Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

After only two years Qatar based news source Al Jazeera is getting the hell outta Dodge! Al Jazeera America is shutting down in April, administrators say that despite increasing numbers of viewers the suck-ass U.S. economy makes doing business in ‘Merica “no longer sustainable”!  7-hundred employees affected!

Arizona: The Prescott Valley Kmart shutting down by April.  No word on how many jobs lost, but one employee was quoted by local news as saying “Walmart won.”

California:   Four Kmarts shutting down between March and April, one in Anaheim, Chula Vista, San Mateo and Citrus Heights, a total of 407 jobs lost!  More proof high-tech is not recession resistant, San Mateo based GoPro digital cam systems announced it must eliminate at least 7% of its jobs (about 105 positions) due to holiday sales that sucked!  GoPro’s 4th quarter revenues are about $100-million USD short of what the ‘experts’ thought they would get!

Connecticut:  Fairfield based industry giant General Electric (GE) announced it is killing off 6-thousand 5-hundred jobs in Europe!  It’s the result of GE’s takeover of Alstom SA Energy.

Florida:   Sears Holdings announced the 46 years old Daytona Beach Kmart, on International Speedway Boulevard, is shutting down by mid-March, 86 jobs lost.   The Lutz Kmart shutting down by March, 62 jobs lost.  

Idaho:  In Pocatello about two years after opening, previously worn clothing seller Runway Fashion Exchange “going out of business” and liquidating everything.  Essentially a for-profit thrift store, Runway Fashion Exchange has been shutting down stores across the U.S. since 2013.   There are reports that the supply of gasoline is at record levels, and demand is down (again), yet here in eastern Idaho gas prices went up by ten cents per gallon compared to last week ($2.05 in Chubbuck/Pocatello, last week it was at $1.95).  

The decade old drought is causing taxpayers to fork out more funding for aquifer recharge projects.  Governor Otter is proposing a one time $10-million USD payment plus $2-million yearly for the Egin Lakes-Egin Bench canal near Rexburg.  Supporters of the plan complain it’s not enough money!

Illinois: Hoffman Estates based Sears Holdings announced they will shutdown up to 120 Kmart and Sears stores in 2016!

Michigan: The Sears and Auto Center in Fort Gratiot shutting down by mid-March, 48 jobs lost.

Mississippi:  The 44 years old Greenville Kmart shutting down in April, no word on job losses.

Missouri:  Noranda Aluminum joins the list of aluminum smelters cutting way back on production.  190 people at Noranda’s New Madrid ops to become unemployed by the end of the week, and another 480 employees to be let go by the start of February!

New York: In DeWitt, it’s been revealed that the owner of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and Yogen Fruz shut them both down due to low sales and high operating costs.   The same owner is shutting down his Pop’s Media Cafe claiming his labor costs are now double his sales, and his rent is about to be jacked by the greedy landlord.

North Carolina: In Greensboro, ConvaTec shutting down their medical products factory and laying off 250 people by the beginning of 2017!  It’s their way of becoming more competitive in the global market.

Oklahoma: In Ponca City, Mertz Manufacturing laid off about 45 people, blaming “…continued decreased product demand from the oil and gas industry.”  SandRidge Energy announced the elimination of 226 jobs (87% of its positions) with its Lariat Services Group, due to crashing oil prices!

Ohio: Steubenville Kmart shutting down by April, 65 jobs lost. 

Pennsylvania:  In Clairton, Koppers shutting down their chemical factory, 52 jobs lost over the next six months.  The factory makes chemicals for industries that are now shutting down due to crashing commodities prices.  After 60 years Trader Horn shutting down all seven stores, 2-hundred jobs lost!  It’s blamed on the deteriorating health of the owner.

South Dakota:  The Pierre Kmart shutting down by the end of March, 45 jobs lost.  The Michell Kmart shutting down in April, 52 jobs lost.  

Tennessee:  Cleveland Kmart shutting down by mid-March, no job numbers reported.  A Memphis Sears and Auto Center (on Poplar Avenue) shutting down, 109 jobs lost!

Virginia: The Sears Hometown store in Culpeper shutting down by the end of the month.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

13 January 2016: “cuts like a knife…we can’t compete” Idaho eateries give you a discount if you bring your gun! 

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.”