Full text of The Employment Situation : March 1969

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NEWS

U . S . DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
OFFICE OF I NFORMATION, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20210

U S D L - 10-371
Bureau of L a b o r S ta tistics
(202) 961-2531
FOR RELEASE:

ll:OO A . M .
T u esd ay, A p r i l 8,

T H E E M P L O Y M E N T S IT U A T IO N :

1969

M A R C H 1969

E m p lo y m e n t r o s e m o d e r a t e ly in M a rc h , w h ile the number o f unem ployed
p e rs o n s f e l l le s s than usual f o r the month, the U. S. D e p a rtm e n t of L a b o r 1 s
Bureau of L a b o r S ta tis tic s r e p o r t e d today.
The M a r c h in c r e a s e in nonfarm p a y r o ll e m p lo y m e n t w as the s m a lle s t
in 6 m on th s0 E m p lo y m e n t in c r e a s e s w e r e r e c o r d e d in a ll m a jo r indu stry
s e c t o r s excep t c o n tra ct con stru ction .
The o v e r a l l unem ploym ent rate was
w ith the 3. 3 p e rc e n t r a te s r e c o r d e d in the
attribu table to a s m a ll advance in teenage
ra te s f o r adult w o r k e r s re m a in e d at th e ir

30 4 p e r c e n t in M a rc h , c o m p a re d
past 3 m onths. The change was
u nem ploym ent. U n e m p lo y m e n t
low F e b r u a r y l e v e l s .

Industry E m p lo y m e n t
N o n a g r ic u ltu r a l p a y r o ll e m p lo y m e n t was 69. 2 m illio n in M a r c h . A f t e r
sea so n a l adjustment, p a y r o ll e m p lo y m e n t was up 145, 000 f r o m F e b r u a r y ,
with about 30, 000 of the in c r e a s e due to the net re tu rn to p a y r o lls o f s trik in g
w o r k e r s . The e m p lo y m e n t in c r e a s e w as s lig h tly l e s s than h a lf the a v e r a g e
s e a s o n a lly -a d ju s te d gain r e g i s t e r e d in the past 5 months but w as about the
sam e as during m o s t of la st y e a r .
E m p lo y m e n t in co n tra c t co n stru ctio n r o s e le s s than s e a s o n a lly f o r the
F e b r u a r y - t o - M a r c h p e r io d but was at the h ig h est M a r c h l e v e l since 1966
(3.1 m i l l i o n ) . On a s e a s o n a lly adjusted b a sis, co n stru ctio n e m p lo y m e n t
d e c lin e d by 65, 000 in M a rc h , fo llo w in g a v e r y l a r g e in c r e a s e o f 110, 000
in F e b r u a r y .
M anufacturing e m p lo y m e n t in c r e a s e d by 65,000 in M a r c h a ft e r s ea so n a l
adjustm ent. The l a r g e s t i n c r e a s e s o c c u r r e d in the tra n s p o rta tio n equipm ent
and p e tro le u m products in d u s trie s , a lm o s t e n t ir e ly as a r e s u lt of the re tu rn
to p a y r o lls of strik in g w o r k e r s . S m a ll o v e r - t h e - m o n t h gains w e r e r e c o r d e d
in s e v e r a l other m anufacturing in d u s trie s , m a in ly p r i m a r y m e ta ls , f a b r i c a ­
ted m e t a ls , e l e c t r i c a l equipm ent, and a p p a rel.




-

2-

E m p lo y m e n t in g o v e r n m e n t r o s e by 55, 000 in M a r c h a fte r seasonal
adjustment; a ll of the gain o c c u r r e d in the State and lo c a l s e c to r. E m p lo y ­
m ent in s e r v i c e s in c r e a s e d by 20, 000, s lig h tly m o r e than o n e -th ird of the
a v e r a g e gain r e g i s t e r e d during the past 5 months. I n c r e a s e s a lso o c c u r r e d
in tra n s p o rta tio n and public u tilitie s (30, 0 0 0 ), w h e r e about o n e -th ir d of the
in c r e a s e was due to the net retu rn to w o rk of s t r ik e r s ; trad e (30, 000); and
finance, in su ran ce, and r e a l estate (10,000).
O v e r the y e a r , p a y r o ll e m p lo y m e n t was up by 2. 5 m illio n . F o u r - f if t h s
of the in c r e a s e r e s u lte d f r o m n e a rly equal gains in m anufacturing, trade,
s e r v i c e s , and g o v e rn m e n t.
H ours and E a rn in gs
The se a s o n a lly adjusted w o r k w e e k in m anufacturing was up 0. 5 hour to
40. 6 hours in M a r c h . T h is r e p r e s e n t e d a r e c o v e r y f r o m the sharp d ro p in
F e b r u a r y (to 40. 1 hours, as r e v i s e d ) , which was attribu table to a d v e r s e
w e a th e r conditions in the N o r th e a s t r e g io n of the country. D e s p ite the
rebound, the M a r c h w o r k w e e k in m anufacturing was s till half an hour
lo w e r than the 1968 peak in S e p te m b e r. F a c t o r y o v e r t im e , which a ls o
f e l l in F e b r u a r y , continued in the high range which has p r e v a ile d since
M a y 1968, r is in g tw o-ten th s o f an hour in M a r c h to 3. 7 hours.
The a v e r a g e w o r k w e e k f o r a ll rank and f i l e w o r k e r s on n o n a g ric u ltu ra l
p a y r o lls edged up t o 3 7 .7 h o u r s (s e a s o n a lly ad ju sted ) but r e m a in e d b elo w the
le v e l s r e c o r d e d in the M a y - S e p t e m b e r 1968 p e r io d . The la r g e in c r e a s e in
the m anufacturing w o rk w e e k , along with sligh t gains in tra d e and finance,
m o r e than o ffs e t o v e r - t h e - m o n t h d e c lin e s in con stru ction and m in in g.
A v e r a g e hourly ea rn in gs r o s e 1 cent in M a r c h to $2. 98 f o r a ll rank
and f i l e w o r k e r s . C o m p a r e d with M a r c h 1968, h ourly ea rn in g s w e r e up
19 cents, o r 6 .8 p e rc e n t. A v e r a g e w e e k ly ea rn in g s , at $111.75, in c r e a s e d
by 97 cents o v e r the month, r e f le c t in g s m a ll in c r e a s e s in both the a v e r a g e
w o r k w e e k and hou rly e a rn in g s . C o m p a r e d with M a r c h 1968, w e e k ly e a r n ­
ings r o s e by $6. 85 (6. 5 p e r c e n t ) .
U n em p loym e nt
U n em p loym en t in M a rc h , at 2. 7 m illio n , was down 175,000 fr o m
F e b r u a r y - - l e s s than the usual season al d e c lin e f o r the month. A f t e r
season al adjustm ent, u nem ploym ent r o s e 100, 000 o v e r the month, p r i ­
m a r i l y among te e n a g e r s .
The o v e r a l l u nem ploym ent rate in M a r c h - -3. 4 p e r c e n t - - w k s v ir t u a lly
unchanged f r o m the 3. 3 p e rc e n t ra te s o f D e c e m b e r , January^,—and F e b r u a r y ,
which w e r e the lo w e s t jo b le s s ra te s in o v e r 15 y e a r s .




