After gaining 23,000 jobs across June and July, U.S. manufacturing took a step back in August by losing 14,000 jobs during the month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' August employment report.
Manufacturing posted a decline of 16,000 jobs in durable goods, partially offset by a gain of 2,000 jobs in nondurable goods.
In the manufacturing sector during August, transporation and warehousing added 14,900 jobs, following a gain of 11,700 in July. Of the August gain, warehousing and storage added 4,300 jobs, following gains of 2,600 in July and 3,500 in June for a three-month gain of 10,400.
Following a 14,000 job gain in July, construction took a step back in August with a loss of 6,000 jobs.
Mining continued its longstanding slide in August, losing 4,300 jobs. That followed a 12,000 job decline over July and June. Mining has lost 215,000 jobs since peaking in 2014.
August total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 151,000 in August, while the unemployment rate remained was 4.9 percent for a third straight month.