Thousands of people were laid off in Pennsylvania in the first half of 2019

This PennLive article appeared on PA Post.

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In the first six months of the year, numerous companies in Pennsylvania announced major layoffs through the WARN (the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) Act. WARN notices were issued in the Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Reading, Lancaster, and Red Lion areas. The list below also includes other WARN notices that were issued throughout Pennsylvania.

The WARN Act is federal legislation that offers protection to workers, their families and communities by requiring employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of a covered-business closing and covered-business mass layoff. Enforcement of the WARN Act falls under U.S. Department of Labor jurisdiction, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry website.

There have been several high profile closings and layoffs so far this year.

Two major closing announcements in Philadelphia in June will cost more than 3,000 people their jobs.

After struggling financially, the owner of Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia made the decision to close the longtime hospital. And after a fire that set off explosions and caused major damage, the owners of Philadelphia Energy Solutions, the largest oil refinery on the East Coast decided to close.

Another major layoff also took place in Philadelphia after an investigation into abuse at the Glen Mills Schools. The state closed the nearly 200-year-old school where 250 people were employed.

In May, Wood-Mode, a Snyder County manufacturer of custom wood cabinets that employed more than 900 people closed abruptly.

Closer to home UPMC decided to close a hospital in Lancaster merging it with its hospital in the Lititz area.

And, earlier this year, the Reading Eagle Company filed for bankruptcy and initially filed a WARN notice for more than 200 people. The company was later purchased and 81 people were laid off.

Those were just some of the WARN notices that were filed so far this year.

The list of companies that filed through the WARN Act in Pennsylvania between January and June 2019 is below:

National Molding LLC

A WARN notice was issued for National Molding LLC, 12305 Duss Ave., Ambridge, Beaver County that affected 43 employees due to a closure. Layoff dates were May 31 and June 29 and another date is coming up on Aug. 30.

Nortek Global HVAC LL

A WARN notice was issued for Nortek Global HVAC LL, 150 McKinley Ave., Mercer, Mercer County that affected 100 employees due to a closure. The first layoff date was on Feb. 28 and the second date is coming up on Oct. 31. The business which was founded in Mercer in 1888 moved the production work to the midwest, according to a WKBN27 report. The company plans to retain research and development, technical service, and engineering functions in Mercer, the report said.

UPMC Pinnacle Lancaster

A WARN notice was issued for UPMC Pinnacle Lancaster, 250 College Ave., Lancaster, Lancaster County that affected 505 Employees due to a closure on March 1. UPMC Pinnacle closed UPMC Pinnacle Lancaster hospital and shifted inpatient services and other services to UPMC Pinnacle Lititz hospital. The two Lancaster County hospitals, located about seven miles apart, were acquired by the former PinnacleHealth System shortly before it merged with UPMC in early 2017. UPMC Pinnacle Lancaster was formerly known as Lancaster Regional Medical Center.

Harbison Walker International

An updated WARN notice was issued for Harbison Walker International, Sproul Plant, 2926 Quarry Road, Claysburg, Blair County that affected 14 people on March 29 due to a closure. The original notice was published in 2018.

ShopRite

A WARN notice was issued for Brown’s Parkside LLC doing business as ShopRite of Haverford Ave., 6710 Haverford Ave., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County that affected 109 employees due to a closure on March 4, however none of the employees were expected to be laid off due to alternative employment within the company. The owner of the store blamed Philadelphia’s beverage tax for the closing, according to the Philadelphia Tribune. The store was in Philadelphia for 30 years, the Philadelphia Tribune said.

Nestle

A WARN notice was issued for Nestle USA, 555 Nestle Way, Breinigsville, Lehigh County that affected 72 people due to a closure. Layoffs took place on March 8 and March 22.

Ferro Corporation

A WARN notice was issued for the Ferro Corporation, 251 West Wylie Ave., Washington, Washington County that affected 206 employees due to a closure. The layoffs took place between March 15 and March 29. The company relocated operations to company facilities in King of Prussia and Mexico, according to a WPXI report.

