.4
163.0
139.1
158.6

160.8
146.8
170.7
124.4
169.2
163.5
138.8
159.8

162.9
149.8
176.2
126.6
164.2
165.5
140.0
160.4

163.5
151.1
176.4
128.5
164.3
166.0
139.8
162.3

164.2
150.6
176.7
128.9
166.6
166.7
142.1
163.1

156.1
144.0
163.1
124.3
162.5
164.1
147.2
159.4

158.2
145.8
165.1
130.2
164.3
165.8
146.5
162.1

158.5
146.3
163.9
129.5
166.7
168.5
148.1
162.2

147.6
148.4
157.1

148.4
149.0
159.0

149.1
150.0
160.0

153.1
157.1
166.1

153 0
155.7
168.2

154.8
158.3
169.8

153.3
154.5
178.3

153.6
154.3
179.4

154.3
155.8
180.1

150.2
152 7
165.1

151.3
153.4
168.5

152.3
154.8
167.9

C O M M O D IT Y AN D SER VIC E G R O UP

Commodities..................................................................................................
Commodities less tood and beverages ..........................................................
Services.........................................................................................................

North C en tral R eg io n
E X P EN D ITU R E CATEGO RY

All items .......................................................................................................
Food and beverages .................................................................................
Housing..................................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep .................................................................................
Transportation .........................................................................................
Medical care ...........................................................................................
Entertainment...........................................................................................
Other goods and services ..........................................................................

162.4
144.7
180.2
115.4
160.7
164.2
141.3
155.4

163.6
145.4
181.9
117.9
161.7
165.3
141.9
156.2

165.2
145.0
185.3
116.8
164.2
166.1
141.9
156.7

159.6
143.4
170.2
124.4
162.1
167.7
135.9
167.5

161.1
144.1
171.7
128.8
164.0
168.3
136.7
167.4

162.0
143.8
172.2
129.2
167.1
168.5
136.9
168.5

155.8
143.8
163.2
124.1
162.0
164.7
144.3
152.9

157.3
145.6
164.1
128.4
163.9
165.8
145.9
152.6

158.3
145.0
165.2
127.0
167.1
166.3
147.3
153.8

156.6
149.1
162.2
122.0
160.6
171.0
135.2
163.3

158.1
150.9
163.8
123.5
161.2
172.2
136.5
165.2

159.3
151.7
163.9
122.2
165.7
173.1
137.1
166.3

151.2
153.9
178.8

152.7
155.9
179.9

153.5
157.5
182.4

149.7
152.0
175.3

151.7
154.6
176.1

152.8
156.8
176.8

147.2
148.4
169.6

149.1
150.3
170.7

150.0
152.2
171.7

147.2
146.2
171.5

148.5
147.3
173.0

149.9
149.0
174.1

C O M M O D IT Y A N D SER VIC E G R O UP

Commodites..................................................................................................
Commodities less food and beverages ..........................................................
Services.......................................... ..........................................................

South
EXP E N D ITU R E CATEGORY

All items .......................................................................................................
Food and beverages .................................................................................
Housing..................................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep .................................................................................
Transportaton ........................................................................................
Med cal care ...........................................................................................
Entertainment...........................................................................................
Other goods and services ..........................................................................

158.0
148.7
164.9
127.6
162.1
167.1
137.5
157.5

159.1
150.5
163.5
128.7
163.8
168.7
138.6
158.4

161.2
150.9
168.5
129.8
166.8
169.0
139.4
159.3

159.5
147.3
166.1
124.0
165.0
167.2
151.0
163.2

160.9
149.2
166.9
126.2
167.1
167.9
169.0
154.5

161.7
148.9
167.9
124.6
170.3
167.5
153.0
162.9

159.0
146.1
167.3
120.1
163.8
176.8
145.9
157.8

160.2
147.4
167.8
123.1
165.9
177.5
146.5
153.5

161.2 159.5
147.3 147.7
168.7 169.9
123.0 108.3
168.5 161.3
178 5 182.5
146.1 .145.4
160.0 160.3

160.8
149.9
169.9
112.5
162.9
183.0
145.6
160.4

162.0
150.7
170 3
113.9
166.0
184.4
145.5
161.0

150.9
151.5
167.9

152.3
152.7
168.6

153.7
154.8
171.5

151.7
153.2
171.1

153.8
155.5
171.6

154.5
156.8
172.6

149.2
150.2
173.9

151.0
152.4
174.4

152.0
154.1
175.3

149 2
149.6
174.9

151.1
151.4
175.3

153.0
153.8
175.7

C O M M O D IT Y AN D SER VIC E G R O UP

Commodities..................................................................................................
Commodities less food and beverages ..........................................................
Services.........................................................................................................

W est
EXP E N D ITU R E CATEGORY

All items .......................................................................................................
Food and beverages .................................................................................
Housing..................................................................................................
Apparel and upkeep .................................................................................
Transportation ........................................................................................
Med cal care ...........................................................................................
Enterta nment...........................................................................................
Other goods and services ..........................................................................

157.8
149.3
163.2
120.1
162.8
174,4
139.2
162.9

159.2
151.8
164.0
121.0
165.1
175.3
139.7
163.5

161.4
151.2
166.2
121.8
171.3
176.7
139.6
155.5

158.3
150.6
162.2
125.1
165.3
170.5
144.7
161.7

159.5
152.8
163.5
121.7
165.8
171.5
145.6
162.8

161.8
153.7
165.1
128.4
171.6
172.6
145.9
163 4

151.0
146.0
150.1
122.4
161.0
174.2
143.3
155.9

152.2
148.6
151.8
122.7
162.4
174.8
139.6
158.1

153.5
148.6
151.2
123.3
167.7
176.4
144.8
158.0

157.9
150.6
159.3
139.7
162.0
173.3
155.2
168.8

157.0
153.1
154.4
139.8
161.1
175.0
157.0
169.3

160.0
154.4
159.1
142.9
165.6
177.5
157.3
169.2

148.0
147.0
170.7

149.9
148.6
171.6

152.4
153.1
173.5

150.5
150.1
169.0

151.7
150.7
170.2

154.6
154.9
171.8

148.5
148.6
154.0

149 8
149.6
155.3

152.1
153.3
155.3

148.0
146.8
172.5

149.0
147.0
168.8

151.2
149.6
173.0

C O M M O D IT Y A N D SER VIC E G R O UP

Commodites..................................................................................................
Commodities less food and beverages ..........................................................
Services.........................................................................................................

70

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

22.

C o n su m er P rice In dex— U.S. city average, and selected areas

[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
All U rban C onsu m ers
A rea1

1982
June

U.S. city average2 ........................................................
Anchorage, Alaska (10/67 = 100) ...................................
Atlanta. Ga....................................................................
Baltimore. Md................................................................
Boston, Mass................................................................
Buffalo, N Y...................................................................
Chicago, III.-Northwestern Ind...........................................
Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky.-Ind...................................................
Cleveland, Ohio............................................................
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)...............................................

Jan.

290.6

291.1
265.8
293.1

257.6
291.4
286.2
294.0
306.0

297.8
304.8

M a r.

Apr.

293.2

293.4

295.5

295.1

304.0
277.3

Philadelphia, Pa.-N.J.......................................................
Pittsburgh, Pa................................................................
Portland, Oreg.-Wash......................................................
St. Louis, Mo.-Ill............................................................
San Diego, Calif.............................................................

281.1
285.1

San Francisco-Oakland, Calif.............................................
Seattle-Everett, Wash.......................................................
Washington, D C Me. Va................................................

304.6

285.6
157.9
305.0
282.6
278.9
282.1
286.6
291.1
324.9
297.5
289.0

261.0
292 4
285.9

280.3
293.7
319.9
304.5

292.6

297.6

295.3

305.8
283.2282.9
304.8

262.5

287.1
159.0
305.0
283.5
278.9
283.0
284.7
293.2
327.5

297.3

296 3
311.3

309.4
286.5
283.5
305.2

294.9

292.0
159.4
308.8
287.4
281.7
283 5

Jan .

300.9
292.6

264.1

299.6

292.7

325.5
314.1

297.0
300.5

289.7
283.9

M a r.

Apr.

292.3

293.0

294.9

298.4
271.4
321.3
297.5
294.5

289.3
268 9
310.9
280.1
293.0

312.6
289.1

303.8
276.1

288.3
305.4

280.9
285.9

297.0
276.5

292.8
305.2
323.9
288.0

288.0

291.4
313.7
298.1
287.1
274.8
317.4
289.0
290.1

159.2
303.5
280.8
282.6
282.5
281.7
285.3
313.6

303.0

Feb.

250.6
293.1

284.3

288.5
295.4
332.0
299 3

297.8
289.0

302.3

334.7
294.9
272.8
316.7
295.9
289.5

1983

June

298.1

320.6
308.6
292 4

June

296.5
287.3

329.6
292.3
270.4
317.3
292.3
286.8

M ay

282.5
293.7
307.6

1The 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


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1982

Feb.

327.5
292.4
269.0
313 9
281.6
289.3

U rb an W a g e E arn ers and C le ric a l W o rk e rs (re v is e d )

198 3

303.4
291.4
292.9

309.0
279.6
283.3
296.6

253.9
295.0
284.3
291.4
307.6
326 8
289.8

289.6
159.7
311.0
280.3
280.6
285.5

278.4
293.6
315.4
301.7

296.7
285.1
294.8
309.5
331.9

295.0
276.9
317.6
293.5
292.2

312.4
282 2
286.8
300.7

302.0 '
283.3

298.9

292.1

296 4
316.8
306.3
303.8
273.4
319.7
298.3
293.2

161.4
315.4
283.8
282.9
286.5

311.8
286.1
291.1
299.5

283.8
294.0
314.8
294.7

290.8
294.3

June

254.7
300.1

283.0
293.2
315.4
293.9

May

290.4
297.5

298 6

Area is used for New York and Chicago.
Average of 85 cities.

71

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Producer Prices
23.

P roducer P rice Indexes, by stage of processing

[1967 = 100]
1982

Annu al
C o m m o d ity grouping

1983

ave ra g e

1982

July

A ug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan .

Feb.

Finished goods.............................................................

280.6

281.7

282.3

281.2

284.1

284.9

285.5

283.9

284.1

Finished consumer goods ........................................
Finished consumer foods .....................................
Crude.............................................................
Processed ......................................................
Nondurable goods less foods.................................
Durable goods ...................................................
Consumer nondurable goods less food and energy . . .
Capital equipment....................................................

281.0
259.3
252.7
257.7
333.6
226.7
223.8
279.4

282.1
260.6
241.0
260.2
335.3
226.7
223.7
280.2

282.8
259.7
239.2
259.4
337.2
227.5
224.3
280.7

281.9
259.9
228.2
260.6
338.3
223.0
225.5
278.8

284.3
257.7
232.4
257.9
340.0
231.0
227.8
283.2

285.3
257.4
236.1
257.2
342.5
231.2
228.4
283.8

285.6
258.3
247.6
257.1
342.2
232.0
229.2
284.9

283.5
258.4
232.9
258.5
336.6
231.7
228.3
285.2

Intermediate materials, supplies, and components................

310.4

311.1

310.8

310.5

309.9

309.9

310.1

Materials and components for manufacturing................

289.8

289.2

288.7

289.9

289.4

288.7

Materials for food manufacturing............................
Materials for nondurable manufacturing ...................
Materials for durable manufacturing .......................
Components for manufacturing..............................

255.1
284.4
310.1
273.9

259.7
283.1
308.0
273.9

258.0
282.6
306.5
274.3

257.3
281.7
310.5
275.8

254.2
280.4
309.8
276.7

251.0
279.2
309.3
276.9

Materials and components for construction...................

293.7

294.3

293.5

294.2

293.7

Processed fuels and lubricants...................................
Manufacturing industries........................................
Nonmanufacturing industries .................................

591.7
497.8
674.3

600.7
506.9
683.0

603.8
510.7
685.5

592.3
496.4
676.9

M a r .1

Apr.

