Credit: Anthony Behar/Sipa USA
NY: Job Hires Slow As Employers Struggle To Fill Positions
New York (77WABC) – U.S. employers added 559,000 jobs in May, an improvement from April but still evidence that many companies are struggling to find people who want to work as the country reopens after an economic downturn due to COVID-19.
Last month’s job gain was above April’s total of 278,000, with the unemployment rate falling to 5.8% from 6.1% — the lowest rate since March 2020. The speed of the rebound from the pandemic recession has made employer scramble to hire more people.
📈 Over the past 3 months, we've added an average of more than 540,000 jobs to the economy. This is great news but we still have a steep climb ahead to reach a full and inclusive recovery. pic.twitter.com/YNjcBzR8L0
— U.S. Department of Labor (@USDOL) June 4, 2021
The reopening of the economy, fueled by substantial federal aid and rising vaccinations, has released pent-up demand among consumers to eat out, travel, shop, attend public events and visit with friends and relatives.
Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued a statement Friday understanding that work needs to be done to improve numbers.
“These numbers match what I’ve seen and heard as I travel around the country talking to workers,” said Walsh in the statement. “From early educators in Tennessee, to power plant workers in Wisconsin, to steel fabricators and home health aides in Pennsylvania: working people across America are eager to work, support their families and strengthen their communities.”
Today’s jobs report shows historic progress for American families and the American economy. We added 559,000 jobs in May, created a record two million jobs in our first four months, and unemployment is at its lowest level since the pandemic started.
America is on the move again.
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 4, 2021
“But workers also told me about the challenges they and their families face – finding affordable childcare, caring for elderly parents and grandparents, and overcoming the hurdles raised by decades of income inequality and race- and gender-based inequity,” he added. “These challenges are also reflected in our jobs data, and they are why the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan are so important. We need to invest in our workforce and our communities to achieve an inclusive recovery and a competitive economy.”
