Tag Archives: ows

Business/Economics

Albertsons Safeway update, 13 February 2015: Starbucks included in sale!

Pennsylvania based Merion Capital is suing to force Cerberus-Albertsons to pay even more for Safeway.  Merion Capital owned 4% of Safeway and doesn’t think Cerberus paid enough and is now exercising its appraisal rights.  Three other hedge funds, Magnetar Financial, Muirfield Capital and Brigade Capital, are reportedly about to make the same appraisal rights claim against Cerberus.

It’s been revealed that the Haggen takeover of 146 Albertsons and Safeway grocery stores, across five states, will include at least 78 Starbucks coffee shops.

Federal government created retirement insurance policing agency Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation forced Cerberus to pay $212-million USD into the Safeway retirement plan.  That’s on top of the mandated $48-million.  The Wall Street Journal said Cerberus administrators refused to comment to them about it.

Updated list:

Arizona: In Lake Havasu, three Safeway and seven Albertsons are being switched over to Haggen. I suspect that eventually some will be shutdown, it doesn’t make sense to have that many grocery stores of the same brand in one place.

California: Arcadia Vons Pavillion SuperStore to be shutdown on 18 March 2015, at least 168 jobs lost! The 32 years old Hemet Vons shutdown on 28 December 2014, at least 55 jobs lost. Company administrators claimed it had nothing to do with the hostile takeover by Cerberus. Marina Del Ray Albertsons, shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 80 jobs lost. Pleasanton Safeway HQ will layoff at least 26 people by 13 February 2015. San Diego Albertsons, shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 63 jobs lost.

Colorado: Colorado Springs Albertsons shutting down in March. Cerberus administrators say it has nothing to do with their takeover of Safeway-Vons: “That store basically has not been profitable for quite some time, despite the best efforts of our company and associates there and the location…..That’s why we’re closing it.”

Oregon: In Lake Oswego, Albertsons being shutdown on 16 February, being taken over by Haggen in March. Cerberus administrators made the exact same claim as in their Colorado Springs shutdown saying “The store has not been profitable for quite some time.” This is interesting because according to local news reports there are only two grocery stores in the city! In Lake Grove, the Albertsons being switch over to Haggen. Safeway shutting down their Clackamas regional office, 91 jobs lost by March.

Texas: In East Dallas, an Albertsons was renamed Minyard Sun Fresh Market. Reports said the grand opening was delayed due to problems switching over the cash register system. A second East Dallas Alberstons is expected to make the changeover to Minyard Sun Fresh Market on 16 February. Only one of the three East Dallas Albertsons will remain Albertsons. One store manager said the changes are a direct result of the takeover of Safeway. Interestingly I found a report that said Cerberus swore there would be no name changes after the takeover of Safeway, but they failed to explain the sale of 12 stores to RLS Supermarkets.

Washington: In Kirkland, reports that Goodwill thrift store is taking over the now vacant Albertsons store.  Haggen took control of the Monroe Albertsons.  Safeway becoming Haggen in Gig Harbor and Tacoma beginning in March.  Albertsons becoming Haggen in Olympia, Puyallup, Tacoma and Lakewood beginning in March.   Albertsons becoming Haggen in Federal Way and Milton by June.

“That’s why we’re closing it.”

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 22 – 23 January 2015: Tax sales of seized homes fail! Offshore oil rigs shutdown due to refusal to issue permits, not oil prices! Chevron admits job cuts planned before oil price crash! No more Sports Illustrated?

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alaska: The University of Alaska Southeast shutdown their bookstore, due to crashing revenues.

Arizona: After 25 years Phoenix based SkyMall now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  It’s directly connected to Xhibit’s bankruptcy.  Xhibit took over SkyMall in 2013.  Xhibit administrators say the Too Big to Jail banks refuse to continue debt funding their operations.

California:  The state Employment Development Department revealed that a piss-poor 700 jobs were created in December, so much for Xmas season holiday hires.  In Azusa, aviation staffing contractor G2 Secure Staff issued a WARN saying they will render 106 people jobless by March! In Palo Alto, internet ‘cloud’ service company VMware issued a WARN saying they will render 114 people jobless by March!  In San Francisco, clothing store Gap issued a WARN saying they will render 108 people jobless by March! In Santa Clara, semiconductor maker Tabula issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in March, 120 jobs lost!   In San Diego-South Park, after six years Alchemy Dining announced it will shutdown in February. The co-owners said the economy is so bad, and competition so tight, that it’s not worth pouring money back into the restaurant: “We were noticing there was a decline in sales because of the market and age of our business, and just the general environment changing because of the amount of new restaurants in San Diego in general….We recreated the restaurant a number of times, from farm-to-table to street food to a neighborhood feel, and we got to a point where we would have had to sway a lot further and we made a choice not to.” 

Connecticut: In Hartford, after 15 years Jojo’s Coffee Roasting shutdown. The pissed-off owner directly blamed the suck-ass economy, asking where’s the gott damned recovery: “The last six months have been the toughest for us businesswise…People say, ‘It’s up and coming its up and coming’. Well, it’s been up and coming for 15 years now! It’s not up and coming, I can tell you that!!!”-Bill Sze

Florida: In Maitland, data company Windstream issued a WARN saying they will layoff 62 people between March and May.

Illinois: What automotive industry recovery?  Moline based farm vehicle maker Deere (formerly John Deere) announced they will kill off more jobs, this time 900 people across two states will become jobless by March!   In Chicago, after 50 years independent Family Pride Finer Foods grocery store announced shutdown, 35 jobs lost. The current owner blamed “competition” pointing out that there are now competing ‘big box’ grocery stores within “a two mile radius” of his store.  The Peruvian owned “intimate supper club “ Monari’s 101 announced it will shutdown in Spring. The owners said over the past two years they’ve tried to sell the restaurant with no takers, and they can’t wait any longer so they’ve decided to retire. The FDIC seized Highland Community Bank and turned over assets to United Fidelity Bank.  U.S. Steel announced they will shutdown their tin factory and layoff 369 people, blaming the crashing prices of metals!