M ay

June

July

283.4

283.0

284.3

285.0

285.7

283.7
261.0
240.8
260.7
333.7
232.9
228.9
285.6

r282.7
r261.1
r247.9
r260.1
r332.0
r231.9
r229.4
r285.6

282.0
262.9
265.4
260.5
328.0
232.2
229.8
286.5

283.5
262.6
266.8
260.1
332.0
232.6
230.2
286.8

284.4
261.0
250.9
259.8
335.6
232.8
230.4
286.9

285.2
260.8
249.7
259.6
337.8
233.1
232.2
287.4

309.2

309.9

r309.5

309.1

310.1

311.7

313.0

288.3

288.6

291.1

r290.2

291.1

292.0

292.4

293.4

249.8
278.0
309.4
277.3

250.9
277.0
312.0
276.8

254.1
277.0
319.2
277.6

r252.8
r276.6
r315.7
r278.3

254.8
277.5
316.4
279.0

256.8
277.7
318.4
279.6

257.1
278.0
318.4
280.6

257.3
278.3
320.1
281.8

293.6

294.7

296.5

298.8

r299.6

300.1

300.5

301.5

302.9

590.0
496.6
672.1

593.0
500.4
674.2

595.0
502.2
676.4

577.9
485.2
659.4

565.4
475.5
644.6

r564.2
r480.6
r637.2

549.0
468.5
619.2

552.8
470.1
624.9

567.4
483.6
640.5

572.7
487.7
647.0

F IN IS H E D G O OD S

IN T E R M E D IA T E M A TE R IA LS

Containers.............................................................

285.6

286.3

285.4

285.3

285.1

284.9

285.0

285.0

285.3

r285.2

285.0

286.1

285.9

286.5

Supplies...............................................................
Manufacturing industries........................................
Nonmanufacturing industries .................................
Feeds .............................................................
Other supplies.................................................

272.1
265.8
275.7
207.0
289.8

273.1
266.8
276.7
210.3
290.5

272.6
266.5
276.0
203.1
291.1

272.2
266.7
275.3
198.1
291.3

272.0
266.9
274.9
192.9
291.9

272.8
266.9
276.1
199.8
291.9

273.0
267.2
276.3
204.7
291.1

273.1
267.4
276.4
206.5
290.9

273.5
267.8
276.8
207.4
291.2

r273.9
r268.1
r277.1
r207.7
r291.6

275.6
268.8
279.4
219.1
292.1

275.9
269.2
279.6
218.0
292.5

275.9
270.2
279.1
213.6
292.8

276.4
270.4
279.8
216.1
293.1

319.5

323.4

319..8

316.1

312.0

313.2

312.7

313.9

320.2

r321.6

325.7

325.7

323.2

320.6

CR U D E M A TE R IA LS

Crude materials for further processing ..............................
Foodstuffs and feedstuffs..........................................

247.8

255.5

249.6

242.9

236.3

236.3

237.1

239.6

249.3

r249.1

256.8

256.5

252.1

248.6

Nonfood materials....................................................

473.9

469.8

471.0

473.7

474.8

478.6

475.3

473.6

473.0

r477.7

474.4

475.1

476.4

475.5

Nonfood materials except fuel.................................
Manufacturing industries ...................................
Construction...................................................

376.8
387.2
270.3

369.2
378.4
271.4

369.5
378.9
270.3

369.5
379.1
268.8

371.9
382.2
266.3

369.2
379.2
265.6

365.8
375.0
268.1

368.0
377.6
267.5

366.0
375.1
269.1

r366.8
r375.9
r269.3

366.5
376.0
267.2

368.5
378.1
267.6

369.9
379.6
268.1

370.5
379.6
272.9

Crude fuel...........................................................
Manufacturing industries ...................................
Nonmanufacturing industries..............................

886.1
901.3 906.9 923.5 917.2 954.7 952.2 930.7 937.7 r961.8 943.2 936.8 937.7 929.1
1,034.8 1,053.9 1,061.1 1,083.6 1,075.3 1,125.5 1,121.4 1,093.8 1,103.9 r1,134.3 1,109.4 1,102.2 1,103.6 1,091.9
782.2 794.5 798.9 810.7 805.9 834.2 832.2 815.5 820.0 r839.2 825.5 819.7 820.1
814.1

SPE C IA L G R O U P IN G S

Finished goods excluding foods........................................
Finished consumer goods excluding foods ...................
Finished consumer goods less energy..........................

285.8
287.8
244.1

286.7
288.8
244.5

287.9
290.2
244.7

286.3
288.9
243.9

290.8
293.3
246.5

292.0
294.8
246.7

292.5
295.0
247.6

290.3
291.4
247.1

289.6
290.3
248.7

r288.7
r288.9
r248.6

287.5
287.2
249.5

289.3
289.3
249.6

290.8
291.4
249.2

291.9
292.7
249.8

Intermediate materials less foods and feeds .......................
Intermediate materials less energy..............................

315.7
290.4

316.1
290.4

316.0
289.7

315.9
290.5

315.5
290.1

315.5
289.8

315.7
290.0

314.6
290.5

315.2
292.4

r314.8
r292.1

314.0
293.1

315.0
293.9

316.8
294.3

318.1
295.3

Intermediate foods and feeds ..........................................

239.4

243.6

240.2

238.1

234.4

234.4

235.1

236.4

238.8

r238.0

243.2

244.2

242.9

243.8

Crude materials less agricultural products ..........................
Crude materials less energy .....................................

536.3
240.4

531.5
245.1

532.0
240.7

535.5
235.6

537.2
230.0

541.9
229.2

537.4
229.9

536.0
232.5

535.1
241.4

r539.7
r242.7

535.9
248.4

536.2
248.8

537.5
246.0

536.3
243.7

1Data for March 1983 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.

72


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

r = revised,

24.

P roducer Price Indexes, by com m o dity groupings

[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
Annual
Code

C o m m o d ity group and subgroup

.......................................................................................................

All c o m m o d itie s ( 1 9 5 7 -5 9 = 1 0 0 )
F a rm products and processed foods and feed s

1983

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan .

Feb.

299.3
317.6

300.4
318.7

300.2
318.5

299.3
317.6

299.8
318.1

300.3
318.6

300.7
319.0

299.9
318.2

248.9
312.3

252.4
312.8

249.6
313.2

247.4
312.7

243.8
314.3

243.9
315.0

244.8
315.2

1982

A ll c o m m o d itie s

198 2

a verag e

...................................

In d u s tria l c o m m o d itie s

M a r .1

A pr.

May

June

July

300 9 r300.6
319.3 r318.9

300.8
319.1

301.7
320.1

302.5
321.0

303.2
321.7

245.8
313.9

250.4 r250.6
313.9 r313.5

254.7
312.6

254.7
313.8

352.4
315.4

251.6
316.6

FA R M PR O D U C TS AN D PRO CESSED FOODS
AN 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 m ilk...................................................................
Eggs..........................................................................
Hay, hayseeds, and oilseeds ..........................................
Other farm products.....................................................

242.4
253.7
210.9
257.8
191.9
202.9
282.5
178.7
212.8
274.5

246.6
239.1
212.8
270.3
212.5
220.8
279.0
171.7
220.0
265.5

240.8
238.6
197.2
268.4
189.3
207.5
278.8
171.7
204.5
274.4

234.5
221.0
187.3
259.0
196.5
196.8
281.9
173.3
201.8
276.8

299.2
223.0
183.2
248.5
177.1
198.1
285.0
177.9
194.3
274.0

230.7
233.4
198.6
239.1
181.6
195.3
285.9
172.5
204.8
276.3

232.6
248.8
262.3
237.2
177.8
200.6
285.5
170.0
209.0
280.1

233.2
227.6
206.3
242.3
177.1
201.7
284.5
170.0
212.4
279.9

240.7 r241.5
227.8 r234.9
222.4 227.4
251.1 251.4
200.1 177.8
206.4 217.0
284.3 282.9
170.0 170.0
217.9 217.8
281.2 280.3

250.5
266.0
243.8
260.6
170.8
213.6
280.8
170.0
226.3
279.2

250.3
259.5
242.2
258.0
186.9
223.9
279.8
185.1
227.3
281.0

247.3
263.9
241.5
251.7
199.3
229.7
278.6
169.3
213.3
284.4

244.3
258.0
236.7
240.7
214.5
230.4
278.7
177.2
227.3
282.5

02
02-1
02-2
02-3
02-4
02-5
02-6
02-7
02-8
02-9

Processed foods and feeds.................................................
Cereal and bakery products............................................
Meats, poultry, and fish.................................................
Dairy products .............................................................
Processed fruits and vegetables........................................
Sugar and confectionery.................................................
Beverages and beverage materials ............<....................
Fats and oils ...............................................................
Miscellaneous processed foods.......................................
Prepared animal feeds...................................................

251.5
253.8
257.6
248.9
274.5
269.7
256.9
215.1
248.6
211.3

254.6
253.0
266.0
248.6
274.4
275.7
256.9
221.3
248.1
213.9

253.5
252.7
262.2
248.8
274.1
285.5
258.0
215.6
245.9
207.5

253.5
254.0
265.7
249.1
272.8
278.5
257.1
211.4
247.0
204.3

250.8
253.0
256.9
249.8
273.4
276.3
257.9
213.8
247.9
199.8

250.2
254.2
251.6
250.2
272.8
280.4
258.4
207.2
247.8
206.0

250.5
256.2
249.9
250.8
275.7
280.1
258.8
203.0
248.6
210.1

251.7
257.3
252.3
250.7
274.8
282.1
260.1
201.7
248.8
211.6

254.7
256.8
261.0
250.9
274.3
286.4
261.3
205.3
249.3
212.3

r254.5
r256.9
r260.7
250.7
r274.9
283.7
r262.0
r206.0
248.5
r212.4

256.0
259.1
259.3
251.0
273.8
286.7
263.0
213.4
249.9
222.3

256.1
259.8
257.7
250.9
275.0
289.5
263.3
219.4
249.9
221.2

254.2
260.0
250.3
250.4
276.8
296.0
262.8
219.4
250.4
217.3

254.6
261.9
248.2
250.3
277.0
296.4
263.0
222.7
253.9
219.9

IN D U S T R IA L C O M M O D IT IE S

03
03-1
03-2
03-3
03-4
03-4
03-81
03-82

Textile products and apparel..............................................
Synthetic fibers (12/75 = 100).......................................
Processed yarns and threads (12/75 = 100) .....................
Gray fabrics (12/75 = 100)............................................
Finished fabrics (12/75 = 100).......................................
Aparel........................................................................
Textile housefurnishings.................................................

204.6
162.1
138.3
145.3
124.6
194.4
238.5

204.1
161.5
135.9
144.9
123.8
194.8
238.2

204.2
162.2
135.9
144.6
124.3
195.1
236.4

204.3
162.5
136.6
143.6
123.7
195.4
238.2

204.1
161.1
136.5
143.7
123.2
195.7
236.2

203.9
161.2
136.7
143.1
123.0
195.4
236.2

202 6
159.7
136.7
143.3
122.8
193.0
236.2

202.7
156.7
134.7
144.4
122.2
194.4
236.5

202.6
153.1
135.0
144.3
122.3
195.0
234.3

r203.4
r153.9
r135.8
r145.1
r122.4
M96.1
r234.2

203.3
155.4
136.0
146.2
122.8
194.7
238.5

203.9
157.2
137.6
146.0
122.2
195.1
241.9

204.5
156.6
137.6
145.8
122.5
196.6
239.5

205.1
159.1
138.5
146.0
122.4
197.1
238.9

04
04-2
04-3
04-4

Hides, skins, leather, and related products............................
Leather ......................................................................
Footwear ...................................................................
Other leather and related products ...................................

262.6
311.4
245.0
247.4

263.1
307.4
247.3
246.9

262.0
304.9
247.7
244.9

263.5
309.2
248.3
247.7

263.2
309.5
248.0
247.2

263.2
312.8
249.1
247.1

264.1
314.4
247.7
249.1

266.7
314.4
251.5
250.8

264.3
312.8
247.7
251.0

r264.9
r316:2
r248.1
r250.9

267.1
317.9
248.4
254.4

270.1
324.5
248.7
255.2

270.6
334.0
249.0
252.1

272.7
333.3
249.9
257.4

05
05-1
05-2
05-3
05-4
05-61
05-7

Fuels and related products and power...................................
Coal...........................................................................
Coke...........................................................................
Gas fuels2 .................................................................
Electirc power ............................................................
Crude petroleum3 ........................................................
Petroleum products, refined4 ..........................................

