ATLANTA - First-time claims for unemployment insurance (UI) in Georgia were up 16.7 percent in June, compared to May, with the increase attributed mostly to temporary claims filed in manufacturing,
Twelve of the state's 14 metropolitan areas, including Gainesville, reported increases.
The biggest increases were in Rome (54.4 percent); Valdosta (32.2 percent); and Savannah (31.1 percent). The increase in Gainesville was 5.9 percent. It was nine percent in Athens and 14.4 percent in Atlanta.
In addition to the temporary claims in manufacturing, state Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said other segments of economy that factored into the increases include retail trade, transportation and warehousing, administrative and support services, educational services, and health care and social assistance.
Only Warner Robins (32.7 percent) and Macon (22.7 percent) reported a month-to-month decrease in applications.
