e

LABOR SITUATION
Office of Research
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Patricia H. Mayfield
May 2007 Data
Commissi oner

State Down 1,200 Jobs in May; Up More than 18,000 over the Year

WETHERSFIELD, June 18, 2007 – The state’s nonfarm employment in May was 1,695,800, a decrease of 1,200
jobs from the revised April figure, the Connecticut Department of Labor announced today. On a seasonally
adjusted basis, this is a gain of 18,200 from the May 2006 total of 1,677,600 jobs. This employment data is based
on a survey of business establishments.

“The rapid growth we experienced over the last six months came to a halt in May,” said State Labor Economist
John Tirinzonie. “While this drop was not the news we had hoped for, it wasn’t totally unexpected. The gain of
11,000 jobs between December and last month’s figure was unusually high, and this loss may be, in part, more of
a correction factor than the beginning of any downward trend. On a positive note, we have gained more than
18,000 new jobs since last May, a sign that the state’s economy is still expanding, and should remain on a steady
course throughout the next several months. Despite this month’s drop, we still remain ahead of the national
average in growth rate since December’s figure,” he added.

Nonfarm Employment
The slowdown in the housing market, coupled with an unusually high level of winter employment, may have had a
part in the loss of jobs, seasonally adjusted, in the construction industry. Despite this drop, employment in this
supersector remains relatively unchanged from January’s adjusted figure and up more than two percent over the
year in Connecticut. In comparison, at the national level, employment in construction is down from last year at
this time. Most of the increase in this supersector can be attributed to specialty trades contractors, up by more
than 1,000 jobs over the year.

Connecticut’s manufacturing sector has seen some relative improvement in employment over the last several
months, up 300 since the beginning of this year to settle at 193,300, and fairing much better than the nation,
which has lost jobs during that period. Over the last year, this supersector has lost less than one half of one
percent of its employment base, while at the national level, job losses were more than double in this supersector.
This is mainly due to the over-the-year increases in employment within aerospace products (+400), machinery
(+300), and fabricated metal products (+200).

After two months of noticeable gains, the trade, transportation and utilities supersector stayed relatively
unchanged between April and May. Job growth in the trade sector continues to be found in wholesale trade, up
1,400 from last year’s figure, while retail trade showed a slight decline from May 2006. Most of the loss can be
attributed to motor vehicle and parts dealers, down 700, while spring weather pushed employment up 500 jobs
over the month and 700 over the year in building materials and garden equipment stores. Despite the loss of 300
jobs in the utilities industry, transportation and warehousing more than made up for that decline in numbers,
adding 1,000 to its ranks since last year at this time.

Job opportunities continued in the financial activities supersector this month, bringing the increase to 1,500
since the beginning of this year and up 2,100 compared to last year at this time. Most of the yearly gains can be
attributed to strong employment growth in insurance carriers and related activities, along with securities,
commodity contracts and other investments, up 900 and 1,500 respectively, as Connecticut continues to be a
national leader in the financial and insurance industry.

Employment remained relatively unchanged this month in professional and business services, but over the last
year this supersector has accounted for about 25 percent of all new jobs in Connecticut. The largest producers of
-- more --
new jobs in this supersector have been the computer systems and design industry, up 1,800, and accounting and
tax preparation and bookkeeping services that collectively added an additional 1,100 workers. Only legal services
and management of companies and enterprises showed any real job losses, down 300 each.

Employment in the educational and health services sector remained flat between April and May, with a drop in
educational services offset by an increase in health care and social assistance. However, over-the-year
employment gain in this supersector continues to be the highest of all sectors, up 5,700, bringing the current
employment level to 283,900.

Another major creator of jobs in the state has been the leisure and hospitality sector. While this supersector
shed some 700 jobs over the month, it has been responsible for 3,200 new openings since last year at this time,
bringing employment to nearly 135,000. More than half of this increase has been in food services and drinking
places, while accommodation also showed a net gain of 500 jobs.

Jobs in government dropped noticeably between April and May, mainly in state government employment. Most
of this loss appears to be due to student workers leaving the payroll earlier than usual this month, thus negatively
affecting the seasonal factor for this supersector.

Labor Market Areas (not seasonally adjusted): The two largest of the nine Labor Market Areas (LMAs),
Bridgeport-Stamford and Hartford, added 5,300 and 2,900 jobs, respectively, over the year. These increases were
followed by the Danbury LMA, with 1,200 jobs; Waterbury with 1,000 jobs; Torrington up by 700; Norwich-New
London gaining 400; and Willimantic-Danielson adding 300 jobs.

Hours and Earnings: The manufacturing production workweek in May 2007, not seasonally adjusted, averaged
42.2 hours, which is an increase of two-tenths of an hour from the May 2006 figure of 42.0 hours. Average hourly
earnings at $20.29, also not seasonally adjusted, were up 78 cents from May 2006. The resulting average weekly
wage for manufacturing workers in May 2007, at $856.24, was up $36.82, representing an increase of 4.5 percent
from a year ago.

