witsend I agree totally with making it the 51rst state as that is where most of *our* money is going. It would gain the USA more in the long run as we can nail them with our high taxes and then we as the citizens would not have to pay extra casts out of our tax dollars to support those that are here illegally. IMO, I just get frustated as to companies buying up American companies and sending them to other countries. It is not the fault of the employee nor the government as to making good wages for hard work it is the company that allows the high wage to begin with. Any one that supports slave labor is not a company that cares about their employee any way IMO. Just curious as to who did we blame back in the 30s when the big depression hit? Does anyone in here have any articles from the archives on that?

I worked for SSI years ago and I know that allot of the people I worked with back then are still there. This is just sad for all whom are employed there. I wish them all the best of luck!!

I also work for bourns and been there for many years.I believe that we will all get through this. Look we have all worked together for sooo long and we all have eachother to talk to and figure things out for our families. I guess it's just scarey when there isn't much around to rebound on, except for the possibly of going back to school and giving yourself a good oppurtunity to do something you might have wanted to do for a long time. At least we still have eachother and our families in this time of need!!!!

I too am a Bourns employee. Been there many years. I honestly don't hold a grudge against Bourns. Unfortunately it is a result of the economy. I had hoped we might be one of the lucky ones to weather the storm, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. Anyone that has worked there knows we've been riding the edge since before Bourns aquired us. At least we have some time to prepare. While it might make everyone feel better to complain, it won't make a difference in the long run. Just "gotta be positive"

The facility on W. Court Street is SSI Technologies. The plant that is closing is Bourns Automotive. They are no longer associated with each other after the acquisition.

Will this affect their facility on W. Court Street as well?

shutupandfish- Either you didn't read the article in the link I posted or you didn't comprehend it. You are putting the blame on the wrong people. READ the article, then post. And where on earth did you get your information about wages? Please tell me, I am curious.

When didn't the middle class suffer? This is nothing new. It is just bigger and has gone on longer. Americans have short memories. When times are good we think we are deserving of all that is good. When times are bad we blame the goverment and expect them to bail us out. People that live outside their means are in part to blame for this downturn in the economy. That in and of itself will never change.

Words are not ignorant, people are.

I am far from naive (and not in the South Carolina, or any other Mafia :) ).

I go to work everyday to a job that I love and I don't believe that anyone owes me anything. I work hard because that's how I was raised and what I'm being paid for.

We need to make Mexico the 51st state.

I appreciate everyone comments. I understand that business must make a profit to survive, but at what cost? Why should the middle class continue to suffer?

In addition, we should reframe from using ignorant words such as “idiot.” If you have point to make, please do so in an intelligent and respectful manner. I wish that I were as naive as RealWoman. What did you receive for your hard work and dedication?

There is a lot of blame to go around. The unions the management everybody had a hand in the down fall. You can't justify paying a guy $35 an hour to put bolts on a car. You can't pay a guy $35 an hour to go around and check fire extinguishers. You can't pay a guy $35 an hour to clean drinking fountains. It will eventually catch up to you.

Realwoman, you sound like one of the South Carolina mafia to me.

Stop blaming unions, corporate greed, or whoever else you happen to be mad at for the moment. If you want to blame someone, read this first. If you have any amount of comprehension, then this article will open your eyes.

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/it/magazine...

The work shifted to Mexico may at least make the Janesville employees eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance funds (which cover unemployment, retraining, job search, and moving).
.
But if this was caused by NAFTA, why did it take them 15 years to move the jobs? This is driven not just by labor costs but by the strong dollar, an ironic effect of the credit crisis (because investment dollars are flowing to US T-bills, judged among the safest risks in the world), and the weakening peso. This exacerbates any labor cost analysis between the US and Mexico and would exist regardless of NAFTA. Mexico is only reaping minor benefits, though, because much of its production is geared toward the US consumer market, which has tanked. Mexico is, in fact, getting even cheaper than Asia, but this is probably only a temporary effect and there are rising concerns about the stability of the Mexican government. If unemployment rises there, that only gets worse.

BassPhantom is an idiot. Of course Bourns wants to make a profit...that's how you stay in business. Bourns is a very, employee friendly, company...yes I work for them and no I am not in management and this in not Bourns propaganda. I am just a hard working employee who appreciates the company they work for and know how hard it was for them to make the decision to close Janesville.

BassPhantom: "Bourns only cares about one thing and that is: “Making a Profit!”

I certainly hope every business in this community cares about making a profit. If profits are not made then businesses shut down or relocate. If you want to focus your efforts, then quit complaining and assuming and do something productive.

well at least the people in mexico and hungary will have jobs. lol an its going to get worse.

BassPhantom offers the best argument as to why we must avoid any healthcare reform that depends on for-profit insurance companies. Ever noticed how much of this profit goes to managing us -- i.e. denying us healthcare, even as the CEOs, shareholders, and execs generally reap larger and larger profits.

glad i've still got a job

Janesville ~

The employees of Bourns do not want or need pity!

As a community and nation we need is to join together and make our voices heard.
I’ve personally had enough of our corrupt government and corporate executives.

Here is the truth about Bourns!
When Bourns bought part of SSI they made the following statements
“Our people are our greatest asset!” – Lie
“We care about our company and the people that make it great” – Lie

Bourns only cares about one thing and that is: “Making a Profit!”

Let us focus our efforts on what we can do as individuals to help each other in this time of crisis.

Talking about NAFTA and jobs being sent somewhere else is pointless at this stage. The point is, why did it get to the stage of having to lose the jobs in the first place? Now what's left is being moved.

SK's comment hit it right on the head. Blame the automobile companies themselves.

Just to set the record straight, Daddy Bush birthed NAFTA. Although it was signed by Clinton, HW Bush just didn't have enough time to get it signed before his time was up.

Regardless of the economy, nafta has a lot to do with this..Anyone has got to be an idiot to not know that.

And the beat goes on....How is the Janesville Mall doing? Hmm......

people are blind when they have money

Bush and Obama have nothing to do with this. My question is why didn't WE see this coming and do something about it?

Yay! More competition in the job search!

It's a trickle down effect due to the auto companies (like GM) paying their employees crazy amounts of money & benefits for so many years they worked themselves out of jobs. Now all the other companies in the auto industry are suffering because GM doesn't have the production anymore.
I feel so bad for the people at these supporting companies like SSI, Lear, etc.
They were the ones blindsided.

snazzyj1977-This isn't Bush's fault.
rooster-This isn't Obamas fault.

It's time for some of you to get out of denial and start blaming the corporate morons that run the automotive industries. Trust me, there was warning signs and business practices that should have been changed a long time ago. We all know this. Now it's catching up.

this goes directly in the face of the obama plan to keep jobs in the USA.

More of our jobs & money going over the border!!
Sorry to all those losing their jobs.

"transfer to facilities in Mexico".....
.......
............isn't nafta just wonderful?????