California's jobless rate climbs to record 11.5 percent

The loss of another 69,000 jobs comes as a blow to the state after unemployment dipped slightly to 11.1 percent in April, according to revised figures. The California Employment Development Department said the government posted the largest job declines in the month, down by 14,200 jobs. Every other sector besides education and health services also saw losses.

The dreary jobs outlook wasn't news to people seeking assistance at an EDD office in the Los Angeles suburb of Glendale.

Respiratory therapist Andrew Forrest, 56, of Glendale, said he has been out of work for two weeks.

"I'm calling the registries every day, bugging them to get me work and hanging out by the phone," he said.

Although the Labor Department reported that 48 states and the District of Columbia saw their unemployment rates rise in May, California's rate was substantially higher than the national rate of 9.4 percent for the month.