Arizona unemployment rate rises to 9.1 percent in December with job losses in government
By APThursday, January 21, 2010
Ariz. jobless rate rises to 9.1 pct in December
PHOENIX — Arizona’s unemployment rate is nudging upward again.
The Department of Commerce on Thursday reported December’s unemployment rate at 9.1 percent. That’s up from 8.9 percent in November when the rate fell by four-tenths of a percent.
The private sector added 3,000 jobs but government lost 4,700, for a net loss of 1,700. Most of the government losses are attributed to seasonal declines in higher education work forces.
The sector with the biggest job gains was Trade, Transportation and Utilities, up 4,400 in December, with half of the gain in retail trade.
The Commerce Department’s Aruna Murthy says December’s net loss of 1,700 jobs is below the typical December gain of 13,700 but significantly better than December 2008’s loss of 19,600. She says that indicates job losses are slowing.
