Posted on 07/10/2015 12:37:08 PM PDT by conservativejoy
UPDATE: Number of WI layoff notices has already topped 2014 totals
Posted: Jun 30, 2015 1:01 PM CDT
Updated: Jun 30, 2015 5:44 PM CDT
By Greg Neumann
MADISON (WKOW) -- At the halfway point of 2015, Wisconsin employers have already notified the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) of more planned layoffs than in all of 2014.
As of June 30, state employers have notified DWD they will be laying off a total of 6,685 employees. That is higher than the total number for both 2012 (6,511) and 2014 (6,186).
At the current pace Wisconsin would see more than 13,000 planned layoffs announced in 2015, the highest of any year under Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wisconsin). The previous high during the Walker administration was just over 9,000 in 2011, his first year in office.
"We want to do everything we can to help these individuals. I know in Milwaukee we've had a couple," said DWD Secretary Reggie Newson.
Layoffs at a Wells Fargo mortgage office and at Assurant Health insurance services in Milwaukee are putting over 2,100 people out of work.
While industry experts say the Assurant Health job losses came because the company did not adjust to changes brought on by the Affordable Care Act, Rep. Mandela Barnes said the fact that 45 percent of the statewide layoffs have impacted employees in the Milwaukee area is no surprise.
"When Wisconsin gets a cold, Milwaukee gets the flu," said Rep. Barnes. "When you look at the number of layoff notices that are being offered, but with no solution coming out of Madison, that's a problem."
Rep. Barnes blamed Gov. Walker for implementing weak job creation policies early in his administration, followed by little focus on jobs the past few years.
"We're seeing a whole host of economically unsound policies being put forth by the Governor," said Rep. Barnes.
"Well, let me talk about the unemployment rate here in Wisconsin, which is at 4.6%, the lowest it's been since the fall of 2008," Secretary Newson said in response to such criticism.
Newson points to that data and the fact that overall job growth is up. Wisconsin added 35,759 jobs in 2014. He did not offer any explanation for rapid spike in layoffs this year.
"What I'm hearing from employers is they have job openings and opportunities," said Newson.
The state records the notifications on the date when they are informed about the layoffs, which can then sometimes take effect over the course of a year or several years afterwards. In some instances, impacted employees are brought back if a company comes under new ownership. Such cases are denoted in DWD records.
South Central Wisconsin employers have accounted for just 5 percent of the layoff notices, with none recorded in the southwestern corner of the state.
You can find the data through June 26, 2015 and the earlier years here:
Other concerns are that the small number of jobs being created are low wage jobs. Salaries have fallen dramatically as the middle class is rapidly declining in Wisconsin.
Is your point that Scott Walker is not managing WI well, thus will not make a good President?
So, then, I'd guess they were HIGHER before Walker.
he’s a hatchet boy for another candidate. he does this crap constantly.
Before you start wetting yourself with glee over a smear-attack on Governor Walker, most of these job layoffs are directly due to 0bamacare.
Secondly, under Diamond Jim Doyle, there were planned layoffs for 10,000 TEACHERS in our state to balance his bogus budget. Governor Walker has INCREASED spending on education and no teachers have lost their jobs.
I know things are PERFECT in TN, but will you give us a flippin’ BREAK? We are doing the best we can to get this state turned around. Your sniping at us, when you don’t even LIVE here doesn’t help matters any.
Who might that be?
Thanks for pointing out what we see from the outside. And, we wish you and Gov. Walker the best...and I hope he is the candidate, say, with Cruz. Or Cruz with him. Either way, the nation would be well served.
zero. absolutely never. not once. look it up.
My thoughts too....most of the jobs are due to Obama Care, and other government taxes and regs (federal). Walker will get a little heat from this, but most or all of it is not deserved.
CJ,
I am pretty sure most of the problem, if not all of the problem, in Wisconsin can be laid directly at the feet of the Federal Government.
One thing that Gov. Walker does a good job, for the most part, is economic issues.
And I say that as a solid Ted Cruz supporter. Ted is a much better POTUS candidate, but we must remain objective. Walker is a far distant 2nd choice for me.
Well if they were all government jobs I’d say job well done Governor.
Thank you Diana! There is so much Walker bashing here from people who have NO CLUE about what’s been accomplished in this state.
let me clarify. I have never, ever, said anything that didn't positively glow about ted cruz. I have frequently condemned the slash and burn tactics of some of his supporters.
this thread is a perfect example.
yep. said it all. none of those things were negatives about ted cruz — the last one was a sarcastic remark back at an hysterical cruz bot.
No, actually Gov. Doyle lost around 47,000 jobs in 8 years at the height of the recession when unemployment rose to about 10%. At the Current rate, Wisconsin would lose about 104,000 jobs in that period of time.
See #6! On job layoffs. Hear, hear, Diana! Well said.
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this wisconsin interest ping list.
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