Technical information:  (202) 691-6392     USDL 03-438
http://www.bls.gov/mls/
                                     
                                           For release: 10:00 A.M. EDT
Media contact:                691-5902     Wednesday, August 20, 2003
                                     
                                     
            EXTENDED MASS LAYOFFS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2003
  
  
   In the second quarter of 2003, 1,894 mass layoff actions were taken by
employers that resulted in the separation of 372,426 workers from their
jobs for at least 31 days, according to preliminary figures released by 
the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Both the total
number of layoff events and the number of separations were lower than in
April-June 2002 and were the lowest for a second quarter since 2000.  (See
table A.)  The decline from second quarter 2002 was most notable in
professional and technical services, agriculture and forestry support
activities, and crop production.
   
   Through the first half of 2003, the number of worker separations, at
705,686, and the number of layoff events, at 3,594, were lower than the
same period a year ago.  Additional information on the first half of 2003 
is provided in the review of 2003 section, beginning on page 6.
   
   The completion of seasonal work accounted for 30 percent of all events
and 130,991 separations during the period.  Layoffs due to internal company
restructuring represented 20 percent of events, and resulted in 82,516
separations, both somewhat lower than a year earlier.  Permanent closure of
worksites occurred in 14 percent of all events and affected 59,990 workers.
A year earlier, such closures occurred in 15 percent of all events and
affected 71,229 workers.  Forty-seven percent of employers with layoffs in
the second quarter indicated that they anticipated some type of recall,
lower than a year ago (53 percent).
   
Industry Distribution of Extended Layoffs
   
   Extended mass layoff separations occurred in 459 of the 1,197 detailed
industries for which data are available.  Manufacturing industries accounted 
for 30 percent of private-sector layoff events and 28 percent of separations 
during April-June 2003.  The 92,266 worker separations were lower than second 
quarter 2002.  Layoff activity in this sector was concentrated in food manu-
facturing (16,751, largely in the highly seasonal fruit and vegetable canning 
industry), followed by transportation equipment (15,639, mainly in aircraft 
and in automobile manufacturing) and computer and electronic product manu-
facturing (10,409, mostly in semiconductors and related devices).  (See 
table 1.)
   
   Transportation and warehousing accounted for 9 percent of private-
sector layoff events and 10 percent of separations, with the layoff
activity concentrated in school and employee bus transportation.  Layoffs
in accommodation and food services comprised 6 percent of events and 8
percent of separations, mostly among food service contractors.  Cutbacks 
in administrative and waste services accounted for 9 percent of events and 
7 percent of separations, mainly in temporary help services.  The retail
trade sector accounted for an additional 6 percent of events and 7 percent
of separations during the quarter, primarily from general merchandise stores.
   
                                  - 2 -

Table A.  Selected measures of extended mass layoff activity
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Period           | Layoff events|  Separations | Initial claimants
-------------------------|--------------|--------------|-------------------
          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.........|     2,005    |    427,070   |     376,611
          2001           |              |              |
January-March............|     1,765    |    342,954   |     340,210
April-June(r)............|     2,072    |    481,886   |     401,269
July-September(r)........|     1,815    |    384,403   |     371,541
October-December(r)......|     2,697    |    542,125   |     502,502
          2002           |              |              |
January-March(r).........|     1,750    |    334,017   |     316,489
April-June(r)............|     1,905    |    432,869   |     353,017
July-September(r)........|     1,383    |    310,351   |     284,511
October-December(r)......|     2,257    |    469,424   |     421,025
          2003           |              |              |
January-March(r).........|     1,700    |    333,260   |     329,153
April-June(p)............|     1,894    |    372,426   |     285,884
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  p=preliminary.                         r=revised.
   
   
   Layoffs in government establishments accounted for 9 percent of all
events and 12 percent of separations, matching the highest share of sepa-
rations since the program began in second quarter 1995.  Layoffs in the 
government sector were primarily concentrated in educational services, as 
the school year ended.
   
Reasons for Extended Layoff
   
   Layoffs due to the completion of seasonal work accounted for 30 percent
of the extended layoff events and resulted in 130,991 separations in the
second quarter.  (See table 2.)  Seasonal layoffs were most numerous among
workers in educational services (largely among elementary and secondary
schools) and transit and ground passenger transportation (mostly in school
and employee bus transportation).
   
   Internal company restructuring (bankruptcy, business ownership change,
financial difficulty, and reorganization) accounted for 20 percent of
layoff events and resulted in 82,516 separations.  These layoffs were
mostly among workers in general merchandise stores, in educational
services, and in air transportation.
   
   Lack of demand for products and services (slack work) accounted for 
13 percent of events and resulted in 36,844 separations during the second
quarter, mostly in transportation equipment manufacturing.
   
                                  - 3 -

     Table B.  Summary of employer expectations of a recall from
     extended layoff, second quarter 2002-second quarter 2003
     -------------------------------------------------------------
                          |         Percentage of events
                          |---------------------------------------
     Nature of the recall |  II  |   III |   IV  |   I   |   II
                          | 2002r|  2002r|  2002r| 2003r | 2003p
    ----------------------|------|-------|-------|-------|--------
     Anticipate a recall..| 53.0 |  36.4 |  55.8 |  38.4 |  47.0
                          |      |       |       |       |
           Timeframe      |      |       |       |       |
                          |      |       |       |       |
     Within 6 months......| 82.2 |  77.5 |  78.8 |  74.5 |  85.0
       Within 3 months....| 57.7 |  51.3 |  32.6 |  45.6 |  57.1
                          |      |       |       |       |
           Size           |      |       |       |       |
                          |      |       |       |       |
     At least half........| 91.4 |  82.5 |  86.7 |  80.1 |  86.3
       All workers........| 43.0 |  32.6 |  37.3 |  29.4 |  47.5
     -------------------------------------------------------------
       p=preliminary.                    r=revised.


Recall Expectations
   
   Forty-seven percent of employers reporting an extended layoff in the se-
cond quarter of 2003 indicated they anticipated some type of recall.  This 
compares with 53 percent of the employers anticipating a recall a year earlier.  
(See table B.)  Most of the employers not expecting a recall were in adminis-
trative and support services, transportation equipment manufacturing, and 
general merchandise stores.
   
   Among establishments expecting a recall, most employers expected to
recall over one-half of the separated employees and to do so within 6
months.  Forty-seven percent of the employers expected to extend the offer
to all laid-off workers, the highest proportion for a second quarter since
2000.
   
