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                                           TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL
                                           IN THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
                                           UNTIL 8:30 AM EDT, FRIDAY,
                                           JUNE 13, 2008
  
                          REAL EARNINGS IN MAY 2008
 
     Real average weekly earnings fell by 0.4 percent from April to May after 
seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.  A 0.3 percent increase in 
average hourly earnings partially offset a 0.7 percent increase in the Consumer 
Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Average weekly 
hours were unchanged.
  
     Data on average weekly earnings are collected from the payroll reports of 
private nonfarm establishments.  Earnings of both full-time and part-time 
workers holding production or nonsupervisory jobs are included.  Real average 
weekly earnings are calculated by adjusting earnings in current dollars for 
changes in the CPI-W.

     Average weekly earnings rose by 3.2 percent, seasonally adjusted, from May 
2007 to May 2008.  After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly earnings 
decreased by 1.2 percent.  Before adjustment for seasonal change and inflation, 
average weekly earnings were $601.10 in May 2008, compared with $583.01 a year 
earlier.
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     Real Earnings for June 2008 will be released on Wednesday, July 16, 2008.