Florida job cuts double during June

Longer-term trend still shows layoffs declining across the state

In June, job cuts by Florida employers more than doubled compared with the same month a year ago, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas’ monthly report released Thursday.

But year-to-date, job cuts were down 6 percent from the same period a year ago: 8,163 compared with 8,684.

The decrease in job cuts from January to June shows that employers are working to retain their labor forces in the face of a tight labor market, said John Challenger, CEO of the Chicago-based outplacement firm.

In South Florida, there were 86 layoffs at ABM/GCA Vehicle Services in Fort Lauderdale. ABM Industries of New York City acquired GCA Vehicle Services in September, according to a news release.

There were also 96 job cuts at First Transit bus service in Miami and 225 at FDC Vitamins, known as Nutri-Force Nutrition in Miami Lakes. Other job cuts in the state: 771 at Sea Ray Sport Yacht in Flagler Beach and 70 at General Dynamics Information Technology in Jacksonville, according to Challenger.

Across the United States, monthly job cuts totaled 37,202, up 19.6 percent from the 31,105 announced in June 2017. Employers have announced 245,179 cuts through June — 8 percent more than the 227,000 cuts announced through June of last year.

Retailers continue to lead in job cuts, with 73,066 announced so far this year, said Challenger, which has tracked nearly 2,600 announced store closures.

While some retailers are closing stores, others are finding new positions for their employees as they use technology to enhance the shopping experience, Challenger said.

“Some retailers are already announcing hiring for the holiday season in order to have staff up to speed by peak shopping periods,” he said.

Both J.C. Penney and Kohl’s have announced early hiring for the holidays in anticipation of a “more demanding holiday season” as consumers are more confident and may spend more, Challenger said.

But global trade fears and slow wage growth could hinder some of the optimism, Challenger said. The Trump administration’s tariffs on steel already have begun to cost jobs, he said. Challenger tracked 60 job cuts specifically due to steel tariffs in June.

In a separate report Thursday, payroll firm ADP said private-sector employment increased by 177,000 jobs from May to June, compared with the addition of 124,000 jobs in the same month a year ago.