06
06-1
06-21
06-22
06-3
06-4
06-5
06-6
06-7

Chemicals and allied products............................................
Industrial chemicals5 ......................................................
Prepared paint
Paint materials............................................................
Drugs and pharmaceuticals ............................................
Fats and oils, inedible...................................................
Agricultural chemnicals and chemical products ...................
Plastic resins and materials............................................
Other chemicals and allied products .................................

292.3
352.6
262.8
304.6
210.1
267.1
292.4
283.4
270.1

291.6
349.1
264.7
304.5
210.0
278.2
291.5
280.9
271.1

291.6
349.1
264.7
302.5
211.2
254.2
290.8
282 2
272.3

290.7
346.5
264.7
303.0
212.4
254.1
289.9
281.6
271.2

289.9
345.8
264.7
303.0
214.9
242.3
288.8
281.3
268.6

290.5
345.2
264.7
302.4
215.5
239.6
286.5
282.2
272.3

289.6
342.4
264.7
301.7
216.0
240.8
285.2
282.5
272.0

289.3
339.3
264.7
301.5
218.6
242.0
283.2
283.8
272.8

290.5
340.1
264 7
299.5
222.2
253.4
283.3
283.1
274.4

r289.8
r338.8
r264.7
r298.4
r222.9
r262.2
r284.2
r282.1
r272.0

291.3
339.7
265.1
299.5
225.1
278.8
283.7
284.7
273.4

291.3
339.8
265.1
300.0
225.3
286.2
282.9
285.4
272.3

291.3
339.7
265.1
299.3
225.7
277.9
281.7
289.1
272.0

291.3
338.8
265.6
300.4
227.5
263.6
278.6
290.6
273.6

07
07-1
07-11
07-12
07-13
07-2

Rubber plastic products ...................................................
Rubber and rubber products............................................
Crude rubber ...............................................................
Tires and tubes............................................................
Miscellaneous rubber products ........................................
Plastic products (6/78 = 100) .......................................

241.4
267.8
278.9
255.2
276.9
132.3

242.0
268.8
280.3
255.0
279.4
132.5

242.6
270.1
278.7
257.8
279.7
132.5

242.5
269.5
276.6
255.6
281.6
132.7

242.2
268.9
272.5
255.7
281.4
132.7

241.7
267.9
2709
254.5
280.7
132.7

242.2
268.2
271.1
256.0
279.7
133.0

242.9
269.6
271.1
259.1
284.5
133.0

242.3
268.3
274.3
250.5
289.6
133.1

r241.8
r267.1
r281.2
r246.6
r285.8
r133.2

242.2
269.2
280.6
246.6
291.6
132.5

242.9
269.2
280.5
246.5
291.8
133.4

242.7
267.8
280.1
244.0
291.5
133.9

244,4
267.6
283.1
242.7
291.5
135.9

08
08-1
08-2
08-3
08-4

Lumber and wood products ..............................................
Lumber......................................................................
Millwork......................................................................
Plywood......................................................................
Other wood products.....................................................

284.7
310.8
279.4
232.1
236.2

288.6
319.2
282.3
232.4
236.0

284.2
311.6
280.2
229.0
235.8

283.0
310.3
279.5
228.5
235.6

279.4
305.6
278.6
224.0
235.8

279.9
305.1
280.3
227.8
233.0

285.6
312.6
286.5
231.2
231.2

293.3
326.8
293.7
235.3
232.0

303.1
344.7
300.5
239.5
233.2

r305.8
r349.3
304.0
r238.9
r231.6

305.4
352.8
302.7
239.3
230.8

306.2
357.3
298.8
240.9
231.1

312.5
371.3
294.7
253.4
229.6

314.5
372.5
296.1
252.5
229.7

693.2 701.1 705.6 700.4 698.8 706.1 703.4 683.6 668.6 r658.0 648.1 654.8 668.7 671.6
534.7 538.0 539.0 538.5 538.1 539.6 538.7 535.6 533.4 r538.6 539.3 535.0 534.0 535.5
461.7 460.3 459.1
460.0 452.3 562.3 452.3 450.9 450.9 447.3 447.3 438.4 438.4 438.4
1,060.8 1,054.3 1,074.6 1,112.2 1,130.1 1,190.0 1,181.2 1,147.3 1,154.7 r1,180.0 1,158.4 1,159.0 1,157.4 1,151.2
406.5 416.0 414.9 415.0 408.7 404.9 409.9 410.8 410.8 r411.4 409.5 412.5 419.7 425.1
733.4 718.4 718.4 718.3 735.3 733.6 720.0 719.7 692.9 r678.0 678.4 678.4 678.4 676.1
761.2 776.5 781.7 761.6 754.6 758.0 754.2 720.6 692.8 r666.6 651.8 664.5 690.1 694.9

See footnotes at end of table.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

73

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Producer Prices
24.

C o n tin u ed — P roducer Price Indexes, by com m o dity groupings

[1967 = 100 unless otherwise specified]
Annual
Code

C o m m o d ity group and subgroup

198 2

1983

a verag e
198 2

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan .

Feb.

M a r .1

Apr.

M ay

June

July

IN D U S T R IA L C O M M O D IT IE S — C ontinued

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 ...............................................

288.7
273.2
379.0
121,1
286.3
254.9
264.4
239.5

289.1
272.6
368.3
115.6
286.3
255.0
264.4
239.8

289.3
272.2
367.0
116.0
285.3
255.4
264.3
244.4

289.4
271.5
365.0
116.0
285.3
250.7
264.2
243.4

289.8
270.3
350.4
116.0
285.4
248.0
264.0
242.1

289.8
269.4
347.3
116.0
280.6
247.6
264.7
241.0

290.5
268.8
347.2
116.0
279 2
244.1
264.8
242.0

293 6
269.8
346.6
116.0
279.3
243.3
265.0
241.1

294.2
268.7
345.7
116.0
278.8
244.1
265.1
241.4

r294.8
r268.7
r343.0
116.0
r278.4
r246 3
r265.1
r244.2

295 1
268.8
344.5
116.0
278.7
248.4
264.5
246.1

295.7
269.1
345.8
116.0
279.1
248.9
264.5
249 3

296.7
269.4
346.5
116.0
179.6
249.6
264.7
255.7

297.7
269.9
347.5
116.0
281.7
249.5
264.5
256.2

10
10-1
10-17
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..........................................

301.6
339.0
349.5
263.6
328.5
280.3
278.7
237.2
304.8
282.3

299.5
337.5
349.0
256.4
330.0
281.2
283.3
238.9
303.9
283.2

299.2
337.1
348.6
255.7
328.8
382.6
274.6
238.4
304.3
283.3

301.8
336.5
348.2
265.1
328.8
282.7
277.1
239.1
306.4
283.8

301.6
337.6
349.8
262.9
329.7
283.0
277.8
238.4
305.9
284.1

300.5
335.9
348.6
261.7
329.0
283.1
278.3
238.8
305.3
283.4

299 9
332 8
344.7
263.2
328.3
285.8
279.2
239.3
304.7
283.2

300.3
333.3
343.7
267.0
327.9
287.2
280.6
240.7
303.6
279.1

304.7
339.9
351.1
275.8
331.1
287 9
283.5
240.7
302.8
279.0

r304.4
r341.6
r349.8
r270.6
r331.4
r288.2
r285.6
241.1
303.7
r280 4

305.3
341.7
350.1
271.7
332.0
286.3
287.5
242.3
302.6
285.3

306.7
341.1
350.0
277.9
337.4
286.2
288.8
242.4
302.1
284.9

306.4
340.4
349.0
275.5
336.8
289 2
290.6
142.6
301 9
287 4

307.4
341.3
349.9
277.6
337.4
289.7
292.1
249.0
302.2
287.4

11
11-1
11-2
11-3

Machinery and equipment .................................................
Agricultural machinery and equipment ..............................
Construction machinery and equipment..............................
Metalworking machinery and equipment ............................

278.8
311.1
343.9
320.9

279.6
311.0
346.1
322.5

279.9
312.2
346.5
322.8

280.2
314.1
347.5
323.1

281.1
317.5
347.6
323.1

282.4
320.7
348.1
323.6
307.0
329.9
234.2
272.3

283.3
322.4
348.3
324.1
307.4
331.8
235.2
272.9

284.3
323.3
349.3
325 2
307.9
332.6
237.2
272 7

r284.7
r323.5
r349 6
r325.5
r307.5
r333.6
r237.5
r273.7

284.9
324.8
350.8
325.6
307.9
334.4
237.3
274.0

285 6
326.0
352.2
326.1
308.4
335 6
237.7
275.2

285.8
325 5
352.5
326.6
308 5
336 3
238 2
274.8

286.9
326.2
352.7
326.5
308.4
337.8
240.8
274.9

.............................

304.0

304.9

Special industry machinery and equipment..........................
Electrical machinery and equipment...................................
Miscellaneous machinery ...............................................

304.8

305.0

11-6
11-7
11-9

325 1
231.6
268.4

327.1
231.6
269.5

326.7
231 8
270.9

305.9

326.8
231.7
271.5

327.8
232.6
271.6

281 8
318.7
347.9
323.5
306.4
329.1
233.7
272.0

12
12-1
12-2
12-3
12-4
12-5
12-6

Furniture and household durables.......................................
Household furniture ......................................................
Commercial furniture......................................................
Floor coverings.............................................................
Household appliances ...................................................
Home electronic equipment............................................
Other household durable goods........................................

206.9
229.8
275.5
181.2
199.1
88.1
289.3

206.8
230.0
277.4
181.2
200.2
87.2
285.1

208.1
230.4
278.1
181.0
201.0
88.0
291.8

208.3
230.7
278.2
181.5
201.2
87.4
293.4

208.9
231.2
278.3
181.6
201.3
87.8
296.5

208.9
231.4
278.6
181.3
201.2
87.0
297.2

209.2
232.0
278.5
181.5
201.8
87.1
298.1

210.7
231.9
281.1
182.2
203.9
87.3
302.8

212.5
232 6
282.2
182.1
204 9
87.0
314.8

r212.3
r231.1
r285.1
r182.0
r205.0
r87.0
r312.9

213.1
233.7
286.7
181.4
205.2
86.9
313.3

213.3
234.3
286.6
181.3
205.7
86.7
313.7

213 6
234.8
287 0
180.6
207.0
86.4
312.9

214.4
235.3
287.9
185.1
207.4
86.1
313.5

13
13-11
13-2
13-3
13-4
13-5
13-6
13-7
13-8
13-9

Nonmetallic mineral products ............................................
Flat g ass....................................................................
Concrete ingredients......................................................
Concrete products ........................................................
Structural clay products, excluding refractories ..................
Refractories.................................................................
Asphalt roofing.............................................................
Gypsum products ........................................................
Glass containers ..........................................................
Other nonmetallic minerals ............................................

320 2
221.5
310.0
297.8
260.8
337.1
298.4
256.1
355.5
471.8

321.1
226.1
311.8
298.8
259.3
340.4
399.8
255.8
358.1
466.6

320.5
221.1
311.2
299.0
263.9
340.7
400.1
253.9
358.0
466.0

321.2
221.1
310.8
298.7
264.0
340.8
413.4
253.9
358.6
467.7

321.1
221.1
309.9
298.6
264.0
340.8
406.7
255.1
358.5
470.4

321.2
225.3
310.0
298.2
264.8
337.2
399.0
255.0
357.8
471.3

320.5
225.3
306.7
298.5
264.8
337.2
397.0
253.9
357.6
471.0

321.5
229.7
307.2
299 4
264.9
337.7
393.7
263.1
356.6
471.5

322 3
229.7
310.0
300.1
264.3
337.7
380.4
267.4
355.8
476.1

r322.0
229.7
r308.5
r300.4
r270 7
r337.7
r374.7
r265.9
354.1
r476.4

323.7
229 7
310.6
300.3
275.3
338.7
389.0
271.4
353.8
478.6

324.2
229.7
314.8
301.0
277.0
338.7
378.6
275.3
351 8
478.1

324.6
229.7
315.4
301.4
280.8
337.3
378.1
273.5
351.7
479.4

325.4
229 8
315.4
302 2
281.7
338.7
383.9
276.0
351.7
480.8

14
14-1
14-4

Transportation equipment (12/68 = 100)..............................
Motor vehicles and equipment..........................................
Railroad equipment........................................................