Kansas: Textron Aviation is taking over the Wichita UTC Aerospace operations, which will result in layoffs.

Kentucky: In Louisville’s upscale retail Highlands area, restaurant Palermo Viejo announced it will shutdown in February: “I wanted to thank the Louisville community for the opportunity to share my family’s food for the last 14 years. There are certain reasons why I am closing. But the most important is my family has sacrificed so that I can live my dream. I have come to a point where I feel they have sacrificed enough…….I plan to look into leasing the property.”-Francisco Elbl

Louisiana: Harrisonburg based oil logistics company Tomahawk Resources now chapter 11 bankrupt busted in Texas. It might be connected to the company being fined for improper disposal of waste at its Texas operations, not oil prices.  Reports say GE (General Electric) will shutdown its Pineville factory, 300 jobs will be lost!  GE paid $3-billion USD to take over the factory in 2010.  GE administrators say no final decision has been made, but the employees say they are planning for the worst.

Michigan: In Jackson, after nine years Caffe Lilla shutdown, local news reports claim the owners refuse to say why.  What housing market recovery?  The tax auctions of homes in Detroit are now considered failures.  In 2014, 394 homes were put up for auction, but so far only 138 auctions have actually been closed!    Too Big to Jail Independent Bank Corporation shutdown six offices.  Bank administrators implied that less and less people were putting their hard earned money into banks that don’t pay any interest on their savings.

Missouri: Newspaper publisher Gannett shutting down their Saint Louis Offset operations, 28 jobs lost.  At one point 70 people were employed. It sounds like Gannett wants to sell the property, which is estimated to be worth $3.4-million.  U.S. Steel shutting down their more than 30 years old Granite City coke ovens, 176 jobs lost in March!   Law firm Green Jacobson shutdown due to being hit with a $10.5-million judgement. The questionable attorneys are already working for other law firms.

New Jersey: Legal drugs pusher Merck issued a WARN saying 172 people will become jobless by March!

New York: Time-Warner owned Sports Illustrated laid off the last of its in-house photographers, in total 36 people were let go.  In Long Island, food producer Organic Avenue laid off 38 employees.  In Batavia, prison contractor Valley-Metro Barbosa Group shutdown due to loss of contract, 256 jobs lost!  In West Nyack, Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge (aka Cambridge University Press) issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in June, 42 jobs lost.  In NYC, New York Life Insurance issued a WARN they will layoff at least 29 people by the end of the year.  In Syracuse, after a little more than two years ‘outerwear’ clothing store Quicksilver shutdown in the Destiny USA center.  The Great American Cookie store also shutdown in the Destiny USA mall.

North Carolina: What housing market recovery?  In Franklin, hardwood flooring maker Shaw Floors announced they will layoff 25 employees by February.

Ohio:  Ann’s Hallmark in Xenia Towne Square shutdown.  It’s not the only store that has vacated the Xenia Towne Square; Rite Aid, Fulmer and Kmart have all left as well.

Pennsylvania: California based Chevron laid off 162 people working their natural gas ops in Moon!  Chevron administrators admitted to local news that the layoffs were started back in November (when WTI oil prices averaged between $80 and $70 per barrel) as part of their overall corporate restructuring: “As a part of this restructuring, Chevron is taking steps to streamline its organization and ensure our workforce is the right size for expected activity levels in this region, which are lower than originally anticipated.”-Trip Oliver, who indicated that even at $80 per barrel the U.S. oil industry was losing money big time

Texas: In Houston, Hercules Offshore announced a second round of layoffs.  They are shutting down five oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, affecting about 1250 employees!  But wait, don’t blame low oil prices. Company administrators have revealed that permits to operate have been drastically cut, saying they’ve been able to get permits to operate only two rigs since June 2014!  British empire Canada based petroleum company GasFrac now chapter 15 bankruptcy busted. The company made the bankruptcy filing in the U.S. state of Texas, where 46 jobs are threatened. The fracking company is also officially bankrupt in Canada.  British empire Australia based BHP Billiton warned of impending layoffs as it shuts down 40% of its shale oil operations near San Antonio.  Obama Care forced the El Paso Children’s Hospital to layoff five more people, and eliminated vacant positions.  The Children’s Hospital also rents space to University Medical Center of El Paso, which reported that Obama Care has caused them to lose $60-million!  As a result the University medical Center cannot pay the rent owed to Children’s Hospital.

Virginia: In Leesburg, The Beer Joint restaurant now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and liquidating.  In Reston, taxsucking government contractor Extreme Security now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and liquidating.  An investigation is underway concerning what the Department of Defense taxsucker did with the money it made.

Wisconsin:  Clothing store Ma Jolie shutdown in Bayshore Town Center.  The owner said crashing mall traffic was the deciding factor in not renewing the lease.

Wyoming: Western Research Institute laid five people and cut the hours of 16 employees.  Administrators blame crashing prices across the mining industry (which includes oil, gas, silver, copper and coal).

18-21-January-2015: “like ripping off a band aid!”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

International

World War 3 Afghanistan, 06 – 10 February 2015: Motorcycles illegal, now considered weapons of mass destruction! U.S. occupation steals land from home owners! Afghans have more balls than Americans ’cause they physically attack their lying politicians!

