The Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS) program collects reports on mass layoff actions that result in workers being separated from their jobs. Mass layoff events are from establishments which have at least 25 initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) filed against them during a 5-week period.

In 2009, there were 199 mass layoff actions taken by Rhode Island employers as measured by new filings for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. The events involved a total of 18,114 people accounting for 16 percent of all initial claims (116,118) during the year. Forty-five of the 199 layoff actions that occurred during the year were classified as long-term layoffs (expected to last for more than 30 days).

Seventy-five mass layoff events occurred in the Manufacturing sector. These 75 events were linked to 45 Rhode Island establishments. Thirty-one events had between 25 and 49 initials claims while 44 events had 50 or more initial claims attached to the event. The majority (33) of events with more than 50 layoffs were classified as temporary, meaning the layoff lasted less than 30 days. Six events were classified as long-term layoffs with no recall of the workers expected. Four events were classified as permanent closures with no recall expected for more than 400 employees.

The Transportation & Warehousing sector recorded the second largest number of mass layoff events. These 22 events, occurring in 2009, resulted in the filing of 3,753 initial claims. These events were linked to seven RI companies with the majority of initial claims reported in the school and employee bus transportation industry.

The Administrative & Waste Services sector had 17 mass layoff events resulting in the filing of 888 initial claims. Five events were classified as long-term layoffs with no recall expected for more than 250 employees.

There were 16 mass layoff events associated with employers classified in the Accommodation & Food Services sector involving 3,153 employees. Eighty percent of these layoffs were associated with food service contractors who provide food services at institutional, governmental, commercial, or industrial locations based on contractual arrangements. The majority of employers expected to recall all workers in less than a month.

The Finance & Insurance recorded 12 layoff events affecting 816 employees. The Construction sector accounted for 11 layoff events involving 591 employees filing initial claims.

Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
Labor Market Information
1511 Pontiac Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920-4407

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