The nation gained 120,000 jobs in November. That's a good start, but not enough considering the nation has 13.3 million unemployed citizens.

The unemployment rate slid from 9 percent to 8.6 percent, but much of that decline can be attributed to the 315,000 Americans who retired or otherwise drooped out of the workforce. It doesn't mean employers suddenly revved up hiring to unprecedented levels.

That is "distressing," said National Employment Law Project (NELP) executive director Christine Owens.
Owens, Minnesotans for a Fair Economy, The Economic Policy Institute and other groups say the slow pace of job growth puts pressure on Congress to take action soon. Unemployment benefit extensions expire on Dec. 31 unless Congress votes for an extension.

Without one, 2 million Americans will lose benefits. And the pipeline behind them is long. About 44 percent of all unemployed Americans have been without work for more than six months, meaning their unemployment checks are at the risk of expiring soon, Friday's report showed.

Members of Minnesotans for a Fair Economy said they are so distressed about unemployment that they are heading to Washington D.C., to protest with others at the U.S. Capitol on Monday and Tuesday. They will demand meetings with Minnesota's congressional delegation and hold rallies and pray vigils around town.

Minnesota State Economist Tom Stinson said the unemployed have a tough road.

While Stinson said he was happy to see the Labor Department revise its October job gain totals beyond his expectations, it's a small step.

"One should not fool themselves that all the labor market problems are solved because of today's report. There are still a substantial number of people who are unemployed and you have to have a great deal of sympathy for them,'' Stinson said. "They are in a very difficult situation. The economy has not healed itself fully even though there are small [signs] that things are getting better."