Jobs Growth Mixed In September

Jobs growth remained sluggish in September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Oct. 8. Total nonfarm payroll employment fell by 95,000, as government employment dropped by 159,000. The private sector added 64,000 jobs. The unemployment rate held steady at 9.6%. One of the bright spots in the report was continued growth in foodservice sector jobs. Most major economists and even the Obama Administration continue to forecast very slow employment growth over the next year, at least.

The large drop in government jobs included a loss of 77,000 temporary positions for the U.S. Census and 76,000 in losses at local government levels, including teachers and non-education employees.

Foodservice added 34,000 jobs; since the beginning of the year, the sector has added 104,000 jobs