The continual round of wage increases? (6)

I believe the answer is:

spiral

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the continual round' is the definition.
'spiral' can be an answer for 'round' (thesaurus). I am unsure of the 'the continual' bit.

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spiral that I've seen before include "Sort of staircase (could be vicious?)" , "Like some staircases" , "In flight manoeuvre" , "Helical shape" , "Winding like the thread of a screw" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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