AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT ALSTOM

Saint-Ouen, France-based Alstrom, a provider of integrated light rail solutions, from engineering and manufacturing to operational management, has announced layoffs associated with the loss of a contract to operate and maintain the New Jersey River Line light rail system.

The contract loss will impact 121 employees as NJ Transit will assume operations and maintenance activities.

According to a company spokesperson, “We expect it to be invisible to our customers. NJ Transit and Alstom are working collaboratively to make this a seamless transition. The transition of this service in-house will be supported by funds currently allocated to the existing contract. We must continue to make the necessary investments to upgrade the existing 20-year-old-plus vehicles and infrastructure, and ultimately plan for the purchase of new vehicles, to ensure the long-term reliability and efficiency of the River Line service."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT RUAN TRANSPORT

Des Moines, Iowa-based Ruan Transport, a transportation and logistics company that provides dedicated contract transportation, managed transportation, value-added warehousing, and brokerage support services, has announced a reduction in its workforce after losing a contract with The Kroger Co.

The reduction will affect 144 employees, including 130 truck drivers, as well as mechanics and administrative staff, in Tolleson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by the end of August 2025.

Ruan will be replaced by Knight-Swift Transportation, a Phoenix, Arizona-based company that is not unionized.

It appears that the Teamsters are unhappy with the decision and may attempt to pressure Kroger directly. “For over 26 years, Teamsters Local 104 members at Ruan have safely and reliably delivered products for Kroger. Now, the company is attempting to replace them with Swift, a move that threatens the hard-won standards Teamsters have built over decades.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT KIESSLING TRANSIT

Norfolk, Massachusetts-based Kiessling Transit, a contract-driven transportation company that services regional transit authorities, state agencies, colleges, and city and town governments, has announced a mass layoff in its Framingham, Massachusetts operation.

It appears that the decision is driven by the expiration of the company's MetroWest Regional Transit Authority contract to provide fixed-route ADA paratransit service and Dial-a-Ride public transportation, which expires on June 30, 2025.

MetroWest Regional Transit Authority is seeking another three-year contract, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, with extensions for up to two (2) additional one-year (1) terms. Vehicles will be provided, insured, and maintained by MWRTA.

At this time, no bid winner has been announced, and the layoffs may be a preemptory WARN notice filing.

The layoff will impact 124 Framingham, Massachusetts, employees, with separations scheduled for June 30, 2025.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?