249.7
251.3
346.5

249.8
252.0
342.6

250.6
252.8
347.7

244.5
244.6
348.0

256.0
257.8
350.8

256.3
257.8
350 8

257.5
258.1
350.8

256.3
257.0
350.8

255.8 r255.2
256.3 r255.4
350.5 r350 3

255 6
255.9
357 2

256.0
256 2
357.1

256.3
256.6
356.8

256.4
256.7
358.1

15
15-1
15-2
15-3
15-4
15-5
15-9

Miscellaneous products......................................................
Toys, sporting goods, small arms, ammunition...................
Tobacco products ........................................................
Notions......................................................................
Photograhic equipment and supplies.................................
Mobile homes (12/74 = 100)..........................................
Other miscellaneous products..........................................

276.4
221.5
323.1
277.0
210.4
161.9
338 3

273.4
222.0
311.5
280.1
208.9
162.6
333.7

272.0
223.5
311.5
280.1
208.9
162.8
327.0

279.5
221.8
329.1
280.1
209.9
162.9
345.2

285.4
221.2
365.4
280.1
209.7
162.6
345.2

285 2
221.3
364.5
279.8
209.7
161.6
345.1

290.4
223.7
382.9
279.8
210.0
161.7
351.6

285.7
222.7
356.2
280.5
210.0
161.8
350.8

288.8
225.3
356.4
280.6
211.8
161.7
359 8

287.6
226.8
354.7
380.3
216.9
162.5
349.8

287.1
226.5
353.9
280.3
216.9
162 3
348.6

288.0
226.4
352.2
280.3
216.8
163.0
352.7

291.7
224.8
373.5
280.3
216.8
163.4
353.5

11 4

General purpose machinery and equipment

1Data for March 1983 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.
2Prices for natural gas are lagged 1 month.
includes only domestic production.

74

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

r287.4
r225.7
r353 8
280.6
r216.6
r162.9
r350.5

4Most prices for refined petroleum products are lagged 1 month,
5Some prices for industrial chemicals are lagged 1 month.
r = revised,

25.

P roducer P rice Indexes, for special com m o dity groupings

[1967 = 100 unless olherwise specified]
1 982

A nnu al
C o m m o d ity g rouping

A ll c o m m o d itie s — le s s te rm products
A ll foods
P ro c e s s e d foods

Industrial commodities less fuels.....................................
Selected textile mill products (Dec. 1975 = 100)................
Hosiery ......................................................................
Underwear and nightwear ..............................................
Chemicals and allied products, including synthetic rubber
and fibers and yarns...................................................

1983

av e ra g e
198 2

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

D ec.

Jan.

Feb.

M a r .1

Apr.

M ay

303.0
254.4
256.0
272.8
138 2
138.3
217.6

303.9
256.6
259.5
272.5
137.6
138.5
218.8

304.1
255.8
258.7
272.6
137.8
138.5
218.6

303.7
255.3
259.2
272.5
137.8
138.7
219.6

304.7
252.8
256.2
274.4
137.4
138.7
220.1

305.1
251.9
254.7
274.4
137.1
139.7
219.7

305.4
252.7
254.7
274.9
136.8
139.7
219.7

304.4
252.4
255.8
275.4
136.7
141.7
223.3

304.9
255.7
259.3
277.0
136.8
144.5
222.6

'304.5
r255.8
'258.9
r276.9
r137.2
144.5
223.8

304.0
258.1
159.5
277.5
137.2
144.5
223.8

305.0 306.1
258.2 256.5
259.6 257.8
278.1 , 278.6
137.2 137.2
144.5 144.5
224.0 223.1

283.8

282.9

283.3

282 5

281.8

282.3

281.4

280.8

281.4

'280.7

281.9

281.9

282.0

282.5

206.0
288.8
349.4

206.9
294.8
348.4

207.4
288.3
348.1

209.0
287.2
347.8

211.7
282.5
349.1

212.3
283.4
348.5

212.8
289.6
344.8

215.8
300.7
343.1

219.4
314.3
349.9

'220.3
'317.2
'348.4

222.9
319.8
348.7

223.2
323.3
348.7

223.9
337.0
347.7

226.0
337.6
348.4

348.4

347.7

347.3

346.9

348.6

348.0

344.0

342.1

349.8

'348.3

348.8

348.7

347.7

348.5

June

July

307.1
256.4
258.0
279.5
137.7
144.5
223.2

Pharmaceutical preparations............................................
Lumber and wood products, excluding millwork..................
Steel mill products, including fabricated wire products .........
Finished steel mill products, excluding fabricated wire
products .................................................................
Finished steel mill products, including fabricated wire
products .................................................................

348.1

347.0

346.7

346.3

347.8

347.2

343.3

341.6

348.5

'347.0

347.3

347.3

346.4

347.0

Special metals and metal products ...................................
Fabricated metal products..............................................
Copper and copper products............................................
Machinery and motive products.......................................
Machinery and equipment, except electrical .......................

286.6
291.6
185.5
272.1
306.4

285.7
292.0
179.2
272.8
307.6

286.8
291.9
179.8
273.3
308.1

284.0
292.9
181.0
270.7
308.6

289.5
293.0
178.8
276.4
309.4

288.9
292.5
181.2
277.0
310.0

288.7
292.5
181.8
277.9
310.6

288.6
291.1
190.7
277.8
311.3

290 9
291.3
201.5
278.2
311.9

'290.3
'292.3
'198.9
'278.1
'312.2

291.0
293.4
201.0
278.5
312.8

292.1
293 9
206.7
279.0
313.6

292.1
295.2
201.5
279.3
313.7

292.7
295.5
202.2
279.9
313.9

Agricultural machinery, including tractors .........................
Metalworking machinery.................................................
Total tractors...............................................................
Agricultural machinery and equipment less parts..................

323.1
350.4
355.0
313.8

321.8
352.8
354.8
312.8

322.8
353.1
355.5
313.8

325.5 330.6
353.5 354.1
359.6 '• 361.4
315.8 320.1

332.2
354.2
361.4
321.5

335.1
354.1
364.2
324.3

337.0
354.6
365.6
325.9

337.7
355.7
365.6
326.6

'337.8
'355.6
365.7
'326.8

340.1
356.3
370.4
328.7

341.1
358.0
370.5
329.6

340.4
357.7
370.6
329.0

341.4
357.7
370.7
329.8

Farm and garden tractors less parts ................................
Agricultural machinery, excluding tractors less parts ...........
Construction materials...................................................

327.8
319.6
288.0

325.4
319.1
289.2

326.0
320.4
288.3

333.0
319.6
288.4

336.1
329.3
287.8

340.3
331.1
287.9

342.2
333.1
290.3

342.2
334.4
294.6

342.2
'334.5
'295.0

348.7
333.4
195.5

348.8
335.1
296.3

348.8
333.8
297.7

348 8
335.6
299.1

Nov.

D ec.

Jan.

Feb.

M a r .1

Apr.

M ay

June

July

1Data for March 1983 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.

26.

336.1
326.4
288.0

r = revised,

P roducer Price Indexes, by durability of product

[1967 = 100]
1982

Annual
C o m m o d ity grouping

a verag e
198 2

July

Aug.

Sept.

1983
Oct.

Total durable goods .....................................................
Total nondurable goods .................................................

279.0
315.3

278 9
317.6

278.8
317.1

278.6
315.7

281.2
314.3

281.2
315.3

282.0
315.3

282.6
313.3

284.8
313.4

'284.6
'313 0

285.1
312.8

285.9
313.9

286 4
315.0

287.3
315.5

Total manufactures........................................................
Durable ...............................................................
Nondurable ..........................................................

292.7
279.8
306.4

293.7
279.9
308.5

293.8
279.8
308.6

292 9
279.5
307.1

293.8
282 3
306.0

293 9
282.4
306.1

294.3
283.2
305.9

293.5
283.7
303.8

293.9
285.7
302.5

'293.2
'285.3
'301.4

292 9
285.8
300.2

293.9
286.6
301.4

295.1
287.0
303.6

296.1
287.9
304.7

Total raw or slightly processed goods ..............................
Durable ...............................................................
Nondurable ..........................................................

331.2
233.8
337.3

333.2
225 3
340.1

331.1
225.0
337.9

329.9
226.2
336.5

327.9
224.2
334.5

330.9
219 2
338.1

331.6
217.4
339.0

330.4
224.2
337.2

335.2
235.4
341.5

'337.3
'243.3
'343.2

340.7
244.9
346.7

341.2
246.9
347.0

339.3
250.2
344.8

338.3
250.7
343.7

'Data for March 1983 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by
respondents. All data are subject to revision 4 months after original publication.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

r= revised.'

75

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Producer Prices
27.

P roducer Price Indexes for the output of selected SIC industries

[1 9 6 7 = 100 u n le ss o th e rw is e s p e c ifie d ]
1972

Annual

1« 82

1983

Industry d escrip tio n
code

1 982

July

175.2
312.2
925.8
151.2

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

M a r .1

Apr.

M ay

177.1
306.2
924.3
151.7

177.1
287.5
926 7
151.7

177.1
289.5
937.6
151.7

177.1
312.5
945.9
151.7

177.1
308.3
969.0
151.7

177.1
312.5
958.4
151.7

177.1
306.2
945.2
153.6

177.1
289 5
931 2
156.3

177.1
285.4
r934 4
158.4

177.1
272.9
922.9
164.3

June

July

177.1
268 7
922 7
164.3

177 1
254 1
925 0
164.3

177 1
237 5
917 4
164.3

M IN IN G

1011
1092
1311
1455

Iron ores (12 75 100)..........................
Mercury ores (12/75 - 100) ................
Crude petroleum and natural gas . . . .
Kaolin and ball clay (6/76 = 100) . .
M A N U F A C T U R IN G

2021
2044
2067

Creamery butter.................................
Rice milling ..............
Chewing gum ...................................

276.0
185.1
304.1

275.0
177.6
303.3

276.3
183.0
304.7

276.8
183.0
304.7

276.8
183.0
304.8

276.5
175.2
306.0

277.8
196.1
306.1

275.5
191.3
326.0

275.6
183.0
326 0

275.6
183.0
326 1

275.6
188.9
326.1

275.6
191.3
326.1

275 6
194 5
327.2

275 6
193 7
327 2

2074
2083
2091
2098

Cottonseed oil mills..........................
Malt ..............................
Canned and cured seafoods (12/73 - 100) .........
Macaroni and spaghetti.......................

168.3
256.9
187.0
258.5

174.6
259 8
187.8
259.5

173.1
259.8
184.3
259.5

164.4
251.2
186.2
259.5

157.6
251.2
186.3
255.5

r164.1
240.6
186.4
255 5

169.4
240.6
186.6
255.5

157.5
232.6
182.8
255.5

173.4
232.6
179.2
255 5

r167.1
232.6
177.9
255.5

172.0
232.6
177.8
255.5

172.2
232 6
175.7
255 5

179.2
232 6
173 4
255.5

192.4
232 fi
173 7
255.5

2251
2261
2262
2284
2298

Women's hosiery, except socks (12/75 = 100) . . .
Finishing plants, cotton (6/76 100) ................
Finishing plants, synthetics, silk (6/76 = 100) . . . .
Thread mills (6/76 - 100).........
Cordage and twine (12/77 - 100) . . . .

116.8
139.5
128.2
157.2
141.5

116.8
140.3
126.8
156.5
141.0

116.9
139.8
129.0
158.0
141.0

116.9
138.5
128.2
158.0
142.6

116.9
136.8
127.5
157.9
142.6

118.5
136.2
127.8
157.9
142.6

118.3
136.1
127.3
157.8
142.6

118.5
135.3
125.7
157.9
142.6

122.6
136.0
126.7
161.9
142.7

r122.7
136.1
r126.2
165.6
142.8

122.8
135.6
125.6
165.7
137.6

122 8
132 8
125 3
165 7
137.6

122 8
132 9
125 8
165 7
137.6

122 9
132 6
125 1
165 7
137.6

2323
2361
2381

Men's and boys' neckwear (12/75 = 100)
Children s dresses and blouses (12/77 = 100) . . . .
Fabric dress and work gloves ................

