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Gov. Ivey releases Labor Day message to Alabama’s workforce

The governor celebrated Alabama’s workforce, highlighting the state’s record high employment and decreasing unemployment rate.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey released a video message this weekend commemorating the Labor Day holiday and celebrating Alabama’s workforce.

“My fellow Alabamians, this Labor Day we are pausing to honor the men and women who keep our state moving – our hardworking Alabama workforce,” Ivey stated in Friday’s message. “Here in Alabama, we know a thing or two about hard work: We rise early. We stay the course. And we never shy away from rolling up our sleeves to get-the-job-done.”

“I’m proud that our state is leading the way. We’re building strong families, increasing Alabama-made jobs and opening doors from the classroom straight into a good-paying career,” the Governor added. “Because when opportunity meets hard work, Alabama rises. Whether it’s steel, aerospace, farming or freight – when it’s Made in Alabama; it’s made right. And today, we recognize the hands that build, grow, teach and serve – the very hands that keep our state strong.”

“Happy Labor Day, Alabama. Thank you for your hard work,” Ivey concluded.

Ivey’s message comes after total employment in Alabama hit a new record high in July, with 2,311,434 Alabamians considered employed per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Alabama’s unemployment rate has also been gradually decreasing since the beginning of 2025, with July’s unemployment rate reaching a new monthly low of 3.0 percent (nationally, unemployment sits at 4.2 percent). Year over year, however, Alabama’s unemployment rate remains largely unchanged with only marginal gains to the state’s lackluster labor force participation rate.

Locally, unemployment is currently lowest in Shelby, St. Clair, Limestone, Elmore and Blount Counties (at 2.3 percent) and highest in Perry County (6.9 percent), Greene County (5.8 percent) and Wilcox County (5.6 percent). Vestavia Hills (2.0 percent), Trussville, Pelham and Hoover (2.1 percent), and Madison and Alabaster (2.2 percent) have the lowest unemployment rates among major Alabama cities, while rates are highest in Prichard (6.3 percent), Selma (4.8 percent) and Tuscaloosa (4.5 percent).

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Alex Jobin is a reporter. You can reach him at [email protected].

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