   Excluding layoff events due to seasonal work and vacation period (in
which 95 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 8
percent of the events.
          
Size of Extended Layoff
   
   Layoff events during the second quarter continued to be concentrated 
at the lower end of the extended layoff-size spectrum, with 62 percent
involving fewer than 150 workers.  These events, however, accounted for
only 28 percent of all separations.  (See table C.)  Separations involving
500 or more workers accounted for 34 percent of all separations, down from
40 percent a year earlier.  The average size of layoffs (as measured by
separations per layoff event) differed widely by industry, ranging from a
low of 91 separations in warehousing and storage to a high of 629 in motion
pictures and sound recording industries.
   
Initial Claimant Characteristics
   
   A total of 285,884 initial claimants for unemployment insurance were
associated with extended mass layoffs in the second quarter of 2003.  Of
these claimants, 17 percent were black, 51 percent were women, 15 percent
were Hispanic, and 17 percent were 55 years of age or older.  (See table
3.)  Thirty-eight percent of claimants were 30 to 44 years of age.  Among
the civilian labor force for the same period, 11 percent were black, 47
percent were women, 13 percent were Hispanic, and 15 percent were 55 years
of age or older.  Thirty-seven percent of the civilian labor force were
ages 30 to 44.

                                  - 4 -

Table C.  Distribution of extended layoff events by size of layoff,
April-June 2003p  
-------------------------------------------------------------------
                 |      Layoff events     |       Separations
      Size       |------------------------|------------------------
                 |   Number  |   Percent  |  Number  |   Percent
-----------------|-----------|------------|----------|-------------
                 |           |            |          |
    Total........|   1,894   |    100.0   |  372,426 |    100.0
                 |           |            |          |
50-99............|     731   |     38.6   |   51,200 |     13.7
100-149..........|     441   |     23.3   |   51,825 |     13.9
150-199..........|     204   |     10.8   |   34,368 |      9.2 
200-299..........|     232   |     12.2   |   54,121 |     14.5 
300-499..........|     153   |      8.1   |   54,796 |     14.7
500-999..........|      89   |      4.7   |   54,668 |     15.5
1,000 or more....|      44   |      2.3   |   68,448 |     18.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------
  p=preliminary.                        
                                  

Geographic Distribution
   
   In the second quarter, the number of separations due to extended mass
layoff events was highest in the West (120,407), followed by the Midwest
(100,300), the South (83,867), and the Northeast (67,852).  (See table 4.)
Extended mass layoffs in the West were mainly in amusement, gambling, and
recreation and in agricultural and forestry support activities.
   
   Three of the four regions reported over-the-year decreases in separations, 
with the largest decrease occurring in the West (-36,489), followed by the 
South (-21,435).  The Midwest had the only over-the-year increase (+1,161).  
Eight of the nine geographic divisions reported over-the-year declines in 
laid-off workers, with the largest declines in the Mountain (-30,740) and 
South Atlantic (-11,134) divisions.  Separations rose in the East North 
Central (+7,394) division.
   
   Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the largest number of
worker separations occurred in California (78,086), followed by Illinois
(37,522).  These two states accounted for 29 percent of total layoff events
and 31 percent of the separations during the second quarter of 2003.  They
were followed by Indiana (20,213), Florida (20,103), New York (16,949),
Massachusetts (15,462), and Pennsylvania (14,429).  (See table 5.)  After
excluding the substantial impact of seasonal work, California still reported 
the most laid-off workers (60,324), largely due to layoffs in motion picture 
and sound recording industries, educational services, and computer and elec-
tronic product manufacturing.
   
   Over the year, Arizona reported the greatest decrease in laid-off
workers (-20,143), followed by Florida (-17,195) and Colorado (-13,480).
The largest increase occurred in Indiana (+8,153) and Georgia (+7,106).
   
                                  - 5 -


Table D.  Index of mass layoff activity, second quarter 2002-second 
quarter 2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------
       Region      | Second quarter| Second quarter|   Over-the-year 
                   |      2002     |     2003p     |      change
-------------------|---------------|---------------|------------------
    Northeast......|      88.6     |      99.9     |       11.3  
    South..........|      71.8     |      64.7     |       -7.1  
    Midwest........|      91.4     |      98.7     |        7.3  
    West...........|     167.1     |     160.1     |       -7.0  
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  p=preliminary.
   
   
Relative Impacts of Mass Layoffs
   
   The index of mass layoff activity describes the geographic areas share
of national mass layoffs relative to the geographic area's share of
national employment in establishments with at least 50 workers.  This
allows for state comparisons that account for differences in each state's
share of employment.  An index at or near 100.0 indicates the state's share
of mass layoffs is in line with its share of employment.  An index below
100.0 indicates the state has relatively few layoffs, and, conversely an
index over 100.0 indicates a state with a relatively high level of layoffs.
(See table 6.)  A separate index is calculated that excludes the impact of
seasonal work and vacation periods from the separation data.  (See table 7.)

   Among the four regions, the West, with an index of 160.1 in the second
quarter, recorded the highest concentration of mass layoffs relative to the
region's employment, due in part to the impact of the seasonal agriculture
sector.  (See table D.)  With indices of 99.9 in the Northeast and 98.7 in
the Midwest, layoff experiences there were closely in line with each
region's share of employment.  In the South, the relative infrequency of
layoffs was represented by an index of 64.7.
   
   Over the year, the South and West regions recorded declines of -7.1 
and -7.0 points, respectively, while the Northeast and Midwest reported
increases of 11.3 and 7.3 points, respectively.  The latter increases
brought both regions close to 100.0, the level at which layoffs are in
proportion to employment.
   
   Among the nine geographic divisions, the Pacific posted the highest
index for the quarter, 180.7, primarily due to layoff activity in motion
picture and sound recording industries, food manufacturing, and agriculture
and forestry support activities.  The next highest indexes were reported in
New England, 125.9, and East North Central, 114.8.  The East South Central
division had the lowest index, 44.4, followed by the West North Central,
58.3, and the West South Central, 65.0.
   
