AM I NEXT> NO LOVE AT CRST

Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based CRST, a transportation and logistics company, has announced a restructuring and optimization of its logistics business, including fleet adjustments with the removal and reallocation of 300 trucks.

The restructuring will impact 300+ employees, primarily in the company's Over-The-Road (OTR) division. Separations are expected to begin in February 2026.

A company statement noted, “In response to the challenging over-the-road market, CRST announced plans today to redistribute much of its Capacity Solutions OTR fleet operations to other business units. This will result in a reduction of nearly 200 trucks from this fleet, and a redeployment of approximately 100 to other growing areas of the business. The Capacity Solutions brokerage service, customers and assets remain unchanged. This decision is intended to strengthen our ability to serve customers through the solutions that drive the most value, reliability and long-term stability. Regrettably, this will result in headcount reductions. Nationwide, over 300 employees are impacted, and yesterday we provided a 60-day notice to those affected, a large portion of whom are our drivers."

Change is constant, and it's 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 AUTOKINITION

New Boston, Michigan-based Autokiniton, a Tier 1 automotive supplier specializing in metal stampings and welded assemblies, has announced the closure of five of its Oakland Stamping plants in Detroit, Michigan.

The closures will impact 165 employees: 133 will be laid off between December 5, 2025, and December 19, 2025, and another 32 will be separated starting January 16, 2026.

It appears the decision was driven by business conditions, including weaker consumer demand due to economic uncertainty, idling of major automotive production lines, tariffs, and transitions to electric vehicles. According to some employees, the closure is the result of a business decision made after the company evaluated its plant portfolio.

Change is constant, and it's 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 AMERICAN SIGNATURE FURNITURE

Columbus, Ohio-based American Signature Furniture, a home furnishings retailer and parent company of Value City Furniture, has recently filed for bankruptcy and announced plans to close its Columbus headquarters.

The closure will impact 326 employees, with separations scheduled on January 20, 2026.

According to a company statement, "The mass layoff will occur at the Company’s facility located at 4300 East Fifth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219, due to a significant decline in sales, resulting in liquidity challenges, and the Company’s anticipated Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. To mitigate or avoid the layoff, the Company took cost-reduction steps and explored financing options to stabilize the business, but these efforts were ultimately insufficient to prevent the layoff.

In this mass layoff, the Company expects to lay off 326 employees. Of this number, approximately 256 employees are Ohio residents. The remaining employees reside in other states.

Change is constant, and it's 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?