Helmand Province: In Washir District, a van loaded with people going to a wedding ran over a landmine.  Two people killed, three wounded.  In Lashkar Gah, a U.S. drone killed six people. U.S. administrators claim one of those killed was released from Guantanamo Bay.  It should be noted that they claim he had joined Islamic State.  In Arabic they call themselves DAISH (al-Dawla al-Islamiya al-Iraq al-SHam[Syria]) which shows they are not an Afghan group, most Afghans don’t speak Arabic, and Islamic State did not exist at the time he was kidnapped to Guantanamo Bay.  Most of the people killed in the drone strike were from Pakistan.  In Sangin District, villagers in Zeydanano area say government mercenaries (security contractors) shot and killed a fellow villager, apparently for the hell of it, as he was out walking.

Herat Province: In Shindand District, a man was killed and then set on fire.  Police swear they don’t know who did it, but claim the victim was an insurgent from Pakistan.  Following the announcement of the burning of the body Mujahideen attacked government buildings en masse.  News reports said Afghan National Army units are being rushed to the scene.  There are reports that government personnel conducted a two days operation in which they seized more than 100 motorcycles from the local population, after declaring the use of motorcycles illegal!

Kabul Province: At Hamid Karzai International Airport (formerly Kabul Airport-Air Base) police arrested eight people trying to smuggle heroine to India and Canada. In police district 8, angry residents attacked the bodyguards of a local politician.  The taxpayers of police district 8 accuse the politician of illegally selling off public land to property speculators.   Three people, including a cop, were injured in the fight.  Recent reports say over the duration of the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan at least a quarter million hectares (617,763 thousand acres) of land have been stolen from the original property owners!

Kandahar Province: In Kandahar City, two Kamikaze bombers attacked two police check points.  In one attack the would be bomber got into a firefight with cops killing one cop before he was shot and killed.  In the other attack a similar firefight took place, however the bomber managed to blow himself up, wounding three cops.  In Maruf District, villagers in the Jar area report that government soldiers shot into homes, killing one child.  It’s suspected the government personnel did it as vengeance for seven villagers openly declaring their support for Mujahideen.

Kunar Province: In Naray District, police report a girl’s religious Madrasa and a clinic were blown up in separate incidents.  The Qurans in the Madrasa were burned.  Police apparently have no suspects.  At the same time police admitted that Mujahideen have seized control of the only highway in the district.

Kunduz Province: The provincial police HQ was attacked.  At least five attackers killed, one cop killed and three wounded.

Maidan Wardak Province: Villagers in Nirkh District report that government forces raided their homes, kidnapping three men.

Nangarhar Province: In Ghanikhil District, two cops were killed in a firefight.  Provincial administrators also say that in another part of the province a battle left six people dead and ten wounded.  Administrators did not call the dead and wounded Mujahideen, instead they referred to them as “insurgents”.  In Momand Dara District, local administrators say unknown persons burned a school.  In Rodat District, unknown persons shot and killed two people inside a Mosque, another person was wounded.  In Jalalabad City, a magnetic bomb attached to a vehicle exploded, killing one civilian and wounding four government administrators.   For seven hours the Kabul-Jalalabad highway was blocked by hundreds of people protesting the taking of their land by force.  Provincial administrators promised to resolve the issue.

01-05 February 2015: u-s-army-admits-junior-officer-cover-up

Pakistan evicted 22-thousand Afghan refugees in January.

33 militia-personnel of the Army National Guard’s A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 300th Field Artillery (Wyoming U.S.A.) will be deploying to Afghanistan for Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

275 militia-personnel of the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment  (Oregon U.S.A.) will be deploying to Afghanistan for Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

U.S.

Martial Law U.S.A. 2015: Washington cops adopt Israeli tactics; kill man for throwing rock!

12 February 2015 (20:43 UTC-07 Tango 01)/22 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1436/23 Bahman 1393/24 Bing Yin (12th month) 4712

“They started shooting and they kept on shooting him!”-Carlos Sanchez, witness

“He turned around to take off running and the cops just shot him!”-Shannon Patrick, says cops blasted away at homeless man in front of her kids

“Fleeing from police and not following an officer’s command should not be sufficient for a person to get shot.”-Kathleen Taylor, ACLU

In Pasco, Washington, several witnesses say at least three cops open fired at a homeless man as he was running away from them.  Witness say they heard the cops tell the man to stop throwing rocks, They then saw the homeless man turn and run, that’s when cops open fired killing him.

Police say they were responding to calls about a man throwing rocks at cars. They claim they tazed him but it had no effect.  Even though he dropped his rock and was running away the cops “felt their lives were threatened” (as they always do) so they shot and killed him.  They claim he hit them with two rocks.

Local news reports say this is the fourth killing by cop in Pasco in the past six months.

Even soldiers can be charged with War Crimes for shooting an unarmed enemy soldier who is running away from them!

Martial Law U.S.A.: Operation Bold Shift

USAF flying armed drones over New York!

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 18 – 21 January 2015: “…like ripping off a band aid…” More than 17-thousand jobs lost! Increased use of credit cards results in massive layoffs! Proof you’re worth more dead than alive; corporate America even sells your impending death to investors!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: In Huntsville, Colorado based Sports Authority announced they will shutdown their Bridge Street Town Centre store in February.  JCPenney announced they will shutdown their Cullman Shopping Center store in April, 25 jobs lost.

