The number of mass layoffs rose 72.4% in May compared to the same month last year, and the associated initial claims for unemployment insurance rose 73.3%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

In May, there were 2,933 mass layoff actions compared with 1,701 in the same month a year ago. There were 312,880 initial claims for unemployment insurance associated with the actions in May compared with 180,558 a year ago.

The industry with the largest number of initial claims for unemployment benefits from mass layoffs was temporary help services which posted 16,658 claims.

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