South Coast Employment, Dec. 23

Oregon Employment Dept. release – Coos County total payroll employment fell by 60 jobs in November. The largest decline was estimated in leisure and hospitality, down by 80 jobs. Job loss also occurred in manufacturing, down by 30 jobs, with the reduction in the food manufacturing component. Construction and federal government employment each shed 30 jobs in November. A couple sectors added jobs over the month including local government education (+50); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+20). Coos County’s total payroll employment fell by 1,450 jobs over the year, a drop of 6.2%. Coos County job losses were widespread outside of a few jobs gained over the year in construction (+80) and general merchandise stores (+30). Sectors with job loss included leisure and hospitality (-240); private education and health services (-230); retail trade (-110); professional and business services (-80); and other services (-70). Government employment fell by 600 over the year with losses estimated in local education (-400) and Indian tribal local government (-150). Curry County lost 190 payroll jobs in November. Leisure and hospitality employment fell by 110 jobs and government employment slipped by 40 jobs. Construction employment dipped by 30 jobs. Over the year, payroll employment fell by 210 jobs or a loss of 2.9%. Industries shedding the most jobs since November 2019 were construction (-50); financial activities (-40); and manufacturing (-30). A few industries had estimated jobs gains over the year including retail trade and health care, each adding 30 jobs. “On Nov. 18th, Oregon implemented a ‘freeze’ to combat the rise of COVID-19 in the state. This employment press release covers the employment situation just prior to the ongoing freeze, which has affected employers and tens of thousands of workers in recent weeks,” said Gail Krumenauer, State Employment Economist with the Oregon Employment Dept.