1.   And that, he added, means higher labor costs.

2.   As a result, prod-ucts with higher direct labor costs were allocated proportionately more of the overhead cost.

3.   Employers and business groups contend that a higher minimum wage would saddle them with higher labor costs.

4.   Although the bullish economy continues without a clear sign of slowing down, employers are worried that higher labor costs can have a compounding effect.

5.   Analysts had started lowering their second-quarter estimates for Northwest in June because of the higher labor costs, the yen-hedging loss and weak Pacific traffic.

6.   As wages rise, so will prices, as companies seek to cover their higher labor costs.

7.   At the same time, some analysts expressed concern that oilfield-service companies could be pinched by higher labor costs.

8.   But instead of demanding higher wages, forcing companies to raise prices to cover higher labor costs, workers are settling for very small raises.

9.   But shoes made in Taiwan may cost American consumers more because of higher labor costs, he said.

10.   But they may be less of a barrier to overall growth, because firms respond to higher labor costs by boosting productivity.