First of all I’d like to make a correction to a layoff notice that was listed on this site February 6:
– I wanted to bring to your attention that your posting of Sparton Corporation laying off 1,000 people is incorrect. Actually, they laid off approximately 6% of their 1,000 total employees, or approximately 60 people.
Thanks for your interest.
Richard H. Pacini
Senior Vice President
The Millerschin Group
Mike: Thank you, Mr. Pacini, for bringing that to my attention and the change has been made. If any readers of this blog see any stories that need correction, please pass them along and I’ll make sure a correction is noted.
- Federal water supply may be cut off from California – along with 40,000 jobs
- CA School districts plan to lay off hundreds
- Update: Spansion Slashes 3,000 Jobs
- Update: Micron to lay off 500, up to 1,500 more by August
- Manitowoc Crane Group to Cut 450 Jobs
- Itronix announces layoffs of 380 workers
- Consumer confidence plummets to new low
- U.S. home price drop at record pace in December
- Milliken & Company to Cut About 650
- Microsoft/Google/IBM and other Rumors/News
General Economic News
Municipal News
US and some Canada Layoff News
International News
Hiring News
– Microsoft/Google/IBM and other Rumors & News –
* Microsoft Monday backed off its requests that recently laid-off workers who received too much cash in their severance packages return the money.
However, by waiting two days since the story broke before reversing itself, Microsoft’s seemingly miserly behavior may have cost itself more through bad publicity than could be offset by the relatively minor financial loss.
“The P.R. issue over the past two days has cost Microsoft a thousand times more than the value of the payment error,” one former Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) employee – not one laid off – told InternetNews.com in an e-mail.
via InternetNews Realtime IT News – Microsoft Drops Return of Overpayments Demand.
8:55 AM ET–
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9:00 AM ET“There are very few, if any, pockets of turnaround that one can see in the data,” David Blitzer, chairman of S&P’s index committee, said in the statement. “Most of the nation appears to remain on a downward path.”
via U.S. home price drop at record pace in December: S&P – Yahoo! Finance.
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10:00 AM ET* Economics is extremely useful as a form of employment for economists.
John Kenneth Galbraith (1908 – 2006)
The index, which had hovered in the high 30s over the past few months, broke new lows since it began in 1967. A year ago, the consumer confidence reading stood at 76.4.
via Consumer confidence plummets to new low in Feb. – Yahoo! Finance.
* Some Tax-Saving Scenarios in the Stimulus (the more you make, well, the more you’ll make: Mike)
A single person with no children making between $20,000 and $30,000 would see a 12.5% reduction in his or her tax liability for an annual savings of $453. The same person making between $50,000 and $75,000 would see a 4.6% drop, or $626.
At the upper income ranges, someone with income between $100,000 and $200,000 would see a 2.1% drop, which translates into $706.
With or without kids, a married couple filing jointly making between $50,000 and $75,000 could see a 10.5% drop for a savings of $991. Those making between $75,000 and $100,000 would see their tax liability go down 9.1%, or $1,457.
Couples with very high incomes — between $200,000 to $500,000 — could see a 7.5% decline in their tax bill, or $5,645.
via Stimulus tax breaks – CNN.
Tom Toles - Feb 24
* DETROIT (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co began transferring workers to a Detroit-area parts plant on Monday as it begins implementing an agreement with the United Auto Workers to phase out a program that had once provided near total job security to union workers.
The first 50 Ford workers began work at the parts plant in Saline, Michigan this week, displacing existing workers covered by a separate UAW contract with Visteon Corp, according to two memos posted on the website of the union local that represents the plant.
via UAW details part of Ford plan to end job security | Reuters .
* The head of the nation’s largest sheriff’s department is warning that nearly 4,000 jail inmates might be released early and about 600 deputy and professional positions could be eliminated to meet budget cuts.
* San Francisco revealed on Monday it’s sending out 500 layoff notices. San Jose anticipates sending out 570, but stresses it will rescind many of them due to retirements and other normal attrition. San Ramon says it might have to send out 500 notices. The situation is bad, but there may be some hope for San Francisco teachers.
via School districts plan to lay off hundreds – 2/23/09 – San Francisco News – abc7news.com.
