BLS Data Shows 14k US Manufacturing Jobs Created in June

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released employment situation data for June 2016 on Friday, showing 287,000 jobs while the rate of unemployment increased by 0.2% to 4.9%. Some say that the data is a positive sign that the US economy is rebounding after a bleak BLS employment report this May.

America’s manufacturing sector grained 14,000 new positions, several news sources reported.

US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez said in a statement Friday that the data reaffirmed that the economy is “resilient and strong” in the United States.

“We are reminded of the importance of focusing on long-term trends rather than one month’s results. All told, American businesses have added 14.8 million jobs since February 2010, a remarkable recovery from the greatest economic crisis of our lifetimes,” said Secretary Perez.

While the statistics are a cause for optimism, Labor Secretary Perez cautioned that more work needs to be done to ensure the benefits of an improving economy is “broadly spread” across America’s population.

“We can start with two measures that Congress has so far refused to take up: raising the federal minimum wage and guaranteeing access to paid sick and parental leave,” the US Secretary of Labor said, also noting that the country should invest more in infrastructure like roads and bridges.

Following the release of the numbers, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) president and chief executive officer Jay Timmons issued a statement Friday sharply criticizing elected officials for failing to provide “clear answers” on an agenda for domestic job creation and economic growth – particularly in manufacturing.

“While many in Washington may claim today’s report is a positive development, the bottom line is that an increase in the unemployment rate is unacceptable. Our economy isn’t creating jobs fast enough, especially manufacturing jobs. While 14,000 new manufacturing jobs last month is a positive development, we have lost 24,000 manufacturing jobs so far this year,” Timmons said.

Timmons also chided candidates from both US political parties who he said “pretend the solution is to bash free trade and perpetuate myths” about the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other trade agreements.

“It helps no one – except our competitors in the global economy. The United States should be writing the rules on trade,” said Timmons, “Trade opens up opportunities for manufacturers in the United States to reach new customers with our products, strengthening our economy and creating good jobs.”