WASHINGTON — American intelligence agencies have concluded that members of Pakistan’s powerful spy service helped plan the deadly July 7 bombing of India’s embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, according to United States government officials.

The conclusion was based on intercepted communications between Pakistani intelligence officers and militants who carried out the attack, the officials said, providing the clearest evidence to date that Pakistani intelligence officers are actively undermining American efforts to combat militants in the region.

The American officials also said there was new information showing that members of the Pakistani intelligence service were increasingly providing militants with details about the American campaign against them, in some cases allowing militants to avoid American missile strikes in Pakistan’s tribal areas.

Concerns about the role played by Pakistani intelligence not only has strained relations between the United States and Pakistan, a longtime ally, but also has fanned tensions between Pakistan and its archrival, India. Within days of the bombings, Indian officials accused the Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, of helping to orchestrate the attack in Kabul, which killed 54, including an Indian defense attaché.

This week, Pakistani troops clashed with Indian forces in the contested region of Kashmir, threatening to fray an uneasy cease-fire that has held since November 2003.

The New York Times reported this week that a top Central Intelligence Agency official traveled to Pakistan this month to confront senior Pakistani officials with information about support provided by members of the ISI to militant groups. It had not been known that American intelligence agencies concluded that elements of Pakistani intelligence provided direct support for the attack in Kabul.

American officials said that the communications were intercepted before the July 7 bombing, and that the C.I.A. emissary, Stephen R. Kappes, the agency’s deputy director, had been ordered to Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, even before the attack. The intercepts were not detailed enough to warn of any specific attack.

The government officials were guarded in describing the new evidence and would not say specifically what kind of assistance the ISI officers provided to the militants. They said that the ISI officers had not been renegades, indicating that their actions might have been authorized by superiors.

“It confirmed some suspicions that I think were widely held,” one State Department official with knowledge of Afghanistan issues said of the intercepted communications. “It was sort of this ‘aha’ moment. There was a sense that there was finally direct proof.”

The information linking the ISI to the bombing of the Indian Embassy was described in interviews by several American officials with knowledge of the intelligence. Some of the officials expressed anger that elements of Pakistan’s government seemed to be directly aiding violence in Afghanistan that had included attacks on American troops.

Some American officials have begun to suggest that Pakistan is no longer a fully reliable American partner and to advocate some unilateral American action against militants based in the tribal areas.

The ISI has long maintained ties to militant groups in the tribal areas, in part to court allies it can use to contain Afghanistan’s power. In recent years, Pakistan’s government has also been concerned about India’s growing influence inside Afghanistan, including New Delhi’s close ties to the government of Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president.

American officials say they believe that the embassy attack was probably carried out by members of a network led by Maulavi Jalaluddin Haqqani, whose alliance with Al Qaeda and its affiliates has allowed the terrorist network to rebuild in the tribal areas.

American and Pakistani officials have now acknowledged that President Bush on Monday confronted Pakistan’s prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, about the divided loyalties of the ISI.

Pakistan’s defense minister, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, told a Pakistani television network on Wednesday that Mr. Bush asked senior Pakistani officials this week, “ ‘Who is in control of ISI?’ ” and asked about leaked information that tipped militants to surveillance efforts by Western intelligence services.

Pakistan’s new civilian government is wrestling with these very issues, and there is concern in Washington that the civilian leaders will be unable to end a longstanding relationship between members of the ISI and militants associated with Al Qaeda.

Spokesmen for the White House and the C.I.A. declined to comment for this article. Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani, did not return a call seeking comment.

Further underscoring the tension between Pakistan and its Western allies, Britain’s senior military officer said in Washington on Thursday that an American and British program to help train Pakistan’s Frontier Corps in the tribal areas had been delayed while Pakistan’s military and civilian officials sorted out details about the program’s goals.

Britain and the United States had each offered to send about two dozen military trainers to Pakistan later this summer to train Pakistani Army officers who in turn would instruct the Frontier Corps paramilitary forces.

But the British officer, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said the program had been temporarily delayed. “We don’t yet have a firm start date,” he told a small group of reporters. “We’re ready to go.”

