Labor Productivity Rose in two-thirds of Industries

Via Reliable Plant

Labor productivity, defined as output per hour, rose in 66 percent of the detailed service-providing and mining industries in 2007, about the same as in 2006, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on May 20. Unit labor costs, which reflect hourly compensation and productivity, rose in 70 percent of the industries, compared to 76 percent in 2006.

Over the longer period, 1987 to 2007, labor productivity increased in 86 percent of the industries studied. Unit labor costs rose in 78 percent of the industries.

Productivity and cost measures for three industries are presented for the first time: support activities for mining (NAICS 213), accommodation (NAICS 721), and reupholstery and furniture repair (NAICS 81142). The addition of labor productivity measures for accommodation (NAICS 721), along with the previously published BLS measures for food services and drinking places (NAICS 722), completes coverage of the accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72). Measures for NAICS 72 are also published here for the first time.

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