Jobless Claims Rise on Verizon Labor Dispute

Washington, DC, Aug. 25, 2011 — Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose last week, partly due to a labor dispute at Verizon, according to the Labor Department.

Jobless claims increased by 5,000 to 417,000 in the week ended Aug. 20. Economists projected a drop in claims to 405,000.

At least 8,500 applications were filed by workers at Verizon last week, compared with 12,500 the prior week, the government said.