Florida last week saw a drop in first-time unemployment claims, though company notices filed with the state show some workers face layoffs.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor released a report that estimated 5,680 unemployment applications were filed in Florida during the week ending May 4, down from a revised count of 5,989 during the week ending April 27 and the lowest for a week since the end of March.
Since the start of the year, the state has averaged 5,923 weekly claims. Florida’s unemployment rate was 3.2 percent in March, and the state Department of Commerce will release an April rate on May 17.
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During the past week, the state agency received notification letters 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.
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Since the start of March, the Department of Commerce has received layoff notices that affect a total of 2,918 workers.
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