California posts 8.4% jobless rate, the third highest in U.S.
The state lost 41,700 jobs in November. Its unemployment rate is at its highest level since 1994 and behind only Michigan and Rhode Island.
California lost 41,700 jobs in November as the state's unemployment rate jumped to 8.4%, reaching its highest level since the fall of 1994, the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. California posted the third highest unemployment rate in the nation, behind Michigan with its crippled automobile industry at 9.6% and tiny Rhode Island at 9.3%.
Nationally, unemployment hit 6.7% in November, the Labor Department said.
In all, the recession that's gripped the Golden State's economy for the past year has claimed 136,000 jobs out of a state workforce of about 15 million people. State unemployment in November 2007 stood at 5.7%.
marc.lifsher@latimes.com