Labor Force Data

Connecticut’s labor force was up 15,700 persons from last month, bringing May’s total to 1,876,600. This is an
increase of 39,100 from the May 2006 figure.

Unemployment: Based on the household survey, the estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted,
increased in May by 5,500 over the month to 83,700, while the unemployment rate increased three-tenths of a
percentage point. The unemployment rate for May 2007 is 4.5 percent, which is four-tenths of a percentage point
higher than it was a year ago when it was 4.1 percent, and the same as the nation’s rate of 4.5 percent. The
number of unemployed people increased by 7,700 from last year. Average weekly initial unemployment claims in
May 2007 for first-time filers decreased over the month by 258 to 3,935. The average for May was down 272
claims over the year.

Unemployment rates, not seasonally adjusted, were up over the year in all of the state’s Labor Market Areas,
except for the Norwich-New London area. In May, the Danbury LMA had the lowest unemployment rate at 3.3
percent. This was followed by Torrington at 4.1 percent, and the Bridgeport-Stamford and Norwich-New London
areas, both at 4.0 percent. The Waterbury area had the highest unemployment rate at 5.5 percent. Over the year,
the Hartford LMA had 2,300 more unemployed people, Bridgeport-Stamford had 1,400 more unemployed people,
while the New Haven LMA had 1,300 more unemployed.

Note: The nonfarm employment estimate is derived from a survey of businesses and is a measure of jobs in
the state; the unemployment rate is based largely on a household survey and is a measure of the work status
of people who live in Connecticut.

Contact: Nancy Steffens (860) 263-6535 6-18-07

###
Labor market information is available on the Internet at www.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi
200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1114 . www.ct.gov/dol
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
 NONFARM EMPLOYMENT
Jobs - by Place of Work
CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES - Seasonally Adjusted

May April March Feb. May Over Month Over Year

2007 2007 2007 2007 2006 Change Rate Change Rate

CONNECTICUT 1,695,800 1,697,000 1,693,400 1,691,200 1,677,600 -1,200 -0.1% 18,200 1.1%
Goods Producing Industries
Construction 68,300 68,900 68,700 68,600 66,800 -600 -0.9% 1,500 2.2%
Manufacturing 193,300 193,300 193,000 193,200 194,100 0 0.0% -800 -0.4%
Service Providing Industries
Trade, Transportation & Utilities 312,500 312,400 311,900 310,900 311,100 100 0.0% 1,400 0.5%
Wholesale 69,000 68,800 68,600 68,500 67,600 200 0.3% 1,400 2.1%
Retail 190,700 190,800 190,500 189,600 191,300 -100 -0.1% -600 -0.3%
Transp, Warehousing & Utilities 52,800 52,800 52,800 52,800 52,200 0 0.0% 600 1.1%
Information 37,700 37,600 38,000 37,700 37,800 100 0.3% -100 -0.3%
Financial Activities 146,100 145,500 145,200 144,700 144,000 600 0.4% 2,100 1.5%
Finance & Insurance 125,100 124,500 124,100 123,500 122,900 600 0.5% 2,200 1.8%
Real Estate, Rental & Leasing 21,000 21,000 21,100 21,200 21,100 0 0.0% -100 -0.5%
Professional & Business Services 209,100 209,200 208,300 207,600 204,300 -100 0.0% 4,800 2.3%
Prof, Scientific & Tech Services 94,700 94,400 94,300 94,100 90,800 300 0.3% 3,900 4.3%
Admn & Support & Waste Mgt Serv 90,000 90,400 89,400 89,000 88,900 -400 -0.4% 1,100 1.2%
Educational & Health Services 283,900 283,900 282,600 282,800 278,200 0 0.0% 5,700 2.0%
Educational Services 54,700 55,100 54,300 54,400 52,700 -400 -0.7% 2,000 3.8%
Health Care & Social Assistance 229,200 228,800 228,300 228,400 225,500 400 0.2% 3,700 1.6%
Leisure and Hospitality 134,900 135,600 135,800 135,000 131,700 -700 -0.5% 3,200 2.4%
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 24,000 24,500 24,200 23,700 23,600 -500 -2.0% 400 1.7%
Accommodation & Food Services 110,900 111,100 111,600 111,300 108,100 -200 -0.2% 2,800 2.6%
Other Services 64,300 63,900 63,700 63,800 63,400 400 0.6% 900 1.4%
Government** 244,900 245,900 245,500 246,300 245,400 -1,000 -0.4% -500 -0.2%

UNITED STATES 137,831,000 137,674,000 137,594,000 137,419,000 135,906,000 157,000 0.1% 1,925,000 1.4%

LABOR MARKET AREAS - Not Seasonally Adjusted

Labor Market Area employment estimates are made independently of Statewide estimates.

