Thursday, January 01, 2009

Tennessee layoffs proceed apace

With another closure earlier this week, the tally has already begun to build for 2009, with nearly 18,000 workers having been affected in 2008 by closings and layoffs of varying durations. This morning's story is here. Meanwhile, statewide unemployment is hovering at about 6.8 percent, within the state's 3 million-plus workforce. Nationwide, there are about 4.5 millions folks drawing unemployment benefits, reportedly the highest level since 1982. A year ago, 2.7 million were drawing benefits. Some economists believe unemployment could approach 10 percent before 2009 ends.

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