U.S. sheds 742,000 jobs in month

ROSELAND, N.J., April 1 (UPI) -- The United States shed 742,000 private, non-farm jobs February to March, a research group said Wednesday.

Automatic Data Processing Inc. also revised the estimate from a month ago by 9,000, claiming January to February job losses were 706,000, instead of 697,000.

The losses were widespread with large businesses -- those with over 500 workers -- losing 128,000 jobs, medium-sized businesses losing 330,000 and small business -- with fewer than 50 workers -- losing 284,000.

Generally, large businesses are the first to layoff workers during a downturn. Sustained job losses among smaller businesses signals a lengthy recession.

ADP said manufacturing jobs declined for the 37th consecutive month, losing 206,000 positions during the month. The goods producing sector shed 327,000 jobs, marking its 27th consecutive month in decline.

Construction jobs, in decline for 26 months, lost 118,000 jobs, adding to a total of 1,135,000 construction jobs lost since January 2007.