Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, Idaho

“We need more time to regroup & heal…” Yet another layoff where employees also lost their final paychecks! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 20 – 21 February 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

‘Wall Street’ analysts are finally admitting we could be in a Depression: Chilling ways the global economy echoes 1930s Great Depression era

Arkansas: Bentonville based Walmart reported yet another quarterly decline in profits.  This time, for the 2015 end of year holiday season their profits fell 8%.  Ho ho ho, Merry Xmas everyone!  Administrators blame currency wars and their own plans to shutdown at least 2-hundred stores (which they included in their 4th quarter 2015 report even though the shutdowns didn’t start until 2016, mmmm, more bookkeeping shell games).

Connecticut: Germany based drugs maker Boehringer Ingelheim conducting more layoffs, management at their Danbury plant refused to say how many people will lose their jobs.  And an update to the employee relocation contractor Cartus Corporation layoffs,  unnamed employees told local news that at least 1-hundred people were let go last week!

Florida: Best Wishes of Boca shutting down.  Local news reports say the gift shop lasted 40 years because of its competitive prices, but failed to explain why it’s shutting down.  In Jacksonville, wholesaler CEVA Logistics issued a WARN saying 93 people will lose their jobs in April.

The owner of Big City Coffee threatening to sue Boise and Delaware North

Idaho: The city of Boise being sued by some of the tenants at the Boise International Airport.  Tenants also suing the New York based food service management contractor hired by the city, Delaware North.  Owners of airport eateries accuse Delaware North, and the city, of running them into the ground, primarily by substituting their products with lower quality items and providing terrible customer service, resulting in decreased sales.  Boise area news sources say Delaware North refuses to responded to their questions.

Illinois: Moline based farm equipment maker Deere (aka John Deere) revised its 2016 profit expectations downward.  Originally administrators thought 2016 sales would drop by 7%, but now they say things are so bad they expect a 10% drop in sales.

Mississippi:  New York based Saks Fifth Avenue shutting down their Outlets of Mississippi mall store by mid-March.  Local news reports gave no reason.  In Oxford, after nine years Holli’s Sweet Tooth shutting down in April, the owner blames non-stop increasing costs of operation that now exceed sales.

Missouri:  What auto industry recovery?  Discount Auto Protection shocked 60 employees by sending them a text message saying they were now unemployed and there would be no final paychecks!  That final paycheck was three weeks worth of work!  I’ve said it before; been there, experienced that.  Except in my case my employer didn’t even notify us and we lost four weeks of pay (we were paid once per month).  Still, most people still refuse to believe you can be laid off and lose your final paycheck, especially if your employer legally ceases to exist.

New Jersey:  Sears Holdings confirmed the Lodi Kmart will shutdown in April, 75 jobs lost. 

New York:   Palio shutting down their Saratoga Springs office.  No word on how many jobs will be lost, but one news report said at one time the advertising agency had at least 1-hundred employees.    H.P. Neun shutting down their packaging ops in Lyons and Seneca Falls, 93 jobs lost by the end of May.  The WARN said the company was forced to sell their assets.

North Carolina:  Durham based ad agency McKinney laid off 34 full time employees, due to the loss of a major client.  In Winston-Salem, after 4 decades iconic Ziggy’s nightclub shutdown due to the greedy landlord.  The owners of Ziggy’s swear they even offered to pay a full years worth of rent in advance, but the landlord refused!

Ohio: Anti-gun laws failed to stop a man from attacking customers at the Nazareth Restaurant and Deli, with a machette!  Four people were wounded.  The restaurant has shutdown for an undetermined amount of time: “We need more time to regroup and heal as a team.”-Facebook post

Oregon: After ending service in January, Portland based SeaPort Airlines is now officially chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Pennsylvania: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high tech for your demise; West Chester based shopping channel QVC eliminating at least 1-hundred jobs in the U.S. by the end of the year, as it off-shores them to Poland!  It was also revealed that QVC eliminated 147 U.S. jobs in November 2015!  What automotive industry recovery?  Aluminum maker Alcoa is about to split off its car parts operations, but before it does at least 90 people will lose their jobs in New Kensington.  Last year 50 people were laid off.  Reports say Alcoa is shifting to a new 3-D parts printing operation elsewhere in the state.  God powerless to stop the Diocese of Erie from shutting down four of ‘his’ grade schools; Venango Catholic high school and Saint Boniface, Saint Peter Cathedral and Our Lady of Mount Carmel elementary schools.  Church leaders blame The Rapture, I mean low enrollment.  What construction industry recovery?  In Ambridge, SBC Building Systems shutting down, 80 jobs gone by April.

Washington DC: The U.S. Department of Labor reports that ObamaCare (Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act) health insurance costs jumped by at least 4.8% in 2015.  That’s faster than the official rate of inflation in 2015.

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.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

WinCo: New stores for Texas, Washingtonians & Oregonians want WinCo out!

20 February 2016 (08:49 UTC-07 Tango 01)/01 Esfand 1394/11 Jumada al-Ula 1437/13 Geng Yin 4714

Idaho based employee owned anti-unAmerican corporate America grocery store chain WinCo Foods continues to expand, while many publicly traded corporate grocery stores shutdown.

Carrollton, Texas (home of model kit builder’s iconic Squadron Mail Order), is about to get a new WinCo supermarket in a recently abandoned Target store.  Reports out of The Lone Star State say WinCo now has six food stores (since invading Texas in 2014) and is planning two more in Arlington and Fort Worth.  The Carrollton store isn’t expected to be ready until 2017, the vacant Target store must be torn down first.

In Utah, WinCo is constructing a new store in South Salt Lake, expected to open by the end of the year.  As many as 2-hundred jobs are expected and city administrators hope WinCo will make their top ten list of local taxpayers.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently declared South Salt Lake a ‘food desert’, meaning residents had limited access to food.

Speaking of food insecurity, in the not-so Golden State of California (see my Job Losses reports), a Ventura WinCo was hit by middle aged shoplifters who  threatened a security guard with a tazer.  Police are searching for them, security cam vid was captured.

In Grants Pass, Oregon, WinCo opened its 105th store.  It’s smaller than the normal WinCo supermarket, yet has managed to hire 150 locals (and transferred at least 11 people from other WinCo stores). Already the new WinCo has been hit by a food shoplifter.  The 25 years old woman is a meth and heroin drug addict, police had her hospitalized for an infection on her arm.

The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals is about to hold a debate over plans to open a new WinCo in Albany.  Supposedly the issue is over the use of windows, however, a complaint was filed by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.  Unions are anti-employee owned businesses, because employee owned businesses are a bigger threat to unions than unAmerican corporate America.  Employee owned operations get better benefits, and pay far less in ‘dues’ than union shops.

 It should be noted that Oregon suffered the mass shutdowns of Washington based Haggen grocery stores in 2015 (connected to the Albertsons-Safeway merger).

In Edmonds, Washington, city administrators have revised zoning rules to allow retail development next to the local WinCo.  Previously, in the 1990s the WinCo location was a Top Foods grocery store.  Local news reports did not indicate whether the WinCo had any influence on the city’s decision to change the zoning.

Washington state is known to be a haven for anti-WinCo-ites.    In Moses Lake an anti-employee owned business organization is suing the city to stop the potential construction of a WinCo, accusing the city of not complying with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process.  The city has yet to even approve WinCo’s request to set up shop.

It should be noted that Washington saw the demise of its Haggen grocery store chain in 2015.

Back in Idaho, the co-founder of WinCo (originally Waremart) was honored during the Twin Falls Rotary Club meeting.  Ronald L. “Bud” Williams died last month, of acute myeloid leukemia, he was 87 years old.  Local Rotary members say over the past 40 years Bud always helped with the local Xmas celebrations. His leukemia came on suddenly, being diagnosed the week before he died.

On a national level, WinCo Foods recently promised to sell only Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) rated farmed seafood.  By the end of this year all their farmed seafood should be three star rated BAP, by the end of 2017 it’ll be four start rated.

Currently WinCo Foods employs more than 15-thousand people, all part owners of the grocery chain.

Employee owned WinCo is the new business model of the 21st Century!

WinCo expanding big into Arizona! Delays caused by Arizona aesthetics cops! 

Business/Economics

Corporate Communism while workers suffer! ObamaCare hospitals Wage War on each other! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 19 February 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

California:  Independent movie distributor Alchemy laid off 40 people due to the poor ticket sales of its most recent movie releases.  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t blame the internet/high tech for your demise; Sunnyvale based NetApp confirmed it will eliminate 1-thousand 476 jobs around the world (including hundred of jobs in North Carolina)!  It’s blamed on steadily declining revenues.  