Sears

A WARN notice was issued for Sears Holdings, doing business as Innovel Solutions, Inc.,1055 Hanover St., Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County that affected 121 employees due to a closure on March 29. The Sears warehouse which crosses into three municipalities, opened in 1992, was sold last year and then leased back, and once employed hundreds of people, according to a Citizens’ Voice report.

Sodexo

A WARN notice was issued for Sodexo Inc. (AA Admirals Club) 8500 Essington Ave., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County that affected 59 employees due to a layoff on March 31.

UPMC Pinnacle Bariatric and Metabolic Institute of Lancaster

A WARN notice was issued for UPMC Pinnacle Bariatric and Metabolic Institute of Lancaster, 1575 Highlands Drive, Suite 201, Warwick Township, Lancaster County that affected six people due to a closure on Feb. 28. UPMC Pinnacle ended the program due to lower than anticipated patient volumes and said it was referring patients to the Weight Loss Center at PinnacleHealth in Harrisburg, according to an LNP report.

Harriet Carter Gifts, Inc.; Fresh Finds LLC; Wise and Well LLC

A WARN notice was issued for Harriet Carter Gifts, Inc.; Fresh Finds LLC; Wise and Well LLC, 425 Stump Road, Montgomeryville, Montgomery County, 90 Hamilton St., Chalfont, Bucks County that affected 202 employees due to a closure on March 29.

Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center

A WARN notice was issued for Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, 1086 Franklin St., Johnstown, Cambria County on May 30 due to a layoff that affected 100 employees. However, all of the employees were expected to continue to be employed in the same job, at the same location, performing the same duties and at the same pay rate without losing any pay or seniority.

Emery Waterhouse Inc.

A WARN notice was issued for Emery Waterhouse Inc., 25 Centerpoint Blvd. Pittston, Luzerne County that affected 57 employees due to a closure. The layoffs took place between April 12 and May 31.

Arrow International Incorporated/Teleflex

A WARN notice was issued for Arrow International Incorporated/Teleflex, 2400 Bernville Road, Bern Township, Berks County that affected 14 people due to a layoff on May 3. The WARN notice was an update to a notice first issued on March 26, 2016.

The Robert Allen Duralee Group

A WARN notice was issued for The Robert Allen Duralee Group, Inc., 34 S. 11th St., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County that affected four people due to a closure on April 22.

Y&Y Holdings LLC

A WARN notice was issued for Y&Y Holdings LLC, doing business as Agility Marketing Group and Agility Business Process Solutions, 2323 W. 38th St., Erie, Erie County that affected 124 employees due to a layoff on April 19. The layoffs wee due to a lack of business, according to Erie News Now.

New England Motor Freight

A WARN notice was issued for New England Motor Freight, 457 Mahoning Drive, Lehighton, Carbon County that affected 200 people due to a closure on Feb. 15.

A WARN notice was issued for New England Motor Freight, 2800 Appleton St., Lower Allen Township that affected 150 employees due to a closure on February 15.

A WARN notice was issued for New England Motor Freight, 12731 Route 30 West Irwin, Westmoreland County that affected 100 employees due to a closure on February 15.

New England Motor Freight Inc. and its related entities filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed, according to a WHTM report.

Johnson & Johnson

A WARN notice was issued for Johnson & Johnson, 200 Lawrence Drive, West Chester, Chester County that affected two people due to a closure. This was an update to a WARN filing from Oct. 11, 2017.

Synergy Pharmaceuticals

A WARN notice was issued for Synergy Pharmaceuticals, 620 Lee Road, Chesterbrook, Chester County which affected 137 people due to a closure on April 29.

Ocwen

A WARN notice was issued for Ocwen,1100 Virginia Drive, Suite 175, Fort Washington, Montgomery County. The layoffs were to take place from May and December due to a closure. The company laid off 2,300 employees and closed six plants in the United States including the one in Montgomery County, according to HousingWire.com

L2 Brands

A WARN notice was issued for L2 (League Legacy) Brands, 401 East 4th St., No. 8, Bridgeport, Montgomery County affected 87 people due to a closure on May 13.

Instacart

A WARN notice was issued for Maplebear Inc. doing business as Instacart, 929 South St., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County affected 24 people due to a closure on May 11.

A WARN notice was issued for Maplebear Inc. doing business as Instacart, 2101 Pennsylvania Ave., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County affected 20 people due to a closure on May 11.

A WARN notice was issued for Maplebear Inc. doing business as Instacart, 15 East Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood, Montgomery County affected 12 people due to a closure on May 11.

Federation Day Care Services

A WARN notice was issued for Federation Day Care Services, doing business as Federation Early Learning Services, 1926 Grant Ave., Philadelphia, Philadelphia, County due to a closure on June 30.

ABM Industry Groups LLC

A WARN notice was issued for ABM Industry Groups LLC for multiple locations in Malvern, Chester County that affected 72 people due to a closure on May 31.

A WARN notice was issued for ABM Industry Groups LLC, 955 Chesterbrook Blvd., Chesterbrook, Chester County that affected 72 people due to a closure on May 31.

A WARN notice was issued for ABM Industry Groups LLC for multiple locations in Delaware and Philadelphia counties that affected eight people due to a closure on May 31.

Durham School Services

A WARN notice was issued for Durham School Services, 160 Morgan Lane, Manchester Township, York County that affected 85 people on June 30 due to a closure.

LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh SNF Unit

A WARN notice was issued for LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh SNF Unit doing business as Transitional Care Center at LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh, 100 South Jackson Ave., fourth floor, Pittsburgh that affected 72 people on June 1 due to a closure.

The Glen Mills Schools

A WARN notice was issued for The Glen Mills Schools, 185 Glen Mills Road, Glen Mills, Delaware County that affected 250 people due to a layoff on April 2. Glen Mills Schools laid off the employees after the state ordered the removal of all children remaining at the nearly 200-year-old Delaware County school due to abuse allegations, according to a CBS3 report.

Chelsea Senior Living

A WARN notice was issued for Chelsea Senior Living doing business as Chelsea at Jenkintown, 440 York Road, Jenkintown, Montgomery County that affected 50 people due to a closure on June 30.

Arconic Inc Technology Center

A WARN notice was issued for Arconic Inc Technology Center, 100 Technical Drive, New Kensington, Westmoreland County that affected 100 people due to a layoff on June 15.

Hart Hanks Direct Marketing Inc.

A WARN notice was issued for Hart Hanks Direct Marketing Inc., 165 New Commerce Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County that affected 28 people due to a layoff on June 8.

Johnson & Johnson

A WARN notice was issued for Johnson & Johnson, 200 Lawrence Drive, West Chester, Chester County that affected two people due to a closure. This is an update from a WARN notice filed in 2017.

Youth Services Agency

A WARN notice was issued for Youth Services Agency, 1283 Almshouse Road, Doylestown, Bucks County that affected 53 people due to a closure on July 1.

Akers National Roll Company

A WARN notice was issued for Akers National Roll Company, 400 Railroad Ave., Avonmore, Westmoreland County that will affect 78 people due to a closure that 119 people between July 12 and September 27.

First Student

A WARN notice was issued for First Student, 3460 Rt 981, Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County that affected 62 people due to a closure on June 10.

AdvanSix Inc.

A WARN notice was issued for AdvanSix Inc., 98 Westwood Road, Pottsville, Schuylkill County that affected 83 people due to a closure between June 30 and Dec. 31.

YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh

A WARN notice was issued for YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh, 305 Wood St., Pittsburgh, Allegheny County that affected 62 people due to a layoff from June 28 to June 30.

Wood-Mode Incorporated

A WARN notice was issued for Wood-Mode Incorporated, 1 Second St., Kreamer, Snyder County that affected 938 employees due to a closure between May 13 and 24. After a deal to purchase the company fell through, the company closed immediately. A Middleburg businessman has since said he has signed an agreement to buy the company and reopen the plant.

Reading Eagle Company

A WARN notice was issued for the Reading Eagle Company, 345 Penn St., Reading, Berks County that affected 81 people on June 30. The Reading Eagle filed for bankruptcy and MediaNews Group purchased the company. After MediaNews purchased the company it laid off 81 people.

