Jobless rates fall in Fayette
UNIONTOWN – Area unemployment rates fell or remained steady during October, according to the monthly employment report published by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor. Fayette County’s jobless rate in October fell slightly as residents found jobs.
Although still among the highest rates statewide, Fayette’s unemployment fell from 9.6 percent in September to 9.3 percent in October. Its rate was 8.4 percent in October 2003.
The number of unemployed residents in Fayette also dropped from 5,900 to 5,700 from September to October, although in October 2003, that number was 5,000. The information in the report is seasonal data. Since the data included in each month’s report are sample based, the data are preliminary and subject to revisions over the month. However, Washington County’s jobless rate rose in October while Greene County’s rate remained unchanged from September.
Washington’s unemployment rates were 5.9 percent in October; 5.7 percent in September and 5.7 percent in October 2003.
Greene County’s unemployment rates were 6.9 percent in October and September and in October 2003.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the six-county Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA) remained steady at 5.4 percent in October, according to the report. However, the count of unemployed residents rose over the month from 65,400 in September to 65,800 in October.
Overall, the PMSA labor force and resident employment level expanded, exceeding seasonal expectations, according to the monthly employment report, with employment increasing at a proportional rate as the unemployment rolls caused the unemployment rate to go unchanged.
But while the PMSA and Philadelphia MSA unemployment rates went unchanged from September to October, Pennsylvania’s rate inched up .1 of a percent to 5.5 percent. That matched the nation’s jobless rate in October.
Ten out of the state’s 14 MSA’s unemployment also rates rose over the month. The PMSA’s unemployment rate matched last October’s rate despite a rise in the count of unemployed, the report said. While the count of unemployed rose over the year, so did the count of employed as many residents entered the labor force, keeping unemployment unchanged.
October marks the third consecutive month the count of unemployed was above the year-ago-level. On a more positive note, resident employment remained above the year-ago-count for the ninth consecutive month.
Since December 2003, the resident employment has risen 31,200, with periodic fluctuations reflecting the continuing uncertainty in the economy, according to the employment report.
Employment levels in the PMSA were, however, 11,000 below the last peak obtained in May 2002 and 6,000 below March 2001, the start of the last recession.
In specific areas, the report said:
– PMSA job levels expanded by.9 percent compared to Pennsylvania’s .6 percent gain from September to October. Above-average gains were spread throughout various industries as economic conditions show signs of improving.
– Natural resources, mining and construction experienced uncharacteristic gains in October. Job levels rose by 400 at a time when losses are typical.
– Manufacturer’s job levels shrunk for the fourth consecutive month and remained near historic lows. Over the year, jobs were down 600 and so far, not showing signs of a recovery.
– Retailers added workers to their payrolls in preparation for the upcoming holiday shopping surge, outweighing losses occurring due to the late September flooding of some local shops. Stores were likely getting a head start on securing holiday help posting larger-than-usual gains in employment.
– Continued school related gains in transportation pushed job levels up over the month.
– Professional, scientific and technical services as well as administrative and support services job counts increased contrary to the past several years.
– Educational services and local government continued to add jobs in October. Private and public schools added more staff to payrolls reaching full complement. Private schools experienced above average gains this October.
– Seasonal declines were seen in leisure and hospitality as establishment employment decreased by 1,900 jobs. While reductions are expected in October, declines were smaller than usual this year.
– Job levels were above the year-ago-level for the second consecutive month. Above average gains in October pushed job levels above October 2003 by 9,100.