OTHER NEWS - Oct. 8, 1996

U.S. Layoffs Rise in September: The figure increased from August, but spot labor shortages and fewer merger-related layoffs helped make September the second-lowest month for job cuts so far in 1996, according to a report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. Announced layoffs in September totaled 29,632, up 46% from August’s 20,309 but down 10.7% from the 33,173 of September 1995. A decline in merger-related job cuts helped contain the overall number of layoffs as well, the report by the Chicago-based business consultant said. In May through September 1996, 6% of total employee discharges were attributed to mergers, compared with 22% during the same period of 1995.