   Among the 49 states and the District of Columbia which reported extended 
mass layoffs during second quarter 2003, 32 states and the District of Columbia 
reported indexes below 100.0, indicating a relatively small share of layoffs.  
(See table 6.)  Of the 17 states with indexes above 100.0, Montana had the 
highest index of 309.8--due to the impacts of seasonal work in accommodation 
and food services and in health care and social assistance.  However, the total 
number of private sector separations in Montana was lower than most other states.  
Relative concentrations of layoffs were also high in Maine (217.9), Alaska 
(203.7), and Illinois (201.7).  The District of Columbia, at 3.4, had the 
lowest relative concentration of mass layoffs followed by Delaware, 4.4, New 
Hampshire, 10.8, and Iowa, 14.6.
   
   After the exclusion of vacation periods and seasonal work, the Pacific
division also recorded the highest index, 185.0, reflecting a concentration
of layoffs in manufacturing and information. 
   
   At the state level, Oklahoma reported the highest index, excluding seasonal 
and vacation period events, (248.3) for second quarter 2003, followed by Cali-
fornia (198.4) and Washington (193.2).  The lowest indexes occurred in Iowa 
(4.8), the District of Columbia (5.4), New Hampshire (6.8), and Delaware 
(6.9).  (See table 7.)
                                  
                                  - 6 -        
                                  
Table E.  Selected measures of mass layoff activity, first half 1996-2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Period      | Layoff events|  Separations |   Initial claimants
-------------------|--------------|--------------|-----------------------
    1996...........|     2,760    |    534,108   |       424,425
    1997...........|     2,904    |    606,425   |       516,853
    1998...........|     2,883    |    599,543   |       649,591
    1999...........|     2,953    |    572,748   |       494,586
    2000...........|     2 601    |    513,254   |       452,839
    2001(r)........|     3,837    |    824,840   |       741,479
    2002(r)........|     3,655    |    766,886   |       669,506
    2003(p)........|     3,594    |    705,686   |       615,037
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  p=preliminary.                         r=revised.
   
   
Review of First Half of 2003
   
   During the first half of 2003, employers reported 3,594 extended mass lay-
off actions, affecting 705,686 workers, the lowest January-June totals since 
the first half of 2000.  (See table E.)
   
   In the private sector, manufacturing had the largest share of extended
events and separations.  Manufacturing accounted for 32 percent of all mass
layoff events and 29 percent of all separations--about the same shares as a
year earlier.  Within manufacturing, separations were most numerous in food
manufacturing (29,386, mainly in fruit and vegetable processing), transporta-
tion equipment (28,110, largely in aircraft and automobile manufacturing), 
and computer and electronic equipment (27,789 mostly in semiconductors and 
related device manufacturing).  Compared with the first half of 2002, 9 of 
the 21 manufacturing subgroups had declines in the number of separations, 
with the largest reported among employers in computer and electronic products 
(-15,918), followed by those in apparel (-7,032) and printing and related sup-
port actives (-3,306).  Wood product manufacturing had the largest increase 
(+3,193).

   In the first half of 2003, seasonal work continued to be the most cited
reason for layoff, accounting for 27 percent of all layoff events and 30
percent of all separations.  A year earlier, seasonal layoffs accounted for
28 percent of events and 32 percent of separations.  Seasonal layoffs in
2003 were primarily in establishments engaged in agriculture, forestry,
fishing and hunting, in manufacturing, and in transportation and
warehousing.
   
   Layoff activity due to internal company restructuring occurred largely
among general merchandise stores and was at levels below those of the first
half of 2002.  Employers cited this reason in 778 events (22 percent of the
total), resulting in the separation of 181,460 workers (26 percent of the
total).
   
   The West reported more laid-off workers in January-June 2003 than any
other region, 238,588.  Layoffs in the West were mainly in food production
(agriculture and forestry support activities, crop production, and food
manufacturing) and were primarily attributed to seasonal factors.  The
Northeast region reported the lowest number of separations, 126,656.
Compared with the first half of 2002, two of the four geographic regions
reported a decrease in laid-off workers, led by the West (-38,115).  The
Midwest reported the highest over-the-year increase in separations (+4,079).
   
   Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, California reported the 
largest number of separated workers (163,345), largely due to seasonal layoffs 
in agriculture.  After California were: Illinois (66,707), Florida (46,707), 
New York (44,470), and Texas (32,519).  These five states accounted  for 47 
percent of events and 50 percent of separations for the six-month period.  
Arizona had the largest over-the-year decline in the number of separations 
(-19,372); New York recorded the largest over-the-year increase (+22,408).
   
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 estab-
lishment filing initial claims for unemployment insurance during a con-
secutive 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 second quarter are preliminary and subject to
revision.  This release also includes revised data for previous quarters.
Data are not seasonally adjusted, but survey data suggest that there is a
seasonal pattern to layoffs.  Thus, comparisons between consecutive
quarters should not be used as an indicator of trend.
   
   The index of mass layoff activity is calculated as the area's share, 
or ratio, of the total number of private sector separations in the U.S.
divided by the same area's share of U.S. total private sector employment 
in establishments that employ at least 50 workers.  It facilitates rela-
tive area-to-area comparisons by discounting the absolute size of the area.  
Areas with indexes of more than 100.0 account for a larger share of layoffs 
relative to their share of larger establishment employment.
   
   For additional information about the program, see the Technical Note.
   
                      ______________________________
   
   The report on Mass Layoffs in July 2003 will be issued on Thursday,
August 28, 2003.



   

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, 2002 and 2003
                                                                                                           Initial claimants for   
                                                        Layoff events               Separations            unemployment insurance  
                      Industry                    
                                                     II       I      II        II        I       II         II        I       II   
                                                    2002r   2003r   2003p     2002r    2003r    2003p      2002r    2003r    2003p 


        Total( 1 ) ...............................  1,905   1,700   1,894    432,869  333,260  372,426    353,017  329,153  285,884

Total, private ...................................  1,766   1,648   1,726    384,319  321,471  328,087    322,965  317,009  261,155

  Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting  ....    142     146      82     39,713   35,740   16,297     23,367   24,047    9,407
  Mining .........................................     14      17       9      2,740    2,255    2,580      2,423    2,716    2,484
  Utilities ......................................      8       7       7      1,379      958      824      1,259      797      873
  Construction ...................................    128     221     135     20,172   28,293   18,523     22,876   32,812   17,017
  Manufacturing ..................................    486     567     511     88,133   93,334   92,266     88,744  102,788   76,447
       Food ......................................     73      74      89     14,805   12,635   16,751     13,118   13,396   13,580
       Beverage and tobacco products .............      6       9       4      1,736    1,318    1,082      1,020    1,517      811
       Textile mills .............................     12      11      23      2,632    1,916    3,651      2,337    2,007    2,737
       Textile product mills .....................      -   ( 2 )       5          -    ( 2 )      468          -    ( 2 )      508
       Apparel ...................................     33      22      29      4,316    4,532    3,346      5,507    4,599    3,028
       Leather and allied products ...............  ( 2 )       -       6      ( 2 )        -      683      ( 2 )        -      528
       Wood products .............................     13      31      16      1,269    3,793    2,748      1,889    3,665    3,523
       Paper .....................................     17      13      12      2,876    2,505    1,670      2,183    2,688    1,698
       Printing and related support activities ...     17      13      17      2,744    1,307    1,914      2,129    1,395    1,791
       Petroleum and coal products ...............  ( 2 )   ( 2 )       3      ( 2 )    ( 2 )      457      ( 2 )    ( 2 )      321

       Chemicals  ................................     15      11      13      2,008    1,923    4,456      1,816    1,606    2,445
       Plastics and rubber products ..............      9      16      13      1,970    1,941    1,531      1,374    1,783    1,528
       Nonmetallic mineral products ..............      9      31       9      1,496    4,883    1,205      1,828    4,901    1,026
       Primary metals ............................     29      32      27      4,216    5,438    6,962      5,685    5,026    4,830
       Fabricated metal products .................     19      32      29      2,326    3,588    4,649      2,840    4,041    3,775
       Machinery .................................     33      42      33      6,885    6,677    6,825      5,688    8,099    5,286
       Computer and electronic products ..........     91      94      67     16,017   17,380   10,409     16,553   18,638    8,489
       Electrical equipment and appliances .......     25      28      15      3,541    4,205    2,051      4,381    4,308    1,777
       Transportation equipment ..................     57      57      60     14,936   12,471   15,639     15,969   13,424   13,993
       Furniture and related products ............     15      20      29      2,845    2,196    4,055      2,772    7,489    3,488
       Miscellaneous manufacturing ...............      9      23      12      1,039    3,042    1,714      1,167    2,567    1,285

  Wholesale trade ................................     43      36      38      6,372    6,226    5,234      5,583    5,560    4,030
  Retail trade ...................................    104     142     104     38,319   48,036   22,467     28,374   43,853   17,419
  Transportation and warehousing .................    131      70     148     25,748   21,414   33,518     23,967   20,932   30,640
  Information ....................................     95      81      69     18,556   16,767   18,522     19,945   15,939   16,552
  Finance and insurance ..........................     46      54      46      8,817   11,686    8,319      8,068   10,618    5,693
  Real estate and rental and leasing .............      3       5       5        790      547      761        900      479      611
  Professional and technical services ............     83      40      69     29,579    6,889   14,501     17,828    5,978   10,737
  Management of companies and enterprises ........      4   ( 2 )       7      1,017    ( 2 )    1,463      1,242    ( 2 )    1,168
  Administrative and waste services ..............    143     173     154     27,218   36,461   23,589     31,897   37,982   21,272
  Educational services ...........................      7   ( 2 )       9        918    ( 2 )    1,240        934    ( 2 )    1,075
  Health care and social assistance ..............    130      18     123     16,803    1,802   18,610     14,659    2,062   13,206
  Arts, entertainment, and recreation ............     49      17      48     24,924    4,003   15,946      4,958    2,582    5,168
  Accommodation and food services ................     95      38     110     24,824    5,300   26,231     19,406    6,273   21,137
  Other services, except public administration ...     54      11      49      8,217    1,174    6,706      6,455      994    5,729

  Unclassified ...................................      1       1       3         80       55      490         80       86      490

Government .......................................    139      52     168     48,550   11,789   44,339     30,052   12,144   24,729
       Federal ...................................     17      11      10      5,610    1,572    3,037      6,158    2,024    1,855
       State .....................................     13      19      17      4,489    2,841    9,350      4,518    2,796    2,669
       Local .....................................    109      22     141     38,451    7,376   31,952     19,376    7,324   20,205
          

    1 For the second quarter of 2003, 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: Industry data reflect the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), 2002. Dash represents zero. 
Table 2. Reason for separation: Extended mass layoff events, separations, and initial claimants for unemployment
insurance, selected quarters, 2002 and 2003
                                                                                                      Initial claimants for     
                                          Layoff events                     Separations               unemployment insurance    
       Reason for separation      
                                      II         I        II          II         I        II           II         I        II   
                                     2002r     2003r     2003p       2002r     2003r     2003p        2002r     2003r     2003p 


   Total, all reasons( 1 ) .......   1,905     1,700     1,894      432,869   333,260   372,426      353,017   329,153   285,884

Automation .......................       3     ( 2 )         -          298     ( 2 )         -          570     ( 2 )         -
Bankruptcy .......................      51        45        61       15,232    23,165    15,016       11,072    18,794    11,004
Business ownership change ........      41        34        27        7,180    10,084     9,483        5,803     5,529     4,165
Contract cancellation ............      38        33        32        5,227     6,086     4,592        5,586     4,543     4,815
Contract completed ...............     241       230       236       45,473    38,211    36,844       54,090    50,058    34,289
Domestic relocation ..............      25        26        22        4,936     3,923     3,580        3,742     3,032     2,413
Energy-related ...................   ( 2 )         -     ( 2 )        ( 2 )         -     ( 2 )        ( 2 )         -     ( 2 )
Environment-related ..............       -         -     ( 2 )            -         -     ( 2 )            -         -     ( 2 )
Financial difficulty .............     122       125       132       37,267    25,236    29,437       28,034    26,352    19,367
Import competition ...............      16        22        32        4,427     6,083     5,660        3,528     4,578     4,262
Labor dispute ....................       6     ( 2 )     ( 2 )          992     ( 2 )     ( 2 )        1,043     ( 2 )     ( 2 )
Material shortage ................       4     ( 2 )         4          949     ( 2 )       568          718     ( 2 )       570
Model changeover .................   ( 2 )         4         -        ( 2 )     2,891         -        ( 2 )     2,191         -
Natural disaster .................   ( 2 )         -     ( 2 )        ( 2 )         -     ( 2 )        ( 2 )         -     ( 2 )