Recycling doesn’t pay anymore! Low prices (deflation) for recyclables are killing off 2-hundred rePlanet recycling centers across The (not so) Golden State. At least 278 jobs lost: “Over the last five years, there’s this steady decline in the market value of recyclable materials, and it’s been about a 20 percent decline.”-Mark Oldfield, CalRecycle

Colorado:  In Fort Collins, after 30 years restaurant South China shutting down due to a significant increase in rent.

Florida:  Lee Roy Selmon’s shutting down their 10 years old Saint Petersburg restaurant. The corporate owners said it needed extensive remodeling, and it wasn’t worth it.  They also blamed lack of parking and increased competition.

Indiana: MC Sports shutting down their store in Highland by the end of May.

Iowa:  What was that about the United States being ‘free market’ and anti-communist? State taxpayers are about to be raped for an undisclosed amount of money to keep DuPont Pioneer in Johnston.  No details have been released, yet.

Kentucky: The Village 8 movie house shutting down by the end of the year because its home, the Village Center mall, is being sold to KentuckyOne Health.  Local news reports say the hospital operator refuses to say what it’ll do with the property, yet for some reason is buying up land in the area.  Speculation is that KentuckyOne Health is trying to prevent competing hospital operators from moving in.  So much for your healthcare, see what Obamacare is doing!

Montana: More job killing at University of Montana; 27 jobs gone by the end of June, due to  what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome (DSS).

New Jersey: CarePoint Health eliminated an undisclosed number of employees at three hospitals in Hudson County.  Union reps said 49 nurses at just one hospital were laid off last week.  Another hospital is slashing hours for employees. The union is demanding CarePoint Health release financial data to prove the sudden layoffs and cuts in hours were justified.

New Mexico: In Albuquerque, the Satellite Coffee shop shutting down their Nob Hill location this weekend.  It’s being consolidated with a restaurant across the street.  It should be noted that the restaurant, Flying Star, is currently chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

New York:  In NYC, Novitex Enterprise Solutions lost their contract with Schulte Roth & Zabel, 28 jobs gone by April.  ReEnergy could shutdown their Lyonsdale biomass electricity generating power plant within 90 days due to no contract. They blame the lack of a new contract for their wood-chip generated electricity on the low prices of oil.  22 ReEnergy jobs could be lost, and at least 1-hundred local logging jobs in what I call a Ripple Effect Layoff (REL).

North Carolina: The MERCI Clinic in New Bern halting free medical services due to running out of grant money, and so far no new donations have come in.

Ohio: In Columbus, eateries Till Dynamic Fare and Izzy & Mo’s Luncheonette both shutting down.  The owners said they’re leaving the area.

Oregon: Missouri based SunEdison is “reengineering” its Portland solar panel ops, meaning 40 people are about to be laid off.  Administrators blame competition with low oil prices.

South Carolina: The Cash Wise halting their video rentals in Waite Park grocery store next week.  The good news is they will expand their ‘natural foods’ section into the video rental space.

South Dakota:  Grant-Deuel School District shutting down the school in Revillo, due to what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome (DSS): “You talk to any smaller school, smaller town and they are basically losing enrollment…..”-Paulette Grube, Dean of Students

Texas:  SunEdison is shutting down its more than 20 years old solar panel factory in Pasadena, admitting it can’t compete with the low oil prices (however, they failed to mention the 2015 explosion at their Pasadena factory, that injured at least four people).  180 jobs lost!  SunEdison lost nearly $1-billion USD in the first nine months of 2015, they have yet to report their 4th quarter results (which won’t be good ’cause that’s when the explosion happend).

Washington: In Seattle, after 40 years Don’s Daughter Donna’s Barber Shop shutting down next week, due to a tripling of rent!  Reports say it’ll be replaced with a five story apartment complex.

West Virginia: Kanawha County School Board eliminating 25 jobs due to what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome (DSS).  Local news reports say DSS is the number one reason for education layoffs in southern West Virginia.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

18 February 2016: Canada kills U.S. jobs despite getting millions in U.S. tax breaks!

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.”

