What were the biggest mass layoffs in Kansas of 2024?

Context: The above video was posted on Dec. 2.

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Many Kansans were forced to endure the reality of having to find a new job in 2024 due to large layoffs.

27 News consulted records kept by the state of Kansas through KANSASWORKS on Dec. 13, 2024 on the largest mass layoffs experienced over the past year. Employers are required under federal law to issue advanced warning to workers when preparing for an imminent plant closing or mass layoff.

The Department of Labor (DOL) refers to this law as the Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification Act (WARN). Employers with 100 or more full-time workers are required by this act to give employees at least 60 days notice prior to a plant closing or mass layoff. Other rules employers must follow prior to issuing a WARN notice to employees include:

• If a facility is closed that has a minimum of 50 workers.
• If an operating unit of 50 or more workers is discontinued.
• If a layoff is imminent and will impact 50 to 499 workers, constituting 33% of the total work force at a single employment location.
• If the layoff will impact 500 or more workers at a single employment location.

Kansas workers experienced 11 mass layoffs in 2024, according to the state's WARN database. The single largest mass layoff came on Sept. 19 when General Motors announced it would begin temporary layoffs at its Fairfax plant in the Kansas City area.

Tyson Food Inc. recently announced it would be closing a local plant, forcing more than 800 workers to find new jobs by February of 2025. Walmart had the third largest mass layoff of the year with more than 300 workers when it relocated one of its facilities in northeast Kansas.

• General Motors LLC in Kansas City on Sept. 19 - 1695.
• Tyson Food, Inc. in Emporia on Dec. 2 - 809.
• Walmart in Edgerton on May 17 - 318.
• Timken Belts in Fort Scott on Jan. 8 - 152.
• Valu Merchandisers Company in Fort Scott on Jan. 8 - 118.
• Hostess Brands in Lenexa on July 29 - 79.
• Legacy in Kansas City on June 13 - 76.
• OPmobility in Kansas City on Sept. 18 - 72.
• Penske Logistics LLC in Kansas City on Sept. 16 - 70.
• Unidine in Wichita on Jan. 2 - 67.
• Comprehensive Logistics, Inc. LLC in Kansas City on Sept. 20 - 18.

The DOL does keep resources on its website and has a Rapid Response team to assist workers who are experiencing a mass layoff. You can learn more about the DOL's Rapid Response services by clicking here.

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