Some economists fear the answer is yes.
If firms can't find the bodies they need, they can't expand. And if enough firms stop growing, economic expansion will slow. Based on current trends, the Labor Department projects the U.S. economy will add some 19 million new jobs through the year 2006. But the workforce will grow by just 15 million. Then there is the question of whether labor shortages will force employers to hike pay to keep their present personnel on board and to lure workers from other firms.