Just released September employment data for the Pittsburgh metro area point to significant weakness in the labor market. The survey of households report shows the unemployment rate rising to 6 percent and is now above the state rate and higher than 12 of the 18 metro areas in Pennsylvania.

 
Meanwhile, establishment payroll numbers showed another month of sluggishness. Private sector jobs were down by 2,000 with goods producing down by 700 and private services lower by 1,300. The only large gains occurred in the return of college workers (which are considered to be private even if they are publicly funded), and government workers, especially the return of public school employees.

 
Over the last 12 months, private jobs have fallen by 2,600 led by a 3,300 decline in goods producing. Mining and logging jobs are lower by 1,700 reflecting the slowing of gas drilling activity.

 
Sadly, private sector employment in September was virtually the same as in September 2014 and only 8,000 above September 2012, a less than one per cent gain in 4 years.