Ore. jobless rate flat again, at 9.5 percent
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon's unemployment rate continues to reflect a sluggish economic recovery.
The state Employment Department said Wednesday the rate for October was 9.5 percent.
Statistically, that's unchanged from the previous month. The jobless rate dipped below 10 percent in March, fell to 9.3 percent in May and has fluctuated in a narrow range since then.
The agency says holiday hiring among retailers got off to a strong start in October, and employment numbers were strong in such fields as legal, architectural, engineering and computer systems designs services.
Manufacturing and construction numbers, however, were weaker than usual for the time of year.
Local education numbers showed strength, as well. Late reports from some districts showed stronger employment at the beginning of the school year than was reported for September.
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