The number of U.S. temporary and contract workers employed per day fell 27.9% year-over-year in the first quarter to an average of 2 million, according to the American Staffing Association's quarterly staffing employment survey released today. This was the sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year declines in staffing.

"These employment numbers are not surprising," said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and CEO. "Since early January, the ASA Staffing Index — which measures weekly changes in staffing industry employment — has consistently shown employment about 27% below the same period last year. However, the recent performance of the index as well as anecdotal reports from ASA member staffing firms suggest that the industry may be seeing signs of stabilization."