The bombing of the Indian Embassy helped to set off a new deterioration in relations between India and Pakistan.

This week, Indian and Pakistani soldiers fired at each other across the Kashmir frontier for more than 12 hours overnight Monday, in what the Indian Army called the most serious violation of a five-year-old cease-fire agreement. The nightlong battle came after one Indian soldier and four Pakistanis were killed along the border between sections of Kashmir that are controlled by India and by Pakistan.

Indian officials say they are equally worried about what is happening on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border because they say the insurgents who are facing off with India in Kashmir and those who target Afghanistan are related and can keep both borders burning at the same time.

India and Afghanistan share close political, cultural and economic ties, and India maintains an active intelligence network in Afghanistan, all of which has drawn suspicion from Pakistani officials.

When asked Thursday about whether the ISI and Pakistani military remained loyal to the country’s civilian government, Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sidestepped the question. “That’s probably something the government of Pakistan ought to speak to,” Admiral Mullen told reporters at the Pentagon.

Jalaluddin Haqqani, the militia commander, battled Soviet troops during the 1980s and has had a long and complicated relationship with the C.I.A. He was among a group of fighters who received arms and millions of dollars from the C.I.A. during that period, but his allegiance with Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda during the following decade led the United States to sever the relationship.

Mr. Haqqani and his sons now run a network that Western intelligence services say they believe is responsible for a campaign of violence throughout Afghanistan, including the Indian Embassy bombing and an attack on the Serena Hotel in Kabul earlier this year.

Click here to contact your Senator or Representative.

E-Verify is a voluntary system used by more than 60,000 employers to check if workers are eligible to work in the U.S. The pilot program is set to expire in November. Here are some of the proposals to continue this type of program.

Click here to see Rep. Sam Johnson’s Bill
Click here to see co-sponsors of Johnson’s Bill
Click here to see Rep. Ken Calvert’s Bill
Click here to see Rep. Heath Shuler’s Bill

Trade Negotiators Selling Out America
The United States continues to buckle to the demands of its trading partners and sell out American workers. Mega-businesses around the world are celebrating this country’s hard-line stance of giving them everything they want when it comes to visas for cheap labor. Please contact your “leaders” in Washington to tell them you’re outraged that our trade negotiators will do whatever foreign countries tell them to when it comes to “free” trade.

Click here to contact your Senator or Representative.

English as the Official Language?
A group called U.S. English is leading the charge to keep English as the official language of the United States and it’s holding our elected officials accountable for their positions on this very important issue. Visit the U.S. English website to see if your elected officials have signed their pledge to support official English language legislation in Congress. Click here for the U.S. English website.

Senators’ Shady Mortgages
It should come as no surprise that while Americans struggle to stay in their homes, many of the powerful elites who “lead” us in Washington got special deals from the banks that issued their mortgages. Politico.com reached out to all 100 senators to find out whether they got their mortgages from embattled lender Countrywide Financial, and whether they received special terms regardless of who issued the mortgage.

Of course, many senators are wealthy enough to buy one or more homes outright. And an amazing 33 senators have refused to answer any questions. Click here to read the Politico article on senators’ mortage deals. And click here to see the full survey results.

Border Fence Fight
In a backdoor deal during the 2007 holiday season, Congress effectively gutted the Secure Fence Act of 2006. Now, Rep. Walter Jones (R, North Carolina) and Grassfire.org are asking for your help to demand Congress build the border fence. To sign their petition, click here.

ANY BODY CAN LOOK AROUND AND SEE THERE IS NO ONE THAT KEEP TAXES DOWN OR NOT RAISE THEM. ANY ONE THAT SAYS THAT IS LYING THRU THERE TEETH if they have there own. THAT IS WHAT SOMEONE MIGHT SAY TO GET ELECTED.