Non-natural disaster .............       4         -     ( 2 )          399         -     ( 2 )          408         -     ( 2 )
Overseas relocation ..............      13        21        16        4,212     4,389     3,706        2,406     3,164     2,460
Plant or machine repair ..........       7         6         6        1,526       725     1,011        1,484       864       541
Product line discontinued ........      10        15         9          969     3,094     1,454          997     3,584     1,389
Reorganization within company ....     193       193       161       34,015    40,459    28,580       35,600    39,302    22,143
Seasonal work ....................     662       407       569      177,194    81,946   130,991      113,209    67,038    85,558
Slack work .......................     278       285       246       50,037    39,284    36,430       56,227    50,491    34,409
Vacation period ..................      84         5        85       22,753       485    17,225       11,897       697    14,457
Weather-related ..................       8        15     ( 2 )          895     1,447     ( 2 )          895     1,750     ( 2 )
Other ............................      48        43        43       11,151     7,192     9,789        8,375     9,557     6,901
Not reported .....................      46       184       198        6,667    36,891    32,261        6,552    36,014    31,558


    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 3. State and selected claimant characteristics: Extended mass layoff events and initial claimants for unemployment
insurance, first and second quarters, 2003
                                                 Total                                   Percent of total                        
                                                initial                             Hispanic                        Persons age 55
                           Layoff events       claimants             Black           origin            Women          and over   
           State         
                             I      II          I       II          I     II         I     II         I     II         I     II 
                           2003r   2003p      2003r    2003p      2003r  2003p     2003r  2003p     2003r  2003p     2003r  2003p

    Total( 1 )  .........  1,700   1,894     329,153  285,884      14.3   16.6      20.1   15.4      40.9   50.9      14.2   17.4

Alabama .................      3      13         981    1,293      21.1   37.1       1.5    3.1      26.7   60.3      20.7   16.9
Alaska ..................      8       9         952    1,126       4.6    3.1       5.6   15.5      36.4   46.5      13.4   17.7
Arizona .................     21      25       4,987    3,905       1.6    2.5      61.2   52.8      33.1   38.9      13.9   13.5
Arkansas ................      5       8         370      703      30.5   49.4       2.2    1.4      42.2   63.0      21.1   12.8
California ..............    383     396      69,126   56,180       7.2    9.4      47.9   33.2      42.8   47.6      12.7   12.8
Colorado ................     20      20       3,542    2,857       5.8    5.5      19.6   19.6      38.5   53.8      15.3   14.6
Connecticut .............     16      16       2,645    2,472      19.5   11.4       9.6   10.0      58.8   74.6      15.5   17.0
Delaware ................  ( 2 )   ( 2 )       ( 2 )    ( 2 )      26.4   39.1       4.4    2.2      78.0   84.8      14.3   34.8
District of Columbia ....      4   ( 2 )         521    ( 2 )      34.2    9.6       1.7      -      53.9   60.7      12.1   14.2
Florida .................    135     117      22,844   17,818      20.8   24.8      24.1   29.6      45.8   50.8      17.3   19.1
Georgia .................     24      42       4,087    7,013      45.6   65.1      11.4     .7      50.9   70.3      15.5   14.6
Hawaii ..................      6       7         796      584        .6     .7      28.1   17.5      51.4   47.1      20.4   13.2
Idaho ...................      8      13       1,868    1,561       1.2     .5       5.9   12.6      35.1   49.7      13.3   20.2

Illinois ................    132     153      25,474   27,317      19.6   21.2      12.6   10.7      40.8   51.8      12.4   16.9
Indiana .................     42      50       7,579    8,921       7.8   15.9       4.0    3.5      29.7   46.0      16.4   18.6
Iowa ....................     17       5       2,603    1,365       2.7     .9       1.4    3.7      58.3   56.6      17.4   24.1
Kansas ..................     12      10       3,105    1,059      14.8   17.2       3.3    3.2      35.1   49.6      20.8   18.9
Kentucky ................     19      26       2,642    3,335       8.8    7.3        .2     .4      40.6   37.7      14.5   15.4
Louisiana ...............     17      35       1,301    3,701      47.3   64.6       3.3    1.4      20.3   69.2      11.0   15.8
Maine ...................     11      13       1,809    1,301        .3     .7        .2     .1      28.0   45.0      17.4   14.3
Maryland ................      5       7         308    1,476      19.2   40.9       4.2     .8      52.6   31.3      33.8   41.2
Massachusetts ...........     45      52       6,641    6,410       7.9    7.7        .9    2.7      42.7   59.9      14.8   20.3
Michigan ................     34      68      11,378   10,271      13.0   13.4       2.7    3.3      36.5   45.6      11.2   15.5
Minnesota ...............     33      42       4,881    5,899       5.1    7.4       3.1    3.0      31.9   47.4      13.1   15.8
Mississippi .............      7      11         831      892      84.5   69.2        .4     .9      67.1   60.5      13.4    9.3
Missouri ................     24      26       3,822    3,409      12.1   30.2        .2     .4      54.0   67.6      16.6   23.1

Montana .................      3      11         421    1,016        .5     .5       1.7    3.6      13.8   53.4      15.2   14.9
Nebraska ................      4       7         411      561       1.7   16.2      10.2    4.8      20.7   59.2      15.6   28.0
Nevada ..................  ( 2 )      10       ( 2 )    1,137       7.1   19.3      22.1   14.2      47.3   59.4      17.0   21.2
New Hampshire ...........      4   ( 2 )         483    ( 2 )       2.1     .7       2.3     .7      46.2   44.5      17.0   21.2
New Jersey ..............     46      65       6,277   10,938      21.9   17.5      10.1   11.3      47.5   71.6      20.0   32.3
New Mexico ..............  ( 2 )      15       ( 2 )    1,616       2.3    1.4      69.9   44.9      16.8   53.7      15.0    7.5
New York ................    117      85      24,232   12,178      18.7   13.5      10.9    8.7      45.9   51.2      12.6   18.3
North Carolina ..........     36      49       8,577    6,564      46.9   37.5       3.7    3.7      51.5   53.7      14.9   16.5
North Dakota ............      3       4         316      434        .3     .9       1.9    1.6      43.4   63.4      18.4   17.3
Ohio ....................     63      54      10,559    9,386      13.7   10.1       1.8    1.7      33.8   35.5      13.8   17.5
Oklahoma ................      9      24       1,328    6,006      12.7   12.8       4.2    3.5      27.3   22.7      17.0   20.2
Oregon ..................     33      29       5,546    3,639       1.4    3.1       9.6   10.6      40.9   46.6      15.7   19.5
Pennsylvania ............     82      95      21,052   21,291       9.1    9.6       3.2    1.9      35.5   55.5      18.1   25.2

