U.S. planned job cuts rose in December, making it the second worst month for layoffs last year, according to a report released Wednesday.

Employment consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. said employers announced 109,045 layoffs in December, up from 104,530 in November.

Still, for all of 2004,, job cuts decreased compared with 2003.

The government will report on U.S. employment in December on Friday.