Technical information: (202) 691-6392

http://www.bls.gov/mls/

Media contact: 691-5902

USDL 03-165

For release: 10:00 A.M. EDT

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

MASS LAYOFFS IN JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2003

AND ANNUAL AVERAGES FOR 2002

Employers initiated 3,597 mass layoff actions in January-February 2003, as measured by new filings for

unemployment insurance benefits during the 2 months, according to 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 340,474. (See table 1.) In January-February 2002, there were 3,529 mass layoff

events involving 402,805 workers. (January-February 2003 had one more week than the January-February

periods of the prior two years.)

With the resumption of the Mass Layoff Statistics program, data are now available since November

2002 (issued on Dec. 24, 2002). The addition of December brings the total of layoff events for all of 2002

to 20,269 and the total of initial claimants to 2,244,631. Both of these measures were lower than in 2001

(21,467 and 2,514,862, respectively). Additional information on the annual data is provided starting on page

2 of this release.

Industry Distribution

Manufacturing industries accounted for 35 percent of all mass layoff events and 40 percent of all initial

claims filed in January-February. A year earlier, layoffs in this sector accounted for 39 percent of events and

47 percent of initial claims. Within manufacturing, the number of initial claimants was highest in transportation

equipment (22,592, mainly in automobile manufacturing), followed by food processing (13,586, mostly in

fruits and vegetables). (See table 2.)

Twelve percent of all layoff events and all initial claims filed during the 2 months were in administrative

and waste services, mostly in temporary help services. Thirteen percent of the events and 9 percent of all

initial claims in January-February were from construction, largely specialty trade contractors. Retail trade

accounted for 9 percent of all events and initial claims, mainly from general merchandise stores. Transportation and warehousing contributed an additional 5 percent to all events and 6 percent to initial claims,

primarily in school and employee bus transportation and in scheduled passenger air transportation.

This news release marks the resumption of the Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS) program. It was

discontinued as of Dec. 31, 2002, due to a lack of funding. However, funds for the MLS resumption

were contained in H.J. Res. 2, the Omnibus Appropriation Bill, signed into law on Feb. 20.

Mass Layoff Statistics Program
2

Government establishments accounted for 4 percent of events and 3 percent of initial claims filed during

these 2 months, particularly in executive, legislative, and general government and in educational services.

Compared with January-February 2002, the largest decreases in initial claims were reported in transportation equipment manufacturing (-19,730) and in computer and electronic products manufacturing

(-9,627). The largest over-the-year increase in initial claims was reported in transit and ground passenger

transportation (+6,334).

Geographic Distribution

Among the four regions, the highest number of initial claims in January-February due to mass layoffs was

in the West, 112,935. (See table 3.) Administrative and support services and agricultural and forestry

support activities accounted for 25 percent of all initial claims in that region during the 2 months. The South

followed with 84,446 initial claims (mainly in transportation equipment manufacturing and in textile mills). The

lowest numbers of initial claims was reported in the Northeast, 67,687, largely in transit and ground passenger transportation.

From January-February 2002 to January-February 2003, the number of initial claimants in mass layoffs

declined in three of the four geographic regions. The largest decrease occurred in the South (-32,418),

largely in administrative and support services and in apparel manufacturing. Eight of the nine geographic

divisions reported over-the-year decreases in the number of initial claims associated with mass layoffs, with

the largest declines in the East North Central (-23,420), West South Central (-15,490), and East South

Central (-15,179) divisions. The Middle Atlantic division reported the only increase (+17,785).

California had the largest number of initial claims filed in mass layoff events this January-February,

87,682, mostly in administrative and support services, followed by Pennsylvania, 25,786, New York,

24,071, and Ohio, 20,786. These four states accounted for 51 percent of all layoff events and 47 percent

of initial claims for unemployment insurance. (See table 4.)

Texas reported the largest over-the-year decrease in initial claims (-13,548), followed by Alabama

(-12,825), California (-9,656), Michigan (-9,449), and Illinois (-9,246). The largest over-the-year increase

occurred in New York (+19,215).

Review of 2002

During 2002, 20,269 layoff events occurred in the nation, resulting in 2,244,631 initial claims filings for

unemployment insurance. In 2001, there were 21,467 events and 2,514,862 initial claimants. (See table A.)

