Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”