N.J. ends unemployment increases

After rising for 21 straight months, the jobless rate in New Jersey edged down by 0.1 of a percentage point last month, the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development reported today.

The drop, to 9.7 percent of the workforce, contrasts with an increase of 0.4 of a point nationally in October to 10.2 percent.

Total nonfarm jobs in New Jersey fell by 1,800 during the month, but that was less than September's loss of 10,600 jobs.

The October results "show signs that a slow recovery is under way," Labor Commissioner David J. Socolow said.

The largest loss by industry in October was in professional/business services, which cut 3,600 jobs. But construction and manufacturing each gained 1,600 jobs, the report said.

The rise in the state's unemployment rate began in January 2008, a month after the national recession began.    - Paul Schweizer