First time jobless claims increase

South Carolina is marking an increase of initial claims for unemployment compensation for the claim week that ended June 6.  The number of first-time claims across the state rose by 22, 734.  That’s some 3,700 higher than the previous week.  With parts of the economy re-opening, there’s uncertainty as to why.  According to the Department of Employment and Workforce, “This is the third year we have noticed an uptick in initial claims being filed the week after Memorial Day.  The specifics of this 3-year trend are unclear, but worth mentioning.”  Leading the way, at 1.072, were workers who had found work through temporary help services.  Here are some numbers in and around WGOG land:  289 Oconee County claims; 444 from Pickens County; 983 from Anderson; and 1,993 from Greenville.