The number of mass layoffs in October fell 3.5% compared with the same month last year on a seasonally adjusted basis, and related jobless claims fell 5.7%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

In October, there were 2,127 mass layoff actions compared with 2,204 in October 2008. There were 217,182 initial claims for unemployment insurance from the mass layoffs in October compared with 230,330 a year ago.

Temporary help services was the industry with the largest number jobless claims from mass layoffs in October with 14,056 -- not seasonally adjusted.

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