119.5
120.6
292.1

121.3
119.4
294.5

121.3
120.3
288.2

121.3
118.6
288.2

121.3
118.6
287.4

121.3
117.0
287.4

121.3
117.0
287.4

121.3
117.0
288.8

121.3
117.0
288.8

121.3
115.5
288 8

121.3
115 5
291.0

121 3
115 5
291.7

121 3
117 0
291.7

121 3
296.3

2394
2396
2448
2521

Canvas and related products (12/77 = 100).........
Automotive and apparel trimmings (12/77 = 100)
Wood pallets and skids (12/75 = 100)..............
Wood office furniture.......................

145.4
131.0
145.6
270.3

143.1
131.0
144.1
270.9

143.1
131.0
143.9
271.3

144.8
131.0
143.8
271.3

147.3
131.0
144.3
271.4

147.3
131.0
144.2
271.4

147.3
131.0
144.6
271.4

148.7
131.0
144.6
271.4

148.7
131.0
145.2
273.4

r146.2
131.0
r145.7
r279 6

146.8
131.0
146.8
281.5

146 8
131 0
148 3
281.5

146 8
131 0
149 3
283.6

146 8
131 0
150 8
284.7

2654
2655
2911
2952

Sanitary food containers .................................
Fiber cans, drums, and similar products (12/75 = 100)
Petroleum refining (6/76 =100) .........
Asphalt felts and coating (12/75 = 100) . . .

259.7
177.8
278.3
173.5

259 9
176.7
281.5
174.7

259.9
177.5
283 7
174.4

260.8
177.5
279.6
180.4

261.7
177.9
278.3
177.2

261.7
180.7
280.1
173.7

261.7
183.8
278.3
172.9

261.7
183.8
267.2
171.4

261.7
183 8
257.4
165.8

r265.1
183.8
r250 4
r163.2

266.6
185.5
241.4
169.1

266.7
185 6
246.7
164.4

266 7
185 9
254 9
164.2

268 6
187 7
256 3
166.8

3251
3253
3266
3259

Brick and structural clay tile ..............
Ceramic wall and floor tile (12/75 = 100) . . . .
Clay refractories........................................
Structural clay products, n.e.c.............

307.4
140.6
352.8
219.7

305.9
140.6
356.3
215.9

313.8
140.7
358.8
219.0

314.0
140.7
356.9
219.0

314.0
140.7
357.0
219.0

315.5
140.7
350.3
218.9

315.5
140.7
350.3
219 0

315.7
140.7
351.1
219.0

315 6
140.7
351.1
215.7

r328.3
r140.7
r351.2
r215.7

333.7
138.1
353 1
232.8

334 9
139.7
353.1
234.8

335 7
146 8
350 4
234.8

337 5
146 8
353 0
235.4

3261
3262
3263
3269
3274

Vitreous plumbing fixtures...................
Vitreous china food utensils ..............
Fine earthenware food utensils...................
Pottery products, n.e.c. (12/75 = 100) . . . .
Lime (12/75 = 100) ..........................

265 0
357.8
318.2
167.3
186.3

264.2
360.2
316.9
167.4
188.0

263.9
360.2
316.9
167.4
188.0

267.2
360 2
316.9
167.4
187.8

269.1
360.8
323.5
169.6
187.7

270.3
370.2
324.8
171.9
187.5

269.7
377.7
326.0
173.7
185.7

272.1
380.1
365.7
186.5
187.3

273.3
380.1
365.7
186.6
185.5

275.1
r380.1
r365.7
r186.6
r185.1

175.3
369.2
136.5
183.8
188.1

276 0
369 2
363 6
183 8
185.5

276 9
369 2
364 3
183 8
186.5

277 2
369 2
364 3
183 8
187.3

3297
3482
3623

Nonclay refractories (12/74 = 100) .
Small arms ammunition (12/75 = 100) .
Welding apparatus, electric (12/72 = 100).........

201.8
164.2
239.6

203.8
170.3
241.6

203.8
170.3
242.4

203.8
149.0
242.8

203.8
150.1
243.0

203.7
150.6
243.3

203 6
174.1
243.3

203.7
175.1
243.6

203.6
175.1
244.0

203.6
r181.6
r243.4

203.8
187.6
238.1

203 7
187 6
237.9

203 7
187 6
237.3

203 8
187 6
238.4

3636
3641
3648
3671
3942

Sewing machines (12/75 = 100) .
Electric lamps...................
Lighting equipment, n.e.c. (12/75 = 100) .
Electron tubes, receiving type ................
Dolls (12/75 = 100).....................

154.6
294.0
170.0
382.1
136.7

154.3
291.8
171.1
375.4
136.8

153.6
293.7
171.2
375.4
136.8

153.6
296.3
171.2
380.2
136.8

154.2
302.9
171.3
380.3
136.8

154.2
303.0
171.3
414.0
136.8

154.2
303.4
171.4
414.1
136.5

154.2
306.0
171.4
431.6
137.1

154.4
311.5
171.5
432.0
136.8

r155.0
311.4
r171.6
431.9
r136.8

156.1
316.3
172.6
431.9
137.4

156 1
313 8
172 6
431.9
137.4

156 1
316 7
173 1
432 2
137.4

156 1
319 4
173 4
432 4
137.3

3944
3955
3995
3996

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)

234.0
140.0
148.4
155.9

234.4
140.4
150.8
155.0

234.4
140.5
150.8
155.7

234.8
139.3
150.8
156.9

235.3
139.3
150.8
158.9

235.3
139.2
150.8
158.9

235 5
139.4
150.8
156.8

235.3
139 2
147.0
159.2

243 4
139 2
152.1
159.2

r241.8
139.2
152.1
159 2

237.9
139.2
152.1
159.4

237 9
139 2
152 1
159.4

237 9
139 2
152 1
159.4

139 2
155 4
162.0

1Data for March 1983 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.

76

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

NOTE: Indexes which were deleted in the September Issue may now be found In Table 4 of the BLS
monthly report. P r o d u c e r P r ic e s a n d P r ic e In d e x e s .
lr= revised.

PRODUCTIVITY DATA

P r o d u c t iv it y

the components of unit nonlabor payments except unit profits. Unit profits

d a t a are c o m p ile d by the B u re au o f L a b o r S ta tistics

fro m e s ta b lis h m e n t d a ta an d fro m e stim a te s o f c o m p e n sa tio n and

include corporate profits and inventory valuation adjustments per unit of

o u tp u t su p p lie d by th e U .S . D e p a rtm e n t o f C o m m e rc e an d the

output.

F e d e ra l R e se rv e B o ard .
The implicit price deflator is derived by dividing the current dollar
estimate of gross product by the constant dollar estimate, making the

Definitions

deflator, in effect, a price index for gross product of the sector reported.

Output is the constant dollar gross domestic product produced in a given
period. Indexes o f output per hour of labor input, or labor productivity,

Hours of all persons describes the labor input of payroll workers, self-

measure the value of goods and services produced per hour of labor.

employed persons, and unpaid family workers. Output per all employee

Compensation per hour includes wages and salaries of employees plus

hour describes labor productivity in nonfinancial corporations where there

employers’ contributions for social insurance and private benefit plants.

are no self-employed.

The data also include an estimate of wages, salaries, and supplementary

Notes on the data

payments for the self-employed, except for nonfinancial corporations, in
which there are no self-employed. Real compensation per hour is com­
pensation per hour adjusted by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers.

Unit labor cost measures the labor compensation cost required to pro­
duce one unit o f output and is derived by dividing compensation by output.

Unit nonlabor payments include profits, depreciation, interest, and in­
direct taxes per unit of output. They are computed by subtracting com­
pensation o f all persons from the current dollar gross domestic product
and dividing by output. In these tables, unit nonlabor costs contain all

28.

In the 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 man­
ufacturing 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.

A nnual indexes of productivity, hourly com pensation, unit costs, and prices, selected years, 1 9 5 0 -8 2

[1977 = 100]
Item

Business sector:
Output per hour of all persons.....................
Compensation per hour..............................
Real 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................................
Nonfinance corporations:
Output per hour of all persons.....................
Compensation per hour..............................
Real compensation per hour .......................
Unit labor costs.......................................
Unit nonlabor payments..............................
Implicit price deflator.................................
Manufacturing:
Output per hour of all persons.....................
Compensation per hour..............................
Real compensation per hour .......................
Unit labor costs.......................................
Unit nonlabor payments..............................
Implicit price deflator................................
1Not available.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1950

1955

1 960

1965

197 0

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

50.4
20.0
50.5
39.8
43.4
41.0

58.3
26.4
59.6
45.2
47.6
46.0

65.2
33.9
69.5
52.1
50.6
51.6

78.3
41.7
80.1
53.3
57.6
54.7

86.2
58 2
90.8
67.5
63.2
66.0

94.5
85.5
96.3
90.5
90.4
90.4

97.6
92.9
98.9
95.1
94.0
94.7

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

100.6
108.6
100.9
108.0
106.7
107.5

99.4
118.7
99.1
119.5
112.8
117.2

98.9
131.2
96.5
132.7
119.0
128.1

101.3
143.9
95.9
142.1
136.2
140.1

101.2
155.1
97,4
153.3
136.9
147.7

56.3
21.8
55.0
38.8
42.7
40.1

62.7
28.3
64.0
r45.1
47.8
46.0

68.3
35.7
73.0
52.3
50.4
51.6

80.5
42.8
82.2
53.2
58.0
54.8

86.8
58.7
91.5
67.6
63.8
66.3

94.7
86.0
96.8
90.8
88.5
90.0

97.8
93.0
99.0
95.1
93 5
94.6

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

100.6
108.6
100.9
108.0
105.3
107.1

99.1
118.4
98.9
r119.5
110.4
116.5

98.4
130.7
96.1
132.8
118.5
128.1

100.3
143.5
95.6
143.0
135.0
140.4

100.2
154.7
97.1
54.4
137.0
148.6

<1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)

(1)
(1)
(1>
(1)
(1>
(1)

68.0
37.0
75.8
54.4
54.6
54.5

81.9
43.9
84.3
53.5
60.8
56.1

87.4
59.4
92.7
68.0
63.1
66.3

95.5
86.1
96.9
90 2
90.8
90.4

98.2
92 9
98.9
94.6
95.0
94.7

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

100.9
108.5
100.7
107.5
104.2
106.4

100.7
118.7
99.1
117.8
106.9
114.1

99.8
130.9
96.3
131.2
117.4
126.4

102.3
143.6
95.7
140.3
134.4
138.3

102.8
154.8
97.2
150.6
137.6
146.1

49.4
21.5
54.0
43.4
54.3
46.6

56.4
28.8
65.1
51.0
58.5
53.2

60.0
36.7
75.1
61.1
61.1
61.1

74.5
42.8
82.3
57.5
69.3
61.0

79.1
57.6
89.8
72.7
65.0
70.5

93.4
85.4
96.2
91.5
87.3
90.3

97.5
92.3
98.3
94.6
93.7
94.4

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

100.8
108.3
100.6
107.4
102.5
106.0

101.5
118.8
99.2
117.0
99.9
112.0

101.7
132.7
97.6
130.5
97.7
120.9

105.3
145.8
97.2
138.5
110 2
130 2

106.5
158.2
99.3
148.5
109.2
137.0

r = revised.

77

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Productivity
29.

A nnual changes in productivity, hourly com pensation, unit costs, and prices, 1 9 7 2 -8 2
A nnu al rate

Year

of change

Ite m
1972

Business sector:
Output per hour of all persons................
Compensation per hour..........................
Real 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 ..................
Unit labor costs...................................
Unit nonlabor payments.........................
Implicit price deflator............................
Manufacturing:
Output per hour of all persons................
Compensation per hour.........................
Real compensation per hour ..................
Unit labor costs ...................................
Unit nonlabor payments.........................
Implicit price deflator............................
1Not available.
r = revised.

