Pa. jobless rate bounces back up to 8.9 percent in December as jobs drop to fewest since 1999
By APThursday, January 21, 2010
Pa. jobless rate up, jobs at most scarce in decade
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A new report says jobs in Pennsylvania were harder to find in December than they have been in more than a decade.
The state Department of Labor and Industry said Thursday that statewide unemployment jumped to 8.9 percent last month.
The October rate also was 8.9 percent, the highest level in 25 years, before dipping to 8.5 percent in November.
The department says employers eliminated about 8,100 jobs in December, leaving Pennsylvania with fewer than 5.6 million jobs — the lowest level since September 1999.
The state’s unemployment rate is below the national average of 10 percent. Among the 10 most populous states, only Texas’ rate is lower.
YOUR VIEW POINT
