Montgomery,Alabama –
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama's unemployment has gone into
double digits and is at its highest mark in 25 years.
The state Department of Industrial Relations reported Friday
that Alabama's rate rose to 10.1 percent for June. The rate had
been 9.8 percent in May. Alabama's rate for June was higher than
the national measure of 9.5 percent.
The last time Alabama had unemployment as high as 10.1 percent
was May, June and July of 1984.
State Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees said Alabama's
rate represents more than 215,600 people looking for work.
Surtees said Alabama's rate is a reflection of the national
economy. His department's figures show how quickly that recession
has been felt. Just two years ago, Alabama was going through a
period of near-record unemployment with 3.5 percent recorded in
June 2007.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)