78

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1 9 5 0 -8 2

1 9 7 2 -8 2

3.5
6.5
3.1
2.9
4.5
3.4

2.6
8.0
1.6
5.3
5.9
5.5

-2.4
9.4
-1.4
12.1
4.4
9.5

2.2
9.6
0.5
7.3
15.1
9.8

3.3
8.6
2.6
5.1
4.0
4.7

2.4
7.7
1.2
5.1
6.4
5.6

0.6
8.6
0.9
8.0
6.7
7.5

-1.2
9.4
-1.7
10.7
5.8
9.0

-0.5
10.5
-2.6
11.1
5.5
9.2

2.4
9.7
-0.6
7.1
14.4
9.4

-0.1
7.7
1.5
7.9
0.5
5.4

2.2
6.6
2.1
4.3
3.7
4.1

0.9
8.9
0.2
7.9
6.8
7.6

3.7
6.7
3.3
2.8
3.2
3.0

2.4
7.6
1.3
5.0
1.3
3.8

-2.5
9.4
-1.4
12.2
5.9
10.2

2.0
9.6
0.4
7.5
16.7
10.3

3.2
8.1
2.2
4.8
5.7
5.1

2.2
7.5
1.0
5.2
6.9
5.7

0.6
8.6
0.9
8.0
5.3
7.1

-1.5
9.0
-2.0
10.7
4.8
8.8

-0.7
10.4
-2.8
11.1
7.4
10.0

1.9
9.8
-0.6
7.7
13 9
9.6

-0.1
7.8
1.6
7.9
1.4
5.8

1.8
6.3
1.8
4.4
3.7
4.2

0.8
8.8
0.1
8.0
6.8
7.6

2.9
5.7
2.4
2.8
2.7
2.8

2.4
7.5
1.2
4.9
1.5
3.8

-3.7
9.4
-1.5
13 6
7.1
11.4

2.9
9.6
0.4
6.5
20.1
10.9

2.9
7.9
2.0
4.9
4.6
4.8

1.8
7.6
1.1
5.7
5.3
5.6

0.9
8.5
0.7
7.5
4.2
6.4

-0.2
9.4
-1.7
9.6
2.6
7.2

-0.9
10.3
-2.8
11.3
9.8
10.8

2.5
9.7
-0.6
7.0
14.5
9.4

0.5
7.8
1.6
7.3
2.4
5.7

(1)
<1)
0
(1)
0)
(1)

0.9
8.8

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

2.5
8.3
1.8
5.7
6.7
6.0

0.8
8.3
0.6
7.4
2.5
6.0

0.7
9.7
-1.4
9.0
-2.6
5.7

0.2
11.7
-1.6
11.5
-2.2
7.9

3.5
9.9
-4
6.1
12.8
7.7

C1.2
8.5
2.2
7.2
-0.9
5.2

2.4
6.4
1.9
3.9
P2.2
P3.4

r1.9
9.4
0.6
7.4
P4.1
P6.5

P= preliminary,
c = corrected.

0.0

7.8
7.1
7.6

30.

Q uarterly indexes of productivity, hourly com pensation, unit costs, and prices, seaso n ally adjusted

[1977 = 100]
Q u a rte rly in d exes

Annual
Ite m

Business sector:
Output per hour of all persons ..................
Compensation per hour ............................
Real 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........................................
1Not available.
r= revised.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

av e ra g e

1980

1981

1981

1982

101.3
143.9
95.9
142.1
136.2
140.1

101.2
155.1
97.4
153.3
136.9
147.7

99.1
136.0
96.1
137.2
124.2
132.8

100.5
139.7
96.3
139.0
131.2
136.3

101.1
142.2
96.1
140.7
133.4
138.2

100.3
143.5
95.6
143.0
135.0
140.4

100.2
154.7
97.1
154.4
137.0
148.6

98.8
135.5
95.8
137.2
123.2
132.5

100.1
139.3
96.0
T39.2
130.3
T36.2

102.3
143.6
95.7
142.7
140.3
149.4
104.1
138.3

102.8
154.8
97.2
153.5
150.6
161.8
88.9
146.1

r100.4
135.8
96.0
135.9
135.3
137.9
90.9
130.8

105.3
145.8
97.2
138.5

106.5
158.2
99.3
148.5

103.6
138.3
97.8
133.5

IV

I

II

1982
III

1982

IV

1

102.3
145.5
95.6
142.3
139.9
141.5

101.2
148.2
95.6
T46.4
140.2
144.3

101.1
151.6
97.1
149.9
137.0
145.5

100.7
153.9
97.4
152.9
137.0
147.5

101.1
156.5
97.1
154.7
136.3
148.5

101.9
158.7
98.0
155.6
137.4
149.4

102.5
160.7
99.4
156.9
140.8
151.5

T03.9
T62.1
r99.2
r156.1
r145.8
T52.6

100.1
141.8
95.8
141.6
132.2
138.4

101.1
145.1
95.3
143.5
138.3
141.8

99.9
147.7
95.4
147.8
139.5
145.0

100.0
151.3
96.9
151.3
136.4
146.4

99.9
153.5
97.1
153.6
137.7
148.3

100.4
156.1
96.9
155.4
136.5
149.1

100.8
158.3
97.8
157.1
137.2
150.5

101.7
161.0
99.5
158.3
140.7
152.4

T03.2
r162.7
99.6
T57.6
145.7
r153.6

101.8
139.5
96.2
138.4
137.0
142.3
103.0
134.3

102.1
142.0
95.9
141.1
139.0
147.0
100.3
136.4

103.0
145.0
95.2
143.6
140.7
151.9
108.6
139.6

102.2
147.8
95.4
147.7
144.6
156.6
104.2
142.7

102.4
151.7
97.2
150.9
148.1
158.9
90.8
144.0

102.3
153.7
97.2
153.1
150.2
161.2
90.3
145.9

103.2
156.1
96.9
153.8
151.1
161.3
91.2
146.6

103.4
158.1
97.7
156.3
152.9
165.9
83.0
147.9

104.3
160.4
99.2
156.7
153.9
164.7
96.1
149.7

P105.7
P161.6
P98.9
P155.7
P152.9
P163.5
P114.1
P150.9

105.1
141.6
97.5
136.9

105.4
144.3
97.5
136.9

106.1
147.0
96.5
138.5

104.4
150.5
97.1
144.1

105.1
155.1
99.4
147.6

105.3
157.1
99.4
149.1

107.8
159.6
99.1
148.1

108.1
161.4
99.7
149.3

110.2
165.5
102.3
150.2

r112.4
r166.4
101.8
T48.0

II

III

IV

IP

IIP

p = preliminary.

79

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Productivity
31. P ercent change from preceding quarter and year in productivity, hourly co m p en satio n , unit costs, and prices,
seasonally-adju sted at annual rate
Q u a rte rly percen t chan g e at a n n u al rate
Item

Business sector:
Output per hour of all persons..............
Compensation per hour.......................
Real 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 units 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.................................
1Not available.
c = corrected.

80

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

P e rc e n t c h an g e fro m s a m e q u a rte r a y e a r ago

IV 1981

1 1982

II 1 9 8 2

III 1 9 8 2

IV 1 9 8 2

11983

11981

II 1981

III 1981

IV 1981

11982

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

I 1982

II 1 9 8 2

III 1 9 8 2

IV 1 9 8 2

I 1983

II 1 9 8 3

I 1982

I1 1982

III 1 9 8 2

IV 1 9 8 2

1 1983

II 1 9 8 3

-0.4
9.4
6.3
98
-8 8
3.4

1.6
6.4
1.1
8.1
-0.1
5.5

1.7
6.7
-1.0
5.0
2.0
2.7

3.3
5.7
3.7
2.3
3.2
2.6

2.0
5.4
5.8
3.3
10.5
5.5

r5.7
r3.5
r -0.7
r-2.1
r15.0
r3.1

0.6
8.5
0.8
7.9
4.4
67

-0.4
8.2
1.3
8.7
2.7
6.7

1.1
7.5
1.6
8.7
2.6
4.9

0.7
7.1
2.5
6.3
2.0
3.5

1.3
6.1
2.4
4.7
2.8
4.1

r3.2
r5.3
r1.9
r2.1
6.5
r3.5

0.1
10.0
6.8
99
85
3.7

0.4
5.8
0.5
6.2
3.7
5.4

2.3
7.2
-0.6
4.7
-3.4
2.2

1.3
5.8
3.7
r4.4
2.0
3.7

3.7
6.8
7.2
3.0
10.6
5.3

r6.1
r4.3
r0.1
r1.6
r15.0
r3.3

-0.1
8.6
0.9
8.7
4.7
7.4

-0.3
8.2
1.3
8.5
4.2
7.1

0.6
7.6
1.7
8.3
-1.3
5.2

0.8
7.2
2.6
6.3
-1.6
3.7

1.7
6.4
2.7
4.6
r3.1
4.1

r3.3
r6.0
2.6
r2.6
5.8
r3.6

09
10.9
77
88
9.9
61
-42 2
3.6

0.5
5.4
0.1
6.0
6.0
6.0
-2.1
5.4

3.8
6.4
-1.3
1.8
2.4
0.1
3.8
1.9

0.6
5.4
3.4
6.7
4.8
11.9
-31.4
3.6

3.4
6.0
6.4
1.0
2.5
-2.8
79.9
5.1

P5.5
P2.9
P-1.3
P-2.5
P-2.4
P-2.8
P98.5
P3.2

0.6
8.7
1.0
9.0
8.1
11.7
-1.8
7.2

0.1
8.2
1.3
8.5
8.1
9.7
-9.9
7.0

0.2
7.6
1.7
7.1
7.4
6.2
-16.1
5.0

1.2
7.0
2.4
58
5.7
6.0
20.3
3.6

1.8
5.8
2.1
3.8
3.9
3.7
5.8
4.0

P3.3
P5.2
P1.7
P1.7
P1.8
P1.4
P26.3
P3.4

c2.8
r13.1
9.8
99

0.8
5.1
c-0 2
4.3

9.6
6.5
-1.2
-2.8

1.2
4.5
2.5
3.3

8.0
10.7
11.1
2.5

r8 4
r2.1
r-21
r-5.9

0.8
9.6
1.8
9.5

-0.1
8.8
1.9
8.9

1.6
8.6
2.6
6.9

3.5
7.3
2.7
3.6

4.8
6.7
3.0
1.8

r6.7
5.9
r2.5
r-0.8

r = revised,
P= preliminary.

I1 1982

WAGE AND COMPENSATION DATA

D ata

f o r t h e e m p l o y m e n t c o s t in d e x are re p o rte d to the B u reau

o f L a b o r S ta tistic s by a sa m p le o f 2 ,0 0 0 p riv ate n o n fa rm e s ta b ­
lis h m e n ts an d 7 5 0 S ta te a n d local g o v e rn m e n t u n its se lec te d to
re p re se n t to ta l e m p lo y m e n t in th o se se c to rs. O n a v e ra g e , e ac h
re p o rtin g u n it p ro v id e s w ag e an d c o m p e n sa tio n in fo rm a tio n on
five w e ll-s p e c ifie d o c c u p a tio n s.

Data on negotiated wage and benefit changes are

o b ta in e d from

c o n tra c ts o n file at the B u re a u , d irec t c o n ta c t w ith th e p a rtie s , and
s e c o n d a ry s o u rc e s .

Definitions
The Employment Cost Index (EC1) is a quarterly measure of the average
change in the cost of employing labor. The rate of total compensation,
which comprises wages, salaries, and employer costs for employee ben­
efits, is collected for workers performing specified tasks. Employment in
each occupation is held constant over time for all series produced in the
ECI, except those by region, bargaining status, and area. As a consequence,
only changes in compensation are measured. Industry and occupational
employment data from the 1970 Census of Population are used in deriving
constant weights for the ECI. While holding total industry and occupational
employment fixed, in the estimation of indexes by region, bargaining
status, and area, the employment in those measures is allowed to vary over
time in accord with changes in the sample. The rate of change (in percent)
is available for wages and salaries, as well as for total compensation. Data
are collected for the pay period including the 12th day of the survey months
o f March, June, September, and December. The statistics are neither an­
nualized nor adjusted for seasonal influence.