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* Federal water managers say they might have to cut off water supplies to some of California’s largest farms, thanks to the state’s severe drought.
This would be the first time in more than 15 years such a move was taken. The state predicts a loss of more than $1 billion and an elimination of as many as 40,000 jobs if this takes place.
* The largest employer in the Victor Valley will employ fewer people in August.
Inheriting a budget deficit in the millions of dollars from the state, the Hesperia Unified School District school board voted at their Monday night meeting to lay off 181 teachers and 17 principals and district office employees. (The HUSD currently employs almost 2,200 people.)
via 181 teachers laid off | school, teachers, state – Local News – Hesperia Star – The Star of the West.
* While Minneapolis police will not see officer positions cut in 2009, they might not be as lucky next year.
Facing $30 million in state funding cuts, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak announced Monday that cuts to the 2009 budget will include the loss of 33 filled city positions, but larger cuts could come in 2010 when about 116 police officers could be cut.
* More than 230 social service and health-care workers employed in Housing Authority community centers were laid off Feb. 20, as the leaders of their District Council 37 locals railed against the city’s decision to contract out the work to the Department of Youth and Community Development funded non…
* CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is laying off 55 employees, or about 10 percent of its staff.
via Billy Graham association laying off 55 workers – NC Wire: Local & State – News & Observer.
* Union County Sheriff Rocky Nelson laid off eight employees Friday, including the two court-security officers who operated the metal detectors at the courthouse doors. A part-time deputy, four clerks and an office manager also were let go.
via The Columbus Dispatch : Union County sheriff lays off 8, gets pay raises waived.
* ASHLAND, Ore. – The Ashland School District announced Monday that if it does not receive funding from the Oregon legislature, it will cut the equivalent of 20.5 full time teaching positions for the coming school year.
via Ashland School District announces teacher layoffs | KDRV.
* Eliminated for the 2009-10 school year will be 7.5 certificated jobs, including a high school math teacher position, a high school English teacher, a high school social studies teacher, a high school/East End Elementary special education teacher, a reading intervention elementary teacher, a guidance counselor in the elementary and middle school grades, a high school/middle school in-school-restriction teacher and a half-time speech therapy teacher.
via WCS to cut 11.5 positions.
* The cuts include: 14 teachers, 14 support staff, Five administrative positions
*Update: Spansion is one of several chip makers battling to survive as global chip sales falter. German DRAM maker Qimonda filed for bankruptcy last month but continues to seek new operating funds, while Taiwan’s ProMOS Technologies faces a possible showdown with creditors over a US$350 million bond that it cannot repay in full.
via Spansion Slashes 3,000 Jobs in Bid to Cut Costs – PC World.
* Update: Micron Technology says it will cut about 500 more jobs soon and up to 1,500 additional jobs by the end of August.
The Boise computer-chip maker said Monday that it will phase out its manufacturing of chips on 200 millimeter, or 8-inch, wafers because of deteriorating economic conditions and falling demand for the chips it makes on those aging wafers.
via Micron to lay off 500, up to 1,500 more by August | Idaho Economy | Idaho Statesman .
* BOISE, Idaho — Micron Technology Inc. said Monday it’s eliminating 2,000 more jobs in Idaho and closing a manufacturing plant due to decreased demand for its memory chips.
The Boise-based company will cut 500 positions in the “near term,” with the remaining positions stricken by August.
* GUELPH — The Guelph Mercury announced newsroom layoffs and restructuring today in moves its publisher anticipates will see it weather trying economic conditions that have bruised most Canadian media companies.
The Mercury notified 13 staff members that they will be laid off. Two work in the distribution department at the paper. The rest were newsroom employees
via GuelphMercury.com – News – Guelph Mercury cuts staff .
* TYLER, Texas — Carrier Corp. plans to close its plant in Carrollton and cut 150 jobs from its East Texas facility in Tyler.
via Carrier Corp. to close Texas plant, lay off 150 | Business news | Chron.com – Houston Chronicle.
* TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) – Chrysler Corporation says a second shift layoff for Jeep Wrangler workers at Toledo South has been extended two weeks.
via WTOL.com, Toledo’s News Leader, News 11 | Layoff for Jeep Wrangler workers extended.
* Rayonier plans to lay off 55 workers and suspend operations at its lumber mill in Eatonton.
“With the terrible housing market and the economy showing no sign of improving, we cannot be good to anybody operating at a loss,” company spokesman Mike Bell said Monday.
via Rayonier says layoffs, shutdown coming to Eatonton lumber mill – Breaking News – Macon.
* TORONTO — Three southern Ontario newspapers owned by Torstar Corp. (TSX:TS.B) are cutting a total of about 64 jobs in a streamlining caused by slumping advertising revenues.
On Monday, Torstar’s Metroland Media Group announced the elimination of 64 full-time-equivalent positions at three papers, including 30 at the Hamilton Spectator, 21 at the Waterloo Region Record and 13 at the Guelph Mercury.
via The Canadian Press: Torstar cuts 64 jobs at three southern Ontario newspapers.
* SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – An Itronix spokesperson said the laptop manufacturing business will lay off 300 people by the end of the year as they move their operations to their similar location in Florida.
* The Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, citing the poor economy and a decline in donations, has eliminated 17 positions, resulting in 11 layoffs. Two other positions were converted to part-time.
via Catholic Diocese eliminates 17 positions.
* ORLEANS, Vt. (AP) – State officials say the Ethan Allen furniture plants in Orleans and Beecher Falls have laid off 110 people.
* The Diocese of Colorado Springs has cut six staff positions at the Catholic Pastoral Center because of budget shortfalls, a diocese leader said Monday. Departments within the diocese have also been consolidated and restructured to operate more cost-effectively.
* A slowdown in the western Canadian oilpatch has put the brakes on the construction of two land-based drill rigs by two Nova Scotia companies.
Laurentian Steel Fabricators of Sydney won a $35-million contract last year to construct the rigs for Nabors Canada of Calgary.
via Rig work on hold, 40 to be laid off – Nova Scotia News – TheChronicleHerald.ca.
* VIZ Media CEO Hidemi Fukuhara has issued the following statement: “Viz Media is in the process of refining its focus and is restructuring to adjust to changing industry and financial market realities. Viz feels confident that with these changes, the company will be more streamlined to face the current economic climate.”
via Manga Publisher VIZ Media Restructures, Some Staff Laid Off.
* Harris said the company has since been reduced by about 40 employees who have retired or left and have not been replaced. Approximately 195 workers remain, he said.
via Freeburg company lays off 55 workers – Breaking news – Belleville News-Democrat.
* KENTON – Hardin County’s largest manufacturer, International Paper Foodservice Business in Kenton, has laid off 40 employees, cutting its work force down to 400.
* The Spectator is laying off 35 staff across the newspaper in reaction to the global economic downturn and the resulting slowdown in the media industry.
via TheSpec.com – Business – Hamilton Spectator to lay off 35 .
* The Borbet Alabama plant in Auburn is issuing more temporary layoffs effective this week, Human Resources Director Les Davis said Monday.
Approximately 20 employees with various positions will be affected, he said.
via More temporary layoffs at Borbet in Auburn | Opelika-Auburn News.
* SHADY GROVE, PA – The Manitowoc Crane Group has announced they will be laying off 450 employees at Grove Manufacturing within the next week.
via Manitowoc Crane Group to Cut 450 Jobs at Grove.
* The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is laying off about 10 percent of its staff, or 55 employees, in an effo
via Billy Graham Association to lay off 55 – Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal: .
* Teen clothing retailer Aeropostale Inc (ARO.N) on Monday said it would close its 11-store Jimmy’Z chain to focus on its namesake store and a new concept that will target younger shoppers.
The company said it would close the Jimmy’Z stores in the second quarter.
via UPDATE 1-Aeropostale to close its Jimmy’Z stores | Reuters .
* MUNCIE — Two years after BorgWarner announced it would shut down its Muncie plant, the auto parts maker has given its final closing notice to the state.
