State Employment Dips in September
California made a slight improvement in the unemployment rolls in September even as it shed thousands of jobs, according to the state Employment Development Department (EDD).
The state unemployment rate declined to 6.3 percent in September from 6.4 percent the month prior, while at the same time, payroll employment declined by 15,800 jobs to 14,646,900, according to the EDD.
Four industry divisions—manufacturing, construction, transportation and public utilities—reported job declines for the month, down 25,400 jobs. Manufacturing employment continued to show the largest decline since September 2001, down 3.7 percent (or 69,400 jobs). The manufacturing losses continued to be primarily in electronic equipment (or 21,100 jobs) and industrial machinery (or 13,900 jobs).
Employment in non-durable goods manufacturing showed less of a decline in September— dropping by 1.3 percent (or 9,000 jobs) from the same time last year to 707,500—but industry sources say manufacturing in the apparel sector specifically continues to suffer as retailers remain cautious about the economic climate and hold off on their orders until the economy becomes more stable.
In September, there were 126,600 people employed in the apparel and other textile products sector, down 1.9 percent, or 2,500 jobs, from the same time last year. Textile mill products employment was at 26,200, down 2.2 percent, or 400 jobs. —Claudia Figueroa