-

3-

The u nem ploym ent ra te fo r adult m en r e m a in e d at 1*9 p e r c e n t in M a rc h ,
near the r e c o r d low o f 1.8 p e rc e n t r e a c h e d in D e c e m b e r 1968. The ra te f o r
adult w om en held steady at 3. 5 p e rc e n t f o r the fifth s tra igh t month* the lo w e s t
in 15 y e a r s . The u nem ploym ent rate f o r f u l l - t i m e w o r k e r s w as e s s e n t ia lly
unchanged at 2.9 p e rc e n t, w h ile the rate f o r m a r r i e d m en continued at 1.4
p ercen t, its lo w e s t point since that s e r i e s began in 1955.
U n em p loym en t among teenage w o r k e r s r o s e s lig h tly in M a rc h , as
e m p lo y m e n t gains fa ile d to m atch the in c r e a s e in th e ir la b o r f o r c e . T h e ir
j o b l e s s rate was 12. 7 p ercen t, the sam e as in D e c e m b e r but up f r o m 11.7
p e rc e n t in both January and F e b r u a r y . The in c r e a s e o c c u r r e d e x c lu s iv e ly
am ong white te e n a g e r s . D esp ite the M a r c h in c r e a s e , the teen age ra te in
the f i r s t q u a rter of 1969 a v e r a g e d 12. 1 p ercen t, the lo w e s t q u a r t e r ly
a v e r a g e in the la st 2 y e a r s . The q u a r t e r ly rate has been as lo w as the
1 2 .0 - 1 2 .2 p e rc e n t range in only 2 other q u a r te r s since 1957.
W h ile the white unem ploym ent ra te f o r the f i r s t q u a r te r of 1969 w as
unchanged fr o m the la s t q u a rte r o f 1968 at 3. 0 p e rc e n t, the nonwhite ra te
m o v e d down substantially in the f i r s t q u a r te r , f r o m 6. 6 to 5.9 p e rc e n t.
T h is d e c lin e was e s p e c ia lly m a rk e d am ong adult w o r k e r s . Although the
nonwhite jo b le s s ra te w as tw ic e that of w h ites, the r a tio betw een the two
r a te s was at its lo w e s t q u a r t e r ly l e v e l since 1965.
The u n em ploym en t rate f o r p e rs o n s c o v e r e d under State u n em ploym en t
in su ra n ce p r o g r a m s edged down s lig h tly in M a r c h . A t 2. 1 p e rc e n t, the rate
w as near the p o s t - W o r ld W a r II lo w o f 2.0 p e rc e n t posted in D e c e m b e r .
T o t a l u nem ploym ent was down by n e a rly 200, 000 w o r k e r s since la s t
M a r c h . N e a r l y a ll of the im p r o v e m e n t o c c u r r e d am ong adult m en.
T o t a l E m p lo y m e n t and C iv ilia n L a b o r F o r c e
The number of n o n a g ric u ltu ra l w o r k e r s on p a r t - t im e schedules f o r
e c o n o m ic r e a s o n s r o s e sh arply in M a r c h . The in c r e a s e was n e a r ly 175,000
(s e a s o n a lly adju sted) and was the second stra ig h t m onthly r i s e . T w o - t h ir d s
of the M a r c h in c r e a s e o c c u r r e d am ong p e rs o n s who usually w o rk fu ll tim e .
P a r t - t i m e e m p lo y m e n t f o r e c o n o m ic r e a s o n s , at 1.7 m illio n , was up 100,000
f r o m a y e a r ago.
O v e r the y e a r , the c iv ilia n la b o r f o r c e in c r e a s e d 1. 8 m illio n . T o ta l
e m p lo y m e n t w as up by 2. 0 m i l l i o n - -650, 000 adult m en, 1. 1 m i l l i o n adult
w om en , and 250,000 t e e n a g e r s . A lm o s t t w o - fift h s of the gain was among
v o lu n ta ry p a r t - t im e w o r k e r s .







