The company has had huge layoffs, totaling nearly 20,000 in the last year, which have reduced Digital's worldwide employment to less than 95,000.

The Government has warned of huge layoffs yet to come.

Nor, despite threats of huge layoffs, does the plan reduce the city's work force by more than 8,500 employees by June.

Ford had not hired new workers since the late 1970's, before an industry recession forced huge layoffs.

"With huge layoffs of middle managers, companies had to figure out how to get work done," he said.

Both announced huge layoffs that could further weaken the economy.

"If you do it any other way you'd have huge layoffs."

The economy is being rattled by huge layoffs in the aerospace and military contracting industries.

Many are young professionals pushed back on their heels by huge layoffs in industries like financial services, real estate, insurance and advertising.

Similarly last year, the Mayor threatened huge layoffs, then used buyouts to help reduce the size of the city work force by 15,000.