Jobless claims see second weekly decline

Unemployment aid applications slide 1,000 to 309,000 last week

WASHINGTON - Applications for unemployment benefits dipped for a second straight week, indicating the labor market remains healthy despite a yearlong slowdown in economic growth.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that the number of Americans filing claims for jobless benefits totaled 309,000 last week, down by 1,000 from the previous week. The small improvement pushed claims down to the lowest level in three weeks.

The drop was in line with analysts’ expectations. Economists say that strength in the overall labor market has helped the economy withstand the blows from a serious slump in housing.