News release, May 22, 2008DD

Georgia

Department of Labor

NEWS RELEASE

SUITE 642



(404) 232-3685

148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E.



ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751



FAX (404) 657-9996

Communications@dol.state.ga.us

Michael Thurmond
Commissioner

Sam Hall
Director of Communications

May 22, 2008....................................................... . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metro Warner Robins' unemployment rate declines in April, up over the year

ATLANTA The Georgia Department of Labor reported today that the unemployment rate in the metro Warner Robins area declined to 4.2 percent in April, down one-tenth of one percent from a revised 4.3 percent in March. However, the rate was up from 3.3 percent in April of 2007.

Meanwhile, the state's unemployment rate declined to 5.0 percent in April, down two-tenths of one percent from a revised 5.2 percent in March. However, the rate was up a full percentage point over the year, from 4.0 percent in April of 2007.

The current state rate, which is two-tenths of one percent higher than the U.S. unadjusted rate of 4.8 percent, continued to top the national rate for the third consecutive month.

While data released last week showed a rise in unemployment insurance claims, preliminary data from March to April show Georgia gained 5,300 payroll jobs, an increase of one-tenth of one percent. The data includes workers who hold more than one job. In metro Warner Robins, the number of jobs was down 100, or two-tenths of one percent, from 59,400 to 59,300.

Georgia labor market data are not seasonally adjusted and are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.

NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685. TABLE AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pr/current_data.htm

CY-08-221

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