Employment Cost Index-September 1999 — 1999-10-28

The Employment Cost Index (not seasonally adjusted) for September 1999 was 143.3 (June 1989=100), an increase of 3.1 percent from September 1998, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The Employment Cost Index (ECI) measures changes in compensation costs, which include wages, salaries, and employer costs for employee benefits. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the 3-month increase in compensation costs for civilian workers (nonfarm private industry plus State and local government) was 0.8 percent during the June-September 1999 period, following a gain of 1.1 percent in March-June. The increase in wages and salaries was 0.9 percent during the June-September 1999 period, following a 1.2 percent increase in the previous 3-month period. Benefit costs rose 0.8 percent during the September 1999 quarter and 0.9 percent in the June 1999 quarter. Table A. 3-month percent changes in Employment Cost Index, seasonally adjusted Dec. Mar. June Sep. Dec. Mar. June Sep.