Employment Cost Index news release text

Technical Contact:                                    USDL:  08-1048
    (202) 691-6199  NCSinfo@bls.gov
Media Contact:                                        TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL
    (202) 691-5902                                   IN THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
Internet address:                                     UNTIL 8:30 AM EDT,
    http://www.bls.gov/ect                           THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2008

                          EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX-JUNE 2008

    Total compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.7 percent from March to
June 2008, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department
of Labor reported today, the same as the increase from December 2007 to March 2008.  Wages
and salaries rose 0.7 percent and benefits rose 0.6 percent.  In the previous quarter,
wages and salaries increased 0.8 percent and benefits increased 0.6 percent.  The
Employment Cost Index (ECI), a product of the National Compensation Survey, measures
quarterly changes in compensation costs for civilian workers (nonfarm private industry
and state and local government workers).


Table A.  3-month percent changes in the Employment Cost Index, seasonally adjusted
Compensation                  Sep.   Dec.   Mar.   June   Sep.   Dec.   Mar.   June
component                     2006   2006   2007   2007   2007   2007   2008   2008
Civilian workers
   Compensation costs        1.0    0.8    0.8    0.9    0.8    0.8    0.7    0.7
     Wages and salaries      0.9    0.8    1.0    0.8    0.8    0.8    0.8    0.7
     Benefit costs           1.0    1.0    0.2    1.3    0.8    0.8    0.6    0.6
 Private industry
   Compensation costs        0.9    0.8    0.7    0.8    0.8    0.9    0.8    0.6
     Wages and salaries      0.9    0.8    1.0    0.8    0.8    0.8    0.8    0.7
     Benefit costs           0.9    0.9   -0.3    1.1    0.8    0.8    0.6    0.5
 State and local government
   Compensation costs        1.3    1.1    1.2    1.0    0.9    0.9    0.6    0.9
     Wages and salaries      1.3    0.8    0.9    0.9    0.9    0.8    0.7    0.9
     Benefit costs           1.6    1.5    1.7    1.6    0.9    1.2    0.3    1.1


Quarterly changes, seasonally adjusted

    Compensation costs for private industry rose 0.6 percent from March to June 2008;
for the prior quarter the increase was 0.8 percent.  In state and local government, the
increase was 0.9 percent compared to 0.6 percent in the previous quarter.  Wages and
salaries for private industry workers increased 0.7 percent for the March to June 2008 period.
For the previous quarter, the increase was 0.8 percent.  In state and local government, the
increase was 0.9 percent, compared with 0.7 percent in the prior quarter.  Benefit costs for
private industry rose 0.5 percent, compared to 0.6 percent in the previous quarter.  For
state and local government, benefit costs increased 1.1 percent, well above the 0.3 percent
increase in the previous quarter.  (See tables A, 1, 2, and 3.)

______________________________________________________________________________________________

                     Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Data Series

There will be changes to the availability of Employment Cost Index (ECI) data for metropolitan
and nonmetropolitan areas in future ECI news releases.  See note on page 4 for additional
information.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________


Over-the-year changes, not seasonally adjusted

    Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 3.1 percent for the year ended June 2008.
For the year ended June 2007 the increase was 3.3 percent.  In private industry, compensation
costs rose 3.0 percent in the year ended June 2008, about the same as the 3.1 percent increase
for the year ended June 2007.  For state and local government, the increase for the 12-month
period ended June 2008 was 3.5 percent, less than the June 2007 increase of 4.8 percent.  Wages
and salaries for civilian workers increased 3.2 percent for the 12-month period; in June 2007,
the increase was 3.4 percent.  Private industry wages and salaries increased 3.1 percent in
June 2008.  In June 2007 the increase was 3.3 percent.  State and local government wages
and salaries increased 3.4 percent for the year ended June 2008.  In June 2007, the increase
was 3.8 percent.  Benefits--which increased 2.9 percent for civilian workers--differed by
ownership sector.  Private industry benefit costs increased 2.6 percent, less than the state
and local government increase of 3.5 percent for the 12-month period ended June 2008.
(See table B.)


