Technical information:  (202) 691-6392     USDL 02-291
http://www.bls.gov/mls/
                                     
                                           For release: 10:00 A.M. EDT
Media contact:                691-5902     Thursday, May 16, 2002
                                     
                                     
            EXTENDED MASS LAYOFFS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2002
  
  
  In the first quarter of 2002, employers reported 1,669 mass layoff actions 
that resulted in the separation of 301,181 workers from their jobs for more 
than 30 days, according to preliminary figures released by the U.S. Depart-
ment of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Reversing the trend of the 
previous five quarters, both the total number of layoff events and the 
number  of separations were lower than in the same quarter a year earlier.  
(See table A.)
  
   Lack of demand for employers' products and services (slack work) was
the major reason cited for layoffs in the first quarter, accounting for 
25 percent of all events and 58,931 separations.  The number of seasonal
events was at the lowest first-quarter level since the program began in
1995 and accounted for 21 percent of all events.
   
   Permanent closure of worksites occurred in 20 percent of all events and
affected 82,603 workers, up slightly from 81,805 workers a year earlier and
the highest first-quarter level on record.  Thirty-five percent of the em-
ployers with layoffs in the first quarter indicated that they anticipated
some type of recall, the smallest proportion on record for a first quarter.
   
   This release uses the North American Industry Classification System
(NAICS) for the assignment and tabulation of layoff data by industry.
Previously, the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system was used.
Thus, all industry data in this release differ from data previously
published.  Additional information on this change is provided in the box on
page 6 of this release.

Industry Distribution of Extended Layoffs

   Extended mass layoff separations occurred in 498 of the 1,197 detailed
industries for which data are available.  Manufacturing industries accounted 
for 39 percent of private-sector layoff events and 38 percent of all separa-
tions during January-March 2002.  Layoff activity in this sector was prima-
rily concentrated in computer and electronic products (26,597, largely in 
telephone apparatus and in semiconductor manufacturing), followed by transpor-
tation equipment (15,757, mostly in aircraft manufacturing).  (See table 1.)
  
   Retail trade accounted for 9 percent of private-sector layoff events
and 15 percent of all separations, which were concentrated in general
merchandise stores (31,426, mainly in discount department stores).  Layoffs
in administrative and waste services comprised 9 percent of events and 
11 percent of separations and were mostly in temporary help services.
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting accounted for 6 percent of all
                                  
                                  - 2 -

Table A.  Selected measures of mass layoff activity
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Period         | Layoff events |   Separations | Initial claimants
---------------------|---------------|---------------|-------------------
       1998          |               |               |
January-March........|      1,320    |     208,082   |      247,315
April-June...........|      1,563    |     391,461   |      402,276
July-September.......|      1,234    |     248,054   |      256,803
October-December.....|      1,734    |     379,976   |      325,990
       1999          |               |               |
January-March........|      1,509    |     277,780   |      252,122
April-June...........|      1,444    |     294,968   |      242,464
July-September.......|      1,097    |     241,725   |      189,973
October-December.....|      1,625    |     334,794   |      287,685
       2000          |               |               |
January-March........|      1,330    |     254,646   |      221,368
April-June...........|      1,271    |     258,608   |      231,471
July-September.......|      1,014    |     230,103   |      189,250
October-December(r)..|      2,005    |     427,070   |      376,611
       2001          |               |               |
January-March(r).....|      1,765    |     342,954   |      340,151
April-June(r)........|      2,072    |     481,876   |      401,294
July-September(r)....|      1,815    |     384,403   |      371,124
October-December(r)..|      2,700    |     541,410   |      497,136
       2002          |               |               |
January-March(p).....|      1,669    |     301,181   |      236,891
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
    p=preliminary.                      r=revised.

events and 8 percent of all separations.  Layoffs were primarily in
agricultural and forestry support activities, nearly all in farm labor
contracting and crew leaders.  Layoffs in agriculture were almost entirely
due to the end of seasonal work.  Cutbacks in construction comprised 11
percent of events and 7 percent of separations and were largely in
specialty trade contractors and in heavy and civil engineering
construction.

   Layoffs in government establishments accounted for 2 percent of all
events and 3 percent of all separations, mostly in postal services.

Reasons for Extended Layoff

   Layoffs due to internal company restructuring (bankruptcy, business
ownership change, financial difficulty, and reorganization) accounted for
28 percent of layoff events and resulted in 103,831 separations.  These
layoffs were mostly among workers in general merchandise stores and
computer and electronic product manufacturing.  In the first quarter of
2001, layoff events for these reasons were somewhat lower, accounting for
25 percent of the total, but they involved more workers (111,117).  
(See table 2.)
   
   Lack of demand for employers' products and services (slack work)
accounted for 25 percent of events and resulted in 20 percent of the
separations during first quarter 2002, mostly in transportation equip-
ment manufacturing and in computer and electronic product manufacturing.

                                  - 3 -

Table B.  Summary of employer expectations of a recall from layoff,
first quarter 2001-first quarter 2002
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
                        |            Percentage of events
  Nature of the recall  |----------------------------------------------
                        |    I   |   II   |   III   |   IV   |    I
                        |  2001  |  2001  |  2001   |  2001r |  2002p
------------------------|------- |--------|---------|--------|---------
Anticipate a recall.....|  46.1  |  45.0  |   35.7  |  49.1  |  35.4
                        |        |        |         |        |
       Timeframe        |        |        |         |        |
                        |        |        |         |        |
Within 6 months.........|  79.1  |  83.9  |   74.7  |  80.8  |  77.0
  Within 3 months.......|  53.4  |  52.2  |   47.4  |  30.9  |  46.7
                        |        |        |         |        |
         Size           |        |        |         |        |
                        |        |        |         |        |
At least half...........|  81.1  |  88.5  |   76.5  |  87.3  |  85.4
  All workers...........|  35.2  |  42.3  |   29.8  |  36.2  |  27.6
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
   p=preliminary.                         r=revised.
   
