Unemployment rate now above 10 percent

Posted by Nick Sloan on November 6, 2009 - 8:07am
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While this may be more national than local, over 190,000 jobs were slashed in October, bringing the national employment rate to 10.2 percent.

The unemployment rate in Wyandotte County jumped back to 10.4 percent last month. It's the highest in the State of Kansas.

The national rate is at its highest since 1983.

U.S. employers cut a deeper-than-expected 190,000 jobs in October, government data showed on Friday, driving the unemployment rate to 10.2 percent, the highest in 26-1/2 years.

The Labor Department said the unemployment rate was the highest since April 1983 and October's non-farm payrolls loss was the smallest since August last year. It revised job losses for August and September to show 91,000 fewer jobs lost than previously reported.

Posted by John Altevogt on November 6, 2009 - 11:22am
Where would we have been without Porkulus and nationalizing much of the banking and auto industries?
Posted by fred meyer on November 6, 2009 - 11:43am
John I find it strange that Ford is doing so well and GM and Chrysler continue to struggle.
Posted by Phil Thomas on November 7, 2009 - 1:16am
People who are lucky to be employed are working harder. They are coming in early and leaving late. They are not complaining like they used to. The days of leaving at 2 pm every Friday are over. Salaried people are actually expected to work a full week now. People will tell you they feel lucky to have a job. Hopefully this uptick in productivity will translate into growth and strength and an opening for new hires.
Posted by S P on November 11, 2009 - 11:12am
However because people are complaining less the employer is taking advantage of the situation. I know someone who's pay was cut by a day, so he works 4 days a week. He was working 5 days a week 8 to 10 hour days, now he working 4 days a week 12 to 14 hour days for less money. He doesn't get paid overtime and his job doesn't offer flex time. They can't understand why their employees are frustrated and irritable.