Manufacturing accounted for 35 percent of all mass layoff events and 40 percent of initial claims filed

during 2002. A year earlier, manufacturing accounted for 42 percent of events and 49 percent of initial

claims. Initial claim filings were most numerous in transportation equipment, 176,619, followed by food

production, 98,284, machinery manufacturing, 87,710, and computer and electronic products, 85,898.

Compared with 2001, the largest decrease in initial claims occurred in transportation equipment (-126,520).

The largest over-the-year increase in initial claims occurred in textile product mills (+6,001).

The number of initial claims filed in 2002 due to mass layoffs was higher in the West, 745,638, than in

any other region. Layoffs in administrative and support services, agricultural and forestry support activities,

and professional and technical services accounted for 31 percent of the claims in the West. The fewest

number of mass-layoff initial claims was reported in the Northeast region, 338,965. Over-the-year decreases

in mass-layoff initial claims occurred in each of the four regions, with the largest in the Midwest (-227,476).
3

Table A. Number of mass layoff events and initial claimants for

unemployment insurance, 1996-2002

Year Layoff events Initial claimants for

unemployment insurance

1996 ............................... 14,111 1,437,628

1997 ............................... 14,960 1,542,543

1998 ............................... 15,904 1,771,069

1999 ............................... 14,909 1,572,399

2000 ............................... 15,738 1,835,592

2001 ............................... 21,467 2,514,862

2002 ............................... 20,269 2,244,631

r=revised.

Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, California recorded the largest number of initial claims

filed in mass layoff events for the period, 576,110. Michigan reported the largest over-the-year decrease in

initial claims (-133,109), followed by Pennsylvania (-43,857). The largest over-the-year increases occurred

in Alabama (+41,593) and New York (+39,174).

r

Note

The monthly data series in this release cover mass layoffs of 50 or more workers beginning in a given

month, regardless of the duration of the layoffs. Information on the length of the layoff is obtained later and

issued in a quarterly release that reports on mass layoffs lasting more than 30 days (referred to as “extended

mass layoffs”) and provides more information on the industry classification and location of the establishment

and on the demographics of the laid-off workers. Because monthly figures include short-term layoffs of 30

days or less, the sum of the figures for the 3 months in a quarter are higher than the quarterly figure for mass

layoffs of more than 30 days. (See table 1.) See the Technical Note for more detailed definitions.
Technical Note

The Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS) program is a federal-state

program that uses a standardized, automated approach to identifying,

describing, and tracking the effects of major job cutbacks, using data

from each state’s unemployment insurance database. Each month,

states report on establishments which have at least 50 initial claims

filed against them during a consecutive 5-week period. These

establishments then are contacted by the state agency to determine

whether these separations lasted 31 days or longer, and, if so, other

information concerning the layoff is collected. States report on layoffs

lasting more than 1 month on a quarterly basis.

A given month contains an aggregation of the weekly unemployment

insurance claims filings for the Sunday through Saturday weeks in that

month. All weeks are included for the particular month, except if the

first day of the month falls on Saturday. In this case, the week is

included in the prior month's tabulations. This means that some

months will contain 4 weeks and others 5 weeks, and the number of

weeks in a given month may be different from year to year. Therefore,

analysis of over-the-month and over-the-year change should take this

calendar effect into consideration.

The MLS program resumed operations in April 1995 after it

had been terminated in November 1992 due to lack of funding. Prior

to April 1995, monthly layoff statistics were not available.

Information in this release will be made available to sensory

impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200;

TDD message referral phone number: 1-800-877-8339.

Definitions

Initial claimant. A person who files any notice of unemployment to initiate a request either for a determination of entitlement to and eligibility for compensation, or for a subsequent

period of unemployment within a benefit year or period of

eligibility.

Mass layoff event. Fifty or more initial claims for unemployment

insurance benefits filed against an establishment during a 5-week

period, regardless of duration.
Table 1. Mass layoff events and initial claimants for unemployment insurance, January 2001 to February 2003

Date

Total mass layoffs Extended mass layoffs 

lasting more than 30 days Realization rates 1

Events Initial

claimants Events Initialclaimants Events Initialclaimants

2001

January ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,522 200,343 

February ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,501 172,908 

March ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,527 171,466 

First Quarter ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4,550 544,717 1,765 340,210 38.8 62.5 

April ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,450 176,265 

May ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,434 159,365 

June ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,107 253,826 

Second Quarter ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4,991 589,456 2,072 401,270 41.5 68.1 

July ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,117 273,807 

August ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,490 166,148 

September ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,327 160,402 

Third Quarter ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4,934 600,357 1,815 370,942 36.8 61.8 

October ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,831 215,483 

November ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,721 295,956 

December ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,440 268,893 

Fourth Quarter ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6,992 780,332 2,698 502,287 38.6 64.4 

2002

January ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,146 263,821 

February ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,383 138,984 

March ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,460 161,336 

First Quarter ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4,989 564,141 1,748 314,966 35.0 55.8 

April ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,507 165,861 

May ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,726 180,007 

June ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,580 161,928 

Second Quarter ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4,813 507,796 1,905 347,321 39.6 68.4 

July ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,041 245,211 

August ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,247 128,080 

September ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,062 124,512 

Third Quarter ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4,350 497,803 2, p1,309 2, p193,385 p30.1 p38.8

October ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,497 171,088 

November ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,150 240,028 

December ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,470 263,775 

Fourth Quarter ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6,117 674,891 

2003

January p ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,286 222,186 

February p ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,311 118,288 

 1 The event realization rate is the percentage of total mass layoff data on these layoffs become avaliable. Recent experience suggests

events lasting more than 30 days. The initial claimant realization rate that the number of extended mass layoff events is generally revised

is the percentage of total mass-layoff initial claimants associated with upwards by less than 10 percent and the number of initial claimants

layoffs lasting more than 30 days. associated with such events increases by 25-40 percent.

 2 These quarterly numbers are provisional and will increase as more p = preliminary.
Table 2. Industry distribution: Mass layoff events and initial claimants for unemployment insurance

Industry

Mass layoff events Initial claimants for

unemployment insurance

February December January February February December January February

2002 2002 2003p2003p2002 2002 2003p2003p

 Total1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,383 2,470 2,286 1,311 138,984 263,775 222,186 118,288 

Total, private ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,351 2,392 2,199 1,271 135,518 257,087 214,197 115,286 

 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ..................................................................................................................................................................... 97 72 96 100 5,493 4,663 6,407 5,626 

 Mining ..................................................................................................................................................................... 15 26 19 7 1,802 1,981 1,559 724 

 Utilities ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) ( 2 ) 8 – ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 561 –

 Construction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 140 407 263 194 10,277 31,937 18,571 13,282 

 Manufacturing..................................................................................................................................................................... 482 984 817 427 58,842 126,834 89,525 45,290 

 Food ..................................................................................................................................................................... 63 89 89 59 6,991 10,597 8,111 5,475 

 Beverage and tobacco products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 9 11 8 409 1,032 755 407 

 Textile mills ..................................................................................................................................................................... 21 46 42 16 2,380 6,676 7,611 1,958 

 Textile product mills ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 23 18 7 873 3,014 1,890 571 

 Apparel ..................................................................................................................................................................... 26 42 53 20 2,190 5,101 6,085 1,525 

 Leather and allied products ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) 10 5 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 854 294 ( 2 ) 

 Wood products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 37 64 56 28 3,854 7,219 6,702 2,291 

 Paper ..................................................................................................................................................................... 16 21 19 13 1,636 1,540 2,510 999 

 Printing and related support activities ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12 11 21 13 1,321 1,186 1,803 793 

 Petroleum and coal products ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) 9 5 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 932 339 ( 2 ) 

 Chemicals ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12 11 14 8 780 1,523 1,202 1,098 

 Plastics and rubber products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 15 77 34 15 1,472 11,776 3,599 1,086 

 Nonmetallic mineral products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 54 35 18 976 5,366 3,201 1,652 

 Primary metals ..................................................................................................................................................................... 24 65 48 16 2,829 7,179 5,846 1,613 

 Fabricated metal products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 36 72 58 34 3,471 8,249 5,664 2,622 

 Machinery ..................................................................................................................................................................... 28 57 53 21 6,027 7,547 6,031 2,105 

 Computer and electronic products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 58 68 78 41 6,025 6,655 6,800 3,671 

 Electrical equipment and appliances ..................................................................................................................................................................... 16 39 30 19 2,162 8,304 2,920 3,159 

 Transportation equipment ..................................................................................................................................................................... 56 159 85 53 11,424 25,463 12,057 10,535 

 Furniture and related products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20 35 36 24 2,593 3,868 4,003 2,702 

 Miscellaneous manufacturing ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 23 27 9 1,172 2,753 2,102 613 