-

4

-

This relea se presents and analyzes statistics
from two m a jor surveys*
Data on labor fo r c e , total
em ploym ent, and unemployment are derived from the
sample surveys of households conducted and tabulated
by the Bureau of the Census for the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. Statistics on industry em ploym ent, hours,
and earnings are c o lle c te d by State agencies from pay­
roll r e c o r d s of e m p loy ers and are tabulated by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics* A descrip tion of the two
surveys appears in the BLS publication Employment
and Earnings and Monthly Report on the Labor F o r c e .

TabU A-l: Employment status of tho noninsHtutlonal population by age and sex
(In thounands)

Seasonally adjusted
Employment status, age, and sex

Mar.

Feb.

Mar.

Mar.

Feb.

1969

1969

1968

1169______

1969

Jan.
1969

Dec.
1968

82,770
79,266
76,520
3,327
73,193
1,731
977
754
2,746

82,579
79,104
76,181
3,285
72,896
1,630
900
730
2,923

80,938
77,447
74,517
3,537
70,980
1,670
866
804
2,929

83,999
80,495

83,831
80,356
77,729
3,881
73,848
1,638
870
768
2,627

83,351
79,874
77,229
3,752
73,477
1,605
805
800
2,645

82,868
79,368
76,765
3,842
72,923
1,673
872
801
2,603

82,559
79,042
76,388
3,706
72,682
1,711
852
859
2,654

4 5,959
44,911
2,579
42,332
1,048

45,911
44,777
2,557
4 2,220
1,134

4 5,483
44,264
2,750
41,514
1,219

46,297
2,706
42,716
875

4 6,280
45,422
2,732
42,690
858

46,131
45,231
2,680
42,551
900

46,093
45,254
2,763
42,491
839

45,871
44,940
2,753
42,187
931

27,232
26,268
473
25,795
964

27,229
26,168
482
1,061

26,141
25,153
486
24,667
988

27,189
26,228
638
25,590
961

27,230
26,264
731
25,533
966

26,950
25,999
691
25,308
951

26,737
25,802
722
25,080
935

26,630
25,702
621
25,081
928

6,075
5,340
275
5,066
734

5,964
5 ,236
247
4 ,9 8 9
729

5,823
5,100
301
4 ,7 9 9
722

7,009
6,117
388
5,729
892

6,846
6,043
418
5,625
803

6,793
5,999
381
5,618
794

6,538
5,709
357
5,352
829

6,541
5,746
332
5,414
795

Nov.
___ 1968

Totol

Nonagricultural industries......................
On part time for economic reasons.........
Wsuallv work full time......................
Usually work part time......................
Unemployed...............................................

77,767
3,732
74,035
1,801
979
822
2,728

Men, 20 years and over

Civilian labor force .......................................

Nonagriculcurai industries........................

45,422

Women,. 20 years and evar

T
\ h
i
Employed...................................................
Agriculture ............................................
Nonagricultural industries........................
Unemployed...............................................

25,686

Beth saxes, 16-19 years

Civilian labor fo rc e .......................................
Employed...................................................
Agriculture..............................................
Nonagricultural industries........................
Unemployed...............................................

Table A-2: Unemployed parsons 16 years and ever by duration of unemployment
(In thousands)

Seasonally adjusted
Duration of unemployment

Less than 5 weeks.........................................
5 to 14 w eeks................................................
1) weeks and o v e r .........................................
13 to 26 w eeks..........................................
27 weeks and over.......................................




Mar.
1969

Feb.
1969

Mar.
1966

Mar.
1969

Feb.
1969

Jan.
1969

Dec.
1968

Nov.
1968

1,412
880
455
318
137

1,427
1,104
393
278
115

1,461
893
575
370
206

1,646
757
355
237
118

1,436
829
346
237
109

1,476
741
316
193
123

1,363
825
322
177
145

1,576
785
348
221
127

TabU A-3: Major unomptoymont Indicators
(Persona 16 years and over)
Thousands of persons
unemployed

Seasonally adjusted rates of unemployment

Selected categories

Total (all civilian workers)............................
Men, 20 years and over................................
* Women, 20 years and over...........................
Both sexes, 16-19 y e a r s .............................

Full-time workers..........................................
Unemployed 15 weeks and over*.....................
State insured?................................................
Labor force time lo st3 ...................................

M ar.
1969

Feb.
1969

Jan.
1969

Dec.
1968

Nov.
1968

Mar.
1968

2,929

3 .4

3 .3

3 .3

3 .3

3 .4

3.7

1,048
964
734

1,219
988
722

1 .9
3 .5
12.7

1.9
3 .5
11.7

2 .0
3 .5
11.7

1.8
3 .5
12.7

2 .0
3 .5
12.2

2 .2
3.8
13.0

2,214
532

2,314
615

3 .1
6 .0

2 .9
5 .7

3 .0
6 .0

3 .0
6 .0

3 .0
6 .5

' 3 .2
6 .9

662
2,060
455
1,342

787
2,236
575
1,421

—

—

1 .4
2 .9
.4
2 .1
3 .7

1 .4
2 .8
.4
2 .2
3 .6

1.4
2 .9
.4
2 .1
3 .6

1 .4
2 .7
.4
2 .0
3.6

1.6
3 .0
.4
2 .2
3.8

1.7
3 .2
.6
2 .3
4 .0

M ar.
1969

M ar.
1968

2,746

Occupation
White-collar workers......................................
Professional and managerial.......................
Clerical workers.........................................
Sales workers............................................
Blue-collar workers.........................................
Craftsmen and foremen...............................
Operatives.............................. -..................
Nonfarm laborers.................. ......................
Service workers..................................... .........
Industry
Nonagricultural private wage
end salary w o rk ers^ ....................................
Construction................................................
Manufacturing.............................................
Durable g o o d s ........................................
Nondurable goods . ..................................
Transportation and public utilities ............
Wholesale and retail tra d e ..........................
Finance and service industries...................
Government wage and salary workers..............
Agricultural wage and salary workers...............

