Slower employment growth in most industries, a reversal of the trend toward a larger share of jobs in the public sector, and a return to more rapid productivity gains are some of the highlights of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest long-range projections of employment and output by industry. (BM)

A strong increase in employment highlighted the nation's job situation in 1978. A record 59 percent of the working-age population were jobholders by the end of fourth quarter and the unemployment rate dropped to 5.8 percent. Women age 16 and over accounted for two-thirds of the growth in the civilian labor force. (BM)

A description of the Nation's labor force participants in 1977 is summarized, highlighting the increase reflected by both the population growth and the continuing rise in women's labor force participation. Also, data are reported on the extent of employment and unemployment by family relationship. (BM)

Describes how local area unemployment statistics are developed by state employment security agencies to provide the Bureau of Labor Statistics with data on the insured unemployed by county of residence. Includes a discussion of the handbook method, a consistent and uniform method of estimating total unemployment for states and areas. (Editor/TA)

Describes recent federal legislation under which the local area unemployment statistics (LAUS) program will play an important role in allocating billions of dollars in economic aid to states and local areas. Major issues resulting from a review of the LAUS program (procedures, methods, reliability requirements) are discussed. (Editor/TA)

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…