Employers took 1,421 mass layoff actions in February involving 130,818 workers, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Each mass layoff involved at least 50 workers from a single employer. The number of mass layoff events in February decreased by 113 from January, and the number of associated initial claims decreased by 18,981. In February, 291 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 26,060 initial claims. Both figures decreased over the month, with manufacturing initial claims reaching its lowest level in program history (data begin in April 1995).

The national unemployment rate was 8.9 percent in February, essentially unchanged from the prior month and down from 9.7 percent a year earlier. In February, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 192,000 over the month and by 1,269,000 from a year earlier.

Industry Distribution (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

The number of mass layoff events in February was 1,024, not seasonally adjusted, resulting in 85,585 initial claims. The number of mass layoff events was down by 159 from February 2010, and associated initial claims decreased by 17,233. Eleven of the 19 major industry sectors in the private economy reported over-the-year declines in initial claims, with manufacturing and construction having the largest decreases. The six-digit industry with the largest number of initial claims in February 2011 was temporary help services.

The manufacturing sector accounted for 22 percent of all mass layoff events and initial claims filed in February. A year earlier, manufacturing made up 24 percent of events and 30 percent of initial claims. Within manufacturing, the number of claimants in February was greatest in the food subsector. Fourteen of the 21 manufacturing subsectors experienced over-the-year decreases in initial claims, with the largest declines in transportation equipment and in machinery.

Geographic Distribution (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

Three of the 4 regions and 8 of the 9 divisions experienced over-the-year decreases in initial claims due to mass layoffs in February. Among the census regions, the South registered the largest over-the-year decrease in initial claims. Of the geographic divisions, the East South Central had the largest over-the-year decline in initial claims.

California recorded the highest number of initial claims in February, followed by Pennsylvania and Florida. Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia experienced over-the-year decreases in initial claims, led by Kentucky and Pennsylvania.