Incomplete list of U.S. job loss announcements and shutdowns.
Arizona: Arizona Geological Survey eliminating eight jobs as it consolidates ops with the University of Arizona, under orders from the ‘elected’ lawmakers.
Idaho: More charges of corruption in the predominantly ‘christian’ controlled Gem State. A city employee of 14 years has resigned from her job with Idaho City after being accused of taking taxpayer funding. Idaho State Police say she took about $47-thousand USD over a two years period, two other city employees were fired.
Indiana: The mayor of Logansport revealed that Cal-Camp quietly laid off 1-hundred people. No explanation other than “one customer” suddenly halted orders. Cal-Camp makes electronic stuff for the aerospace, automotive, communications, defense, industrial controls, medical, renewable energy, security and transportation industries. In Lafayette, R&M Food Market shutting down. The operator would only say he is facing a tax audit and the building has been sold.
Kentucky: University of Kentucky eliminating 75 jobs, however the layoffs account for only $1-million of the $6-million USD in taxpayer funding cuts. Local news media speculates that tuition will be increased.
Minnesota: After 54 years Trailways Cafe in Montevideo shutting down on Sunday. It’s blamed on increased competition.
Nebraska: In Omaha after surviving The Great Depression, and numerous recessions, Bohemian Cafe shutting down in September. It’s blamed on lack of heirs willing to take over the family business.
New Jersey: Sweden based clothier Hennes and Mauritz (H&M) issued a shutdown WARN for their North Arlington operations, 156 jobs gone by the end of July!
New York: Kerry-Island Oasis issued a shutdown WARN for its Buffalo drink mix factory, 51 jobs gone by mid-August.
North Carolina: After 45 years Campbell’s Diner in Fuquay-Varina shutting down due to the un-repairable condition of the building. The owners took it as a sign to retire.
Oregon: Mail order/internet clothier Norm Thompson Outfitters issued a shutdown WARN for their Hillsboro headquarters, 82 jobs gone by mid-July. Apparently the company is moving their HQ to a smaller office, and some work is being moved all the way across the country to Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Local news reports say since 2006 the California investment company which owns Norm Thompson has moved hundreds of jobs to Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania: Mansfield University revealed it is $5-million USD short and will conduct layoffs as a result. Administrators warned that the situation is so bad that they could double their deficit by 2018, if they don’t make drastic cuts now. GE (General Electric) Transportation (aka Rail) eliminating 190 jobs at its Erie factory, on top of the 1-thousand 5-hundred jobs already eliminated! Local news media reports that the Erie GE Transportation factory is the last of the good paying factory employers in the area.
Tennessee: Shelby County Schools eliminating 5-hundred teaching jobs and shutting down schools! It’s blamed on what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome. Local news media reported that the same school district eliminated more than 5-hundred jobs last year, for the same reason. In Memphis, British empire Canada based Laser Quest shutting down their 20 years old Poplar Plaza location due to jacked up rent and an expanding Kroger store taking up space. The greedy landlord actually told local news media “We didn’t intend…” for Laser Quest to leave.
Texas: Alcoa continues eliminating jobs, this time 137 Point Comfort workers will become jobless between now and mid-July! Alcoa blames it on low prices for aluminum, and competition. Oil pipe maker Turner Industries revealed they “recently” laid off 105 employees at their Paris operations!
Virginia: Insurance giant Allstate revealed that an undisclosed number of “positions have been eliminated” in the Roanoke Valley, blaming it on “opportunities to improve business performance”. After 19 years oil industry tool maker Kennametal shutting down their Chilhowie factory, 89 jobs lost.
Washington DC: In the predominantly ‘christian’ controlled U.S. Navy three more officers have been arrested and charged with bribery. It’s part of investigations into USN bribery and contractor overcharging problems going back many years and involving more than $34-million USD!
West Virginia: 55 state prison teachers possibly losing their jobs due to lack of taxpayer funding. Local news media says the state is short $270-million USD.
26 May 2016: “Stabbed in the back, betrayed, no warning what-so-ever!”
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification.
I found a 2010 AFL-CIO analysis (titled The Public Availability of WARN Notices: Lack of Accessibility and Disclosure…) which proves what I’ve been suspecting in my search of state WARN notices; most states are not complying with federal WARN regulations and are not publicizing or tracking mass layoffs.
Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!
Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”
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.”