In consolidation, USAA to move half of Norfolk work force

[SoCalDem]

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/02/consolidation-usaa-move-half-norfolk-work-force

Of course, anyone who works here and has to try and sell a house, will be between a rock and a hard place..

Lose a shitload of money on a house, and be left with nothing to put down on another one, and MAYBE keep that job after you've relocated to a new place where you know no one.....or ..... stay behind, and be up shit creek with a mortgage and no job :(

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In consolidation, USAA to move half of Norfolk work force

Posted to: Business Jobs News Norfolk





The Norfolk office building of insurance and financial services company USAA serves members of the U.S. military and their families. It employs nearly 900 workers. (Hyunsoo Leo Kim | The Virginian-Pilot)

By John Warren
Tom Shean
The Virginian-Pilot
© February 13, 2009

NORFOLK

USAA, which has operated a large regional office in Norfolk for almost 20 years, said Thursday that it will move parts of the operation to facilities elsewhere in the country and cut its local work force of 850 by more than half. The company, a major provider of auto and homeowners insurance to members of the military, military retirees and veterans, said it will shift 475 jobs from Norfolk to USAA offices in San Antonio, Phoenix, Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Tampa, Fla., by the end of September.

Most moves involve employees who handle auto and homeowners insurance policies, said Chris Talley, a spokesman for the San Antonio-based company.

About 400 employees who deal with insurance claims and with USAA's legal staff will remain in the Norfolk area, Tal-ley said. However, these employees will be moved to a leased facility, and the company's office building and 32-acre campus on Northampton Boulevard will be put up for sale, he said. More than 20 claims personnel who work in the field won't be affected by the consolidation.

Over the years, USAA's regional office earned a reputation for being an attractive place to work because of its benefits, including day care services. Employees interviewed outside the office Thursday evening applauded the company's offer to relocate workers to other USAA facilities. "What company does that? The fact that they are offering that is the most wonderful thing in this economy," said Shantae Daniels, who will continue to work for USAA in the Norfolk area. Other employees expressed concern about their co-workers. Even those who will remain in Norfolk will be deeply affected by the job cuts, said Stacy Bierma, who was picking up her daughter at USAA's day care facility. "It's our friends, the people we work with" and have children in day care with her daughter, Bierma said. "I trust they will do everything they

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