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                                           TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL
                                           IN THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
                                           UNTIL 8:30 AM EDT, THURSDAY,
                                           OCTOBER 16, 2008
  
                          REAL EARNINGS IN SEPTEMBER 2008
 
     Real average weekly earnings were unchanged from August to September after 
seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.  A 0.2 percent increase in 
average hourly earnings and a 0.1 percent decrease in the Consumer Price Index 
for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) were offset by a 0.3 percent 
decrease in average weekly hours.

       Data on average weekly earnings are collected from the payroll reports of 
private nonfarm establishments.  Earnings of both full-time and part-time 
workers holding production or nonsupervisory jobs are included.  Real average 
weekly earnings are calculated by adjusting earnings in current dollars for 
changes in the CPI-W.

     Average weekly earnings rose by 2.8 percent, seasonally adjusted, from 
September 2007 to September 2008.  After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly 
earnings decreased by 2.5 percent.  Before adjustment for seasonal change and 
inflation, average weekly earnings were $613.34 in September 2008, compared with 
$603.29 a year earlier.
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     Real Earnings for October 2008 will be released on Wednesday, November 19, 
2008.