NEW YORK — Economists increasingly see hiring picking up through the rest of 2011, even as they predict slower overall growth.

The National Association for Business Economists quarterly survey found 43 percent of respondents say their firms will likely increase employment in the next six months, the highest number in a year. None planned significant layoffs.

The manufacturing sector has the strongest outlook. Still, 49 percent don't expect any change in their company's hiring, which may play into their view that economic growth is slowing.

NABE says 76 percent expect gross domestic product to grow 2 percent or more.

MARIETTA — A central Pennsylvania ceilings plant has locked out its 260 unionized employees, saying they failed to vote on the latest contract proposal by the company’s deadline.Armstrong World Industries spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson told the (Lancaster) Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era that Sunday’s decision regarding workers at the Marietta plant was taken “very reluctantly.”Union leader Joe Rumberger said he was “shocked but not surprised” by the action.