East Bay unemployment up in June to 4.7 percent from 4.1 percent in May

East Bay unemployment up in June

East Bay Business Times - 12:43 PM PDT Friday, July 21, 2006



Unemployment in the East Bay was up in June, to 4.7 percent from 4.1 percent in May, according to figures released by the state's Employment Development Department on Friday.

The newest figure is below the year-ago estimate of 5.3 percent and compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 4.9 percent for California and 4.8 percent for the nation during the same period.

The unemployment rate was 4.8 percent in Alameda County and 4.5 percent in Contra Costa County.

Between May and June, the East Bay grew by 4,800 jobs to reach 1,063,700.

Construction gained 1,600 jobs, mainly in specialty trade contractors, which gained 1,000 jobs. Professional and business services gained 1,400 jobs and the leisure and hospitality sector added 1,200 jobs. Government, however, lost 1,200 jobs.

Between June 2005 and June 2006, industry employment added 24,500 jobs, or 2.4 percent.