#massachusetts

Many Massachusetts communities are facing significant budget shortfalls. These shortfalls are leading to widespread municipal layoffs. Malden plans to lay off 29 public employees, including firefighters. New Bedford will cut 94 positions and close a fire station. This situation follows the end of pandemic-era federal grants.

Massachusetts

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/05/metro/massachusetts-layoffs/

Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson unveiled his proposed $394 million budget for fiscal year 2027. This plan aims to address an estimated $5.4 million financial shortfall. The budget includes a record investment increase for Somerville public schools. However, it also involved the layoff of 13 city staffers on May 22. Mayor Wilson described these staff reductions as "traumatic."

Somerville, Massachusetts

https://www.cambridgeday.com/2026/06/06/somerville-mayor-budget-layoffs/

Fulcrum Therapeutics announced a significant business restructure. The company is reducing its workforce by 85%. This leaves the company with nine employees. The decision follows the discontinuation of its lead dr-g candidate, pociredir. The FDA raised safety concerns regarding the sickle cell disease treatment.

https://www.biospace.com/business/fulcrum-tanks-as-cancer-concerns-stymie-sickle-cell-asset-trigger-business-reorg

Steinerfilm, a manufacturer of dielectric tape and metallized plastic film, permanently closed its Williamstown, Massachusetts, facility at the end of June. The closure ended over 50 years of domestic U.S. manufacturing for the company, resulting in the termination of 34 employees.

https://www.plasticsnews.com/processors/extrusion/pn-steinerfilm-closing-massachusetts-film-plant/

South Shore Elder Services is laying off 131 workers. The Braintree-based nonprofit lost its state elder care provider designation. The Executive Office of Aging and Independence will end its contract on June 30, 2026. The organization reported a $2.3 million net loss in fiscal year 2024. Clients and services are transferring to Old Colony Elder Services in Brockton.

Braintree, Massachusetts

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/131-employees-face-layoffs-braintree-133718752.html

Massachusetts reported over 5,500 layoffs through May 2026. These job cuts were announced via WARN notices. Dover Saddlery, Christianbook, and Cardinal Health are among those affected. Dover Saddlery plans 112 cuts, Christianbook 50, and Cardinal Health 58. The state's April unemployment rate was 4.7 percent.

Massachusetts

https://patch.com/massachusetts/across-ma/major-job-cuts-hit-massachusetts-2026

Greenfield Community College balanced its FY27 budget. This effort significantly reduced projected layoffs. Three non-unit management positions were eliminated. No union-represented staff positions were cut. The college also left some vacant positions unfilled.

Greenfield, Massachusetts

https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/franklin-county/greenfield-college-balances-budget-minimizes-layoffs/

Students at two South County schools staged walkouts. Mount Everett Regional School students protested recent teacher layoffs. The Southern Berkshire Regional School District cut over 20 faculty positions. Monument Mountain Regional High School students protested immigration enforcement. Students aimed to make their collective voices heard on these issues.

Sheffield, Massachusetts

https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/southern_berkshires/south-county-walkouts/article_b73a3c47-1195-404c-a143-97cd0a46f6aa.html

Lowell City Council approved a new fire department budget. This budget avoids proposed layoffs for six firefighters. A deal was struck between the City Manager and union president. The union agreed to work on reducing overtime costs. This agreement preserves the department's current staffing of 203 positions.

Lowell, Massachusetts

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/05/27/metro/lowell-fire-department-layoffs-after-massive-fire/

Somerville's Mayor Jake Wilson announced staff reductions. The city cut thirteen active employee positions. Sixteen vacant roles were also eliminated from the budget. This action addresses a projected $5.4 million budget deficit. Impacted staff will receive paid leave and human resources support.

Somerville, MA

https://patch.com/massachusetts/somerville/somerville-announces-large-scale-layoffs-city-hall

Many Massachusetts school districts are facing budget cuts. These cuts follow recent agreements on new teacher contracts. The contracts included substantial pay raises and benefits for staff. Districts like Boston, Newton, and Marblehead have announced layoffs. Rising costs and state funding limitations also contribute to the shortfalls.

Massachusetts

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/05/25/metro/teacher-contracts-layoffs-massachusetts-schools/

Superintendent Priya Tahiliani announced upcoming layoffs. These affect Brockton Public Schools. Forty-three teachers union positions will be eliminated. These cuts are for the next school year.

Brockton, MA

https://www.enterprisenews.com/story/news/2026/05/24/brockton-top-stories-bunceys-golf-city-school-layoffs-fatal-crash/90182533007/

The Lowell Fire Department faces potential staffing reductions. City councilors are debating further cuts to the department. The department currently has 13 vacant positions. Firefighters are rallying against these proposed layoffs. They oppose any additional reductions in personnel.

Lowell,

https://www.nbcboston.com/video/on-air/as-seen-on/lowell-firefighters-rally-against-layoffs/3952602/?amp=1

Community Healthlink is increasing its planned layoffs. Up to 84 employees will be affected by these job cuts. These layoffs will occur in Worcester, Webster, and Leominster. The job cuts are scheduled between June 30 and July 6. This comes as the UMass Memorial affiliate transitions programs and prepares to close.

