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                                           TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL
                                           IN THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
                                           UNTIL 8:30 AM EST, FRIDAY,
                                           JANUARY 16, 2009
  
                          REAL EARNINGS IN DECEMBER 2008
 
     Real average weekly earnings rose by 0.6 percent from November to December 
after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released today by the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.  This gain stemmed 
from a 0.3 percent increase in average hourly earnings and a 0.9 percent 
decrease in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers 
(CPI-W), which were partially offset by a 0.6 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 2.2 percent, seasonally adjusted, from 
December 2007 to December 2008.  After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly 
earnings increased by 2.9 percent.  Before adjustment for seasonal change and 
inflation, average weekly earnings were $611.72 in December 2008, compared with 
$605.28 a year earlier.
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     Real Earnings for January 2009 will be released on Friday, February 20, 
2009.