State lost 3,100 jobs; 7.9 percent unemployed

Pennsylvania's unemployment rate rose to 7.9 percent in July, four-tenths of a percentage point above the rate the Department of Labor and Industry originally reported in June.

The state gained 10,000 jobs when adjusted for seasonal fluctuations, but in raw numbers that are not seasonally adjusted, the state lost 3,100 jobs from June.

When the economy is recovering, the unemployment rate often climbs because workers re-enter the labor force who had been waiting for the job market to recover.

That was not the case with last month's report.

In the July unemployment figures, released Thursday, the size of the civilian labor force grew by 10,000 people even as the number of people who had jobs fell by 10,000. The state reported that in July there were 21,000 more people who were unemployed than there were in June.

The report would have been worse if the state had gone with the original numbers reported in June.

A revision of the June report has 10,000 fewer people with jobs. If the state had not revised the numbers, 13,000 fewer people would be reported to be without work in July. June's initial unemployment rate was reported to be 7.5 percent but was revised to be 7.6 percent.

Pennsylvania's unemployment rate is still four-tenths of a percentage point below the national rate of 8.3 percent.

A separate survey of employers found that in July statewide payrolls experienced a net loss of 3,100 jobs from June.

Two supersectors -- "education and health services" and "leisure and hospitality" -- both saw employment declines of 3,900 jobs. "Government," which includes all levels including schools, cut 3,200 jobs.

There were job gains in "trade, transportation and utilities," which includes 3,700 retail jobs and 3,600 jobs in professional and business services.

Construction lost 1,000 jobs, but "other services" -- which include repair and maintenance jobs, personal and laundry services and membership associations -- added 1,800 jobs.

Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/employment/state-lost-3100-jobs-79-percent-unemployed-649351/

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