CAPE COUNTY JOBS PICTURE REMAINS UPBEAT, FLUNCTUATING

The Cape Girardeau County work force is a fluctuating one.

In January of this year, the work force totaled 35,834. Two months later, in March, the available work force was up to 36,519, an addition of 685 people.

"However, more people were working in March," pointed out Jackie Cecil, director of the Missouri Job Service office at Cape Girardeau. "Even though the work force is up, our unemployment figure is down."

A total of 34,930 people had jobs in March, compared to 34,188 in February.

"That tabulates into 95.6 percent employment," said Cecil. "That's a good figure for March, especially with the rain we've had, keeping farm labor and some construction labor out of jobs." That compares to 95.4 percent employment in January and 95.5 percent in February, when the work force was 35,702.

"The employment percentage figures for January and February were very similar," said Cecil. "In either case, it means an unemployment figure of 4.6 percent, which is still pretty good. And we could be seeing some improvements in the rate in the near future."

During February, the work force in Cape Girardeau County was 35,702, down about 100 from January. In both months, however, 95.6 percent of the work force had jobs.

"January and February unemployment rates are usually higher," said Cecil. "But we're still fortunate here. We've had a good run of new retail businesses for the last five or six months."

Cape County's unemployment rate of 4.6 percent is the lowest in Southeast Missouri. Perry County, with a 5.9 percent unemployment rate, is second on the list. The Perry total is up one-tenth of a percent.

Only two area Southeast Missouri counties recorded increases in unemployment Perry and New Madrid.

There was no change in four counties Cape Girardeau, Butler, Dunklin and Stoddard. Decreases in unemployment were recorded in Bollinger, Madison, Mississippi, Pemiscot and Scott counties

Missouri's unemployment rate for January was 6.7, down one-tenth of a percent from the 6.8 rate of January.

Missouri's unemployment rate remained unchanged in March, holding at 6.7 percent, said Jeanette R. McCrary, director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial relations.

Estimated employment in March was 2,444,065, down more than 6,000 from February's total. Estimated unemployment for March was 176,179, up almost 600 from February totals.

McCrary said the March employment and unemployment estimates probably do not represent a true picture of the state's current economic conditions, and more likely is an example of the volatile land complex labor force data that has so many multiple variables.

"Several economic indicators show that the state's unemployment rate should have dropped in March," said McCrary. "However, there was some unseasonable weather, which probably had a negative impact on the monthly figures.

Actually, the state's economy is on an upward trend, said McCrary.

"March payroll figures show moderate over-the-year improvements in employment," she said. "More than 2,321,200 jobs were reported in March, 21,200 more than March 1992, and employment grew by about 18,500 jobs between February and March."

Another indication of an improved economy is the fact that initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits continued to decline, said McCrary. March initial claims were 6,000 less than March a year ago, McCrary said.

Construction employment increased to 87,100 in March, up 2,100 from a year ago and almost double that of a year ago. Service-producing employment was up 15,000 to 1.8 million during March.

Illinois employers have expanded their payrolls for a second straight month in March, adding 26,810 new jobs, says the latest employer survey conducted by the Illinois Department of Employer Services (IDES).

Most of the gains were in the northern areas. The Chicago metro area posted the largest gain, with 13,600 more jobs reported. Lake County added 2,207 jobs and the Quad Cities area added 1,178 jobs.

"The overall employment picture in Illinois continues to show solid improvement in nearly all industries," said IDES Director Loleta A. Didrickson. "For the fourth consecutive month, the average number of manufacturing hours worked exceeded year-ago levels.

Construction has been an important source of employment expansion in the Illinois economy. Job gains during the first quarter of 1993 were twice the number of gains in the first quarter of a year ago, 4,000 to 2,000.

Meanwhile, in Southern Illinois there was little change in employment figures from February to March.

"An indicator of how little activity there was is the fact that most of the 17 deep south counties of the state changed less than 1 percent," said Charles M. "Mike" Vessell, labor market economist of the Illinois Department of Employment Security Office at Harrisburg. "This is unusual, as the small population size of these counties routinely produces large percentage changes from month to month."

Vessell said manufacturing, mining, construction and government all recorded small layoffs.

"Although many of these layoffs are temporary, they have added to some earlier, permanent closings to keep unemployment rates elevated in many counties," he said.

Alexander and Massac counties are two of five counties which recorded decreases. Massac, which hosts one of the state's gambling casino riverboats, saw its figures drop to 10.7 percent unemployment, down 1 percentage point form February and down 1 percent from March of a year ago. Alexander County unemployment dropped four-tenths of a percent, from 17.9 to 17.5.

Union County, which this year lost two of its big industries Florsheim Shoe and Bunny Bread Bakery felt a big brunt in the loss in March. The unemployment figure increased by almost 2 percent from February, to 18.5 percent. That figure is up 4 percent from March a year ago. Pulaski County also jumped 1 percent, from 17.3 to 18.3 percent.

Williamson County recorded 12.9 percent in March. Unemployment is likely to increase further in Williamson this summer. The county has to absorb another economic blow with the decision that a longtime Herrin employer United Technologies Automotive will be closing its doors on July 2.

United Technologies Automotive, an auto parts maker, announced April 30 that it plans to close its plant in Herrin, a town of 11,000, and move operations elsewhere.

The parent company, United Technologies Corp., closed 16 plants and eliminated 13,900 jobs in cost-cutting moves that began in January 1992, and are designed to save $1 billion.

The Herrin plant once employed more than 400 people. Layoffs of 285 workers began in June, and the plant now employs 97 people. The parent company has not decided whether to offer employees a transfer option or a compensation package.

Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped four-tenths, from 7.7 percent in February to 7.3 in March.