Posted June 3, 2011
Factory jobs drop in May
Manufacturing employment fell by 5,000 jobs in May, while the nation's unemployment rate rose to 9.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
Job gains in fabricated metal products and in machinery were offset by losses in transportation equipment, paper and paper products, and printing and related support activities. The manufacturing industry added 243,000 jobs from a recent low point in December 2009 through April 2011.
Construction employment was essentially unchanged in May. Employment in the industry has shown little movement on net since early 2010, after having fallen sharply during the 2007-09 period.
Mining added 7,000 jobs in May. Employment in mining has risen by 115,000 since a recent low point in October 2009.
