April 28, 2000 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Employment costs rise in March

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the 3-month increase in compensation costs for civilian workers was 1.4 percent during the December 1999-March 2000 period, following a gain of 1.0 percent in September-December 1999.

Three-month percent change in Employment Cost Index, seasonally adjusted
[Chart data—TXT]

Compensation costs for civilian workers (not seasonally adjusted) increased 4.3 percent for the year ended in March 2000. This compares with over-the-year increases of 3.0 percent in March 1999 and 3.3 percent in March 1998.

These data are a product of the Employment Cost Trends program. Find out more in USDL 00-120, "Employment Cost Index—March 2000."