Table B.  12-month percent changes in the Employment Cost Index, not seasonally adjusted
                                          June   June   June   June   June   June
Compensation component                     2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   2008
Civilian workers
   Compensation costs                     3.7    3.8    3.2    3.0    3.3    3.1
     Wages and salaries                   2.7    2.6    2.5    2.8    3.4    3.2
     Benefit costs                        5.9    7.1    5.0    3.4    3.4    2.9
 Private industry
   Compensation costs                     3.5    3.9    3.1    2.8    3.1    3.0
     Wages and salaries                   2.6    2.7    2.5    2.8    3.3    3.1
     Benefit costs                        5.8    7.3    4.7    2.7    2.6    2.6
 State and local government government
   Compensation costs                     4.3    3.5    3.5    3.8    4.8    3.5
     Wages and salaries                   3.1    2.1    2.3    3.1    3.8    3.4
     Benefit costs                        6.8    6.6    6.3    5.5    6.6    3.5


    Nonfarm private industry

    For the year ended June 2008, private industry compensation costs increased 2.8 percent
for goods-producing industries, compared to a 2.6 percent increase in June 2007.  Compensation
costs for manufacturing  increased 2.1 percent for the year ended June 2008, compared to
1.9 percent for the year ended June 2007.  Manufacturing gains have been less than total
private industry gains since March 2006.  Compensation costs for the construction industry
rose 4.0 percent, about the same as in the 3.9 percent increase in the previous year.
(See table 5.)

    The over-the-year increase for June 2008 in compensation costs for service-providing
industries was 3.1 percent.  The June 2007 increase was 3.3 percent.  Among the major
service-providing industries, changes in compensation costs ranged from 0.6 percent in
information to 3.8 percent in professional and business services.  (See table 5.)

    Among private industry occupational groups, over-the-year compensation gains ranged from
2.6 percent for production, transportation, and material moving to 3.3 percent for service
occupations.  (See table 5.)

    Compensation costs for union workers advanced 2.7 percent in the year ended June 2008
while compensation cost increases for nonunion workers increased 3.0 percent in the same
12-month period.  Wages and salaries for union workers increased 2.9 percent in the 12-month
period ended June 2008.  For nonunion workers, the increase was 3.2 percent.  Benefit costs
for union workers rose 2.4 percent in the 12-month period; costs for nonunion workers rose
2.7 percent.  (See tables C, 6, 10, and 12.)


Table C.  12-month percent changes in the Employment Cost Index, private industry workers,
by bargaining status, not seasonally adjusted

Compensation                June   June    June   June   June   June
component                   2003   2004    2005   2006   2007   2008
Union workers
 Compensation costs        4.9     5.7    3.0    3.0    2.1    2.7
   Wages and salaries      3.0     2.8    2.4    2.5    2.5    2.9
   Benefit costs           8.1    10.9    4.1    3.8    1.4    2.4
Nonunion workers
 Compensation costs        3.2     3.7    3.1    2.8    3.3    3.0
   Wages and salaries      2.5     2.7    2.5    2.9    3.4    3.2
   Benefit costs           5.3     6.4    4.8    2.5    2.8    2.7


    State and local government

    For the year ended June 2008, wages and salaries for state and local government workers
rose 3.4 percent.  The increase for the 12-month period ended June 2007 was 3.8 percent.
Benefit costs increased 3.5 percent, down from the increase of 6.6 percent in the previous
year.  Public administration wages and salaries increased 3.2 percent, down from the June 2007
increase of 4.1 percent.  (See tables B, 11, and 12.)

Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries, constant dollars, not seasonally adjusted

    After adjusting for the changes in the prices of consumer goods and services, wages and
salaries for civilian workers decreased 1.7 percent for the 12-month period ended June 2008,
compared to a 0.7 percent increase for the 12-month period ended June 2007.  The decrease for
private industry was 1.8 percent compared to an increase of 0.7 percent for the year ended
June 2007.  State and local government registered a 1.4 percent decrease, compared to an
increase of 0.9 percent for the previous year.  (See table D.)


