There have been a couple of big announcements so far in the first couple of weeks of the New Year. As the economy is still in a lull some employers are still finding ways to cut back and others are launching new products and creating jobs.
For 2011 coverage check out our First, Second, Third and Fourth Quarter reports.
Mass Layoff Reports
| 2012 | Mass Layoff Events | Total Workers Affected |
| January | unreleased | unreleased |
| February | ||
| March | ||
| Totals |
Source: BLS
Hiring
A lot of planned hiring is being announced in the automotive sector.
Chrysler LLC – The company is restarting its production on the new SRT Viper and boosting production of other vehicles and will hire 1,250 workers in Metro Detroit.
Chrysler is also announcing that sometime in 2013 it will start building its new Maserati SUV in Metro Detroit.
BMW North America – The company announced it will expand its South Carolina facility and add up to 300 new jobs.
Hyundai – Announced that it will add up to 50 jobs over the next 3 years at its Technical Center in Michigan as it invests $15 million in upgrades.
There hasn’t been massive hiring announcements but you can check out our live Twitter stream for job postings.
Hiring Freezes
Notable Layoffs
Boeing Company - The company is will eliminate 2,160 jobs as it closes its Wichita plant.
Hostess Brands – The company is rumored to be preparing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and job losses are sure to follow.
Eastman Kodak – While no layoffs have been officially announced the type of restructuring that the company needs to go through imply that many heads will roll in this bankruptcy.
FYE – Stores across the country are closing while the parent company Trans World Entertainment has remained mum about the closings, and has little information in press releases. It is likely that a prior announcement that it planned to expand in 2012 and 2013 is on hold.
Wayne County Airport – The county is looking to layoff 90 employees in an effort to save about $6 million over 20 months.
Game Show Network – The entertainment group is laying off 5% of its staff of about 12 people.
MI Blockbuster Store Closing 2012
Blockbuster - The company is still making efforts to reduce its store count in 2012 to get to a target of 600 stores. Above is one of two stores that are closing in Livonia Michigan.
Texas Instruments – The company is closing two factories one in Japan and one in Texas with 500 workers to cut costs.
Morgan Stanley – Will cut 1,600 jobs this quarter which is a little more than 2% of its workforce.
Novartis – The health care company is going to cut 1,960 jobs in the United States this year in an effort to save $450 million a year.
Saab North America – With the Swedish car company clinging to life the North American arm will liquidate. Located in Royal Oak Michigan Saab’s parent company Spyker moved the company Headquarters to Royal Oak and gained favorable tax credits of $1.2 million to keep 60 employees in Michigan. Now 80% of those employees are gone with the rest to be unemployed soon.
Dean Foods -Scaling back its headquarters significantly.
Abbott Labs – Is cutting 700 workers.
J.C. Penney – Thousands of jobs will be eliminated as the company is restructuring as a result of its new leadership. All stores will be affected and no number has been officially announced.
UPS – Cutting jobs in Texas of 135 jobs. UPS will also eliminate 433 jobs in its Kentucky facility.
American Airlines – A few weeks into bankruptcy the company is announcing that it will cut at least 13,000 jobs.
Fisker Automotive – One of the green energy focused companies that took Federal Government money is announcing layoffs of 40 contractors and 26 employees.
Sears Holdings Corporation – 100 employees were laid off from the Illinois headquarters.
Abercrombie & Fitch – The company is going to cut another 130 stores.
Lightsquared – As a cost saving measure the company is moving to cut 45% of its 330 person workforce.
Resignations
Firing
Research in Motion (RIMM) – Replaced both of its CEO’s Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis with one person.