721
174
400
148
1,250
288
640
322
392

690
157
377
156
1,438
330
767
341
414

2 .0
1 .0
3 .1
2 .9
3 .7
2 .2
3 .9
7 .0
3 .8

1 .9
1 .0
2 .7
3 .3
3 .6
2 .1
4 .2
5 .5
3 .8

1 .9
1 .0
3 .0
2 .6
3 .8
2 .1
4 .2
6 .6
4 .2

1 .9
1 .0
2 .7
2 .9
3 .6
1.9
4 .2
6 .1
4 .2

2 .0
1 .1
3 .1
2 .5
3 .9
2 .3
4 .3
6 .8
4 .2

2 .0
1 .0
3 .0
3 .0
4 .4
2 .6
4 .7
7 .7
4 .1

2,1 1 4
311
701
367
335
110
541
437
179
90

2,275
382
776
411
365
77
552
469
198
110

3 .4
6 .2
3 .1
2 .7
3 .7
2 .4
3 .8
2 .9
1 .6
5 .9

3.3
5 .5
2 .9
2 .4
3 .6
1.8
3 .9
3 .1
1.7
4 .1

3 .4
5 .5
3 .2
2 .7
3 .9
1.8
3 .8
3 .1
1 .8
5 .8

3.3
5 .4
2 .8
2 .6
3 .3
1 .6
4 .1
3 .2
1.7
5 .7

3 .4
6 .5
3 .2
3 .1
3.3
2 .1
3 .9
3 .0
1 .8
4 .5

3 .7
7 .9
3 .5
3 .1
3 .9
1.7
4 .0
3 .3
1.9
6 .4

1Unemployment rate calculated aa a percent of civ ilia n labor force.
in su re d unemployment under State p'ojr.m.-unempioyment rate calculated a . • percent
of average covered employment.

NOTE:

Htan-boura loot by the unemployed and persons on part time for economic reasons as a
P*,cem ° * P « « K « H y s u ita b le labor force man-hours,
4Includes mining, not shown separately.

Unemployment by occupation includes a l l experienced unemployed persons, whereas that by Industry refers only to experienced
wage and salary workers.

Tobl« A-4: fall- and part-tlm# status of tba civilian labor forco

Men, 20
and over

Total

Full- and part-time employment status

m

m

Both sexes,
16-19 years

Women, 20
and over
VISA

???A

VISA

W h

Full Time
Civilian labor force................................................................................................................
Employed:
Full-time schedules.............................................................................................. ..
Part time for economic reasons.....................................................................................
Unemployed, looking for fuH-time w ork............................................................................
Unemployment rate................................................................................................................

67,799

66,713 '4 3 ,7 8 1

43,530

21,430

20,531

2,588

2,652

63,778

62,567

41,865

41,542

19,832

18,916

2,081

2,108

1,961
2,060
3 .0

1,910
2,236
3 .4

968
948
2 .2

884
1,104
2 .5

814
785
3 .7

849
766
3 .7

180
327
12.6

178
366
13.8

11,467
10,781
686
6 .0

1 0 ,7 3 3
10,040
693
6 .5

2,178
2,079
100
4 .6

1,952
1,838
115
5 .9

5,802
5,623
178
3 .1

5,610
5,388
223
4 .0

3,487
3,079
408
11.7

3,170
2,814
356
11.2

Port Time
Civilian labor fo r c e ............................................................................................................
Employed (voluntary part time)...........................................................................
Unemployed, looking for pan-time w o rk ......................................... ................................
Unemployment rate................................................................................................




HOUSEHOLD DATA

HOUSEHOLD DATA

Table A-5:

Unemployed persons by reaso n for unemployment, sex, ag e , an d color
(Not s e a s o n a lly a d ju s te d )

Male, 20 years
and over

Total
unemployed
Reason for unemployment

Mar.
1969

Mar.
1969

Mar.
1968

Mar.
1968

Both sexes,
16 to 19 years

Female, 20 years
and over
Mar.
1969 .

Nonwhite

White

Mar.
1968

Mar.
1969

Mar.
1968

Mar..
1969

Mar.
1968

Mar.
1969

Mar.
1968

UNEMPLOYMENT LEVEL
Total unemployed, in thousands ..................
Lost last job..............................................
Left last jo b ..............................................
Reentered labor force................................
Never worked before..................................

2,746
1,186
391
869
301

2,929
1,360
437
833
299

1,048
686
139
203
19

1,219
820
188
192
19

964
353
144
414
52

988
391
167
385
45

734
147
107
252
229

722
149
82
256
235

2,214
965
309
693
247

2,314
1,077
341
660
237

532
221
82
176
54

615
283
96
174
62

Total unemployed, percent distribution........
Lost last job.............................................
Left last job..............................................
Reentered labor force................................
Never worked before..................................

100.0
43.2
14.2
31.6
11.0

100.0
46.4
14.9
28.4
10.2

100.0
65.4
13.3
19.4
1.9

100.0
67.2
15.4
15.8
1.5

100.0
36.7
15.0
42.9
5 .4

100.0
39.6
16.9
38.9
4 .6

100.0
19.9
14.6
34.3
31.2

100.0
20.6
11.4
35.5
32.5

100,0
43.6
14.0
31.3
11,2

luO . 0
46.5
14.7
28.5
10.2

100.0
41.6
15.3
33.0
10.1

100.0
46.1
15.6
28.2
10.1

3.5
1.5
.5
1.1
.4

3.S
1.8
.6
1.1
.4

2.3
1.5
.3
.4

2.7
1.8
.4
.4

3.5
1.3
.5
1.5
.2

3.8
1.5
.6
1.5
.2

12.1
2.4
1.8
4 .1
3.8

12.4
2.6
1.4
4 .4
4 .0

3.1
1.4
.4
1.0
.4

3.4
1.5
.5
1.0
.3

6.1
2.6
.9
2 .0
.6

7.1
3.3
1.1
2.0
.7

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
Total unemployment rate..............................
Job-loser ra te ............................................
Job-leaver rate.................. .......................
Reentrant rate...........................................
New entrant rate........................................

