21.   Sun has weathered downturns in the past without shedding workers.

22.   That would happen because companies do not shed workers quickly as demand for products slackens.

23.   That mismatch explains why business has shed so many workers this year.

24.   The manufacturing sector continued to lose jobs in March, but for the second consecutive month the sector appeared to be shedding workers at a slower pace.

25.   The major long-distance carriers are shedding workers to prepare for intensified competition with the regional Bell companies.

26.   The major long-distance carriers are shedding workers to prepare for intensifying competition with the regional Bell companies.

27.   The number of U.S. workers applying for state unemployment benefits rose last week, a sign that employers are beginning to shed workers, government figures showed.

28.   The process of shedding workers is expected to begin next week with a voluntary severance program followed by layoffs.

29.   The squeeze on profits from higher costs is prompting employers everywhere to cut hours, eliminate overtime and shed workers through layoffs.

30.   Their reemployment prospects are clouded by moves at other Japanese brokerages to shed workers.