Layoffs at Bradford, other companies may hit 600

[UpInArms]

http://www.projo.com/business/content/projo_20040716_soap16x.17d8b2.html

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Bradford Soap Works plans to lay off up to 75 people at its West Warwick facility because of the loss of a contract to a foreign competitor.

It's not the only Rhode Island company elminating jobs.

Company closings, restructurings and relocations announced over the past six months are still resulting in layoffs -- which could add up to as many as 600 unemployed workers over the next few months, according to Sandra Powell, coordinator of employment and training programs in the adult and dislocated workers unit of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

Despite overall reports of an economic recovery, the state's unemployment rate has not been consistently shrinking. It dropped slightly in May and 1,500 jobs were gained, but in June the unemployment rate edged up and 33,200 Rhode Islanders reported being jobless, according to the labor department.

In addition to the eliminations at Bradford, at the end of June, Sun Life Financial closed its Lincoln financial services office. Although the company has offered to transfer the workers to other locations, the move could leave more than 65 people out of work, said Powell.

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[osaMABUSh]

1. This economy is sending many mixed signals

and a lot are bad news.

Perhaps, Bush won't even be able to tout one good year as the MBA Pres.