California: In Los Angeles, old style clothing store Revival Vintage shutdown, the owner did not want to renew the lease.  San Jose news sources report that ebay administrators have confirmed they will sell off their PayPal ops, resulting in at least 2-thousand 4-hundred people becoming jobless! The sale of PayPal is being pushed by ‘activist’ (more like vulture capitalist) investors who now control most of ebay’s stock.  DreamWorks Animation announced they will eliminate 400 to 500 jobs and shutdown their Redwood City studio in 2015!  DreamWorks laid off 350 people in 2014!  Company administrators say their revenues have fallen by tens of millions of dollars. In Moreno Valley, G2 Secure Staff issued a WARN saying they will layoff 39 people in March.  In Willows, Johns Manville issued a WARN saying they will layoff 40 people by March. In Vista, Zodiac Pool Systems issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in October, at least 97 jobs lost.  In Vandenberg AFB, taxsucker InDyne issued a WARN saying they will layoff 541 people in March!   In San Ramon, California oil company Chevron finally issued a WARN revealing they laid off 100 people back in December!   I doubt it’s really about oil prices, Chevron is at least the second oil company operating in California to issue a WARN about massive layoffs after the fact (a violation of WARN regulations)!

Colorado: After 25 years Pismo Fine Art Glass shutdown, the owner wants to retire.  Renewable bio-fuel maker Gevo laid off 23 HQ employees and the CEO claims he’s cutting his base pay by 25%: “Gevo has determined this to be an opportune time to scale down the team to focus primarily on technology optimizations…”

Connecticut: The Milford Board of Education is planning to layoff 18 teachers for the 2015-16 school year, “primarily stemming from continued enrollment decline”.  The University of Connecticut admitted they laid off employees, but refused to say how many.

Florida: 289 employees of rail company CSX have accepted early retirement buyouts! CSX was hoping for 300, which means the other 11 employes will probably be forced out.

Idaho: An independent investigation revealed that recently re-‘elected’ Pocatello mayor Brian Blad farmed out city road crews to other cities, for free and without permission of the city council (as required by law).  The cost to Pocatello taxpayers is at least $15,773 in labor!  To add insult to injury the city council said they aren’t going to pursue the matter, even though Idaho laws allows them to call in the Attorney General!  The investigation was done by Deaton and Company, who submitted a seven page report to the city.  Local news media refer to the scandal as ‘PaveGate’.

Illinois: Chicago based United Continental joins other airlines in contracting out thousands of in-house jobs, as many as 2-thousand jobs now going to cheap-o contractors!

Massachusetts: Kickass Cupcakes now chapter 7 bankrupt busted. The cupcake company has been shutting down stores since 2013. The owner refused to talk to local news media.

Michigan: God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Christian bookstore, Kregel Parable.  The owners of Restaurant Mediteran announced it will shutdown in March.  Two of the co-owners want to retire and the third owner says he can’t handle more than one restaurant at a time.  In Dearborn, The Mediterranean Chef shutdown and being liqudated.

Montana: Washington based Revett Mining shutting down their copper and silver Troy Mine, blaming low prices.  70 jobs lost.

Nebraska: In Scottsbluff, after six years female clothing store T & Company shutdown.

New Hampshire: In Nashua, the owners of Silverlight Candle & Gift Shoppe announced they will shutdown in February.  They blame the unexpected shutdown of next door Aubuchon Hardware for the final nail in their coffin.

New Jersey: Belgium-Brazil owned Anheuser-Busch laying off 60 people and cutting beer production in Newark. It’s probably because this year’s malt barley crops in three states has been killed off by mother nature. 

New York: In Valley Stream, after 30 years Sunrise Multiplex Cinemas shutdown, they sold out to a shopping mall developer.  Despite reporting “substantial” quarterly gains (due to increased credit card use) NYC based American Express announced it will kill off 4-thousand jobs by the end of 2015!  Company administrators also credited their better than expected quarterly results on past job cutting, so they are ramping up job cuts as part of their plan to “reinvent” the credit card company!  Grocery store 173 Food issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in April, at least 30 jobs lost.  Another NYC based company, AOL (formerly America OnLine) announced they will kill off 150 advertising jobs! Business Insider is also reporting that their sources say dozens of AOL employees have been voluntarily quitting since December: “Media and technology are drastically evolving to keep up with today’s consumer. The lines are becoming blurred, and as you well know, our industry is converging at a faster pace than anyone predicted.”-Bob Lord, president AOL

North Carolina: Mitt Romney’s wunderkind Staples shutdown their Greensboro store on Golden Gate Drive.  After 30 years family owned Prime Sirloin buffet shutdown: “The building is old and the money to keep up the 30-year old property, which we leased, was simply going to be too much for us to keep on operating. We decided it was time to make the decision and like ripping off a band aid, there wasn’t any good way to do this.”-Lisa Martin, general manager

Ohio: ShurTech laid off 20 people at its Avon HQ: “The company needed to make these employment adjustments due to retail changes and the high cost of doing business in areas such as freight.”-Patti Sack, media manager

Oregon: What automotive industry recovery?  Commercial Vehicle Group issued a WARN saying they are shutting down their interior parts factory, 117 jobs lost!

Pennsylvania: In Philipsburg, bowling alley Moshannon Valley Super Bowl shutdown after seven years, they were evicted for failure to pay their mortgage.

Puerto Rico: Sears Holdings announced they will shutdown their 25 years old Vega Baja Kmart in March, 206 jobs lost!  Switzerland based legal drugs pusher Novartis announced they will shutdown operations in Humacao over the next three years, 270 jobs lost!  The Federal Bank of New York blames it on the expiration of tax incentives.

Texas: In Garland, Valspar issued a WARN saying they will shutdown subsidiary Engineered Polymer Solutions between March and May, 54 jobs lost.   In Austin, video game maker Lightbox Interactive laid off an undisclosed number of people, and might even shutdown.  Evil Waco based Life Partners Holdings now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  They buy the rights to life insurance policies and then sell them to investors, that’s evil.  In other words, unAmerican corporate America, and their investors, love to bet on your death!  Oklahoma based Laredo Petroleum shutdown their Dallas office without warning, 75 jobs lost. Company administrators also claim $60 per barrel oil prices forced them to cut their operating budget in half, from $1-billion USD to about $525-million!  In Houston two mega oil service companies announced massive layoffs; Halliburton (already reported in one of my previous reports) and Baker Hughes.  Dumb-ass news media blames low oil prices but it’s really because Halliburton is taking over Baker Hughes!  At least 7-thousand Baker Hughes employees will be let go because of the $35-billion Halliburton takeover, not the oil prices!  Another Houston based oil company, Apache, announced it will kill off 250 jobs, after it hired on the former Baker Hughes CFO!

