Washington’s unemployment rate stayed the same in April - May 19, 2009

09-038

Media contacts: Mary Ayala, Chief economist, 360-438-4812
Caitlin Cormier, Communications manager, 360-902-9215

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OLYMPIA – Washington’s unemployment rate did not rise in April, the first time in more than a year that the rate did not increase from one month to the next, according to the state Employment Security Department. 

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April was an estimated 9.1 percent, the same as the revised rate for March (originally estimated to be 9.2 percent). 

The last time the rate stayed the same from month to month was in December 2007 to January 2008.

“We don’t know what the future holds, but for now it’s great to see our unemployment rate holding steady,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee.

The state lost an estimated 9,900 non-agricultural jobs last month, seasonally adjusted. 

The largest monthly declines were in professional and business services, down 4,300 jobs, manufacturing, which lost 3,800 jobs, and construction, down 3,000 jobs.  The only major sectors that did not shed jobs between March and April were government, up 2,400 jobs, leisure and hospitality, up 700, financial activities, which gained 400 jobs, education and health services, up 200, and transportation and warehousing, up 100 jobs.

The state lost 116,100 jobs from April 2008 to April 2009, a 3.9 percent decrease. Some 43 percent of the losses occurred since January 2009. Nationally, employment declined by 3.8 percent over the past year.

An estimated 322,219 people (not seasonally adjusted) in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in April, with about 217,065 receiving unemployment benefits.

Laid-off workers can apply for unemployment benefits online at esd.wa.gov or call 800-318-6022.  

In addition to training programs, unemployed workers can get help looking for work at Employment Security’s affiliated WorkSource offices across the state, where a variety of employment services are offered, including free help with interviewing skills or résumés and with job referrals.  WorkSource offices are listed online at www.go2worksource.com. In addition, more than 14,000 current job openings are posted at www.go2worksource.com.

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Full report - http://www.workforceexplorer.com/cgi/dataanalysis/?PAGEID=148

Regional economists - http://www.workforceexplorer.com/Article.asp?ARTICLEID=1688

In April, Washington’s unemployment rate remained stable at nine-point-one percent – unchanged from March.

In the past year, Washington state lost about 116-thousand jobs – a decline of three-point-nine percent.

According to the state Employment Security Department, more than 322-thousand Washington residents were unemployed and looking for work in April. About two-thirds of them received unemployment benefits last month.

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