GameStop, UPS, colleges, more; Pa. places that laid off large numbers this year (2024)

There have been several large layoffs in the Keystone State during the first half of 2024.

Ten employers submitted WARN (the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) notices to the state that involved at least 155 people so far this year.

The federal WARN Act offers protection to workers, their families, and communities by requiring employers to provide 60-day notice of mass layoffs or business closings involving a large number of layoffs. Enforcement of the WARN Act falls under the U.S. Department of Labor.

Typically an employer must give notice if it will shut down a plant and the shutdown will result in a job loss for 50 or more employees during any 30-day period. Employers also must give notice if they plan to lay off 500 or more employees in a 30-day period or if they will be laying off at least 50 people and those people represent at least 33 percent of their active workforce.

Please note that some of the layoffs listed below have not happened yet, but the WARN notices were filed this year. While most WARN notices are permanent, there are times when they are temporary and times when the affected employees are hired immediately by another company taking over a contract.

10. GameStop - 155

Video game retailer GameStop is closing its 700,000-square-foot center at 20 Leo Lane in Manchester Township, York County. The first separations were to begin in March and are to be completed in the fall. In 2021, Gamestop said it opened the center to expand its North American fulfillment network and to expedite shipping on the East Coast.

9. Parkhurst Dining LLC @ Bucknell University - 196

The layoffs at One Dent Drive in East Buffalo Township, Union County, took place in June.

8. United Parcel Service - 206

United Parcel Service Inc. laid off 198 part-time employees and eight full-time employees at 521 N. Center Ave. in New Stanton, Westmoreland County. The layoffs took place on April 15. UPS said the layoffs are due to volume loss in its network and that all of its employees assigned to New Stanton Day Sort will be let go unless otherwise required by a collective bargaining agreement.

7. First Student - 253

First Student closed its facilities at 1812 S. 12th St. in Allentown, Lehigh County, and 3740 State Route 136, Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, near Greensburg. First Student’s contracts for busing ended on June 30 in the two school districts.

6. Benefits Data Trust - 273

Benefits Data Trust is winding down operations at Center Square West, 1500 Market St. in Philadelphia. The nonprofit is dissolving.

5. Newbold Services - 294

Newbold provided janitorial and facilities services at eight Amazon warehouses in Pennsylvania. The company’s contract wasn’t renewed.

The Amazon warehouses are located at:

• 2 Ames Drive, Dickinson Township near Carlisle, Cumberland County
• 21 Roadway Drive, Middlesex Township near Carlisle, Cumberland County
• 500 McCarthy Drive, Fairview Township near Lewisberry, York County
• 675 Allen Road, South Middleton Township near Carlisle, Cumberland County
• 705 Boulder Drive, Upper Macungie Township near Breinigsville, Lehigh County
• 650 Boulder Drive, Upper Macungie Township near Breinigsville, Lehigh County
• 1610 Van Buren Road, Palmer Township near Easton, Northampton County
• 550 Oak Ridge, Hazle Township near Hazleton Township, Luzerne County

4. Cabrini University - 363

Cabrini University in Delaware County closed and the school is laying off 363 people — including 64 full-time administrators; two part-time administrators; five full-time facilities employees; 113 part-time adjunct faculty members; 49 full-time faculty members; 15 part-time seasonal employees; 99 student workers; five part-time support staff members and 11 full-time staff members. The school at 610 King of Prussia Road in Radnor Township closed on June 30 and the layoffs will take place between May 17 and Aug. 30. Villanova University and Cabrini University, along with the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus announced in November, that the organizations had reached a final agreement for Villanova to assume ownership of the Cabrini campus after the conclusion of this school year.

3. Schenker Inc. - 478

The company laid off 478 people on March 10 at 45 Logistics Drive in South Middleton Township.

2. Radial Inc. - 645

The company laid off 645 people (only five Pa. residents) at 935 First Ave. in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County.

1. University of the Arts - 704 + Parkhurst Dining - 34

The University of the Arts at 320 Broad St. in Philadelphia closed on June 7. A wind-down crew of employees was retained for a temporary period after that. Parkhurst Dining, which provides food and dining management and services to the university also said that 34 of its employees, who worked at the college, will be laid off. Parkhurst Dining said 15 of the workers accepted an internal transfer to another company site.