Business/Economics

Canada kills U.S. jobs despite millions in U.S. tax breaks! Disney warns economy will worsen, kills 100 jobs! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 18 February 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

California: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t blame the internet/high tech for your demise; Sunnyvale based Yahoo eliminated 3-hundred jobs in The Golden State and New York!  This first round of layoffs are connected to Yahoo’s digital magazines ops.  In Berkeley,  after two years the Off the Grid food truck giving up and shutting down its Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) location.  Prior to this the Off the Grid food truck was run out of its original location in the Gourmet Ghetto, by city A-Hole administrators, when brick-n-mortar restaurants complained.

Colorado: Sports Authority shutting down three Sports Castle stores, as part of their plan to shutdown 140 stores across the U.S.

Connecticut: Employee relocation contractor Cartus Corporation eliminating an undisclosed number of its Danbury HQ jobs as it subcontracts them to a British empire United Kingdom contractor!  In Wallingford, after 56 years banquet host Villa Capri shutting down in July.  The family owners are in the process of selling the property, they need to focus on their other business ops.

Florida: In Lake City, trash management company Sitel issued a WARN saying 34 people will lose their jobs in April.  CVS Pharmacy issued a shutdown WARN for their Medley distribution center, 117 jobs lost between April and September!   Walt Disney World laid off at least 1-hundred painters!  The layoff was revealed by the painter’s union.  Despite Disney reporting record profits for 2015, local news reports say Disney World management has been told to tighten their purse strings as the economy is expected to get worse!  Tampa based Bloomin’ Brands confirmed it will shutdown 14 Bonefish Grill restaurants by the end of the year, due to crashing sales.

Misleading taxpayer funded Republican party primary billboard

Idaho:  Once again, the Right to Work (you over) Republicans are using taxpayer money to fund their March primary elections, which don’t allow non-Republicans to take part!  On top of that Republicans are advertising their primary as if its the only ‘party’ election in the state.  The Democrats have a ‘party’ election, also in March, but on a different day.

Illinois: In Chicago, after seven years concert venue Shrine shutting down due to the greedy landlord selling the property to a greedy property developer.

Iowa: In Dubuque, after ten years MC Sports shutting down by the end of the year, 11 jobs lost.  It’s blamed on the greedy landlord.  In Johnston, state regulators confirmed DuPont recently eliminated 175 jobs in connection to the merger with Dow!   

Kansas:  British empire Canada based aircraft maker Bombardier eliminating 7-thousand jobs across North America, impacting 220 jobs at their Wichita factory!  City and county taxpayers are pissed as local news reports say Bombardier got huge local tax breaks between 2011 and 2014.   The approximately $60-million USD in local tax deals were tied to job creation, which Bombardier met by 2014, but then almost immediately after reaching those employment goals Bombardier eliminated 1-thousand 420 jobs between mid-2014 and the end of 2015! 

Missouri: In Florissant, local news reports are questioning why restaurant Deaver’s suddenly shutdown after 13 years.  No explanation was given.

New Jersey: In Vineland, Inspira Health Network issued a WARN, 105 jobs lost by mid-April!  In Rockville Center, Airway Cleaners issued a WARN saying 81 people will become unemployed in April.  Upper Saddle River based Pearson Education finally revealed plans to eliminate 4-thousand jobs across the U.S.!  Administrators refused to give specifics about where those layoffs will impact: “Out of respect for all of our employees, it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss the number of job cuts in a specific location before we inform our employees across the rest of our workforce.”

New York:  In NYC, Too Big to Jail Goldman Sachs issued a layoff WARN, 43 people laid off between May and July.   After 80 years, reports say iconic Fairway market is in so much financial trouble it can’t pay its debts, and will default. The news comes from credit rating company Moody’s.  A&G Realty Partners predicting the next big wave of store shutdowns will be the luxury shops targeting elites.  Analysts base that prediction on the increasing number of Empire State luxury stores holding 40% to 50% off sales.

North Carolina:  In Greensboro, cigarette maker ITG Brands warning that it will layoff employees in the near future due to an expected decline in production.  The factory used to be owned by Lorillard Cigarettes, but in 2015 Lorillard was merged with RJ Reynolds.  RJ Reynolds then quickly sold Lorillard to ITG.  The sudden decline in production is due to the end of a production contract in June, which apparently will not be renewed.  Local news reports say 1-thousand 1-hundred jobs could be affected!   In Jacksonville, after 42 years Crist Clinic for Women shutting down by the end of the month due to “unforeseen circumstances”.   In Raleigh, after 20 years Ornamentea Fine Beads & Jewelry Supply shutting down this weekend.  The owner will focus on her more successful Pop Up Sunday shop.