Virginia: In Old Town, after 64 years the Giant Food grocery store will shutdown. Company administrators say it’s because the town is too small to continue supporting it, and it’s not worth it to spend money on expanding it. News reports implied that there are too many Giant Food stores in the area around Old Town anyway.

Washington: A chapter 11 bankrupt busted company that loves to hit your smartphone with advertisements, Bellvue based Hipcricket, has been taken over by competitor SITO Mobile for $4.5 million.  As in all such cases you should expect layoffs, despite the fact that Hipcricket administrators said their sale to SITO would “protect human capital”, corporate weenies always say things like that.

Wisconsin: In Racine, two Vanity clothing stores shutdown, despite increased revenues for the North Dakota based company.

16-17-January-2015: U.S. oil company kills 9-thousand jobs, then pumps $1.7-billion into Russian oil! 

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

 

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 16 – 17 January 2015: U.S. oil company kills 9-thousand jobs, blames oil prices then pumps $1.7-billion into Russian oil!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

What housing market recovery?  Kingdom of Luxembourg based mortgage technology and outsourcing company Altisource Portfolio Solutions laid off more than 800 people from Massachusetts U.S.A. to India!  Inside sources said it was to make investors happy.  There are also reports that the former parent company, Ocwen, might lose its California mortgage license.

Arizona: Dysart Unified School District announced they will kill off 147 jobs over the next three years!  Administrators added that the 147 job cuts was just the first round of cuts!  Back in November tax burdened voters rejected a school levy that would have jacked up their taxes even more.  What gets me is why, year after year, school districts need more and more tax creating levies and bonds to be passed?  Where is all that money going, especially the lottery money for those school systems that get money from lotteries as well as taxes?!

California: In Sacramento, after 29 years the owner of clothing store Robin Lyle announced she will shut it down.  The owner says she will continue working as a personal shopper for her most loyal clients.  Also in Sacramento, two Mark’s Hallmark stores shutdown.  In December Mark’s Hallmark shutdown their store in Hawaii claiming it was because of high rent, they’re basically claiming the same thing for their California shutdowns.  In Camarillo, maker of electronic equipment, especially for the medical industry, OSI Electronics issued a WARN saying they are shutting down in April, 118 jobs lost!  In Marina Del Ray, Albertsons issued a WARN saying they will shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 80 jobs lost.  In San Diego, Albertsons grocery store issued a WARN saying they will shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 63 jobs lost.  Boeing issued more WARNs saying at least 24 more Californians will become unemployed by March.  In Anaheim, UTI issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in March, 32 jobs lost.

Colorado: Denver based Frontier Airlines announced they will kill off 13-hundred in-house jobs in favor of cheap-o contractors!

Florida: First National Bank of Crestview was seized by the FDIC, assets turned over to First NBC Bank.  What housing market recovery?  RealtyTrac says southern Florida still ranks as the top spot for home foreclosures; 68,696 properties foreclosed in 2014!  Speaking of failed recovery in the housing market, the taxsucking developer of so called affordable housing, Aburn Trace, is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted!  This could mean no chance of recovering any taxpayer funding the company got.  It’s blamed on numerous lawsuits filed by and against home developers, banks and even the federal government! (classic cluster f*ck with taxpayer and investor funds)

Illinois: In Harvey, Obama Care forcing 92 years old Ingalls Memorial Hospital to layoff 80 people and shutdown their child care center.  Administrators say Obama Care, plus the bad economy, is forcing them to slash $3.5-million USD from its budget!

Iowa:  French based maker of polyols, starches, proteins, fibers and sweeteners Roquette America suddenly laid off 85 people at its Lee County factory. Apparently the mayor of Keokuk knew about the layoffs the week prior, but said nothing hoping the newly unemployed would be hired by other local businesses.

Maryland: Telecommunications company Ciena issued a WARN saying 57 people in Lithinicum will become jobless by May.

Massachusetts: Obama Care forced Southcoast Health System to layoff 35 people. Three months ago they laid off 70 people.

Minnesota: Spill the Wine restaurant shutdown, the owner sold out to another restaurant.  120 years old (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Waldorf Nevens Cleaners now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  It was revealed that Wuollet shutdown their 15 years old bakery on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, saying it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease.

Missouri: Hallmark Gold Crown laid off 33 people, most at its Kansas City divisional office.  In addition, Hallmark also laid off four people from its product integrity group, and eight people in their tooling department.

Nebraska: In Lincoln, after 33 years the owner of BB&R Pawn announced he will shut it down by summer.  He and one of his long time employees say they’re both “tired of it”.

Nevada: In Las Vegas, non-profit Safe Faith United liquidating and shutting down.  The administrators of the safe house for victims of domestic violence blame crashing donations with the final straw coming from the federal government, which refused to award much needed grant money.

New York: In Pear River, legal drugs pusher Pfizer issued a WARN saying 50 people will become jobless by April.  In Orchard Park, the owner of B is for Books announced she is calling it quits: “Despite being a labor of love, and having the best staff in the world, running the bookstore is a lot of work.  I have decided to close so that I will have more time to spend with my husband and our four children.”-Jane Bell

Oregon: What automotive industry recovery? Portland based Schnitzer Steel Industries announced they will cut 4% of their employees who are directly involved with auto parts sales.  Company administrators say sales have dropped so much they need to cut $14-million from their budget!

