Unemployment Rate Drags Along

August unemployment data failed to bring positive news to the labor market. 

The national unemployment rate increased from 9.5 to 9.6 percent and 54,000 fewer people in the country were employed, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While private sector employment continued its upward trend by adding 67,000 jobs last month, the federal government continued to shed jobs, this time losing 114,000 workers.

The health care sector continued to add jobs, last month putting 28,000 more people to work, while manufacturing lost 27,000 jobs. Temporary employment rose by 17,000 positions, while the construction industry also gained 19,000 jobs.

Of the 14.9 million unemployed in the country, about 6.2 million have been unemployed for 27 weeks or longer.

Another 8.9 million Americans are working part time when they would like to be working full time and another 1.1 million people were not counted in the unemployment rate because they stopped looking for a job.