September Layoffs Highest Since 1995

ByJohn S. McClenahen Confirming previous anecdotal evidence, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics says so-called mass layoffs -- those which involve at least 50 employees -- reached 1,316 in September, their highest monthly number since the BLS began keeping such data in April 1995. Some 158,859 workers were affected. BLS data are based on new filings for unemployment insurance during the month. Manufacturing accounted for 37% of the September total, with the construction-equipment, automobile, and semiconductors industries taking the hardest hits.