A report from the Labor Department says that the economy added 54,000 jobs in May, about a third of what economists were predicting. The unemployment rate rose to 9.1% from 9.0%. Economists say that if the government does not hold off on debt reduction and give more aid to the economy, the recovery could slow even more. The manufacturing sector, which was the most stable during previous months, shed jobs in May, and state governments continue to lay off workers. The low job growth comes after three months with growth around 200,000 jobs.
See "Hiring in U.S. Slowed in May With 54,000 Jobs Added", Catherine Rampell, The New York Times, June 2, 2011