"

Table A-6: Unemployed persons by age and sex

Mar.
1969
2,746

Feb.
1969
2,923

Percent
looking
for
full-time
work
Mar. 1969
75.0

734
354
380
543
1,469
1,163
306

729
320
409
602
1,592
1,252
340

44.6
22.3
65.3
83.1
87.3
88.5
82.7

Males, 16 years and over..............................

1,461

1,539

76.9

2.6

2.6

2.7

2.6

2.7

2.9

16 to 19 years..........................................
16 and 17 years.....................................
18 and 19 years...................................
20 to 24 years........................................
25 years and over...................................
25 to 54 years.......................................
55 years and o ver..................................

413
219
193
266
782
586
195

405
202
203
307
826
623
203

42.1
20.5
66.8
78.6
94.5
97.3
86.7

11.5
12.9
10.2
4 .5
1.6
1.5
1.8

11.0
12,5
9.5
4 .9
1.5
1.4
1.7

11.8
13.2
10.6
5.0
1.6
1.5
1.9

11.6
14.2
9 .5
4 .2
1.5
1.4
1.9

11.3
13.7
8.6
4 .7
1.7
1.7
2 .0

11.9
14.0
10.1
5 .3
1.9
1.8
2.2

Females, 16 years and o v e r .........................

1,285

1,384

73,0

4 .6

4 .5

4 .3

4 .5

4 .4

4 .9

322
135
187
277
687
577
110

323
118
205
295
766

47.2
24.4
63.6
87.4
79.0
79.7
75.5

14.3
15.6
13.3
6 .3
3 .0
3.3
1.9

12.7
13.9
13.0
6.1
3.1

11.6
14.0
10.4
5 .5
3.2

14.1
16.2
12.6
6.5
2.9

13.3
13.7
12.8
7.2
2 .9

14.4
16.3
13.2
6.7
3.2

3.2
2.5

3.4
1.9

3.1
2.4

3.1
2 .5

3.5
2.3

Thousands
Age and sex

Total, 16 years and over...............................
16 to 19 years..........................................
16 and 17 years.....................................
18 and 19 years.....................................
20 to 24 years............................................
25 years and o ver.....................................
25 to 54 years.......................................
55 years and o ver..................................

16 to 19 years..........................................
16 and 17 years ..................................
18 and 19 years ...................................
20 to 24 years .......................................
25 years and over......................................
25 to 54 years............ ........................
55 years and o ver..................................




629
138

Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates

Mar.
1969
3.4

Feb.
1969
3,3

Jan.
1969
3.3

Dec.
1968
3.3

12.7
14.0
11.6
5.3
2.1
2.2
1.9

u .7
13.1
11.1
5.5
2,1
2,0
2,0

11.7
13.5
10.5
5.2
2.1
2.2
1.9

12.7
15.0
10.9
5.3
2.0
2 .0
2.1

Nov.
Mar.
1968
1968
-------377----------- 375----12.2
13.7
10.5
5.9
2.1
2.2
2.1.

13.0
14.9
11.6
5 .9
2.3
2 .4
2.2

T a b le B-1:

Em ployees on n o n ag ricu ltu ral p a y ro lls , by industry
(In thousands)

Industry

Max,

Feb.

Jan.

Mar.

196 9

1969

1969

1968

Seasonally adjusted

Change from

Change

fse:

Mar.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

196 9

1968

196 9

1969

1969

ll*7

IBS'.
196 9

TOTAL ......... ...........

6 9 ,1 7 2

68,711

68,525

66 ,7 1 3

1*61

2,1*59

7 0 ,10 2

69,955

69,620

......................................................

6 31

628

629

59 I*

3

37

61*7

61*6

61*4

1

C O N T R A C T C O N S T R U C T IO N .------

3, 05 ^

2 ,9 8 1

3,015

2 ,9 67

73

87

3,1*28

3,1*91

3,380

-6 3

M A N U FA CT U R IN G .................................

1 9 ,952

19,864
1 ^ ,5 70

19 ,7 8 6

19,1*1*7
l l * , 2 1*8

88
63

505
385

20,118
ll* ,7 7 8

20 , 051*
ll* ,7 3 8

20,005
l k , 692

61*

1U A99

U ,7 3 2
8 ,5 5 2

11 ,7 1 8
8 ,5 30

n ,M * o
8 ,3 25

66
52

358
279

11,858

11,811

8 ,6 5 6

8 ,6 16

1 1 ,8 0 3
8,601*

1*7
1*0

m in in g

Production w ork e rs .......

1^ ,6 3 3

DURABLE GOODS..................

1 1 ,7 9 8

Production w ork e rs .......

8 ,6 c *

Ordnance and accessories............
Furniture and fixtu re*................
Stone, clay, and glass products . .

NONDURABLE

G000S: ...........

Production w ork e rs .......

Food and kindred products..........
Tobacco manufactures . ..............
Textile mill products...................
Apparel and other textile products
Paper and allied products............
Printing and publishing..............
Chemicals and allied products. . .
Petroleum and coal products. . . .
Rubber and plastics products,n e c
Leather and leather products. . . .

