November 2007 Unemployment Figures - State

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for November was 4.9 percent, up 0.3 percentage point from October.  In 2006 the November unemployment rate was 5.0 percent.  The national unemployment rate for November 2007 was 4.7 percent, the same as October.

“Our data indicate more people entered the labor force this month, causing the unemployment rate to rise slightly,” said Commissioner Neeley.  “More people entered the labor force possibly looking for seasonal holiday jobs that were not yet available in November.”

October-to-November gains were seasonal, with retail trade increasing by 9,200; professional and business services employment increased 1,700; and local government educational services increased 1,100. Month-to-month declines included leisure and hospitality, down 2,700, and slight decreases in construction, down 200.

Over-the-year increases led with gains of 7,100 jobs in educational and health services. Construction employment increased by 7,000; and leisure and hospitality jobs were up 6,300. Manufacturing jobs were down from a year ago with employment decreasing by 8,900; clothing and accessories stores lost 1,600 jobs; and professional and business services employment declined by 1,600 as well.