NOVEMBER UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 5.7 PERCENT
Nominal Rise from October Rate

NASHVILLE - Tennessee's unemployment rate for the month of November is 5.7 percent, up slightly from the seasonally adjusted October rate of 5.6 percent, Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today.

"The state rate remains below the November national rate of 5.9 percent. The slight rise in the Tennessee rate is typical this time of year and mostly due to decreases in leisure and hospitality jobs, manufacturing and construction," said Commissioner Neeley."

The October-to-November figures show increases in retail trade, up by 8,900. Increases also occurred in local government educational service jobs, up by 2,300. Month-to-month seasonal decreases took place in leisure and hospitality jobs down by 2,400. Durable goods manufacturing decreased 900 and construction lost 500 jobs.

From November 2002 to November 2003, educational and health services increased by 8,900. Administrative, support and waste management increased by 4,600. Jobs in food service and drinking places rose by 3,200. Decreases took place in manufacturing, down 6,900. Construction jobs decreased 4,700. Transportation and warehousing dropped 4,000 jobs.

* ATTENTION: County and MSA rates will be released on Tuesday, December 23, 2003.

(03-106)

NOTE: For more TDLWD news, visit our website at "http://www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/.

NOTE: Tennessee's employment and unemployment statistics are based on two major surveys. The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a survey by place of residence providing estimates on the number of people in the labor force, total employment, unemployment, and the unemployment rate. Beginning in January 1992, the CPS data are seasonally adjusted for all states as directed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The business survey collects data by place of work and creates information about jobs in various industries. The business survey data are non-seasonally adjusted at this time.