How will the nearly 400 jobs cut in January impact unemployment rates in the Fox Cities?

Posted by author February 25, 2025 Jobs

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APPLETON — Fox Cities employers cut about 400 jobs in January, a significant increase compared to January 2024, when no layoffs were reported. However, the area’s unemployment rate is still better than the statewide and national rates.

In January, 393 individuals in the Fox Cities faced either permanent or temporary layoffs from two major companies, according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

Air Wisconsin Airlines, headquartered in Appleton, expects to lay off 284 employees due to the termination of its contract with American Airlines. Concurrently, ORBIS Corporation is closing its Menasha facility, resulting in 109 job losses.

The total number of layoffs could be higher because the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act only requires employers with 100 or more full-time employees to file a written notice 60 calendar days after a worksite closing, affecting at least 50 or more employees.

Overall Wisconsin’s unemployment rate in December 2024 — the most recent data available — was 3%, below the national rate of 4%. Across the state, 3,076,500 people were employed, setting a record high of increasing employment in the state, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In the greater Appleton area, the unemployment rate was at 2.5%, which is 0.1% higher than it was a year ago, with 129,700 people employed. The rate was 2.6% in Oshkosh-Neenah, and 97,300 people were employed, based on the latest BLS data.

Here are the two companies that filed WARN notices with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development in January.

Air Wisconsin laid off nearly 300 people in Greenville

The regional airline announced the layoff of 513 employees statewide, with 284 jobs in Appleton and 219 in Milwaukee.

The layoffs are expected to begin on and around March 31, following the end of the airline’s contract with American Airlines on April 3.

The company filed the WARN notices with the state on January 30.

Among affected workers, including both unionized and salaried employees, 294 union workers will be temporarily laid off.

The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), which represents flight attendants, said in a statement on February 14 that AFA representatives met with Air Wisconsin management to address furlough protections and retention bonuses for flight attendants choosing to remain until the contract termination with American Airlines.

Air Wisconsin has not agreed to the AFA’s proposals, according to the letter.

“(Air Wisconsin) did not offer any solutions on how flight attendants would be able to get to work,” the letter read.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), which represents clerical, office, fleet, and passenger service employees as well as maintenance personnel, stated on Jan. 31 that the union is scheduled to meet with Air Wisconsin during the first week of March to discuss the impending furlough.

Air Wisconsin has not responded to specific questions from The Post-Crescent regarding furlough protections and transition plans for affected union workers, nor has it outlined plans for impacted salaried employees.

Kayla Floyd, communication manager of Air Wisconsin Airlines, said in an email: “We have not yet made decisions with respect to furloughs and continue to evaluate alternative flying opportunities.”

ORBIS Corporation laid off 109 people in Menasha

ORBIS Corporation, a subsidiary of Menasha Corporation, is closing its Menasha facility after 50 years of operation and laying off 109 employees. The major manufacturer of reusable packaging decided to consolidate operations into its new plant in Greenville, Texas.

The company announced its decision on Jan. 15, and the layoffs are expected to begin on or about March 16.

So far, about 28 employees have accepted jobs at Menasha Packaging locations and four took jobs in other ORBIS roles, said Samantha Goetz, Director of Marketing Communications at ORBIS Corporation.

The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board has scheduled rapid-response meetings for affected employees at Orbis in late February, said Bobbi Miller, business services manager for the board. Those services are funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and are covered by the U.S. Department of Labor, including personalized job search planning, skills assessment, training, and tuition assistance.

Miller encouraged other impacted ORBIS employees seeking jobs to attend the Fox Cities Employment Fair, scheduled for March 18.

The job fair will be held at The Fox Cities Exhibition Center. For more information, visit wisconsinjobcenter.org/events/2025/0318_FoxCitiesEmploymentFair2.pdf.

Zhen Wang is a business reporter for The Post-Crescent. Reach her with story tips and feedback at zwang@gannett.com or 920-993-7117.