Tennessee jobless rate increases

The Messenger 01.21.08

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee’s unemployment rate for December was 5.3 percent, up .4 percent from November, the state Department of Labor and Work Force Development announced Thursday.
The national unemployment rate for December was 5 percent, up from the November national rate of 4.7 percent.
Commissioner James Neeley said the increase in Tennessee’s rate is consistent with what’s happening across the nation.
“We see this as a result of a slowdown in employment growth in the overall economy in Tennessee and the nation,” Neeley said.
November to December gains were seasonal, with retail trade increasing by 4,200. Professional and business services employment increased 1,300, and transportation and warehousing jobs increased by 1,100.
Accommodation and food services employment saw month-to-month declines, down by 1,100. There were also decreases in state government educational services, down 900 jobs, and machinery manufacturing lost 600 jobs.
Leisure and hospitality jobs increased with gains of 8,000 jobs for the year. Educational and health services employment increased by 7,100, and construction jobs were up by 7,000.
The highest employment declines over the year were in manufacturing, decreasing by 7,400. Professional and business services employment lost 1,800 jobs and clothing and accessories stores declined by 1,600.

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