Table D.  12-month percent changes in wages and salaries, Employment Cost Index, constant dollars,
not seasonally adjusted

Series                                   June   June   June   June   June   June
                                        2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   2008
Civilian workers                         0.6    -0.7   -0.1   -1.3   0.7    -1.7
Occupation
    Management, professional, and
      related                           0.9    -0.7    0.1   -1.3   0.9    -1.5
    Sales and office                    0.3    -0.3   -0.1   -1.1   0.5    -2.1
    Natural resources, construction,
      and maintenance                   0.5    -0.6   -0.4   -1.1   0.6    -1.3
    Production, transportation, and
      material moving                   0.3    -1.0   -0.2   -2.0   0.0    -2.0
    Service                             0.2    -1.1   -0.2   -1.8   1.3    -1.6
Industry
    Goods-producing                     0.8    -1.0    0.0   -1.1   0.2    -1.8
    Service-providing                   0.5    -0.6   -0.1   -1.4   0.8    -1.6
 Private industry                       0.5    -0.6    0.0   -1.5   0.7    -1.8
 State and local government             1.0    -1.2   -0.1   -1.2   0.9    -1.4


___________________________________________________________________________________________
                                          NOTE:

    Effective with the release of December 2008 data, compensation and wage and salary data
aggregated across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas--which currently appear in
tables 6 and 10--will be discontinued as a result of classification changes to metropolitan
statistical areas.

    Beginning with data for this quarter--June 2008--ECI estimates for private industry for
as many as 15 individual localities will be released.  For each locality, two estimates
will be provided:  12-month percent change for total compensation and 12-month percent
change for wages and salaries.  The June 2008 data are scheduled for release on the
Compensation and Working Conditions Online (CWC Online) website at www.bls.gov/opub/cwc
in late September 2008.  Information about future release schedules for these data will be
included in the CWC Online article.

    The ECI for September 2008 is scheduled for release on Friday, October 31, 2008, at
8:30 AM EDT.

    ECI data are available on the Compensation Cost Trends page at www.bls.gov/ect.  For
ECI data requests, send e-mail to NCSinfo@bls.gov or call (202)691-6199.  For technical
assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to webmaster@bls.gov.

    BLS news releases, including the ECI, are available through an e-mail subscription
service.  See the subscription link at  www.bls.gov/ect  or  www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm.

    Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals
upon request.  Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Se

Employment Cost Index news release text

Technical Contact:                                    USDL:  08-1048
    (202) 691-6199  NCSinfo@bls.gov
Media Contact:                                        TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL
    (202) 691-5902                                   IN THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
Internet address:                                     UNTIL 8:30 AM EDT,
    http://www.bls.gov/ect                           THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2008

                          EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX-JUNE 2008

    Total compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.7 percent from March to
June 2008, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department
of Labor reported today, the same as the increase from December 2007 to March 2008.  Wages
and salaries rose 0.7 percent and benefits rose 0.6 percent.  In the previous quarter,
wages and salaries increased 0.8 percent and benefits increased 0.6 percent.  The
Employment Cost Index (ECI), a product of the National Compensation Survey, measures
quarterly changes in compensation costs for civilian workers (nonfarm private industry
and state and local government workers).


Table A.  3-month percent changes in the Employment Cost Index, seasonally adjusted
Compensation                  Sep.   Dec.   Mar.   June   Sep.   Dec.   Mar.   June
component                     2006   2006   2007   2007   2007   2007   2008   2008
Civilian workers
   Compensation costs        1.0    0.8    0.8    0.9    0.8    0.8    0.7    0.7
     Wages and salaries      0.9    0.8    1.0    0.8    0.8    0.8    0.8    0.7
     Benefit costs           1.0    1.0    0.2    1.3    0.8    0.8    0.6    0.6
 Private industry
   Compensation costs        0.9    0.8    0.7    0.8    0.8    0.9    0.8    0.6
     Wages and salaries      0.9    0.8    1.0    0.8    0.8    0.8    0.8    0.7
     Benefit costs           0.9    0.9   -0.3    1.1    0.8    0.8    0.6    0.5
 State and local government
   Compensation costs        1.3    1.1    1.2    1.0    0.9    0.9    0.6    0.9
     Wages and salaries      1.3    0.8    0.9    0.9    0.9    0.8    0.7    0.9
     Benefit costs           1.6    1.5    1.7    1.6    0.9    1.2    0.3    1.1


Quarterly changes, seasonally adjusted

    Compensation costs for private industry rose 0.6 percent from March to June 2008;
for the prior quarter the increase was 0.8 percent.  In state and local government, the
increase was 0.9 percent compared to 0.6 percent in the previous quarter.  Wages and
salaries for private industry workers increased 0.7 percent for the March to June 2008 period.
For the previous quarter, the increase was 0.8 percent.  In state and local government, the
increase was 0.9 percent, compared with 0.7 percent in the prior quarter.  Benefit costs for
private industry rose 0.5 percent, compared to 0.6 percent in the previous quarter.  For
state and local government, benefit costs increased 1.1 percent, well above the 0.3 percent
increase in the previous quarter.  (See tables A, 1, 2, and 3.)

