Over 1.1 million jobs were lost in the U.S. in 2025, marking the worst year of layoffs since the COVID pandemic. Among the most impactful were the workforce reductions announced by United Parcel Service (UPS), Amazon, and Intel, three giants in their respective sectors, with over 100,000 layoffs between them alone. UPS: 48,000 jobs cut United Parcel Service (UPS) undertook one of the largest workforce reductions in its [...]
Over 800 workers lose jobs just before the holidays in Illinois; more layoffs likely
As families prepared for the holidays, more than 1,100 Illinois workers were instead handed devastating news. In November 2025 alone, over 800 jobs were cut across the state, leaving hundreds of households facing sudden uncertainty as the year winds to a close. The layoffs, reported through Illinois workforce data and WARN notices, hit workers across manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and corporate offices, showing how [...]
Closure of Pennsylvania employer devastates workers as immigration fears mount; lawsuits filed
Once a cornerstone of job stability in a small Pennsylvania borough, Fourth Street Foods recently ceased operations this fall, laying off more than 250 workers. The closure occurred days after being hit with a civil suit, as well as the impending expiration of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants, many of whom worked at the facility. Tough times The frozen-food manufacturing plant — officially Fourth [...]
Starbucks closes 40+ New York locations amid $32 million payout for violating labor laws
This fall, New Yorkers discovered unusually quiet corners of familiar streets as dozens of Starbucks coffee shops abruptly closed across the five boroughs. The sudden closures have sparked attention from the local labor protection office, which has already collected over $30 million for Starbucks violation of fair labor laws. Why the closures? As part of a sweeping Back to Starbucks restructuring under CEO Brian Niccol, [...]
Florida bagel shop reopens after rodent droppings found
A well-known Jupiter breakfast destination was abruptly ordered to close its doors after state health inspectors uncovered multiple violations (20, to be precise) that triggered an immediate shutdown. Some of the violations included the presence of rodent droppings, live insects crawling in food production areas, and more. The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. (a chain known for boiling bagels in water filtered to mimic [...]
After 100 years, closure of major New York employer “is nothing short of a betrayal”
In a major economic blow to the Buffalo-area manufacturing landscape, Sumitomo Rubber USA’s century-old tire plant in the Town of Tonawanda announced plans to close the plant on November 7, 2024. The closure impacts around 1,500 employees. Sumitomo Rubber USA announced it would cease operations at its Sheridan Drive facility — a longtime producer of automotive, motorcycle, and truck tires — citing mounting material and [...]
