Sen. Harding: “CT is unaffordable for working and middle class families.”

CT jobs drop by 300 as government, colleges shed jobs

Hartford Courant

Connecticut’s unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since August 2001, according to the Department of Labor’s October jobs report.

Overall jobs are down 300 jobs “due to lower government payrolls,” a DOL statement said Monday.

Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo said the state has followed a pattern of growth and loss.

Sen. Henri Martin, ranking senator on the legislature’s Commerce Committee, and Sens. Paul Cicarella and Stephen Harding said in a joint statement, “This is disappointing. Connecticut lost hundreds of jobs overall.”

“Republicans continue to be concerned about the need to strengthen our workforce development efforts,” the statement said. “Above all, we are concerned about how unaffordable Connecticut is for working and middle class families.”

“From electricity and heat to groceries and insurance, Connecticut families are struggling every day to make ends meet.”

Highlights of the report include:

• Connecticut employers have added 13,200 jobs so far in 2024 and are averaging 1,320 jobs added per month.
• September total jobs were revised to 1,300 losses from 300 losses.
• Connecticut’s Labor Force Participation Rate is 64.1%, unchanged from last month. The national rate is 62.6%.
• There are 1,709,000 payroll jobs in Connecticut.
• Connecticut has more than 75,000 jobs open.
• Unemployment claims remain below 25,000 and dropped last month.

CT jobs drop by 300 as government, colleges shed jobs. Here’s where the unemployment rate stands.