Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: San Jose based internet payment service paypal has notified users that after October they will no longer allow person to person money transfers in or out of Puerto Rico!  Foster City based Marvel superhero video game maker Gazillion laid off an undisclosed number of employees, one employee tweeted it was “A LOT”.  In San Francisco, after 15 years restaurant Pesce shutting down next week, some people question the recent move into a bigger (and more expensive) place.

Connecticut: How can we track unemployment numbers?  The state Department of Labor is shutting down five unemployment centers and eliminating 95 jobs.  

Florida: Palm Beach County eliminated healthcare jobs due to massive state funding cuts for the Adults with Disabilities program.

Idaho:  Once again, taxpayers are being raped in The Gem State!  It’s been revealed that the teacher’s union known as Boise Education Association is being funded with taxpayers dollars: “Every dollar that taxpayers are asked to put into public schools ought to go to public schools, not into feeding the union machine!”-Wayne Hoffman, Idaho Freedom Foundation

It’s also been revealed that Idaho is one of several states that allow the employers of home healthcare workers to pay them less than minimum wage and avoid overtime pay!

Interestingly, the Right to Work you-over Gem State is finally realizing just how much Right to Work is actually resulting in a labor shortage.  The Department of Labor admitted there is not enough workers for expected new jobs (because people are leaving), so they started a new website inviting college grads to get screwed-over in the Right to Work state.

Illinois:  The state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity reports that, officially, 2,140 people lost their jobs in August!  In Arlington Flats, Microsoft owned cell phone maker Nokia laying off 139 people in October!  In Chicago, sports medicine and clothing maker McDavid eliminating 115 jobs in November!  It’s the result of their merger with Minnesota based Shock Doctor Sports.  Too Big to Jail investment banker Piper Jaffray eliminating 41 jobs in October.   In Rochelle, Japan based bullet train maker Nippon Sharyo Manufacturing laying off 1-hundred people due to problems with their latest prototype.  In Kankakee, after 34 years Paperback Reader shutdown: “The last couple years have been harder and harder. You can’t keep fighting the economy and technology all the time.”-Paula Goodwin

Kansas: In Wichita, the last Metro Grill shutdown, owner Victor Hammond lamented “We worked so hard. Maybe if we’d been in a different location.”   In Topeka, after more than 40 years Health Food Mart shutting down: “We just don’t have enough business to keep the doors open….”-unnamed manager

Minnesota:  Pub operator Chatterbox Enterprises now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Mississippi: The YMCA shutting down its Jackson Deville Plaza ops, it’s blamed on a lack of local support.

Missouri: Restaurant Applebee’s moving its Kansas City HQ to California, affecting 220 jobs!  Reports say 90 people will continue operations in Kansas City and about 30 will be offered transfers to The Golden State.

Nevada: Canada owned Robinson Nevada Mining Company eliminated 36 jobs. 

New Hampshire: In Lebanon, after 45 years shoe store Shoetorium shutdown, blaming crashed sales and skyrocketing operating costs: “Business has dropped off…..You have people come in the store, look at your stuff and then they go and buy it online.”-Marty Carlton

New Jersey: Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) forced insurance company MetLife to issue a mass layoff WARN for operations in Somerset, 136 jobs lost by the end of October!

New York: Affordable Care Act probably had a hand in Liberty Healthcare losing their contract to operate the Westchester Behavioral Health Center, at least 199 jobs lost right after Thanksgiving!  Affordable Care Act probably had a hand in Morrison Management Specialists losing their food service contract at the Nostrand Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 40 jobs lost by the end of the month.  In NYC, Too Big to Jail Misys International Banking Systems joining mass exodus out of The Empire State, 54 jobs relocating out of state between December and June 2016.  At the Griffiss International Airport, Switzerland based Midair USA will conduct mass layoffs and is in danger of shutting down.  It’s blamed on declining aircraft maintenance contracts, which are expected to get worse as their biggest customer, in Russia, was just taken over by a rival.  The county run Griffiss Airport is owed more than half a million dollars by Midair.

North Carolina: In Siler City, after 20 years non-profit Hispanic Liaison of Chatham County shutting down, blaming “an increasingly difficult economic and funding climate for nonprofits.”

Pennsylvania: TV shopping channel QVC issued a shutdown WARN for their West Chester HQ/distribution center, 147 jobs lost by the beginning of November!  Is it connected to QVC’s $2.4-billion USD takeover of Zulily?  In Lancaster, after 35 years law firm Hartman Underhill & Brubaker shutting down, at least 48 jobs lost.

South Carolina: In Florence, Porter’s Gift Shop shutting down: “We had hoped to pass the store on to someone who would continue its wonderful service and traditions. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, this has not happened.”-facebook posting

South Dakota: In Custer, after almost 50 years The Flintstones Bedrock City Theme Park and Camping Resort shutting down due to change of ownership.  The new owners have yet to sign a deal with Warner Brothers to continue using the Flintstones theme.

Tennessee: In Nashville, the Dollar General store shutting down on Fifth Avenue North, due to a change in property owners.  North Knoxville, after 22 years Kitts Cafe shutdown: “A year and a half ago, I had cancer, chemo all that, a double mastectomy and I just thought ‘you know it’s probably time for me to be thinking about retiring.’”-Joyce Kitts

Vermont: In Burlington, after 75 years Bove’s Restaurant shutting down in December, the owners will focus on wholesale and catering.

Virginia: In Lynchburg, the Apple Market shutdown and has been for sale for a while, with no takers.  What construction industry recovery?  Once one of Virginia’s fastest growing companies, 20 years old Capital Door Systems now chapter 7 bankrupt busted: “We are going to let the bankruptcy trustee put everything in order and liquidate the assets and pay out what is possible to the creditors.”-Roy M. Terry Jr., attorney

Wisconsin:  In Whitewater, CNC machining company HyPro shutting down, 62 jobs lost by November.  After 33 years the Chancery restaurant on South 27th Street, in Milwaukee, shutdown and now up for sale.  The Chancery restaurant on Gas Light Drive, in Racine, has been sold.  The YMCA shutdown their Wausau childcare center “due to unforeseen circumstances”.

03 September 2015: “We just could not sustain it any more…”

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.” 

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

A new study shows that low income people are making even less money now than in 2009!  The National Employment Law Project says overall wages have been collapsing since 2009. 

Another study shows that since 1973 all the benefits from increased worker productivity have gone to the 1%!  The Economic Policy Institute says the people who actually make the money for the executives and shareholders, the workers, have gotten nothing for their efforts to be more efficient! 

California: Reports that Palo Alto based Hewlett Packard (HP) is forcing employees who don’t get laid off to take a 50% cut in pay!  Basically some HP employees are being pushed into contractor jobs (I know what that’s like).

Colorado: Glaze, the Baum Cake Shoppe shutdown, the owner refused to say why.

Connecticut: In Newington, after 54 years T-Bowl Lanes-Fun Squared shutdown.  The owners got an offer for their property from Ashley Furniture they couldn’t refuse.  Specialty healthcare provider The Kent shutting down by the end of the month, blaming three years of financial losses, 80 jobs lost.

Idaho: Boise based Syringa Networks announced it is ending its Syringa Wireless service after Xmas: “….Syringa Wireless has fought hard to maintain low prices and high quality service for our Idaho communities…..Over the last 3 years we have made extensive financial investments…..As a small, locally owned and operated provider, we have arrived at a point where it’s simply not feasible to continue to operate.”

Illinois: Affordable Care Act forcing Blue Cross-Blue Shield to layoff 60 people, affecting eight communities.  The jobs were contracted out.  American Coal laid off 110 people, the third round of layoffs at the Galatia mine this year, in the first two rounds 257 people lost their jobs!  Challenger, Gray & Christmas says  U.S. corporations announced 41-thousand 186 planned layoffs in August! 

Indiana: What automotive industry recovery?  In Winchester, Japan owned car parts maker Indiana Marujun warned 765 employees of plant shutdown by November 2016, saying “conditions gave us no other options.”

Kansas: In Independance, Affordable Care Act forcing Kansas Mercy hospital to shutdown, 190 jobs lost in October: “This was not the outcome we had sought or expected at the beginning of the discernment process, and our hearts are heavy. However, like many other rural health care providers today, we have struggled to remain viable in the face of a changing environment and economy.”-Lynn Britton, ceo

Maryland: Crown Cork & Seal shutting down their factory in Essex, 47 jobs lost in October.

Massachusetts: After 115 years (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) the iconic Colonial Theater shutting down in October.  It was intimated that it has been losing money big time for awhile now. It’s final fate is in the hands of Emerson College.

Minnesota: The Boys & Girls Club eliminating its staff at its La Crescent Community Arena location. It’s blamed on a lack of boys and girls.

Nebraska:  In Omaha, the No Frills grocery store shutting down in time for Xmas.  The owner, SpartanNash, claims all 42 employees will be offered jobs at other stores.

North Carolina: The Michael Waltrip Racing Management Company shutting down two locations in Cornelius, between November and April 2016, at least 217 jobs lost due to loss of revenue!

Pennsylvania: In Downingtown, Stauffers Market shutting down mid-month ’cause the owners want to retire.  In Philipsburg, after five years Fezell’s County Market and the Sunoco fuel station shutting down by mid-month: “It’s just cash flow reasons. Just simply not able to cash flow the store.”-Tim Fezell, owner

Texas:  ION Geophysical Corporation eliminating an additional 168 jobs, on top of the 225 people they’ve already laid off this year!  Administrators don’t have any hope of recovery, at least in the short run: “The difficult cost reduction initiative we are undertaking today is necessary to prudently scale the company during this period of significantly decreased revenues, which we believe will extend into 2017.”-Brian Hanson, ceo

Washington DC: Law firm Dillworth Paxson shutting down its DC office, apparently due to a defection of lawyers to another law firm.   The U.S. Department of Labor said last week’s new unemployment claims hit 282-thousand!

West Virginia:  Affordable Care Act is the final straw for mental healthcare provider Process Strategies, so they laid off 37 employees: “We just could not sustain it any more…”-Jim Strawn

Wisconsin: Elitist Palmer Johnson Yachts shutting down their Sturgeon Bay facility due to lack of ‘trickle down’ orders from the super-rich, 1-hundred jobs lost: “Our operation and employment levels have continued to diminish, sales have diminished, offshore competitive pressures have escalated, and as a result this action becomes a necessity…..there is no alternative.”

02 September 2015: “It’s mind boggling!”

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.” 

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In San Francisco, restaurant Bugaloo’s shutdown by “whacked out Valencia Street rent”, the tiny location is now available to anybody who is stupid enough to shell out $17,500 per month.  Too Big to Jail Bank of America essentially admitted to ripping off employees of overtime pay when it made the biggest overtime settlement ever; $36-million USD!  It involves employees of BofA’s LandSafe Appraisal, which is now being sold-off.

Connecticut: “Under a cloak of secrecy, the university’s board of trustees approved a spend-heavy budget. This was an irresponsible move, and it adds justification to calls to bring transparency to the budget process.”-rep-am.com, concerning the 50 layoffs at University of Connecticut

Florida: Local news reports say the state unemployment fund is running out of money, and might have to borrow money from Uncle Sam: “Florida has a poorly financed program and one of the strictest programs in the country.”-Rick McHugh, National Employment Law Project

Idaho:   According to the Idaho State Journal, many of southeast Idaho’s school districts have shifted to a four day week realizing a huge savings in school bus transportation costs.  However, a study done by the Rural Opportunities Consortium of Idaho says that overall costs to taxpayers actually went up: “Contrary to expectations, some districts saw their costs rise as a result of the need for additional enrichment activities and after-school snacks during the extended day.” 

Indiana: In Clay County, employers and state unemployment administrators are confused as the unemployment rate is going up despite increased hiring.  All the industry and employment ‘experts’ can do is speculate that what jobs that are available are not jobs that people are willing to take: “We see those numbers, they tend to have us look internally as to what could we be doing more to be attracting people that may be looking for work.”-Jeff Deaton, administrator with Great Dane who claims they need 150 laborers

Kansas: Economists at Wichita State University might have discovered the true reason why overall unemployment rates are going down; mass exodus of workers from the U.S. market.  Economists say recent data actually conflicts concerning whether employment is going up or down, and that it seems more and more people are working more than one job and that more newly unemployed people are not registering as unemployed: “….there is still something going on. You look at it, and it just doesn’t make sense. The question is, why did it happen all of a sudden in Kansas?”-Jeremy Hill, WSU economist

“Because most of the people surveyed are leaving employment but not entering unemployment, it appears they are leaving employment for personal reasons….choosing not to work”-Justin McFarland, Kansas Department of Labor

Kentucky: In Louisville, after 52 years the Fern Valley Hotel and Conference Center shut down due to numerous “fire safety issues, electrical and plumbing violations, and general sanitation and plumbing violations.”  The current owners took over in 2011 and refused comment to local news media

Maryland: “These are very capable people being shown the door. You are firing the wrong people here!”-Peter Franchot, state comptroller concerning the recent layoffs of dozens of prison employees

Missouri: Local news reports say only one fifth of the 179,058 people counted as unemployed are getting unemployment assistance!  Despite that state ‘lawmakers’ are trying to cut back on unemployment assistance even more, the gov-na recently vetoed a bill that would limit assistance to just 13 weeks!

Montana: In Bozeman, outdoor sports store Northern Lights Trading Company shutdown, the Babcock Street location sold-off.  The remaining brick-n-mortar stores will focus on water sports only.

New York: In Canton, North Country Neighbors Too flea market shutting down in September due to the greedy property owner selling the building.  In Troy, The Grocery store shutdown, the owner admitted to a lack of focus saying “It evolved into an ineffective sandwich shop. It’s not working out.”  Supposedly the location will now become a cafe.  In Fishkill, after 22 years of providing landscaping material the Plant Depot shutdown: “It’s an intense business. It takes a lot of out you. We’ve been here seven days a week for the last 22 years. It’s just time for a break.”-Lou Paggiotta, co-owner

Ohio: Too Big to Jail Fifth Third Bank shutting down two Butler County offices, as part of their plan to shutdown 130 offices by the end of the year.

Rhode Island: “I sadly inform you that the District’s financial position may force us to layoff all of our firefighters because we will be unable to pay them.  A collective bargaining meeting is scheduled with the union at 6:30 PM on Monday, August 31st.  If this last ditch effort is unsuccessful, layoffs will be discussed….”–Coventry Fire District

The non-profit mental illness Oasis Wellness & Recovery Center laid off seven employees and cut operating hours due to the loss of a state grant for “The peer support model”.   (don’t be surprised if there’s an increase in mass shootings in Rhode Island)

Tennessee: In Green County, contractor Renfrow Brothers suddenly lost their US Nitrogen contract, 350 jobs lost! Apparently the new contractor is not hiring on any of the Renfrow Brothers employees.  US Nitrogen administrators issued this statement “Changes to US Nitrogen’s contractor levels are a necessary and planned step in the complete of its state-of-the art facility.”  Local news reports make it sound like it was a surprise to Renfrow Brothers.  I’ve also discovered that US Nitrogen is fighting multiple lawsuits.  One plaintiff stated to news media that “They simply came on our land and proceeded to dig……The No Trespassing signs were removed by the workmen.”

Texas: Irving based animated pizza joint Chuck E. Cheese’s shutting down their Kingston, Ontario, Canada restaurant.  In 2014 Chuck E. Cheese’s was taken over by Apollo Global Management.  Administrators with Apollo Global told Canadian news media that the Kingston shutdown was the result of a “period of growth.”

Wisconsin: Johnson Controls halting Project Unity and eliminating 197 jobs in October!  In New Berlin, The Sportsman’s Channel laying off seven people in October.

29 August 2015: “…had to sell our three horses and three pigs, next it will be the Harley.” 

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.”

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: More proof tech isn’t recession resistant, NetApp announced it will kill-off 5-hundred jobs, blaming crashing revenues!  Now add to that the announcement by Palo Alto based Hewlett Packard (HP) that they must eliminate far more than their amended plan of 55-thousand jobs, by October!!!  They’ve already eliminated 51-thousand 9-hundred jobs since 2012!  Administrators say even more jobs will be eliminated after October, when HP will be split into two companies!  News reports say the surprise shutdown of Ohio based government paper supplier Sekuworks (see Ohio below) has resulted in no issuing of official documents, like birth certificates, in The Golden State!    It’s estimated that the drought will kill-off $2.75-billion USD in 2015 revenues for the huge California ag industry! Thousands of agriculture jobs lost!  In Petaluma, after eight years the Come Home to Cooking School forced to shutdown by A-hole city administrators who refuse to renew the license to operate!

Colorado: Evil oil industry service company Haliburton eliminating “dozens” of jobs in Grand Junction.  One employee is pissed saying “…nine years and they can’t even tell me face-to-face what’s going on!”  His wife lamented “They’re getting rid of family men and I’m scared! I am about ready to have a baby and I don’t know what we are going to do about insurance!”

Connecticut: Too Big to Jail British empire owned RBS Securities announced it will layoff 50 people in Stamford. Local news reports say RBS Securities has eliminated 550 Stamford jobs since 2013!  University of Connecticut is laying off employees, reports say about 50.

Delaware: Chemours, a chemical company founded in July 2015, is already killing off 330 jobs in Edge Moor (also spelled Edgemoor)!  They’re shutting down the old DuPont titanium dioxide factory.  One employee told local news media that his coworkers are scrambling to figure out what they’re going to do.

Idaho: The city council of Chubbuck has put the kibosh on the dynastic mayor’s desire to give himself a 45% pay raise!  However, the council did agree to give the mayor, and themselves, a pay raise in 2017.  I hope it’s because they know the local economic situation is going to be much improved by then.

Kentucky: Tennessee based paper company Verso Corporation announced they will eliminate 310 jobs as they shutdown their Wickliffe paper mill!  It’s blamed on crashing paper sales and a strong USD.

Louisiana: California based oil company Chevron has begun laying off an undisclosed number of employees at its Covington office.  It could be in the hundreds.

Maine: Tennessee based paper company Verso Corporation announced they will eliminate 3-hundred jobs at their Androscoggin paper mill!  The layoffs will leave 5-hundred employees at the mill, compare that to 1987 when the Androscoggin Mill employed 1-thousand 4-hundred people!

Massachusetts: In Lowell, after 125 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) wholesaler A.H. Notini & Sons shutdown. It was sold-off to a competitor in Maine.

Michigan: Flint School District eliminated an additional 26 jobs, blaming a 10% drop in enrollment. Bagger Dave’s restaurants shutdown in Grandville and Holland, no warning or explanation given.  In Kimball, M&R Surplus shutting down in time for Thanksgiving, after 44 years of selling military gear.  After surviving the Great (deflationary) Depression Sunnybrook Golf & Bowling shutting down.  The land is rumored to have been sold-off.

Mississippi: The city of Jackson has warned that in order to meet their new budget without raising taxes they must layoff employees, impose a hiring freeze and cut pay for all city employees including the mayor and city council.

Nevada: ObamaCare is the final nail in the coffin for Nye Regional Medical Center in Tonopah.  The hospital went bankrupt in 2013 and never recovered, even with taxpayer assistance. News reports say there is only one doctor in town and the nearest hospital is more than an hours drive away.

New York: Barcomb’s Furniture shutting down their Champlain store.  The owner admitted that sales have been declining since the 1990s.  Major news media outlet Thomson Reuters joining the mass exodus by issuing a shutdown WARN for their Valhalla Tax & Accounting Customer Service and Financial Operations, 37 jobs lost between now and March 2016.  Unnamed sources say major news outlet Bloomberg is about to eliminate 1-hundred NYC jobs! It’s blamed on the return of elitist Michael Rubens Bloomberg.  The U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement has canceled their contract with The New York Foundling-Casa de Paz migrant children housing program.  33 jobs lost by September.

Ohio: Harrison based commercial paper-printer Sekuworks has gone bust, shutting down without warning.  Not only are hundreds of jobs lost, but several U.S. states are now struggling to find a new supplier for official state documents, as Sekuworks was apparently the only one who could perform Intaglio printing!

Pennsylvania:  British empire U.S. tax-sucker BAE Systems shutting down their Jessup military factory by Xmas, the remaining 111 jobs lost!  Administrators say they’ve completed the contract they had with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Rhode Island: The city of Providence suddenly shutdown all five public swimming pools, with no explanation. Rumors say the incompetent city administrators tried to save money by painting the pools with cheap paint that could pose a health hazard when chlorinated water comes into contact with it.

Texas: Houston based department store owner Stage Stores announced they will shutdown 90 stores across 40 U.S. states.  Those stores include Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage.  Administrators blame “economic softness”.  To show you that administrators don’t see any future recovery, the shutdowns will take place over the next few years.

Utah:  State Charter School Board ordering the shutdown of Alianza Academy K-8 charter schools in West Valley City and South Salt Lake City. It’s blamed on what I call DSS (Disappearing Students Syndrome), as enrollment has crashed below the state required minimum of 290.

19 August 2015: “…numbers they gave Wall Street were inflated….management don’t want to say no to the big guys…”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”