Statement of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis on May employment numbers

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the May 2011 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market continued to add jobs in the month of May. Nonfarm payroll employment added 54,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate registered at 9.1 percent.

"While our rate of job growth slowed last month, we added 83,000 private sector jobs in May, and our economy continues to grow. We've now had 15 straight months of private sector job growth and added 2.1 million jobs over this period.

"We are making progress, but we need to do even more to put Americans back to work. As we debate the nation's budget and work to address the deficit, we must continue to make smart investments in our infrastructure and in new industries like clean energy and alternative fuels to help to grow our economy and create more jobs for Americans here at home.

"One impact on the May job numbers was a reduction in the government workforce. We have lost 73,000 government jobs in the last three months. As states and localities make budget decisions, they should cut judiciously because their decisions have an impact on jobs and the direction of our economy. Also, policymakers should resolve the debt ceiling issue to reduce market uncertainty and bolster consumer confidence so more businesses will reinvest in our economy and continue to create American jobs.

"While I would have liked to have seen stronger growth in May, we are still on the right trajectory. With smart investments and the determination of the American people, we will continue on our path toward a full recovery."