UL (Underwriter Laboratories) plans to cut 750 U.S. jobs

[UpInArms]

http://www.newsday.com/business/local/newyork/ny-bzul023828744jun02,0,2293934.story?coll=ny-nybusiness-headlines

Underwriters Laboratories Inc., the product-safety testing giant with its largest branch office in Melville, told employees yesterday it plans to more than double planned U.S. layoffs this year after averting a "critical cash crisis."

The Northbrook, Ill.-based company, which certifies the safety of everything from toasters to industrial equipment, told its 3,800-employee U.S. workforce yesterday that it now plans to dismiss 750 mostly U.S. workers this year. It had previously expected to cut only 300 jobs in 2004. The layoffs are in addition to expected cuts in its internal computer services operations, 40 percent of which will be outsourced by year-end.

UL, which has enacted a controversial transition to overseas product certification, has cut its U.S. workforce 16 percent over three years, to 3,839 people, according to its annual report, while it has largely expanded overseas, particularly in the Far East and Europe.

In a memo to workers yesterday, Loring Knoblauch, the not-for-profit company's chief executive, said that while UL has done "a lot of restructuring" during his tenure, "there is still a lot that needs to happen."

...more...

[lil-petunia]

1. bad gnus

Undergoing Lobotomies is firing scientists and hiring non-tech people to man the phones, and put you on hold. Strange way to run a nonprofit. Trying to become profitable.

[mhr]

2. Seems The Layoffs Are Accelerating - Why Was This Not In The Charts?

eom

[Old and In the Way]

3. Another sign of the times.

This is very bad news. UL/Northbrook is the place where much of the product testing occurs.

[struggle4progress]

4. kick

:kick: