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Media Release

Jobs Update 9.11.03                                                                       

Things have changed, it’s tougher out there in the world of work.  People need to be aware that job security no longer exists.  The outfit they work for is not going to provide a lifetime job.  People need to be prepared and have a fallback position.  In every daily newspaper and web information source, evidence is provided that just adds to the conclusion.

9.10.03    Gateway Inc. will lay off 1,300 employees in South Dakota, Virginia, and Missouri, David Hayes of the Kansas City Star reported.  This will cut the company’s work force worldwide to a little over 7,000.  In late 2,000 the company had 19,000 employees.  “Earlier this year the company laid off 1,900 workers and closed 80 retail stores,” Hayes reported.  The company was founded in 1985 and was once the largest direct marketer of computers.

9.11.03    The USDOL reported today that “The average number of first-time applications for state unemployment benefits over the past four weeks rose by 4,500 to 407,250, the highest in six weeks. The number of new claims in the week ending Sept. 6 rose by 3,000 to 422,000, the most in two months. It was also taking longer to find a job. The average number of workers collecting state unemployment checks rose by 11,000 to 3.64 million, a three-week high. The continuing claims figures do not include some 830,000 workers receiving federal benefits.”  As reported by CBS Marketwatch today.

9.11.03    The Wall Street Journal had several articles indicating further job loss.  Levi Stauss, the pant and jeans maker of Dockers and Levi’s, announced plans to cut 350 jobs from the U.S. and another 300 from European plants.  Strauss cut 3,300 jobs last year and closed 6 U.S. plants.

9.11.03    The Wall Street Journal reported that 3Com will cut 1,000 jobs or 1/3 of its work force, and will close its plant in Ireland, outsourcing all its manufacturing ops.  In June the company announced it would reduce by 10% its workforce of 3,000.  3Com plans to set up a design operation in Taiwan.

9.11.03    International Paper will cut 3,000 jobs or about 3.5% of its workforce, the AP reported.