Jobless Rate Edges Up But Last Month’s Showing Was Still The Best For December In 31 Years

Washington’s jobless rate inched up a tenth of a percentage point to 4.6 percent but was still the lowest rate for December in 31 years, state officials said Tuesday.

“Seasonal slowing of the economy and flattening of the jobs buildup in aircraft and parts contributed heavily to the movement in the labor markets,” said Employment Security Commissioner Carver Gayton.

“Our seasonally adjusted rate moved up two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.4 percent and was three-tenths of a percentage point below the national average of 4.7 percent.”

In another sign of Washington’s still-booming economy, the 4.6 percent rate was nearly 2 percentage points below the rate in December 1996, Gayton said.

“Hiring in aircraft and parts slowed to 400 in December, a decisive shift from the 1,200-a-month pace through November, and likely represents the topping of the job count after two years of uninterrupted growth,” said Dennis Fusco, chief economist for the department. “Boeing expects some drawdown the second half of 1998.”

Spokane’s unemployment rate climbed in December to 4.5 percent from an adjusted November rate of 4 percent. The figure is well below December 1996, however, when Spokane’s rate was 5.9 percent.

In December 1996, 12,000 active job seekers were unemployed in the Spokane economy, out of a work force of 202,500. In December 1997, 9,500 were unemployed in a work force of 212,200.

Statewide, overall non-farm wage and salary employment fell by 9,100 workers in December. Manufacturing fell by 2,400, the department said.

Whitman County had the lowest rate in December at 2.1 percent, and Columbia County the highest rate at 16 percent.

High-tech machinery, electronics, and instruments manufacturing posted an increase of 500 workers in December. Other manufacturing was essentially flat.

Construction pulled back by 5,400 workers. A 3,700-worker boost in wholesale and retail trade reflected additional Christmas hiring in apparel and general merchandising. November-December retail hiring was the strongest in three years.

Services employment expanded by 1,200 workers with losses at hotels, and private education facilities offset by gains in health care, computer data processing and software, and amusement and recreation.

Over the year, manufacturing employment was up 20,300 in December. Gains were in machinery and electronics and aircraft and parts. Construction payrolls expanded by 6,000. Wholesale and retail trade jumped by 17,600 jobs, while services added 34,300 workers.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: County-by-county monthly unemployment rates