Published June 2002

Jobless rate dips, but
Boeing layoffs keep ‘pounding away’

By Mike Benbow
Herald Business Editor

The unemployment rate for both Snohomish County and the state as a whole fell in April, but continuing layoffs at the Boeing Co. canceled out what is typically a spring surge in jobs.

Unemployment in Snohomish County dipped from 7.5 percent in March to 7.4 percent in April, while the jobless rate for the state fell from 7.3 percent to 7 percent, the state Department of Employment Security reported Tuesday.

“We’re getting Boeing layoffs every month, and that’s just pounding away,” said Donna Thompson, Snohomish County labor economist for the agency.

Employment Security Commissioner Sylvia Mundy said news of a national economic recovery continues to lure people back into the hunt for a job, swelling the ranks of the unemployed.

She said April’s numbers suggest “the labor market remains soft here.”

Overall, Snohomish County lost 200 jobs last month, bringing the total down to 206,400, a loss of 9,000 jobs during the past 12 months.

Jobs at Boeing and related companies fell by 400 last month, bringing to 3,600 the number of such jobs that have been eliminated since April 2001.

Construction, which typically increases significantly in spring, stayed even for the month. Jobs in finance grew by 200, as did jobs in local government. Local school jobs went up by 100 in April.

Although some areas of the county are hiring, Thompson said the local economy will continue to struggle.

“While there are glimmers of recovery in the national economy, the outlook remains one of continuing weakness for Snohomish County,” she said. “The primary cause is the ongoing monthly layoffs in aircraft and parts.”

These layoff announcements are expected to continue over the summer.

The numbers for April mean that of an estimated labor force of 336,600 people, 311,700 are working and 24,900 are unemployed.

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