Goodyear to lay off workers this year at Gadsden plant
A Goodyear official says the tire company is planning layoffs at an Alabama plant. News outlets quote a Goodyear communications manager as saying that the layoffs will happen at the company’s plant in Gadsden. Barbara Hatala said in a statement Tuesday that employees will be laid off in the second quarter of this year as the factory reduces tire production. She says Goodyear doesn’t know yet which jobs or how many people will be laid off. Local 12 of the United Steelworkers represents the plant’s employees. A representative for the union declined to comment while it gathers information. According to the Gadsden Industrial Development Authority’s website, Goodyear employs 1,698 people, making it Etowah County’s largest employer. Gadsden is the county’s seat and roughly 70 miles (113 kilometers) northeast of Birmingham. Republished with permission from the Associated press
Regions’ layoffs in Alabama to impact Birmingham, Montgomery hardest
Regions Financial Corp. has released the full breakdown of its layoffs in Alabama. In January, Regions announced it would be laying off 260 employees across its 16-state footprint – about 1 percent of total employees – as part of a cost-cutting measure. AL.com previously reported that 107 of those layoffs, or about 40 percent, would affect Alabama. Here’s the full breakdown of those positions: Auburn – 1 Birmingham area – 86 Centre – 1 Dothan – 2 Florence – 1 Gulf Shores – 1 Huntsville area – 2 Mobile area – 2 Montgomery area – 10 Tuscaloosa – 1 All of the cuts will be made in the first quarter. Regions employs almost 8,900 people in Alabama and 24,000 nationwide. Regions is offering severance packages and career assistance to affected employees. Regions is still filling customer-facing positions, and has about 120 openings in Alabama, Regions spokesman Jeremy King told AL.com last week. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Governor says at least 1,000 state workers could lose jobs
Gov. Robert Bentley is giving lawmakers what he called an “unvarnished” view of the cuts to state government that will occur without new revenue. The governor on Tuesday evening sent a memo to each member of the Alabama Legislature. The memo describes the emergency operation plans state agencies produced in response to a draft budget before lawmakers. The reductions include the layoff of more than 1,000 state employees, including 600 court employees and 132 law enforcement officers. State troopers will close 13 trooper posts. The prison system would close two facilities. The Department of Mental Health will reduce or end service for 24,000 people with mental illnesses. Fifteen of 22 state parks would close. Bentley has proposed a $541 million tax increase, but legislators have not acted on the proposal. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
