The U.S. Labor Department figures there were 246 major layoffs around the nation in manufacturing during March affecting 33,030 workers. Both March numbers were higher than February's. There were 230 major layoffs in February, affecting 24,931 workers, according the department data not adjusted for seasonal variations.
With 50 and 48, respectively, food and transportation equipment were the manufacturing sectors with the greatest number of "mass" layoffs in March. The Labor Department defines a mass layoff as an action affecting at least 50 workers in a single establishment.
