July 24, 2008 – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates increased over the month in a slight majority of Michigan's 17 major labor market areas, according to the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth.

"Work force and employment totals increased seasonally throughout Michigan over the month, however, not all who joined the labor force in June found work due to the competitive nature of the current job market," said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives.  "Strike-related recalls in the auto industry did help boost employment in some regions."

From May to June, jobless rates increased in nine regional labor markets, with rate hikes ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 of a percentage point.  The Detroit-Warren-Livonia and the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) were the only two regions that recorded over-the-month rate advances greater than a half percentage point.

In June, six regions registered unemployment rate declines, the largest of which was displayed in the Flint MSA.  The monthly jobless rates in both the Lansing-East Lansing MSA and the Upper Peninsula were unchanged.

Jobless Rates Rise Substantially Over Year
From June 2007 to June 2008, unemployment rates rose in all 17 major labor market areas, with increases ranging from 0.6 to 1.8 percentage points.  The largest rate advances were posted in the Monroe, Detroit-Warren-Livonia, and Flint MSAs, while the smallest over-the-year gains occurred in the Jackson and Battle Creek MSAs.   

Total Employment Up Over Month, Down Over Year
From May to June, total employment increased seasonally in 14 areas, with the largest percentage gains displayed in Michigan's three northernmost labor market regions.  Total employment decreased over the month in the Lansing-East Lansing, Grand Rapids-Wyoming, and Jackson MSAs.

Since June 2007, total employment fell in 16 regions.  Over-the-year declines were wide ranging, but averaged nearly 2.0 percent.  Total employment levels moved upward over the year in the Niles-Benton Harbor MSA.

Labor Force Levels Up Over Month, Down Over Year
In June, with expectations of summer employment opportunities, labor force levels rose seasonally in 14 regions.  Labor force declined in three regions, with the Lansing-East Lansing MSA recording by far the largest decrease.

From June 2007 to June 2008, work force levels fell in 14 regions, and increased in the Niles-Benton Harbor and Muskegon-Norton Shores MSAs, along with the Upper Peninsula.

Strike-related Recalls in Manufacturing Boost June Payroll Jobs
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan increased in June by 20,000 to total 4,275,000.  Manufacturing employment jumped over the month by 17,000.  Other major job changes in June included seasonal gains in leisure and hospitality services (+12,000) and construction (+7,000) that were offset by seasonal declines in government (-23,000) and private education (-8,000).  Lesser seasonal increases were registered in professional and business services (+4,000), and in trade transportation and utilities (+4,000).

The job count in manufacturing grew as a result of worker recalls from short-term, strike-related layoffs in auto-related manufacturing.  The Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Lansing-East Lansing, and Flint MSAs reported the most recalls, but several other metropolitan areas benefited as well.

Government jobs fell in June due to cutbacks in state and local education with the beginning of summer break at a number of area schools and universities.  The decreases in local government education occurred throughout many regions in the state, while the decline in state government education was most prominent in the Lansing-East Lansing MSA.

The seasonal decline in private education was most pronounced in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming MSA, while the seasonal advances in leisure and hospitality services and construction were evident statewide.

From June 2007 to June 2008, seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs fell statewide by 53,000 or 1.2 percent.  Of the 12 major metropolitan areas in the state, ten reported job declines over the year while two displayed increases.  The most significant over-the-year metro job losses were recorded in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia (-35,000), Flint (-7,000), Lansing-East Lansing (-3,000), and Saginaw-Saginaw Township North (-3,000) MSAs.  Payroll jobs rose moderately over the year in the Niles-Benton Harbor MSA, while the Muskegon-Norton Shores MSA reported a minor gain.

Over the year, manufacturing and construction jobs were down in all metropolitan areas, while jobs in health services were up in nearly all regions.

County Jobless Rates Mixed Over Month, Down Over Year
Forty-three of Michigan's 83 counties posted jobless rate declines in June, while 38 counties recorded increases.  The rates in two counties were unchanged over the month.  The average change for all counties in June was a half percentage point.

From June 2007 to June 2008, unemployment rates were up in 79 counties with an average increase of a full percentage point.

Note:  Data in this release is not seasonally adjusted.  As a result, employment and unemployment trends may differ from previously released Michigan seasonally adjusted data.

A breakdown of seasonally unadjusted June workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a listing of county jobless rates for June.

Note to Editors:  Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads "Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth."

The Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs.