11.   If so, that could undermine the NHL Players Association, which won free agency for veterans in the hope of increasing their wages.

12.   In many of those cities, however, the law would increase wages only for city employees or for the employees of companies with city contracts or tax abatements.

13.   In the last several years, the competition for workers had forced employers to increase wages at a faster pace than inflation, lifting real incomes.

14.   Increase wages for working Americans.

15.   Labor markets remain tight, some businesses report increasing wages for entry-level workers.

16.   Law firms have been driven to increase wages to recruit and retain graduates from top law schools, who now have more options than ever, lawyers say.

17.   Other companies, most notably Nike, publicize programs to increase wages and improve factory conditions.

18.   Republicans traditionally have rejected the perennially popular issue, arguing that increasing wages means losing jobs.

19.   Some economists contend that slowdown in the growth of fringe benefit costs leaves more room for increasing wages without triggering inflation.

20.   The drivers have been seeking to increase their wages to bring them in line with those of drivers at The New York Times.