Pennsylvania: Obama Care forcing 114 years old (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) hospital Penn Highlands Clearfield to layoff 30 people, eliminate 11 vacant jobs and cut hours for 50 employees.  Administrators say they’re being forced to cut $3.1-million per year from their budget, pointing out that 65% of their customers are on Medicare or Medicaid, which are being drastically cut by Obama Care!  God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Roseto, and ‘his’ Pius X Junior/Senior High School in Bangor.

Texas: Oil services company Schlumberger announced it will kill off 9-thousand jobs!  Ignorant news analysts blame it on the crashing oil prices, however, when Schlumberger made the job cuts announcement their stock price shot up. It’s also been revealed that three Schlumberger execs dumped their own stock in the company, and then invested $1.7-billion into Russia’s Eurasia Drilling Company (so much for U.S. sanctions)!    God refuses to stop ‘his’ Southern Methodist University from laying off 100 people in February!  The Christian school will also eliminate 50 vacant jobs.  Typical of ‘christians’ the administrators are living in denial, regarding their financial status, calling efforts to cut $35-million from their budget  “addressing our slight structural budget deficit”.

Washington:  Georgia based EarthLink laid off an undisclosed number of people at their Vancouver location.  Local news assume it was less than 50 because EarthLink never filed a WARN.

West Virginia: Mitt Romney’s wunderkind Staples shutdown their less than five years old Martinsburg store.

15-January-2015: “They are ruining families’ lives!”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

Shopko update 10 February 2015: Takes over ALCO stores! Has enough cash to help local charities & schools!

It’s been revealed that Shopko has taken over 14 failed ALCO stores, despite shutting down stores itself.  Shopko administrators say the former ALCO stores are just the right size for its downsized Shopko Hometown format.

Apparently those 14 former ALCO stores are located in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas.  Local news sources discovered that ShopKo was advertising for open jobs at former ALCO locations.  It must be remembered that Shopko’s long term plan is to shutdown their larger stores and open smaller stores with fewer employees, because the U.S. economy can no longer support big box stores.

Texas based ALCO went bankrupt busted back in October 2014, but that didn’t stop people from being shocked when their local ALCO store shutdown, like the mayor of American Falls in Idaho.

Other Shopko news reveals that Shopko is not hurting for cash (maybe as a result of selling off their pharmacy ops), as the Wisconsin based retailer continues to donate cash to charities and schools: $400 to the ‘Jogging Jokers’ at the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind.  $2000 to the Saint Peter School District, Minnesota.  $2,000 to the Humboldt Community School District, Iowa. $2000 to the Oelwein Community School District, Iowa.

In 2014 the Shopko Foundation gave out $1.1-million to charities and schools.

Shopko is owned by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, which is focused on leverage buyouts, equity, debt and other investments.

2015 big Shopko store shutdowns:

Illinois: Two years old Sullivan Shopko in April, at least 30 jobs lost.

Kentucky: Hodgenville Shopko Hometown store will shutdown in April.

Missouri: Tarkio Shopko Hometown store will shutdown in April.

Ohio: Shopko to shutdown its Greenfield, Archbold, Montpelier and Newton Falls stores by April, at least 70 jobs will be affected.

South Dakota: Avera FastCare health clinic located inside the Aberdeen Shopko shutdown. Local news reports said there are currently no plans to replace it.

Utah:  Provo Shopko will shutdown by 15 April 2015.   Bountiful (apparently actually located in West Bountiful even though the address is in Bountiful?) Shopko will shutdown in April.

Wisconsin: Shopko will shutdown its Ashland Hometown store by April, at least 29 jobs lost.

Of importance, a major retail landlord just modified its lease agreement with Shopko. The deal makes it easier for Spirit Realty Capital to evict Shopko in favor of new tenants (Shopko also got paid $18.8-million for the inconvenience of being kicked out). The retail landlord said it wanted to reduce its reliance on Shopko for revenue!

2014 shutdowns:

Wisconsin: ShopKo killed off 40 jobs at its Ashwaubenon corporate HQ. Company administrators blame the bad economy for their “reorganization”. A Madison store was shutdown, 66 jobs lost.

Ohio: Georgetown Shopko shutdown.

Indiana: Shopko issued a WARN in November saying it will shutdown a distribution center. The shutdown will be completed by September 2015, at least 95 jobs lost. A Loogootee Shopko was shutdown, at least 14 jobs lost. The Petersburg and Bloomfield Shopkos were also shutdown.

It should be noted that Shopko has been quietly and slowly shutting down their large format stores since 2001.

Shopko opens new Idaho store, while closing of 14 others!

Business/Economics, Idaho

Albertsons Safeway closings update, 10 February 2015: “That store basically has not been profitable for quite some time…..That’s why we’re closing it.”

More shutdowns of Alberstons, Safeway, Vons, United Supermarkets, etc grocery stores being revealed, now that the Cerberus Albertsons hostile $9.2-billion USD takeover (some reports say $8-billion while others say it was $9.8-billion) of the country’s second largest grocery store owner, Safeway, was finalized at the end of January.

Both Safeway and Albertsons were originally founded in Idaho (Safeway in American Falls in 1915 & Albertsons in Boise in 1939).  Safeway moved its HQ to California and Albertsons was taken over by evil Cerberus.

There are reports that Safeway’s Waterfront Bistro brand will actually be expanded.  Waterfront Bistro is a grocery chain that focuses on seafood.

Cerberus Albertsons also took over United Supermarkets.

