The median growth of wages during the last three months is amounting to 3.5% when compared to the same time period a year earlier (from November to January,) according to a recent study from the specialized cabinet Industrial Relations Services, realized within 106 companies, three quarters of which initiated increases. It is the highest raise observed since November 1998. It quickened compared to 2006 last trimester's 3%, a level which remained unchallenged for three years. (Ref. 070150)
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This high increase level is closely linked to that of inflation, brought up by economic growth and the return, for three months, of the decrease in unemployment. Inflation on prices to consumption reached 4.4% in December, a record level it had not reached in 15 years. Whereas the British Bank is worrying about this spiral, unions are asking for important rises to compensate repercussions on living cost, and the economic conjuncture (growth and low unemployment) is in their favou for wage negot

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