WASHINGTON - During April, 383 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 43,753 initial claims, according to a government report released Thursday.
The Department of Labor Mass Layoffs report found mass layoff activity in the manufacturing sector decreased by 37 events and 10,688 initial claims, as compared with March.
Employers in April took 1,243 mass layoff actions, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month. The number of mass layoff events decreased by 33 from the prior month, and the number of associated initial claims fell by 4,640.
The national unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in April, essentially unchanged from 4.4 percent the prior month and down from 4.7 percent a year earlier. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 88,000 over the month and by 1.9 million over the year.
The national unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in April, essentially unchanged from 4.4 percent the prior month and down from 4.7 percent a year earlier. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 88,000 over the month and by 1.9 million over the year.
The manufacturing sector accounted for 25 percent of all mass layoff events, not seasonally adjusted, and 28 percent of all related initial claims filed in April. In April 2006, manufacturing made up 26 percent of events and 33 percent of initial claims. In April 2007, the number of manufacturing claimants was highest in transportation equipment manufacturing (11,466, largely heavy duty truck manufacturing), followed by food manufacturing (5,925) and machinery manufacturing (2,392).
On a not seasonally adjusted basis, the number of mass layoff events in April, at 1,224, was up by 84 from a year earlier, and the number of associated initial claims increased by 5,685 to 127,274. The largest over-the-year decreases in mass layoff initial claims were reported in transportation equipment manufacturing (-2,693) and food manufacturing (-2,267).
Click here to review the entire report from the Department of Labor.