   Twenty-one percent of all events and separations in the first quarter
were due to the completion of seasonal work.  However, these were the
smallest first-quarter proportions for seasonal layoffs since the program
began in 1995.  These layoffs were most numerous among workers in
agricultural and forestry activities (farm labor contractors and crew
leaders), crop production (grape vineyards and in nursery and tree
production), and food manufacturing (confectionery manufacturing from
purchased chocolate).

Recall Expectations

   Thirty-five percent of employers reporting a layoff in the first
quarter of 2002 indicated they anticipated some type of recall.  This
compares with 46 percent of the employers anticipating a recall a year
earlier and is the smallest such proportion for a first quarter.  (See
table B.)  Last year's 46 percent had been the previous first-quarter low.
Prior to that, the proportion of employers anticipating a recall had been
nearly 60 percent.  The current recall proportion reflects the greater
prevalence of layoffs due to reorganizations within the company and
financial difficulty situations where recall is unlikely.
   
   Among establishments expecting a recall, most employers expected to
recall over one-half of the separated employees and to do so within 6
months.  Only 28 percent of such employers expected to extend the offer to
all laid-off workers.  Most of the employers not expecting a recall were in
general merchandise stores, in computer and electronic product
manufacturing, and in administration and support services.
   
   Excluding layoff events due to seasonal work (in which 86 percent of
the employers expected a recall), employers expected to recall laid-off
workers in 22 percent of the events.  In layoff events due to internal
company restructuring, employers anticipated a recall in only 4 percent of
the events.

Size of Extended Layoff

   Layoff events during the first quarter continued to be concentrated at
the lower end of the layoff-size spectrum, with 64 percent involving fewer
than 150 workers.  These events, however, accounted for only 30 percent of
all separations.  (See table C.)  Separations involving 500 or more workers
also accounted for 30 percent of all separations, about the same as a year

                                  - 4 -

    Table C.  Distribution of layoff events by size of layoff,
    January-March 2002p
    -------------------------------------------------------------
                     |    Layoff events   |     Separations
          Size       |--------------------|----------------------
                     |  Number  | Percent |  Number  |  Percent
    -----------------|----------|---------|----------|-----------
    Total............|   1,669  |  100.0  |  301,181 |   100.0
                     |          |         |          |
    50-99............|     719  |   43.1  |   50,083 |    16.6
    100-149..........|     357  |   21.4  |   41,554 |    13.8
    150-199..........|     194  |   11.6  |   32,562 |    10.8
    200-299..........|     175  |   10.5  |   41,119 |    13.7
    300-499..........|     129  |    7.7  |   46,372 |    15.4
    500-999..........|      68  |    4.1  |   43,574 |    14.5
    1,000 or more....|      27  |    1.6  |   45,917 |    15.2
    -------------------------------------------------------------
       p=preliminary.

earlier (29 percent).  The average size of layoffs (as measured by separa-
tions per layoff event) differed widely by industry, ranging from a low of 
74 separations in health and personal care stores to a high of 462 in general 
merchandise stores.

Initial Claimant Characteristics

   A total of 236,891 initial claimants for unemployment insurance were
associated with mass layoffs in the first quarter of 2002.  Of these
claimants, 14 percent were black, 42 percent were women, 16 percent were
Hispanic, and 15 percent were 55 years of age or older.  (See table 3.)
Forty percent of claimants were 30 to 44 years of age.  Among the civilian
labor force for the same period, 12 percent were black, 47 percent were
women, 11 percent were Hispanic, and 14 percent were 55 years of age or
older.  Thirty-eight percent of the civilian labor force were ages 30 to 44.

Geographic Distribution

   In the first quarter, the number of separations due to extended mass
layoff events was highest in the West (104,103), followed by the South
(79,137), the Midwest (71,750), and the Northeast (46,191).  (See table 4.)
Extended mass layoffs in the West were mainly in agriculture and forestry
support activities, administrative and support services, and computer and
electronic product manufacturing.
     
   Three of the four regions reported over-the-year decreases in separa-
tions, with the largest decrease occurring in the Midwest (-23,675).
Only the Northeast region had an over-the-year increase in separations in
the first quarter (+11,559).  Six of the nine geographic divisions reported
over-the-year declines in laid-off workers, with the largest declines in
the East North Central, Pacific, and West South Central divisions.
Separations rose in the Middle Atlantic, East South Central, and New
England divisions.
   
   Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the largest number of
worker separations occurred in California (65,628), followed by Illinois
(33,656).  These two states accounted for 31 percent of total layoff events
and 33 percent of the separations during the first quarter of 2002.  They
were followed by Florida (17,232), Pennsylvania (17,031), and Texas (15,523).  
(See table 5.)  After excluding the substantial impact of seasonal work, 
California still reported the most laid-off workers (42,370), largely due to 
layoffs in administrative and support services and computer and electronic 
products manufacturing.

                                  - 5 -

Table D. Extended mass layoff events due to September 11, 2001, 
attacks
---------------------------------------------------------------
                               |   Number of  |   Number of
         Weeks ending          |   events(p)  | separations(p)
                               |              |                
-------------------------------|--------------|---------------- 
September 15-October 13........|      285     |     87,740         
October 20-November 17.........|       96     |     24,345         
November 24-December 15........|       22     |      2,426          
December 22-January 12.........|       25     |      6,958
January 19-February 9..........|       25     |      5,054           
February 16-March 9............|        7     |        863        
March 16-March 30..............|        2     |      1,370
                               |              |
         Total.................|      462     |    128,756
----------------------------------------------------------------            
       p=preliminary.                 
   
   Over the year, the largest decreases in laid-off workers occurred in
California (-15,199), Texas (-14,542), and Michigan (-12,737).  The largest 
increases occurred in Alabama (+4,600), Washington (+4,490), and New Jersey 
(+4,350).