 Wholesale trade ..................................................................................................................................................................... 24 35 42 17 1,569 2,696 3,229 1,170 

 Retail trade ..................................................................................................................................................................... 105 112 205 103 10,605 11,324 21,251 9,338 

 Transportation and warehousing ..................................................................................................................................................................... 45 142 143 32 5,179 15,976 16,016 4,249 

 Information ..................................................................................................................................................................... 69 54 67 53 9,902 10,396 5,902 5,133 

 Finance and insurance ..................................................................................................................................................................... 38 27 46 23 2,539 2,095 3,854 1,723 

 Real estate and rental and leasing ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 7 7 9 469 431 408 745 

 Professional and technical services ..................................................................................................................................................................... 45 56 44 31 2,956 4,595 6,269 4,084 

 Management of companies and enterprises ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 ( 2

 ) ( 2 ) 5 699 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 431 

 Administrative and waste services ..................................................................................................................................................................... 185 229 269 164 17,306 20,191 26,190 14,776 

 Educational services.................................................................................................................. – 8 ( 2

 ) 4 – 475 ( 2 ) 201 

 Health care and social assistance ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18 27 26 19 1,115 3,252 1,811 1,401 

 Arts, entertainment, and recreation ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) 25 29 15 ( 2 ) 1,724 2,060 1,447 

 Accommodation and food services ..................................................................................................................................................................... 49 154 86 51 4,091 15,215 7,035 4,676 

 Other services, except public administration..................................................................................................................................................................... 9 15 27 11 481 1,174 3,097 629 

 Unclassified ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6 6 2 6 1,563 469 172 361 

Government ..................................................................................................................................................................... 32 78 87 40 3,466 6,688 7,989 3,002 

 Federal ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 6 19 7 1,002 672 2,303 421 

 State ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 14 28 14 449 1,031 2,630 1,054 

 Local ..................................................................................................................................................................... 17 58 40 19 2,015 4,985 3,056 1,527 

 

1

 Data were reported by all states and the District of Columbia. NOTE: Industry data reflect the North American Industry

 

2

 Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. Classification System (NAICS), 2002. Dash represents zero.

 

p

 = preliminary.
Table 2a. Industry distribution: Mass layoff events and initial claimants for unemployment insurance

Industry

Mass layoff events Initial claimants for

unemployment insurance

December January December January December January December January

2001 2002 2002 2003p2001 2002 2002 2003p

 Total1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,440 2,146 2,470 2,286 268,893 263,821 263,775 222,186 

Total, private ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,387 2,093 2,392 2,199 264,225 258,219 257,087 214,197 

 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ..................................................................................................................................................................... 68 65 72 96 4,728 5,950 4,663 6,407 

 Mining ..................................................................................................................................................................... 32 20 26 19 3,581 2,110 1,981 1,559 

 Utilities ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6 ( 2

 ) ( 2 ) 8 1,076 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 561 

 Construction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 364 199 407 263 28,637 15,869 31,937 18,571 

 Manufacturing..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,103 892 984 817 136,820 128,825 126,834 89,525 

 Food ..................................................................................................................................................................... 99 61 89 89 11,126 6,949 10,597 8,111 

 Beverage and tobacco products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 7 9 11 725 488 1,032 755 

 Textile mills ..................................................................................................................................................................... 35 37 46 42 4,323 9,448 6,676 7,611 

 Textile product mills ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12 19 23 18 1,300 3,109 3,014 1,890 

 Apparel ..................................................................................................................................................................... 43 66 42 53 4,337 11,560 5,101 6,085 

 Leather and allied products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 16 5 10 5 1,641 332 854 294 

 Wood products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 62 63 64 56 6,316 6,990 7,219 6,702 

 Paper ..................................................................................................................................................................... 28 22 21 19 2,458 1,676 1,540 2,510 

 Printing and related support activities ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18 17 11 21 1,328 2,173 1,186 1,803 

 Petroleum and coal products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 6 9 5 619 388 932 339 

 Chemicals ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19 14 11 14 2,116 1,026 1,523 1,202 

 Plastics and rubber products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 74 39 77 34 9,156 3,780 11,776 3,599 

 Nonmetallic mineral products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 47 31 54 35 4,543 2,597 5,366 3,201 

 Primary metals ..................................................................................................................................................................... 69 44 65 48 10,388 6,247 7,179 5,846 

 Fabricated metal products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 106 75 72 58 9,458 7,377 8,249 5,664 

