Wage Series Part 3: Current economic conditions — Weak National Economy Creates Uncertainty for Local Economies

Wage Series Part 3: Current economic conditions — Weak National Economy Creates Uncertainty for Local Economies

By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer

contract negsThis is the third article in our 11 part series reporting on contract settlement trends.  This article highlights some of the recent economic developments most likely to impact your negotiations outlook.

In our recent Blog, we noted the recent improvement in the Seattle economy  as reported in the February “Economic and Revenue Update” from the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (WSERFC).   Washington employment was slightly higher than forecast; housing construction improved; Seattle area home prices continue to rise; and Washington exports reached an all-time high in the fourth quarter of 2014.

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Wage Series Part 2: Recent Wage Settlement Trends in Washington Public Safety Labor Contracts — An Ever So Slightly Rising Trend Line

Wage Series Part 2:  Recent Wage Settlement Trends in Washington Public Safety Labor Contracts  — An Ever So Slightly Rising Trend Line

By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer

seattle reflectionThis is the second part of our 11 part Summer 2015 wage series.  In this article we take a look at recent contract settlements and examine how those trends vary from recent previous years.  Our view of 2013 and 2014 settlements and what we have so far from 2015 indicates that the Washington State public safety employee wages are a mirror of national wage stagnation.  We see flat wage increases with little substantial real wage growth.  Whether a growing economy eventually will accelerate these is something we’ll discuss later in this series.

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Wage Series Part 1: Latest CPI shows Seattle and All Cities CPI Decline

Wage Series Part 1:  Latest CPI shows Seattle and All Cities CPI Decline

By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer

downhillThis is the first of an 11 part series addressing current economic conditions and wage settlement trends.  In this Summer 2015 Wage Series we’ll bring you an update on CPI and economic developments, wage settlements, interest arbitration trends, statewide wage rankings for public safety classifications across the State, and an in-depth analysis of what factors appear to be impacting those rankings and settlements.

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