Conn. jobless rate in May rises to 7.8 percent

WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (AP) -- The unemployment rate in Connecticut inched up in May as the number of jobless workers rose. The state also added 1,400 jobs.

The state Department of Labor announced Thursday that the jobless rate increased to 7.8 percent, up 0.1 percent from April. The agency said the number of unemployed workers increased by 3,112 to 150,300.

Labor economists say that over the year, Connecticut's labor market grew by 6,200 jobs, or 0.4 percent.

In addition, the state revised the April estimate of a loss of 4,100 jobs to a loss of 4,700.

The number of jobs rose in six of Connecticut's 10 industry sectors, fell in three and was unchanged in one. Education, health care and government were among the sectors where jobs rose.

Declines were posted in professional and business services, utilities and transportation.