According to a new report from the Labor Department, pay and benefits grew slightly between July and September. Total employment costs rose by about 2% over last year, with wages increasing by 1.7% and benefits by 2.6%. Health care benefits rose by 3% over last year. Compensation during the last quarter grew by 0.3%. Experts say that low demand for workers means that workers have little leverage to improve their salaries. Unemployment statistics for September will be released on Friday.
See "U.S. Workers' Compensation Rises 0.4%", Eric Morath and Sarah Portlock, The Wall Street Journal, October 30, 2012