Reports say the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ordered Cerberus to sell off 168 stores, in the name of maintaining competition.  It was motivated by legal action by attorney’s for Safeway, and the state attorney generals of Washington and Nevada.

Cerberus has sold off 12 Safeway and Albertsons stores to Texas based RLS Supermarkets, who will change the names to Minyard Sun Fresh Market.  In Texas Safeway stores are called Tom Thumb.

Cerberus has sold 146 Vons and Albertsons stores to a Washington based company called Haggen. The affected stores are located in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.  Haggen administrators say the switchover to Haggen stores will take place during the next 120 days.

Arizona: In Lake Havasu, three Safeway and seven Albertsons are being switched over to Haggen.  I suspect that eventually some will be shutdown, it doesn’t make sense to have that many grocery stores of the same brand in one place.

California: Arcadia Vons Pavillion SuperStore to be shutdown on 18 March 2015, at least 168 jobs lost!  The 32 years old Hemet Vons shutdown on 28 December 2014, at least 55 jobs lost. Company administrators claimed it had nothing to do with the hostile takeover by Cerberus.  Marina Del Ray Albertsons, shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 80 jobs lost.  Pleasanton Safeway HQ will layoff at least 26 people by 13 February 2015.   San Diego Albertsons, shutdown by 26 February 2015, at least 63 jobs lost.

Colorado: Colorado Springs Albertsons shutting down in March.  Cerberus administrators say it has nothing to do with their takeover of Safeway-Vons: “That store basically has not been profitable for quite some time, despite the best efforts of our company and associates there and the location…..That’s why we’re closing it.”

Oregon: In Lake Oswego, Albertsons being shutdown on 16 February.  Cerberus administrators made the exact same claim as in their Colorado Springs shutdown saying “The store has not been profitable for quite some time.”  This is interesting because according to local news reports there are only two grocery stores in the city!  In Lake Grove, the Albertsons being switch over to Haggen.  Safeway shutting down their Clackamas regional office, 91 jobs lost by March.

Texas: In East Dallas, an Albertsons was renamed Minyard Sun Fresh Market.  Reports said the grand opening was delayed due to problems switching over the cash register system.  A second East Dallas Alberstons is expected to make the changeover to Minyard Sun Fresh Market on 16 February.  Only one of the three East Dallas Albertsons will remain Albertsons.  One store manager said the changes are a direct result of the takeover of Safeway.  Interestingly I found a report that said Cerberus swore there would be no name changes after the takeover of Safeway, but they failed to explain the sale of 12 stores to RLS Supermarkets.

Washington: In Kirkland, reports that Goodwill thrift store is taking over the now vacant Albertsons store.

Cerberus sells-off California & Idaho based grocery stores! 

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 15 January 2015: “They are ruining families’ lives!” Oil industry layoffs planned when oil was $97 per barrel! Obamacare kills tech & education jobs! DARPA kills jobs!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

British empire Canada based aircraft maker Bombardier laid off 380 people in Mexico, and 620 people in Kansas U.S.A.!  Company administrators have halted production of the new larger Learjet 85 due to lack of sales.

Alabama: In Huntsville, Synapse Wireless laid off 25 people.  It’s blamed on healthcare industry changes caused by Obama Care: “Synapse is altering its focus in its healthcare business and redeploying many of its engineers……While there will be cutbacks in the healthcare division, it is still an important part of our business.”

California: What automotive industry recovery? In Canoga park, Vista Ford car dealer issued a WARN saying they are shutting down in March, at least 11 jobs lost.  In San Francisco, internet dating service Zooks laid off at least 25 people.  Company administrators have also delayed their IPO, data shows the dating service has seen declining revenues since 2013.  Foothill Ranch based female clothing store Wet Seal officially chapter 11 bankrupt busted, this after already announcing plans to kill off 3-thousand jobs under operation Store Project!  In El Segundo, evil taxsucking Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contractor Leidos issued a WARN saying 80 people will be laid off in March.  Also in El Segundo, British empire Canada based U.S. taxsucker spacecraft contractor COM DEV issued a WARN saying 53 people will be laid off in March.  A WARN says the Arcadia Vons Pavillion SuperStore will shutdown on 18 March 2015, at least 168 jobs lost!  Raybern Foods issues several WARNS saying they are shutting down in Hayward and Oakland, by May, at least 158 jobs lost!  In Fullerton, Walt Disney Parks-Resorts issued a WARN saying they will eliminate 85 costume maker jobs in May.

Connecticut: In Meridian, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Saint Stanislaus School.  In Pomfret, after nine years Celebrations Gallery announced it will shutdown in February. In Norwich, after six years Chacer’s Bar & Grill shutdown, the co-owner blaming the suck ass economy not only for shutting them down but for destroying his marriage: “It wasn’t easy at all, and it took a toll on our marriage. It stinks because we had a lot of fun in that business.”-Geoffrey Chase

Illinois: In Mount Vernon, after 31 years the owners of Office Furniture Warehouse announced they were shutting down by March.  It sounds like they were made a big money offer they couldn’t refuse by competitor Midwest Office Supply.

Iowa: In West Des Moines, clothing stores Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids shutdown.

Maryland: Labinal Power Systems joins the corporate stagnation tax sucking shell game, shutting down their Salisbury factory and moving to Texas by 2016.  Salisbury to lose at least 650 jobs!  Employees say company administrators outright lied to them: “It just feels so underhanded, especially after they told us our jobs were safe two weeks ago.  My girlfriend, her brother, father and uncle all work here. They are ruining families’ lives!”-Chris Bowers

Michigan: Inhumanely the state Department of Human Services announced it will eliminate 100 jobs and shutdown two offices in February!  Their operating budget was slashed by $7.5-million USD!