 Machinery ..................................................................................................................................................................... 84 69 57 53 12,584 8,837 7,547 6,031 

 Computer and electronic products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 95 103 68 78 13,346 14,073 6,655 6,800 

 Electrical equipment and appliances ..................................................................................................................................................................... 42 36 39 30 5,991 3,835 8,304 2,920 

 Transportation equipment ..................................................................................................................................................................... 175 112 159 85 26,558 30,900 25,463 12,057 

 Furniture and related products ..................................................................................................................................................................... 41 43 35 36 5,972 5,429 3,868 4,003 

 Miscellaneous manufacturing ..................................................................................................................................................................... 24 23 23 27 2,535 1,611 2,753 2,102 

 Wholesale trade ..................................................................................................................................................................... 26 38 35 42 1,979 3,962 2,696 3,229 

 Retail trade ..................................................................................................................................................................... 116 185 112 205 12,298 21,717 11,324 21,251 

 Transportation and warehousing ..................................................................................................................................................................... 120 87 142 143 15,384 8,067 15,976 16,016 

 Information ..................................................................................................................................................................... 46 71 54 67 8,123 7,809 10,396 5,902 

 Finance and insurance ..................................................................................................................................................................... 26 49 27 46 1,931 5,005 2,095 3,854 

 Real estate and rental and leasing ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 8 7 7 770 676 431 408 

 Professional and technical services ..................................................................................................................................................................... 59 59 56 44 6,117 13,474 4,595 6,269 

 Management of companies and enterprises ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 5 ( 2

 ) ( 2 ) 485 804 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 

 Administrative and waste services ..................................................................................................................................................................... 219 237 229 269 23,863 26,181 20,191 26,190 

 Educational services.................................................................................................................. 4 ( 2

 ) 8 ( 2 ) 208 ( 2 ) 475 ( 2 ) 

 Health care and social assistance ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19 24 27 26 1,594 1,803 3,252 1,811 

 Arts, entertainment, and recreation ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18 27 25 29 1,228 2,773 1,724 2,060 

 Accommodation and food services ..................................................................................................................................................................... 109 87 154 86 11,733 8,295 15,215 7,035 

 Other services, except public administration..................................................................................................................................................................... 13 18 15 27 1,433 1,756 1,174 3,097 

 Unclassified ..................................................................................................................................................................... 25 16 6 2 2,237 2,468 469 172 

Government ..................................................................................................................................................................... 53 53 78 87 4,668 5,602 6,688 7,989 

 Federal ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 13 6 19 651 1,751 672 2,303 

 State ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 16 14 28 1,160 1,741 1,031 2,630 

 Local ..................................................................................................................................................................... 32 24 58 40 2,857 2,110 4,985 3,056 

 

1

 Data were reported by all states and the District of Columbia. NOTE: Industry data reflect the North American Industry

 

2

 Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. Classification System (NAICS), 2002.

 

p

 = preliminary.
Table 3. Mass layoff events and initial claimants for unemployment insurance by census region and division

Census region and division

Mass layoff events Initial claimants for

unemployment insurance

February December January February February December January February

2002 2002 2003p2003p2002 2002 2003p2003p

 United States1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,383 2,470 2,286 1,311 138,984 263,775 222,186 118,288 

Northeast ..................................................................................................................................................................... 175 444 475 225 20,241 43,796 44,396 23,291 

 New England ..................................................................................................................................................................... 38 119 68 26 4,107 13,823 6,928 2,758 

 Middle Atlantic ..................................................................................................................................................................... 137 325 407 199 16,134 29,973 37,468 20,533 

South ..................................................................................................................................................................... 350 557 525 255 37,256 60,660 58,258 26,188 

 South Atlantic ..................................................................................................................................................................... 176 290 288 142 16,633 32,679 32,616 15,410 

 East South Central ..................................................................................................................................................................... 67 140 167 45 7,024 16,041 19,318 5,249 

 West South Central ..................................................................................................................................................................... 107 127 70 68 13,599 11,940 6,324 5,529 

Midwest ..................................................................................................................................................................... 284 830 523 235 34,912 101,493 52,162 23,244 

 East North Central ..................................................................................................................................................................... 217 609 401 181 27,662 71,477 41,608 16,279 

 West North Central ..................................................................................................................................................................... 67 221 122 54 7,250 30,016 10,554 6,965 

West ..................................................................................................................................................................... 574 639 763 596 46,575 57,826 67,370 45,565 