May April March Feb. May Over Month Over Year

2007 2007 2007 2007 2006 Change Rate Change Rate
Bridgeport-Stamford 424,100 420,900 415,900 412,800 418,800 3,200 0.8% 5,300 1.3%
Danbury 70,700 69,800 68,900 68,700 69,500 900 1.3% 1,200 1.7%
Enfield 48,700 48,700 47,800 48,500 48,800 0 0.0% -100 -0.2%
Hartford 555,100 554,600 547,100 545,800 552,200 500 0.1% 2,900 0.5%
New Haven 278,400 277,600 274,400 275,500 278,800 800 0.3% -400 -0.1%
Norwich-New London 137,000 136,100 133,700 133,000 136,600 900 0.7% 400 0.3%
Torrington 38,000 36,800 36,400 36,400 37,300 1,200 3.3% 700 1.9%
Waterbury 69,900 69,500 69,000 68,800 68,900 400 0.6% 1,000 1.5%
Willimantic-Danielson 38,300 37,500 37,600 36,900 38,000 800 2.1% 300 0.8%
* Less than 0.05% ** Includes Native American tribal government employment

Data in this publication are benchmarked to March 2006. Current month's nonfarm employment data are preliminary, previous months'
data are revised. Nonfarm employment, hours and earnings, and labor force data included in this publication are developed in cooperation
with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Connecticut Labor Situation May 2007

 UNEMPLOYMENT
Persons Unemployed - by Place of Residence

CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES - Seasonally Adjusted

May 2007 May 2006 Change April 2007
Number Rate Number Rate Number Points Number Rate

CONNECTICUT
Unemployed 83,700 4.5 76,000 4.1 7,700 0.4 78,200 4.2
Labor Force 1,876,600 1,837,500 39,100 1,860,900

UNITED STATES
Unemployed 6,819,000 4.5 7,006,000 4.6 -187,000 -0.1 6,801,000 4.5
Labor Force 152,762,000 151,051,000 1,711,000 152,587,000

U.S. AND CONNECTICUT UNEMPLOYMENT RATES - Seasonally Adjusted

2005 - 2007
6.0
Percent Unemployed

5.0
US

CT
4.0

3.0
J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D

2005 2006 2007

LABOR MARKET AREAS - Not Seasonally Adjusted

May 2007 May 2006 Change April 2007

Number Rate Number Rate Number Points Number Rate

Bridgeport-Stamford 18,900 4.0 17,500 3.8 1,400 0.2 16,800 3.6

Danbury 3,100 3.3 2,800 3.1 300 0.2 2,800 3.1
Enfield 2,300 4.7 2,100 4.3 200 0.4 2,100 4.2
Hartford 26,600 4.5 24,300 4.2 2,300 0.3 24,800 4.3
New Haven 14,300 4.6 13,000 4.2 1,300 0.4 13,500 4.4
Norwich-New London 6,100 4.0 6,100 4.1 0 -0.1 5,600 3.7
Torrington 2,300 4.1 2,000 3.7 300 0.4 2,200 4.1
Waterbury 5,700 5.5 5,200 5.2 500 0.3 5,500 5.4
Willimantic-Danielson 3,100 5.3 2,700 4.8 400 0.5 2,900 5.0

CONNECTICUT 81,900 4.4 75,300 4.1 6,600 0.3 75,700 4.1

UNITED STATES 6,486,000 4.3 6,655,000 4.4 -169,000 -0.1 6,532,000 4.3

Connecticut Labor Situation May 2007

 UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
Not Seasonally Adjusted

LABOR MARKET AREAS

North
Canaan
Colebrook Hartland
Suffield Enfield Somers Union
Salisbury Stafford
Norfolk Thompson
Granby Enfield Woodstock
Canaan
East 4.7
Barkhamsted Granby Windsor
Winchester Locks
East Ellington Putnam
Windsor Pomfret
Willington Ashford Eastford
Simsbury Tolland
Windsor
Sharon
Goshen New
Canton Willimantic-Danielson
Cornwall Bloomfield South
Torrington Hartford
Windsor
Vernon 5.3
Torrington Killingly
Avon Chaplin
4.1 West Manchester
Coventry Mansfield Hampton Brooklyn
Hartford East Bolton
Harwinton Burlington Hartford Hartford
Warren Litchfield
Kent Farmington Hartford Andover
4.5