Oklahoma:  In Duncan, Texas based oil drilling company Halliburton eliminated an undisclosed number of jobs.  At first the mass layoffs were just rumors, then Halliburton confirmed with a press release.

Pennsylvania:  Maker of baby strollers and car seats, 4moms, furloughed 24 employees as part of its plan to restructure towards internet sales in China.  In Allentown, Tony Luke’s shutdown their Hamilton Street sandwich shop.  Local news reports say it’s the 5th business inside the city’s Neighborhood Improvement Zone to shutdown within the past three months!

Texas: Sports Authority shutting down all 25 stores in the Lone Star State, as part of their plan to shutdown 140 stores across the U.S.!  In Pleasanton, oil drilling company FTS International eliminated an undisclosed number of jobs.  Local news reports say employees were threatened with the loss of their severance if they went public about the layoffs!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

17 February 2016: “losing their jobs due to circumstances they didn’t create” 

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.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

“losing their jobs due to circumstances they didn’t create” “criminal and juvenile dockets will grind to a halt” : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 17 February 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Alabama: In Huntsville, 20 years old non-profit Sci-Quest hands-on science museum shutting down, due to lack of revenues which caused them to miss their January & February rent payments.

California: In Dinuba, Coca-Cola announced they will shutdown their Odwalla juice bottling op in April, 164 jobs lost!  Local news reports indicate employees are shocked, many saying they heard about a possible shutdown but, like typical sheeple employees, put it off to rumor & innuendo.   Coca-Cola is consolidating bottling operations to cut costs.  Save Mart shutting down two grocery stores next month; one in Orangevale and one in Sacramento.  No word on how many jobs lost, administrators say it’s the only way they can “reinvest” in their company.

Florida: In Saint Augustine, after 47 years Donna’s dress store shutting down due to the death of the owner.

Georgia: Giant Food grocery store, off Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, shutdown by greedy property owners who foreclosed!  Local ‘lawmakers’ and charities say the area is now an official ‘food desert’, meaning most residents no longer have easy access to food.

Idaho:  State Department of Lands is selling off failed commercial properties it took over at taxpayer expense.   Boise news reports say one reason for the sell-off is that the taxpayer ownership of failed private sector properties have “become a political liability”, however, a consultant told state administrators they need to sell the properties to take advantage of higher property values (make a profit).  The state plans to sell 12 taxpayer own commercial properties in Boise, three in Idaho Falls and one in Heyburn, in the hopes of raising $25-million USD.  

Illinois:  After 16 years in Park Ridge, Annika Shoes shutting down by the end of the month.  The owners say they need “time to rest”.

Kansas: Non-profit mental healthcare provider Wyandot eliminated 26 jobs blaming “a number of revenue losses we experienced due to state policy changes and reductions from managed care organizations”.  Essentially its the fault of Kansas’s version of ObamaCare.

Kentucky: TMK IPSCO Tubulars issued a WARN for their Wilder steel factory, 83 jobs lost by the first week of March.  Like other steel makers in the U.S. (including Russia’s EVRAZ) they blame foreign competition for causing metal prices to crash.

Louisiana: Despite claiming “Equal Justice For All” state ‘lawmakers’ shutdown the Public Defenders Office in Plaquemines Parish, claiming lack of taxpayer funding.  A public defender has a dire warning: “Much of criminal and juvenile dockets will grind to a halt. At some point this scenario also becomes a clear constitutional violation, the courts will be left in a position of having to decide whether to release those persons in custody whose cases have not been able to proceed.”-Matt Robnett

Massachusetts: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t blame the internet/high tech for your demise; Waltham based internet marketing company Constant Contact was sold off, at least 210 of the company’s employees across the country were laid off last week!

Michigan:  Another example of what I call Ripple Effect Layoffs (REL); Bronson Precision Products shutting down in March, 125 jobs lost! The company hit with a trifecta of crashing orders from federal government, healthcare and petroleum industries.

New Jersey: City National Bank announced it will shutdown its Paterson office mid-April.  Local news reports say its the last City National Bank office in that area.

New York:  Sex and the City costume designer Patricia Field shutting down her boutique, claiming she will “pursue other career interests”.

Ohio: In Youngstown, the Lincoln Knolls IGA grocery store shutting down by mid-March.  The owners blame low sales despite years of effort to boost business.

Oklahoma: OKC based oil driller Devon Energy claims it lost $14-billion USD during 2015!  CEO Dave Hager is using the excuse to eliminate at least 1-thousand jobs because “Devon’s top priority in 2016 is to protect the balance sheet…”  I wonder how much of Devon’s losses are connected to the construction of their gigantic OKC skyscraper?

Oregon: For the third time in two months,  Aequitas Capital Management announced layoffs.  This time 80 employees let go by the end of March.  Local news media are confused as during the last round of layoffs they reported there were only 80 employees left, but company administrators said a “skeleton crew” will continue operations until problems with their student loan ‘assets’ are straightened out.

Pennsylvania:  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t blame the internet/high tech for your demise; Philadelphia based software company RJMetrics eliminating 25 jobs after promising to create new jobs.  News reports blame it on the company implementing a new program that requires less employees.  CEO Bob Moore admitted they made a mistake in hiring the people to begin with: “We didn’t do the right thing for these people. We recruited them onto our team and, now that the situation has changed, they are losing their jobs due to circumstances they didn’t create. We’re truly sorry to everyone affected.” 

Wisconsin: Yet another law firm bites the dust.  Milwaukee based multi-state corporation defender Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan shutting down by the end of the month, at least 127 jobs lost!

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.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

“We have no plans to cut or furlough staff…” Then without warning 150 workers fired! No more Freightliner trucks? : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 16 February 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

California: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t blame the internet/high tech for your demise; Palo Alto based software company Palantir just took over two years old Kimono Labs, and as a result Kimono’s public ‘cloud’ service will end, affecting 125-thousand users!

Colorado: CB & Pott’s shutting down their 42 years old West Campus restaurant.  The operators are opening a new restaurant in a new location “to be closer to our core guests.”

Idaho:  Albertsons-Safeway is doing it again, killing off an independently owned grocery store chain, this time on the west side of The Gem State.  Paul’s Market has sold out to the evil corporate giant (who caused the demise of Washington’s Haggen grocery chain last year, killing off thousands of jobs!).  Reports are just coming in, but it sounds like three Paul’s Markets will be shutdown and four will be rebranded as Albertsons stores.  Idaho’s Department of Labor has yet to publish any required WARN regarding the shutdowns.

Michigan:  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t blame the internet/high tech for your demise; California based video game maker Activision just revealed it eliminated jobs at its Minneapolis ops, without giving numbers.  Administrators blame declining interest in their Guitar Hero and Skylanders brands.  What automotive industry recovery?  Close tolerance diesel & gas motor machining company Royal Oak Boring just announced it will eliminate 125 jobs between now and the end of March!  They are shutting down their Port Huron operation due to being unable to get debt financing.

Missouri: In Saint Louis, yet another restaurant shutdown.  After ten years bistro Soulard shutting down this weekend.       

New York: Revere Copper Products eliminating 40 jobs due to low prices for metals.  In NYC, after six years Little Shoe Store shutting down their brick-n-mortar shop by the end of March.  High rent and utilities forcing the operator to switch to internet sales only.

North Carolina: For the second time since January, Germany owned Daimler-Freightliner is conducting mass layoffs, by the end of this week!  This time an additional 1-thousand 250 people will be let go from the Mount Holly and Cleveland factories!     In January Daimler-Freightliner laid off 936 people from their Cleveland factory!  Local news reports say local charities stated that this latest layoff round was “unexpected” and they are not prepared.  Daimler administrators are now admitting that their sales of Freightliner trucks are ‘crashing & burning’!

North Dakota: In Fargo, the Uptown Gallery shutting down after efforts to bring in a business partner with cash failed.  Last year the owner tried to sell the gallery, but nobody was interested.

Oregon: Japan based Panasonic issued a layoff WARN for their Salem operations, 50 jobs lost by mid-April.

Pennsylvania: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t blame the internet/high tech for your demise; administrators for the second largest cyber charter school in the state, Agora, revealed they suddenly eliminated jobs last week, but they refuse to say how many.  Local news reports say former employees report between 1-hundred and 150 people were fired without warning!  Cyber school administrators blame lack of state taxpayer funding due to ‘lawmakers’ failing to pass a budget.   However, local news media also published a direct quote from an Agora chairwoman, made back in December: “We have no plans to cut or furlough staff due to the lack of funds we are currently receiving. Please do not fear for your position here at Agora.”-Mary Steffey

After six years Pittsburgh Public Market shutting down by the end of March.  The eatery owner blames lack of customer traffic due to the recent shutdown of Marty’s Market, and the Firehouse farmer’s market.