______________________________________________________________________________________________

                     Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Data Series

There will be changes to the availability of Employment Cost Index (ECI) data for metropolitan
and nonmetropolitan areas in future ECI news releases.  See note on page 4 for additional
information.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________


Over-the-year changes, not seasonally adjusted

    Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 3.1 percent for the year ended June 2008.
For the year ended June 2007 the increase was 3.3 percent.  In private industry, compensation
costs rose 3.0 percent in the year ended June 2008, about the same as the 3.1 percent increase
for the year ended June 2007.  For state and local government, the increase for the 12-month
period ended June 2008 was 3.5 percent, less than the June 2007 increase of 4.8 percent.  Wages
and salaries for civilian workers increased 3.2 percent for the 12-month period; in June 2007,
the increase was 3.4 percent.  Private industry wages and salaries increased 3.1 percent in
June 2008.  In June 2007 the increase was 3.3 percent.  State and local government wages
and salaries increased 3.4 percent for the year ended June 2008.  In June 2007, the increase
was 3.8 percent.  Benefits--which increased 2.9 percent for civilian workers--differed by
ownership sector.  Private industry benefit costs increased 2.6 percent, less than the state
and local government increase of 3.5 percent for the 12-month period ended June 2008.
(See table B.)


Table B.  12-month percent changes in the Employment Cost Index, not seasonally adjusted
                                          June   June   June   June   June   June
Compensation component                     2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   2008
Civilian workers
   Compensation costs                     3.7    3.8    3.2    3.0    3.3    3.1
     Wages and salaries                   2.7    2.6    2.5    2.8    3.4    3.2
     Benefit costs                        5.9    7.1    5.0    3.4    3.4    2.9
 Private industry
   Compensation costs                     3.5    3.9    3.1    2.8    3.1    3.0
     Wages and salaries                   2.6    2.7    2.5    2.8    3.3    3.1
     Benefit costs                        5.8    7.3    4.7    2.7    2.6    2.6
 State and local government government
   Compensation costs                     4.3    3.5    3.5    3.8    4.8    3.5
     Wages and salaries                   3.1    2.1    2.3    3.1    3.8    3.4
     Benefit costs                        6.8    6.6    6.3    5.5    6.6    3.5


    Nonfarm private industry

    For the year ended June 2008, private industry compensation costs increased 2.8 percent
for goods-producing industries, compared to a 2.6 percent increase in June 2007.  Compensation
costs for manufacturing  increased 2.1 percent for the year ended June 2008, compared to
1.9 percent for the year ended June 2007.  Manufacturing gains have been less than total
private industry gains since March 2006.  Compensation costs for the construction industry
rose 4.0 percent, about the same as in the 3.9 percent increase in the previous year.
(See table 5.)

    The over-the-year increase for June 2008 in compensation costs for service-providing
industries was 3.1 percent.  The June 2007 increase was 3.3 percent.  Among the major
service-providing industries, changes in compensation costs ranged from 0.6 percent in
information to 3.8 percent in professional and business services.  (See table 5.)

    Among private industry occupational groups, over-the-year compensation gains ranged from
2.6 percent for production, transportation, and material moving to 3.3 percent for service
occupations.  (See table 5.)

    Compensation costs for union workers advanced 2.7 percent in the year ended June 2008
while compensation cost increases for nonunion workers increased 3.0 percent in the same
12-month period.  Wages and salaries for union workers increased 2.9 percent in the 12-month
period ended June 2008.  For nonunion workers, the increase was 3.2 percent.  Benefit costs
for union workers rose 2.4 percent in the 12-month period; costs for nonunion workers rose
2.7 percent.  (See tables C, 6, 10, and 12.)


