OTTAWA, Ont. — According to Statistics Canada, workers who call the transport and warehousing sector home now average weekly pay cheques of about $766.59.

This June total was up only 3.8 per cent over the same period a year ago, which the federal group says it is due largely to strong increases among those paid by piecework and commission.

While $766.59 may not sound very high, consider the national average for this June was $676.61.

Earnings growth since June 2001 was strongest in accommodation and food services, health and social services, and transport and warehousing.

The national average hourly earnings for hourly paid employees stood at $17.17 in June, a slight increase of $0.04 from May and 2.8 per cent higher than in June 2001. Average weekly hours for these employees edged down from 31.8 to 31.7 hours per week.