-9

351* **

3 35 .3

587.2
1*63.1
57l*.6
1,303.5
1,363*3
1,970.3
1,91*3.3
2,031.9
1*1*8.0
.1*19.0

i*.7
1.9
7.1*
10.9
3.8
6.9
-1.0
21.8
2.3
7.9

61*7.5
1,322.7
1,1*36.9
2,007.1*
2,003.6
2,050.2
U59.1
1*32.9

1*89.9
61*0.1
1,311.8
1,U33.1
2,000.5
2,00l*.6
2,028.1*
1*56.8
1*25.0

592.3
1*88.1
61*0.3
1,298.0
1A26.7
1,983.6
1,999.8
2,058.0
^55.*>
1*22.5

8,151*
6,029

8,132
6,018

8,068
5,969

8,007
5,923

22
11

1,701.1*
77.3
987.5
l,i*3i*.5
711*.2
1,071*. 8
1,052.0
183.1*
580.0
31*8.8

1,709.1*
81.0
986.2
1,1*26.7
712.3
1,073.9
1,01*5.3\
166.0\
577.9
353.1

1,721.1
81*.9
982.0
1,1*07.1*
709.1*
1,070.8
1,039.0
12!*.6
57l*. 8
•351*.0

1,690.1*
79.7
975.0
1,1*18.0
683.3
1,056.3
1,021.8
182.8
51*3.1*
356.1

—
8.0
-3.7
1.3
7.8
1.9
.9
6.7
17.1*
2.1
-!*.3

1 2 .2

31*8

3**7

11.0
28.7
72.9

619
1*95
666
1,323
1, W*8
1,997
2,018
2,036
U60
1*1*8

621
l*9l*
668
1,316
1,1*1*3
1,997
2,009

CVJVO

Transportation equipment............
Instruments and related products .
Miscellaneous manufacturing. . . .

31*8.1*
coq <;

9P

Fabricated metal products............
Machinery, except electrical . . . .

3^7.5
5 9 8 .2
1*91,8

37.1
60.3
18.3
n .i
13.9
ll*7
106
11.0
-2.1*
12.5
16.5
30.9
18.5
30.2
•6
36.6
-7.3

3»*9

620
1*91
665
1,308

1*0

1

1*58
1*1*1*

1,986
1,996
2,0l*l*
1*57
1*50

-2
1
-2
7
5
0
9
22
2
1*

8,260
6,122

8,2»*3
6,122

8,202
6,088

17
0

1,789
85
991
1,1*25
721
1,077
1,051*
186
583
3l*9

1,797
81*
99**
1,1*18
719
1,077
1,051*
169
580
351

1,791
86
995
1,1*32
715
1,076
l,ol*9
127
575
356

-8
1
-3
7
2
0
0
17
3
-2

2 , O ik

TR A N SP O R TA TIO N AND P U B L IC
U T I L I T I E S ............. ............................

l*,390

>,338

l*,32l*

1*,276

52

111*

1*,M*8

l*,l*l8

l*,390

30

W H O LE S A LE AND R E T A I L T R A D E,

ll*, 193

ll*,12l*

ll*,217

13,658

69

535

ll*,503

1M 73

ll*, 1*1*2

30

W H O L E S A L E T R A D E .....................

3,733
10,1*60

3,719
10,1*05

3,721*
10,1*93

3,581
10,077

ll*
55

152
383

3,786
10,717

3,768
10,705

10,696

18
12

3,1*59

3,1*39

3,1*20

3,288

20

171

3,1*83

3,l*7l*

3,1*62

9

10,71*1

10,665

10,576

10,290

76
8.1
3.7

22

735

73**

2^79?
1,076

1,057

7
-1
13

*2:1

10,871
71*2
1,016
2,808
1,080

10,792

1,086.6

1*51
12.2
-7.0
222.5
35.5

10,81*9

676.2

12,193

80

559

12,6ol*

12,550

12,505

5k

2,699

1
79

1*1
518

2,759
9,81*5

2,76*
9,786

2,760
9,7**5

-5
59

R E T A I L T R A O E ................................

F IN A N C E , IN SU R A N C E, AND
R E A L E S T A T E ....................................

S E R V I C E S .............................................

Hotels and other lodging places . .
Personal services.......................
Medical and other.health services.
Educational services...................
G O V ER N M EN T ........................................

FEDERAL1

......................................

S T A T E A N D L O C A L ........................

688.1*
1,005.9
2,80l*.9
1,122.1

680.3
1,002.2
2,789.0
1,117.3

669.9
1,006.1*
2,765.5
1,092.0

12,752

12,672

12,558

2,7l*0
10,012

2,739
9,933

2,735
9,823

9 ,k $ k

3 ,7 k 6

* Beginning January 1969, federal employment includes approximately 39,000 civilian technicians o f the National Guard who were transferred from State to federal status
in accordance with Public Law 90-486.
NOTE:

Data for the 2 most recent months are preliminary.




k

Table B-2: Average weekly hours a! production or nonsupervisory workers1
on private nonagricultural payrolls, by industry
Seasonally adjusted

Change from

M ar.
1969

Industry

TOTAL PRIVATE...................

3 7 .5

Mttivrffi

................................... ..
C O N TR A C T C O N STR U C TIO N .------M A N U F AC TU R IN G ............ ...............
p—
a -—- . .......................
durable

e o o e s ........................