Impact of September 11 Attacks

   After the attacks of September 11, 2001, BLS added a new code for
"reason for the layoff," "non-natural disaster," for use in the reporting
of extended mass layoffs (those lasting more than 30 days).  This allows
for the identification of workers separated from companies as a direct or
indirect effect of situations such as the September 11 attacks.  Layoffs
indirectly attributed to the September 11 disasters include those in
establishments outside of the immediate areas in and around the World Trade
Center in New York City (for example, airlines and hotels and motels).
Reports for the weeks ended September 15, 2001, through March 30, 2002,
show that there were 462 events involving 128,756 workers, directly or
indirectly attributed to the attacks.  (See table D.)  The impact of the
September 11th attacks was most pronounced during the month immediately
following the attacks, when 62 percent of the events and 68 percent of the
worker separations occurred.
   
   Thirty-three states reported extended mass layoff activity related in
some way to the September 11 incidents.  (See table 6.)  Fifty-two percent
of these events and 53 percent of these separations occurred in just five
states--California, Nevada, Illinois, New York, and Texas.  Among the workers 
laid off because of the terrorist attacks, 38 percent, or 48,792 workers, had 
been employed in the air transportation industry.  (See table 7.)  An addi-
tional 23 percent (30,062 workers) had been employed in accommodations.  Among 
employers expecting a recall, 36 percent indicated that they would likely 
recall at least a portion of the laid-off workers within three months.  Al-
though over one-third of the September 11-related layoff events involved few-
er than 100 workers, nearly two-fifths of the separated workers were in lay-
offs of 1,000 or more workers.

                                  - 6 -

Note

   The quarterly series on extended mass layoffs cover layoffs of at least
31-days duration that involve 50 or more individuals from a single establish-
ment filing initial claims for unemployment insurance during a consecutive 
5-week period.  Approximately 30 days after a mass layoff is triggered at an 
establishment, the employer is contacted for additional information.  Data 
for the first quarter are preliminary and subject to revision.  This release 
also includes revised data for previous quarters. Data are not seasonally ad-
justed, but survey data suggest that there is a seasonal pattern to layoffs.  
Thus, comparisons between consecutive quarters should not be used as an indi-
cator of trend.  For additional information about the program, see the 
Technical Note.

                      ______________________________
                                     
   The report on Mass Layoffs in April 2002 will be issued on Thursday,
May 30, 2002.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 |              Change in Industry Classification System                 |
 |                                                                       |
 |  Beginning with the release of January 2002 Mass Layoff monthly       |
 |data, on February 28, 2002, the Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS) pro-      |
 |gram implemented the 2002 version of the  North American Industry      |
 |Classification System (NAICS) as the basis for the assignment and      |
 |tabulation of economic data by industry.  NAICS is the product of      |
 |a cooperative effort on the part of the statistical agencies of the    |
 |United States, Canada, and Mexico.  Due to differences in NAICS and    |
 |the previously used Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) struc-    |
 |tures, data by industry for 2002 will not be comparable to the SIC-    |
 |based data for earlier years.  However, the monthly mass layoff and    |
 |quarterly extended mass layoff historical industry series from April   |
 |1995 through December 2001 are available on both SIC and NAICS bases.  |
 |                                                                       |
 |  NAICS uses a production-oriented approach to categorize economic     |
 |units.  Units with similar production processes are classified in the  |
 |same industry.  NAICS focuses on how products and services are created,|
 |as opposed to the SIC focus on what is produced. This approach yields  |
 |significantly different industry groupings than those produced by the  |
 |SIC approach.                                                          |
 |                                                                       |
 |  Users interested in more information about NAICS can access the BLS  |
 |Web page at http://www.bls.gov/bls/naics.htm or the Bureau of the Cen- |
 |sus Web page at http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html.             |
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------








Technical Note
  
  The  Mass  Layoff  Statistics (MLS) program is  a  federal-state  program
which  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.  Establishments  which  have  at
least  50  initial  claims filed against them during a  consecutive  5-week
period  are  contacted  by  the state agency  to  determine  whether  these
separations  are of at least 31 days duration, and, if so,  information  is
obtained on the total number of persons separated and the reasons for these
separations.    Establishments  are  identified   according   to   industry
classification  and  location,  and unemployment  insurance  claimants  are
identified by such demographic factors as age, race, sex, ethnic group, and
place  of  residence.  The program yields information  on  an  individual's
entire  spell  of  unemployment,  to the point  when  regular  unemployment
insurance benefits are exhausted.

  The  MLS  program  was resumed in April 1995; it had been  terminated  in
November  1992 due to lack of funding.  However, due to changes in concepts
and  definitions,  data  from the resumed program  are  not  comparable  to
earlier data.

  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

  Establishment.   A  unit  at   a  single   physical  location   at  which
predominantly one type of economic activity is conducted.

  Extended layoff event.  Fifty  or  more  initial  claims for unemployment
insurance  benefits from an establishment during a 5-week period,  with  at
least 50 workers separated for more than 30 days.

  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.

  Layoff. The separation of persons  from  an  employer  as part of a  mass
layoff  event.  (See below.) Such layoffs involve both persons  subject  to
recall and those who are terminated by the establishment.

                                  - 2 -

  Mass layoff.  Fifty or more  initial  claims for  unemployment  insurance
benefits  from  an establishment beginning in a given month, regardless  of
duration.

  Worksite  closure.  The  full  closure  of  either multi-unit or  single-
unit  establishments  or the partial closure of a multi-unit  establishment
where  entire  worksites affected by layoffs are closed or  planned  to  be
closed.


