EMPLOYMENT SITUATION IN AUGUST
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanAs each month goes by, the national employment situation seems to be on the upswing.
The statement on the employment situation in August was released today. It shows that the private sector added 103,000 jobs last month and overall non-farm payroll employment rose by 96,000. This marks the 30th month in a row that private sector jobs have been added to the economy. The total number of jobs tops 4.6 million at this point.
The unemployment rate declined from 8.3% to 8.1% in August.
Employment increased in leisure and hospitality (+34,000), professional and business services (+28,000), health care and social assistance (+21,700) and wholesale trade (+7,900).
Manufacturing lost 15,000 jobs which included a 7,500 drop in motor vehicles and parts. However, manufacturers have added over 500,000 jobs in the past 30 months. Government lost 7,000 jobs as state government payrolls fell by 6,000 and local governments shed 4,000 jobs. Since February of 2010, state and local governments have lost 504,000 jobs.
President Obama continually supports the American Jobs Act and its elements which includes further investment in infrastructure to rebuild our nation’s ports, roads and highways and assistance to state and local governments to prevent layoffs and to enable them to rehire hundreds of thousands of teachers and first responders.
President Obama has also proposed an extension of middle-class tax cuts to prevent at least a $2,200 tax increase to the typical middle-class family next year.
This statement was released today by the White House Press Secretary.
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