Ordnance and accessories...........
Lumber and vsod ptedneta . . . . .
Furniture and fix tu re *..................
Scene, clay, and glass ptedneta . .
Primary metal industries..............
Fabricated metal products...........
Machinery, except electrical. . . .
Electrical equipment...............
Transportation equipment.............
Internments and enlaced fad acte •
HONOURABLE 6 0 0 0 1 ..................
Food aad kiodred prodnet*..........
Textile mill products...................
Apparel and other -textile ptedneta
Paper and allied prodocta.............
Printing nod publishing.......... . .
Chemicals and allied products. • .
Petroleum aad coal ptedneta . . .
Rubber aad plastics ptedneta,a e c
Leather and leather products. . . .
W HOLESALE AND R E T A IL TRADE.
WHOLE SALK T R A D E ..................
EETAIL TEAOE...........................
FIN A N C E , INSURANCE. AND
R E A L E S T A T E ................................

1*1.9
37*3
U o .5
3*5
1*1.2
3*7
3 9 .8
1*0.5
1*0.0
1*1.6
1*2.2
1*1.5
1*2.6
1*0.2
1*0.8
1*0.3
3 8 .6
3 9 .5
3 .1
1*0.3
35-4
1*0.5
3 6 .1
1*3.0
3 8 .5
1*2.1
1*2.1*
1*0.5
3 6 .9
3 5 .4
3 9 .9
3 3 .9
3 7 .2

J an .
1969

F eb .
1969

37-4

3 7 .3
1*2.5
3 6 .6

1*2.9
3 6 .6
1*0.1*
3 .6
1*1.1
3 .7
1*0.1*
39-6
1*0.0
1*1.1
1*1.8
1*1.1*
1*2.1*
1*0.3
1*1.5
1*0.5
3 8 .7
39-4
3*3
1*0.3
3 6 .1
1*0.5
35*7
1*2.9

3 9 .9
3 .3
1*0.6
3 .6
1*0.2
1*0.1
3 9 .6
1*1.2
4 1 .5
1*0.7
1*2.2
3 9 .6
1*0.7
3 9 .8
3 7 .7
3 8 .9
3 .0
1*0.0
3 6 .2
1*0.0
3 5 .3
1*2.0
3 7 .7
1*1.5
1*1.8
1*0.2
3 5 .8
3 5 .3
3 9 .8
3 3 .8

37*9
1*1.6
1*1.3
1*1.3
37*7
35*5
39*9
3l*.0
37*2

3 7 .1

M as
1968

37 *6
1*1.8
3 6 .2

F eb .
1969

M ar.
1968

H er.
1969

F eb .
1969

Jan .
1969

0 .2
- .6

- 0 .1
.1
1 .1
- .1

37 .7
1*2.1*

37-6
1*3.2

3 7 .7
1*3.2

.2
- .1
.2
- 1 .8

3 .7
1*1.3
3 .9
1*0.0
1*0.8
1*0.1*
1*2.2
1*2.1
1*1.7
1*2.1*
1*0.3
1*1.2
1*0.1*

.7
•6

1*0.6
3*3
4 1 -3
3*5
1*1.6
1*0.2
1*0.5
1*1.1
1*1.9
4 1 .3
1*2.3
1*0.1
1*2.0
1*0.7
39*6
39*7
3*1
1*0.1
37*1
1*1.1*
3 6 .6
1*2.1*
3 8 .2
1*1.6
1*1.8
1*1.1
38.1*
3 5 .8
3 9 .8
34.1*

.2
.6
.1
-.1*
.1*
.1*
.1*
.7
.8
.1*
.6
.1
.5
.9
•6
.1

.3
.5

.3
.2
•3

.1
- 1 .2
-.1*
-1 .0
- .2 0
.2
- 1 .7
- .9
- .5
.6

.3
1 .1
.1
.1
.1

-1 .5
-.1*
.1
- .5

.1

.1

3 7 .2

3 7 .1

.3
.5
•6
- .6

1*0.9
1*0.1
1*2.1
1*1.6
1*1.1
1*2.1
3 9 .6
1*1.2
3 9 .8
37-7
3 9 .2
3 .2
1*0.7

38 .5
3 9 .6
3 .3
1*0.9
3 6 .2
1*0.7
3 5 .7
4 3 *3
3 8 .5
1*2.1
1*2.8
1*0.8
3 7 .2
3 5 .7
3 9 .7
3 l*.2

.3
- .8
•5
.8
1 .0
.8
.6
.6

3 8 .3
1*0.1
3 .5
1*0.8
3 .9
1*0.1*

3 7 .9
1*0.6

.

3 8 .3
1*0.1
3 5 .3
1*2.1*
3 7 .9
1*1.7
1*2.6
1*0.6
3 5 .6
3 5 .6
1*0.0
3^-2

Change
from

F eb .
1060
0 .1
- .8
-.1*
.5
.2

3 7 .7
1*0.6
3 .8
1*1.2
3 .9
1*0.1
1*0.0
1*0.7
1*1.9
1*1.7
1*1.9
1*2.1*
1*0.1*
1*1.1*
1*0.7
3 9 .1

.5
0
-.1 *
- .1
•3
.1
.5
•6
.3
.7
0
•6
.8
.1*
•1
.2
- 2 .1
•6
.1*
.9
•6
.1*
.2
.2
1 .6
•1
- .3
0

3 9 .7
3 .6
1*0.7
3 6 .9
1*0.8
3 6 .2
4 3 -3
3 8 .2
1*1.9
1*1.8
1*1.1*
37-4
3 5 .8
1*0.0
3 4 .3

.1

3 7 .2

3 7 .1

*D «u relate to production workers in mining end manufacturing: to construction worker* In coatrnct cont r uctloni end to nonsupervisory worker* In wholesale end retell
trade; finance, lmurance, end real ematej transportation and public utilities} and service*. These group* account for approximately four-fifths of the total employment on
private nonagricultural payrolls. Transportation and public utilities, and services ate Included in Total Private but are not shown seperstely in this table.
NOTE: Data for the 2 most recent months are preliminary.

