Some caution is needed in interpreting the figures, however.
Coal miners returning from strike account for 16,500 of the increase. On the other hand, the 5-week period from the November to December reference weeks this year lead to capturing more construction layoffs than usual in the December data and, thus, the flat construction picture after seasonal adjustment. The December industry employment data show continued improvement in a number of industries including construction-related manufacturing and wholesale trade industries, auto, and related manufacturing and trade industries, personnel supply, and finance. Declines continue, however, in defense-dependent manufacturing industries, textiles, and oil and gas extraction. Hospital employment has not increased for several months, and retail trade industries that do most of the holiday season hiring were very cautious in December.