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US Layoffs — May 2006

The US labor market showed continued flux as employers submitted 114 WARN Act notices in May 2006, putting at risk an estimated 15,719 workers — down from April and up 50% versus May 2005. Filings came from 16 states and territories, with an average of 138 workers per notice.

114
Total Notices
15,719
Workers Affected
16
States Reporting
138
Avg per Notice
27
Closures

Top States by Workers Affected

State-by-state layoff summary
StateNoticesWorkers
Florida253,693
Ohio132,954
Alabama31,421
Iowa51,151
Texas121,142
New Jersey81,092
Georgia131,031
Washington3730
Pennsylvania8658
Illinois7491
Michigan8443
Maryland4306
District of Columbia2239
Alaska1151
Kansas1127
Missouri190

Florida led the nation with 3,693 workers affected across 25 notices , followed by Ohio (2,954 workers) and Alabama (1,421 workers) .

Industry Breakdown

Industry breakdown
IndustryNoticesWorkers
Manufacturing457,474
Professional Services71,481
Retail81,449
Accommodation & Food51,143
Healthcare11849
Finance & Insurance7800
Information & Technology10635
Mining & Energy3629
Transportation6448
Wholesale Trade4257

The Manufacturing sector emerged as the hardest-hit sector with 7,474 workers across 45 notices. Separately, Professional Services reported 1,481 workers.

Layoff Type Analysis

Layoff types breakdown
TypeNoticesWorkers
Closure274,575
Layoff151,081

Closures accounted for 29% of all affected workers nationally, with the majority of events being layoffs rather than full closures.

Largest Layoffs

Largest layoff notices
CompanyLocationWorkersType
General Motors - Moraine Assembly PlantMoraine, Ohio1,100
Avondale Mills, Inc., SylacaugaSylacauga, Alabama1,023Closure
WhirlpoolNewton, Iowa900Closure
Fairmount Turnberry Isle Resort & ClubAventura, Florida589
Larry's MarketsBellevue, Washington545Closure
DynCorp InternationalFort Hood, Texas537
Mosaic FertilizerMulberry, Florida379
Springs IndustriesHartwell, Georgia340
Sara Lee Food & BevergeCincinnati, Ohio334
Mead WestvacoDayton, Ohio300

Topping the list was General Motors - Moraine Assembly Plant in Moraine, Ohio, reporting 1,100 affected workers. Avondale Mills, Inc., Sylacauga followed with 1,023 workers.

Trend & Outlook

These figures highlight a mixed picture for the nation's labor market, with activity diverging between monthly and annual comparisons. The Manufacturing sector warrants close attention heading into the next period.

This report covers all WARN Act filings with notice dates in May 2006. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requires employers with 100+ employees to provide 60-day advance notice of mass layoffs and plant closings. Data is sourced from official state filings and updated daily by LaborCurrent, which also tracks SEC 8-K filings, bankruptcy proceedings, H-1B visa petitions, and unemployment claims across all six datasets. API access and data exports available.

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