There were 1,570 mass layoffs in February, down 42.6% from the 2,737 in February 2009 on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Initial claims for unemployment insurance associated with mass layoffs in February totaled 155,718, down 46.1% from the 289,162 initial claims for unemployment insurance associated with mass layoffs in February 2009.

Temporary help services registered the highest number of initial claims for unemployment insurance related to mass layoffs among all industries in February at 6,152 on a non-seasonally adjusted basis.

A mass layoff action involves at least 50 workers from a single workplace.