By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer
We have been closely tracking and reporting on inflation trends. The recent “ups and downs” (in inflation has implications for the broader economy but it has some rather direct impacts on our contract negotiations.
December 11, 2023 by
PART 1 of Negotiations and Settlement Trends: Will This Week’s CPI Report Show Diminishing Inflation – and What Does It Mean for Pending Negotiations?
August 3, 2023 by
Use of the OFM Population Numbers: Why Size Matters
By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer
In the past two newsletter issues, we reported on and discussed the annual OFM population numbers. As indicated, all the details of those numbers are posted on the Cline and Associates Premium Website. While the Cline and Associates Database tracks a wide range of demographic factors, Population remains the most important factor for the selection of negotiation “comparables.”
August 1, 2023 by
Highlights from OFM Population Number Report
By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer
In our last newsletter, we announced the release of the 2023 OFM Population Report. In this article, we discuss some of the highlights from the OFM data.
August 1, 2023 by
Impact of June CPI Numbers on Contract Negotiations
By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer
In the last newsletter, we reported on the Bureau of Labor Statistics release of the June CPI numbers. As was noted, over the past 4 months the CPI has slid dramatically, although the Seattle numbers remain high by historic standards and substantially outpace the national CPI indices. The June CPI-W numbers are reflected in this graph:
July 28, 2023 by
2023 Population Numbers Released by OFM
By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer
City and County April 1 annual population estimates are released the beginning of July by the Office of Financial Management Forecasting and Research Division.
July 28, 2023 by
Key June CPI Report: Significant Drop in CPI although Seattle Numbers Still Far Outpace the National Numbers
By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the June CPI Numbers on July 12. Both the Seattle and All Cities CPI numbers dropped significantly, although the Seatle numbers continue to notably outpace the national indices. This graph shows the relative numbers over the past 12 months and to date for the “W” index:
April 12, 2023 by
CPI Trends and the Impact on Negotiations Results
By Jim Cline
In our past two newsletters, we’ve discussed the continuation of higher-than-expected inflation. Those articles identified the prediction by economists earlier this year for the mid-year 2023 national inflation to subside to 3.6% and our doubts that those predictions will materialize. We are now expecting the June CPI numbers to be closer to 5% nationally and higher for the Seattle indices.
April 10, 2023 by
Continued Inflation Complicates Negotiations
By Jim Cline
In our last newsletter we discussed the most recent CPI reports. It discussed the slowing but still high inflation numbers. This chart shows the 12-month trend line in the Seattle and All Cities CPI:
April 6, 2023 by
CPI Continues to Ride High — But with Signs of Moderation
By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer
The latest CPI report continued to show high inflation numbers, even higher than the previous set. But inside those numbers were signs that the predicted slowdown in inflation may lie ahead. The Seattle 12-month through April to April “W” index was reported at an eye-popping 8.1%. The All-Cities index was even higher at 8.6%:
January 20, 2023 by
Cline and Associates January Webcast Covers the Latest on Inflation, Contract Negotiations, and Settlement Trends
By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer
Wednesday we provided a fairly detailed live Webcast covering inflation, economic indicators, the latest in settlement trends, and where we see inflation and wage negotiations heading. For Premium Website subscribers, the Video and Transcript are available here.
