Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia on the October Jobs Report

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement on the October 2019 Employment Situation report:

"Significantly exceeding expectations, the U.S. economy added 128,000 new jobs in October. An additional 95,000 jobs in upward revisions for August and September show a stronger labor market than previously reported.

"The unemployment rate remains near a 50-year low.  More than 300,000 Americans entered the labor force in October, leading to a slight uptick of the unemployment rate to 3.6%. This marks the twentieth consecutive month in which the unemployment rate has been at or below 4%. It is also encouraging to see another record low unemployment rate for African-Americans.

"Once again, Americans are receiving more money in their paychecks, as year-over-year wage growth rose by 3.0%. Wages have grown at or above 3.0% for 15 straight months, including September's increased revision. 

"The labor force participation rate climbed to 63.3%, the highest since August 2013.

"Today's jobs numbers were affected by a disruption in the auto industry. The importance of the auto industry to the U.S. economy is a reminder of the need to implement the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).  USMCA will add tens of thousands of American jobs and will greatly strengthen our economy and America's workforce."