Table 1. Industry distribution: Extended mass layoff events, separations, and initial claimants for unemployment
insurance, selected quarters, 2001 and 2002   

                                                        Layoff events                Separations             Initial claimants for 
                                                                                                             unemployment insurance 
                      Industry                                                                                      
                                                      I      IV       I          I       IV        I          I       IV        I  
                                                    2001r   2001r   2002p      2001r    2001r    2002p      2001r    2001r    2002p
                                                  
        Total( 1 ) ...............................  1,765   2,700   1,669    342,954  541,410  301,181    340,151  497,136  236,891

Total, private ...................................  1,738   2,653   1,633    337,735  526,184  292,650    335,206  485,874  230,554

  Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting .....    192     278      93     33,564   66,941   22,136     28,730   34,804    9,597
  Mining .........................................     11      34      26      2,617    5,590    4,025      2,255    5,749    3,641
  Utilities ......................................      5       7   ( 2 )        781    1,127    ( 2 )        891    1,479    ( 2 )
  Construction ...................................    146     459     187     21,913   65,449   19,953     22,096   67,919   20,574
  Manufacturing ..................................    793     961     636    150,258  185,596  111,478    164,361  202,225   95,065
       Food ......................................     92     114      67     17,182   29,833   11,619     18,079   22,698    9,485
       Beverage and tobacco products .............     11      14       6      3,433    2,052    1,106      2,324    1,500      643
       Textile mills .............................     25      25      20      6,172    5,715    2,917      6,788    5,699    2,586
       Textile product mills .....................      7       8   ( 2 )      1,138      952    ( 2 )      1,548    1,385    ( 2 )
       Apparel ...................................     35      53      45      5,289    9,653   10,584      4,597    8,450    8,977
       Leather and allied products ...............      5      10   ( 2 )      1,449    1,713    ( 2 )        904    1,574    ( 2 )
       Wood products .............................     27      36      17      3,533    4,022    1,960      3,634    6,636    3,184
       Paper .....................................     20      25      13      4,364    3,535    1,784      4,043    3,445    1,533
       Printing and related support activities ...     23      18      20      3,753    2,333    3,643      3,988    2,196    2,515
       Petroleum and coal products ...............      4      15   ( 2 )        705    2,397    ( 2 )        482    2,240    ( 2 )

       Chemicals .................................     17      15      22      2,497    2,338    3,253      1,994    1,752    1,989
       Plastics and rubber products ..............     36      35      20      4,804    5,912    1,883      4,706    7,631    1,542
       Nonmetallic mineral products ..............     15      42      24      1,648    8,796    3,360      1,629    8,691    2,589
       Primary metals ............................     55      56      29     12,299   16,812    6,249     12,184   20,233    6,680
       Fabricated metal products .................     60      58      51      8,687    7,303    5,418      9,025    9,442    5,124
       Machinery .................................     60      78      40      8,636   10,968    4,443      9,248   18,200    4,090
       Computer and electronic products ..........    104     151     118     23,571   27,984   26,597     27,131   28,943   19,751
       Electrical equipment and appliances .......     30      35      22      5,783    8,839    3,655      8,911   10,077    3,804
       Transportation equipment ..................    101     117      68     25,772   25,749   15,757     34,755   31,654   15,056
       Furniture and related products ............     37      34      27      5,139    5,360    3,241      5,145    6,170    3,245
       Miscellaneous manufacturing ...............     29      22      17      4,404    3,330    3,096      3,246    3,609    1,454

  Wholesale trade ................................     33      43      35      8,665    4,650    4,546      4,480    4,642    3,292
  Retail trade ...................................    148     112     149     43,956   38,694   44,280     36,024   30,346   24,955
  Transportation and warehousing .................     57     100      62     10,024   26,575   11,043      8,729   21,644    8,701
  Information ....................................     62      92      61     10,827   16,981    8,263      8,411   20,317    8,532
  Finance and insurance ..........................     24      57      53      4,063    9,602    8,443      4,006    8,800    6,625
  Real estate and rental and leasing .............      4      18   ( 2 )        798    3,057    ( 2 )        636    2,114    ( 2 )
  Professional and technical services ............     38      78      62      5,881   11,586    7,783      5,657   11,478    6,316
  Management of companies and enterprises ........      5   ( 2 )       6        991    ( 2 )    1,425        855    ( 2 )    1,442
  Administrative and waste services ..............    147     199     155     31,122   45,892   32,132     35,435   41,029   28,267
  Educational services ...........................      5   ( 2 )   ( 2 )        724    ( 2 )    ( 2 )        485    ( 2 )    ( 2 )
  Health care and social assistance ..............     12      21      18      1,531    5,344    2,995      1,129    3,477    1,424
  Arts, entertainment, and recreation ............     14      43      16      1,530    9,869    3,114      1,742    6,518    1,641
  Accommodation and food services ................     29     110      50      4,961   22,061    7,874      6,392   17,618    7,918
  Other services, except public administration ...      7      16       7      1,179    2,479    1,367      1,108    2,187    1,032

  Unclassified ...................................      6      18       7      2,350    3,505      901      1,784    2,720      727

Government .......................................     27      47      36      5,219   15,226    8,531      4,945   11,262    6,337
       Federal ...................................     16      10      15      3,195    2,182    3,991      2,741    2,764    2,538
       State .....................................      4      18      11        871    5,683    2,583        890    4,282    2,307
       Local .....................................      7      19      10      1,153    7,361    1,957      1,314    4,216    1,492
          
    1 For the first quarter of 2002, data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia.    
    2 Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards.                      
    p = preliminary.                                                               
    r = revised.                                                                   
    NOTE:  Beginning with data for January 2002, the 2002 version of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is 
the basis for the assignment and tabulation of economic data by industry.  NAICS is the product of a cooperative effort on 
the part of the statistical agencies of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.  Due to differences in NAICS and SIC structures,
data by industry for 2002 will not be comparable to the SIC-based data for earlier years.  However, the quarterly historical 
industry series from second quarter 1995 to fourth quarter 2001 are available on both SIC and NAICS bases.
 Table 2. Reason for separation: Extended mass layoff events, separations, and initial claimants for unemployment 
insurance, selected quarters, 2001 and 2002