 Mountain ..................................................................................................................................................................... 60 72 73 27 5,782 6,498 6,136 2,857 

 Pacific ..................................................................................................................................................................... 514 567 690 569 40,793 51,328 61,234 42,708 

 

 

1

 See footnote 1, table 2. Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia; East South Central:

 

 

p

 = preliminary. Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee; West South Central: Arkansas, 

 NOTE: The States (including the District of Columbia) that comprise Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas; East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 

the census divisions are: New England: Connecticut, Maine, Ohio, and Wisconsin; West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; Middle Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota; Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, 

Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania; South Atlantic: Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming; and Pacific: Alaska, 

Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.

 
Table 3a. Mass layoff events and initial claimants for unemployment insurance by census region and division

Census region and division

Mass layoff events Initial claimants for

unemployment insurance

December January December January December January December January

2001 2002 2002 2003p2001 2002 2002 2003p

 United States1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,440 2,146 2,470 2,286 268,893 263,821 263,775 222,186 

Northeast ..................................................................................................................................................................... 401 274 444 475 40,843 29,934 43,796 44,396 

 New England ..................................................................................................................................................................... 116 58 119 68 12,809 5,852 13,823 6,928 

 Middle Atlantic ..................................................................................................................................................................... 285 216 325 407 28,034 24,082 29,973 37,468 

South ..................................................................................................................................................................... 451 581 557 525 52,331 79,608 60,660 58,258 

 South Atlantic ..................................................................................................................................................................... 185 229 290 288 19,366 33,142 32,679 32,616 

 East South Central ..................................................................................................................................................................... 124 227 140 167 15,232 32,722 16,041 19,318 

 West South Central ..................................................................................................................................................................... 142 125 127 70 17,733 13,744 11,940 6,324 

Midwest ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,013 559 830 523 119,250 71,176 101,493 52,162 

 East North Central ..................................................................................................................................................................... 774 437 609 401 87,719 53,645 71,477 41,608 

 West North Central ..................................................................................................................................................................... 239 122 221 122 31,531 17,531 30,016 10,554 

West ..................................................................................................................................................................... 575 732 639 763 56,469 83,103 57,826 67,370 

 Mountain ..................................................................................................................................................................... 83 83 72 73 8,547 9,315 6,498 6,136 

 Pacific ..................................................................................................................................................................... 492 649 567 690 47,922 73,788 51,328 61,234 

 

 

1

 See footnote 1, table 2. Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia; East South Central:

 

 

p

 = preliminary. Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee; West South Central: Arkansas, 

 NOTE: The States (including the District of Columbia) that comprise Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas; East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 

the census divisions are: New England: Connecticut, Maine, Ohio, and Wisconsin; West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; Middle Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota; Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, 

Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania; South Atlantic: Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming; and Pacific: Alaska, 

Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.

 
Table 4. State distribution: Mass layoff events and initial claimants for unemployment insurance

State

Mass layoff events Initial claimants for

unemployment insurance

February December January February February December January February

2002 2002 2003p2003p2002 2002 2003p2003p

 Total1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,383 2,470 2,286 1,311 138,984 263,775 222,186 118,288 

Alabama ..................................................................................................................................................................... 21 32 119 9 2,129 3,532 14,789 1,547 

Alaska ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) 3 7 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 175 471 ( 2 ) 

Arizona ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11 10 14 7 939 852 1,292 537 

Arkansas ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 8 8 4 299 773 699 288 

California ..................................................................................................................................................................... 460 485 579 525 34,494 42,225 48,913 38,769 

Colorado ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 9 16 6 976 1,013 1,540 535 

Connecticut ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) 8 16 3 ( 2 ) 801 1,508 190 

Delaware ..................................................................................................................................................................... – ( 2

 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) – ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 

District of Columbia ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) ( 2 ) 4 – ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 350 –

Florida ..................................................................................................................................................................... 86 77 83 59 5,903 5,377 5,767 4,459 

Georgia ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20 58 89 23 2,396 5,417 12,406 3,627 

Hawaii ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 7 8 3 1,090 1,448 773 186 

Idaho ..................................................................................................................................................................... 13 18 19 4 1,579 1,339 1,478 996 

Illinois ..................................................................................................................................................................... 58 122 88 44 10,045 15,469 8,794 4,956 

Indiana ..................................................................................................................................................................... 25 119 34 28 2,319 20,385 3,011 2,267 

