U.S. Productivity Slowed in First Quarter, Labor Costs Rose
This article is for subscribers only.
The productivity of U.S. workers slowed in the first quarter and labor costs rose as companies boosted employment to meet rising demand.
The measure of employee output per hour increased at a 1.8 percent annual rate after a 2.9 percent gain in the prior three months, revised figures from the Labor Department showed today in Washington. Employee expenses climbed at a 0.7 percent rate after dropping 2.8 percent the prior quarter.