The author discusses labor contracts subject to renegotiation during 1989. These contracts cover 36 percent of the workers under all major agreements in the United States. Issues that will affect collective bargaining, including the economy and negotiation trends, are discussed. The author provides information on bargaining in key industries. (CH)

A substantial portion of workers had their wages frozen or reduced; and specified increases were the smallest since the bargaining series began in 1968, reflecting both management's desire to hold down labor costs and workers' concern over job security. Charts and tables illustrating the wage adjustments are included. (Author/CT)

Although wages and salaries have risen faster for nonunion workers than for union workers in recent years, three Bureau of Labor Statistics series suggest that the union edge persists. Estimates of its magnitude depend on the data analyzed. (Author)

This review of collective bargaining developments in key industries concludes that escalating health insurance premiums are likely to be a common thread in the fabric of this year's bargaining. (JOW)

Factors contributing to the low average earnings of workers in the southern states include interregional differences in urbanization, and differences in the racial composition, training, and union status of the work force. (CT)

This article discusses the employment of organized workers in May 1980 with averages for the year ended in September 1984. Data indicate that the total number of U.S. workers rose while the number of employed workers who were members of unions or employee associations fell. Statistical tables and charts are included. (CT)

From 1978-79 incidence of long hours among full-time wage and salary workers dropped for the first time since the 1974-75 recession. Of those who worked long hours, about 43% received premium pay (time and one-half the regular wage for hours worked in excess of forty per week). Employers used overtime hours to cope with disequilibrium phenomena…