The U.S. Department of Defense announced they have started laying off 46,000 taxpayer funded employees! Also, for the next 22 weeks full time civilian employees will be forced to take one unpaid day off every week. This is because the government is broke!

DRS Technologies closing down its Cheektowaga factory in New York. The electronics contractor for the U.S. Defense Department as gone through many owners and name changes since 1957. Officials say government budget cuts, and the bad economy, did them in.  They did not reveal how many people will lose their jobs.

Doll collectors will have one less place to get their collectables repaired, the Victorian Doll Museum & Chili Doll Hospital in New York is shutting down: “I’m kind of like Kodak. I could be here another 10 years, but I’m realistic. The importance that dolls once held in people’s lives has taken a back seat to technology today. Time brings change. I’m ready for change in my life.”-Linda Greenfield, doll doctor

International news service, Thompson Reuters, laid off 3,000 employees around the world!  Barb Burg, vice president and global head of communications at Reuters, explained that it was all about controlling costs (after the merger of Thompson and Reuters back in 2009, mergers are never good for employees).  The layoffs included employees in the United States, and at Reuters TV because their contract with YouTube was not renewed.

In Massachusetts, 12 people lost their jobs at the Holyoke Health Center. Hospital officials admit they no longer have the money to keep them employed: “The Health Center does not have the resources to maintain positions that are not covered by contracts, grants or third party reimbursements.”-Jay Brienes, Executive Director

In Pennsylvania, the Allentown School Board approved a budget that will mean layoffs. Officials indicated they will start with administration, they also implied over-staffing was a major problem.   The new budget tries to anticipate reduced funding from state and federal sources.

In California, a Christian school closing its doors for good in Fresno. Declining enrollment and increasing operating costs are being blamed for shutting down Sacred Heart Catholic School.  But there does seem to be a trend as the Catholic Church is shutting down schools, and even hospitals, across the country.

Germany based SolarWorld is laying off employees again.  Last year their massive layoffs affected the Hillsboro, Oregon, factory with nearly 90 layoffs. It looks like layoffs will hit the factory again. The solar panel maker is in trouble with debt.

Even though Chrysler reports profits, they’ve ended a shift at their Dundee, Michigan, engine factory.  Most of the employees were given new jobs, but reports say that those who were still under probation were fired, at least 14.

Employees with Gardner Denver in Quincy, Illinois, went to local media with claims of dozens of layoffs. Company officials refused to comment. The 154 years old international industrial equipment maker is up for sale!

The Pennsylvania based PNC Bank is consolidating branches in Maumee, Ohio.

The Wa-Zoo women’s clothing store in Louisiana is giving up on brick & mortar stores, and switching to internet sales only.

Unilever closing down operations in Atlanta, Georgia. 125 people out-o-work! The Atlanta factory is where Country Crock, Imperial and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, margarines are made. Unilever officials said they are consolidating production with other factories to save money.

Flint Energies’ appliance store in Warner Robins, Georgia, will shut down once they’ve sold off all their inventory. They blame the bad economy: “We had some very good years serving our members in the decade of the 2000s, peaking in 2006. But the market has not rebounded enough for us to continue.”-Jimmy Autry, senior vice president

In Nebraska, Windstream is closing down its Hastings store.  The Arkansas based communication company is closing down 30 of its bill paying/service stores across the country. Officials blame their customers for using the internet, instead of their brick & mortar stores. Windstream is currently spending big bucks on a new three story building in Rochester, New York.

In Indiana, Abercrombie and Fitch closed its store in the University Park Mall in Mishawaka. Its part of the clothing company’s plans to close 180 stores.