Worcester, Massachusetts

https://wbjournal.com/article/community-healthlink-layoffs-rise-as-transition-negotiations-progress/

MassHire Lowell Career Center is not planning employee layoffs for its fiscal 2027 budget. Its positions are funded by state and grants, not the city budget. This contrasts with the city of Lowell, which has proposed significant employee layoffs. MassHire absorbed four full-time ARPA-funded positions into its operating budget. The center manages its budget through attrition, not filling vacancies, and leveraging grant funding.

https://www.lowellsun.com/2026/05/19/masshire-lowell-career-center-avoids-layoffs/

America’s Test Kitchen laid off 24 employees. This reduction represents 10 percent of its workforce. The company stated the cuts support digital subscription initiatives. This follows previous layoffs in 2023 and last year. Fourteen union members were among those affected.

Boston, Massachusetts

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/05/18/business/americas-test-kitchen-layoffs/

Charles River Laboratories recorded a net loss in the first quarter. The company also disclosed plans to lay off 71 employees. A one-time $118 million charge from asset sales led to the net loss. Without this charge, adjusted earnings per share beat expectations. New CEO Birgit Girshick introduced a strategic framework for future operations.

Wilmington, Massachusetts

https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/05/charles-river-laboratories-posts-loss-amid-dozens-of-layoffs-says-turnaround-on-track.html

The city's proposed fiscal 2027 budget shows significant deficits. It includes 50 immediate personnel reductions across many departments. An additional 31 positions are slated for attrition. Public safety, public works, and health services departments are heavily impacted. Taxpayers may also face increases in property taxes and utility fees.

Lowell, Massachusetts

https://www.lowellsun.com/2026/05/15/major-layoffs-hit-lowells-city-hall/

Mayor Cathleen DeSimone presented Attleboro's nearly $202 million budget. The plan involves employee layoffs and substantial use of free cash. This budget aims to eliminate a $2.5 million deficit. Seven employees will be laid off, and seven vacant positions remain unfilled. The budget uses $965,000 in free cash, a temporary strategy.

Attleboro, MA

https://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/attleboro-mayor-proposes-nearly-202-million-budget-which-includes-layoffs/article_7dc36d63-1fb1-458e-9f84-044ebbd0da03.html

Takeda Pharmaceutical will cut around 4,500 global positions. These reductions are planned for fiscal year 2026. Hundreds of Massachusetts employees are also facing layoffs. The company attributes these cuts to the decline of its dr-g VYVANSE. This restructuring aims to fund new dr-g development and launches.

Cambridge, Massachusetts

https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/05/takeda-is-laying-off-4500-by-years-end-with-hundreds-of-mass-employees-on-the-line.html

Berkley voters overwhelmingly rejected a Proposition 2 1/2 override. The measure failed by a nearly five-to-one margin. This outcome triggers position eliminations across multiple town departments. Layoffs will impact schools, police, fire, highway, and Town Hall. Seven teachers and several other employees are among those affected.

Berkley, Massachusetts

https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/news/local/2026/05/11/berkley-election-override-defeated-layoffs-class-sizes/90028501007/

Dover Saddlery is laying off over 100 employees. The equestrian retailer filed a WARN notice with the state. Approximately 112 employees at its Littleton headquarters are affected. The company expects layoffs to occur in mid-July. It seeks a buyer or new funding to avoid permanent closure.

Littleton, Massachusetts

https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/05/100-employees-face-layoffs-from-50-year-mass-retailer-as-owners-scramble-to-find-buyer.html

More than 200 additional layoffs were announced in Massachusetts. These cuts affect Dover Saddlery, Christianbook, and Cardinal Health. Dover Saddlery will eliminate 112 jobs in Littleton. Christianbook plans 50 job cuts in Peabody. Cardinal Health intends to make 58 cuts in Tewksbury.

Massachusetts

https://patch.com/massachusetts/across-ma/another-200-plus-jobs-will-go-away-soon-ma

Greenfield Community College faces a significant budget deficit of $2.86 million. Unions attribute this gap to high administrative costs and mismanagement. They predict more than a dozen support staff jobs will be cut this summer. College President Michelle Schutt disputes the idea of a top-heavy payroll. Despite recent enrollment increases, the college still plans salary and benefit cuts.

Greenfield, Massachusetts

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/mass-community-college-enrollment-rebounding-174917184.html

Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta presented a draft $137 million budget. The plan includes increasing rental fees for school facilities. It also eliminates 17 positions, mostly vacant or due to retirement. Three current employees losing positions will be reassigned within the system. These measures aim to balance the budget and avoid widespread layoffs.

Haverhill, Massachusetts

https://whav.net/2026/05/07/haverhill-schools-release-draft-137m-spending-plan-without-layoffs/

Eighty-three Compass Group USA food service workers face layoffs. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston ended its contract with the company. These layoffs are effective July 1, 2026. The museum previously laid off 33 of its own employees in January. This was due to a projected $13 million budget deficit.

