Mass Layoffs In February 2004 — 2004-03-24

In February 2004, there were 941 mass layoff actions by employers, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single establishment, and the number of workers involved totaled 84,201. (See table 1.) The number of events was the lowest for any February since 1997, and the number of initial claims was the lowest for any February since 1998. Both the number of events and initial claims were sharply lower than a year ago, and the over-the-year declines were the largest for a February since the program began in April 1995. Temporary help services, with 6,953 initial claimants, and motion picture and video production, with 3,967 initial claimants, together accounted for 13 percent of all initial claims in February.