What Recovery? Mass Layoffs Still Rising
September 29, 2009
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Despite politically motivated claims that the recession is over, new data from the Department of Labor shows some 259,307 newly laid-off workers – not to mention the 30 million already unemployed – would beg to differ.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor report shows employers took 2,690 mass layoff actions during the month August – the highest so far this year. Newly filed unemployment claims in manufacturing increased by 21,626.
The national unemployment rate currently stands at 9.7 percent, up from 9.4 percent the month prior and 6.2 percent this time last year.
“I find it disturbing and, frankly, irresponsible when I hear our nation’s leaders make comments like ‘the recession is over,’” says IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger, “when such statements don’t match up with what we’re seeing in cities and homes across America. Millions of people are without work. Millions more can’t afford to feed their children. Some of us are in need of a reality check – fast.”