Table C.  12-month percent changes in the Employment Cost Index, private industry workers,
by bargaining status, not seasonally adjusted

Compensation                June   June    June   June   June   June
component                   2003   2004    2005   2006   2007   2008
Union workers
 Compensation costs        4.9     5.7    3.0    3.0    2.1    2.7
   Wages and salaries      3.0     2.8    2.4    2.5    2.5    2.9
   Benefit costs           8.1    10.9    4.1    3.8    1.4    2.4
Nonunion workers
 Compensation costs        3.2     3.7    3.1    2.8    3.3    3.0
   Wages and salaries      2.5     2.7    2.5    2.9    3.4    3.2
   Benefit costs           5.3     6.4    4.8    2.5    2.8    2.7


    State and local government

    For the year ended June 2008, wages and salaries for state and local government workers
rose 3.4 percent.  The increase for the 12-month period ended June 2007 was 3.8 percent.
Benefit costs increased 3.5 percent, down from the increase of 6.6 percent in the previous
year.  Public administration wages and salaries increased 3.2 percent, down from the June 2007
increase of 4.1 percent.  (See tables B, 11, and 12.)

Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries, constant dollars, not seasonally adjusted

    After adjusting for the changes in the prices of consumer goods and services, wages and
salaries for civilian workers decreased 1.7 percent for the 12-month period ended June 2008,
compared to a 0.7 percent increase for the 12-month period ended June 2007.  The decrease for
private industry was 1.8 percent compared to an increase of 0.7 percent for the year ended
June 2007.  State and local government registered a 1.4 percent decrease, compared to an
increase of 0.9 percent for the previous year.  (See table D.)


Table D.  12-month percent changes in wages and salaries, Employment Cost Index, constant dollars,
not seasonally adjusted

Series                                   June   June   June   June   June   June
                                        2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   2008
Civilian workers                         0.6    -0.7   -0.1   -1.3   0.7    -1.7
Occupation
    Management, professional, and
      related                           0.9    -0.7    0.1   -1.3   0.9    -1.5
    Sales and office                    0.3    -0.3   -0.1   -1.1   0.5    -2.1
    Natural resources, construction,
      and maintenance                   0.5    -0.6   -0.4   -1.1   0.6    -1.3
    Production, transportation, and
      material moving                   0.3    -1.0   -0.2   -2.0   0.0    -2.0
    Service                             0.2    -1.1   -0.2   -1.8   1.3    -1.6
Industry
    Goods-producing                     0.8    -1.0    0.0   -1.1   0.2    -1.8
    Service-providing                   0.5    -0.6   -0.1   -1.4   0.8    -1.6
 Private industry                       0.5    -0.6    0.0   -1.5   0.7    -1.8
 State and local government             1.0    -1.2   -0.1   -1.2   0.9    -1.4


___________________________________________________________________________________________
                                          NOTE:

    Effective with the release of December 2008 data, compensation and wage and salary data
aggregated across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas--which currently appear in
tables 6 and 10--will be discontinued as a result of classification changes to metropolitan
statistical areas.

    Beginning with data for this quarter--June 2008--ECI estimates for private industry for
as many as 15 individual localities will be released.  For each locality, two estimates
will be provided:  12-month percent change for total compensation and 12-month percent
change for wages and salaries.  The June 2008 data are scheduled for release on the
Compensation and Working Conditions Online (CWC Online) website at www.bls.gov/opub/cwc
in late September 2008.  Information about future release schedules for these data will be
included in the CWC Online article.

    The ECI for September 2008 is scheduled for release on Friday, October 31, 2008, at
8:30 AM EDT.

    ECI data are available on the Compensation Cost Trends page at www.bls.gov/ect.  For
ECI data requests, send e-mail to NCSinfo@bls.gov or call (202)691-6199.  For technical
assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to webmaster@bls.gov.

    BLS news releases, including the ECI, are available through an e-mail subscription
service.  See the subscription link at  www.bls.gov/ect  or  www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm.

    Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals
upon request.  Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Servi