State unemployment rises slightly to 5.2 percent last month

The rate was two-tenths of a point higher than November but down eight-tenths of a point from the 6 percent recorded for December 2003.

“We are continuing to see positive signs of a slow growing economy in the last year,” labor Commissioner James Neeley said.

Compared with a year ago, leisure and hospitality jobs increased by 5,800, trade, transportation and utilities jobs increased by 5,300 and educational and health services employment rose by 4,900. Year-to-year decreases were recorded in professional and business services jobs, down 1,900, and information jobs, down 1,000.

“The December year-over-year employment growth is approximately 2 percent according to the household survey, while the number of unemployed people fell almost 12 percent,” Neeley said.

Compared with the previous month, retail trade jobs were up 6,600 while professional and business services increased 1,400. There were month-to-month decreases in leisure and hospitality and state government educational services employment.
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On the Net:
Labor Department, http://www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/labor—figures