Elaine Chao, February Unemployment Numbers

Statement of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao On February Unemployment Numbers
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao released the following statement on the February unemployment numbers released today:

“Today's announcement of 262,000 new jobs created is great news for America's families, showing strong across the board job growth, many of which came in sectors paying above average wages. Three million new jobs have been created in the past 21 months and construction employment and spending are at an all time high.

“For this kind of growth to continue, Congress must act on the President's proposals to further strengthen our economy through energy independence, health insurance access for small businesses, social security reform, and permanent tax relief for working families.” # # #

OPA News Release: [03/04/2005] Contact Name: Pamela Groover or Jane Norris Phone Number: 202-693-4676 Release Number: 05-0361-NAT

RELATED:

• Employment Situation Summary 03/04/05 - Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 262,000 in February and the unem- ployment rate edged up to 5.4 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Job growth occurred in both goods- producing and service-providing industries.

Employment Situation Summary 03/04/05

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION: FEBRUARY 2005

Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 262,000 in February and the unem- ployment rate edged up to 5.4 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Job growth occurred in both goods- producing and service-providing industries.

Unemployment (Household Survey Data)

In February, both the number of unemployed persons, 8.0 million, and the un- employment rate, 5.4 percent, returned to their December levels after dipping in January. The jobless rate had been either 5.4 or 5.5 percent during each of the last 6 months of 2004. In February, the unemployment rates for the major worker groups--adult men (4.9 percent), adult women (4.7 percent), teen- agers (17.5 percent), whites (4.6 percent), blacks (10.9 percent), and Hispanics or Latinos (6.4 percent)--showed little change. The unemployment rate for Asians was 4.5 percent in February, not seasonally adjusted. (See tables A-1, A-2, and A-3.) FULL TEXT and CHARTS

Technical information:
Household data: (202) 691-6378 USDL 05-345 http://www.bls.gov/cps/
Establishment data: 691-6555 http://www.bls.gov/ces/ Media contact: 691-5902
Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 8:30 A.M. (EST), Friday, March 4, 2005.