Ne
Windham
ton Wethersfield Scotland Canterbury Plainfield Sterling

win
Morris as Columbia
om Bristol New Glastonbury

gto
Th Plainville Britain
Rocky

n
Plymouth Hebron
Washington Hill
Bethlehem Marlborough Lebanon Sprague
She

New Watertown Berlin Cromwell Franklin

Wolcott Southington Portland Lisbon
rma

Milford
Waterbury East
Griswold Voluntown
n

Danbury Roxbury
Woodbury 5.5 Hampton Colchester
Norwich
Waterbury Middletown Bozrah
Meriden
3.3 Bridge- Middlebury
Middlefield Preston
water Cheshire
Prospect
New
Naugatuck East Salem Norwich-New London
Fairfield Southbury
Brookfield
Wallingford Durham Haddam Haddam 4.0 North
Beacon Stonington
Montville Ledyard
Oxford Falls Bethany

Danbury
New Haven Chester
Newtown Hamden Lyme
Seymour
North 4.6 Killing-
Deep
Waterford
Bethel Haven worth East Stonington
Wood- River Lyme New Groton
Monroe Ansoniabridge North Essex London
Branford
Derby Old
Shelton New Guilford West- Lyme
Ridgefield Redding Haven East Clinton Old
brook Saybrook
Bridgeport-Stamford HavenBranford Madison
Orange West
4.0 Haven

Wilton
Weston
Easton Trumbull

Stratford
Milford May 2007
Bridgeport
New
Canaan
Westport
Fairfield
Connecticut: 4.4%
Stamford Norwalk
U.S.: 4.3%
Greenwich
Darien
Not

HOURS AND EARNINGS

Manufacturing Production and Related Workers

CONNECTICUT AND LABOR MARKET AREAS - Not Seasonally Adjusted

Average Weekly Earnings Average Weekly Hours Average Hourly Earnings

May May Change April May May Change April May May Change April
2007 2006 over Yr. 2007 2007 2006 over Yr. 2007 2007 2006 over Yr. 2007

CONNECTICUT $856.24 $819.42 $36.82 $861.57 42.2 42.0 0.2 42.4 $20.29 $19.51 $0.78 $20.32

Bridgeport-Stamford 822.49 825.66 -3.17 852.67 40.2 39.6 0.6 41.9 20.46 20.85 -0.39 20.35
New Haven 781.14 677.03 104.11 817.44 37.7 39.5 -1.8 39.3 20.72 17.14 3.58 20.80
Norwich-New London 857.33 808.32 49.01 862.84 42.4 42.1 0.3 42.4 20.22 19.20 1.02 20.35

Due to constraints of the sample upon which estimates are made, manufacturing hours and earnings estimates for the Hartford and
Waterbury labor market areas have been suspended.

Connecticut Labor Situation May 2007

 TRENDS
Seasonally Adjusted

Nonfarm Total Unemployment

Employment (000s) Rate
2006
Jan 1,674.0 4.5 Nonfarm Employment
Feb 1,673.3 4.4 1,700
Mar 1,673.3 4.3
Apr 1,676.3 4.0 1,690

Thousands
May 1,677.6 4.1
Jun 1,679.6 4.2 1,680
July 1,681.8 4.4
Aug 1,685.0 4.5 1,670
Sep 1,683.0 4.4
Oct 1,682.0 4.3 1,660
Jan Mar May July Sep Nov Jan Mar May July Sep Nov
Nov 1,683.6 4.2
Dec 1,686.0 4.1 2006 2007

2007
Jan 1,690.1 4.4 Total Unemployment Rate
Feb 1,691.2 4.2 6.0

Mar 1,693.4 4.1 5.5

Apr 1,697.0 4.2
5.0
May 1,695.8 4.5
Percent
Jun 4.5
July
4.0
Aug
Sep 3.5

Oct 3.0
Nov Jan Mar May July Sep Nov Jan Mar May July Sep Nov

Dec 2006 2007

Avg Weekly Avg Manufacturing

Initial Claims Weekly Hours*
2006
Jan 3,611 42.5 Average Weekly Initial Claims
5,000
Feb 4,145 42.3
Mar 4,059 42.0
4,500
Apr 4,188 41.6
May 4,207 42.0
4,000
Jun 4,164 42.2
July 4,125 42.4
Aug 3,986 41.9 3,500

Sep 4,032 42.4

Oct 3,941 42.1 3,000
Jan Mar May July Sep Nov Jan Mar May July Sep Nov
Nov 4,112 42.0
2006 2007
Dec 4,185 42.7

2007
Jan 3,869 42.1 Average Manufacturing Weekly Hours
Feb 4,343 42.4 44.0

Mar 4,008 42.4

Apr 4,193 42.4 43.0

May 3,935 42.2

Jun 42.0

July
41.0
Aug
Sep
40.0
Oct Jan Mar May July Sep Nov Jan Mar May July Sep Nov
Nov
2006 2007
Dec

* Not Seasonally Adjusted

** Labor-management dispute

Connecticut Labor Situation May 2007