Wages and salaries consist of earnings before payroll deductions, ex­
cluding premium pay for overtime, work on weekends and holidays, and
shift differentials. Production bonuses, incentive earnings, commissions,
and cost-of-living adjustments are included; nonproduction bonuses are
included with other supplemental pay items in the benefits category; and
payments-in-kind, free room and board, and tips are excluded. Benefits
include supplemental pay, insurance, retirement and savings plans, and
hours-related and legally required benefits.
Data on negotiated wage changes apply to private nonfarm industry
collective bargaining agreements covering 1,000 workers or more. Data
on compensation changes apply only to those agreements covering 5,000
workers or more. First-year wage or compensation changes refer to average
negotiated changes for workers covered by settlements reached in the period


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and implemented within the first 12 months after the effective date of the
agreement. Changes over the life of the agreement refer to all adjustments
specified in the contract, expressed as an average annual rate. These meas­
ures exclude wage changes that may occur under cost-of-living adjustment
clauses, that are triggered by movements in the Consumer Price Index.
Wage-rate changes are expressed as a percent of straight-time hourly earn­
ings; compensation changes are expressed as a percent of total wages and
benefits.

Effective wage adjustments reflect all negotiated changes implemented
in the reference period, regardless of the settlement date. They include
changes from settlements reached during the period, changes deferred from
contracts negotiated in an earlier period, and cost-of-living adjustments.
The data also reflect contracts providing for no wage adjustment in the
period. Effective adjustments and each of their components are prorated
over all workers in bargaining units with at least 1,000 workers.

Notes on the data
The Employment Cost Index data series began in the fourth quarter of
1975, with the quarterly percent change in wages and salaries in the private
nonfarm sector. Data on employer costs for employee benefits were in­
cluded in 1980, to produce a measure of the percent change in employers’
cost for em ployees’ total compensation. State and local government units
were added to the ECI coverage in 1981, providing a measure o f total
compensation change in the civilian nonfarm economy.
Data for the broad white-collar, blue-collar, and service worker groups,
and the manufacturing, nonmanufacturing, and service industry groups are
presented in the ECI. Additional occupation and industry detail are pro­
vided for the wages and salaries component of total compensation in the
private nonfarm sector. For State and local government units, additional
industry detail is shown for both total compensation and its wages and
salaries component.
Historical indexes (June 1981 = 100) of the quarterly rates o f changes
presented in the ECI are also available.
For a more detailed discussion of the ECI, see chapter 11, “ The Em­
ployment Cost Index,” of the BLS Handbook of Methods (Bulletin 2 1 3 4 1), and the Monthly Labor Review articles: “ Employment Cost Index: a
measure of change in the ‘price of labor,’ ” July 1975; “ How benefits will
be incorporated into the Employment Cost Index,” January 1978; and
“ The Employment Cost Index: recent trends and expansion,” May 1982.
Additional data for the ECI and other measures of wage and compen­
sation changes appear in Current Wage Developments, a monthly publi­
cation of the Bureau.

81

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Wage-Compensation Data
32.

E m ploym ent Cost Index, by occupation and industry group

[June 1981 = 100]
P erc e n t cha n g e

C iv ilia n w o rk e rs 1

...................................................................................................................

Workers, by occupational group
White-collar workers..........................................................
Blue-collar workers ..........................................................
Service workers ...............................................................
Workers, by industry division
Manufacturing .................................................................
Nonmanufacturing.............................................................
Services ......................................................................
Public administration2 ...................................................
P riv a te in d u s try w o r k e r s ...............................................................................................

Workers, by occupational group
White-collar workers ......................................................
Blue-collar workers........................................................
Service workers.............................................................
Workers, by industry division
Manufacturing...............................................................
Nonmanufacturing..........................................................
S ta te a nd lo c a l g o v e rn m e n t w o r k e r s ...................................................................

Workers, by occupational group
White-collar workers ......................................................
Blue-collar workers ........................................................
Workers, by industry division
Services ......................................................................
Schools....................................................................
Elementary and secondary ........................................
Hospitals and other services3 ........................................
Public administration2 ...................................................
1Excludes farm, household, and Federal workers.
Consists of legislative, judicial, administrative, and regulatory activities.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1982

1981

S erie s

1983

3 m onths

1 2 m onths

ended

e nde d

June

S ept.

D ec.

M a rch

June

S ep t.

D ec.

M a rch

June

100.0

102.6

104.5

106.3

107.5

110.1

111.4

113.2

114.5

1.1

6.5

100.0
100.0
100.0

102.7
102.3
102.8

104.9
104.1
104.2

106.5
105.7
107.2

107.7
107.1
108.3

110.7
109.2
110.8

111.9
110.5
112.4

113.7
112.3
114.3

114.9
113.6
115.1

1.1
1.2
.7

6.7
6.1
6.3

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

102.1
102.8
104.4
104.3

104.0
104.8
107.1
106.0

106.0
106.4
108.2
108.1

107.2
107.7
109.2
109.1

109.3
110.5
113.5
112.8

110.4
111.8
115.0
113.6

c 112.5
c 113.5
116.6
116.2

113.5
114.9
117.1
117.0

.9
1.2
.4
.7

5.9
6.7
7.2
7.2

100.0

102.0

104.0

105.8

107.2

109.3

110.7

112.6

113.9

1.2

6.3.

100.0
100.0
100.0

101.8
102.2
101.9

104.0
104.0
103.1

105.8
105.6
106.7

107.2
107.0
107.9

109.5
109.0
109.6

110.8
110.3
111.8

112.8
112.1
113.8

114.2
113.5
114.6

1.2
1.2
.7

6.5
6.1
6.2

100.0
100.0

102.1
102.0

104.0
103.9

106.0
105.7

107.2
107.1

109.3
109.3

110.4
110.8

112.5
112.6

113.5
114.2

.9
1.4

5.9
6.6

June 1 9 8 3

100.0

106.3

107.4

108.8

109.3

114.3

115.1

116.5

117.1

.5

7.1

100.0
100.0

106.7
104.2

107.8
105.9

109.1
108.2

109.5
108.9

114.9
112.7

115.8
113.0

117.0
114.9

117.5
115.8

.4
.8

7.3
6.3

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

105.8
106.0
106.3
105.0
104.3

107.9
107.9
108.3
107.8
106.0

109.0
108.9
109.3
109.5
108.1

109.4
109.1
109.5
110.3
109.1

114.9
114.8
115.6
115.3
112.5

115.9
115.8
116.6
116.0
113.6

116.8
116.6
117.2
117.5
116.2

117.4
116.9
117.4
118.8
117.0

.5
.3
.2
1.1
.7

7.3
7.1
7.2
7.7
7.2

^Includes, for example, library, social, and health services.
c = corrected.

33.

E m ploym ent C ost Index, w ages and salaries, by occupation and industry group

[June 1981 = 100]
P erc e n t change
1982

1981

S e rie s

1983

June

Sept.

Dec.

M a rch

June

S ep t.

D ec.

M a rch

June

3 m onths

1 2 m onths

ended

end e d

Ju n e 1 9 8 3

...................................................................................................................

100.0

102.5

104.4

106.3

107.3

109.7

110.9

112.2

113.4

1.1

5.7

Workers, by occupational group
White-collar workers..........................................................
Blue-collar workers ..........................................................
Service workers ...............................................................

100.0
100.0
100.0

102.6
102.4
102.5

104.7
104.0
103.6

106 7
106.5
106.8

107.6
106.7
107.9

110.4
108.6
110.1

111.4
109.8
111.8

113.0
110.8
113.2

114.2
112.0
113.9

1.1
1.1
.6

6.1
5.0
5.6

Workers, by industry division
Manufacturing .................................................................
Nonmanufacturing............................................................
Servces ......................................................................
Public administration2 ...................................................

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

102.1
102.7
104.4
103.8

104.0
104.5
106.6
106.5

105.9
106.5
108.6
107.5

107.0
107.5
109.5
108.4

108.8
110.1
113.2
111.9

109.8
111.3
114.4
112.6

111.0
112.7
115.8
114.6

112.0
114.0
116.3
115.4

.9
1.2
.4
.7

4.7
6.0
6.2
6.5

C iv ilia n w o rk e rs 1

100.0

102.0

103.8

105.9

107.1

109.0

110.3

111.6

112.9

1.2

5.4

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

101.8
103.3
101.6
98.0
102.7
102.3
102.9
102.1
101.0
101.5
101.8

103.9
105.5
102.8
101.9
104.2
103.9
104.3
104.1
102.7
103.3
102.7

106.2
108.0
105.8
102.2
107.0
105.4
106.2
105.4
103.2
104.1
106.7

107.3
109 4
107.2
101.8
108.3
106.6
107.6
106.6
104.1
105.1
107.9

109.4
111.8
108.5
104.5
110.3
108.5
109.6
108.3
106.0
106.5
109.3

110.6
112.9
109.3
106.2
111.6
109.7
111.2
109.3
106.9
107.8
111.4

112.2
114.8
112.0
105.7
113.4
110.7
112.2
110.0
108.0
109.0
112.9

113.6
115.9
114.0
107.1
114.6
111.9
113.4
111.1
110.3
109.8
113.5

1.2
1.0
1.8
1.3
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.0
2.1
.7
.5

5.9
5.9
6.3
5.2
5.8
5.0
5.4
4.2
6.0
4.5
5.2

Wholesale trade .....................................................
Retail trade............................................................
Finance, insurance, and real estate.................................
Services....................................................................

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

102.1
102.1
102.0
102.0
103.0
102.0
101.3
102.0
101.0
98.3
103.6

104.0
104.5
103.1
103.8
104.3
103.6
102.3
103.4
101.9
102.3
105.8

105.9
106.3
105.3
105.9
105.9
105.7
103.9
106.3
103.0
103.7
108.8

107.0
107.4
106.3
107.1
107.3
106.9
105.8
108.9
104.5
102.4
110.0

108.8
109.0
108.5
109.1
109.1
109.5
106.5
109.0
106.5
106.1
112.5

109.8
110.3
109.1
110.5
109.7
111.1
107.2
109.8
106.1
109.0
114.3

111.0
111.1
110.9
112.0
110.4
112.9
108.5
111.8
107.2
110.6
116.0

112.0
111.8
112.3
113.4
112.1
114.7
110.8
114.1
109.4
111.1
116.6

.9
.6
1.3
1.3
1.5
1.6
2.1
2.1
2.1
.5
.5

4.7
4.1
5.6
5.9
4.5
7.3
4.7
4.8
4.7
8.5
6.0

S ta te an d lo c a l g o v e rn m e n t w o r k e r s ...................................................................

100.0

105.0

107.0

108.2

108.7

113.5

114.0

115.1

115.7

.5

6.4

100.0
100.0

105.4
103.9

107.5
105.5

108.5
107.5

108.9
107.9

114.2
111.5

114.6
112.0

115.6
113.3

116.1
114.3

.4
.9

6.6
5.9

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

105 5
105.7
106.0
104.6
103.8

107.6
107.7
107.9
107.3
105.5

108.4
108.3
108.7
108.8
107.5

108.8
108.5
108.8
109.5
108.4

114.2
114.2
114.9
114.3
111.9

114.6
114.5
115.1
114.9
112.6

115.5
115.2
115.6
116.5
114.6

115.9
115.4
115.8
117.7
115.4

.3
.2
.2
1.0
.7

6.5
6.4
6.4
7.5
6.5

P riv a te industry w o r k e r s ...............................................................................................

Workers, by occupational group
White-collar workers ......................................................
Professional and technical workers................................
Managers and administrators ........................................
Salesworkers.............................................................
Clerical workers..........................................................
Blue-collar workers . . . ; ..............................................
Craft and kindred workers............................................
Operatives, except transport..........................................
Transport equipment operatives.....................................
Nonfarm laborers........................................................
Service workers.............................................................
Workers, by industry division
Manufacturing...............................................................
Durab'es....................................................................
Nondurables .............................................................
Nonmanufacturing..........................................................
Construction .............................................................
Transportation and public utilities...................................

