High unemployment rate (in Louisiana) stays level after Rita

[Thom Little]

By Cristina Rodriguez
Shreveport Times
Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005


The first state unemployment survey taken after Hurricane Rita shows that more than one in 10 Louisianans don't have a job.

The state Labor Department noted Tuesday that the estimated unemployment rate for October, 11.3 percent, is only slightly better than it was in September, 11.4 percent. A year ago, that figure was 5.8 percent.

.......

The numbers back anecdotal evidence that it's becoming less of a employer's market despite thousands of evacuees still here.

"There was a period in there where employers were able to find good, skilled employees better than they had been in July and August," said Jim Mabus, vice president for work force development at the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. "The question was: How long would they stay with (employers) here? Were they considering it temporary work? It may be too early to tell."



http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051123/NEWS01/511230351/1002