Manufacturers face disparate labor market conditions across the country, according to district summaries. For instance, Chicago indicates ongoing softness in the demand for manufacturing help, while San Francisco says that filling vacancies remains difficult. On the whole, pay pressures in manufacturing seem unchanged or slightly more moderate than in the recent past. Some workers are experiencing a weaker job market because of recent layoffs, especially in trade-sensitive sectors or regions. Business Services Districts reporting on the business services sector describe an extremely tight labor market.
Most districts also report both wage increases and stable selling prices.
In Cleveland, New York, and Dallas, temporary employment firms are having difficulty finding workers to fill their orders. Customer service workers, secretaries, and receptionists are in high demand in Cleveland. In Dallas, contacts report strong demand for system programmers and other computer-related workers. Though job growth in business services appears generally strong, some exceptions exist. Contacts at temporary employment firms in Richmond and Chicago note ongoing softness in the manufacturing sector.