Newsweek: Mass Layoffs Hit Michigan and Missouri

Given the anti-employee, pro-Big Labor Bosses leadership in Michigan, led by Governor Whitmer, and a comparable situation in Missouri, it comes as no surprise that economic declines are evident in these states. The policies and decisions made by state leadership play a significant role in shaping the economic landscape, and their impact is felt by employees, businesses, and communities alike.

In recently released data on initial jobless claims, two U.S. states have experienced significant spikes in mass layoffs, primarily within the automobile and manufacturing sectors. Specifically, Missouri saw an increase of 1,443 jobless claims, while Michigan reported 1,204 claims for the week ending March 16. In Missouri, the automobile industry bore the brunt of these layoffs, while in Michigan, it was the manufacturing sector that faced challenges¹.

For instance, in Michigan, General Motors announced plans to lay off 1,314 workers across two plants through March 25. The Orion Assembly facility laid off nearly 1,000 employees, and the Lansing Grand River Assembly/Stamping plant lost almost 400 workers¹. Meanwhile, in Missouri, various jobs within the automobile industry were affectedSchool-bus drivers employed by Missouri Central School Bus could see 332 job cuts, and other companies, including Student Transportation of America in Kansas City, plan to lay off 149 employees by June 30¹.

These layoffs come as companies end their contracts with local school districts, leading to facility closures and impacting hundreds of full-time and part-time employees. Additionally, other sectors in Missouri, such as food manufacturing, Big Tech, and biotech, have also announced layoffs¹.

The Department of Labor reported that jobless claims for the week ending March 23 were slightly below projections at 210,000. However, leading indicators, including Challenger layoff announcements, WARN notices, and Google searches for “layoffs”, suggest an uptick in jobless claims may be on the horizon. Coupled with a decrease in hiring intentions, it may become increasingly difficult for laid-off workers to find immediate employment¹. Keep an eye on the economic landscape, as trends in claims may become evident by late May, potentially influencing the Federal Open Market Committee’s decisions¹.