United Airlines announced 600 layoffs, many possibly in Illinois! They blame reduced air routes, and a $723 million USD loss.
Gap clothing store shut down in Winnetka, Illinois.
Minnesota based 3M eliminating 300 jobs! Company officials say they need to merge divisions in order to “increase efficiency”. At the same time 3M officials reported a 4.9% increase in revenues compared t0 last year, for a total of $6.5 billion! And they still need to increase efficiency?
120 people out-o-work in Eau Claire, Wisconsin! In-home healthcare provider LifeNet is ceasing operations. No reason has been given.
Also in Wisconsin, Menomonee Falls’ only independent skate shop, Tweakboarding, going out-o-business. The owner blamed many issues, like starting a family and internet competition: “This is not the first local skate shop to go under in the Milwaukee area. If you appreciate the convenience of having a local shop, we recommend that you shop there and not online….”-John McCool
In New York, health insurance company MVP Health Care laid off 68 employees. Company officials said it’s their way of addressing “administrative expense”. Last year they laid off dozens of people, and forced dozens more into early retirement.
In Las Vegas, Nevada, Boyd Gaming laid off an undisclosed number of employees across the country. Reports say at least three of those were company vice presidents! Company officials said only that “As we all know, revenue is unpredictable.”
California based software company Symantec says it will reduce executive and middle management positions. It’s part of their plans to put more decision making power into the hands of the “front line employees”. The company isn’t hurting for money, they’re paying out dividends to shareholders, plus they’re spending $1 billion to buyback much of those shares.
California based URS Corporation will cut 31 jobs from its operations in Maryland. The company deals in engineering, construction and technical services.
The headquarters of the Church of Later Day Saints (LDS, aka Mormons) in Salt Lake City, Utah, will layoff staff: “This action is based solely on the need to be sure that resources are being used wisely to meet the evolving needs of a global church.” (if you know the history of the Mormons, their church is always conveniently “evolving” its policies)
In Bountiful, Utah, Duncan Lighting has sold out, to the internet. The company is closing its brick & mortar operations and going online: “In a nutshell, the storefront just wasn’t doing enough business. It wasn’t profitable enough and the e-commerce does really well in the new kind of business that is out there.”-Ken Duncan, store manager
BlueScout Technologies goes bankrupt. The company was involved in wind power. Company officials said they were unable to raise enough capital (money through investments or traditional loans) to continue.
SRT Holdings, a company involved in solar power, will end manufacturing operations in East Windsor, Connecticut. Company officials say their main customer switched to another supplier without giving any reason.
In Tacoma, Washington, school supply store School Daze closed down: “The economy just killed us. We’ve tried to weather it, but we’re soaking more of our money into it and it’s not working.”-Jerry England, co-owner
Going south into Oregon, the internet is not helping online American InterContinental University. The Illinois based online college (Career Education Corporation) will layoff 124 people at their Beaverton campus! Company officials are trying to cut costs after losing at least $109.7 million last year. They also have plans to close their Sanford-Brown College campus in Portland.
In Georgia, two East Cobb area restaurants closed down. The Caffe Fortunato, and a Houston’s. No official reasons were given, but some reports say the East Cobb area is now considered a “death trap” for restaurants.