DePuy Synthes Sales Inc.

A WARN notice was issued for DePuy Synthes Sales Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, 1310 Goshen Parkway, West Chester, Chester County that affected 76 people between July 12-26 due to a closure.

Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc.

A WARN notice was issued for Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc., 325 Kiwanis Blvd., West Hazleton, Luzerne County affected 151 employees due to a closure on July 12. The company closed the plant and moved production to other facilities in the Northeast, according to a WFMZ report.

Hallcon

A WARN notice was issued for Hallcon, a transportation company formerly contracted by Norfolk Southern, at locations in Lehigh, Dauphin, Lancaster, Berks, Northumberland and Montgomery counties. The location in Dauphin County was at the Harrisburg Yard, 3652 Industrial Road, Harrisburg. The location in Lancaster County was at the Lancaster Yard, 1036 Dillerville Road in Lancaster. Eighty-four people were affected by the layoff on July 15.

Keystone Peer Review Organization

A WARN notice was issued for Keystone Peer Review Organization known as KEPRO, 777 E. Park Drive, Lower Paxton Township that affected 100 employees between May 11 and June 7 due to a layoff.

Gateway Health Plan

A WARN notice was issued for Gateway Health Plan, LP, 444 Liberty Ave., Suite 2100, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County that affected 100 employees between July 15 and July 29 due to a layoff. The layoffs took place after one of Gateway Health’s clients didn’t renew a contract with the company, according to a Triblive report.

Specialty Finance and Consulting Corporation

A WARN notice was issued for Specialty Finance and Consulting Corporation, 175 East Walnut St., Windsor Township, York County and NuPak Printing LLC, 177 East Walnut St., Windsor Township, York County that affected 180 employees due to a closure on July 15.

Ledvance LLC

A WARN notice was issued for Ledvance LLC, 835 Washington St., St Marys, Elk County that will affect 170 people on October 25 due to a closure. For several years, the market for traditional light bulbs produced by the St. Marys plant has declined as consumers shift to long-lasting, energy-efficient LED light bulbs, and market prices for LED light bulbs have also decreased while their expected life has increased, resulting in the need to buy fewer replacement bulbs –therefore, the company reached the point where it was no longer economically viable to continue operations at the facility, according to a Daily Press report.

SCCI Hospitals of America LLC

A WARN notice was issued for SCCI Hospitals of America, LLC doing business as Kindred Hospital of South Philadelphia, 1930 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County due to a closure on July 21.

Riverbend Foods LLC

1. A WARN notice was issued for Riverbend Foods LLC, 1080 River Ave., Pittsburgh, Allegheny County that has affected 396 employees due to a closure on July 31.

XPO Logistics Supply Chain Inc.

A WARN notice was issued for XPO Logistics Supply Chain, Inc., 339 Heinz St., Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County that affected 75 people due to a layoff on July 31.

ACRO Pharmaceutical Services

A WARN notice was issued for ACRO Pharmaceutical Services, 313 Henerson Drive, Sharon Hill, Delaware County that affected 35 people due to a closure on July 31.

Philadelphia Energy Solutions

A WARN notice was issued for Philadelphia Energy Solutions, Philadelphia Refinery Complex (including rail yard), Philadelphia, Philadelphia County that affected 1,024 employees on July 1 due to a closure. The largest oil refinery on the East Coast closed after a fire that set off explosions and damaged the complex

Hahnemann University Hospital

A WARN notice was issued for Center City Healthcare LLC doing business as Hahnemann University Hospital including TPS IV of PA, LLC doing business as Hahnemann Multi Specialty Services and TPS III of PA, LLC doing business as Hahnemann Internal Medicine and TPS II of PA LLC doing business as Hahnemann Professional Services, 230 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County that affected 2,572 people due to a closure on Aug. 25. The hospital which was founded in 1848 had been struggling financially and closed.

Note: Although in most cases, the layoffs are permanent, in rare cases, layoffs have been withdrawn or a company may change contracts, and sometimes employees are able to be rehired immediately by the new contract holder.

For more information about the WARN requirements in Pennsylvania, visit here.