Productivity Gain Slowed In 75% of U.S. Industries
ProductivityT/gro^rthislbwed 'last, year in about 'three-fdurtli's of thp na- . tionÛªst (industries, including steel, which (experienced a (sharp drop,, the Bureau of labor Statistics reported yesterday.. Û¢.</br></br>Despite the lower growth rates, the BLS said that productivityÛÓmeasured by output per employe hourÛÓstill increased, in more than half-the industries regularly covered by the bureau.</br></br>ÛÏThis slowdown is consistent with the situation in the nonfarm business sector of the economy , where productivity' grew 2.2 percent"in 1977 as compared with 4.1 percent in 1976.Û the Labor Department said in an announcement.</br></br>Among key industries covered, motor vehicle manufacturing recorded an above-average gain of 7 percent, reflecting a large increase in output of 14.5 percent as demand rose for all tyues of vehicles, and a gain of 7 percent in employe hours. The industryÛªs productivity increased 8.7 percent in 1970, the BLS said.</br></br>The steel industry posted a below-average increase in productivity of 1.5 percent, based on a gain in output of 2.4	percent and an increase in employe hours of 0.9 percent The small gain contrasted with a 7.3 percent advance in 1976.