Oregon jobless rate spikes to over 12 percent

[Viva_La_Revolution]

By RYAN KOST Associated Press Writer


TUALATIN, Ore. (AP) — Oregon's jobless rate has taken a dramatic jump, to 12.1 percent — a rate seen only once before since the years after World War II.

The increase could put Oregon on a pace to have the highest unemployment rate in the nation when those figures are released on Friday, state labor economist Art Ayre said Monday.

snip...

The state Employment Department said the March jobless figure in Oregon matches that of November 1982, which was the high point of the recession of the early 1980s.

The department said Monday the statistics aren't exactly comparable, but it appears that 12.1 percent is the highest unemployment rate the state has recorded since the department first began publishing the statistics in 1947.

http://www.katu.com/news/local/42912342.html

:(


How ya'll holdin' on?
:hug:

[FreedRadical]

1. This so sucks...

The construction industry has been especially hard hit. I've been thinking of going back to school and changing professions.

Hey Viva, how is it going?:hi:

[Tom Kitten]

2. I gotta wonder what happens to me

My latest extension runs out at the end of the month. I've been jobless since September 2007, I figure even if more extensions become available I'll be told "too bad you've used up your 59 weeks alloted"...dealing with UE is so impersonal...was told by person over the phone when I renewed my claim that I should try to find a job...I applied at 90 places before Christmas, got one call back...I'm too old to become a construction worker, and I have 12 years before I can think of applying for early SS... Right now I'm thinking of how best to keep my roof over my head, which is a shame.

[Tom Kitten]

3. Jeez how dead can a forum get?

I'm actually embarrassed what I posted earlier..But glad nobody's read it...

[cascadiance]

6. Well, I just joined you and these stats on Wednesday...

I talked to my also unemployed neighbor who's wondering if the city of Portland is nearing 15% levels that other big cities have now, though if it is looked at as a problem with construction work, the numbers might not be as skewed towards metro areas that it might be in other cities.

[cascadiance]

7. Actually found out yesterday that unemployment for Portland isn't really any worse..

... than the rest of the state, as it is largely in outer areas where they have construction firms, etc. laying off that inflate the states numbers and not Portland itself.

However, Oregon's numbers aren't including many folk like myself who moved up here only to get laid off shortly after we moved here. At least perhaps anyway. Since I arrived recently, I have to file my unemployment claims through California instead which I'm guessing is where I'll be said to be unemployed, unless they are careful at separating out where people are living and where their claims are filed. Don't know how many are like me, but in this economy where many are vacating places like California to get to cheaper states to live in, my situation might be more common than what was usual in the past. Places like Oregon then might have higher unemployment stats than what are stated as a result.

[DiverDave]

4. And I want to come home

Living in Delaware just BLOWS.
Especially when the springers are runnin

[sandnsea]

5. Fish vicariously

I guess.

http://www.fish-works.com

[LWolf]

8. And those figures are before all the RIF notices that went out in May.

I'm hanging on by a thread. Is there a district in Oregon that did NOT RIF teachers for next year? 42 people, classified and licensed, were RIF'd in my little district in May.

There aren't any teaching jobs in neighboring districts for them to apply for. With the 12% unemployment, there will be stiff competition even for minimum wage jobs. One of my colleagues, a veteran of 19 years, tells me that she may be a WalMart greeter next year.

[leftyclimber]

9. My brother, his girlfriend, and their baby have moved in with my parents.

Bro has finally found some consistent work, but it doesn't pay enough to support the whole family. Girlfriend has some health problems that are keeping her from working (not to mention they can't afford childcare). Mom and Dad can use the financial help due to some health issues on their end.

I hate feeling like I can't do anything to help them. Unfortunately I'm (a) on the other end of the country right now and (b) in grad school, so I'm not in a position to do anything for them financially. At least this setup is working out for now.

I'm graduating next year. I really hope the job market looks a little better by then. I'm not holding my breath.