The surge of U.S. jobless and recent vandalism are blamed on the 40,000 workers strike against the largest wireless telecommunications provider Verizon.

According to a report from the Labor Department, in the week ending May 7, initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 20,000 to a seasonally adjusted 294,000, the highest level since February 28, 2015.

"We have to look past the noise in the latest jobless claims number because it was likely influenced by the Verizon strike. The broader underlying trend in claims remains very constructive," Reuters quoted Jacob Oubina, senior U.S. economist at RBC Capital Markets in New York.

Jacob said New York accounted for most of the increase. Bloomberg reported that a jump in filings in New York state may reflect striking workers at Verizon, spring break holiday at schools or a combination of the two.

Meanwhile, NY Daily News reported on Thursday, Police said around 120 customers lost cable and Wi-Fi service Thursday due to the vandalism. Verizon spokesman Richard Young blamed strikers for the vandalism.

However, a spokeswoman for the Communication Workers of America(CWA) union denied any worker involvement.

The CWA said in a statement on Thursday, "the strike by 39,000 CWA and IBEW members against Verizon has hit the one-month mark, activists and allies are expanding our mobilization and actions to get Verizon to bargain a fair contract."

As Mobile&Apps reported, the strike has become a lose-lose war. Verizon is struggling to provide high quality and efficient services, and the striking workers could find a job.