“Today’s drop in the unemployment rate is positive, but we
are also very focused on the fall in payroll employment.
“This marks the second straight month the unemployment rate has
declined. Employment is always a lagging indicator in an economic recovery. The
economy is showing many signs of strength and improvement including increased
productivity that will ultimately lead to more jobs. Stronger-than-expected
economic growth, an increase in manufacturing and construction activity and
increased consumer confidence all show that the President’s Jobs and
Growth plan is already having a positive effect, and that means more Americans
will soon be finding good jobs.
“New jobs are being created in health and education services,
temporary help services and construction. Construction employment has increased
for the sixth consecutive month, gaining 122,000 jobs since February.
“The President and I are not going to rest until every American
who wants a job can find one. We also want unemployed workers to know they are
not on their own and that training and other assistance is available to them.
For example, more than a million jobs are available right now on our
America’s Job Bank web site, www.ajb.org, and workers who need help with
employment or training questions can call our toll-free number,
1-877-US-2-JOBS.”