Table B-3:

Average hourly and weekly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers1
on private nonagricultural payrolls, by industry
Average weekly earnings

Average hoiely earnings
Change! from

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Mar.

1969

1969

1969

1968

Mar.

Feb.

Jem.

Mar.

1969

1969

1969

1968

$2.98
3.51
i*.6o
3.13

$2.97
3*51
l*.5l*
3.12

$2.95
3.49
1*.56
3.12

$2.79
3.28
1*.28
2.96

1969
$0.01
0
.06
.01

OUR ABLE GOODS.........................
Ordaaacc aad accessories.............
Lumber aad weed ptadacta . . . . .
Furniture aad ii s t a t e s ..................
Stone, clay, aad glass ptadacta . .
Priamiy metal iaduacrics..............
Fabricated a t n l ptadacta.............
Machinery, except electrical. . . .
Electrical equipment....................
Transportation equipment.............
innmumeats and tainted products .
Miscellaneous manufacturing. . . .

3.32
3.37
2.62
2.56
3.08
3.71
3-30
3.53
3.05
3.82
3.H
2.60

3.31
3.37
2.60
2.55
3.07
3.70
3.27
3.52
3.01*
3.82
3.11
2.61

3.31
3.35
2.59
2.53
3.06
3.70
3.27
3.50
3.0l*
3.86
3*09
2.60

3.11*
3.22
2.50
2.1*3
2.90
3.^9
3.11
3.33
2.88
3.61
2.91*
2.1*9

.01
0
.02
.01
.01
.01
.03
.01
.01
0
0
-.01

.18
.15
.12
.13
.18
.22
.19
.20
.17
.21
.17
.11

136.78
134.13
106.11
102.1*0
128.13
156.56
136.95
150.38
122.61
155-86
125.33
100.36

13k.39
135.k7
10l*.26
IOO.98
126.1*8
153.55
133.09

HONOURABLE GOODS..................
Food and kindred ptadacta..........

2.85
2.92
2.65
2.29
2.30
3.15
3-^3
3-35
3.91*
3.00
2.35
2.52
3.18
2.26

2.81*
2.91’
2.62
2.27
2,27
3.15
3.61
3.36
3.88
3.00
2.33
2.51
3.17
2.26

2.83
2.91
2.57
2.28
2.28
3.15
3.60
3-37
3-69
3.02
2.32
2.1*9
3.11*
2.2l*

2.69
2.77
2.1*8
2.17
2.19
2.97
3.1*2
3.19
3.69
2.85

.01
.01
.03
.02
.03
0
.02
-.01
.06
0

.Ik

112.58
117.68
93.81
92.75
83.03
135*45
139.76
ll*1.0l*
167.06
121.50
86.72
89.21
126.88
76.61

110.1*8
116.1*0
94.8k
90.80
80.13
132.30
136.10
139.1*1*
162.18
120.60
83.1*1

2.12

.16
.15
.17
.12
.11
.18
.21
.16
.25
.15
.13
.15
.17

2.93

2.92

2.88

2.69

.2k

109.00

Industry

TOTAL PRIVATE...................
IN N IN G ................................................
C O N TR A C T C O N S T R U C TIO N ------M A N U F A C TU R IN G .. .

..............

Tobacco manufactures..................
Textile mill products....................
Apparel and ocher textile products
Paper aad allied products.............
Printing aad publishing...............
Cheaucals and allied products. . .
Petroleum and coni products . . .
Rubber and plastics product%a e c
Leather aad leather products. . . .
W HOLESALE AND R E T A IL TRAD E.
WHOLESALE T E A O E ..................
EETAIL TEAOE...........................
FIN A N C E , INSURANCE. AND
R E A L E S T A T E ................................

1 See footnote 1, table B-2.
NOTE* Dete for the 2 moat recent month* are preliminary.




2.22
2.37
3.01

Feb.

.02
.01
.01
0
.01

Ifer

1968

$0.19 $111.75
.23 11*7.07
171-58
.32
.17 126.77

$110.78 $110.33 $10i*.90
11*9.18 11*9.72 137.10
166.16 166.90 154.94
121*. 1*9 126.05 120.18

Change from
Feb.

Mar.

1968

1969
$0.97
-2.11
5.42
2.28

$6.85
9.97
16.6k
6.59

136.01*
135.3k
102.56
101.20
125.77
154.66
135.38
11*8.1*0
122.51
160.19
125.15
100.62

129.68
133.95
100.50
98.42
119.19
11*6.23
128.1*1*
11*0.86
115.49
151.62
119.66
98.60

2.39
-1.3k
1.85
1.1*2
1.65
3.01
3.86
1.81*
2.23
.39
1.55
1.96

7.10
.18
5.61
3.98
8.94
10.33
8.51
9.52
7.12
l*.2k
5.67
1.76

106.79
111.08
92.01
89.8k
80.15
125.93
130.61*
132.70
154.2k
117.14
85.25
81*.85

126.17
76.39

H l.5 0
117.27
92.78
92.34
81.1*0135.14
136.1*4
11*0.19
152.1*0
12U.73
87.46
88.1*0
125.29
76.16

2.10
1.28
-1.03
1.95
2.90
3.15
3.66
1.60
l*.88
..90
3.31
.61
1.71

72.93

.22

5.79
6.60
1.80
2.91
2.88
9.52
9.12
8.34
12.82
4.36
1.47
k.36
7.08

108.33

i07.ll*

99.80

.67

9.30

lkQ .3k

120.38
155.k7
123.78
98.1*0

88.60

119.80

3.68