Published May 2003

Seasonal hiring makes slight dent in jobless rate

By Mike Benbow
Herald Business Editor

The jobless rate in Snohomish County dipped slightly in March as workers joined payrolls at construction companies, garden supply stores, government, schools and car dealers.

Unemployment fell one-tenth of a percentage point in the county, falling from 7.5 percent to 7.4 percent. The 7.4 percent figure is also the statewide average, which rose in March from 7.2 percent, according the state Department of Employment Security.

State employment Commissioner Sylvia Mundy said the state’s labor marker is relatively slack, likely due to the hesitancy created by the war in Iraq.

“The quick resolution to the Iraqi conflict, however, does create a more stable environment, which may lead businesses to hire in the second half of 2003,” she said.

Locally, businesses in a number of areas added to their payrolls. But the hiring followed typical seasonal patterns, according to Donna Thompson, Snohomish County labor economist for employment security.

“The economic landscape remained fairly flat over the month, with small gains in some areas canceling out small losses in other areas,” Thompson said.

The county had a net addition of 200 jobs in March despite continued layoffs at the Boeing Co., Thompson said.

Jobs in aerospace and parts manufacturing dropped by about 200 in March, she noted.

During the past 12 months, the county has lost 3,500 aerospace-related jobs. Retail trade is off another 1,100 jobs from year-ago figures, according to the Employment Security Department. Gainers over the year have been jobs in banking, insurance, real estate, professional and business services, employment services, education and local government.

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