Iowa ..................................................................................................................................................................... 13 65 34 15 1,869 8,024 3,083 1,191 

Kansas ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 22 15 5 431 3,942 1,108 2,056 

Kentucky ..................................................................................................................................................................... 27 79 20 14 2,963 9,849 2,512 2,174 

Louisiana ..................................................................................................................................................................... 13 27 19 16 2,409 1,691 1,240 1,043 

Maine ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) 8 8 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 604 1,201 ( 2 ) 

Maryland ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6 4 8 6 606 472 592 562 

Massachusetts ..................................................................................................................................................................... 25 63 33 18 2,406 7,495 3,162 1,620 

Michigan ..................................................................................................................................................................... 41 71 22 21 4,235 6,500 1,982 1,719 

Minnesota ..................................................................................................................................................................... 24 51 33 8 2,662 6,748 3,026 614 

Mississippi ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5 10 4 10 757 788 228 732 

Missouri ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20 58 30 15 1,510 8,606 2,351 1,922 

Montana ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3 4 3 ( 2

 ) 225 538 204 ( 2 ) 

Nebraska ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5 18 7 6 564 2,015 539 830 

Nevada ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 26 15 8 1,122 2,426 1,276 659 

New Hampshire ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) 11 5 – ( 2 ) 1,210 623 –

New Jersey ..................................................................................................................................................................... 39 74 49 31 6,074 7,315 4,372 3,772 

New Mexico ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3 5 5 – 279 330 294 –

New York ..................................................................................................................................................................... 26 101 188 42 2,375 9,599 18,806 5,265 

North Carolina ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18 10 26 17 2,628 793 3,215 1,385 

North Dakota ..................................................................................................................................................................... – 5 ( 2

 ) 3 – 483 ( 2 ) 229 

Ohio ..................................................................................................................................................................... 50 124 151 46 4,966 11,472 16,689 4,097 

Oklahoma ..................................................................................................................................................................... 15 23 15 7 1,810 2,910 2,225 553 

Oregon ..................................................................................................................................................................... 24 45 66 24 2,576 5,250 7,672 2,036 

Pennsylvania ..................................................................................................................................................................... 72 150 170 126 7,685 13,059 14,290 11,496 

Rhode Island ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6 21 4 ( 2

 ) 942 2,921 310 ( 2 ) 

South Carolina ..................................................................................................................................................................... 25 91 50 20 2,808 13,918 5,954 2,159 

South Dakota ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 

Tennessee ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 19 24 12 1,175 1,872 1,789 796 

Texas ..................................................................................................................................................................... 75 69 28 41 9,081 6,566 2,160 3,645 

Utah ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6 – ( 2

 ) – 662 – ( 2 ) –

Vermont ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) 8 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 792 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 

Virginia ..................................................................................................................................................................... 17 45 24 13 2,061 6,298 3,266 1,263 

Washington ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18 27 30 15 2,495 2,230 3,405 1,511 

West Virginia ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3 ( 2

 ) 3 ( 2 ) 166 ( 2 ) 174 ( 2 ) 

Wisconsin ..................................................................................................................................................................... 43 173 106 42 6,097 17,651 11,132 3,240 

Wyoming ..................................................................................................................................................................... – – – ( 2

 ) – – – ( 2 ) 

Puerto Rico ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 6 14 10 827 698 1,371 1,336 

 1 See footnote 1, table 2. p = preliminary.

 2 Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. NOTE: Dash represents zero.
Table 4a. State distribution: Mass layoff events and initial claimants for unemployment insurance

State

Mass layoff events Initial claimants for

unemployment insurance

December January December January December January December January

2001 2002 2002 2003p2001 2002 2002 2003p

 Total1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2,440 2,146 2,470 2,286 268,893 263,821 263,775 222,186 

Alabama ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12 163 32 119 1,902 27,032 3,532 14,789 

Alaska ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3 7 3 7 237 467 175 471 

Arizona ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 12 10 14 831 1,252 852 1,292 

Arkansas ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 5 8 8 1,030 445 773 699 

California ..................................................................................................................................................................... 406 563 485 579 39,239 62,844 42,225 48,913 

Colorado ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 13 9 16 1,295 1,487 1,013 1,540 

Connecticut ..................................................................................................................................................................... 9 5 8 16 674 428 801 1,508 

Delaware ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 ( 2

 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 521 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 

