> Wages on average at his firm, which makes compressors that power drills and other tools, are rising 4% to 5% this year, compared with 2% to 3% in recent years

> Wages on average at his firm, which makes compressors that power drills and other tools, are rising 4% to 5% this year, compared with 2% to 3% in recent years. That doesn't seem out of line with inflation. If they didn't increase, that means they would be stagnant as the cost of living increased, which would be bad for the employees.