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Show r Service report shows gTlpoyment fluctuation jn second quarter . ..lian labor force in the Uintah iCn JEt grew 3.4 percent bet-J bet-J D Quarters of 1979 and 1980. M f employed increased 3.1 r'-ile the number of unem-ff unem-ff Si HI Percent. The seasonally adjusted unem-p unem-p . rate increased from 3.5 3 8 percent, according to the T nuarter Employment tm published by Job Service 'gesne, Daggett and Uintah L", nonagricultural jobs in the : rpw 3 1 percent from second ;'V9 to second quarter 1980. The ost rapidly growing industrial 4 t. ...." : - v i w . -v OVLE HARRIS named safety S -ployee at Stauffer Chemical sectors were durable goods manufacturing, service, and state government. The only industrial sector which actually generated fewer jobs was contract construction, according to the report. The district's job market activities and unemployment insurance activities indicate that there are more workers available for each job opening this year than last year. Local Job Service statistics show that the number of new applications grew 3.3 percent from the first half of 1979 to the first half of 1980. During the same period the number of job openings listed, with Job Service declined 26.2 percent and job placements fell 27.3 percent. Unemployment Unem-ployment insurance statistics indicate that the district's initial claims grew 13.6 percent, total weeks claimed increased in-creased 21.8 percent, and total benefits paid increased 39.7 percent. Gross taxable sales and tourist room sales in the Uintah Basin District did not keep pace with inflation. From first quarter 1979 to first quarter 1980 gross taxable sales in the district increased 5.8 percent in total dollars; but inflation ran 14.3 percent. Therefore, when adjusted for inflation, total taxable sales actually declined 8.5 percent. Tourist room sales in the district experienced ex-perienced a healthy increase of 27.6 percent. But, when adjusted for inflation in-flation this represents a 13.3 percent increase. The effects of the current recession are clearly visible in the continuing downward trends of the district's automotive sales and construction industries. The first quarter 1980 new-car-and-truck sales were 35.6 percent lower than in first quarter 1979. The district's total building construction valuation dropped 36.8 percent from the first half of 1979 to the first half of 1980. Some experts say the recession has "bottomed out" pointing to recent drops in interest rates increased retail sales and construction. Others take more negative views. Whoever is right, there is likely to be six to twelve more months of recession before it is finished. The Uintah Basin's crude oil production declined 3.8 percent from first quarter 1979 to first quarter 1980. Production increases in Daggett and Uintah counties were overshadowed by a 12.1 percent decline in Duchesne County. Natural gas production, on the other hand, showed a 60.0 percent increase in-crease during the same comparative periods. Again, Duchesne County experienced ex-perienced a production decrease, but increases , in Daggett and , Uintah , counties more than compensated for it, concluded the Uintah Basin District Job Service report. |