More news of layoffs and business closures across the country came in after the November 12-13, 2012 post was published and those will be the first added n their category.
Welcome to Obama's Economy.
Layoffs: (Nov. 13 Continued)
Xerox to lay off 2,500
On Tuesday, Xerox provided some sketchy details of that restructuring: By the end of the year, 2,500 current employees will be former employees.
Citigroup to cut 100 retail workers in Long Island NY
Citigroup Inc. (C), the third-biggest U.S. bank, is dismissing 100 people on New York’s Long Island as the lender seeks to cut costs amid a slump in revenue.A filing today with the state Department of Labor shows workers in the Nassau County town of Uniondale will be affected, and lists a closing date of March 3, 2013. The New York-based firm has been giving notice to the employees since July, according to the filing. Citigroup reported it had more than 260,000 employees as of September.
The Long Island dismissals are among about 5,000 job cuts that former Chief Executive Officer Vikram Pandit announced in January as the European debt crisis roiled markets and fees from trading and investment banking tumbled. Michael Corbat, who became CEO last month, has told investors he will continue with Pandit’s strategy.
Glens Falls Hospital announces layoff
Glens Falls Hospital announced Tuesday morning it is eliminating 29 jobs and reducing five other employees to part-time status, as part of a cost-reduction program being blamed on “declining reimbursement levels and other economic challenges.”
The next one refers to layoffs by the end of the year and one closure as well.
After tax fails, fire station shut, layoffs planned
One of Bayou Cane’s four fire stations was shut down Monday.The fire chief’s decision to close the station at Savanne Road and Little Bayou Black Drive is the first of several steps intended to make up the money that will be lost when a federal grant expires in 2014.
Other planned cuts include laying off seven employees by Jan. 1, eliminating overtime and reducing the number of calls that its trucks respond to each year.
Layoffs listed for November 14, 2012:
Layoffs to start at Pierce Manufacturing in Bradenton in Florida
Pierce Manufacturing in Bradenton, a subsidiary of the manufacturer of emergency response vehicles Oshkosh, is beginning its first round of layoffs, which will eventually affect 325 workers.
The company announced earlier in 2012 that it would cut off its ambulance line, only 18 months after it moved jobs to Bradenton. The layoffs are the largest single round of such downsizings in over a decade in the area, the Bradenton Herald said.
The company still plans to keep its fire truck business operating in Bradenton. The job cuts — which will continue through 2013 and have already hit contract workers — will next affect full-times laborers. the Herald said.
Gamesa announces new round of layoffs
Gamesa Energy has issued layoff notices to more than half of its Cambria Township work force.[...]
Company officials say 92 of the plant’s 154 workers are expected to be out of work at the plant by early next year.
That comes on the heels of 73 layoffs at the facility during the summer. And if the company follows through with the next round, it would put its Ebensburg area work force at about one-quarter of its employment at full production in recent years.
The company’s plant in Fairless Hills, Bucks County, also has been hit with more than 90 layoffs since summer.
But Gamesa isn’t alone.
In the past two months, German-based turbine-maker Siemens announced it was laying off more than 600 workers in three states.
Clipper Windpower furloughed more than 170 workers in the fall. And Vestas, the world’s largest turbine manufacturer, laid off 3,700 workers globally this year, partly blaming a weakened U.S. market.
Tooele Transcript Bulletin - Reduction in revenue leads to third round of layoffs
For the third time in the last four months Tooele County has announced a reduction of employees as the Tooele County Commission and county department heads scramble to reduce expenses to meet an unforeseen reduction in revenue.
“We really hope and believe this will be the last round of cuts in staff we will have to make for this year,” said Colleen Johnson, Tooele County Commission chairwoman. “The last few months have been horrible, but we have to reduce expenses to match our income.”
County employees learned of more impending cuts in staff last Thursday afternoon when county commissioners sent an email to all county employees stating that department heads would be holding meetings to inform their staff of reduction in force plans for their departments.
This most recent round of layoffs affected 22 people, according to Johnson.
Monitor Group warns that it could lay off 235 people
The Cambridge consulting firm Monitor Group filed a letter with the state saying it plans to lay off 235 workers in connection with its bankruptcy filing, but said it expects most to be rehired by Deloitte Consulting, which has agreed to acquire Monitor’s assets.
The letter said Monitor will “permanently terminate the employment” of its employees at 2 Canal Park in Cambridge, according to a WARN notice dated Nov. 9 and filed with the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. It also said “certain Monitor employees” will receive offers from Deloitte.
Updated layoffs for November 14, 2012:
Job Cuts Announced At Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center- 950 layoffs
Winston-Salem, NC-- Cost-cutting at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center will cause 950 full-time positions to be eliminated by June 30, 2013, the healthcare provider announced Wednesday.