Rhode Island ............  ( 2 )       6       ( 2 )      548       2.7    4.0       5.4   26.3         -   80.5       6.8   21.2
South Carolina ..........     11       9         951    1,281      57.8   63.2        .5      -      51.5   73.8       5.2     .2
South Dakota ............  ( 2 )       4       ( 2 )      600         -     .3       3.4     .2      49.7   68.8      25.9   18.7
Tennessee ...............     15      20       1,774    1,861      23.1   37.9         -     .1      45.2   54.3      18.2   11.8
Texas ...................     90      84      33,675   15,292      17.7   18.0      33.0   36.8      36.4   44.8      10.7   13.6
Utah ....................  ( 2 )       8       ( 2 )      773       1.8    1.9       5.5   13.2         -   67.8      21.8   11.5
Vermont .................      -      10           -    1,058         -     .4         -     .2         -   43.1         -   15.4
Virginia ................     20      27       4,103    3,635      47.0   45.7       2.3    2.0      55.7   67.5      14.6   14.8
Washington ..............     49      48       8,662    6,968       4.3    5.0      13.4   20.7      36.4   39.1      18.7   17.3
West Virginia ...........      6       6         742      422        .3     .2         -      -      22.4   63.7      14.3   18.5
Wisconsin ...............     68      55      13,963    7,401       6.2    7.0       4.4    5.2      36.9   51.2      13.9   18.8
Wyoming .................  ( 2 )       -       ( 2 )        -       1.8      -       1.8      -       9.1      -      18.2      -

Puerto Rico .............     12      13       1,932    2,230     ( 3 )  ( 3 )     ( 3 )  ( 3 )      38.7   67.8       9.8   13.4

    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, 2002 and 2003
                                                                                                   Initial claimants for   
                                       Layoff events                     Separations               unemployment insurance  
   Census region and division  
                                   II         I        II          II         I        II           II        I       II   
                                  2002r     2003r     2003p       2002r     2003r     2003p        2002r    2003r    2003p 

        United States( 1 ) ....   1,905     1,700     1,894      432,869   333,260   372,426      353,017  329,153  285,884

Northeast .....................     371       322       344       71,532    58,804    67,852       73,192   63,213   56,342

    New England ...............     112        77        99       24,519    15,206    23,344       18,188   11,652   11,935
    Middle Atlantic ...........     259       245       245       47,013    43,598    44,508       55,004   51,561   44,407

South .........................     533       407       481      105,302    79,601    83,867      101,091   85,126   71,557

    South Atlantic ............     296       242       260       58,794    49,538    47,660       49,271   42,224   38,474
    East South Central ........      75        44        70       13,893     8,301    10,056       10,624    6,228    7,381
    West South Central ........     162       121       151       32,615    21,762    26,151       41,196   36,674   25,702

Midwest .......................     455       434       478       99,139    76,674   100,300       86,140   84,238   76,623

    East North Central ........     332       339       380       74,524    57,772    81,918       62,841   68,953   63,296
    West North Central ........     123        95        98       24,615    18,902    18,382       23,299   15,285   13,327

West ..........................     546       537       591      156,896   118,181   120,407       92,594   96,576   81,362

    Mountain ..................     104        58       102       55,852    15,168    25,112       15,107   11,494   12,865
    Pacific ...................     442       479       489      101,044   103,013    95,295       77,487   85,082   68,497


    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, 2002 and 2003
                                                                                               Initial claimants for     
                                  Layoff events                      Separations               unemployment insurance    
           State         
                               II         I        II          II         I        II           II         I        II   
                              2002r     2003r     2003p       2002r     2003r     2003p        2002r     2003r     2003p 

    Total( 1 )  .........     1,905     1,700     1,894      432,869   333,260   372,426      353,017   329,153   285,884

Alabama .................        29         3        13        5,145       989     1,293        4,502       981     1,293
Alaska ..................         5         8         9          635       952     1,185          635       952     1,126
Arizona .................        50        21        25       26,095     5,896     5,952        9,153     4,987     3,905
Arkansas ................         9         5         8        1,206       503     1,899          749       370       703
California ..............       343       383       396       80,799    85,259    78,086       60,657    69,126    56,180
Colorado ................        20        20        20       21,872     5,973     8,392        2,547     3,542     2,857
Connecticut .............        30        16        16        6,704     3,210     3,311        5,093     2,645     2,472
Delaware ................     ( 2 )     ( 2 )     ( 2 )        ( 2 )     ( 2 )     ( 2 )        ( 2 )     ( 2 )     ( 2 )
District of Columbia ....     ( 2 )         4     ( 2 )        ( 2 )       521     ( 2 )        ( 2 )       521     ( 2 )
Florida .................       183       135       117       37,298    26,604    20,103       29,444    22,844    17,818
Georgia .................        16        24        42        3,518     3,304    10,624        3,106     4,087     7,013
Hawaii ..................         5         6         7          475     1,125       689          445       796       584
Idaho ...................         6         8        13        1,543     1,798     1,900          573     1,868     1,561

Illinois ................       162       132       153       45,891    29,185    37,522       35,142    25,474    27,317
Indiana .................        41        42        50       12,060     5,785    20,213        5,965     7,579     8,921
Iowa ....................         7        17         5          693     2,574     1,686          615     2,603     1,365
Kansas ..................        17        12        10        3,654     3,836     2,085        5,951     3,105     1,059
Kentucky ................        21        19        26        2,953     3,282     4,870        2,241     2,642     3,335
Louisiana ...............        38        17        35        7,298     1,804     4,257        4,937     1,301     3,701
Maine ...................        14        11        13        2,176     2,593     2,753        1,517     1,809     1,301
Maryland ................        14         5         7        2,317       332     1,875        1,755       308     1,476
Massachusetts ...........        51        45        52       14,054     8,869    15,462        9,949     6,641     6,410
Michigan ................        28        34        68        5,105     3,665     9,895        5,025    11,378    10,271
Minnesota ...............        31        33        42        8,765     5,647     6,443        6,226     4,881     5,899
Mississippi .............         8         7        11        1,310     1,285     1,558          797       831       892
Missouri ................        54        24        26        9,303     5,592     6,306        8,330     3,822     3,409

