Japan based Toshiba concluded an internal investigation into book-cooking and discovered that past corrupt administrators ripped off the company by at least $1.3-billion USD. The result is that 7-thousand 8-hundred people around the world will lose their jobs! This affects Toshiba ops in the United States, such as the South Texas Project (Toshiba owns 87% of Pennsylvania based nuclear power plant maker Westinghouse).
California: In Newark, bio-company StemCells warned 25% of its employees of impending layoffs due to “restructuring” caused by legal tangles involving the state stem cell funding agency CIRM. In South San Francisco, drugs maker Threshold Pharmaceuticals announced layoffs that would leave it with only 20 employees! It’s blamed on their Phase 3 failed drugs. Another drugs maker, KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, in big trouble after two of its administrators were arrested for frauding investors! The company now faces NASDAQ de-listing.
Connecticut: Failed golf TV network Back9Network now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. Back9 went off the air in February and laid off most of its employees.
Georgia: In Decatur, after 39 years the 17 Steps gift shop shutting down by the end of January.
Idaho: State ‘lawmakers’ decided to give state employees a 3% pay raise, yet the Idaho Press-Tribune says state employees are still paid 22% below the ‘market average’ for state government employees across the U.S. My own short experience working with state employees at Idaho State University revealed that the pay disparity gets even worse when you break it down by region, yes, state employees are not paid uniformly across The Gem State. It was also revealed that the state Department of Health and Welfare experienced a 15% employee turnover rate in 2015, blamed mainly on low pay rates! So much for Right to Work you over laws! For more news on the sad state of Idaho, the U.S. Department of Education says Idaho’s High School graduation rate is 41st out of the 50 states and Washington DC!
Indiana: What automotive industry recovery? New car parts maker Indiana Marujun (IML) shutting down its Winchester factory, 750 jobs lost by the end of 2016! It’s blamed on the planned shutdown of the Honda factory.
Kansas: In Topeka, the non-profit health care Marian Clinic shutting down affecting at least 4-hundred low income patients. Local news reports say the Shawnee County Health Agency is experiencing a steady increase in patient inquiries since the announcement that Marian Clinic was shutting down.
Maryland: In Westminster, after 25 years the Hickory Stick bangle shop shutdown: “Expenses are up, and the sales are not following suit.”-Sandy Scott, owner
Nevada: Proof government doesn’t want ‘green’ businesses and there is no such thing as ‘free market economics’ in the United States; California based solar panel maker SolarCity leaving The Silver State because the state Public Utilities Commission jacked up fees charged to people who put solar panels on their homes, and reduced how much electric power companies have to pay those home owners for extra power generated by the solar panels. The net result is that people who put solar panels on their homes will actually see their electricity bill go up by about $40 per month! Up till now analysts say Nevada homeowners with solar power panels had reduced their electricity bill by a measly $15 per month. Evil utility companies demand that even people who go off the power grid should still have to pay to support that evil grid! SolarCity’s exit from The Silver State could affect at least 2-thousand jobs!
New York: In Manhattan, restaurant City Hall shutting down on New Year’s Eve.
North Carolina: Morrison Healthcare Food Service shutting down their Pinevale operations, 80 jobs affected by February 2016. Morrison lost their contract with Carolinas Healthcare System.
Ohio: God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 1-hundred years old (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Mansfield. Supposedly it’s being taken over by a competing version of christianity.
Oklahoma: The state Board of Equalization predicts $900.8-million USD less in tax revenues for next fiscal year due to the collapsing oil industry.
Texas: In Austin, it was revealed that Mijos Tex-Mex Cantina shutdown without warning, back in November.
Utah: In Orem, after 53 years the Vineyard Garden Center shutdown, the owner said “Too old, too tired.”
Virginia: In Alexandria three local mom-n-pops shutdown; Bradlee Shoe Repair, Monroe’s Shoe Repair and Mancini’s Cafe & Bakery.
Wisconsin: In Wausau, after 51 years Hadley Office Products shutting down. The retiring owners found a buyer for the business, hoping to keep the employees employed. Reports say the new owner will keep on ten employees.
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed
The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”