Eight Wisconsin companies reported layoffs affecting 419 workers in June − part of 2,077 workers affected statewide so far this year.
But that June layoffs number could drop.
On June 3, the U.S. Department of Labor canceled the contract of the firm which operates the Milwaukee Job Corps Center, impacting 104 workers.
However, a federal judge halted the order − stating Congressional action was needed to shut down such facilities. The future remains unclear for those jobs.
The state’s May unemployment rate remained the same from April at 3.3%, compared to the national rate of 4.2%. The labor force participation rate dropped slightly to 65.3%, compared to the national rate of 62.4%.
Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, met with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters and editors on June 23 and said he doesn’t believe the country is in recession “but there are some warning signs.”
“The cost of living is unbelievable. We have a crisis of affordability,” Goolsbee said.
“The job market and the consumer (spending) are the strongest thing,” he said. “And weakest have been costs and inflation and now manufacturing plus commercial real estate… and we’re still trying to figure that out with a layer of policy uncertainty in there.”
Here’s a list of the Wisconsin companies that in June announced layoffs:
Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corp.
Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corp. said in a June 27 letter to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development it’s planning to reduce resources at locations in Monona and Madison, impacting 51 workers. The layoffs are expected to begin Sept. 30.
Quick Motors Inc.
Heiser Automotive Group is planning to close the Milwaukee Quick Motors facility, 7800 N. 76th St., impacting 16 workers. Of those, 15 have been offered positions at four other Heiser dealerships. It’s unknown how many employees took the job offers.
The closure was to take place on June 30.
Nasco Education LLC
Nasco Education, in Fort Atkinson, is laying off about 30 workers. The layoffs are expected to begin on or around Aug. 22. In a letter to the DWD the company wrote:
“Nasco is providing this notice because it recognizes there is a possibility of subsequent layoffs in coming months that could result in a total of 40-60 total layoffs (including the August 22, 2025, reduction), though it hopes to avoid any further layoffs.
“Such subsequent layoff dates, if any, have not yet been determined and will depend on certain unpredictable business and economic factors.”
Milwaukee Forge LLC
For more than 100 years, Milwaukee Forge has had a presence in the Bay View neighborhood, but the company expects to lay off about 67 workers on or around Aug. 18. The company was hoping to find a buyer, but has not been successful and is planning to sell its assets.
HyPro Inc.
Jefferson-based HyPro is planning to close its Berlin facility, impacting 24 workers. Layoffs are expected to begin on or around Aug. 16.
Discovery Energy LLC d/b/a Rehlko
Rehlko is planning to close its Saukville facility at the end of the year, impacting 66 employees. The layoffs are planning to occur in three waves with workers being let go on Aug. 8, Sept. 5 and Dec. 31.
BRP US Inc.
Canadian-based outdoor recreation manufacturer BRP U.S. is planning on closing its Sturtevant facility, impacting 61 workers. Layoffs began June 5.
Milwaukee Job Corps. (Horizons Youth Services)
Horizons Youth Services operates the Milwaukee Job Corps Center at 6665 N. 60th St. Horizon received a Labor Department notice stating the contract was canceled, and 104 staff members would be laid off between June 6 to June 30.
However, a judge’s order has halted the closing − at least for now.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: These 8 Wisconsin companies announced June layoffs of 419 workers. But that number could drop
Reporting by Ricardo Torres, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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