Percent changes in constant-dollar Employment Cost Index for wages and salaries in private industry, December to December, 1976-98 Percent change 1976 2.2 1977 0.2 1978 -1.3 1979 -4.1 1980 -3.0 1981 -0.1 1982 2.4 1983 1.1 1984 0.2 1985 0.3 1986 2.1 1987 -1.1 1988 -0.3 1989 -0.5 1990 -2.0 1991 0.6 1992 -0.3 1993 0.3 1994 0.2 1995 0.3 1996 0.1 1997 2.2 1998 2.2