Workers, by occupational group
White-collar workers ......................................................
Blue-collar workers ........................................................
Workers, by Industry division
Services ......................................................................
Schools....................................................................
Elementary and secondary ........................................
Hospitals and other services3 ..........................................
Public administration2 ...................................................
1Excludes farm, household, and Federal workers.
Consists of legislative, judicial, administrative, and regulatory activities.


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includes, for example, library, social and health services.

83

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Wage-Compensation Data
34.

E m ploym ent C ost Index, private industry w orkers, by bargaining status, region, and area size

[June 1981 = 100]
P e rc e n t change
1981

S erie s

1982

1983

3 m onths

1 2 m onths

end ed

e nde d

June

S ep t.

D ec.

M a rch

June

S e p t.

D ec.

M a rch

June

Workers, by bargaining status1
Union ...............................................................................
Manufacturing .................................................................
Nonmanufacturing.............................................................

100.0
100.0
100.0

102.5
102.3
102.7

104.8
104.6
105.0

106.5
106.3
106.8

108.4
108.0
108.7

110.6
110.3
111.0

112.3
111.8
112.8

114.5
114.0
114.9

116.0
114.8
117.1

1.3
.7
1.9

7.0
6.3
7.7

Nonunion ...........................................................................
Manufacturing .................................................................
Nonmanufacturing.............................................................

100.0
100.0
100.0

101.7
101.8
101.7

103.5
103.5
103.5

105.3
105.7
106.2

106.5
106.6
106.4

108.5
106.4
108.6

109.7
109.2
109.9

111.5
111.2
111.6

112.8
112.3
113.0

1.2
1.0
1.3

5.9
5.3
6.2

Workers, by area size1
Metropolitan areas ...............................................................
Other areas........................................................................

100.0
100.0

102.1
101.8

104.1
103.2

105.7
106.2

107.2
107.0

109.4
108.6

110.9
109.1

112.9
110.8

114.2
112.3

1.2
1.4

6.5
5.0

Workers, by bargaining status1
Union ................................................................................
Manufacturing .................................................................
Nonmanufacturing.............................................................

100.0
100.0
100.0

102.7
102.6
102.8

105.0
104.7
105.2

106.5
105.9
107.0

108.1
107.3
108.8

110.3
109.5
111.1

111.8
110.8
112.7

112.9
111.4
114.3

114.2
112.3
116.0

1.2
.8
1.5

5.6
4.7
6.6

Nonunion ...........................................................................
Manufacturing .................................................................
Nonmanufacturing.............................................................

100.0
100.0
100.0

101.6
101.7
101.6

103.2
103.3
103.2

105.6
105.9
105.5

106.5
106.7
106.4

108.3
108.2
108.3

109.5
109.1
109.6

110.9
110.7
111.0

112.2
111.8
112.4

1.2
1.0
1.3

5.4
4.8
5.6

Workers, by region1
Northeast ...........................................................................
South ...............................................................................
North Central ......................................................................
West..................................................................................

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

101.7
101.9
101.6
103.2

104.4
102.8
103.3
105.1

106.1
105.7
104.7
107.9

106.7
107.4
106.1
108.6

109.7
108.8
107.6
110.7

111.5
109.8
108.6
112.0

112.0
111.4
110.1
114.1

113.6
112.5
111.5
114.9

1.4
1.0
1.3
.7

6.5
4.7
5.1
5.8

Workers by area size1
Metropolitan areas ...............................................................
Other areas ........................................................................

100.0
100.0

102.1
101.8

104.0
103.1

105.9
106.0

107.1
106.8

109.1
108.3

110.5
108.8

111.9
110.1

113.2
111.4

1.2
1.2

5.7
4.3

Ju n e 1 9 8 3

C O M P E N S A TIO N

W AG E S A N D SALARIES

1The indexes are calculated differently from those for the occupation and industry groups. For a
detailed description of the index calculation, see BLS H a n d b o o k o f M e t h o d s , Bulletin 1910.

84

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

35.

W ag e and com pensation change, m ajor co llective bargainin g settlem en ts, 1978 to date

[In percent]
Q u a rte rly a v e ra g e
Annu al av e ra g e

M e a s u re
1978

1979

1980

1981
1981

1982

1982

19839

III

IV

1

II

III

IV

1

II

Total compensation changes, covering
5,000 workers or more, all
industries:
8.3
6.3

9.0
6.6

10.4
7.1

10.2
8.3

3.2
2.8

10.5
8.1

11.0
5.8

1.9
1.2

2.6
0

6.2
4.7

3.3
4.8

-1.7
1.5

4.7
3.9

First year of contract .....................
Annual rate over life of contract.........

7.6
6.4

7.4
6.0

9.5
7.1

9.8
7.9

3.8
3.6

10.8
8.7

9.0
5.7

3.0
2.8

3.4
3.2

5.4
4.5

3.8
4.8

-1.2
2.3

2.9
3.1

Manufacturing:
First year of contract .....................
Annual rate over life of contract.........

8.3
6.6

6.9
5.4

7.4
5.4

7.2
6.1

2.8
2.6

9.0
7.5

6.6
5.4

2.5
2.7

1.8
1.7

5.1
3.9

4.1
4.5

-3.4
.9

1.3
1.6

Nonmanufacturing (excluding
construction):
First year of contract .....................
Annual rate over life of contract.........

8.0
6.5

7.6
6.2

9.5
6.6

9.8
7.3

4.3
4.1

8.6
7.2

9.6
5.6

2.7
2.1

6.6
6.1

5.5
4.8

3.6
5.2

3.9
5.9

6.8
6.1

Construction:
First year of contract .....................
Annual rate over life of contract.........

6.5
6.2

8.8
8.3

13.6
11.5

13.5
11.3

6.5
6.3

16.4
12.4

11.4
11.7

8.6
8.2

6.2
6.3

6.3
5.9

3.4
2.9

-.3
2.6

1.9
2.5

First year of contract .....................
Annual rate over life of contract.........
Wage rate changes covering at least
1,000 workers, all industries:

p = preliminary.


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85

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW September 1983 • Current Labor Statistics: Wage-Compensation Data
36.

E ffective w age adjustm ents in collective bargaining units covering 1,000 w orkers or m ore, 1978 to date
Year
M e a s u re

Y e a r and q u a rte r
1981

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983P

1982
III

IV

I

II

III

1

IV

II

Average percent adjustment (including no change):
All industries....................................................................
Manufacturing...............................................................
Nonmanufacturing.............................. .......................

8.2
8.6
7.9

9.1
9.6
8.8

9.9
10.2
9.7

9.5
9.4
9.5

6.8
5.2
7.9

3.3
3.1
3.4

1.5
1.9
1.1

1.0
.9
1.1

2.0
1.0
2.7

2.4
1.7
2.9

1.3
1.5
1.2

0.4
-.4
.9

1.3
1.0
1.4

From settlements reached in period........................................
Deferred from settlements reached in earlier period..................
From cost-of-living clauses .................................................

2.0
3.7
2.4

3.0
30
3.1

3.6
3.5
2.8

2.5
3.8
3.2

1.7
3.6
1.4

.5
1.5
1.2

.4
.4
.6

.2
6
.3

.4
1.4
.2

5
1.3
.6

.6
.4
.3

-.2
.4
.1

.2
1.0
.1

Total number of workers receiving wage change
(in thousands)1 .............................................................

—

—

—

8,648

7,852

4,364

3,225

2,878

3,423

3,760

3,441

3,030

3,108

—

—

—

2,270

1,907

540

604

204

511

620

825

434

454

—

—

—

—

—

—

6,267
4,593

4,846
3,830

3,023
2,934

882
2,179

1,001
1,920

1,594
1,568

2,400
2,251

860
1,970

848
2,075

1,446
1,395

—

—

—

145

483

4,428

5,568

5,457

4,912

4,575

4,895

5,085

5,007

From settlements reached
in period......................................................................
Deferred from settlements
reached in earlier period ....................... .........................
From cost-of-living clauses .................................................
Number of workers receiving no adjustments
(in thousands)...............................................................

1The total number of workers who received adjustments does not equal the sum of workers that received
each type of adjustment, because some workers received more than one type of adjustment during the
period.

86

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p = preliminary,

WORK STOPPAGE DATA

W ork stoppages include all known strikes or lockouts involving

1,000 workers or more and lasting a full shift or longer. Data are
based largely on newspaper accounts and cover all workers idle
one shift or more in establishments directly involved in a stoppage.
They do not measure the indirect or secondary effect on other
establishments whose employees are idle owing to material or
service shortages.

37.

Estimates of days idle as a percent of estimated working time
measures only the impact of larger strikes (1,000 workers or more).
Formerly, these estimates measured the impact of strikes involving
6 workers or more; that is, the impact of virtually all strikes. Due
to budget stringencies, collection of data on strikes involving fewer
than 1,000 workers was discontinued with the December 1981
data.

W o rk stoppages involving 1,000 w orkers or m ore, 1947 to date
W o rk e rs in vo lved

N u m b e r of stop p ag es
M o nth an d y e a r

B eg in n in g in

In effect

m onth or y e a r

d u ring m onth

B eg in n in g in

D ays id le
In effect

m onth o r y e a r

d u rin g m onth

(in tho u san d s)

(in tho u san d s)

Num ber
(in th o u san d s)

P e rc e n t of
e s tim a te d
w o rk in g tim e

1947
1948
1949
1950

........................................
..............................
..........................................
.......................

270
245
262
424

1,629
1,435
2,537
1,698

25,720
26,127
43,420
30,390

.22
.38
.26

1951
1952
1953
1954
1955

..........................................
...............................................
......................................................
............................................
...................................................

415
470
437
265
363

1,462
2,746
1,623
1,075
2,055

15,070
48,820
18,130
16,630
21,180

.12
.38
.14
.13
.16

1956
1957
1958
1959
I960

..........................................
..........................................
......................................................
.....................................
........................................

287
279
332
245
222

1,370
887
1,587
1,381
896

26,840
10,340
17,900
60,850
13,260

.20
.07
.13
.43
.09

1961
1962
1963
1964
1965

.................................................
........................................
..........................................
...............................................

195
211
181
246
268

1,031
793
512
1,183
999

10,140
11,760
10,020
16,220
15,140

.07
.08
.07
.11
.10

1966
1967
1968
1969
1970

...................................................
........................................
.................................................
......................................................
......................................................

321
381
392
412
381

1,300
2,192
1,855
1,576
2,468

16,000
31,320
35,567
29,397
52,761

.10
.18
.20
.16
.29

1971
1972
1973
1974
1975

.................................
...................................
...................................................
........................................

298
250
317
424
235

2,516
975
1,400
1,796
965

35,538
16,764
16,260
31,809
17,563

.19
.09
.08
.16
.09

1976
1977
1978
1979
1980

...................................................
.................................................................
.............................................................
...................................................
........................................................

231
298
219
235
187

1,519
1,212
1,006
1,021
795

23,962
21,258
23,774
20,409
20,844

.12
.10
.11
.09
.09

1981
1982

.............................................................
..........................................

145
96

729
656

16,908
9,061

.07
.04

1982

January ...................................................................................
February ...................................................................................
M arch .......................................................................................
A pril ..........................................................................................
May ..........................................................................................
June ..........................................................................................
J u l y ..............................................................................................

2
3
4
14
15
18
13

4
7
9
21
23
27
25

6.1
3.9
13.3
59.5
42.7
42.8
38.4

11.4
15.3
26.1
79.1
66.1
66.9
65.9

202.8
241.1
357.0
533.1
657.6
907.2
844.7

.01
.01
.02
.03
.04
.05
.04

1983P

January ...................................................................................
February ...................................................................................
M arch .......................................................................................
A pril ..........................................................................................
May ...........................................................................................
June ..........................................................................................
J u l y ..............................................................................................

1
5
5
2
r11
r13
8

3
7
10
9
r16
r22
20

1.6
14.0
10.5
2.8
r23.6
r56.7
40.8

38.0
50.4
54.9
52.4
r32.9
r76.6
75.0

794.8
844.4
1,131.5
789.5
r493.9
r675.9
1,048.3

.04
.05
.05
.04
.03
.03
.06

p = preliminary.


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r = revised.

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