Montana .................         6         3        11        1,015       500     2,073          432       421     1,016
Nebraska ................     ( 2 )         4         7        ( 2 )       769       648        ( 2 )       411       561
Nevada ..................         5     ( 2 )        10          703     ( 2 )     1,170          614     ( 2 )     1,137
New Hampshire ...........     ( 2 )         4     ( 2 )        ( 2 )       460     ( 2 )        ( 2 )       483     ( 2 )
New Jersey ..............        85        46        65       17,297     5,629    13,130       17,640     6,277    10,938
New Mexico ..............         7     ( 2 )        15        1,212     ( 2 )     2,594          717     ( 2 )     1,616
New York ................        69       117        85       12,225    27,521    16,949       12,158    24,232    12,178
North Carolina ..........        37        36        49        8,112    11,074     8,738        6,431     8,577     6,564
North Dakota ............         8         3         4        1,575       351       586        1,348       316       434
Ohio ....................        62        63        54        6,789     6,339     6,421       10,873    10,559     9,386
Oklahoma ................         7         9        24          962     1,219     5,712        1,190     1,328     6,006
Oregon ..................        34        33        29        6,239     5,098     3,525        5,727     5,546     3,639
Pennsylvania ............       105        82        95       17,491    10,448    14,429       25,206    21,052    21,291

Rhode Island ............         4     ( 2 )         6          261     ( 2 )       614          330     ( 2 )       548
South Carolina ..........         7        11         9          490     1,360     1,179        1,008       951     1,281
South Dakota ............     ( 2 )     ( 2 )         4        ( 2 )     ( 2 )       628        ( 2 )     ( 2 )       600
Tennessee ...............        17        15        20        4,485     2,745     2,335        3,084     1,774     1,861
Texas ...................       108        90        84       23,149    18,236    14,283       34,320    33,675    15,292
Utah ....................        10     ( 2 )         8        3,412     ( 2 )     3,031        1,071     ( 2 )       773
Vermont .................        11         -        10        1,066         -     1,058        1,066         -     1,058
Virginia ................        27        20        27        5,128     5,202     3,944        5,228     4,103     3,635
Washington ..............        55        49        48       12,896    10,579    11,810       10,023     8,662     6,968
West Virginia ...........         7         6         6          812     1,050       928          785       742       422
Wisconsin ...............        39        68        55        4,679    12,798     7,867        5,836    13,963     7,401
Wyoming .................         -     ( 2 )         -            -     ( 2 )         -            -     ( 2 )         -

Puerto Rico .............        17        12        13        2,760     2,091     1,446        3,378     1,932     2,230

    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: Index of mass-layoff separations, private sector, second quarter 2002 and 2003 

                                      Share of                        Share of                  Index of mass-layoff
                                   separations(2)            establishment employment(3)           separations(4)  
           State         
                                  II              II              I               I              II             II
                                 2002            2003p           2001            2002           2002           2003p

    Total( 1 ) ............    1.00000         1.00000         1.00000         1.00000          100.0          100.0

Alabama ...................     .01339          .00394          .01315          .01317          101.8           29.9
Alaska ....................     .00141          .00326          .00152          .00160           92.6          203.7
Arizona ...................     .04158          .01354          .01924          .01958          216.1           69.1
Arkansas ..................     .00281          .00378          .00809          .00818           34.8           46.2
California ................     .20233          .21506          .11401          .11360          177.5          189.3
Colorado ..................     .03870          .02482          .01576          .01516          245.5          163.6
Connecticut ...............     .01721          .01009          .01288          .01306          133.6           77.3
Delaware ..................     .00048          .00015          .00347          .00350           13.8            4.4
District of Columbia ......     .00065          .00015          .00427          .00447           15.2            3.4
Florida ...................     .08516          .05396          .05889          .05952          144.6           90.7
Georgia ...................     .00873          .03083          .03070          .03032           28.4          101.7
Hawaii ....................     .00124          .00210          .00382          .00379           32.4           55.5
Idaho .....................     .00401          .00579          .00328          .00328          122.3          176.8

Illinois ..................     .10690          .10228          .05091          .05072          210.0          201.7
Indiana ...................     .02141          .03122          .02354          .02356           91.0          132.5
Iowa ......................     .00180          .00148          .01009          .01017           17.9           14.6
Kansas ....................     .00929          .00636          .00951          .00954           97.6           66.6
Kentucky ..................     .00675          .01037          .01299          .01289           51.9           80.4
Louisiana .................     .01565          .01082          .01247          .01268          125.5           85.3
Maine .....................     .00566          .00839          .00383          .00385          147.7          217.9
Maryland ..................     .00460          .00571          .01782          .01818           25.8           31.4
Massachusetts .............     .02956          .04232          .02693          .02647          109.8          159.9
Michigan ..................     .01328          .02924          .03763          .03756           35.3           77.9
Minnesota .................     .01987          .01817          .02073          .02087           95.8           87.1
Mississippi ...............     .00303          .00437          .00791          .00794           38.3           55.0
Missouri ..................     .02254          .01176          .01989          .02017          113.3           58.3

Montana ...................     .00242          .00580          .00181          .00187          134.2          309.8
Nebraska ..................     .00049          .00198          .00640          .00643            7.7           30.7
Nevada ....................     .00118          .00313          .00919          .00917           12.8           34.1
New Hampshire .............     .00067          .00045          .00418          .00410           16.1           10.8
New Jersey ................     .04135          .03642          .02991          .03068          138.2          118.7
New Mexico ................     .00246          .00707          .00443          .00460           55.5          153.6
New York ..................     .02831          .04724          .06433          .06414           44.0           73.7
North Carolina ............     .01944          .02289          .02913          .02831           66.8           80.9
North Dakota ..............     .00334          .00119          .00182          .00187          183.4           63.7
Ohio ......................     .01703          .01923          .04472          .04446           38.1           43.2
Oklahoma ..................     .00250          .01582          .01009          .01011           24.8          156.4
Oregon ....................     .01560          .01029          .01065          .01042          146.5           98.8
Pennsylvania ..............     .04472          .04340          .04572          .04605           97.8           94.2