In a news release, WFBMC said about half of the layoffs will come from "vacant, temporary and contract labor positions, as well as normal attrition and retirements." As many as 475 current employees -- about 3.5 percent of the company's workforce -- will get pink slips.
While the staff reductions won't be complete until next summer, 76 employees are being laid off this week. WFBMC says those workers will still get their full pay and benefits through Jan. 4, 2013.
Smithfield Foods to begin layoffs as it shuts down Va. packaged meat plant- 520 workers affected
RICHMOND, Va. — Smithfield Foods Inc. said Wednesday that it will begin its previously announced shutdown of a Virginia facility that makes hot dogs and deli meat.
The Smithfield, Va.-based company said layoffs will start at the Portsmouth plant in January and it will close at the end of March. The first layoffs at the Smithfield Packing Co. facility will involve about 120 workers, with more than 400 workers affected by the time plant is closed, said Jeff Gough, Smithfield’s senior vice president for human resources.
Cummins Begins Layoffs Of Columbus Workers- 1,500 workers affected
Layoff notices starting going out this week to the engine-maker‘s white-collar workers at its headquaters in Columbus. Job cuts are also expected at Cummins‘ three southern Indiana plants: the Fuel Systems Plant and MidRange Engine Plant in Columbus and the Engine plant in Seymour.
Company spokesman Jon Mills says layoffs were happening on a department-by-department basis this week. He says employees should know the full extent of the job cuts by the middle of December.
Cummins has around 47,000 employees worldwide, and the company announced last month that it would shrink its overall workforce by up to 1,500. About 7,700 of its workers are in southern Indiana. The company said in its third-quarter report that sales were weaker than expected, as the world‘s economy begins to slow.
Florida-Bechtel Power Corp. warns of 277 layoffs at Turkey Point Nuclear Plant
Bechtel Power Corp. has warned the state of Florida of 277 layoffs at Florida Power & Light’s Turkey Point Nuclear Plant in Florida City.
Vermont-Brattleboro Retreat shrinks staff by 31 slots
The Brattleboro Retreat will shrink its workforceby 31 positions, with 27 people expected to lose their jobs, officials at the psychiatric hospital announced Wednesday.
The layoffs come the same week the union representing nurses and other professionals at the hospital held an informational picket to protest the lack of a contract.
Peter Albert, vice president for external affairs at the Retreat, said the position reduction is necessary to avert a deficit at the end of the current budget
Texas Instruments To Cut 1,700 Jobs Worldwide
Texas Instruments said on Wednesday that it would eliminate 1,700 jobs worldwide to cut costs in its wireless chip business as it is moving away from making application chips for smartphones.
The chipmaker said it expects to take charges of about $325 million related to the job cuts, most of which will be accounted for in the current quarter. It expects annualized savings of about $450 million by the end of 2013 from the action.
126 Layoffs In Proposed Budget For NY County
The Westchester County executive says he'll have to lay off 126 workers, mostly in social services, to balance next year's budget.
County Executive Robert Astorino says the layoffs wouldn't be necessary if workers in Westchester's largest union had agreed to contribute to health care costs. The union says it's still negotiating.
Astorino's $1.72 billion proposal sticks to his no-tax-increase pledge for a third year. He said Wednesday the layoffs are necessary to offset the increased costs of salaries, health care, pensions and Medicaid.
Closures: (Nov. 13 Continued)
District of Columbia proposes closing 20 schools, consolidating students at other locations
The District of Columbia has submitted a plan to close 20 schools and send students from those schools to other campuses.
Old Town Alehouse is closing
After 17 years, the Old Town Alehouse (5233 Ballard Ave) is closing. An employee with the alehouse says the rumors are true, and we have a call out to the owners to find out when and why they’re closing. The building that houses the bar has been occupied by a bar for almost all of its history, according to Old Town’s website
The Pub Restaurant closing is just the latest on 4th Street Live
LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- The Pub Restaurant on 4th Street Live has run dry, marking the latest in a long line of businesses to leave the block.
[....]
This isn't just private business. Taxpayers have $26 million invested in 4th Street Live's success. You could just walk down 4th Street and remember what used to be. Remember the Red Star Tavern, or PBR Louisville, or Saddle Ridge.
It was a controversial change from Lucky Strike to the Sports and Social Club. What is now Fudge used to be Gumbo. And Borders is now a brewery. What is concerning to some is that every example except the bowling alley happened on 4th Street in the last two years.
Pocatello Call Center Closing
A Pocatello call center is closing its doors. Teleperformance USA confirmed Monday that it was shutting down its Pocatello branch. As many as 80 employees will be out of work by Jan. 15. The closure comes after another call center, Mountain West Research, unexpectedly laid off dozens of employees in Idaho Falls last week.
Closures listed for November 14, 2012:
NJ- SuperFresh to shut 2 stores in region- 155 to lose jobs at grocer
Two SuperFresh stores in South Jersey are the latest casualties in a harsh environment for supermarkets.
