Jobs and Joblessness Rise In East Bay

http://berkeley.patch.com/articles/jobs-and-joblessness-rise-in-east-bay-056e1683?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001

The number jobless rose last month in the East Bay.

The unemployment rate for the region in March increased to 9.8 percent, up from 9.6 percent in February.

However, the region also added 6,200 jobs. The biggest gains came in education and health services, which saw an increase of 2,700 jobs, and leisure and hospitality, which rose by 2,400.

Decreases were seen in the construction industry with a loss of 500 jobs and professional business services, which dropped by 300 jobs.

Oakland still has the highest jobless rate in the county at 14.7 percent.

Right behind it were the unincorporated areas of Cherryland at 14.1 percent and Ashland at 11.2 percent.

Nearby, San Leandro recorded a 9.6 percent rate while San Lorenzo had a 7.2 percent. Castro Valley notched a rate of 5.8 percent.

Berkeley had a 9.2 percent jobless rate while Albany was 4.1 percent and Alameda sits at 6.7 percent.