Ohio fifth nationally in December mass layoffs

Ohio ranked fifth among states in the largest number of jobs lost to big layoffs in December, according to a federal report released Wednesday.

In December, the state lost nearly 15,900 jobs through 137 mass layoff events, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. California ranked first (34,850), followed by Michigan (22,840), Illinois (17,200) and Kentucky (15,975). In December 2005, Ohio lost 13,060 jobs, in 133 mass layoff events.

The bureau characterizes a mass layoff as one in which 50 or more initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits from a company beginning in a certain month, regardless of how long the layoff lasts.

Nationally, 13,998 mass layoffs occurred, resulting in the loss of nearly 1.5 million jobs.

For the year, Ohio lost 80,921 jobs through mass layoffs. California again outpaced other states with 317,900 jobs lost. Michigan (127,960), Pennsylvania (89,560) and New York (76,640) were among the other states with the biggest losses.

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