SuperFresh outlets in Marlton and Westmont will close Jan. 11, officials from A and P, the chain’s parent company, said Tuesday.
Another store in Plainsboro, Middlesex County, will close.
Katonah Bagel Shoppe Closing After 16 Years
For the past few years, business owner Tom Leggio has risen at 3:30 a.m. each morning, driven from his Mahopac home and arrived at The Bagel Shoppe in Katonah in time to make fresh bagels and open the store by 5:30 a.m.
Though the shop has been open for the past 16 years in the Katonah Avenue shopping plaza, Leggio employed someone to help him open the store. When the economy soured, he had to let that employee go.
Ben Franklin and Homestead House Gifts closing in Waterloo
It used to be a booming area of Waterloo, but now two long-time businesses are closing their doors for good. Ben Franklin and Homestead House Gifts in the Kimball Ridge Center will soon close.
Several WV Suzuki dealerships closing
Suzuki is closing down dealerships and laying off workers across the United States. It's part of a complete retreat from the U.S. auto market.
The company's distributor filed for bankruptcy. As a result, West Virginia Suzuki dealerships are being forced to close their doors. Some owners found out on Monday, Nov. 12 they'd have to lay off workers.
Custer School District Closing Two Rural Schools in South Dakota
The Custer School Board says it will close two rural elementary schools in the district. The issue is so divisive, one school board member actually resigned and left Monday night's meeting.
"We're looking at decreased funding from the federal government, and of course, decreased funding from our state. So when you put those two things together, we really don't know what our revenue is going to be," Custer School District Superintendent Scott Lepke said.
That uncertainty has led the Custer School District to cut millions of dollars from their budget over the last decade. The latest cut, made at a school board meeting Monday, will close the district's two rural schools.
"It's hard. It's a tough decision to make and you're really pulling at the heartstrings of those people," Lepke said.
Although many were passionate about keeping the rural schools open, the superintendent says that the school board's decision really boils down to dollars and cents.
The Dressing Room to Close in December
The Dressing Room, on North Lincoln Avenue, is closing its doors after eight years in the community.
The clothing and accessories boutique is holding an 'everything must go' liquidation sale, which started on Tuesday.
Store owner Barbara Ruiz wasn't in when Patch stopped by the store on Tuesday, but a message from the The Dressing Room's Twitter account said, "It's just become too mentally, financially tough."
NY- IBOPE Zogby Utica office closing
The Utica office of IBOPE Inteligencia, formerly Zogby International, is closing.
[...]
It could not be learned how many employees are affected by the closure. An Observer-Dispatch article in January 2010, when Zogby announced he was selling the company at 901 Broad St., said it had 170 employees, 40 of them full time.
Updated Closures for November 14, 2012:
Hartmarx warns of possible closure, 567 layoffs at Des Plaines plant
After filing for bankruptcy last month, HMX Group, the owner of Chicago suit maker Hart Schaffner Marx, has warned the state of the possible closing of its Des Plaines factory and the layoffs of 567 workers there.
Berkshire Newspaper Unit to Cut 105 Jobs, Shut One Publication
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which has purchased more than 60 newspapers in the past year, said it was closing the Manassas News and Messenger amid a review of operations acquired this year from Media General Inc.
Job cuts include 33 employees of the News & Messenger, which is published five days a week and has a circulation of 10,000, according to a letter posted on a website tied to the newspaper. Another 72 positions will be eliminated, mostly corporate staff added as part of the Media General deal.
Bankruptcy- November 14, 2012
OR- ReVolt Technology officially files bankruptcy
Portland-based ReVolt Technology, whose parent company is in Norway, said last month it would file bankruptcy because it had been unable to raise new capital or find a buyer.
The company had been developing a zinc-air battery technology that it said could deliver twice the energy of conventional rechargeable battery technologies, such as lithium-ion.
The Business Journal has been unable to reach ReVolt company officials.
Before it abruptly closed its doors, ReVolt received several taxpayer subsidies:
A copy of the company’s bankruptcy filing was not immediately available.
- $5 million from a federal grant program.
- $3.4 million from the state of Oregon's Small Scale Energy Loan Program.
- $1.15 million from a Portland Development Commission loan program
- $500,000 from the governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund.
Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. Files for Bankruptcy
Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. (OSG), the largest U.S. tanker operator, filed for bankruptcy protection after global shipping rates fell and the company gave up trying to win a federal loan guarantee.
Note- A few layoffs and closure reports have been left off this list because they should not be attributed to The Obama Economy, in my opinion. For Example- A San Diego Hospice is laying off workers because they violated Medicare regulations. I attribute that to bad management, not a bad economy.
Obama's Economy pieces at this link.
Layoff Mania pieces at the link.
Business Closings pieces at the link.
(Additional layoffs and closures listed after post was published under categores of "updated closures" and "updated layoffs")