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Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Workers' Earnings Continue Decline

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports today that real average weekly earnings dropped 0.3 percent in March. This was the second month of decline -- real earnings dropped .3% in February as well -- putting the annual rate of decline at 3.6%.

As the BLS notes, "A 0.3 percent increase in average hourly earnings was more than offset by a 0.6 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index."

Industries where workers are losing the most ground: Construction, Utilities, Goods-Producing, and Manufacturing (all industries more highly concentrated in the South).

(Thanks to reader GF for the heads-up)
posted by Chris Kromm at 10:23 AM | Email this post | Post a Comment
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CHRIS KROMM blogs three days a week for Facing South. Chris is Executive Director of the Institute for Southern Studies and publisher of the Institute’s award-winning magazine, Southern Exposure.

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