MO employers conduct 30 mass layoffs in November

Missouri employers initiated 30 mass layoffs during November, up from 22 in the same month of 2011, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The BLS defines a mass layoff as an event involving more than 50 workers from a single employer.

In the 12-state Midwest region, there were 498 mass layoffs last month - not seasonally adjusted - which compares to 391 in November 2011. The U.S. count was 2,339, up from 1,393 in the same month last year, according to a news release.

Within the Midwest, Wisconsin had the most mass layoffs during November, at 89.

In Missouri, initial claims for unemployment insurance totaled 2,974 in November, up from 1,440 in the same month last year. The total in the Midwest was 57,438 for the month, while initial claimants in the U.S. were 249,949, according to the release.