Florida Jobless Claims Dip

By The News Service of Florida

Florida last week saw a drop in first-time unemployment claims, though company notices filed with the state show some workers face layoffs.

The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday released a report that estimated 5,680 unemployment applications were filed in Florida during the week that ended May 4, down from a revised count of 5,989 during the week that ended April 27 and the lowest for a week since the end of March. The state has averaged 5,923 weekly claims since the start of the year. Florida had a 3.2 percent unemployment rate in March, and the state Department of Commerce will release an April rate on May 17.

The state agency received notification letters during the past week from two companies about planned layoffs of nearly 400 workers. Coral Gables-based retail branding and consulting agency T-Roc said in a May 3 notice that 302 workers across the state will be let go at the end of the month because of an “unexpected” non-renewal of the company’s service agreement with the Walmart Wireless Sales Program.

Also, according to a notice, GSP Companies will close a facility in Clearwater on June 30, affecting 94 employees. Since the start of March, the Department of Commerce has received layoff notices that affect a total of 2,918 workers.