Minnesota: Less than one year after officially opening its first stores in Canada, Minneapolis based retailer Target threw in the towel, basically saying the Canadian economy sucks ass! All 133 stores to shutdown and 17-thousand 6-hundred Canadians will become jobless! 

Missouri: The Casino Queen laid off 20 people and reduced operating hours by two per day. Casino administrators report a 4.6% drop in revenue from December 2013 to December 2014, they blame too much competition.  In Saint Louis, popular Star Clipper comic book store shutdown.  The owner, who is also a tax attorney, says the economy is just to volatile: “The last couple of years, though business has been good, have been difficult to predict. And it just seemed like a good time.”-Benjamin Trujillo

Nebraska: Obama Care forcing CHI Health to kill off a minimum of 156 jobs: “As the landscape of the health care industry changes, how health care systems are organized changes as well. In an effort to bring healthcare costs down, across the country, expense reductions are being made and staffing is being restructured. CHI Health is no different, and will be reducing its workforce across the organization. Many of the reductions will be accomplished through attrition, and not filling open positions. However, the plan also includes the elimination of 156 active positions, about 1 percent of its workforce.”-company statement

New Mexico:  Yates Petroleum revealed they have already eliminated 15 of their local oil jobs.  Company administrators say they’ve been preparing for layoffs since September 2014, apparently the price of oil was too low back then even though it averaged $97 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate.  In Sante Fe, clothing store J Crew shutdown.  Also, clothing store Eileen Fisher shutdown.

New York:  In Buffalo, Fenner Precision amended their WARN saying their shutdown has been moved to March, at least 60 jobs lost. In NYC, Rivington House amended their WARN saying The Nicholas A. Rango Healthcare Facility will now shutdown in February, at least 214 jobs lost!  Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University amended their WARN saying the shutdown of their  Substance Abuse Treatment Centers is now on hold.  Montefiore Medical Center is supposed to be taking over the substance abuse operations.

North Carolina: New Obama Care taxes forcing Illinois based drug and medical device maker Hospria to shutdown their Clayton factory by the 2nd half of 2015, at least 250 jobs lost!  Iconic fruit supplier Chiquita announced it is pulling its HQ out of Charlotte, causing 320 jobs to be in limbo! Apparently company administrators don’t think the millions in taxpayer funded incentives are enough (they promised to pay back all the taxpayer funded incentives they got).  Chiquita was taken over by Brazilian venture capitalists. A local politician had an epiphany about the unAmerican corporate America taxsucking shell game: “You can’t expect loyalty from any company if you’re paying them to move. Government was basically prostituting themselves to get them here. … Nobody falls in love with a prostitute.”-Bill James, Mecklenburg County commissioner

Ohio: Owens Community College eliminated 50 occupied and vacant positions, as well as cut wages and salaries.  They also proposed new taxes, blaming increased employment costs caused mainly by higher insurance and retirement rates mandated by Obama Care!

Pennsylvania:  A fundraising company that raises money for schools by selling food, Market Day, announced they would layoff 43 people in Cranberry Township by March. It’s blamed on crashing sales.  In Upper Allen Township, after 39 years the owners of Gehman & Co furniture store announced they are being forced to shutdown in March.  The greedy property owner refuses to renew the lease.

Washington: Iconic Starbucks announced it will layoff a “small number” of employees at its Seattle HQ.  British empire Australia based heavy engineering company Bradken is shutting down their foundry in Chehalis, 91 jobs lost.   Bradken reported their profits crashed 64% in the last half of 2014!

Wyoming: The Wyoming Medical Center laid off five administrators, directly blaming Obama Care: “In response to rapid and challenging changes in the healthcare market, Wyoming Medical Center regretfully announced today the elimination of five leadership positions. Other management positions will be realigned in order to streamline operations and become more efficient in the way we deliver care.”

13-14-January-2015: proof oil job losses are not due to oil prices!

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

Sears & Kmart update, 09 February 2015: Children burned alive in Kmart? Sears turns to Amazon to create giant data collection op ? Canada shuts down another store!

An eight years old boy was set on fire in the parking lot of a Jacksonville, Florida, Kmart.  He ran into the Kmart for help.  Police say the stupid victim, and two other stupid children, were playing with a cigarette lighter when it burst into flames.  Police say a stupid woman “in charge” of the children left them in the vehicle with a cigarette lighter while she went shopping in the Kmart.

Sears Holdings has hired on former Amazon administrators for a new Seattle, Washington, engineering project.    Sears Holdings is spending money it doesn’t have on renting out expensive commercial  space in the Columbia Center.  They claim they are going to re-vamp their appliance repair ops known as Sears Home Services.  However, an investigation by GeekWire makes it sound like what’s really going on is the creation of a giant customer data collation operation under the guise of servicing home appliances, one job description reads “...real-time, data-driven, distributed systems that make a positive impact on millions of Sears customers by applying machine learning technologies to enrich each customer experience.”   One of the former Amazon execs is Parag Garg, who will be in charge of the Assurelink platform which allows access to your home appliances through smartphones (stop being lazy and stop buying internet connected computer controlled appliances).

In New Jersey, a Sears employee has been charged with re-routing Sears’ store shipments to his own house!  Sears Asset Protection  discovered it when shipment records showed a lot of merchandise that was shipped due to orders, but there was no record of delivery or payment.  The employee allegedly re-routed hundreds of dollars worth of store merchandise between December 2014 and February 2015.

Sears Canada is closing their contractor operated Sears store in Amherst, Nova Scotia.  The store has been operating without a contractor since June 2013.  Many contracted operators have quit blaming Sears Canada for everything from breaking their own contracts to an outright conspiracy to intentionally shutdown Sears!  The Amherst Centre Mall store will shutdown in March.

update, 04 February 2015: Public officials shop with your tax dollars