                                       Layoff events                     Separations                 Initial claimants for  
                                                                                                     unemployment insurance 
    Reason for separation                                                                                                   
                                   I        IV         I            I        IV         I            I        IV         I  
                                 2001r     2001r     2002p        2001r     2001r     2002p        2001r     2001r     2002p

   Total, all reasons( 1 )....   1,765     2,700     1,669      342,954   541,410   301,181      340,151   497,136   236,891

Automation ...................       5         3     ( 2 )          799       343     ( 2 )          777       889     ( 2 )
Bankruptcy ...................      76        74        55       28,231    26,491    19,461       16,093    20,030     9,702
Business ownership change ....      46        57        70       11,805    16,797    15,476       11,744     9,690     7,244
Contract cancellation ........      41        51        47        7,374     8,376     6,933        6,042     9,052     4,836
Contract completed ...........     210       169       177       39,630    35,766    27,799       44,474    32,913    30,077
Domestic relocation ..........      17        23        31        2,218     4,781     4,447        2,272     3,396     3,881
Energy-related ...............       7     ( 2 )     ( 2 )        3,208     ( 2 )     ( 2 )        1,338     ( 2 )     ( 2 )
Environment-related ..........   ( 2 )     ( 2 )         3        ( 2 )     ( 2 )       684        ( 2 )     ( 2 )       542
Financial difficulty .........     138       181       119       31,255    38,060    21,774       32,029    33,997    17,819
Import competition ...........      30        41        20        7,239     7,394     3,615        6,308     7,563     2,739
Labor dispute ................   ( 2 )         3     ( 2 )        ( 2 )       555     ( 2 )        ( 2 )       240     ( 2 )
Material shortage ............       4     ( 2 )     ( 2 )          297     ( 2 )     ( 2 )          523     ( 2 )     ( 2 )

Model changeover .............       4         -     ( 2 )          490         -     ( 2 )        2,979         -     ( 2 )
Natural disaster .............       -     ( 2 )         -            -     ( 2 )         -            -     ( 2 )         -
Non-natural disaster .........   ( 3 )         7     ( 2 )        ( 3 )     1,511     ( 2 )        ( 3 )       699     ( 2 )
Overseas relocation ..........      19        24        16        2,565     4,568     4,853        1,979     3,709     3,497
Plant or machine repair ......       7         3         4        1,165       364       473        1,352       877       364
Product line discontinued ....      15        11        13        3,780     1,718     1,323        4,239     1,414     1,241
Reorganization within company.     186       191       227       39,826    38,870    47,120       37,284    33,643    32,534
Seasonal work ................     424       992       343       76,302   207,087    64,303       69,933   154,322    41,031
Slack work ...................     366       669       418       56,208   112,147    58,931       70,609   142,108    61,246
Vacation period ..............       -     ( 2 )         -            -     ( 2 )         -            -     ( 2 )         -
Weather-related ..............      19        20         9        1,541     2,249     1,253        2,031     3,109     1,695
Other ........................      72       111        50       16,339    20,303     5,879       15,409    24,104     7,591
Not reported .................      75        62        59       12,057    12,855    14,462       12,261    14,306     9,003


   1 See footnote 1, table 1.                                                    
   2 Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards.                  
   3 This reason for separation has been created for use effective with third quarter 2001 for work activity curtailed 
because of a human action resulting in a disaster, such as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, or the threat
of an attack.  Only mass layoff activity directly related to the "non-natural disaster" is included.
   p = preliminary.
   r = revised.
   NOTE: Dash represents zero.
 Table 3. State and selected claimant characteristics: Extended mass layoff events and initial claimants for unemployment
insurance, fourth quarter, 2001 and first quarter, 2002

                                                                                        Percent of total 
                                                  Total
                          Layoff events          initial                            Hispanic                       Persons age 55
                                                claimants           Black            origin            Women          and over   
            State                                      
                           IV        I         IV        I        IV      I        IV      I        IV      I        IV      I 
                          2001r    2002p      2001r    2002p     2001r  2002p     2001r  2002p     2001r  2002p     2001r  2002p

    Total( 1 )..........  2,700    1,669    497,136  236,891      11.7   14.3      18.1   16.4      35.9   42.0      12.9   14.6

Alabama ................     28       34      6,505    8,141      25.3   26.1       3.8    4.7      24.7   56.0      13.9   17.8
Alaska .................      5        4        580      303       2.1    3.0       2.1    1.7      10.9   44.6      13.3    8.9
Arizona ................     25       17      4,300    2,670       5.7    2.8      20.9   42.4      40.9   29.7      13.5   20.5
Arkansas ...............      6        4        711      557      30.2   37.0        .7     .4      57.7   56.0      11.3   13.5
California .............    588      355     93,932   40,991       4.6    6.3      53.5   39.0      41.5   40.7      11.2   12.7
Colorado ...............     46       24      6,894    2,713       3.9    7.0      22.8   14.5      37.0   44.0      12.0   14.4
Connecticut ............     23       10      2,860    1,281      10.9   20.0       4.7   14.2      32.3   52.5      17.6   13.4
Delaware ...............      3        -        359        -      23.7      -       2.2      -      22.0      -      11.4      -
District of Columbia ...  ( 2 )        4      ( 2 )      972      18.9   47.0       2.1    5.3      28.4   49.6      21.1   11.6
Florida ................    137       96     21,544   13,984      22.2   19.9      26.4   21.3      47.9   46.9      14.8   17.7
Georgia ................     21       14      4,545    1,754      44.3   56.6       1.3    1.0      50.1   48.9      13.8   10.9
Hawaii .................     17        7      2,372    1,228       1.6     .2      27.0   56.8      40.4   68.6      11.5   23.9
Idaho ..................     17        4      2,017      248        .7      -       7.3     .8      20.7   21.4      14.4    9.7