Boston, MA

https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/05/83-food-service-workers-face-layoffs-as-bostons-museum-of-fine-arts-ends-contract.html

Three Massachusetts behavioral health agencies are cutting a combined 200 jobs. Federal funding cuts are threatening healthcare services in the state. Community Healthlink is closing permanently and laying off 78 employees. Community Counseling of Bristol County will cut 52 positions. Innovative Care Partners is reducing its workforce by 70 staff members.

Massachusetts

https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/05/200-employees-face-layoffs-and-facility-closes-as-federal-cuts-threaten-mass-healthcare.html

KAC Logistics, an Amazon delivery partner, announced 40 layoffs. The company is closing its facility in Taunton, Massachusetts. All 40 drivers at the Revolutionary Drive facility will be terminated. A WARN notice was filed with the state on April 22. The layoffs are effective starting June 16.

Taunton, Massachusetts

https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/news/local/2026/04/29/taunton-amazon-delivery-company-layoffs-kac-revolutionary-drive/89841233007/

Many of us have contracts with no office requirement and I think if they force us in it could be a miscalculation in some states especially in MA.

Anna Maria College will permanently close at the end of the year. The private Catholic college is located in Paxton, Massachusetts. At least 150 employees will be laid off in the first round. The college cited years of financial pressure for the decision. Layoffs are scheduled to begin between June 22 and June 30, 2026.

Paxton, Massachusetts

https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/04/mass-college-closing-after-80-years-laying-off-150-employees-in-first-round-of-cuts.html

Replimune Group Inc. laid off 224 Massachusetts employees last week. These cuts followed the FDA's second rejection of its lead cancer dr-g, RP1. The layoffs occurred across two facilities in Woburn and Framingham. The first wave eliminated 63 positions, followed by 161 additional cuts. Company filings suggest more employee reductions may be finalized soon.

Woburn, Massachusetts

https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/04/200-mass-biotech-employees-were-laid-off-last-week-that-may-only-be-the-beginning.html

Several reps in my area have inquired about seeking union representation. If anyone has direct contact info please leave it here. Reps inquiring are mainly from Northeast stores , Eastern and Western Massachusetts stores including Central and Northern Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Hampshire College faculty and staff are establishing an emergency relief fund. Most of the college's 250 employees will be laid off on June 16. The college is permanently ceasing its academic operations. Employees are unlikely to receive severance pay from the institution. The fund will provide direct financial support for essential expenses.

Amherst, Massachusetts

https://recorder.com/2026/04/23/with-layoffs-approaching-hampshire-college-workers-launch-relief-fund/

Many U.S. companies, including those in Massachusetts, announced layoffs this week. Charles River Laboratories, Legends Global, and Boston Electrometallurgical Corp. are among these employers. Charles River Laboratories is reducing its workforce by up to 100 employees. Boston Electrometallurgical Corp. is cutting 51 to 100 positions. Legends Global plans to lay off 11 to 50 employees.

https://patch.com/massachusetts/across-ma/companies-planning-layoffs-include-these-ma-businesse

Aloha Logistics LLC laid off ten employees. The company is located in Taunton, Massachusetts. These layoffs took effect on April 17. A WARN notice disclosed the terminations on April 15. Aloha Logistics serves as an interstate freight carrier for Amazon.

Taunton, Massachusetts

https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/news/local/2026/04/22/taunton-ma-layoffs-amazon-freight-carrier-delivery-aloha-myles-standish-industrial-park/89705878007/

Replimune Group, Inc. is facing significantly more layoffs than initially reported. Between 161 and 224 Massachusetts employees are affected. This follows the FDA's second rejection of its lead cancer treatment, RP1. RP1 was an experimental therapy for advanced melanoma. Layoffs are occurring at facilities in Woburn and Framingham.

Woburn, Massachusetts

https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/04/mass-biotech-company-facing-between-161-and-224-layoffs-after-fda-rejects-dr-g-for-2nd-time.html

Hampshire College will close after the fall 2026 semester. Financial difficulties, declining enrollment, and debt led to this decision. Students will receive transfer assistance to partner institutions. Layoffs for faculty and staff are anticipated to begin June 15. The closure will significantly impact the local Amherst economy.

Amherst, Massachusetts

https://www.wgbh.org/news/education-news/2026-04-14/hampshire-college-to-close-at-end-of-2026

Replimune informed the state of upcoming layoffs. The company will cut 63 jobs. This action follows an FDA decision. The Food and Dr-g Administration rejected its melanoma treatment. This was the second rejection for the dr-g.

https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2026/04/15/replimune-layoffs-dr-g-rejection.html

Astellas Pharma is closing its Universal Cells office. This office is located in Seattle. The closure will result in some position relocations. These positions will move to South San Francisco. Other positions will move to Westborough, Massachusetts.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/04/13/astellas-pharma-universal-cells-stem-biotech.html

Layoffs in the life sciences sector are increasing again. This follows a decrease in job cuts at the end of 2025. Fourteen companies in life sciences announced job reductions. These reductions impacted over 745 workers in Massachusetts. All these job losses happened during Q1 2026.

https://www.nbcboston.com/boston-business-journal/biotech-layoffs-return-mass-life-science-firms-cut-745-jobs-in-q1/3928398/

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