Employers took 1,286 mass layoff actions in March involving 118,523 workers, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Each mass layoff involved at least 50 workers from a single employer. The number of mass layoff events in March decreased by 135 from February, and the number of associated initial claims decreased by 12,295. These were their lowest levels since September 2007 and May 2007, respectively. In March 253 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 27,619 initial claims. Manufacturing events decreased by 38 from the prior month to the lowest level on record, while associated initial claims increased by 1,559 from a program low in February (data begin in April 1995).

The national unemployment rate was 8.8 percent in March, essentially unchanged from the prior month and down from 9.7 percent a year earlier. In March total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 216,000 over the month and by 1,300,000 from a year earlier.

Industry Distribution (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

The number of mass layoff events in March was 908, not seasonally adjusted, resulting in 85,095 initial claims. (See table 2.) The number of mass layoff events was down by 289 from March 2010, and associated initial claims decreased by 26,632. Fifteen of the 19 major industry sectors in the private economy reported over-the-year declines in initial claims, with manufacturing and retail trade having the largest decreases. The six-digit industry with the largest number of initial claims in March 2011 was food service contractors. (See table A. The table includes both publicly and privately owned entities.)

The manufacturing sector accounted for 21 percent of all mass layoff events and 25 percent of initial claims filed in March. A year earlier, manufacturing made up 23 percent of events and 27 percent of initial claims. Within manufacturing, the number of claimants in March 2011 was greatest in the food subsector. (See table 3.) Fourteen of the 21 manufacturing subsectors experienced over-the-year decreases in initial claims, with the largest declines in transportation equipment and food.

Geographic Distribution (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

All 4 regions and 8 of the 9 divisions experienced over-the-year decreases in initial claims due to mass layoffs in March. Among the census regions, the West registered the largest over-the-year decrease in initial claims. Of the geographic divisions, the East North Central and the Pacific had the largest over-the-year declines in initial claims.

California recorded the highest number of initial claims in March, followed by Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York. Thirty states experienced over-the-year decreases in initial claims, led by California, Illinois, and Michigan.