THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS strikes, largely in the coal industry, that kept workers off payrolls. Un employed workers numbered 2.5 mil lion last month, reflecting a seasonal decline of 100,000 from September. Also contributing to the number of unemployed, federal government em ployment declined for the fourth con secutive month. About 15,000 fewer workers were on federal payrolls in October than in September. The average workweek for pro duction workers in manufacturing in dustries last month dropped 0.1 hour from the September average to
41.0 hours (seasonally adjusted). In fact, according to the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, most major manufacturing industries had a lower average workweek last month. For example, in durable goods the average workweek for pro duction workers fell by 0.1 hour to 41.6 hours (seasonally adjusted) in October. For the same sector of the work force in nondurable goods, the average workweek fell by 0.2 hour to 39.9 hours (seasonally adjusted) in October. Average hourly earnings for pro
NOVEMBER 18, 1968
duction workers in all manufacturing industries advanced 1 cent last month to $3.05. This is 20 cents more than the average hourly earnings for this group of workers a year ago. Average hourly earnings for production work ers in durable goods also advanced 1 cent in October to $3.24, 21 cents above average hourly earnings a year ago. But for production workers in nondurable goods, average hour ly earnings held at $2.78, the same level as in September, but 17 cents above average hourly earnings of a year ago.
PRICES Industrial Chemicals
AH Wholesale Commodities vs. Chemicals 1957-1959 = 100
1967
1968
1957-1959 = 100 106
110
102 All Wholesale Commodities
102-
94Chemicals and Allied Products 94 r
90
M A D J F Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
M
1
I I I I I I I I I I II
D J FMAM J J A S Ο Ν D
Drugs
Rubber Products
Petroleum Products
1957-1959 = 100
1957-1959 = 100
1957-1959 = 100
106
106
106
102-
102
98-
94-
eo
i II
l l l l l l l l l l
D J FMAMJ J A S 0 ND
90
I I I I I I I I I I I D J F MA M J J A S O N D
90
1
I I I I I I I I I I II
D J F M A M J J A S O N D
NOV. 18, 1968 C&EN 45
