Jobless rate up in Tennessee

Posted: Monday, May 23, 2011 6:01 pm

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee’s unemployment rate in April increased to 9.6 percent, up 0.1 percent from the March rate. Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Karla Davis said in a news release last week that the rate increased because “of a substantial increase in the number of people looking for a job.” The national unemployment rate for April was 9 percent, up 0.2 percent from the March rate.
According to a survey of businesses, monthly employment decreases came in local government, down 1,900 jobs; in professional, scientific and technical services, down by 900 jobs; and in health care and social assistance, down by 500 jobs.
Leisure and hospitality jobs increased by 7,800, and jobs in trade, transportation and utilities increased by 4,800.