Rhode Island ..............     .00068          .00187          .00337          .00340           20.1           55.0
South Carolina ............     .00127          .00359          .01348          .01322            9.5           27.2
South Dakota ..............     .00000          .00059          .00219          .00218            0.0           27.0
Tennessee .................     .01154          .00648          .02274          .02264           50.7           28.6
Texas .....................     .05781          .03694          .07241          .07265           79.8           50.8
Utah ......................     .00854          .00887          .00735          .00738          116.2          120.2
Vermont ...................     .00277          .00322          .00182          .00183          152.5          176.7
Virginia ..................     .01334          .01202          .02522          .02525           52.9           47.6
Washington ................     .03240          .03600          .01859          .01818          174.3          198.0
West Virginia .............     .00211          .00283          .00414          .00422           51.0           67.0
Wisconsin .................     .01198          .02273          .02201          .02195           54.4          103.5
Wyoming ...................     .00000          .00000          .00097          .00104            0.0            0.0


     1 See footnote 1, table 1.
     2 The share of separations is the proportion of each State's private sector separations to the total number 
of private sector separations in the U.S. for the period.
     3 The share of establishment employment is the proportion of each State's private sector covered employment 
in establishments of 50 workers or more to the comparable U.S. total.  Covered employment refers to workers 
who are covered by State unemployment insurance laws.
     4 The index is the ratio of the share of separations to the share of establishment employment, multiplied by 100.
     p = preliminary.               
Table 7. State distribution: Index of mass-layoff separations (excluding seasonal work and vacation periods),
private sector, second quarter 2002 and 2003

                                      Share of                        Share of                  Index of mass-layoff
                                   separations(2)            establishment employment(3)           separations(4)  
           State         
                                  II              II              I               I              II             II
                                 2002            2003p           2001            2002           2002           2003p

    Total( 1 ) ............    1.00000         1.00000         1.00000         1.00000          100.0          100.0

Alabama ...................     .01189          .00602          .01315          .01317           90.4           45.7
Alaska ....................     .00058          .00000          .00152          .00160           37.9            0.0
Arizona ...................     .02463          .00688          .01924          .01958          128.0           35.1
Arkansas ..................     .00232          .00534          .00809          .00818           28.7           65.3
California ................     .18717          .22542          .11401          .11360          164.2          198.4
Colorado ..................     .00492          .01542          .01576          .01516           31.2          101.7
Connecticut ...............     .01401          .00607          .01288          .01306          108.8           46.5
Delaware ..................     .00081          .00024          .00347          .00350           23.3            6.9
District of Columbia ......     .00110          .00024          .00427          .00447           25.8            5.4
Florida ...................     .08321          .06006          .05889          .05952          141.3          100.9
Georgia ...................     .01383          .04024          .03070          .03032           45.0          132.7
Hawaii ....................     .00040          .00190          .00382          .00379           10.4           50.1
Idaho .....................     .00485          .00563          .00328          .00328          147.6          171.8

Illinois ..................     .11318          .09204          .05091          .05072          222.3          181.5
Indiana ...................     .02183          .03495          .02354          .02356           92.7          148.3
Iowa ......................     .00280          .00048          .01009          .01017           27.7            4.8
Kansas ....................     .01204          .00786          .00951          .00954          126.6           82.4
Kentucky ..................     .01031          .01544          .01299          .01289           79.4          119.8
Louisiana .................     .01507          .00966          .01247          .01268          120.8           76.2
Maine .....................     .00578          .00483          .00383          .00385          150.9          125.5
Maryland ..................     .00562          .00850          .01782          .01818           31.5           46.7
Massachusetts .............     .01531          .03918          .02693          .02647           56.9          148.0
Michigan ..................     .02198          .04113          .03763          .03756           58.4          109.5
Minnesota .................     .02595          .01810          .02073          .02087          125.2           86.7
Mississippi ...............     .00459          .00694          .00791          .00794           58.0           87.4
Missouri ..................     .01027          .00807          .01989          .02017           51.7           40.0

Montana ...................     .00026          .00269          .00181          .00187           14.6          143.7
Nebraska ..................     .00057          .00075          .00640          .00643            8.9           11.7
Nevada ....................     .00133          .00386          .00919          .00917           14.5           42.1
New Hampshire .............     .00114          .00028          .00418          .00410           27.2            6.8
New Jersey ................     .03246          .01838          .02991          .03068          108.5           59.9
New Mexico ................     .00000          .00551          .00443          .00460            0.0          119.8
New York ..................     .03702          .04695          .06433          .06414           57.5           73.2
North Carolina ............     .02832          .03435          .02913          .02831           97.2          121.3
North Dakota ..............     .00530          .00157          .00182          .00187          291.1           84.0
Ohio ......................     .02592          .02846          .04472          .04446           58.0           64.0
Oklahoma ..................     .00378          .02511          .01009          .01011           37.4          248.3
Oregon ....................     .01602          .01053          .01065          .01042          150.4          101.1
Pennsylvania ..............     .05149          .03267          .04572          .04605          112.6           70.9

Rhode Island ..............     .00115          .00184          .00337          .00340           34.1           54.2
South Carolina ............     .00216          .00153          .01348          .01322           16.0           11.6
South Dakota ..............     .00000          .00093          .00219          .00218            0.0           42.9
Tennessee .................     .01954          .01028          .02274          .02264           85.9           45.4
Texas .....................     .08609          .04091          .07241          .07265          118.9           56.3
Utah ......................     .00190          .00145          .00735          .00738           25.9           19.7
Vermont ...................     .00381          .00025          .00182          .00183          209.5           13.5
Virginia ..................     .01824          .01156          .02522          .02525           72.3           45.8
Washington ................     .03534          .03512          .01859          .01818          190.1          193.2
West Virginia .............     .00325          .00375          .00414          .00422           78.4           88.7
Wisconsin .................     .01049          .02060          .02201          .02195           47.7           93.8
Wyoming ...................     .00000          .00000          .00097          .00104            0.0            0.0


     1 See footnote 1, table 1.
     2 The share of separations is the proportion of each State's private sector separations to the total number 
of private sector separations in the U.S. for the period.  Seasonal work and vacation periods as reasons for 
layoff are excluded from these calculations.
     3 The share of establishment employment is the proportion of each State's private sector covered employment
in establishments of 50 workers or more to the comparable U.S. total.  Covered employment refers to workers
who are covered by State unemployment insurance laws.
     4 The index is the ratio of the share of separations (excluding seasonal work and vacation periods) to
     the share of establishment employment, multiplied by 100.
     p = preliminary.