District of Columbia ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) 3 ( 2 ) 4 ( 2 ) 499 ( 2 ) 350 

Florida ..................................................................................................................................................................... 54 78 77 83 4,136 9,173 5,377 5,767 

Georgia ..................................................................................................................................................................... 15 46 58 89 1,268 10,630 5,417 12,406 

Hawaii ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5 14 7 8 494 1,302 1,448 773 

Idaho ..................................................................................................................................................................... 17 13 18 19 1,914 1,054 1,339 1,478 

Illinois ..................................................................................................................................................................... 130 89 122 88 15,387 12,951 15,469 8,794 

Indiana ..................................................................................................................................................................... 77 36 119 34 9,516 5,101 20,385 3,011 

Iowa ..................................................................................................................................................................... 63 32 65 34 7,523 3,982 8,024 3,083 

Kansas ..................................................................................................................................................................... 25 16 22 15 6,065 1,331 3,942 1,108 

Kentucky ..................................................................................................................................................................... 74 30 79 20 9,912 2,565 9,849 2,512 

Louisiana ..................................................................................................................................................................... 24 20 27 19 1,619 2,249 1,691 1,240 

Maine ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 5 8 8 571 616 604 1,201 

Maryland ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6 11 4 8 451 998 472 592 

Massachusetts ..................................................................................................................................................................... 52 30 63 33 5,534 2,867 7,495 3,162 

Michigan ..................................................................................................................................................................... 298 82 71 22 34,681 8,915 6,500 1,982 

Minnesota ..................................................................................................................................................................... 55 29 51 33 6,181 2,913 6,748 3,026 

Mississippi ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11 7 10 4 740 584 788 228 

Missouri ..................................................................................................................................................................... 70 39 58 30 8,799 8,709 8,606 2,351 

Montana ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 ( 2

 ) 4 3 728 ( 2 ) 538 204 

Nebraska ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19 4 18 7 2,324 466 2,015 539 

Nevada ..................................................................................................................................................................... 30 31 26 15 3,202 4,133 2,426 1,276 

New Hampshire ..................................................................................................................................................................... 17 7 11 5 1,930 1,001 1,210 623 

New Jersey ..................................................................................................................................................................... 45 49 74 49 5,416 7,066 7,315 4,372 

New Mexico ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 4 5 5 246 535 330 294 

New York ..................................................................................................................................................................... 35 27 101 188 3,026 2,481 9,599 18,806 

North Carolina ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20 25 10 26 1,869 3,386 793 3,215 

North Dakota ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 ( 2

 ) 5 ( 2 ) 352 ( 2 ) 483 ( 2 ) 

Ohio ..................................................................................................................................................................... 123 158 124 151 11,562 18,614 11,472 16,689 

Oklahoma ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19 8 23 15 3,214 778 2,910 2,225 

Oregon ..................................................................................................................................................................... 54 39 45 66 5,946 5,278 5,250 7,672 

Pennsylvania ..................................................................................................................................................................... 205 140 150 170 19,592 14,535 13,059 14,290 

Rhode Island ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19 7 21 4 2,288 694 2,921 310 

South Carolina ..................................................................................................................................................................... 36 33 91 50 5,049 3,753 13,918 5,954 

South Dakota ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3 ( 2

 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 287 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 

Tennessee ..................................................................................................................................................................... 27 27 19 24 2,678 2,541 1,872 1,789 

Texas ..................................................................................................................................................................... 89 92 69 28 11,870 10,272 6,566 2,160 

Utah ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 7 – ( 2

 ) 331 551 – ( 2 ) 

Vermont ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12 4 8 ( 2

 ) 1,812 246 792 ( 2 ) 

Virginia ..................................................................................................................................................................... 47 27 45 24 5,875 3,303 6,298 3,266 

Washington ..................................................................................................................................................................... 24 26 27 30 2,006 3,897 2,230 3,405 

West Virginia ..................................................................................................................................................................... ( 2

 ) 4 ( 2 ) 3 ( 2 ) 258 ( 2 ) 174 

Wisconsin ..................................................................................................................................................................... 146 72 173 106 16,573 8,064 17,651 11,132 

Wyoming ..................................................................................................................................................................... – ( 2

 ) – – – ( 2 ) – –

Puerto Rico ..................................................................................................................................................................... 9 8 6 14 1,281 1,020 698 1,371 

 1 See footnote 1, table 2. p = preliminary.

 2 Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. NOTE: Dash represents zero.