On the noon news, it was reported that unemployment figures are up statewide. The stated reason was "teachers and new graduates" who are not working this summer. But, teachers who are going back to work in a couple of weeks are NOT unemployed, nor are we eligible for unemployment benefits. And as for graduates, they aren't eligible for benefits either, as they are looking for that first professional opportunity. So I started searching and came up with this announcement from Labor which says, “The rate increased primarily because of two factors that occur this time of year,” said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “A large number of education workers are unemployed during the summer and new graduates are considered unemployed until they find a job.” So, it isn't teachers, but the other folks in seasonal jobs such as bus drivers and nutrition services, who are allowed to receive benefits (don't understand why; other folks in seasonal jobs are denied benefits on the grounds they knew the job was seasonal). As for the new grads, how do we know how many of them are 'unemployed' and not in internships, getting ready for grad school, leaving the state, getting married, joining the military, etc.
This is what should have been the real concern: "The number of jobs declined slightly to 4,043,500, down from 4,044,100 in May. State and local government education services lost 12,700 jobs, the most of any sector. However, some industries added workers. Those increases came in professional and business services, 8,000; leisure and hospitality, 4,000; construction and financial services, 1,700 each; and manufacturing and other services, 1,200 each."
Here's what the tv station put on their website, but the on-air reader screwed up. Notice also how much is left out of this version.
So, unemployment is actually up because there are FEWER JOBS. Who would have thought?
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