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OPA News Release: [06/04/2004]
Contact Name: Lisa Kruska
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

Statement of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao on May 2004 Unemployment Numbers

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao released the following statement on the May unemployment numbers released today:

“The job market continues to gain strength. May’s increase of 248,000 payroll jobs exceeds market expectations and is the 9^th straight month of job creation. 1.4 million jobs have been created since August 2003.

“Employment gains were widespread across nearly all sectors. Job growth for the previous two months was revised upward by 16,000 in March for a revised total increase of 353,000 jobs and by 58,000 in April for a revised total increase of 346,000.

“In the last 4 months, 91,000 manufacturing jobs have been created, reversing a 42 month job decline in manufacturing employment. Also, manufacturing employment was revised upward from the previous two months: 14,000, for a positive 23,000 jobs gained in March, and by 8,000 in April for a positive gain of 29,000.

“The President’s economic policies are improving the lives of millions of Americans.”

The Department of Labor has a sound bite available online in two formats at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/audio/

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