By Sandy Cunningham

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — The unemployment rate was down slightly in the River Parishes from October to November, according to the latest civilian labor force statistics released by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

St. John the Baptist Parish’s unemployment rate fell from 10.3 percent in October to 9.9 percent, or 2,197 workers, in November. The unemployment rate in St. Charles Parish fell from 7.1 percent in October to 6.7 percent, or 1,702 workers, in November, and the unemployment rate in St. James Parish fell from 12.1 percent in October to 11.7 percent, or 1,149 workers, in November.

A year ago, the unemployment rate in St. John Parish was 8.5 percent, the rate in St. Charles Parish was 6.3 percent, and the rate in St. James Parish was 9.3 percent.

The unemployment rates have risen in each of the three parishes in the last year.

The preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Louisiana in November was 8.2 percent, while the national rate was 9.8 percent.

The lowest unemployment rate in the state was in Lafourche Parish with 5.5 percent, and the highest unemployment rate was in West Carroll Parish with 15.2 percent.

Seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment for Louisiana was estimated at 1,908,600 in November 2010. This represents a gain of 400 jobs from the previous month, and a 23,100-job increase from November 2009.

The largest change from October was seen in leisure and hospitality, which increased by 1,600. The education and health sector recorded the largest over-the-year change, gaining 9,400 jobs from last November.

Over the month, five of the 11 industry sectors had increases in employment while six showed declines. After leisure and hospitality, the largest monthly increase was seen in government, which gained 600 jobs.

Both the manufacturing and information sectors gained 400 jobs from October, while the financial activities sector gained 300. The largest decline from October was seen in education and health services, which lost 900 jobs.

Professional and business services followed with a decline of 800 from October. The mining and logging sector dropped by 500. Both the construction and trade, transportation, and utilities sectors fell by 300 over the month. Finally, other services fell by 100.