October 27, 2000 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Compensation costs rise 0.9 percent from June to September

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the 3-month increase in compensation costs for civilian workers was 0.9 percent during the June-September 2000 period, following a gain of 1.0 percent in March-June 2000. 

3-month percent changes in Employment Cost Index, civilian workers, seasonally adjusted, December 1998-September 2000
[Chart data—TXT]

Wages and salaries increased 0.8 percent during the June-September period, following a 1.0 percent increase in the previous 3-month period. 

Benefit costs rose 1.0 percent during the September quarter, following a 1.1 percent increase in the June quarter.

These data are from the BLS Employment Cost Trends program. The data in this article are for nonfarm private industry and State and local government; employees who work on farms, in private households, or for the Federal Government are not included. Learn more in "Employment Cost Index—September 2000," news release USDL 00-311.