12-month percent changes in Employment Cost Index, private industry workers, not seasonally adjusted, December 1996-December 2001 Percent change Compensation costs Wages and salaries Benefit costs Dec. 1996 3.1 3.4 2.0 Dec. 1997 3.4 3.9 2.3 Dec. 1998 3.5 3.9 2.4 Dec. 1999 3.4 3.5 3.4 Dec. 2000 4.4 3.9 5.6 Dec. 2001 4.2 3.8 5.1