NY adds jobs as unemployment rate rises

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Labor officials report New York's unemployment rate rose to 8.9 percent in June even as the state's economy added 15,400 private sector jobs from a month earlier.

The state Labor Department says the rise in the jobless rate from 8.6 percent reflects growth in the labor force, which has added 105,000 job seekers in a year.

The report shows New York adding 342,600 private sector jobs since its economic recovery began in November 2009, to more than 7.3 million, regaining all it lost in the recession.

State officials say the trends reflect confidence in New York's economy as the U.S. altogether has recouped about 42 percent of lost jobs.

Data show New York adding 139,100 jobs since June 2011, including 80,000 in New York City, with 1.95 million added nationally.