P.M. BRIEFING : Average Weekly Earnings Slip 0.6%

WASHINGTON — The average weekly earnings of U.S. workers fell 0.6% in February, after adjusting for inflation and seasonal factors, the Labor Department said today.

Compared with their February, 1988, level, earnings were down 1.3%, the department said. The February decline followed a 0.2% rise in January. The new figure provided evidence that inflationary pressure, at least in the area of wages, was not getting out of control, analysts said.

The February decrease stemmed from a 0.3% fall in average weekly hours and a 0.4% increase in the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, which were partly offset by a 0.1% increase in average hourly earnings, the department said.