BLS: Mass layoffs up in June, but manufacturing's proportion at lowest level in program history

Employers took 1,647 mass layoff actions in June that resulted in the separation of 145,538 workers, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single employer. The number of mass layoff events in June increased by 235 from the prior month, and the number of associated initial claims increased by 9,749. In June, 298 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 29,384 initial claims.

Agriculture and manufacturing reached program lows for the month of June in terms of initial claimants in 2010. (Data began in April 1995.) Local government reached a program high in June 2010 with 37,610 initial claims.

The manufacturing sector accounted for 11 percent of all mass layoff events and 12 percent of initial claims filed in June; the lowest proportions in program history. A year earlier, manufacturing made up 27 percent of events and 33 percent of initial claims. Within manufacturing, the number of claimants in June 2010 was greatest in transportation equipment and food. Eighteen of the 21 manufacturing subsectors experienced over-the-year decreases in initial claims, led by transportation equipment and machinery; five of these subsectors reached program lows for June.

The full report can be found here