Layoffs Hit 471 Workers In Wauwatosa In One Week

WAUWATOSA, WI — A round of layoffs at three Wauwatosa-based companies means hundreds people will be out of work by the end of the summer.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Briggs and Stratton, Adecco USA and GE Healthcare all filed mass-layoff notices with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development this week, resulting in a total of 471 workers losing their jobs.

In GE Healthcare's case, which was filed on Tuesday, a total of 123 employees will be laid off on Aug. 31 as the company moves its support functions from their office at 9900 W. Innovation Drive to other locations across the U.S.

The Briggs and Stratton layoffs had a ripple effect that involved Adecco. Adecco is laying off 120 workers who worked at the Burliegh plant. Workers will be on-hand until their last day on Aug. 28, Adecco officials said.

Briggs and Stratton officials alerted the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development that 228 jobs will be lost at the facility that production of lawn tractors, riding mowers, snow throwers and power washers will be moved out of the Burleigh plant and to the new location at the end of August. The company announced that the operation will completely wind down by the end of the year.

About 184 of the affected workers are represented by the United States Steelworkers Local 2-232. Wauwatosa economic development officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the move from Patch on Wednesday.

Briggs & Stratton officials said in a news release that the company is streamlining operations and that employees impacted by the move from the Wauwatosa plant will be given a 60-day notice. The company announced a $145 million loss through recent fiscal quarter, which ended at the end of March.