Illinois ...............    254      158     44,782   21,552      18.1   22.3      16.3   13.2      30.2   42.0      12.1   13.5
Indiana ................     72       29     15,689    3,216      10.0    5.0       5.2    9.1      29.2   33.2      14.9   12.7
Iowa ...................     50        9      9,214    1,506       1.1    1.3       2.3    3.5      29.0   68.9      12.5   16.6
Kansas .................     13        8      6,265      895       8.4   12.5       5.7    1.7      32.6   45.5      11.0   13.4
Kentucky ...............     32       24      5,823    2,003       8.6    5.4        .7     .2      54.0   41.3      15.8   14.1
Louisiana ..............     27       20      3,195    2,564      40.5   41.9       3.7    3.5      26.9   27.8      12.6    9.8
Maine ..................     16        8      2,714    1,289        .4     .1         -     .3      31.1   46.2      14.7   13.3
Maryland ...............     19       15      2,812    1,807      49.3   39.6        .4    1.2      43.2   46.1      12.6   14.5
Massachusetts ..........     78       40     15,240    5,003       6.9    5.7       3.7     .4      43.5   45.4      15.4   14.3
Michigan ...............    108       41     22,064    6,078      13.0   15.7       7.0    3.5      32.8   40.8      10.9   13.7
Minnesota ..............     98       41     13,717    4,952       1.3    4.7       5.2    2.8      18.0   32.0      12.4   14.0
Mississippi ............     18       14      2,045    1,375      48.7   74.7       1.1     .7      58.4   60.1      12.6   14.1
Missouri ...............     45       26      6,133    2,595      11.7   11.8       1.1    2.0      40.6   45.3      19.3   15.8

Montana ................      7        5      1,056      467        .4     .2       1.9    2.1      18.8   27.8      13.4   16.3
Nebraska ...............  ( 2 )        5      ( 2 )      614       5.6   12.9       4.5   12.2      29.2   41.9       3.4   16.6
Nevada .................     27       26      3,884    4,251       8.7    9.7      20.6   26.5      48.8   54.9      15.1   15.9
New Hampshire ..........      6        5      1,638      658       1.0    2.0       1.5    3.0      40.0   43.5      14.0   18.1
New Jersey .............     56       44     10,919    7,050      16.3   17.5      20.4   14.5      46.5   48.8      19.2   20.4
New Mexico .............      6        5        782      750       2.2    1.7      63.4   64.7      44.5   16.4      13.3   17.3
New York ...............    118       47     17,508    6,309       4.6    2.3       4.3    2.7      42.3   40.8      12.8   12.9
North Carolina .........     63       49     11,822    6,744      33.2   34.6       2.9    3.5      44.0   52.3      10.9   16.6
North Dakota ...........      9    ( 2 )      1,463    ( 2 )        .2      -       1.8      -      20.4   76.6       9.4   25.0
Ohio ...................    138       84     26,886   10,641      11.0   11.4       3.0    2.0      21.4   27.4      13.5   16.0
Oklahoma ...............     11        8      3,371    1,382       8.0   13.5       3.2   12.7      26.4   20.0       9.2   18.2
Oregon .................     39       26      7,950    4,731       1.7    2.1      15.0   14.0      35.0   39.6      12.5   16.1
Pennsylvania ...........     95       74     31,169   14,893       6.1    8.2       1.3    1.5      27.4   37.0      15.7   19.3

Rhode Island ...........      6        7        555      665       5.2    3.2      24.1   23.5      55.5   48.7      16.4   13.1
South Carolina .........     16       12      5,876    1,878      60.7   31.0        .2     .3      41.5   37.2        .9    2.4
South Dakota ...........      -    ( 2 )          -    ( 2 )         -    3.1         -   10.7         -   31.1         -    6.6
Tennessee ..............     25       27      3,949    2,637      24.1   13.6        .1      -      32.6   45.7      13.6   15.9
Texas ..................    103       95     22,826   20,270      17.5   18.9      25.6   34.1      43.2   41.5       9.9   10.7
Utah ...................     22       13      4,129    1,548       1.0    2.4       7.0    9.4      32.1   37.0      12.8   12.7
Vermont ................      3        5        321      563        .6    1.4         -    1.4      27.7   26.8      15.3   16.3
Virginia ...............     30       30      7,628    4,260      34.8   47.1       1.5    1.2      34.2   60.0      15.5   15.1
Washington .............     61       51     12,712   10,272       3.8    4.3      19.0   13.0      35.6   35.0      13.6   14.7
West Virginia ..........  ( 2 )        7      ( 2 )      655         -      -         -      -      16.1   49.6      15.6   13.4
Wisconsin ..............    109       34     23,978    5,519       3.6    4.7      10.6    1.9      30.7   40.3      14.8   13.9
Wyoming ................      -    ( 2 )          -    ( 2 )         -      -         -   34.6         -   24.0         -   14.4

Puerto Rico ............     23       15      4,354    2,006     ( 3 )   ( 3 )    ( 3 )  ( 3 )      57.1   47.4       6.3   11.4

    1 See footnote 1, table 1.                                                    
    2 Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards.                  
    3 Data are not available.                                                     
    p = preliminary.
    r = revised.
    NOTE: Dash represents zero.
 Table 4. Census region and division: Extended mass layoff events, separations, and initial claimants for unemployment
insurance, selected quarters, 2001 and 2002

                                       Layoff events                     Separations                Initial claimants for    
                                                                                                    unemployment insurance
  Census region and division                                                                                                    
                                   I        IV         I           I        IV         I            I        IV         I  
                                 2001r     2001r     2002p       2001r     2001r     2002p        2001r     2001r     2002p

        United States( 1 )....   1,765     2,700     1,669      342,954   541,410   301,181      340,151   497,136   236,891

Northeast ....................     217       401       240       34,632    81,954    46,191       45,878    82,924    37,711

