A disappointing report from the U.S. Department of Labor showed employers added no net jobs in the month of August, keeping the national unemployment rate at 9.1 percent and hinting to many that the country is on the verge of another recession. The Associated Press has some details:

The Labor Department says total payrolls were unchanged in August, the weakest report in almost a year. It's the first time since February 1945 that the government has reported a net job change of zero. The unemployment rate stayed at 9.1 percent.

A strike by 45,000 Verizon workers lowered the job totals. Those workers are back on the job.

This dismal news comes after a tough summer for employment, when June and July job gains were revised down, and hours and earnings also fell. President Barack Obama is due to give a major speech on the U.S. employment situation next Thursday.

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Adam Martin