Jobs report: 92,000 US jobs lost
The February jobs report showed the U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs.
- Four Wisconsin companies announced layoffs in March, impacting a total of 982 workers.
- The number of layoffs more than doubled compared to what businesses reported in February.
- United Natural Foods Inc. is closing a facility in Sturtevant, resulting in the largest layoff of 443 workers.
- Other companies laying off employees include Charter Communications, Cree Lighting, and Midwest Energy Resources Co.
Four companies announced layoffs in March that are impacting 982 workers, more than double what businesses reported in February.
And it’s likely higher as some businesses lay off workers without reporting. For example, Harley-Davidson laid off workers in March but did not file a WARN notice with the state. However it’s unknown how many Wisconsin jobs were involved in the Harley-Davidson layoff.
Unemployment rate number have not been released by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development or the Bureau of Labor Statistics as data from the previous year is being confirmed. Unemployment data for January and February is scheduled to be released on April 2 and 16, respectively.
March unemployment data for the state is scheduled to be released April 30.
The state’s unemployment rate has been hovering just about 3% for months and while that’s been a positive trend for workers, businesses have been struggling to find the adequate labor force.
Here is a list of companies announced it was laying workers off:
Charter Communications Inc.
Charter Communications, also known as Spectrum, is planning to close its facility at 3520 Destination Drive in Appleton, impacting 313 workers. The company plans to start closing the facility on or around May 21.
United Natural Foods, Inc.
United Natural Foods Inc. is planning to close a facility in Sturtevant impacting 443 workers.
The company, based in Providence, Rhode Island, made the announcement on March 16 in a letter to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and the village of Sturtevant. Layoffs are expected to begin on June 20 and go until Aug. 1.
Some workers are represented by General Teamsters Local Union No. 200, and notification has been sent to the union.
Cree Lighting
Cree Lighting announced it is planning to lay off 172 workers and close manufacturing at its headquarters located at 9201 Washington Ave. in Sturtevant.
On March 12, the company sent a letter to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and the Racine mayor’s office informing them of the decision.
However shortly after the layoff, workers sued the company saying it did not give them proper notice before laying them off.
Cree Lighting is owned by IDEAL Industries based in Illinois.
Midwest Energy Resources Co.
Midwest Energy Resources Company is planning to close its facility at 2400 Winter St. Superior, impacting 54 workers. Layoffs are expected to begin on June 30 and go to July 31.
Some of the impacted employees are represented by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local1000 and a notification was sent to union leadership.