    New England ..............      59       132        75       11,430    31,588    13,926        9,186    23,328     9,459
    Middle Atlantic ..........     158       269       165       23,202    50,366    32,265       36,692    59,596    28,252

South ........................     415       542       453       91,924   102,445    79,137       89,967   103,324    70,983

    South Atlantic ...........     215       292       227       44,097    59,847    39,630       43,897    54,899    32,054
    East South Central .......      72       103        99       13,120    19,216    17,569       11,432    18,322    14,156
    West South Central .......     128       147       127       34,707    23,382    21,938       34,638    30,103    24,773

Midwest ......................     500       897       438       95,425   168,496    71,750       96,955   170,280    57,921

    East North Central .......     425       681       346       80,193   132,611    58,502       81,338   133,399    47,006
    West North Central .......      75       216        92       15,232    35,885    13,248       15,617    36,881    10,915

West .........................     633       860       538      120,973   188,515   104,103      107,351   140,608    70,276

    Mountain .................      88       150        95       18,390    30,635    18,063       14,055    23,062    12,751
    Pacific ..................     545       710       443      102,583   157,880    86,040       93,296   117,546    57,525


    1 See footnote 1, table 1.                                                    
    p = preliminary.                                                             
    r = revised.                                                                 
    NOTE:  The States (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the census divisions are: New England: Connecticut, 
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; Middle Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania; 
South Atlantic: Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and
West Virginia; East South Central: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee; West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, 
Oklahoma, and Texas: East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin; West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, 
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota; Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, 
Utah, and Wyoming; and Pacific: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.
 Table 5. State distribution: Extended mass layoff events, separations, and initial claimants for unemployment insurance,
selected quarters, 2001 and 2002

                                   Layoff events                    Separations                 Initial claimants for    
                                                                                                unemployment insurance 
            State                                                                                       
                               I         IV        I           I         IV        I            I         IV        I   
                             2001r     2001r     2002p       2001r     2001r     2002p        2001r     2001r     2002p 

    Total( 1 )..........     1,765     2,700     1,669      342,954   541,410   301,181      340,151   497,136   236,891

Alabama ................        20        28        34        3,974     6,754     8,574        3,133     6,505     8,141
Alaska .................     ( 2 )         5         4        ( 2 )     1,047       303        ( 2 )       580       303
Arizona ................        32        25        17        7,899     3,747     3,426        6,759     4,300     2,670
Arkansas ...............         8         6         4        2,168     1,758       868        1,270       711       557
California .............       445       588       355       80,827   126,973    65,628       75,642    93,932    40,991
Colorado ...............        16        46        24        2,422     7,349     4,361        1,829     6,894     2,713
Connecticut ............        11        23        10        2,531     3,976     1,769        1,802     2,860     1,281
Delaware ...............         -         3         -            -       359         -            -       359         -
District of Columbia ...         7     ( 2 )         4        1,186     ( 2 )       972        1,186     ( 2 )       972
Florida ................       118       137        96       22,141    21,666    17,232       23,988    21,544    13,984
Georgia ................        14        21        14        2,279    10,998     2,781        1,623     4,545     1,754
Hawaii .................         6        17         7          570     2,165       593          590     2,372     1,228
Idaho ..................        11        17         4        1,593     2,887       307        1,267     2,017       248

Illinois ...............       138       254       158       30,401    55,229    33,656       23,477    44,782    21,552
Indiana ................        42        72        29        8,167    12,389     3,490        8,450    15,689     3,216
Iowa ...................        17        50         9        2,390     6,327     1,399        2,947     9,214     1,506
Kansas .................        11        13         8        3,680     6,482     1,191        4,199     6,265       895
Kentucky ...............        18        32        24        2,187     6,189     2,666        3,037     5,823     2,003
Louisiana ..............        12        27        20        1,327     4,321     4,232        1,362     3,195     2,564
Maine ..................         7        16         8        1,796     5,103     1,930        1,028     2,714     1,289
Maryland ...............         4        19        15        3,161     3,840     2,456          984     2,812     1,807
Massachusetts ..........        30        78        40        4,707    19,373     8,099        4,640    15,240     5,003
Michigan ...............       101       108        41       16,981    14,534     4,244       24,593    22,064     6,078
Minnesota ..............        34        98        41        7,172    14,693     6,085        7,211    13,717     4,952
Mississippi ............        18        18        14        3,514     2,386     2,003        2,431     2,045     1,375
Missouri ...............        10        45        26        1,708     6,748     3,408          864     6,133     2,595

Montana ................         4         7         5          252     2,118       696          321     1,056       467
Nebraska ...............     ( 2 )     ( 2 )         5        ( 2 )     ( 2 )       670        ( 2 )     ( 2 )       614
Nevada .................         6        27        26        1,859     7,177     4,526          921     3,884     4,251
New Hampshire ..........         5         6         5        1,231     1,945       675          738     1,638       658
New Jersey .............        25        56        44        3,604     9,566     7,954        4,024    10,919     7,050
New Mexico .............         4         6         5          516     1,568     1,133          475       782       750
New York ...............        47       118        47        6,423    21,798     7,280        6,031    17,508     6,309
North Carolina .........        39        63        49        8,958    14,362     9,577        7,067    11,822     6,744
North Dakota ...........         -         9     ( 2 )            -     1,546     ( 2 )            -     1,463     ( 2 )
Ohio ...................        99       138        84       16,035    23,077    12,323       15,735    26,886    10,641
Oklahoma ...............         7        11         8        1,147     2,145     1,315        1,019     3,371     1,382
Oregon .................        57        39        26       11,169     8,619     5,098       11,169     7,950     4,731
Pennsylvania ...........        86        95        74       13,175    19,002    17,031       26,637    31,169    14,893

