ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota labor officials say the state's employers cut 2,000 jobs in August following two consecutive months of gains.
Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Mark Phillips says despite solid employment gains in the previous two months, the labor market is struggling to find its footing.
The state unemployment rate inched up 0.1 percentage point in August to a seasonally-adjusted rate of 5.9 percent. Minnesota's rate remains well below the national rate of 8.1 percent in August.
On top of job losses in August, the July employment count was revised downward by 2,000 jobs.
Overall, the state added 24,500 jobs in the past 12 months, an increase of 0.9 percent.
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