Life gets busy for Washington State's
Unemployment Claims TeleCenters

Source: US Dept of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

June 20 2003 - Bureau of Labor Statistics states: In May, South Dakota and North Dakota again recorded the lowest unemploy- ment rates, 3.2 and 3.5 percent, respectively. Oregon continued to report the highest jobless rate, 8.2 percent, followed by two other Pacific divi- sion states, Alaska and Washington, at 7.3 percent each. (See table 3 and chart 1.) Six of the eight most populous states--California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Texas--had jobless rates equal to or greater than that of the U.S. as a whole."

May 30 2003 - Bureau of Labor Statistics states that:
"In April, South Dakota posted the lowest unemployment rate, 3.1 percent, followed by North Dakota, at 3.4 percent. Oregon continued to experience the highest rate, 8.0 percent. The three states with the next highest unem- ployment rates also were in the Pacific division--Washington, 7.3 percent, Alaska, 7.2 percent, and California, 6.7 percent. The District of Columbia also reported one of the highest rates, 7.3 percent."

December 20 2002 - Bureau of Labor Statistics states: "In November, South Dakota continued to report the lowest unemployment rate, 2.7 percent, followed once again by two West North Central states-- Nebraska, 3.3 percent, and North Dakota, 3.4 percent. Oregon again posted the highest jobless rate, 7.1 percent. The next highest rates were recorded in Alaska, 6.8 percent, Illinois and Mississippi, 6.7 percent each, and Washington, 6.6 percent."

September 23 2002 - Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.2 percent in August, according to Employment Security Commissioner Sylvia P. Mundy.

"The August numbers are further evidence that Washington's economy is likely to experience a slow recovery," said Mundy. "The good news is that the state’s economy appears to be withstanding the declines in manufacturing. Although economic signals are still mixed, it appears unlikely that the state or the nation will go into a double dip recession."

Bibliography and Amazon.com Fired, Down-Sized, or Laid-Off: What Your Employer Doesn't Want You to Know About How to Fight Back by Alan L. Sklover Getting Fired: What to Do If You're Fired, Downsized, Laid Off, Restructured, Discharged, Terminated, or Forced to Resign by Steven Mitchell Sack Job Rights & Survival Strategies: A Handbook for Terminated Employees Monique Rothschild (Editor)

May 17 2002 - Bureau of Labor Statistics states: 'Oregon continued to report the highest jobless rate, 7.5 percent, followed by Washington, 7.1 percent, and Mississippi, 7.0 percent. April marks the first time since January 1997 that three states have recorded jobless rates of 7.0 percent or more.' For non-farm unemployment over the previous year: 'Six states reported declines of 2.0 percent or greater. Georgia and Washington recorded the largest percentage decreases in employment (-2.5 percent each), followed by Missouri (-2.3 percent), and Hawaii, Colorado, and Illinois (-2.0 percent each).' Employment Security Commissioner Sylvia P. Mundy, explaining a three-tenths of one percentage point increase over the month to 7.1 percent, compared with a similar increase to 6.0 percent in the US as a whole said: "The national rise may be linked to an improving economy that has enticed discouraged workers into the job hunt, adding them back into the statistics as unemployed," Mundy said. "The increase in Washington state, however, was accompanied by weak employment numbers, suggesting the labor market remains soft here." Unadjusted, the state economy actually added 8,800 nonagricultural wage and salary jobs over the month (0.3 percent), but this was a weak climb compared to past Aprils. Services accounted for 4,500 of that gain. Employment in Washington State fell by 69,600 jobs or -2.6 percent from April 2001 to April 2002. Manufacturing accounted for 30,500 jobs (unadjusted), with transportation equipment accounting for more than a third - mostly in aircraft and parts (-9,800).

January 7 2002 - Washington's Unemployment Claims TeleCenters will open for longer over the winter to keep up with a flood of laid-off workers applying for unemployment benefits.

Claims specialists will be takong calls from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays except state holidays.

"This is a difficult time for many Washington residents seeking work. We're doing everything possible to help," said Employment Security Commissioner Sylvia P. Mundy. "We've hired more staff to keep up with the pace of layoffs. Extending hours is the next logical step."

Employment Security receives an average of 50,000 calls a week to its claims lines from laid-off workers wanting information about unemployment benefits. 8,696 jobless workers filed initial claims for unemployment insurance during week ending December 29 - 26% more than the level a year ago. And The department expects to process 13,000 initial claims this week.

Laid-off employees can also apply online 24 hours a day at http://www.go2ui.com.

"We're asking applicants to file online if possible. It's quick, easy and secure," said Annette Copeland, assistant commissioner of Unemployment Insurance.

But, despite additional staff and longer hours at the telecenters, callers may still have to wait to speak to a claims agent. The busiest days are Mondays and Tuesdays with a faster service on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It also helps to phone early (6-9 a.m.) or late (after 5 p.m.).

Telecenter staff are able take applications in English, Spanish, and other languages. The following numbers are available for jobless workers to apply for unemployment benefits:

Seattle: 206-766-6000
Tacoma: 253-396-3500
Spokane: 509-893-7000
TDD: 1-800-365-8969
All other areas: 1-800-362-4636

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