Unemployment Decreases Slightly In The East Bay

The East Bay's unemployment rate took a slight dip last month as the region added 4,900 jobs.

The jobless rate in the East Bay now stands at 8.4 percent, a two-tenths of a percentage point drop from October.

The unemployment rate in Alameda County stands at 8.5 percent while Contra Costa's rate is 8.3 percent.

The state Employment Development Department reported the East Bay added 4,900 jobs in November, raising the work force to 978,700.

Retail trade, with holiday season hiring, was the big difference. That industry added 4,900 jobs while the rest of the business sectors cancelled each other out.

Government, information and construction industry jobs rose slightly while leisure and hospitality lost 1,400 jobs and food services dropped 1,100 jobs. Business, professional, manufacturing and farm sectors also showed slight job decreases.

In Alameda County, most communities experienced a drop in unemployment of one-tenth to two-tenths of a percentage point.

In San Leandro, the jobless rate is now 8.3 percent while San Lorenzo stands at 6.3 percent, Cherryland is 12.3 percent and Ashland is 9.8 percent. The city of Alameda has a 5.8 percent rate.

The unemployment rates in Newark and Union City are now 7.9 percent while Fremont is 6.1 percent and Castro Valley is 5.0 percent.

In the Tri-Valley, Livermore's rate is 5.5 percent, Pleasanton is 4.2 percent and Dublin is 5.1 percent.

Berkeley's rate is 8.0 percent while Oakland's unemployment rate stands at 12.9 percent.