Encouraging jobless numbers

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that unemployment rates were lower in June than in May in seventeen of the Commonwealth's twenty-two labor market areas. Unemployment rates were unchanged in the Springfield and North Adams areas and up in the remaining three areas.

Statewide, the June seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate fell to 8.8 percent, from May's rate of 9.1 percent. Over-the-year, the unadjusted unemployment rate is up 0.1 percent from the 8.7 percent rate in June 2009.

Job gains were recorded in ten of the Commonwealth's twelve areas in June. In addition, all areas added jobs in construction, leisure and hospitality, and trade, transportation and utilities. The Boston-Cambridge-Quincy and Barnstable areas added the most jobs over the month. Over-the-year, the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy; Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton; Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury and New Bedford areas gained jobs.