July 09, 2002 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Job losses moderating in manufacturing

Employment in manufacturing declined by 23,000 in June. Job losses in the industry have moderated substantially since the beginning of the year.

[Chart data—TXT]

Between March 2001 and January 2002, manufacturing had lost an average of 115,000 jobs a month. By comparison, in February and March, losses averaged 63,000 a month and, from April through June, 24,000 a month. 

The June losses occurred primarily within durable goods manufacturing, particularly in electronic and electrical equipment, primary metals, lumber and wood products, and aircraft and parts manufacturing. In the nondurable goods sector, job losses continued in printing and publishing.

Payroll employment data are products of the Current Employment Statistics program.  The above data are seasonally adjusted.  Data for May and June 2002 are preliminary and subject to revision. For more information, see "The Employment Situation: June 2002," (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL. 02-376.