Rhode Island ...........         5         6         7          965       870       665          877       555       665
South Carolina .........         7        16        12        1,074     1,551       916        3,294     5,876     1,878
South Dakota ...........     ( 2 )         -     ( 2 )        ( 2 )         -     ( 2 )        ( 2 )         -     ( 2 )
Tennessee ..............        16        25        27        3,445     3,887     4,326        2,831     3,949     2,637
Texas ..................       101       103        95       30,065    15,158    15,523       30,987    22,826    20,270
Utah ...................        14        22        13        3,770     5,789     3,510        2,404     4,129     1,548
Vermont ................     ( 2 )         3         5        ( 2 )       321       788        ( 2 )       321       563
Virginia ...............        23        30        30        4,897     6,758     5,019        5,354     7,628     4,260
Washington .............        36        61        51        9,928    19,076    14,418        5,806    12,712    10,272
West Virginia ..........         3     ( 2 )         7          401     ( 2 )       677          401     ( 2 )       655
Wisconsin ..............        45       109        34        8,609    27,382     4,789        9,083    23,978     5,519
Wyoming ................     ( 2 )         -     ( 2 )        ( 2 )         -     ( 2 )        ( 2 )         -     ( 2 )

Puerto Rico ............        21        23        15        2,791     4,691     2,109        3,395     4,354     2,006

    1 See footnote 1, table 1.                                      
    2 Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards.    
    p = preliminary.
    r = revised.
    NOTE: Dash represents zero.
 
Table 6. State distribution: Extended mass layoff events, separations, and initial claimants for unemployment insurance
directly and indirectly attributed to the September 11 terrorist attacks, weeks ending September 15, 2001-March 30, 2002

                                                                                        
           State             Layoff events(p)      Separations(p)       Initial claimants for 
                                                                       unemployment insurance(p)


          Total  ...........      462                 128,756                 122,777

Alabama ....................        -                       -                       -
Alaska .....................        -                       -                       -
Arizona ....................        5                     505                     555
Arkansas ...................        -                       -                       -
California .................      106                  22,184                  23,084
Colorado ...................        5                   1,624                   1,672
Connecticut ................        5                   1,066                     514
Delaware ...................        -                       -                       -
District of Columbia .......        -                       -                       -
Florida ....................       58                   7,058                   8,437
Georgia ....................        5                   4,141                   1,142
Hawaii .....................       30                   3,958                   7,077
Idaho ......................        -                       -                       -

Illinois ...................       22                  11,432                   7,901
Indiana ....................    ( 1 )                   ( 1 )                   ( 1 )
Iowa .......................    ( 1 )                   ( 1 )                   ( 1 )
Kansas .....................        3                   2,628                   2,798
Kentucky ...................        5                     417                     437
Louisiana ..................        8                   1,888                   1,070
Maine ......................    ( 1 )                   ( 1 )                   ( 1 )
Maryland ...................        5                   1,695                   1,092
Massachusetts ..............       14                   3,679                   3,459
Michigan ...................    ( 1 )                   ( 1 )                   ( 1 )
Minnesota ..................        5                   5,979                   4,236
Mississippi ................        -                       -                       -
Missouri ...................        3                     500                     581

Montana ....................        -                       -                       -
Nebraska ...................        -                       -                       -
Nevada .....................       42                  14,943                  17,681
New Hampshire ..............        -                       -                       -
New Jersey .................       10                   1,740                   1,800
New Mexico .................        -                       -                       -
New York ...................       47                  10,765                   7,805
North Carolina .............        9                   5,522                   3,780
North Dakota ...............        3                     515                     516
Ohio .......................        6                     768                     943
Oklahoma ...................        4                     367                     771
Oregon .....................    ( 1 )                   ( 1 )                   ( 1 )
Pennsylvania ...............        4                     962                   4,582

Rhode Island ...............        -                       -                       -
South Carolina .............        -                       -                       -
South Dakota ...............        -                       -                       -
Tennessee ..................        6                   1,280                   1,764
Texas ......................       23                   9,064                   7,511
Utah .......................        4                     870                     436
Vermont ....................        -                       -                       -
Virginia ...................        6                   1,584                     967
Washington .................       11                   8,886                   6,936
West Virginia ..............        -                       -                       -
Wisconsin ..................        -                       -                       -
Wyoming ....................        -                       -                       -

Puerto Rico ................        4                     583                     453


    1 Data do not meet BLS or State agency disclosure standards.    
    p = preliminary.
    NOTE:  Dash represents zero.
Table 7. Industry distribution:  Extended mass layoff events, separations, and initial claimants for unemployment insurance
directly and indirectly related to the September 11 terrorist attacks, weeks ending September 15, 2001-March 30, 2002  

                                                                                                           
                  Industry                      Layoff events(p)   Separations(p)   Initial claimants for 
                                                                                   unemployment insurance(p)

          Total  ..............................       462             128,756             122,777
     
     Total, private ...........................       460             128,356             122,531

Mining ........................................     ( 1 )               ( 1 )               ( 1 )
Construction ..................................         6                 627                 738
Manufacturing .................................        74              22,854              22,175
Wholesale trade ...............................     ( 1 )               ( 1 )               ( 1 )
Retail trade ..................................        10               1,333               1,935
Transportation and warehousing ................       104              53,141              41,620
Information ...................................         9               1,401               3,319
Finance and insurance .........................         7               1,111               1,207
Real estate and rental and leasing ............        12               1,378               1,084
Professional and technical services ...........         3                 380                 203
Management of companies and enterprises .......         3                 634                 651
Administrative and waste services .............        44               5,459               5,294
Health care and social assistance .............     ( 1 )               ( 1 )               ( 1 )
Arts, entertainment, and recreation ...........         5                 704                 472
Accommodation and food services ...............       169              37,493              41,775
Other services, except public administration ..         4                 819                 624
Unclassified ..................................         5                 569               1,007

     Government ...............................         2                 400                 246
                                                             
       1 Data do not meet BLS or State agency disclosure standards.
       p = preliminary.