February 13, 2006 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Extended mass layoff events, fourth quarter 2005

In the fourth quarter of 2005, there were 1,299 mass layoff events that resulted in the separation of 217,803 workers from their jobs for at least 31 days.

Number of extended mass layoff events in private nonfarm economy in fourth quarter of each year, 1996-2005
[Chart data—TXT]

Both the total number of layoff events and the number of separations were sharply lower than during the October-December 2004 time period.

The declines over the year were most notable in food manufacturing, general merchandise stores, and electrical equipment and appliance manufacturing.

These data are from the Mass Layoff Statistics program. "Extended mass layoffs" last more than 30 days and involve 50 or more individuals from a single establishment filing initial claims for unemployment insurance during a consecutive 5-week period. Data for the fourth quarter of 2005 are preliminary and subject to revision. Additional information is available in "Extended Mass Layoffs in the Fourth Quarter of 2005 and Annual Averages for 2005" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 06-226.

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