May Jobs report released by BLS

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has issued its May jobs report. While 175,000 jobs were created the unemployment rate edged up slightly from 7.5% to 7.6%. The drop is largely due to additional participation in the labor force.

Job growth spurts

The latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reflects strong job growth in February - 236,000, far better than estimates, and a drop in unemployment rate to 7.7%, the lowest point since December of 2008.

Job growth continues

The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report is out. Unemployment creeps up, but job growth steady. Economy adds 157,000 jobs. The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for November was revised from +161,000 to +247,000, and the change for December was revised from +155,000 to +196,000.

Union decline continues in 2012

From the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) annual report on union membership:

"In 2012, the union membership rate--the percent of wage and salary workers who were members of a union--was 11.3 percent, down from 11.8 percent in 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The number of wage and salary workers belonging to unions, at 14.4 million, also declined over the year. In 1983, the first year for which comparable union data are available, the union membership rate was 20.1 percent, and there were 17.7 million union workers."

Modest job growth continues in December

The January jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates 155,000 jobs were created in December. Unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7.8%.

Job growth in October BTE

The Bureau of Labor Statistics final jobs report of the 2012 election cycle is better than expected. The 171,000 jobs created exceeds the ADP estimate released earlier in the week. The unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9% because more workers rejoined the ranks of job seekers. This is the 33rd consecutive month the economy has added jobs. In addition to the October jobs growth, the BLS raised the previously released numbers for August (+142,000 to +192,000) and September (+114,000 to +148,000)

Jobs reports + 158,000

The October jobs report, set for Friday release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics may be the most anticipated significant event remaining in the 2012 presidential campaign. ADP's private sector payroll report released today notes the private sector added 158,000 jobs during the month. Over half of the jobs creation was by large businesses having more than 1000 employees. The BLS report, which will include information on public and private sector jobs, has during the great recession, reflected a bit smaller jobs growth due to the inclusion of the public sector information. Interesting also it appears ADP has changed its methodology in advance of this latest report. That fact is certain to inspire partisan wrangling over the report's results.

October jobs report

Have the jobs statistics crossed the Rubicon? Or is it just a conspiracy to help President Obama's reelection? The statistics are compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) which released its monthly report today. Unemployment dropped to 7.8% the lowest level since 2008. Although the job growth was modest (114,000) the numbers for prior months were also raised evidencing an incrementally improving jobs picture. Many on the right now claim the the BLS stats are cooked. And according to candidate Romney so is Big Bird.

Ruh Roh

The latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes a net job creation of only 69,000, and that the unemployment rate has risen to 8.2%. Also of note the jobs numbers for March and April were revised downward.

Jobs grow in February

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) issued its report on February jobs creation today. The nonfarm payroll employment added a net gain of 227,000  jobs in Frebruary. The unemployment rate remained at 8.3% due to more persons reentering the workforce. December's report also was revised upward from +203,000 to +223,000, and the change for January was revised upward from +243,000 to +284,000.

Unemployment drops to 8.3%

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its January jobs report this morning, and the news is BTE. Private sector jobs grew by 257,000 but declines in public sector employment reduced the non-farm payroll employment gain to 243,000. The report also adjusted upward the gains reported for November and December 2011.

Union density static

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released its 2011 union members summary which indicates 11.8% of wage and salary workers are union members. This is down slightly from 2010's 11.9% rate. Louisiana is one of 7 states with union membership under 5%. How concentrated is union membership? Note this quote

Over half of the 14.8 million union members in the U.S. lived in just seven states (California, 2.4 million; New York, 1.9 million; Illinois, 0.9 million; Pennsylvania, 0.8 million; Michigan 0.7 million; and New Jersey and Ohio, 0.6 million each), though these states accounted for only about one-third of wage and salary employment nationally.

Louisiana job growth

Good news on state and local unemployment and job creation. The Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS) reported that the state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate dropped to 6.8% in December. Thats down from 7.7% in December 2010. The Louisiana Workforce Commission announced December marked the 15th consecutive month the state added private sector jobs. Statewide job growth in 2011 was 48,300.

Are government workers overpaid?

While some politicians argue public sector employees are overpaid, a new study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the opposite. Conservatives challenge the BLS conclusions with a Heritage Foundation study. Progressive blog ThinkProgress counters with a Project on Government Oversight (POGO) report which criticizes the Heritage Foundation methodology.

Unemployment trends down slightly

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) October jobs report reflects unemployment slipped to 9.0% down from 9.1 the previous month. Private sector employment grew by 104,000 and government employment losses (24,000) partially offset the private sector gains

Economy up - unemployment, Dow down

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the July jobs report today. Private sector employment increased by 154,000 jobs, but that gain was partially offset by continuing loss of public sector jobs. Unemployment declined marginally to 9.1%. Dow drops 500, worst day since 2008 financial crisis.

Unemployment rises in June

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a slight uptick in unemployment 9.1 to 9.2%.

Jobs report shows little growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has issued its May jobs/unemployment report. Little has changed from April. Unemployment 9.1%, 54,000 jobs created.

February unemployment drops to 8.9%

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) monthly employment report notes joblessness declined to 8.9% in February, with a net job creation of 192,000 jobs despite heavy cuts in state and local government employment due to state budget shortfalls. The WaPo story is here.

Unemployment drops to 9%

An unexpectedly large drop in unemployment (9.4% to 9%) occurred in January, but only 36,000 jobs were created. Full report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is here.