Prairie Region News
(2008-06-18)
Michigan's unemployment rate jumped in May to 8 point 5 percent.
It's highest rate since October, 1992.
The Department and Labor and Economic Growth says Michigan lost 56 thousand jobs last month.
Bruce Weaver is an economic analyst with the department. He says Michigan's jobless rate may increase further later this summer, as auto plants are idled.
"Certainly, that not-seasonally adjusted rate is likely to go up in the month of July because its sure to reflect all of the short term layoffs that occur in the month of July due to the change over in the auto industry," says Weaver.
Weaver says May's unemployment numbers were also affected by two strikes that have been settled. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio
