Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

“Premiums for Obamacare plans are expected to increase substantially in 2016, with many insurers requesting double-digit rate hikes. For example, in June Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina proposed an overall rate hike of 26 percent for 2016 Obamacare plans, and two months later raised the hike to 35 percent.”–Agile Health Insurance

The British empire’s taxpayer funded BBC announced massive funding and program cuts.  The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is the shadow owner of the United State’s PBS (Public Broadcasting Service, public meaning funded by donations), if you haven’t noticed all those British programs clouding up the PBS airwaves.

Alaska: After four years film and commercial production company Piksik shutting down by the end of the month.  It’s connected to a controversial tax credit for the movie industry.

California: In San Gabriel, after 32 years the People to People food bank shutting down due to massive lack of cash donations: “Staff members haven’t been paid at all this year, and some have taken from their own pockets to help cover expenses.”-Robert Ries, president

In San Francisco, popular Zapata Mexican Grill shutting down after 22 years: “Unfortunately our landlord has decided not to renew our lease, so we will be closing our doors permanently on October 15.”

Florida: Sun and Skin Care Research-Ocean Potion Suncare-No Ad-Bull Frog eliminated 130 jobs!  Local news reports say the sun-block company was sold to a Canadian outfit which plans on moving production to Georgia.  In Titusville, after 55 years The Coffee Shoppe shutdown due to the greedy landlord tripling the rent from $1-thousand USD per month to $3-thousand!

Idaho:  It’s been revealed that after certain medical care providers were cut-off from Idaho’s Medicaid that taxpayers are still shelling out money to those banned service providers!   At least six providers have been paid $820-thousand USD since they were banned!  Another two banned providers did not get payments but are still on the list of approved healthcare providers!  It’s not just Idaho, the revelations come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Illinois:   In Carbondale, after 36 years Pick’s Liquor shutdown.

Kansas: In Topeka, Big’Uns Grill shutting down soon, the owners say they will focus on catering only, basically because they are having a heck of a time finding reliable restaurant employees.  In Salina, sports clothing store Finish Line shutdown “based on sales results and demand in the market”.  In Parson, after 50 years second-hand store Red Barn shutting down by the end of the month: “I’m working 60 hours a week, and I’ve been doing it since 2005. I’m tired.”-Joyce Zinn

Maryland: The Old Line State joins a growing list of states warning residents that Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) insurance rates are about to skyrocket.  The state insurance exchange warned that premium rates will go up as much as 26%!

Massachusetts: Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) is being directly blamed by Cambridge Endoscopic Devices for their chapter 11 bankruptcy.  The company has been for sale for the past two years, but nobody wants to buy due to the draconian Affordable Care Act.

Michigan: In Detroit, Olga’s Kitchen on One Campus Martius shutdown without warning.  Local news reports say the property owner ended the lease early, apparently because they have plans to build a huge new shopping center.  In Grand Rapids, the Fresh Coast Kitchen shutdown their sandwich shop on Iona.

Missouri:  After 11 years the World Aquarium of Saint Louis shutdown.  The president told local live morning newscast they are looking for a new place.   In Kansas City, the Local Pig restaurant shutting down mid-month: “I only a signed a one-year lease last year because I didn’t want to get locked in for a long time. I think Westport has a lot of potential as a nightlife venue, but for a traditional restaurant, there are issues here.”-Alex Pope

Texas: In Austin, Sandra Bullock’s Bess Bistro shutting down by the end of the month.  It sounds like the property has been sold.

Washington DC: The National Park Service is ending the Buzzard Point Marina contract, claiming it’s not “a financially viable business”.

04 – 05 September 2015: “You can’t keep fighting the economy…”

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: 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.”