Tennessee: Knoxville based Cancer Fund of America finally shutdown by federal regulators, two years after national news investigations blew the lid off their scam!  Federal and state government investigators discovered that the majority of donations went to buying “luxury” items for the administrators of the so called cancer charities, not to cancer treatments or research.  Watch the CNN report and stop trowing your money away on medical research ‘charities’!  Apparently there are other scam charities refusing to shutdown despite overwhelming evidence brought against them, so watch out.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

15 February 2016: Death of the Middle Class!

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.”

Business/Economics

Death of the Middle Class! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 15 February 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

“…income growth among the very well-to-do is rising.  Among the middle class in the United States it’s actually stagnant….   ….GDP is driven by 70% consumer spending…there is a real threat to the GDP going forward.”–Doug McIntyre, ceo of 24/7 Wall Street

Arkansas: Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Economic Policy Institute rank The Natural State as the 10th biggest killer of the Middle Class.

California:  Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Economic Policy Institute rank The Golden State as the 7th biggest killer of the Middle Class.

Florida: In Palm Beach, after 35 years the Jupiter Academy private school shutting down, they can’t afford to renew the lease.

Georgia: Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Economic Policy Institute rank The Peach State as the 2nd biggest killer of the Middle Class.  And for proof, look no further than Atlanta based CNN: “CNN staffers are hopping mad that bosses are building anchor Robin Meade an expensive private toilet while employees are being laid off…”

Illinois:  Fifth Third Bank shutting down its 15 years old Clarendon Hills office in April.

Maine: Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Economic Policy Institute rank The Pine Tree State as the 3rd biggest killer of the Middle Class.

Montana:  Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Economic Policy Institute rank The Treasure State as the 8th biggest killer of the Middle Class.   

New York: Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Economic Policy Institute rank The Empire State as the 9th biggest killer of the Middle Class.  For proof, in NYC the owner of the 28 years old Cafe Lalo told  Community Board 7’s Business and Consumer Issues Committee “business is terrible and he may have to close”.

North Carolina: Data from the U.S. Census and the Economic Policy Institute rank The Tar Heel State as the 4th biggest killer of the Middle Class.

Rhode Island: Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Economic Policy Institute rank The Ocean State as the number one killer of the Middle Class.

South Carolina:  Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Economic Policy Institute rank The Palmetto State as the 6th biggest killer of the Middle Class.

Tennessee:  Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Economic Policy Institute rank The Volunteer State as the 5th biggest killer of the Middle Class.

Texas:  Houston based Paragon Offshore oil driller is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, claiming it can’t pay its $1.1-billion USD of debt due to the low oil prices.  Makes you wonder what it was doing with all the cash when oil was $70+ per barrel.

Virginia:  Urban Farmhouse shutting down their three years old Church Hill restaurant by the end of the month.  Sounds like they couldn’t afford the rent as they claim they’re looking for a new location.

Yet again, another record renounce U.S. citizenship! 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

13-14 February 2016: Christian hospitals stealing from taxpayers!

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.”

Business/Economics

China blames U.S. & the ‘west’ for crashing global economy! China stock markets closed for 1 week!

15 February 2016 (03:38 UTC-07 Tango 01) /26 Bahman 1394/06 Jumada al-Ula 1437/08 Geng Yin 4714

“Market players should stop singling out China as the major cause for the global market turmoil…..

….it is not true…that China is the major problem.

The Chinese stock markets have been closed for the entire week, during which Chinese authorities did not release any economic data or announce new policies.

The tumultuous market is a reflection of the world economy troubled by a prolonged fragile recovery over the past years as countries used extremely loose monetary policies to prop up asset prices in an effort to avoid the busting of bubbles. A deflationary trend has also made it even more difficult for decision-makers to deal with the challenges.

Japan adopted the unusual policy of negative interest rates. Europe is still slow in recovery and the concerns over the financial health of major European banks were one of the triggers to the latest global market turmoil.

Uncertainties over the future U.S. monetary policy, which has been a source of market volatilities over the past year, was again one of the factors in play. Both demand and supply have weighed down on the prices of oil, making it more difficult for some oil exporters.”-People’s Republic of China state run Xinhua News Agency

Too Big to Jail German bank admits role in deliberately crashing Global Economy!