BorgWarner has filed its Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act letter — or WARN notice — with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, confirming its intention to close its plant on Muncie’s west side in April.
via BorgWarner issues notice forecasting plant’s closing | thestarpress.com | The Star Press.
* Milliken & Company announced Tuesday it will reduce their workforce by around 650 associates – across 47 worldwide locations – because of the recession.
via Milliken & Company to Cut About 650 Jobs Worldwide | WSPA.
* Electricity provider PPL Corp. (PPL) will shed about 200 jobs, or 6% its non- union U.S. work force, as it looks to cut costs amid financial pressures tied to the recession.
via Power Generator PPL To Cut 6% Of Non-Union US Work Force.
* CHICAGO — Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg, a Chicago-based law firm formerly with about 200 lawyers, has cut nearly 10% of its attorneys as a result of the downturn in the economy.
via Midsize Chicago firm goes through second round of layoffs .
* LITTLE ROCK (AP) — The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is laying off as many as 60 people, including seven who work in newsrooms.
via Arkansas Democrat-Gazette announces layoffs | baxterbulletin.com | The Baxter Bulletin.
* The Daily News says that 77 full-time employees, many of whom had worked at the local facility from 12 to 17 years, were laid off in response to the continuously struggling economy.
via Report: Cuts continue at Delta Faucet in Greensburg | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star .
* Trans World Entertainment Corp. has eliminated 45 stock and receiving jobs at its Albany, N.Y., distribution center, the second layoffs announced by the CD, DVD and video game retailer this year.
via Trans World cuts 45 jobs – The Business Review (Albany): .
* MARION, Ark. – Hino Motors Manufacturing has laid off 157 workers at its east Arkansas plant in Marion.
* LONDON (AFP) — British mining group Lonmin is to axe up to 5,500 workers in South Africa, the company said on Tuesday after reaching a deal with trade unions on a restructuring plan to weather the global downturn.
via AFP: Lonmin to axe 5,500 jobs in South Africa.
* HELSINKI (AP) — Nokia Corp., which announced this month it was planning cut jobs, said Tuesday it will seek up to 1,000 voluntary resignations to further reduce costs amid the global economic downturn.
* Large numbers of police forces are planning to cut thousands of officers despite the threat of a recession-driven surge in crime and disorder.
Representatives from dozens of police forces contacted by The Times last night gave a grim picture of falling numbers and “significant and painful” cuts.
via Thousands of police to lose jobs as forces feel the pinch – Times Online .
* MEXICO CITY -(Dow Jones)- General Motors (GM) said Monday it’s planning several days of work stoppages at three of its plants in Mexico during March and April to adjust production for falling global demand.
via GM Plans Work Stoppages At Three Mexican Plants.
* Vodafone Group PLC (VOD) said Tuesday it will cut 500 jobs in the U.K. as part of its GBP1 billion cost cutting program announced in November. The mobile phone operator said the job cuts would come from all levels of the business with around 170 of those jobs going at its headquarters in Newbury, England, and a further 180 customer service jobs cut in various parts of the country.
* Labuan: Guocera Tiles Industries (Labuan) Sdn Bhd, the sole manufacturer of ceramic tiles in Sabah and Labuan, ceased its operation on January 9, this year, resulting in the mass layoffs of its 150 employees.
* Arvin Meritor says the threatened jobs are in the brake components part of the factory, which employs 330 people.
* Responding to the state’s 219,000 jobless overloading the system, the labor department on Monday put Hoehn and 27 other St. Louis claims center employees — most who lost their jobs last year — back to work at the reopened call center.
Another eight are scheduled to start next week.
The irony of the recession forcing the Labor Department to restaff an unemployment office with jettisoned employees was not lost on the agency’s director, Larry Rebman.
via 02/24/2009 – Jobless claims office rehires laid-off staff – STLtoday.com .
Mike: More as the news is released………….
Jerry Holbert - Feb 24
Tags: cut jobs, economic, employment, factory closing, firing, hiring, job loss, jobs cut, laid off, layoffs, plant closing, positions eliminated, redundancies, staff cuts, unemployment, workforce reduction
