US Layoffs — July 1998
The US labor market showed continued flux as employers submitted 12 WARN Act notices in July 1998, putting at risk an estimated 3,083 workers — down from June and up 190% versus July 1997. Filings came from 3 states and territories, with an average of 257 workers per notice.
Top States by Workers Affected
| State | Notices | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4 | 2,202 |
| Florida | 5 | 631 |
| Ohio | 3 | 250 |
Alabama led the nation with 2,202 workers affected across 4 notices , followed by Florida (631 workers) and Ohio (250 workers) .
Industry Breakdown
| Industry | Notices | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Retail | 3 | 316 |
| Manufacturing | 2 | 202 |
| Government | 1 | 200 |
| Transportation | 1 | 149 |
| Construction | 1 | 106 |
| Accommodation & Food | 1 | 100 |
| Finance & Insurance | 1 | 77 |
The Retail sector emerged as the hardest-hit sector with 316 workers across 3 notices. Separately, Manufacturing reported 202 workers.
Layoff Type Analysis
| Type | Notices | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Layoff | 2 | 1,933 |
| Closure | 2 | 269 |
Closures accounted for 9% of all affected workers nationally, with the majority of events being layoffs rather than full closures.
Largest Layoffs
| Company | Location | Workers | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dyncorp | Fort Rucker, Alabama | 1,855 | Layoff |
| American Red Cross | Miami, Florida | 200 | |
| Builders Transport | Cuba, Alabama | 149 | Closure |
| Dillard's | Clearwater, Florida | 129 | |
| JCPenney | Miami, Florida | 120 | |
| Choctaw Manufacturing | Silas, Alabama | 120 | Closure |
| Builders Square | Youngstown, Ohio | 106 | |
| Fine Host | Orlando, Florida | 100 | |
| Duda-Burg-Sunrise Packinghouse | Fort Pierce, Florida | 82 | |
| Liberty Trousers-Walls | Anniston, Alabama | 78 | Layoff |
Topping the list was Dyncorp in Fort Rucker, Alabama, reporting 1,855 affected workers. American Red Cross followed with 200 workers.
Trend & Outlook
These figures highlight a mixed picture for the nation's labor market, with activity diverging between monthly and annual comparisons. The Retail sector warrants close attention heading into the next period.
This report covers all WARN Act filings with notice dates in July 1998. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requires employers with 100+ employees to provide 60-day advance notice of mass layoffs and plant closings. Data is sourced from official state filings and updated daily by WARN Firehose, which also tracks SEC 8-K filings, bankruptcy proceedings, H-1B visa petitions, and unemployment claims across all six datasets. API access and data exports available.