Business/Economics

Japan’s economy goes negative!

14 February 2016 /20:02 UTC-07 Tango 01 (26 Bahman 1394/06 Jumada al-Ula 1437/08 Geng Yin 4714)

Japan’s economists are surprised at their nation’s 4th quarter 2015 GDP results, a negative 1.4%!  For the past year Japan’s GDP hit a stagnant 0.4%.  It should be noted that mainstreamer news sources call this “growth”, but anything below 3% is officially stagnation.

Consumer spending, public and housing investments all down.  Several factors were blamed, from climate change to slowing trade with China to currency wars involving the U.S. dollar.

Japan develops parasitic e-skin that lets other people know what you’re doing! 

8-million jobs lost by 2030, just in Japan! Even with 2% economic growth?

Business/Economics, Idaho

Christian hospitals stealing from taxpayers! Private sector layoffs drag down local governments! Tree shortage? : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 13 – 14 February 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

California:  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t blame the internet/high tech for your demise; Mountain View based blabbing application (chat app) Tango laid off about 50 employees.  Tango administrators also said they will rent out office space at its HQ to other companies, in an effort to raise cash. 

Delaware: Another fine example of what I call Ripple Effect Layoffs (REL); the massive layoffs by DuPont has ruined the credit ratings of several counties and the state itself.  Lower credit ratings for local governments could result in government layoffs: “As credit ratings deteriorate, governments are going to have pay a little more to borrow. That’s money that comes out of your revenue, taking away from other projects you could spend the money on.”-James Butkiewicz, University of Delaware Economics Department

Idaho: In Boise, after 47 years the restaurant Ben’s Crow Inn Tavern shutting down after being sold-off, due to the owner’s health problems.  Reports say the new owner is going to build an apartment complex.  More proof the real ‘christian god’ is money; ‘christian’ run Saint Luke’s Health has agreed to return revenues from two hospitals to the respective tax districts.  The privately funded hospital system took over management of the taxpayer funded McCall and Mountain Home hospitals over the past six years and, according to the state Attorney General, was keeping the tax revenues for themselves in violation of the law.    An Idaho Statesman investigation also revealed that the two dominant ‘christian’ run hospital chains, Saint Alphonsus and Saint Luke’s, control $793-million USD worth of property that are tax-exempt, and that’s just the 1-hundred properties they own in Ada County!  (more in The truth about Idaho hospital taxes)

Kansas: In Topeka, the manager of the Simply Amish furniture store said it is shutting down as soon as the inventory is gone.  The owner of the store was not answering phone calls from local news media. Perhaps they’re Simply Broke?

Michigan:  It’s been revealed that Southfield based Bagger Dave’s burger joint shutdown 11 restaurants across Michigan and Indiana in 2015.  One of those restaurants was only ten months old. Bagger Dave’s is controlled by Diversified Restaurant Holdings.

Mississippi: Bankrupt Hancock Fabrics warning that it could be forced to shutdown its HQ, resulting in hundreds of layoffs by mid-March!

New Jersey: Sussex County Community College eliminating 20 full time jobs due to crashing enrollments.

New York:  In New Hartford, after six years the Sav-A-Lot grocery store shutting down by the end of the week.  The only notice is a sign taped to the front door.

Oregon: Rough & Ready Lumber announced a third round of layoffs in the past two years.  60 people will lose their jobs over the next few weeks, this time due to a shortage of trees!

Pennsylvania: What automotive industry recovery? Japan based Hitachi Metals Automotive Components (HMAC) shutting down their Wellsboro factory by the end of the year, at least 1-hundred jobs lost!  The company is consolidating operations.

Texas:  Administrators of bankrupt Sherwin Alumina trying to sell-off their operations in Gregory, if no buyer is found then it’ll be shutdown in March.  924 jobs lost!   

Virginia:  More proof the real ‘christian god’ is money; in Ruther Glen, donation funded ‘christian’ run Cinderella’s Closet shutting down in mid-March.  The operators of the charity prom dress ministry said they need to quit, and nobody else wanted to take over the operation.  Dresses are being given away, and anything left over will go to Concord Baptist Church.

Washington DC: After more than 60 years law firm Dickstein Shapiro shutting down.  News reports say the firm never recovered from the recession.  Hundreds of jobs affected! 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

12 February 2016: “It’s killing me…”

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.”